MyCRA Specialist Credit Repair Lawyers

Tag: cyber-crime

Cybercrime Hot Spots In Victoria, Queensland And New South Wales – ACORN Receives 39,000 Cybercrime Reports In 2015

[fusion_builder_container background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”” background_parallax=”fixed” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”1px” border_color=”#e5e4e4″ border_style=”solid” padding_top=”5px” padding_bottom=”0px” padding_left=”10px” padding_right=”10px” hundred_percent=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”intro” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]

Do You Live In A Cybercrime Hot Spot In Victoria, Queensland Or New South Wales?

Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network receives more than 39,000 reports

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“18 January 2016

The Australian Cybercrime Online Reporting Network (ACORN) is continuing to boost law enforcements efforts to crack down on cybercrime, with more than 39,000 reports received from individuals and organisations in 2015.

As Australia’s reliance on technology grows, and online shopping remains an increasingly attractive option for busy Australians, the cost and incidence of cybercrime is expected to increase.

ACORN is a national policing initiative that allows cybercrime victims to easily and instantly report cases of criminal activity online, as well as providing information on how to avoid falling victim to cyber criminals.

Many instances of cybercrime go unreported because victims either do not know where to report, don’t think it’s worth reporting, or are reluctant to do so.

The leading types of cybercrime being reported to the ACORN are online fraud and scams, with 19,232 reports received, accounting for 49 per cent of the total reports received in 2015.

Online trading issues which affect Australians who buy and sell goods online were the second highest type of cybercrime reported; the ACORN received 8,368 reports which accounts for 22 per cent of total reports in 2015.

Victoria received the highest number of cybercrime reports, closely followed by Queensland and New South Wales.

The majority of reported victims of cybercrime were between 20 and 40 years of age (40%), followed by the 40-60 age group (38%).

Over the past year, email, social networking, and website advertising have been the top three reported online channels used by cybercriminals to target their victims.

The Government launched the ACORN in November 2014 as an easy way for the public to report cybercrime and contribute to a national intelligence database which authorities can use to identify and shut down criminals.

I encourage all members of the public to be vigilant online and to work together to ensure a safer and more secure digital environment for all Australians by reporting to the ACORN.

The ACORN can be accessed online at www.acorn.gov.au.”[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”15″ bottom_margin=”5″ sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]Who do you know that might have been the victim or almost the victim of an online scam or an identity theft issue or that has a bad credit rating, you might like to think how much you’d appreciate some help if you’d just been through something like this, and how grateful you’d be if your friend or trusted advisor let you know that you have options to get your life back.

Let your friends know that MyCRA lawyers has an independently audited success rate of 91.6% of all matters taken on* received a successful default removal resolution and approx. a 1/3 of them received the good news within 7 days or less.[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”15″ bottom_margin=”5″ sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_text]As you think about who you might refer, you might think back over the clients that have been rejected for credit issues by you or your lenders for the past 3 or so years. Hope is an amazing gift you can give them and it’ll cost you nothing to mention MyCRA Lawyers to them all. Refer them through using our simple and convenient 90-second online referral form by clicking the button below.[/fusion_text][fusion_button link=”” color=”default” size=”large” stretch=”” type=”3d” shape=”pill” target=”_self” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” icon=”fa-user-plus” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”online-referral” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ animation_offset=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””]Quick – Easy – 90 Second Client Referral – Click Here Now[/fusion_button][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”15″ bottom_margin=”5″ sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”1px” border_color=”#a7d686″ border_style=”solid” padding=”5px” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”#d4af37″ margin_top=”10px” margin_bottom=”10px” class=”” id=””]Testimonial[/fusion_title][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”#d4af37″ margin_top=”10px” margin_bottom=”10px” class=”” id=””]Testimonial[/fusion_title][fusion_text]

“Thank you so much I will tell all my Doctor friends, family, and I will recommend them to you.”

“… for me impossible to get any loan, without your help …”

“… And Lauren Andrew, ahhh Phillip Anthony, Cory – they are all amazing, you know? I can’t tell you how beautiful the service was, it’s amazing, it’s changed my life. It’s changed my life and it’s saved me thousands of dollars because you know the bank wanted to give me 10% because of my credit file. My excellent, my credit history now, it’s back on track…” Dr Kamal Zgheib – Qld

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Dr Kamal Zgheib default removal | MyCRA Lawyers Testimonial

Listen to the Telephone call between Graham Doessel and Dr Kamal.

