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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
Introducing the newly designed AutoCheck Score™ Quickly compare and select used vehicles As an auto industry professional, you use vehicle history reports every day. But they’re long, complex — easily misinterpreted. You always aim to conduct a thorough inspection. But what if you’re at a busy auction house or browsing online, where there’s simply not enough time or context? The tool you use every day to make critical decisions about used vehicles should be accurate and easy to understand — built for streamlined evaluation. So we made one. New look, same impact We’ve revamped the AutoCheck score with a modern look and feel that’s easier than ever to read. And it’s still invaluable for quickly comparing and selecting used vehicles. What, exactly, is it? Experian® analyzes the detailed records in an AutoCheck® vehicle history report to generate the AutoCheck Score. Like a credit score or gas mileage rating for new vehicles, it’s a single number on a standardized scale. The new gauge shows the score range (from 1 – 100) for vehicles of similar age in the same class. If a car is above average in its range, you can feel confident that it’s a solid investment. The score makes it much simpler to assess how a used vehicle measures up, estimating its: Overall roadworthiness Reliability compared to other vehicles in its class Likelihood of being on the road in five years It is invaluable for making informed decisions, managing inventory, mitigating risk and instilling confidence in customers. Bigger, better You can depend on the AutoCheck Score to deliver a high-quality, more accurate assessment. That’s because it’s derived from Experian’s world-class, continually updated database, which leverages reliable information from extensive sources, including: Tens of thousands of distinct accident sources, many exclusive to Experian 95% of U.S. auction houses — most providing structural damage, salvage-and-junk and export-data announcements exclusively to Experian Important OEM safety and open recall data State departments of motor vehicles and departments of public safety, insurance companies and other independent sources Police department/state agency accident information from all 50 states and Washington D.C. Federal sources, like import records That’s a lot of data. And some complex statistical modeling. Don’t worry; we’ll take care of the heavy lifting. All you have to do is keep score. Why you need it Whether you’re a dealer, lender, manufacturer certified pre-owned program or consumer portal, the score will transform the way you do business to boost your bottom line. Dealers: Use the score to mitigate risk, manage and market your inventory, close sales faster and build customer loyalty. Lenders/Credit Unions: Use the score to more accurately estimate a vehicle’s value at every stage of the loan life cycle, from origination to portfolio review, account management and asset collection. Manufacturer Certified Pre-Owned Programs: Use the AutoCheck report for vehicle certification. Consumer Portals: Increase customer satisfaction — and traffic — by allowing OEMs and dealers to post the score with their listings and make online car shopping a breeze. Count on the AutoCheck Score To learn more about the score — or how to wield its power to maximal effect — find its secrets in this treasure trove of a white paper or call 1 888 675 5596. What are you waiting for? Redesign your business with the redesigned score.
Identity verification is central to the financial services industry – it’s how banks and other lending institutions provide consumers with quick and secure access to financial resources. And it’s never been more evident than with the growing threat of synthetic identity fraud. With that in mind, we are excited to announce that Experian has been named one of the 10 participants, and only credit bureau, in the initial rollout of the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) new electronic Consent Based Social Security Verification (eCBSV) service. We believe the new service opens the door for financial institutions to more efficiently verify Social Security numbers with the government agency and effectively combat synthetic identity fraud, while providing an improved experience for legitimate consumers hoping to access credit and open other financial accounts. Previously, financial institutions were required to provide “wet” written consent to be able to cross-reference an individual’s Social Security number, address and date of birth directly with the SSA. With the eCBSV service, the process will be available via electronic signature by the consumer – creating a more efficient process. Our inclusion in the initial rollout furthers our commitment to the industry to help the fight against synthetic identity fraud. It also ensures our clients have the tools and resources to more easily detect fraudulent behavior, as well as protect people’s identities and information. However, it’s important for financial institutions to keep in mind, the new eCBSV service should only be viewed as a component of a larger identity verification and fraud prevention approach – particularly with fraud attack methods, such as synthetic identity fraud. We still recommend that banks and other lending institutions implement a multi-layered approach that relies on advanced data, analytics and technology. Oftentimes the true insight lies beyond basic demographic information. The use of innovative technology, such as machine learning, device intelligence and behavioral biometrics, can help financial institutions detect patterns and anomalies that may indicate fraudulent behavior. The SSA’s initial rollout of the new service is expected to begin in June 2020, and Experian plans to work closely with a select number of clients during the first phase of the program. As the SSA expands the number of authorized end-users, we look forward to offering this service broadly to our clients and partners. To learn more, view the SSA's full press release.
At Experian, we have a saying: It takes three things to buy a vehicle. A car, a consumer and credit. If anything disrupts this simple equation, it can be difficult for dealers and bad for consumers. Unfortunately, there are nearly 100 million Americans with poor credit or “thin” credit files who might not be able to qualify for a loan. What is a thin credit file, you ask? A thin file is a credit file with less than five trade lines, which makes it difficult for a lender to assess a consumer as a lending risk, because there isn’t sufficient information. Why does that matter? Put simply, a thin credit file can keep a consumer from accessing credit. And, often, no credit can mean no car sale, or interest rates that are too high for a consumer to accept. Experian decided to do something to help consumers with thin files establish better credit. For the past three years, we have looked for ways to incorporate existing bill payment history – think utility, mobile phone or cable TV bills – into a credit report to help consumers establish a more robust credit history. With the increased adoption of online bill paying, consumers already share this information electronically every day. Why not use this history to help improve their credit profile? The result is Experian Boost, a free tool that allows consumers to add these trade lines to their credit files. Consumers can allow Experian Boost to scan their bank account transactions and identify cell phone, utility, internet and cable payments. The information is then added to their Experian credit report and will be used to calculate their credit score. Experian Boost will improve financial health for millions of Americans. The consumer controls the addition of information that reflects their responsible bill-paying histories to their credit profile, potentially resulting in higher credit scores, better credit products and lower interest rates. The upside impacts everyone. It provides lenders with a clearer picture of a consumer’s creditworthiness. It’s a new way to identify and provide credit to responsible customers. For automotive retailers, Experian Boost strengthens relationships and sales. Imagine having a willing customer who can’t qualify for a loan because they have a thin file. Perhaps Experian Boost can open access to credit for that customer. If it does, it’s one more sale a dealer can make – and one more appreciative customer who will tell others looking to buy a car about their “discovery” of a better dealer experience. Automotive retailers can choose for themselves when and how they introduce Experian Boost to customers. It can take the form of a message during the online shopping process, or be introduced on a tablet or kiosk in the dealership during the sales process. Either way, it’s a five-minute process that could make a customer very happy in the end. Even for consumers who have good credit, Experian Boost still can help. On average, nearly two-thirds of consumers who use Experian Boost raise their credit score. Of those who do see an increase, the average is 14 points. In some cases, that’s enough to move from one credit tier to another. The result can be lower interest rates for cars, mortgages, credit cards and other loans. One of the best things about Experian Boost (besides the fact that it’s free) is the control it gives people over their own credit report. They can allow lenders to see more information about their credit worthiness and are free to opt out of the program at any time. We think Experian Boost is a win for everyone. Customers get more access to credit, dealers sell more cars and lenders identify more creditworthy consumers. As the name implies, Experian is providing a “Boost” to just about everyone.