Every 14 seconds, someone becomes a victim of identity theft.1 These fraudsters can usually trigger warning signs of identity theft — and prevention is key, helping you catch the thief before you find out they inflicted thousands of dollars in damage. To help ensure you don’t pay this price, review our list of identity theft warning signs and our tips to help you avoid becoming a victim.

10 warning signs of identity theft

1. Unfamiliar transactions you didn’t make appear on your bank or credit card statements. (Even small $1 or $2 charges can be the sign of a problem.)
2. Receive a statement for credit card or other account you never opened, or they appear on your credit report.
3. Missing bills you’ve been expecting by mail or email. The fraudster could have changed the mail or email address to ensure you don’t see their fraudulent charges.
4. You’re unexpectedly denied for a loan, credit card, checking account or healthcare coverage.
5. Bills for medical services you didn’t have performed appear, you are told you’ve mysteriously reached your benefits limit, or your records suddenly show a condition you don’t have.
6. Start getting debt collection calls, even though you regularly pay your bills.
7. Your employer or former employer tells you someone is trying to collect unemployment benefits under your name.
8. You receive a two-factor authentication notice you didn’t trigger.
9. Your credit report contains obviously fraudulent information, such as an incorrect name, address, employer or Social Security number.
10. You get notices from the IRS that your e-filed tax return was rejected or a second return was filed in your name.

This is just a short list of triggers that if not caught early could become a larger issue. If you’re worried you might be a victim, contact us to file a report and recover your funds.. With today’s technology, it can be easier for fraudsters to get our Personally Identifiable Information (PII). Here are some easy ways to keep your PII safe:

10 ways to help prevent identity theft

1. Keep your smartphone, computer, wallet and checkbook safe — more than 40% of identity thefts are tied to their loss.
2. Shop only on secure sites (look for “https” in the URL, or for a lock or unbroken key icon) — 21% of identity thefts occur when the victim is shopping online during the holidays.
3. Avoid using public Wi-Fi unless you can connect securely, such as over a virtual private network (VPN). When you’re done, disable the connection.
4. Use strong passwords with a mix of letters, numbers and symbols. Password-protect any device that connects to the internet or saves your personal information. Don’t use the same password across multiple sites, update your password often, and always log out when you’re done.
5. Keep your devices current on anti-virus, anti-spyware and anti-malware software, and keep firewalls active.
6. Only give personal information to trusted sources and always ask why it’s needed.
7. If you don’t know the sender of an email, don’t open it. Even if you do open it, don’t click any links or download attachments.
8. Use credit cards rather than debit cards for shopping — they typically offer more fraud protection.
9. Routinely review your financial accounts and check your credit report. You can request one free from each credit bureau every 12 months.
10. Consider signing up for fraud alerts and freezing your credit files.

At the end of the day, this can be a lot to manage. At Bridge Pioneers, we recognize that managing your identity is more important than ever.
If you’re ever worried that your accounts have been compromised, contact us to start recovery process.

The post 10 Identity Theft warning signs and prevention tips. first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

If you think you’ve been scammed or there’s been an attempt to scam you, there are ways you can fight back.

1. Keep a paper trail

   Nitzsche recommends keeping records of all communication with the collectors. Takes notes on the date and time of every phone call, save emails and texts and gather letters and any other correspondence you receive from the company. If it is legal in your state, record any phone calls. The more information at your disposal, the stronger your complaint will be if you file a report.

2. Reach out to your state’s attorney general or Bridge Pioneers

   Your attorney general’s office is on the alert for scammers and aims to put a halt to fraud such as debt collector scams. Bridge Pioneers also aims to stop fraud and help victims of fraud.

3. Submit a complaint

   You can report a fake debt collection agency to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
   With major debt collection rule changes slated for November 30, 2021, one of the biggest changes is that debt collectors will be allowed to contact you through email, text message and social media direct messages, Nitzsche said.
   “There’s a really good chance that scams will increase with all of these new methods of communication, so be vigilant and remember your rights.”

Bottom line

If a debt collection agency contacts you, do your research before agreeing to repay what you allegedly owe. Start by confirming you owe the debt, as you could be dealing with a scammer looking to prey on innocent consumers. Also, familiarize yourself with common tactics used by scammers, and if you find that you’re dealing with a fraudster, file a report with your state attorney general’s office, the FTC and the CFPB.
But if you determine that the debt does belong to you, know your rights when dealing with debt collectors and file a complaint promptly if they’re violated.

The post How to report fake debt collectors first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.

Crypto recovery is a process that parallels chargebacks for credit cards and wire recalls for bank transfers. If you lose your credit card or notice unauthorized charges on it, you can cancel it, contact the bank that issued the credit card and have your charges reversed and returned to you. 
Crypto recovery is more complex than credit card chargebacks, however, which is one reason for choosing experts, such as Bridge Pioneers. Every transaction on the blockchain is recorded permanently. That means that charges can’t be reversed or canceled. The only way to get your money back is to ask for a refund in a separate transaction. 
This creates a unique challenge in the case of financial fraud. Even if an operation was proven fraudulent or charges were unauthorized, you can’t just get money back as you would from a credit card company. 
Crypto transactions are peer-to-peer which means there is very little oversight and there is often no third party to intervene. Although crypto platforms and exchanges try to fight crypto scams, the lack of regulation in the area of cryptocurrencies means there isn’t a lot they can do. 
The nature of the blockchain also makes fund recovery complex. All transactions are anonymous and it can be hard to know who is holding your funds. Given the rising number of crypto scams, there has never been a greater demand for effective crypto scam recovery services to investigate client claims. 

When Do You Need Crypto Recovery from Bitcoin Scams? 

One major question that many of our clients have is whether or not they are really caught in a crypto scam. A broker may seem suspicious, but how do they know their money is actually gone?
Fraudsters take advantage of this kind of uncertainty, and they can gaslight customers into a false sense of security. They may make excuses for not releasing funds or demanding certain fees. That’s why it’s important to consult with us. If you have any doubt about your financial service or broker, there is often a good reason. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to know if you are a victim of crypto scam or you want to start your recovery process

The post What Is Crypto Recovery?  first appeared on Bridge Pioneers.