COVID19 increases identity theft cases: 7 steps to lessen your risk

What does an embezzler spend their money on? In the case of a New York man’s alleged fraud, just about everything, apparently. According to IDentutyUSA identity theft is on the rise during COVID-19 pandemic. Experts predict that one out of every four people in the United States will be a victim of this growing crime trend as more people work from home because of COVID-19.  While data from Experian and the National Hunter Fraud Prevention Service shows that fraud rate rises 33% during Covid-19 lockdown. As many as 1 in 10 people are now victims of identity fraud annually, with 21% of these individuals having been victimized multiple times.

When fraud investigators are asked what is the biggest fraud risk to the public at large, identity theft is usually at or near the top of the list. In today’s technologically connected world, criminals can get personal identifying information on countless unsuspecting individuals with just a few keystrokes.

At CRI® Group, our experts have investigated their fair share of identity theft cases, and while they can be very damaging, there is good news – many could have been avoided (and can be avoided in the future) with some proper due diligence. With that in mind, here are some important tips to help lessen the chances of becoming a victim of this insidious fraud:

1. (If/When out) Be careful using public wifi

When using the wifi at a coffee shop, Internet café or any other public place, don’t access bank account information or other sensitive information. Your data is vulnerable to those looking to steal it.

2. Update your passwords regularly

Change your passwords and vary them among different accounts. Password managers like LastPass can help you keep track of them.

3. Don’t become a victim of phishing

Be very skeptical of unsolicited emails or website pop-ups that pose as legitimate sites (like those pretending to be a bank, a delivery service, or the IRS, for example) and ask you for personal identifying information, or financial particulars. Don’t follow links or click on attachments for any of these unconfirmed emails or sites.

4. Consider going paperless

Identity thieves can still get your information the old-fashioned way: by intercepting your mail, going through your trash or finding other ways to get bills, invoices or receipts. Shred documents that you do have and don’t need, and opt to go paperless (requesting electronic documents only) as often as possible.

5. Check your bank and credit card statements

If someone is using your existing accounts, you’ll want to know as quickly as possible so that your bank can be alerted and take the proper measures.

6. Watch for fraud alerts

Most banks will now proactively alert their customers when they see suspicious transactions. If this is an optional service, opt-in – it’s better to be safe than sorry. Then you can confirm whether the transaction is actually fraudulent or not.

7. Monitor your credit history

Credit reports can help you know if any new lines of credit have been fraudulently opened in your name. Services include Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, and Callcredit, and in the U.S., you are able to receive your credit report once a year at no charge.

Identity theft is a serious problem, and it’s not going away anytime soon. But it’s good to know that there are some common-sense precautions we can all take to lessen our chances of having our information stolen.

If you do become the victim of ID theft, or believe your information may have been compromised, there are resources to help you deal with the crisis.

In the U.S., you can visit IdentityTheft.gov. This official U.S. government website invites users to report if they have been victims of identity theft. Based on the information they provide, victims are assisted with a personalized recovery plan, and can receive step-by-step instructions on how to proceed and navigate the sometimes murky and complicated world of untangling identity theft.

In the UK, ActionFraud National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre provides tips, advice and a reporting system as your first point of contact if you have been a victim of fraud.

Many other countries and jurisdictions provide similar services. If you are a victim of identity theft, rest assured you are not alone. It is one of the most common frauds around the world, but with a little preventative action, we can lessen its incidence and its impact.

Identity theft is a persistent problem in business, but it doesn’t have to be a crisis at your company. By using a common sense approach and some key prevention strategies, you can help ensure that your employees know the rules and are less likely to be victims. For assistance in developing and implementing a fraud prevention strategy, contact us today or get a FREE QUOTE now!

Speak up – report any illegal, unethical, or improper behavior

Ethics & Compliance Hotline is an anonymous reporting mechanism that facilitates reporting of possible illegal, unethical, or improper conduct when the normal channels of communication have proven ineffective, or are impractical under the circumstances. At CRI Group, we are committed to having an open dialogue on ethical dilemmas regardless.

Learn more about how EmploySmart™ can help your company stay protected during these strange and uncertain times. Contact CRI® Group today.

About us…

Based in London, CRI® Group works with companies across the Americas, Europe, Africa, Middle East and Asia-Pacific as a one-stop international Risk Management, Employee Background Screening, Business Intelligence, Due Diligence, Compliance Solutions and other professional Investigative Research solutions provider. We have the largest proprietary network of background screening analysts and investigators across the Middle East and Asia. Our global presence ensures that no matter how international your operations are, we have the network needed to provide you with all you need, wherever you happen to be. CRI® Group also holds BS102000:2013 and BS7858:2019 Certifications is an HRO certified provider and partner with Oracle.

In 2016, CRI® Group launched the Anti-Bribery Anti-Corruption (ABAC®) Center of Excellence – an independent certification body established for ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Management Systems, ISO 37301 Compliance Management Systems and ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management, providing training and certification. ABAC® operates through its global network of certified ethics and compliance professionals, qualified auditors and other certified professionals. As a result, CRI® Group’s global team of certified fraud examiners work as a discreet white-labelled supplier to some of the world’s largest organizations. Contact ABAC® for more on ISO Certification and training.

MEET THE CEO

Zafar I. Anjum is Group Chief Executive Officer of CRI® Group (www.crigroup.com), a global supplier of investigative, forensic accounting, business due to diligence and employee background screening services for some of the world’s leading business organizations. Headquartered in London (with a significant presence throughout the region) and licensed by the Dubai International Financial Centre-DIFC, the Qatar Financial Center – QFC, and the Abu Dhabi Global Market-ADGM, CRI® Group safeguard businesses by establishing the legal compliance, financial viability, and integrity levels of outside partners, suppliers and customers seeking to affiliate with your business. CRI® Group maintains offices in UAE, Pakistan, Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil, China, the USA, and the United Kingdom.

Contact CRI® Group to learn more about its 3PRM-Certified™ third-party risk management strategy program and discover an effective and proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with corruption, bribery, financial crimes and other dangerous risks posed by third-party partnerships.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Zafar Anjum, MSc, MS, CFE, CII, MICA, Int. Dip. (Fin. Crime) | CRI® Group Chief Executive Officer

37th Floor, 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5AA United Kingdom

t: +44 207 8681415 | m: +44 7588 454959 | e: zanjum@crigroup.com