[/fusion_text][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”#d4af37″ margin_top=”10px” margin_bottom=”10px” class=”” id=””]Testimonial[/fusion_title][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”none” hover_type=”none” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_imageframe lightbox=”yes” lightbox_image=”” style_type=”bottomshadow” hover_type=”zoomin” bordercolor=”” bordersize=”0px” borderradius=”0″ stylecolor=”” align=”center” link=”” linktarget=”_self” animation_type=”fade” animation_direction=”up” animation_speed=”1″ animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”no” class=”” id=””] [/fusion_imageframe][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”#d4af37″ margin_top=”10px” margin_bottom=”10px” class=”” id=””]Testimonial[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_section_separator divider_candy=”bottom” icon=”” icon_color=”” bordersize=”1px” bordercolor=”#333333″ backgroundcolor=”#333333″ class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”https://mycralawyers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/bkgd_bw2.jpg” background_parallax=”fixed” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”#e5e4e4″ border_style=”solid” padding_top=”65px” padding_bottom=”50px” padding_left=”20px” padding_right=”20px” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_title size=”2″ content_align=”left” style_type=”double solid” sep_color=”#d4af37″ margin_top=”10px” margin_bottom=”10px” class=”” id=””]Testimonial[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonials design=”classic” backgroundcolor=”” textcolor=”” random=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonial name=”Jess” avatar=”female” image=”” image_border_radius=”” company=”Qld” link=”” target=”_self”]Thank you so much for a great service that was professional and very prompt.[/fusion_testimonial][/fusion_testimonials][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonials design=”classic” backgroundcolor=”” textcolor=”” random=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonial name=”Sean” avatar=”male” image=”” image_border_radius=”” company=”NSW” link=”” target=”_self”]thanks a lot for stellar results on the client I referred Friday. Credit Card Default from a trigger happy major was removed in 3 days. Impressive[/fusion_testimonial][/fusion_testimonials][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_3″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonials design=”classic” backgroundcolor=”” textcolor=”” random=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonial name=”Joseph” avatar=”male” image=”” image_border_radius=”” company=”WA” link=”” target=”_self”]I would like to inform you that, after spoken to you yesterday, I called Veda and they told me that my credit default has been removed. I also ordered for my new credit report and indeed the Optus default listing was not there, plus my credit score went up 546 – 716%. I Just want to thank you guys for following up
Thank you
[/fusion_testimonial][/fusion_testimonials][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”20″ sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonials design=”classic” backgroundcolor=”” textcolor=”” random=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonial name=”Awhina” avatar=”female” image=”” image_border_radius=”” company=”WA” link=”” target=”_self”]Thank you very much for your prompt handling of this matter. Thank you also to Corey who saved me a lot of to and throw (billing minutes) by quickly accessing my file for an up-to-the-minute update, supported by ‘NOW’ emails regarding progress, including clear understandable trust account billing.

I found it very refreshing get have an ‘off the record’frank discussions drawing on the experience of the team to be absolutely golden! I was able to carry on with business, rest assured myCRA Lawyers had everything under control.

MyCRA delivered on time and on budget.

Top Job Guys!! I will gladly recommend MyCRA Lawyers to family and friends in the future[/fusion_testimonial][/fusion_testimonials][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonials design=”classic” backgroundcolor=”” textcolor=”” random=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_testimonial name=”Stefan” avatar=”male” image=”” image_border_radius=”” company=”Qld” link=”” target=”_self”]I contacted MyCRA Lawyers after being off work with an injury.
It started by missing a couple of small payments, power, phone then an existing loan I had.
Still unable to return to work, things started to compound exponentially and before I knew it I started getting calls from up to 3 different debt collectors 5 times a day.

I felt powerless to do anything about it and decided to give Graham Doessel at MyCRA Lawyers a call. Within the first week Graham and his expert team had completely removed the $1000 debt but more importantly, the default listing from VEDA. Their high success rate of removing defaults, combined with their extensive knowledge of debt collectors not adhering to certain rules they must follow means the defaults can be removed quicker than you would expect.
I would certainly recommend their services, and can’t tell you how satisfied you feel when the burden is lifted.[/fusion_testimonial][/fusion_testimonials][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”3_5″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]

