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Learn what financial advisor fee structures could mean for your wealth and how to find someone who won't sell you out. What new threats are emerging for identity crime victims? Host Sean Pyles, CFP®, and news colleague Rick VanderKnyff are joined by Mona Terry, chief operating and programs officer of the Identity Theft Resource Center, to walk through the ITRC's 2026 Trends in Identity Report. They explore why more than 1 in 4 victims now face two or more simultaneous identity incidents, how device compromise differs from the scams most people think to watch for, and whether AI is already making identity crimes harder to detect and resolve. Do financial advisors have a built-in conflict of interest that could be costing you money? Sean is joined by co-host Elizabeth Ayoola and NerdWallet Wealth Partners CEO Ryan Sterling to tackle a listener's question about whether they should hire a financial advisor. They dig into how different advisor fee structures — from AUM (assets under management) percentages to flat-fee plans, hourly rates, and commissions — create different kinds of conflicts, what the fiduciary standard actually guarantees (and what it doesn't), and what red flags could signal that an advisor's priorities aren't aligned with yours. Learn more about working with a financial advisor at NerdWallet Wealth Partners: https://nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart How to Prevent Identity Theft: Warning Signs, Protection Services and More https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/how-to-prevent-identity-theft Read the ITRC's 2026 Trends in Identity Report: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/post/2026-trends-in-identity-report-hacked-devices-overtake-scams Subscribe to our podcast's free email newsletter for bonus content and more from our hosts at https://smartmoney-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/ Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's Weekly Breach Breakdown for June 19, 2026. I'm Tim Walden. Thanks to SentiLink for their continued support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we are looking at a significant shift in how artificial intelligence can be integrated into our daily lives. Specifically, bringing AI into our wallets. Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/IDTheftResourceCenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter Follow on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@idtheftcenter_ Follow on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Fraudian Slip, the Identity Theft Resource Center's podcast where we talk about all things identity theft, fraud and scams that impact people and businesses. This month, we're focusing on one of our signature reports, the 2026 Trends in Identity Report by ITRC, which examines the identity concerns reported by victims of identity theft, fraud and scams, as well as by individuals seeking prevention advice. Our Chief Operating & Programs Officer, Mona Terry, reviewed the findings from the 2026 Trends in Identity Report by ITRC, which is supported by the ITRC's Alliance for Identity Resilience Advisory Board. Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/IDTheftResourceCenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter Follow on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@idtheftcenter_ Follow on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's Weekly Breach Breakdown for June 5, 2026. I'm Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for their continued support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we break down the latest in data security and privacy, and this week, we have a story that's a little different. It's not about criminals targeting everyday people or businesses. It's about ransomware groups targeting each other. Grab your popcorn. Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/IDTheftResourceCenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter Follow on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@idtheftcenter_ Follow on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IDTheftCenter
Send us Fan MailEpisode Summary: In this episode, cybersecurity expert Robert Siciliano discusses the evolving threats of AI-driven scams, deep fakes, and human behavior. Learn how organizations and individuals can protect themselves in a rapidly changing digital landscape.Robert's BIO: Robert Siciliano is a security analyst, best-selling author, and the Architect of The Strategic Human Firewall™. As one of the world's most recognizable educators in personal and corporate protection, he is the'Straight Talk' voice for a digital age.You've seen his expertise on CNN, Fox News, CNBC, and Anderson Cooper 360, and read his insights in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Forbes.Robert has served on the board of the Identity Theft Resource Center and is a core contributor to the Realtor® Safety Initiative. He is a man who literally goes to the extremes to prove a point—once even buying a working ATM on Craigslist just to demonstrate how easily our 'secure' systems can be cracked.To contact Robert, ProtectNowLLC.comSupport the showOur premiere sponsor, Social News Desk, has an exclusive offer for PIO Podcast listeners. Head over to socialnewsdesk.com/pio to get three months free when a qualifying agency signs up.
