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Updated November 17th Related Posts Link to automotive form, business form
As Valentine’s Day approaches, hearts will melt, but some will inevitably be broken by romance scams. This season of love creates an opportune moment for scammers to prey on individuals feeling lonely or seeking connection. Financial institutions should take this time to warn customers about the heightened risks and encourage vigilance against fraud. In a tale as heart-wrenching as it is cautionary, a French woman named Anne was conned out of nearly $855,000 in a romance scam that lasted over a year. Believing she was communicating with Hollywood star Brad Pitt; Anne was manipulated by scammers who leveraged AI technology to impersonate the actor convincingly. Personalized messages, fabricated photos, and elaborate lies about financial needs made the scam seem credible. Anne’s story, though extreme, highlights the alarming prevalence and sophistication of romance scams in today’s digital age. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), nearly 70,000 Americans reported romance scams in 2022, with losses totaling $1.3 billion—an average of $4,400 per victim. These scams, which play on victims’ emotions, are becoming increasingly common and devastating, targeting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Financial institutions have a crucial role in protecting their customers from these schemes. The lifecycle of a romance scam Romance scams follow a consistent pattern: Feigned connection: Scammers create fake profiles on social media or dating platforms using attractive photos and minimal personal details. Building trust: Through lavish compliments, romantic conversations, and fabricated sob stories, scammers forge emotional bonds with their targets. Initial financial request: Once trust is established, the scammer asks for small financial favors, often citing emergencies. Escalation: Requests grow larger, with claims of dire situations such as medical emergencies or legal troubles. Disappearance: After draining the victim’s funds, the scammer vanishes, leaving emotional and financial devastation in their wake. Lloyds Banking Group reports that men made up 52% of romance scam victims in 2023, though women lost more on average (£9,083 vs. £5,145). Individuals aged 55-64 were the most susceptible, while those aged 65-74 faced the largest losses, averaging £13,123 per person. Techniques scammers use Romance scammers are experts in manipulation. Common tactics include: Fabricated sob stories: Claims of illness, injury, or imprisonment. Investment opportunities: Offers to “teach” victims about investing. Military or overseas scenarios: Excuses for avoiding in-person meetings. Gift and delivery scams: Requests for money to cover fake customs fees. How financial institutions can help Banks and financial institutions are on the frontlines of combating romance scams. By leveraging technology and adopting proactive measures, they can intercept fraud before it causes irreparable harm. 1. Customer education and awareness Conduct awareness campaigns to educate clients about common scam tactics. Provide tips on recognizing fake profiles and unsolicited requests. Share real-life stories, like Anne’s, to highlight the risks. 2. Advanced data capture solutions Implement systems that gather and analyze real-time customer data, such as IP addresses, browsing history, and device usage patterns. Use behavioral analytics to detect anomalies in customer actions, such as hesitation or rushed transactions, which may indicate stress or coercion. 3. AI and machine learning Utilize AI-driven tools to analyze vast datasets and identify suspicious patterns. Deploy daily adaptive models to keep up with emerging fraud trends. 4. Real-time fraud interception Establish rules and alerts to flag unusual transactions. Intervene with personalized messages before transfers occur, asking “Do you know and trust this person?” Block transactions if fraud is suspected, ensuring customers’ funds are secure. Collaborating for greater impact Financial institutions cannot combat romance scams alone. Partnerships with social media platforms, AI companies, and law enforcement are essential. Social media companies must shut down fake profiles proactively, while regulatory frameworks should enable banks to share information about at-risk customers. Conclusion Romance scams exploit the most vulnerable aspects of human nature: the desire for love and connection. Stories like Anne’s underscore the emotional and financial toll these scams take on victims. However, with robust technological solutions and proactive measures, financial institutions can play a pivotal role in protecting their customers. By staying ahead of fraud trends and educating clients, banks can ensure that the pursuit of love remains a source of joy, not heartbreak. Learn more
As data breaches become an ever-growing threat to businesses, the role of employees in maintaining cybersecurity has never been more critical. Did you know that 82% of data breaches involve the human element1 , such as phishing, stolen credentials, or social engineering tactics? These statistics reveal a direct connection between employee identity theft and business vulnerabilities. In this blog, we’ll explore why protecting your employees’ identities is essential to reducing data breach risk, how employee-focused identity protection programs, and specifically employee identity protection, improve both cybersecurity and employee engagement, and how businesses can implement comprehensive solutions to safeguard sensitive data and enhance overall workforce well-being. The Rising Challenge: Data Breaches and Employee Identity Theft The past few years have seen an exponential rise in data breaches. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, there were 1,571 data compromises in the first half of 2024, impacting more than 1.1 billion individuals – a 490% increase year over year2. A staggering proportion of these breaches originated from compromised employee credentials or phishing attacks. Explore Experian's Employee Benefits Solutions The Link Between Employee Identity Theft and Cybersecurity Risks Phishing and Social EngineeringPhishing attacks remain one of the top strategies used by cybercriminals. These attacks often target employees by exploiting personal information stolen through identity theft. For example, a cybercriminal who gains access to an employee's compromised email or social accounts can use this information to craft realistic phishing messages, tricking them into divulging sensitive company credentials. Compromised Credentials as Entry PointsCompromised employee credentials were responsible for 16% of breaches and were the costliest attack vector, averaging $4.5 million per breach3. When an employee’s identity is stolen, it can give hackers a direct line to your company’s network, jeopardizing sensitive data and infrastructure. The Cost of DowntimeBeyond the financial impact, data breaches disrupt operations, erode customer trust, and harm your brand. For businesses, the average downtime from a breach can last several weeks – time that could otherwise be spent growing revenue and serving clients. Why Businesses Need to Prioritize Employee Identity Protection Protecting employee identities isn’t just a personal benefit – it’s a strategic business decision. Here are three reasons why identity protection for employees is essential to your cybersecurity strategy: 1. Mitigate Human Risk in Cybersecurity Employee mistakes, often resulting from phishing scams or misuse of credentials, are a leading cause of breaches. By equipping employees with identity protection services, businesses can significantly reduce the likelihood of stolen information being exploited by fraudsters and cybercriminals. 