An easier-to-remember alternative to passwords, passphrases are a sequence of random words that should provide more security than a password because of the longer string of characters. Recent research has found, however, that passphrases often mimic naturally occurring language making them not as secure as once thought. Read More

Green Dot Makes Mobile Acquisition, Planning Mobile Wallet
Prepaid card provider Green Dot Corp. recently announced their acquisition of Loopt, a location-based mobile app, for $43.4 million. Green Dot said that purchasing Loopt, with several relevant patents, will provide the opportunity for them to become a leader in mobile wallets. Read More

Identity Fraud Increasing in the UK
A recent report from CIFAS, a membership association focused on fraud prevention in the UK, found that incidences of identity fraud greatly increased in 2011 and that identity fraud made up more than half of all fraud in the region. Read More

Fraudster Steals Identity Information Over Open Wi-Fi Networks
A Georgia man is being charged with identity fraud, computer trespassing, forgery and invasion of privacy after perusing affluent neighborhoods for open Wi-Fi connections to steal identity information from unsuspecting consumers using their home networks. Read More

State Creates Program to Reduce Child ID Theft
In recent years child identity theft has been a growing problem, but Trans Union and the state of Utah have teamed up to create a program that flags applications for credit when a child’s Social Security number is used. Read More

2012 MRC Annual eCommerce Payments & Risk Conference
The Fraud Practice will be exhibiting at the upcoming 2012 MRC Annual eCommerce Payments & Risk Conference starting on March 27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the conference David Montague will be presenting a session on the “Fundamentals of Device Management.” Click here for more information about the 2012 MRC Annual Conference.

FTC Reports Identity Theft Still Leading Consumer Complaint
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) tallied over 1.8 million consumer complaints in 2011 of which 15 percent were about identity theft, making this the leading consumer complaint for the twelfth straight year. Read More