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) Weekly Breach Breakdown for May 22, 2026. I'm Tim Walden. Thanks to Sentilink for their continued support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we're looking at a growing safety and fraud crisis in the gig economy, uncovered by recent investigations – Uber driver fraud. Hundreds of people are driving for Uber using stolen identities. Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/IDTheftResourceCenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter Follow on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@idtheftcenter_ Follow on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@IDTheftCenter
Did you receive a Canvas data breach notice? Do you want to know what happened and how it might impact you? We have all of those answers and more. Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) Weekly Breach Breakdown for May 15, 2026. I'm Alex Achten, Vice President of Media Relations for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we review the latest events and trends in data security and privacy. Today, we will take a look at a data breach dominating the headlines: the Canvas data breach. Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/IDTheftResourceCenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter Follow on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@idtheftcenter_ Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRCs) Weekly Breach Breakdown for May 8, 2026. I'm Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for their continued support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and data privacy. While headlines are often filled with the latest tech innovations, a massive shift is happening behind the scenes in how our information is governed. Regulators have officially traded their "guidance" for full-scale enforcement, and the bill for years of corporate neglect has finally arrived. Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/IDTheftResourceCenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter Follow on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@idtheftcenter_
Your prices could be going up because of a little something that one group has started calling the “cyber tax.”Not a “tax” in any regulatory sense of the word, this newly named “cyber tax” is instead a consequence of the growing number of cyberattacks on small businesses. According to the latest research from the Identity Theft Resource Center, 81% of small- and medium-sized businesses suffered a data breach, a security breach, or both, within the past year. And of those businesses, more than 50% of lost more than $250,000.According to the most recent data from the US Federal Reserve, the median American family has just $8,000 in savings, meaning that a hit of $250,000 could bankrupt a family and turn their lives upside down. But there's an interesting layer within this data—the median American family is quite similar to the median American business. In fact, they're often the exact same person.The local grocer, the nearby HVAC repair service, the avid cyclist who just opened a bike shop, and the tax professional, and physical therapist helping out neighbors are everyday individuals and family members. They do not have multimillion dollar corporations at their backs, supporting them with legal teams, insurance policies, and dedicated IT support teams.A loss of $250,000, then, is a potential loss of their business. And to stay afloat, the Identity Theft Resource Center found, for the first time ever, that 38% decided to raise their prices.“It was near 40% said ‘We actually had to raise prices—we had to pass this cost onto our customers,'” said Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center. “We're now really seeing the long-term downstream effects of cyberattacks.”As frustrating as the cyber tax can be, small businesses themselves are also facing a new wave of cyberattacks, from AI-powered phishing emails so convincing that small business owners can't tell the legitimate from the illegitimate, to deepfake calls that impersonate the CEO of a three-person company, to supply-chain attacks that target small companies as a way to reach bigger ones.Today, on the Lock and Code podcast with host David Ruiz, we speak with Velasquez about cybercrime's impact on small businesses, the new threats being deployed because of AI, and what is necessary to protect business owners and their consumers.“Great businesses with great protocols in place can still have a vulnerability exploited because this is what the cyber bad guys are doing all day long. They only have to be right once, whereas small business owners have to be right 100% of the time.”Tune in today.You can also find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and whatever preferred podcast platform you use.For all our cybersecurity coverage, visit Malwarebytes Labs at malwarebytes.com/blog.Show notes and credits:Intro Music: “Spellbound” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Outro Music: “Good God” by Wowa (unminus.com)Listen up—Malwarebytes doesn't just talk cybersecurity, we provide it.Protect yourself from online attacks that threaten your identity, your files, your system, and your financial well-being with our exclusive offer for Malwarebytes Premium for Lock and Code listeners.