As you think about who you might refer, you might think back over the clients that have been rejected for credit issues by you or your lenders for the past 3 or so years. Hope is an amazing gift you can give them and it’ll cost you nothing to mention MyCRA Lawyers to them all. Refer them through using our simple and convenient 90-second online referral form by clicking the big Green Button to the right.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_5″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”30″ sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=””/][fusion_button link=”” color=”default” size=”large” stretch=”” type=”3d” shape=”pill” target=”_self” title=”” gradient_colors=”|” gradient_hover_colors=”|” accent_color=”” accent_hover_color=”” bevel_color=”” border_width=”” icon=”fa-user-plus” icon_position=”left” icon_divider=”no” modal=”online-referral” animation_type=”0″ animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”1″ animation_offset=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””]Quick – Easy – 90 Second Client Referral – Click Here Now[/fusion_button][fusion_modal name=”online-referral” title=”Refer Your Client Safely, Quickly and Easily To MyCRA Lawyers.” size=”large” background=”” border_color=”” show_footer=”yes” class=”” id=””][contact-form-7 id=”6860″ title=”Online Referrer”][/fusion_modal][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”20px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”20px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible” margin_top=”20px” margin_bottom=”20px” background_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0)”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”” class=”” id=””/][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]Past results are no indication of future success.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

20/01/2016
Technology makes Australians more vulnerable to organised crime

Interested in the changing face of cyber-crime? The International Serious and Organised Crime Conference was held in Brisbane on Tuesday, and shed some light on where we’re heading. The Conference has heard that technology changes has made organised crime more complex and more open to new crime markets – including intellectual property crime, and cyber-crime. The conference heard that Australian law enforcement was no longer working in relative isolation, and that it has been necessary over the last 10 years to expand partnerships, both nationally and internationally. We examine the relevant subjects in this important Conference, and look at what this means for your financial identity and your credit file in the future.

By Graham Doessel, Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repair and www.fixmybadcredit.com.au.

Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Justice, Jason Clare released Organised Crime in Australia 2013 on Tuesday – the Australian Crime Commission’s report on serious and organised crime in Australia. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Australian Crime Commission.

The report concludes that organised crime is more pervasive, more powerful and more complex than ever before.

“Organised crime worldwide makes more than $870 billion every year. That’s bigger than the GDP of Indonesia. If organised crime was a country it would be in the G20.” Mr Clare said.

The Australian Crime Commission estimates that organised crime costs the Australian economy alone $15 billion each year.

Australian Crime Commission CEO, John Lawler revealed at his keynote address to the conference that 67 per cent of our nationally significant serious and organised crime targets are linked to at least one international jurisdiction, with most focused in South-East Asia. These targets have a detrimental impact on Australia, and are sourcing illicit commodities from overseas including from Asia, Africa, Europe and South America.

“Once, encounters with organised crime were largely restricted to those who sought out illicit commodities or illegal activities. Today, any Australian on any day can be impacted.

What used to take a number of people and considerable time to commit a crime against 10 others, can now be committed by one individual against many more from behind a computer screen,” he told the Conference.

He also identified an increasing incidence of Australian investors falling victim to investment scams as well as credit card or identity fraud.

“Organised crime is no longer its own institution; it has now moved into every estate, it has pervaded each level of global society…And in Australia, we are seeing organised crime increasingly hiding clandestine activities through legitimate business enterprises,” Mr Lawler said.

“Today, more than ever, the affect of organised crime on Australians is unparalleled. It’s pervasive, powerful and complex.”

He says the only way to break the business of organised crime is through rich, contemporaneous, and comprehensive criminal intelligence. The ACC says it’s focused on data sharing with national and international agencies and businesses. ‘Big data sharing’ will be the way of the future.

“Data, on its own, is of little use to law enforcement. It’s only when we pull the data together, analyse it and make links, that the real discovery and prevention can happen,” Lawler said.

He says in the modern era, this also means partnering with law enforcement and Government, as well as private industry.

As a result of recent legislative changes to the Australian Crime Commission Act, the ACC now discloses information to private industry.

“We want to work with industry to use the Commission to build a strong understanding of risk and threat; to strengthen practices and ultimately make it difficult for organised crime to operate in Australia.

This is also about a whole-of-community approach. The public are now key players in the fight,” Mr Lawler said.

Task-Force Galilee: Investment Fraud

During his speech, Mr Lawler describes the work the ACC did in dealing with a rampant investment fraud impacting Australians. Here is an excerpt from his speech, detailing the nature of the fraud, and the process the ACC went through to identify the groups involved:

We had intelligence of 2600 Australians with losses in excess of $113 million. This crime was being committed off-shore. Traditional law enforcement efforts were being frustrated. These organised crime groups have established a sophisticated business model. They rely on global inconsistency around legislation and jurisdiction and target developing countries from which to perpetrate their crimes.

