May 16, 2012 - Financial elder abuse is a growing crime.  But how bad the situation actually is, is difficult to pinpoint. The total number of elder abuse crimes committed every year is estimated to be between 500,000 and 5 million. As with domestic violence cases, it is a crime that is often shrouded in secrecy. And in most cases, state laws don't adequately address the problem. But those laws are changing as public pressure is slowly building to put an end to abuse of some of our country's most vulnerable people.

May 15, 2012 - Because of wording in the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) that restricts who debt collectors can communicate with regarding unpaid debts, debt collectors have been reluctant to leave voice mail messages when unable to reach people they are trying to collect from. Until now, collectors could get into real trouble for violating the FDCPA if someone other than the actual debtor listened to the voice mail message. But a recent federal court ruling out of Minnesota now provides some guidance to debt collectors that is likely to change the way they act when an answering machine picks up their calls. 

By Denise Richardson 

Even though you might think you are doing your best to safeguard your finances, you might be doing the exact opposite by regularly using your debit card to complete transactions. Despite the fact that debit cards look identical to credit cards, debit cards do not work in the same way that credit cards do in the event of fraud.

from The Privacy Times

“Priveazy.com” has launched to help Internet users protect their privacy and navigate the labyrinthine of privacy policies and settings.  The site offers lessons on how to browse the Web safely, block Web trackers, make Windows more secure, and protect your email account.

from The Privacy Times

The Electronic Privacy Information Center April 16th sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., urging him to investigate Google for violating eavesdropping laws when it collected Internet data from millions of unknowing U.S. households.

May 4, 2012 - We've been talking for years about the importance of data security on the internet. Of primary concern are corporate and government data security policies that need to be implemented to prevent identity theft and protect against credit card fraud. So a story in the Washington Times caught our eye today. According to that publication, security analysts have determined that Mitt Romney's Super PAC - Restoring Our Future - has not been using SSL encryption when taking credit card donations. If true, that would mean that virtually everyone who has donated to the committee is running the risk that the credit card number has already been stolen.

May 3, 2012 - If you haven't heard of CISPA, you will. It is known as the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. But is a lot less about intelligence sharing than it is about government snooping on private communications. And now the House of Representatives has made the awful decision to pass it. 

May 1, 2012 - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is deciding on new lending rules for home mortgages, and may issue a final determination this month. On its face, the rule is designed to insure that borrowers actually have the ability to repay their home loans. But one version of the rule that is being considered would offer lenders complete immunity from law suits even if they use unsound judgment when issuing a loan. If that version of the rule is implemented it will almost certainly lead to consumer and investor abuses which can't easily be foreseen today.