Welcome to a special edition of the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown, the podcast where each week, we review the latest events and trends in data security and privacy. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. I'm James E. Lee, President of the ITRC, and we are going to talk about a conversation I had with Tom Kemp who leads the California Privacy Protection Agency, also known as CalPrivacy. Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/IDTheftResourceCenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter Follow on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@idtheftcenter_
How many data breaches did we see in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026? With 2025 being a record-setting year for data breaches, we can only go up, right? I will tell you! Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) Weekly Breach Breakdown for April 17, 2026. I'm Alex Achten, Vice President of Media Relations for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we review the latest events and trends in data security and privacy. Today, we will examine our Q1 2026 data breach analysis. Follow on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Instagram: instagram.com/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/IDTheftResourceCenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter Follow on TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@idtheftcenter_
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for April 10, 2026. I'm Tim Walden. Thanks to Sentilink for their continued support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we are reporting on the recent RSA Conference, where the conversation was dominated by one topic: Artificial Intelligence (AI). While many were talking about all that AI can do, ITRC President James E. Lee was raising the alarm about what we're leaving behind. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Is the dark web a myth? Where is all of this stolen data being stored? Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for April 3, 2026. I'm Alex Achten, Vice President of Media Relations for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we review the latest events and trends in data security and privacy. Today, we are going to dive into those two questions. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for March 27, 2026. I am Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for their support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy, including IRS scams targeting taxpayers this tax season. This week, we will discuss how tax season creates new opportunities for identity criminals and what that means for protecting your identity and personal data. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for March 20, 2026. I'm Tim Walden. Thanks to Sentilink for their support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the latest news and trends in data security and privacy. Today, we're talking about something almost all of us have dealt with: those weird, silent phone calls from numbers you don't recognize. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for March 13, 2026. I'm Alex Achten, Vice President of Media Relations for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we review the latest events and trends in data security and privacy. Today, we will discuss whether or not consumers are protecting data. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Send a textFinancial scams targeting older adults continue to rise - with billions of dollars lost each year. In this timely Ageless Glamour Girls™ Podcast encore, host Marqueeta Curtis-Haynes revisits her important conversation with identity theft expert Eva Velasquez of the Identity Theft Resource Center about the most common scams impacting women 50+ and how to protect your finances, identity, and peace of mind.From fake shopping sites and delivery-text hoaxes to romance scams, tech-support traps, and emotional “emergency” calls, this episode shares real warning signs, prevention strategies, and trusted resources for support. Because awareness is power - and protecting ourselves is part of aging boldly and wisely.You'll learn what to do immediately if something feels “off,” simple steps to safeguard your identity, and where to get free, confidential help if you've been targeted. CHEERS to Healthy Aging and Joyful Living, Luvvies!*********************ABOUT OUR GUEST: Eva Velasquez is the President & CEO of the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center, which provides free support and guidance to identity crime victims and anyone seeking information on fraud, scams, or data breaches. With more than 30 years of experience in consumer protection, fraud prevention, and victim advocacy, Eva is one of the nation's most respected voices on identity crime. She has been featured on CBS Mornings, NBC Nightly News, The New York Times, Fortune, NPR, CNBC's American Greed, and numerous national outlets. Before joining the ITRC, Eva spent over two decades with the San Diego District Attorney's Office, where she led major initiatives supporting crime victims. She is the recipient of the U.S. Department of Justice National Crime Victim Service Award and the National Consumer League's Florence Kelley Leadership Award. Eva also serves on multiple advisory boards and regularly briefs federal agencies and policymakers on emerging scam trends and consumer risks.RESOURCES & LINKS Free ITRC Support: www.idtheftcenter.orgMastercard “Anatomy of a Scam”: https://www.mastercard.com/us/en/news-and-trends/stories/2025/anatomy-of-a-scam-episode-one.html Support the showSupport Ageless Glamour Girls™: www.agelessglamourgirls.com www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls Instagram @agelessglamourgirls Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls Private (AGG) FB Group: The Ageless Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe TikTok: @agelessglamourgirls Podcast Producers: Ageless Glamour Girls™ and Purple Tulip Media, LLC
