Key Learnings & Tips to Protect Your Digital Safety & Security

Sontiq® Offers Public Education Resource To Address Pandemic-Inspired Changes In Cyber Threat Landscape

Protecting What Matters Most eBook Addresses the Ever-Changing Digital Environment and Details How Individuals, Families, and Businesses Can Respond to Evolving Threats

Sept. 22nd, 2021

Protecting What Matter Most Fifth Anniversary EditionIn the fifth anniversary edition of its annual educational eBook, Protecting What Matters Most, Sontiq, the leader in Intelligent Identity Security (IIS), combined research from more than 60 independent resources with its own expert analysis to assess the material impact COVID-19 has had on the cyber threat landscape. According to the newly published eBook, the pandemic has heightened cyber threats across every aspect of American life, with criminals brazenly attacking business, education, healthcare, public safety and retail organizations.

“I am particularly proud of the work we do through Protecting What Matters Most because it amplifies our company mission of educating and equipping consumers and businesses with resources to protect all aspects of their identity – and ensures the information is available to everyone,” said Sontiq President and CEO Brian J. Longe. “Today’s cybercriminals are constantly adapting and planning for tomorrow’s attacks, and the public needs help to meet this shifting learning curve. This knowledge shouldn’t be exclusive, and that’s why Protecting What Matters Most is a free resource, available to anyone. Consumers and businesses want to know how to mitigate future fraud risk.”

Protecting What Matters Most is produced annually to provide the public with the latest information around digital safety, which has now expanded far beyond the more traditional payment fraud to include child identity theft and cyberbullying. In addition to offering analysis and predictions of the cyber threat landscape, Protecting What Matters Most provides consumers and businesses action steps to take now to mitigate future fraud. The fifth anniversary report includes additional insights from expert industry partners: Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) and Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA).

Since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, identity theft has become not only more frequent but also more impactful. According to data released in 2021 by the ITRC, 40% of identity theft victims report being unable to pay their monthly bills. Just over 20% say they lost more than $20,000 to identity criminals.

Said ITRC President & CEO Eva Velasquez in the eBook’s foreword, “Fraudsters continue to exploit the health crisis, creating a ‘scamdemic.’” She went on to say that “Helping consumers navigate this complex space and learn how to protect themselves takes a dedicated commitment from industry stakeholders. For the last five years, Sontiq has demonstrated this commitment by providing their Protecting What Matters Most e-book as a free resource to anyone who wants it.”

Protecting What Matters Most assesses where identity theft criminals may perceive the most opportunity in the next five years, making the following predictions.

  • New Account Fraud Will Explode. Fraudsters who cut their teeth on government benefits fraud during the pandemic (e.g., state unemployment and PPP) are in a good position to transfer their skills to other targets, like financial institutions, credit card issuers and lenders.
  • Fraudsters Will Get Jobs, Sort Of. Employment impersonation fraud – where criminals pose as legitimate applicants – will take off as more employers maintain a remote workforce. Fraudulent “employees” can steal company secrets, compromise financial accounts and deliver ransomware.
  • Your Next Vacation May Take You for a Ride. These scams will become a major brand headache for travel and technology companies and the consumers fooled by them. According to the Federal Trade Commission, nearly $80 million in losses have been reported by consumers in vacation and travel scams since January 2020.
  • Mule Colts. Yes, Mule Colts. Banking for kids will become increasingly common, making them targets for fraudsters looking for unwitting partners. These fraudsters solicit bank account holders to help move stolen funds under false pretenses – turning them into money mules – for a small piece of the action.
  • Digital Driver’s Licenses Won’t Be a Panacea. State-issued identity cards (e.g., driver’s licenses) are going digital, encouraging consumers to store and present their ID on mobile phones. Banks and merchants will take a long while to accept these new digital IDs the “right way,” opening the door for abuse. And centralized databases of digital ID data will make enticing breach targets.

A full copy of the fifth anniversary eBook may be downloaded here.

About TransUnion (NYSE: TRU)
TransUnion is a global information and insights company that makes trust possible in the modern economy. We do this by providing an actionable picture of each person so they can be reliably represented in the marketplace. As a result, businesses and consumers can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good®.

A leading presence in more than 30 countries across five continents, TransUnion provides solutions that help create economic opportunity, great experiences, and personal empowerment for hundreds of millions of people. https://www.transunion.com

About Sontiq
Sontiq, a TransUnion company, is an intelligent identity security company arming businesses and consumers with a full range of award-winning identity and cyber monitoring solutions, as well as restoration and response offerings. Sontiq products empower millions of customers and organizations to be less vulnerable to the financial and emotional consequences of identity theft and cybercrimes. Sontiq has an outstanding track record for delivering high-touch support and fraud remediation services, demonstrated through its 99% customer satisfaction ratings. https://www.sontiq.com