Connecting to public Wi-Fi gives savvy hackers easy access to your personnel information. Too avoid these scams use your smart phone to connect to the internet more securely. You might also invest in a virtual private network (VPN), a service that encrypts your data to keep unscrupulous hackers from stealing sensitive information online. A VPN costs about $30 to $100 a year.
AARP Bulletin June 2021
ICI investigated the Berny Cornfield and Robert Vesco OSI Switzerland based company and its international financial fraud. ICI’s CEO, Earl Johnson, met with Berny Cornfield in the UK following his release from prisson.
Vesco lived for years as a successful banker in the Bahamas,. Eventually, the U S government made an effort to have him arrested and deported to the US. He escaped the Bahamas on his boat and arrived in Cuba, Castro managed to steal all of Vescos stolen millions, and Vesco died in Cuba totally broke.
Financial fraud is even more of a criminal concern today, especially with the vulnerability of cryptocurrencies and involvement in ransom cyber-attacks. Companies who have made the decision to operate within the virtual world are at a higher risk. Let ICI mentor for your business and evaluate its vulnerability to cyber attack . ICI can also conduct in-depth background investigations of personnel and others at every level, domestic or international.
International Consultants and Investigations, Inc has over twenty five years of service to the domestic and international business community and has a proven records of success on behalf of its clients.
LAST YEAR IDENTITY THEFT COST CONSUMERS IN THE U.S. ALMOST FIVE BILLION DOLLARS.
EARL JOHNSON, CEO OF ICI COMPANIES HAS A FEW SELF-DEFENSE STRATEGIES TO STOP THIS CRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS TO YOU!
1. THE INTERNET POSES A HUGE THREAT. HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE OF:
a) don’t store credit card info on a website
b) don’t open or respond to unwanted email or email from a party you don’t know. This can unleash a “worm” air virus on your computer that will disable your system and/or allow hackers to get in.
c) make sure you are on a secure page when shopping on the Internet.
d) use just one credit card exclusively for internet shopping
e) utilize virus and security protection. These can be purchased or provided for free by firms like Microsoft for users of their operating system.
2. ATMs, ALMOST EVERYONE USES THEM AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THREATS YOU FACE USING THEM?
a) do not use convenience store ATMs or those not provided by a financial institution.
b), choose a pin number that’s hard to crack
c) always make sure no one is looking over you shoulder while you’re using an ATM
d) make sure the ATM hasn’t been tampered with
e) use ATSMs that are in trafficked and well lit areas and not isolated or hidden from view
3. YOUR PHONE CAN ALSO EXPOSE YOU TO IDENTITY THEFT.
WHAT ARE SOME PRECAUTIONS YOU CAN TAKE?
a) do not give out personal info over the phone if you didn’t initiate the call own know the party you’re speaking to
b) register with a national do not cal system
c) don’t offer up your social security, credit card or bank account numbers unless you know who you’re speaking to
d) do not send money over currency apps or give credit/debit card info to parties you don’t know. Current scams revolve around grand children in trouble needing money, “Medicare” or “IRS” calls threatening legal action if “past due balances” aren’t remitted immediately or any other call from a bank or financial institution requesting verification of account numbers, PIN numbers, etc.
4. RECENTLY, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES TO THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT WHICH WILL ENABLE EVERYONE TO OBTAIN ONE FREE CREDIT REPORT A YEAR.
a) consumers are entitled to a free copy of their credit report every 12 months. All three of the credit reporting agencies are required by law to fulfill the request. Log onto consumer.gov for more info or refer to ICI’s website icicompanies.com
Recently the CIA Director addressed a Congressional committee on Capitol Hill. His report provided the Agency’s assessment of cyber threats and recent attacks on the United States. A key point addressed was Cyber security and the serious threats that ISIS and other enemies of the US pose.
Business leaders, as well as the public, need to fully understand the potential problems we face as a nation due to cyber threat. Becoming educated regarding this issue and available solutions is paramount. Earl Johnson, the CEO of International Consultants and Investigations, Inc., agrees with what was discussed at the Committee. He was quoted saying that key points were mentioned and that all businesses have to take the threats of Cyber Crime seriously. Preventative Cyber Security measures are available and need to be implemented.
For further information as to how ICI Cyber Solutions can fully prepare and protect you or your business against Cyber attacks contact: www.icicompanies.com