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for February 27, 2026. I am Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for their support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we're taking a closer look at a recently uncovered online database containing billions of records, including a substantial number of Social Security numbers (SSNs), and highlighting ongoing concerns about legacy data breach risks. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for February 20, 2026. I'm Tim Walden, Communications Leader for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Valentine's Day may have come and gone, but for some, Cupid's arrow was carrying more malware than magic. This week, we're talking about romance and relationship scams, the kind that start with sweet messages and end with broken hearts and empty bank accounts. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for February 13, 2026. I'm Alex Achten, Vice President of Media Relations for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we review the latest events and trends in data security and privacy. Today, we will examine the Marquis data breach. We are not referring to a high-ranking hereditary noble in the European peerage. Rather, the software solutions provider. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Identity theft is usually framed as an external threat. Hackers, data breaches, anonymous criminals operating somewhere far away. This episode looks at a much harder reality to face: identity theft that happens inside families, often quietly, over many years, and without immediate detection. The damage isn't just financial. It reshapes trust, relationships, and a person's sense of stability long before anyone realizes what's happening. My guest is Axton Betz-Hamilton, an associate professor of financial counseling and planning whose research focuses on familial and child identity theft. Her work is deeply personal. As a teenager, Axton discovered her own credit had been destroyed before she ever had a chance to build it, the result of identity theft that began when she was a child. Years later, she uncovered the truth behind who was responsible and how multiple generations were affected. We talk about how familial identity theft works, why it's so difficult to detect, and what recovery really looks like when the person who caused the harm was someone you trusted. The conversation covers the long road to rebuilding credit, the emotional fallout that often gets overlooked, and the practical steps people can take to protect themselves and their children before damage is done. Show Notes: [02:15] Axton Betz-Hamilton explains how her parents' identities were stolen in the early 1990s, before consumers had legal protections. [03:50] Discovering a 10-page credit report at age 19 and realizing her financial life was damaged before it began. [05:45] What it's like to learn your credit score is in the second percentile nationwide and why that realization changes everything. [07:10] How early frustration with identity theft shaped Axton's academic path and research focus. [09:05] The moment evidence surfaced pointing to a family member as the source of the identity theft. [10:45] Uncovering decades of fraudulent accounts affecting multiple generations within one family. [12:50] How grief abruptly shifted into investigation after learning the truth about who caused the harm. [15:20] The long, two-track process of disputing fraudulent credit while slowly rebuilding legitimate credit history. [17:40] Why some fraudulent accounts had to age off credit reports instead of being removed. [19:05] How isolation and manipulation can allow familial identity theft to continue undetected for years. [21:55] Exploring possible motivations behind the theft and how financial behaviors can repeat across generations. [23:10] The simplest way to detect identity theft is by regularly checking all three credit reports. [24:30] Why freezing your credit is one of the most effective and underused protection tools. [26:05] The importance of freezing children's credit to prevent damage that may not surface until adulthood. [28:00] How modern tools like IRS identity PINs reduce the risk of tax-related identity theft. [30:15] Using E-Verify freezes to prevent identity theft tied to employment and income. [33:10] The emotional impact of familial identity theft and why boundaries are often necessary for healing. [35:00] How family systems fracture when some members believe the victim and others defend the offender. [36:40] Why mental health support is a critical part of recovery, not an optional one. [38:00] The Identity Theft Resource Center as a comprehensive support option for victims navigating recovery. Thanks for joining us on Easy Prey. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast on iTunes and leave a nice review. Links and Resources: Podcast Web Page Facebook Page whatismyipaddress.com Easy Prey on Instagram Easy Prey on Twitter Easy Prey on LinkedIn Easy Prey on YouTube Easy Prey on Pinterest Axton Betz-Hamilton - South Dakota State University Axton Betz-Hamilton - LinkedIn Axton Betz-Hamiliton - Facebook Identity Theft Resource Center Annual Credit Report IRS - Identity Pin E-Verify
Welcome to the Fraudian Slip, the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) podcast, where we talk about all things identity theft, fraud and scams that impact people and businesses. Last week, we published our 2025 Annual Data Breach Report by ITRC. ITRC President James E. Lee presented the findings at the Identity, Authentication and the Road Ahead Identity Policy Forum, hosted by the Better Identity Coalition, the FIDO Alliance and the ITRC. The 2025 Annual Data Breach Report by ITRC looks at the number of data compromises, the root cause of the compromises, the types of data compromised, trends, solutions and much more. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Fraudian Slip, the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) podcast, where we talk about all things identity theft, fraud and scams that impact people and businesses. This is the first episode of our seventh season, and we appreciate all of our long-time followers. We're also glad to have all of our new followers along for the ride. This month's episode focuses on how to prevent identity theft as it evolves. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for January 23, 2026. I am Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for their support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we will discuss how artificial intelligence, also known as AI, is reshaping cybersecurity and what that means for businesses and consumers when it comes to AI scams and identity misuse. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for January 16, 2026. I'm Tim Walden. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we're talking about something privacy advocates have dreamed of for years — a delete button for your personal data. