Annual Shredding Day Event - Central Ohio Crime Stoppers NBC4 partners with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers for 2026 shredding day event fundraiser. This event aims to fundraise and bring awareness to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers and 100% of donations will go to...

☕ WEB CHICK UPDATE
ANNUAL SHREDDING DAY
— Help prevent identity theft! Join Central Ohio Crime Stoppers for their Annual Shredding Day. Bring your sensitive documents for secure disposal at the Gahanna location
#WebChickUpdate #CentralOhioCrimeStoppers #ShredDay #IdentityTheftPrevention #GahannaOhio

Original post on mastodon.cosmicnation.co

And here I was, about to teach my children about online safety. Kids, always use a VPN to keep your location and area private from bad people. To protect yourself from identity theft, never upload or send any ID information online.

#OnlineSafety #ParentingTips #VPN #CyberSecurity […]

Google's Personal Data Removal Tool Now Covers Government IDs - Slashdot Google on Tuesday expanded its "Results about you" tool to let users request the removal of Search results containing government-issued ID numbers -- including driver's licenses, passports and Social Security numbers -- adding to the tool's existing ability to flag results that surface phone numbers...

Google's Personal Data Removal Tool Now Covers Government IDs #Technology #Internet #PrivacyProtection #DataSecurity #IdentityTheftPrevention

tech.slashdot.org/story/26/02/10/1828251/g...

Bill to exempt sensitive personal data from public records draws split testimony House Bill 2637 would add exemptions under the Public Records Act for categories of sensitive personal information (age, addresses, birthplace, precise geolocation, government identifiers); supporters framed it as privacy and child‑safety protection, while opponents warned it could erode transparency and create accountability gaps.

A heated debate over House Bill 2637 reveals a clash between personal privacy protection and the potential threat to public transparency—who do you side with?

Click to read more!

#WA #CitizenPortal #IdentityTheftPrevention #PublicSafety #TransparencyIssues

Who Controls Your Digital Identity? Blockchain’s Answer To AI Avatar Risks AI-generated avatars and virtual assistants will revolutionize our digital landscape, powering virtual influencers, workplace stand-ins, and immersive metaverse experiences. Yet, beneath this techn…

Who Controls Your Digital Identity? Blockchain’s Answer To AI Avatar Risks onlinemarketingscoops.com/2025/12/23/w...
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#DigitalIdentity #IdentityVerification #SecureYourIdentity #DigitalSecurity #cybersecurity #digitalfootprint #dataprotection #OnlineIdentity #IdentityTheftPrevention

UK Loses £11 Billion to Scams and NordVPN Responds with Call Protection   With a surge in digital fraud that has continued to erupt throughout the past year, NordVPN has introduced a new defense system aimed at protecting mobile users against the rapidly evolving tactics of cybercriminals.  In order to provide a discreet yet powerful safeguard against fraudulent calls, the company has begun rolling out Scam Call Protection for Android devices, a feature which will provide users with a warning when an incoming call seems suspicious.  Developed in a privacy-focused manner, the tool analyzes call metadata and reputation indicators in real time, enabling users to recognize and avoid potential threats including phishing, fraud and identity theft before they ever pick up the phone, which is called a privacy-first approach. Currently available in the U.S., the United Kingdom, and Canada, NordVPN's mobile app now includes a feature that is built into the app, and the feature doesn't require a separate installation. It will display a clear warning message along with information about the suspicious caller. Amidst a time of deceptive phone-based attacks that are on the rise, NordVPN aims to keep users up to date in the field of threat intelligence by quietly analyzing threat intelligence in the background and sending timely alerts in the background.  A growing threat of scam calls is on the rise worldwide, and NordVPN's latest feature comes as financial losses are rising sharply across major economies as a result of phone-based fraud. Even though the company has initially made the tool available to Android users in the United States, the technology used to make it is part of a wider initiative to raise the bar for mobile security in general.  NordVPN has devised a simple mechanism for identifying incoming calls that match patterns associated with known scammers databases, or which display suspicious behavior that is deemed to be suspicious, and it then issues a clear warning before the user answers. The goal is to halt deception at its most vulnerable moment and to halt it immediately.  As time has gone by, the need for such early detection has become increasingly evident. During 2024, FBI data indicates that scam calls contributed to a total of $16.6 billion in reported losses in the United States, representing a steep increase in losses from previous years. This is also the case in other parts of the world; based on estimates from the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, British residents lost nearly £11 billion to various scams in the past year, a majority of them involving phone scams.  By September of this year, Canadians had already lost C$544 million to fraud, which is close to a total tally recorded the previous year. In this context, NordVPN stands out with its Scam Call Protection feature because it emphasizes privacy and operational simplicity, while still remaining competitive in the market.  As opposed to analysing the content of calls, it evaluates only the metadata and behavioral indicators associated with the incoming number, which ensures that conversations remain private and unaccessible to the organization as a whole. As the system is running in the background without the need for an active VPN connection, it alerts users to potential scam attempts, reduces the chances of falling victim to social engineering, phishing schemes, or identity theft schemes, and proactively prevents them from falling victim to these types of schemes.  The setup process for activating this feature in the NordVPN Android app is designed to be as easy and straightforward as possible; users will follow a brief set-up guide to adjust the permissions for their device. The tool works continuously once it is enabled, providing real-time alerts that strengthen user awareness when scammers attempt to contact them.  NordVPN claims that the feature is constructed on the basis of “privacy-first philosophy,” utilizing only call metadata and behavioural patterns to determine potential threats, while ensuring that user conversations are kept completely private and private from the company at all times. There is no need to activate a VPN connection to ensure continuous protection. This software works quietly in the background, providing continuous protection without altering the users' normal phone use.  Additionally, the company has mentioned a series of upcoming upgrades that will include more accurate call classifications, enhanced caller identification for legitimate businesses, and improved call-category classifications, all of which should enhance user confidence and accuracy. A NordVPN product director, Dominickas Virbickas, noted that scam calls have become a worldwide problem that requires an equal global response, and that it has evolved into a global challenge.  By expanding its service to the United Kingdom and Canada, the company is aiming to provide more context for incoming calls and to provide users with the information they need in order to make informed decisions. It is particularly relevant that this rollout was made during a time when major shopping periods, such as Black Friday, create lucrative opportunities for fraudsters to operate during.  In order to protect consumers' privacy, security experts advise them to remain cautious during seasonal promotions, to not provide payment information to unsolicited telephone calls, and to remain skeptical of unusually generous offers. In the present state of affairs, NordVPN is only making the feature available to Android users in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, although it is expected that iOS devices and additional markets will be supported shortly.  The NordVPN app makes it very simple for users to activate the app by navigating to the Threat Protection section, enabling the call protection, and setting up the necessary permissions within their Android device. It is widely available to block calls across a wide range of mobile platforms, however NordVPN stands out through its operational transparency and pedigree that make the service stand out from the crowd.  NordVPN utilizes its reputation as a privacy-minded provider by refraining entirely from analyzing call content, contacts, or personal information, unlike many standalone blocker apps that have been criticized for data harvesting. Its continuous updating threat intelligence makes it a valuable tool, and it is easy to integrate with the existing security ecosystem many users already use, and is independent of a VPN connection.  NordVPN offers a notably more reassuring alternative for those who are accustomed to skepticism toward third-party call blockers due to its emphasis on confidentiality and minimal data handling. The growing threat of digital fraud continues to outpace traditional measures, which highlights the need for proactive, privacy-focused defenses in everyday communication.  Tools like NordVPN’s Scam Call Protection underscore this need for proactive, privacy-driven defensive measures. In spite of the fact that no one measure can eliminate scam risks completely, analysts emphasize that using intelligent call screening in conjunction with user vigilance significantly helps boost personal security.  By regularly updating device settings, avoiding unidentified callers, and partnering with trusted security providers, users can reduce their vulnerability to evolving threats. In an increasingly vulnerable communication landscape, a timely context and credible protection may be imperative to the restoration of confidence in the user. Cybercriminals are constantly refining their tactics, and users need to be equipped with timely context and credible protection.