2. Boost Employee Engagement and Financial Wellness Providing identity protection as part of an employee benefits package signals that you value your workforce’s security and well-being. Beyond cybersecurity, offering such protections can enhance employee loyalty, reduce stress, and improve productivity. Employers who pair identity protection with financial wellness tools can empower employees to monitor their credit, secure their finances, and protect against fraud, all of which contribute to a more engaged workforce. 3. Enhance Your Brand Reputation A company’s cybersecurity practices are increasingly scrutinized by customers, stakeholders, and regulators. When you demonstrate that you prioritize not just protecting your business, but also safeguarding your employees’ identities, you position your brand as a leader in security and trustworthiness. Practical Strategies to Protect Employee Identities and Reduce Data Breach Risk How can businesses take actionable steps to mitigate risks and protect their employees? Here are some best practices: Offer Comprehensive Identity Protection Solutions A robust identity protection program should include: Real-time monitoring for identity theft Alerts for suspicious activity on personal accounts Data and device protection to protect personal information and devices from identity theft, hacking and other online threats Fraud resolution services for affected employees Credit monitoring and financial wellness tools Leading providers like Experian offer customizable employee benefits packages that provide proactive identity protection, empowering employees to detect and resolve potential risks before they escalate. Invest in Employee Education and Training Cybersecurity is only as strong as your least-informed employee. Provide regular training sessions and provide resources to help employees recognize phishing scams, understand the importance of password hygiene, and learn how to avoid oversharing personal data online. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) MFA adds an extra layer of security, requiring employees to verify their identity using multiple credentials before accessing sensitive systems. This can drastically reduce the risk of compromised credentials being misused. Partner with a Trusted Identity Protection Provider Experian’s suite of employee benefits solutions combines identity protection with financial wellness tools, helping your employees stay secure while also boosting their financial confidence. Only Experian can offer these integrated solutions with unparalleled expertise in both identity protection and credit monitoring. Conclusion: Identity Protection is the Cornerstone of Cybersecurity The rising tide of data breaches means that businesses can no longer afford to overlook the role of employee identity in cybersecurity. By prioritizing identity protection for employees, organizations can reduce the risk of costly breaches and also create a safer, more engaged, and financially secure workforce. Ready to protect your employees and your business? Take the next step toward safeguarding your company’s future. Learn more about Experian’s employee benefits solutions to see how identity protection and financial wellness tools can transform your workplace security and employee engagement. Learn more 1 2024 Experian Data Breach Response Guide 2 Identity Theft Resource Center. H1 2024 Data Breach Analysis 3 2023 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report
As we reflect on the challenges the pandemic forced on the automotive finance market, there is no doubt the industry remained resilient, all things considered. That’s not to say there weren’t some impacts, which become even more noticeable as we look at Q2 2021 data. Because of the industry's quick pivot to ensure forward momentum, we know the year was somewhat of an anomaly. One example was manufacturer incentives to bring people back into showrooms, which caused interest rates, loan terms and consumer preferences to shift significantly. Now, we see these things leveling out, so rather than comparing directly to an anomalous quarter, it’s helpful to compare to Q2 2019 to provide better context. For example, the average new vehicle loan amount dropped year-over-year, which isn’t something we typically see. However, we know that last year, in Q2 2020 we saw consumers finance more full-size pickup trucks, likely due to strong incentives, which drove up the average loan amount. In Q2 2021, the average new vehicle loan amount was $35,163, down from $36,121 in Q2 2020, and up from Q2 2019, when the average new vehicle loan amount was $32,345. We see a similar trend in average new vehicle loan terms, which was 69.36 months in Q2 2021, down from 71.31 in Q2 2020, but still up slightly from Q2 2019, when the average was 68.84 months. Average interest rate saw a significant drop last year as well, from Q2 2019 to Q2 2020, from 5.7% to 3.95% year-over-year. In Q2 2021, we see it come back up slightly, at 4.09%. Ultimately, the decrease in average term and increase in average loan rate drove average payments up slightly year-over-year, which clocked in at $575 in Q2 2021, up from $570 in Q2 2020 and $555 in Q2 2019. Loan term distribution is another area we’re seeing return to a more normal range. In Q2 2020, as part of incentive packages, we saw a notable increase in the percentage of loans falling into the 73-84 month category, with these terms making up 33.77% of new vehicle loans, compared to 30.28% in Q2 2019. We saw this level back out, coming in at 31.72% of loans in Q2 2021. While the industry proved resilient at navigating last year’s challenges, it is encouraging to see things begin to level out to pre-pandemic levels. As we continue to manage current challenges, like the microchip shortage, understanding the full context of data will likely require comparisons that go beyond year-over-year for a more useful baseline of market performance. To learn more, and see deeper comparisons to 2019, watch the full webinar: State of the Automotive Finance Market: Q2 2021.