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for January 9, 2026. Happy New Year! We are excited to be back for Season 7 of this podcast. I'm Alex Achten, Vice President of Media Relations for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. I may have a new title this year, but the content on the Weekly Breach Breakdown remains the same. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Today, we are going to take a look back at some of the cybersecurity 2025 headlines and then take the advice of rock band, “Boston” in their 1978 album – Don't Look Back! Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Fraudian Slip, the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) podcast, where we talk about all things identity theft, fraud and scams that impact people and businesses. We've once again come to the time of the year when otherwise normal businesspeople throw caution to the wind and turn to fortune-telling about what's going to happen next year. It is time for the ITRC predictions for 2026. Before we gaze into the future, let's blow the dust off the 2025 predictions to see how we did. Of the five predictions we made this time last year, we nailed five out of five, although at least one of those was the prediction equivalent of a card trick. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Fraudian Slip, the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) podcast, where we talk about all things identity theft, fraud and scams that impact people and businesses. This week, we published our 2025 Business Impact Report by ITRC, supported by Mitek. Typically, on this podcast, we'd introduce a topic, a guest expert, and our CEO, Eva Velasquez. This month, we're focusing on one of our signature reports, the 2025 Business Impact Report. In a webinar earlier this week, our President James E. Lee reviewed the Business Impact Report, which explores the impacts of identity crimes and cyberattacks on small businesses and solopreneurs. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) Weekly Breach Breakdown for December 5, 2025. I'm Tim Walden, Communications Leader for the ITRC. Thanks to SentiLink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Today, we're talking about a major Federal Communications Commission (FCC) cybersecurity policy shift that could affect nearly every phone call, text and data connection in the U.S. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Send us a textHoliday scams are exploding - and older adults are being targeted more than ever. In this episode of the Ageless Glamour Girls™ Podcast, host Marqueeta Curtis-Haynes sits down with identity theft expert Eva Velasquez, President & CEO of the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) - a well-regarded national organization that provides free, confidential support to identity crime victims - to break down the most common scams hitting women 50+ this season and how to protect your peace. We cover fake online shopping sites, delivery-text hoaxes, tech-support traps, and the heartbreaking “Grandma, it's me” emergency scam. Eva also explains the emotional toll these crimes take on older adults, why shame keeps so many victims silent, and the urgent effect of the massive generational wealth transfer that's drawing scammers directly to older adults. You'll learn what to do immediately if something feels “off,” simple steps to safeguard your identity, and where to get free, confidential help if you've been targeted. CHEERS to Healthy Aging and Joyful Living, Luvvies!*********************ABOUT OUR GUEST: Eva Velasquez is the President & CEO of the nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center, which provides free support and guidance to identity crime victims and anyone seeking information on fraud, scams, or data breaches. With more than 30 years of experience in consumer protection, fraud prevention, and victim advocacy, Eva is one of the nation's most respected voices on identity crime. She has been featured on CBS Mornings, NBC Nightly News, The New York Times, Fortune, NPR, CNBC's American Greed, and numerous national outlets. Before joining the ITRC, Eva spent over two decades with the San Diego District Attorney's Office, where she led major initiatives supporting crime victims. She is the recipient of the U.S. Department of Justice National Crime Victim Service Award and the National Consumer League's Florence Kelley Leadership Award. Eva also serves on multiple advisory boards and regularly briefs federal agencies and policymakers on emerging scam trends and consumer risks.RESOURCES & LINKS Free ITRC Support: www.idtheftcenter.org Mastercard “Anatomy of a Scam”: https://www.mastercard.com/us/en/news-and-trends/stories/2025/anatomy-of-a-scam-episode-one.html Support the show https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessglamourgirls www.linkedin.com/in/marqueetacurtishaynes www.agelessglamourgirls.com https://www.shopltk.com/explore/AgelessGlamourGirls https://www.youtube.com/@agelessglamourgirls Instagram @agelessglamourgirls Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agelessglamourgirls Private (AGG) FB Group: The Ageless Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theagelesscafe TikTok: @agelessglamourgirls Podcast Producers: Ageless Glamour Girls and Purple Tulip Media, LLC
By the midpoint of 2025, the U.S. was on track to set a new yearly record in the number of reported data breaches.That's according to data compiled by the Identity Theft Resource Center.One reason is the proliferation of artificial intelligence, which has made the work of criminal hackers easier, cheaper and scalable.What does that mean for the rest of us?Cooper Katz McKim dove deep into the world of AI-supercharged crime for NPR's daily economics podcast The Indicator, and introduces us to what he's found.Listen to the Indicator's Vice WeekFighting AI with AIWhat's supercharging data breaches? When cartels start to diversifyHow AI might mess with financial marketsScam compounds, sewing patterns and stolen dimesFor sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Connor Donevan. It was edited by Kate Concannon and Patrick Jarenwattananon. It features additional reporting by Darien Woods. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's Weekly Breach Breakdown for November 21, 2025. I'm Alex Achten, Senior Director of Communications & Media Relations for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. A house of cards can look super cool when constructed well! However, while they may appear majestic to the eye as they tower higher and higher, they can also become unstable and collapse. I am not here to declare that AI will come crumbling down like a house of cards. However, reports suggest that the rapid development and deployment of AI may have created data security and privacy risks for those who use it. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for November 14, 2025. I'm Tim Walden, and thanks to SentiLink for their support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we're talking about something that rarely makes headlines but is often a damaging form of identity and data crime: hidden identity and insider threats. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for November 7, 2025. I'm Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to SentiLink for their support of the podcast and the ITRC. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) search tools can be fooled by fake content, a form of AI manipulation that's reshaping how systems learn and interpret information. I assume that we are all aware of how AI is reshaping how we access and process information. However, it turns out some of these “smart” systems aren't as smart as we thought. In fact, new research shows that AI can be fooled easily. Think of it like your mom seeing an AI-generated photo of you and Michael Jackson on Facebook and telling all her coworkers that you actually met the Michael Jackson. The image looks so real that she believes it even though it's completely fake. That's exactly how some AI systems get “fooled” by realistic but false information. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, chats with Megan Lynch with a look at the emotional impact of identity theft. Velasquez was alarmed by one point of the report, 'rates of reported considered self-harm.'
Welcome to the Fraudian Slip, the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) podcast, where we talk about all things identity theft, fraud and scams that impact people and businesses. This week, we published our 2025 Consumer Impact Report by ITRC. Typically, on this podcast, we'd introduce a topic, a guest expert, and our CEO, Eva Velasquez. This month, we're focusing on one of our signature reports, the 2025 Consumer Impact Report. In a webinar earlier this week, Eva reviewed the Consumer Impact Report, which goes beyond the basic financial implications of identity theft, fraud, and scams and explores the emotional and physical impacts as well as lost opportunities experienced by victims resulting from the crimes. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Learn how to spot shutdown-era scams and build a budget that works even when you and your partner disagree. How can you protect yourself from shutdown-era scams? How do you build a household budget when you and your partner see money differently? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola share strategies to figure out a household budget when you and your partner are not on the same page about how to manage your finances. But first, senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins them to discuss a surge in spam calls, texts, and emails tied to the federal government shutdown. She talks with Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, about the spike in government-imposter schemes, AI-driven deepfakes, and spoofed sites — and how to avoid and respond. Then, fellow Nerd Jay Leong joins Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola to discuss getting on the same budgeting page with a spouse who prefers a different system. They discuss using the 50/30/20 framework without obsessing over every transaction, setting shared goals and “money dates” to surface financial values, and practical tools like sinking funds and lightweight expense tracking. They also cover trimming inflated “needs,” capping discretionary categories such as dining out or kids' activities, and giving each partner clear fun-money boundaries via separate checking accounts or allowances. Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header See your money clearly, save smarter, and unlock sophisticated hassle-free investing all in one place with the free NerdWallet app: https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/nerdwallet-app-track-your-wealth-and-build-your-future In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: government shutdown scams, spam calls surge, do not call registry, FTC scam reporting, Identity Theft Resource Center, government imposter scam, deepfake scams, voice cloning scam, AI phishing, spoofed websites, how to report a scam, how to stop spam calls, credit card charge dispute, safer payment methods, couples budgeting, money dates, values-based budgeting,sinking funds, manual expense tracking, budgeting apps for couples, NerdWallet app budgeting, overspending fixes, wants vs needs, separate checking accounts, joint vs separate finances, kids activities budget, dining out budget, Costco credit card, travel credit card, insurance shopping, car insurance quotes, home insurance quotes, emergency fund buckets, vacation fund, budget categories, and shutdown impact on finances. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) Weekly Breach Breakdown for October 24, 2025. I'm Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Today, we will discuss pixnapping attacks. Never heard of it? Well, let us tell you. A team of researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, San Diego, the University of Washington and Carnegie Mellon University recently uncovered a new class of Android attacks that can steal sensitive information like multifactor authentication (MFA) credentials displayed by other apps and websites. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) Weekly Breach Breakdown for October 17, 2025. I'm Tim Walden, Communications Leader for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Today we're talking about a serious NSA Popup Warning affecting iPhone and Android users. If you see certain popups on your phone, don't just swipe away, they could be malicious. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) Weekly Breach Breakdown for October 10, 2025. I'm Alex Achten, Senior Director of Communications & Media Relations for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Today, we will examine our Q3 2025 data breach findings. The last time we inspected the latest data breach trends was in our H1 2025 Data Breach Report. At that time, we were on pace to track a record number of compromises in 2025. Cyberattacks were the primary cause of data breaches where personal information was stolen. Sixty-nine (69) percent of data breach notices did not include information about the root cause of the attack. What changed in the third quarter of the year? The short answer? Not much. Let's dive into the Q3 2025 data breach numbers. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRCs) Weekly Breach Breakdown for October 3, 2025. I'm Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Today, we are going to break down a warning from the FBI about the phantom hacker scam making the rounds and the financial impacts it is having on consumers. Many people are familiar with the comic book hero The Phantom. In the very first Phantom story, the phrase “The phantom only warns once” was uttered to describe the uncompromising justice of the Ghost Who Walks and the finality of his warnings. There are no acts of justice or heroism to be celebrated regarding the type of phantom we are about to discuss. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Identity theft affects millions of people every year — but do you really know how it works, or how to protect yourself? This week, we're joined by Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, who shares the latest trends in identity crime and what steps you can take if it ever happens to you.
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for September 26, 2025. I'm Tim Walden. Thanks to SentiLink for their support of the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we're discussing a new wave of tools designed to help us combat one of the oldest identity crime tactics: phone scams. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Fraudian Slip, the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) podcast, where we talk about all things identity theft, fraud and scams that impact people and businesses. This month's episode focuses on child identity theft. How does child identity theft occur in 2025? What should parents know and do as their kids head back to school? Here to establish the current landscape from Javelin Strategy & Research's perspective is their Director of Cybersecurity, Tracy Goldberg. ITRC CEO Eva Velasquez also joins us to highlight the ITRC's on-the-ground experience with victims. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for September 12, 2025. I'm Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Today, we are going to talk about rats – not those medium-sized rodents, but rather different types of rats: remote access trojans. A rat can be many different things. It can be the furry rodents that some consider pests and others have as pets. It can also be a term to describe a deceitful person. Some may have heard the term “The Rat Race”, which is a metaphor for the cycle of competition for money, power and status in the pursuit of wealth and success – also a great movie from the 1960s. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown for September 5, 2025. I'm Tatiana Cuadras, Communications Assistant for the ITRC. Thanks to Sentilink for supporting the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we look at the most recent events and trends related to data security and privacy. Today, we are going to look at how identity criminals are using QR code phishing in new attacks. Many of you probably have heard the phrase “Gone Fishing” before. For those who have not, “Gone Fishing” is another way someone might say one is absent, left or no longer present. It can also be an excuse for not being around. The hackers are not “Gone Fishing”; they are “Gone Quishing”. See what I did there? On a more serious note, that is the title of this week's podcast because they are weaponizing QR codes in new “quishing” attacks. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter
Learn how to reset spending habits after emotional setbacks and protect yourself from job scams that cost real money. How do you reset your money goals after emotional setbacks? How do you avoid job scams that steal your savings? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mindful spending and scam recovery to help you stay in control of your financial life. They begin by welcoming NerdWallet writer Amanda Barroso to share a candid check-in on her year-long “low-buy” journey. Amanda shares how grief led her to relapse into emotional spending, but also how she's refocusing her goals like budgeting for travel to Spain and saving for a future Disney trip. She offers reflections on intentional spending, how emotions influence shopping habits, and tips like using a visual calendar, reevaluating goals quarterly, and creating a "grief budget." Then, Sean and Elizabeth are joined by Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, to discuss job scams. They talk through the red flags in one listener's experience and explain what to do if you've been scammed, including how to report scams, the emotional toll of being victimized, and ways to avoid phishing and imposter schemes. The free NerdWallet app makes it easy to be smarter with your finances because you can track, save and invest your money in one place: https://click.nerdwallet.com/3687710914/smpc In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: how to stop emotional spending, job scams, fake job postings, crypto job scams, emotional spending triggers, retail therapy, low-buy year, mindful spending, budgeting after grief, how to protect against job scams, reporting scams, crypto payroll red flags, scam recovery tips, coping with financial guilt, intentional spending strategies, budgeting for international travel, Monarch Money app, how to track spending visually, how to reset financial goals, how to bounce back after overspending, scam urgency tactics, phishing red flags, upfront payments, crypto-based wages, high-pressure tactics, imposter scam examples, avoiding crypto scams, scam victim shame, scam financial recovery, scam reporting tools, Identity Theft Resource Center, scam personal data risks, emotional triggers and money, how to budget with a partner, grief and spending behavior, long-term savings motivation, budgeting apps for couples, how to recognize fake recruiters, and scams on social media. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, joins Megan as there has been a spike in impersonation scams recently.