Most callously, they target the elderly at a time when they should be enjoying their retirement.

In response, Task Force Galilee brought together approximately 20 agencies to put together a multi-layered response.

An important component was a public awareness campaign which included holding industry briefings, lauching a public report with the AIC to provide a picture of the threat.
And, for the first time in law enforcement history, we partnered with Australia Post and sent a letter to every household in Australia warning them about this criminal activity and providing information on how to avoid becoming a victim.

Market research undertaken following this campaign indicated increased public awareness and preventative behaviour from the public and high-risk groups when approached or targeted by investment fraudsters.

Task Force Galilee has also had some successful operational outcomes, a huge feat when working across international borders.

The most recent outcome occurred in April, when following a referral from the ACC, Thai authorities raided a suspect business premises in the central business district of Bangkok.

During the raid, Thai authorities located nine foreigners as well as a number of Thai nationals. A range of incriminating evidence including telephones, call scripts, client lists and computer equipment were also located and seized.

The criminal syndicate responsible had engaged a plethora of professional advisers located around the globe to assist their fraudulent behaviour ranging from corporate consulting firms to company incorporation and taxation advisers.

Using a sophisticated website, supported by fraudulent prospectuses and the illegal use of company brands, the syndicate was able to sell non-existent shares in more than 20 companies.

The complexity of the syndicate’s operations allowed it to successfully target victims in 19 countries across the world.

The Australian Crime Commission estimates that the operation had generated at least A$45 million from Australian-based victims alone.

The ACC and other international agencies have focused a significant amount of their efforts in unravelling the ‘dark market’ out there. To see the connections which exist between the internet and organised crime. To identify the fraudulent opportunities that can be thought up, bought, and perpetrated on a global scale. The ease with which international access can mean the big players can dodge detection and dissipate their possible negative impact. So the web is pretty tangled and requires lots of effort to find out what forces are at play. When you look at a scam email which has made its way to your email address – it might be pertinent to question, who is it really from? And who will benefit if you fall for it?

The impact of cyber-crime on you can be far reaching. Falling for scams, whether large scale like the investment scam or even disclosing your personal information to the wrong person can put you at risk of identity theft. You may never have your bank accounts touched, but someone may gain access to your personal information, generally through obtaining it via virus software known as ‘malware’ or by phishing scams which can then be used to generate fake identification. Fraudsters may then create a fake identity in your name and even take out credit.

If the theft goes undetected, the fraudster can be racking up thousands of dollars in debt in your name. When this happens, it is not only your bank accounts that can be affected, but your financial identity – your good name which is destroyed.

In Australia, if a credit file holder fails to make repayments on credit past 60 days, then a default can be placed on their credit file by the creditor. This default remains on the credit file for 5 years, and can severely hinder their chances of getting credit once it is placed. For the identity theft victim, this can leave them severely disadvantaged for 5 years, and unable to take out legitimate credit. The only way they may be able to restore their good name is through lots of hard work proving to creditors they did not initiate the credit.

So prevention is key. Made possible through education, through strong protection from Police and Government agencies, and through appropriate legislation to prevent ‘loopholes’ which make Australians targets for cybercriminals.

Image: Victor Habbick/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

01/08/2013
Threat of identity theft looms as business cyber-assaults take new form.

Media Release

Threat of identity theft looms as business cyber-assaults take new form.

20 February 2013

The ramping up of efforts by fraudsters to go after Australian businesses holding personal information could contribute to a greater risk of identity theft and subsequent credit fraud for Australian consumers, warns a consumer advocate for accurate credit reporting.

Yesterday new Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus QC advised that recent national survey results for more than 250 major businesses show cyber-crime is becoming increasingly targeted and coordinated, with one in five businesses experiencing one in the last year.

Mr Dreyfus said that cyber assaults have shifted from being indiscriminate and random to being more coordinated and targeted for financial gain. Most occur from outside the business, although it appears internal risks are also significant.[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][i]

The 2012 Cyber Crime and Security Survey Report commissioned by CERT Australia and conducted by the Centre for Internet Safety at the University of Canberra revealed that most serious assaults involved the use of malicious software, theft or breach of private information and denial-of-service.

In one case, an organisation reported the theft of 15 years’ worth of critical business data.

A third of instances involved the theft of notebooks, tablets or mobile devices.

CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repair, Graham Doessel says Australians should feel concerned about where their personal information could be exposed to potential company data breaches, as personal information has become a valuable commodity used to commit identity theft and potentially ruin the victim’s credit rating and their financial future.