UK Loses £11 Billion to Scams and NordVPN Responds with Call Protection #CyberAttacks #DigitalFraudPrevention #IdentityTheftPrevention

If your passport’s stolen, report it immediately to the police and the State Department. The police report is crucial for applying for a replacement and to prevent identity theft. #PassportSafety #IdentityTheftPrevention #TravelTips #TexasTower

Nebraska updates vehicle records law for better data disclosure practices Nebraska amends motor vehicle records disclosure regulations to enhance personal information management.

Nebraska is on the verge of a groundbreaking shift in data privacy with Bill 97, aiming to protect your personal information while ensuring transparency in vehicle records.

Click to read more!

#NE #DataPrivacy #CitizenPortal #IdentityTheftPrevention #PublicAccess

Georgia lawmakers enact law banning taxpayer phone numbers in public tax records Georgia law prohibits taxpayer phone numbers in public tax documents to protect privacy.

Georgia is taking a bold step to protect taxpayer privacy by proposing a law that bans phone numbers from public tax records—could this be the future of data protection?

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#GA #DataPrivacy #CitizenPortal #IdentityTheftPrevention #LegislativeReform #GeorgiaTaxpayers

Georgia legislators pass H.B. 874 imposing penalties for taxpayer information violations Legislation limits disclosure of taxpayer phone numbers, imposing fines and allowing complaints.

Georgia lawmakers are debating House Bill 874, a groundbreaking move to protect taxpayer privacy by imposing hefty fines for unauthorized disclosure of personal information.

Get the details!

#GA #CitizenPortal #IdentityTheftPrevention #PrivacyProtection #GovernmentAccountability

Detective Explains Identity Theft Prevention at Community Forum Detective advises on protecting personal information and responding to identity theft incidents.

Middlesex County is stepping up to protect seniors from the rising tide of identity theft, sharing crucial strategies that could save their finances.

Learn more here

#MiddlesexCounty #NJ #CitizenPortal #FraudAwareness #IdentityTheftPrevention #MiddlesexCountySeniors #CommunityEducation

Utah lawmakers consider bill to regulate trigger leads in mortgage industry Legislators propose safeguards against the misuse of trigger leads in mortgage lending.

Utah lawmakers are taking a bold step to protect consumers from deceptive mortgage practices with a new bill targeting the controversial "trigger leads."

Click to read more!

#UT #IdentityTheftPrevention #ConsumerTrust #MortgageRegulation #CitizenPortal

Did you know that your personal information could be exposed on the dark web? 😱 Dark web monitoring can help you stay safe from identity theft. 🚫 #CyberProtection #IdentityTheftPrevention #DarkWebSecurity

Affected individuals will receive letters offering free credit monitoring to mitigate risks of identity theft. Everyone should take steps to maintain the integrity of their identities. #DataSecurity #IdentityTheftPrevention