In this episode, Kelly sits down with Blair Cohen, founder of AuthenticID, for a fascinating look into how fraud has evolved and how technology is fighting back.
Sources:As Nationwide Fraud Losses Top $10 Billion in 2023, FTC Steps Up Efforts to Protect the Public. (2024, February 9). Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2024/02/nationwide-fraud-losses-top-10-billion-2023-ftc-steps-efforts-protect-publicBBB Tip: 10 steps to avoid scams. (2024, June 21). Better Business Bureau. https://www.bbb.org/article/tips/8767-bbb-tips-10-steps-to-avoid-scamsThe Latest Scams You Need to Be Aware of in 2024, By DeNicola, L. (2023, December 30). https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/the-latest-scams-you-need-to-aware-of/Empowering Fraud Fighters. (n.d.). Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Foundation. https://www.finrafoundation.org/networks-we-strengthen/fighting-fraudInternet Crime Report 2023 by The Federal Bureau of Investigations. (2024). In Internet Crime Complaint Center. https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf National Center for Victims of Crime, Financial Crime Resource Center: https://victimsofcrime.org/financial-crime-resource-center/ Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, FinCEN Resource Center: https://www.fincen.gov/fincen-resource-centerFletcher, E. (2023, October 6). Social Media. Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/data-visualizations/data-spotlight/2023/10/social-media-golden-goose-scammersIdentity Fraud Cost Americans $43 Billion in 2023. (2024, April 10). American Association of Retired People. https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2024/identity-fraud-report.htmlIs Fraud Always a Federal Crime? (2024, March 20). Stechschulte Nell. https://www.tpatrialattorneys.com/fraud-always-federal-crime/Criminal Consumer Fraud, Must the Goals of Deterrence and Compensation Be Mutually Exclusive? By The American Journal of Criminal Law, Kirschner, N. M. (1979). https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/criminal-consumer-fraud-must-goals-deterrence-and-compensation-beRecovering From Online Fraud. National Crime Victim Law Institute: https://ncvli.org/recovering-from-financial-fraud-and-identity-theft-services-for-victims/#:~:text=%E2%80%93Identity%20Theft%20Resource%20Center%20What Are Some Common Types of Scams? (2024, March 13). Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-are-some-common-types-of-scams-en-2092/Resources:FBI Internet Complaint Center: https://www.ic3.gov/FBI Tip Center: http://tips.fbi.govBBB Scam Risk Calculator: https://www.bbb.org/all/scam-prevention/risk-calculatorCybercrime Support Network: https://fightcybercrime.org/Identity Theft Resource Center: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/Financial Industry Regulatory Authority: https://www.finra.org/Report Fraud to the Federal Trade Commission: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/For additional resources and a list of related non-profit organizations, please visit http://www.somethingwaswrong.com/resourcesFollow Something Was Wrong:Website: somethingwaswrong.com IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcastTikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast Follow Tiffany Reese:Website: tiffanyreese.me IG: http://www.instagram.com/lookieboo The Data Points cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.