Podcasts about Identity Theft Resource Center

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

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 the hot topic of fake jobs. Chances are that sometime in the past week or this week, you will receive a text from someone claiming to be a job recruiter. It will be fake. 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 August 22, 2025. I'm Timothy Walden. Thanks to SentiLink for their support of the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we break down the latest data security incidents making headlines. Today, we're focusing on a recent incident involving Instagram that exposed sensitive information for millions of users through a little-known feature called Instagram Map. Earlier this month, Instagram rolled out a new feature called Instagram Map. The idea sounds harmless enough: a way to see your friends' real-time locations, similar to Snapchat's Snap Map or Apple's Find My. However, here's the issue: Instagram Map prompts you to share your precise location every time you open the app, even if you're not posting. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter

Welcome back to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown, supported by Sentilink. I'm James E. Lee, the ITRC's President, and this is the episode for August 15, 2025. Each week, we take a look at the latest news and trends related to data security and privacy. For 20 years now, the CODB, along with the ITRC's U.S. Data Breach Report (DBR) and Verizon's global Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR), have been part of the triumvirate that looks at data breach costs by region around the world, along with how long it takes to find and fix a data breach. The CODB, along with the DBR and DBIR, are proof that those of us in the cybersecurity world love our acronyms. That makes this episode – LITTOB – Love in the Time of Breaches (with apologies to the makers of Love in the Time of Cholera). 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 August 8, 2025. I'm Alex Achten, Senior Director of Communications & Media Relations of 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 a weak password at a large corporation led to the exposure of millions of people's personal information, and explore good password practices. In the past on this podcast, we have joked about the password “123456”. It is a very weak password and, according to the 2025 Hive Systems Password Table, it would be cracked instantly by an identity criminal. This weak password provides no security, and while you'd think no one would use it today, it is still commonly used. In fact, NordPass reports that it is the most commonly used password worldwide, with a count of 3,018,050. 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 August 1, 2025. I'm Timothy Walden. Thanks to SentiLink for their support of the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we examine the latest events and trends in data security and privacy. This week, we're looking at an Amazon phishing scam that could impact more than 200 million Amazon Prime members. It's the latest version of a phishing attack that tries to trick you into handing over your login credentials, payment information and 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. You've probably heard of Ride or Die, one of those slang terms that seems to be everywhere at one time or another. Today, the phrase you can't escape no matter how hard you try is artificial intelligence, or AI. That's why we're calling today's episode “Ride or AI.” We discuss the impacts of AI. AI is already changing business and social norms and will continue to do so. What will be the impacts of AI on identity theft, fraud and scams? Who will be responsible for protecting people and businesses when AI makes a mistake? Which is the more likely scenario: a Star Trek-style all-knowing computer or Skynet from the Terminator? Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter

Welcome back to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown, supported by Sentilink. I'm James E. Lee, the ITRC's President, and this is the episode for July 18, 2025. Each week, we take a look at the latest news and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, the ITRC released our H1 2025 Data Breach Analysis that looks at what happened in the first six months of 2025 when it comes to U.S. data compromises. Let's talk about the trends, but first, some housekeeping with some numbers: A total of 1,732 data compromises were reported in the first half of 2025, resulting in a little more than 165.7 million breach notices. That's about five percent ahead of where we were at this time last year in terms of compromises. It's also more reported compromises than at the halfway point in 2023, when we set the current high-water mark for data compromises. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on X: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter

NOTE: Police in the UK have indicted four members of Scattered Spider. The suspects — two 19-year-old men, a 17-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman — are being held on suspicion of violating the Computer Misuse Act, blackmail, money laundering and participating in organized crime activities, according to the NCA. For more information, click here: https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/uk-arrest-four-retail-cyberattack/752682/ =========== Welcome to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC's) Weekly Breach Breakdown for July 11, 2025. I'm Alex Achten, Senior Director of Communications & Media Relations of 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 take a deeper look at the works of a ransomware group that ITRC President James E. Lee discussed on the podcast just last month. We are discussing Scattered Spider attacks. Have you ever been bitten by a spider? It hurts so bad! The good news is that most spider bites are harmless. However, some are worse than others, especially black widow and brown recluse spiders. As James said in June, not all scary spiders are of the 8-legged freak. There is one that does not have eight legs and can inflict harm as nasty as a black widow or brown recluse bite. We are again discussing the ransomware group Scattered Spider, which continues to dominate the headlines and target companies. 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 July 3, 2025. I'm Timothy Walden. Thanks to SentiLink for their support of the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we break down the latest data security incidents making headlines. Today, we're focusing on a significant lawsuit settlement— the AT&T data privacy settlement. This settlement affected millions of AT&T customers and underscores the increasing complexities of data breach litigation. 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

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 Trends in Identity Report by ITRC. The report examines trends based on contacts from victims and individuals seeking prevention information who have contacted the ITRC between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. For the report, the ITRC examined the wide range of identity crimes, including identity theft, fraud and scams, as well as attempted crimes. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter

Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, joins Megan as there has been a spike in impersonation scams recently.