“We can’t take lightly the possibility that any company that keeps data on its customers could be at risk of cyber-crime. Identity theft is becoming more prevalent, and personal information is lucrative for fraudsters,” Mr Doessel says.

Last week the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) announced the identities of four tax agents were stolen and used to fraudulently obtain AUSkeys giving access to specialist tax agent online services.

Whilst the ATO was able to contain the threat, and cancel the AUSkeys, it said in a statement to the media that doing business online has benefits, but also comes with risks.

“People looking to commit identity fraud constantly look for ways to profit so it is critical to remain vigilant regarding your personal information and online security,” the ATO statement said.[ii]

Mr Doessel says this instance is one of a long line of assaults on Australian businesses and government entities in recent years.

“Unfortunately it seems everywhere people turn one entity or another has been hacked – and it seems everyone with a computer is at risk. It is still extremely scary the level of risk peoples’ personal information undergoes these days when it is stored online,” he says.

Personal information in the wrong hands can lead not only to identity theft but credit fraud, which involves the use of the victim’s credit rating, which can have significant long term consequences.

“Basically, a lot of identity fraud is committed by piecing together enough personal information from different sources in order for criminals to take out credit in the victim’s name. Often victims don’t know about it right away – and that’s where their credit file can be compromised,” he says.

He says once the victim’s credit rating is damaged due to defaults from this ‘stolen’ credit, they are facing some difficult times repairing their credit rating in order to get their life back on track.

“These victims often can’t even get a mobile phone in their name. It need not be large-scale fraud to be a massive detriment to their financial future – defaults for as little as $100 will stop someone from getting a home loan,” he says.

Once an unpaid account goes to default stage, the account may be listed by the creditor as a default on a person’s credit file. Under current legislation, defaults remain on the credit file for a 5 year period.

“What is not widely known is how difficult restoring a credit file can be – even if the individual has been the victim of identity theft, there is no assurance the defaults can be removed from their credit file. The onus is on the victim to prove their case and provide copious amounts of documentary evidence,” he says.

Changes to the Privacy Act 1988 should help consumers collectively when businesses experience cyber-crime which leads to a data breach.[iii]

From March 2014, increased powers of the Privacy Commissioner will force organisations that experience a breach to do something about it. Previously, the Commissioner could investigate and make recommendations as to what the organisation should do, but it had no way of requiring the organisation to take action.

The Commissioner can also issue civil penalties to organisations that experience a breach and either fail to take reasonable steps to protect the information entrusted to them, or fail to adequately respond.

Mr Doessel says consumers need to be insisting that the companies who hold their personal information have adequate tools to prevent a data breach, but he says despite this, the changing nature of cyber-crime means it can be difficult to keep up with the technology of fraudsters.

“Despite our best efforts to keep our details safe, we don’t have control over the IT systems of the company which holds our information, so we have to place a lot of trust in them to stay one step ahead of fraudsters. With most organised crime gangs now placing identity theft on their repertoire, more damaging and more frequent assaults are probably imminent in the future,” Mr Doessel says.

He says as a matter of routine, consumers should check their bank and credit card statements thoroughly when they come in, and should also order a copy of their credit report regularly – which would indicate if their credit file had been misused.

Under current legislation a credit file report can be obtained at no cost every 12 months from the major credit reporting agencies Veda Advantage, Dun and Bradstreet and TASCOL (if in Tasmania) and is sent to the owner of the credit file within 10 working days.

/ENDS.

Please contact:

Lisa Brewster – Media Relations media@mycra.com.au

Graham Doessel – Director Ph 3124 7133

Ph 07 3124 7133 www.mycra.com.au www.mycra.com.au/blog

MyCRA Credit Repair 246 Stafford Rd, STAFFORD Qld

MyCRA is Australia’s number one in credit rating repairs. We permanently remove defaults from credit files.

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[i] http://www.attorneygeneral.gov.au/Mediareleases/Pages/2013/First%20quarter/18February2013-CyberattacksonAustralianbusinessmoretargetedandcoordinated.aspx

[ii] http://www.ato.gov.au/corporate/content.aspx?doc=/content/00345567.htm

[iii] http://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy-portal/resources_privacy/Privacy_law_reform.html#whats_changed

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20/02/2013
How Can You Prevent a Data Breach in Your Small Business?