The collections landscape is changing as a result of new and upcoming legislation and increased expectations from consumers. Because of this, businesses are looking to create more effective, consumer-focused collections processes while remaining within regulatory guidelines. Our latest tip sheet has insights that can help businesses and agencies optimize their collections efforts and remain compliant, including: Start with the best data Keep pace with changing regulations Focus on agility Pick the right partner Download the tip sheet to learn how to maximize your collections efforts while reducing costs, avoiding reputational damage and fines, and improving overall engagement. Download tip sheet
As last year’s high-volume mortgage environment wanes, lenders are shifting focus to address another set of challenges. Continued economic uncertainty lingers as consumers navigate towards recovery. As such, mortgage lenders have less clarity than normal to assess risk and measure performance in their servicing portfolios. On top of that, more lenders are struggling with customer retention than ever before, due to a historically low rate environment in 2020. These combined factors create a new set of challenges servicers will face in the coming months. We explore a few of these challenges below. An incomplete picture of risk The CARES Act accommodation reporting structure has made it challenging for servicing teams to fully understand the impact of forbearance in their portfolios. If looking only at a CARES Act accommodated borrower’s credit profile, there is no indication whether that consumer would otherwise be delinquent or headed towards default. In turn, lenders cannot model out risk based on this information alone. Borrowers’ financial situations can still change rapidly, and some are still struggling to regain their financial footing. Property data also plays a part in a holistic view of risk. Partly due to lack of housing inventory, home equity continues to rise in many areas of the country, yet there is still uncertainty around whether prices are overinflated, whether the market will correct itself and by how much, and the impact the foreclosure moratorium may have on one’s portfolio. And property dynamics continue to change due to consumer migration stemming from the onset of virtual or hybrid work environments, where homeowners are less bound geographically to a place of work. Being able to have insight into a holistic view of risk is critical to navigating the upcoming months in mortgage servicing. Low borrower retention 2020’s prevailing low-rate environment continues to persist well into 2021 creating a big challenge for mortgage servicers in terms of borrower retention. Borrowers continue to be incentivized to refinance, and in some instances multiple times, to capture the savings throughout the life of their mortgage. Every time a borrower refinances, the lender who’s servicing the loan risks losing the borrower to another lender. This portfolio runoff can create losses for the lender; high portfolio run off rates have shown to negatively impact portfolio performance and investor credibility while increasing marketing cost for new customer acquisition. In our Mortgage in 2021 webinar, we point to the sheer magnitude of this – at the end of 2020, a whopping 33% of first mortgages were less than a year old. Additionally, with the uptick in the number of fintech mortgage lenders and aggregation websites, it has become increasingly easy for consumers to shop for alternative options. Being able to predict the consumers likely to refinance can help servicers retain existing customers and reduce losses. Lack of operational efficiency Lenders and servicers had to increase the capacity of their systems, oftentimes at the turn of a dime, due to last year’s record-breaking origination volumes. This led to massive growing pains while simultaneously stress-testing a company’s systems and processes. As a result, the overall cost to produce a mortgage has risen. Borrower data hygiene poses a challenge for many servicers as well. There was a lot of movement in 2020 in terms of mergers and acquisitions which may also affect servicers’ operational efficiency. Marrying several disparate data points during such events can lead to borrower data inconsistencies and duplicates across loan origination systems. And as consumers come out of forbearance or deferral status, servicers are managing more calls to their inbound call centers, increasing the scope of the problem. Having tools to ensure data accuracy and correct consumer contact information can help reduce operating cost. Conclusion There certainly is a lot of pressure on servicers to optimize and be in a position to efficiently help homeowners in need as forbearance and foreclosure moratoriums end. But with the right data, insights and partners, mortgage servicers can navigate these challenges all while managing risk and enabling the business to grow safely. In our next blog, we highlight what forward-thinking lenders and servicers are focusing on now to navigate the upcoming months in mortgage servicing. Learn more