Welcome back to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown, supported by Sentilink. I'm James E. Lee, the ITRC's President, and this is the episode for June 20, 2025. Happy first day of summer! Each week, we take a look at the latest news and trends related to data security and privacy. This week, we're going to talk about a heads-up being issued by cyber threat researchers. However, we're going to swerve into the rapidly changing cybersecurity policy landscape and ransomware group Scattered Spider – just for fun. If you ask an artificial intelligence bot how many people in the U.S. are afraid of spiders, it will tell you that up to 50 million people suffer from arachnophobia. I'm not one of them, but I'm close. With that said, not all scary spiders are of the 8-legged freak. 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 June 13, 2025. I'm Alex Achten, Senior Director of Communications & Media Relations of 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 a data event that has dominated the headlines for the last two weeks, its implications for consumers and why it highlights the importance of passkey adoption. You've probably heard the phrase “the future is now.” There is a debate over the origin of this term. Some say it was from the back cover of Alvin Toffler's 1970 book “Future Shock.” Some think its origins may be older, stretching back to a speech given by Robert F. Kennedy in 1966 or a similar phrase from Sir Austen Chamberlain in 1936. Regardless of who coined the phrase, it is relevant to our conversation today, as it pertains to findings recently discovered by cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler. 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 June 6, 2025. I'm Timothy Walden. Thanks to SentiLink for their support of the ITRC and this podcast. Each week, we examine the latest events and trends in data security and privacy. This week, we're discussing a record-setting Google privacy settlement in Texas and what it means when states begin holding Big Tech accountable. 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 whether or not the suspected fraud decline is real and if anti-fraud tools are working. After all the Memorial Day cookouts, proms and graduation ceremonies of the past week, you might have missed some news about cybercrimes, including identity theft, fraud and scams. Just before the long holiday weekend, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a report that noted the number of reported fraud and cybercrime victims experiencing financial losses had dropped. That's in keeping with a report from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the ITRC's own victim impact report due out in a few weeks. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter

Welcome back to the Identity Theft Resource Center's (ITRC) Weekly Breach Breakdown, supported by Sentilink. I'm James E. Lee, the ITRC's President, and this is the episode for May 23, 2025. Earlier this month, I did something I had not done since 2019: I attended the annual geek-fest that is the RSA Conference in San Francisco, which was dominated by discussions on machine identities and data breaches. I spoke on the root causes and impacts of data breaches at a cleverly titled session on “how to cause a data breach.” As it turns out, my host and I stumbled into one of the hot topics of the conference. 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 May 16, 2025. I'm Alex Achten, Senior Director of Communications & Media Relations of 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 analyze the newly formed data privacy consortium. Follow on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/idtheftcenter/ Follow on Twitter: twitter.com/IDTheftCenter

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.

We kicked off the program with four news stories and different guests on the stories we think you need to know about!Dr. Simone Alicia, award-winning motivational speaker and international personal development expert explained how to cope with mass destruction, such as the case with the CA wildfires where people are experiencing losing their homes and all they have.James Lee, President of the Identity Theft Resource Center, discussed facing the App-ocalypse – How to Delete Apps to Protect Your Identity.Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher on trends in teen nicotine use and how it's very popular. 8 percent of high schoolers (1.2 million teens) report that they use e-cigarettes.Norbert Heuser - a health and wellness educator, entrepreneur, and author explained what 5G technology is. RFK Jr.'s Strong Stand Against 5G Dangers: What He's Fighting For and How You Can Help Keep Your Family Safe.Ask Alexa to play WBZ NewsRadio on #iHeartRadio and listen to NightSide with Dan Rea Weeknights From 8PM-12AM!

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.

Summer is the prime time for road trips. And as more people are out there on the roads, scammers are eager to cash in. Drivers across the country are receiving fraudulent text messages claiming they have unpaid tolls. In this bonus episode, Bob invites Eva Velasquez from the Identity Theft Resource Center to discuss this trending scam.