AllClear ID Blog

Online Social Security Accounts: Tips for Safe Use

Jackie here. Have you signed up for an online Social Security account? Earlier this year Social Security announced  that the agency is expanding the services available online for those with a my Social Security account. These accounts aren’t just for those receiving benefits; anyone over 18 can sign up for an account by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. […]

New Trend: Mobile Apps for Catching Snoopers

Allison here. A recent article highlighted a survey conducted by phone security company, Lookout, in which one-third of people admitted to sneaking glances at text messages, photos, and emails on a loved one’s phone. This is a concerning statistic, now that our mobile phones store more and more of our personal data. A snooper with […]

Online Impersonation vs. Identity Theft: Is There a Difference?

Allison here with AllClear ID. As defined by the Department of Justice, identity theft includes, “crimes in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.” Using this definition, online impersonation can technically be considered identity theft, but is there more to […]

Virus Alert: Malware Targeting Smartphone Users

Aaron here, with the AllClear Investigation team.  The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) was recently made aware of malware attacking smartphones that use the Android operating system. The newest versions of this malware are called Loozfon and FinFisher. Loozfon is an information-stealing type of malware. With this one, criminals use different tactics to try and […]

Scam Alert: CitiBank Phishing Emails & Phone Calls

Matt here, with the AllClear Investigation team. Most people are well aware of the variety of phishing scams out there.  “Phishing” is attempting to acquire information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication or over the phone. A popular financial institution being used for […]