For all of the hoopla there has been about how ChatGPT and other Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications can increase efficiencies and create terrific new content, there’s another darker side to AI. It can also help fraudsters and identity thieves be more effective, too. Let’s review four ways that AI scams can impact your credit score. […]
Category Archives: Fraud
While many parents will get a Social Security Number for their child, it may be many years before the child uses their identification for financial purposes (e.g., opening a bank account). In the intervening time, the dormancy of children’s information makes kids an ideal target for identity thieves. The children’s underlying data is real, but […]
The traditions and symbolism behind Vietnamese names are profoundly meaningful, while individuals’ personal names are often beautiful and inspiring. But having a Vietnamese name in the United States can pose a unique challenge when it comes to someone’s financial security. Let’s explore why this is an issue and what you can do to protect yourself. […]
While those with Arabic names may be used to having people make mistakes in addressing them (e.g., thinking that “bin” or “ben” is someone’s first or middle name), these errors can be more than a mild annoyance if they are on someone’s credit report. When that happens, it can have real consequences on their financial […]
Mexican-Americans are proud of their outstanding heritage and vibrant culture. They are also proud of their lineage and often have two surnames that reflect their ancestry. Many use their father’s and mother’s family names as their surnames. For example, a man may go by Gilberto Lopez Garcia, or a woman may be called Maria Gonzalez […]
William Shakespeare famously wrote, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” But, for many of us, names are important since they give us our identity. Especially our last names. Surnames are a source of pride since they link us to our families and ethnic […]
The nation of France is known for its contributions to art and culture, from the architectural marvels of the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles to the fashion runways of Paris to the masterpieces in the Louvre Museum. And don’t forget the food and wine! The people of France have a lot to be […]
Credit bureaus have reportedly returned to the practice of “trigger listing,” used extensively in the lead up to the 2008 housing market-crisis. Consumer advocate, Ed Mierzwinski, describes the process as follows: When a consumer applies for a loan to purchase property, the credit bureaus alert potential lenders to the transaction; those competitors, which Mierzwinski notes […]
It was déjà vu for Wells Fargo, this week, as senators expressed outrage at the bank’s culture of shady practices. Last year, senators berated (former-CEO) John Stumpf over the millions of fake accounts created in customers’ names. Stumpf’s replacement, Tim Sloan, took the brunt of congressional ire on Tuesday, with Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii […]
Have you been a victim of ID theft? Check your credit report for errors at annualcreditreport.com. Tens of thousands of ransomware attacks are targeting organizations around the world on Friday. Cybersecurity firm Avast said it has tracked more than 75,000 attacks in 99 countries. It said the majority of the attacks targeted Russia, Ukraine and Taiwan. The ransomware locks […]