If we can learn anything from recent reports of more Australian cyber-crime victims, we must learn that personal information is so important to keep safe. Not only is today’s cyber-crook or scammer after your money – they are after the money you can borrow – through obtaining credit in your name. The recent arrests of seven Romanian people in Australia’s largest credit card data theft investigation in which those criminals had access to 500,000 Australian credit cards is a chilling reminder to all Australians that we are not immune to fraud and identity theft. The fact that these criminals were able to gain this information by hacking the databases of 100 Australian small businesses prompts us to look into what Australians can do to protect their customer information within their business network and keep their customer’s personal information and credit files safe.

By Graham Doessel, Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repair and www.fixmybadcredit.com.au.

On Thursday, the Australian Federal Police announced in a joint release to the media, that they have arrested seven people in Romania in Australia’s largest credit card data theft investigation.

The criminal syndicate had access to 500 000 Australian credit cards and approximately 30 000 credit cards have been used for fraudulent transactions amounting to more than $30 million…

Stolen credit card data was being used to create false credit cards, enabling thousands of counterfeit transactions to be carried out in numerous overseas locations including Europe, Hong Kong, Australia and the United States.

After the AFP identified the cause of the data compromise, the investigation grew to involve numerous international law enforcement partners and the Australian banking and finance sector also provided strong support…

No Australian credit card holders lost money as a result of these fraudulent transactions. Australian financial institutions reimbursed the financial losses of cardholders…

Abacus Australian Mutuals CEO Louise Petschler said today’s developments show that cyber crime is a global enterprise.

“It underlines how a coordinated approach by law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, merchants and consumers can help fight card fraud. We all have a role to play to ensure credit card transactions are safe and secure,” Ms Petschler said.

“Policing is only one part of the solution to stop data compromises – credit cards should be kept in a secure place, ATMS should be checked for any unusual attachments, personal details including PIN numbers should be protected, financial statements should be checked continuously, mail boxes should be secured and if possible, ‘chip and pin’ security implemented on credit cards,” Commander McEwen said.

The ABC ran a story the same day on this issue, ‘Australian small businesses targetted by data theft syndicate.’

It featured IT security expert, Nigel Phair from the Centre for Internet Safety at the University of Canberra. He says it proves that many small businesses are not taking data security seriously enough.

While he’s surprised at the scale of the operation, Nigel Phair isn’t surprised Australia was a target.

”We are susceptible. We are a good economy, we are ripe for the picking for these international criminals,” Nigel Phair says.

He says the issue for small businesses, is they spend next to no money on any IT security.

He says it is relatively simple for criminals to get hold of those credit card details if a company doesn’t have any such security.

“It really is a matter of just hacking into the organisation, finding where their credit card details are stored and then stealing them and then transacting them yourself, you know. And then the next question coming out of that is after you do a transaction with a small to medium enterprise, there’s no reason for them to retain your data,” he says.

“In the small to medium category I would suggest most [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][small businesses] aren’t adhering to it [best practice when it comes to credit card data].”

Preventing Data Breaches in Small Businesses

Following the introduction of amendments to Australia’s Privacy Laws in the form of the Privacy Amendments (Enhancing Privacy Protection) Bill 2012, there will be more protection for individuals in regards to their personal information.

How this will flow through to small business procedures is still to be officially outlined, as they will be exempt from some of the new laws.

Small businesses looking to comply as much as possible with best practice guidelines for personal information security right now, should consult the Privacy Commissioner’s guidelines, found on the OAIC website.

The Privacy Commissioner, Timothy Pilgrim says appropriate security safeguards for personal information need to be considered across a range of areas. This could include maintaining physical security, computer and network security, communications security and personnel security. To meet their information security obligations, agencies and organisations should consider the following steps:

• Risk assessment – Identifying the security risks to personal information held by the organisation and the consequences of a breach of security.

• Privacy impact assessments – Evaluating, in a systemic way, the degree to which proposed or existing information systems align with good privacy practice and legal obligations.

• Policy development – Developing a policy or range of policies that implement measures, practices and procedures to reduce the identified risks to information security.

• Staff training – Training staff and managers in security and fraud awareness, practices and procedures and codes of conduct.

• The appointment of a responsible person or position – Creating a designated position within the agency or organisation to deal with data breaches. This position could have responsibility for establishing policy and procedures, training staff, coordinating reviews and audits and investigating and responding to breaches.

• Technology – Implementing privacy enhancing technologies to secure personal information held by the agency or organisation, including through such measures as access control, copy protection, intrusion detection, and robust encryption.

• Monitoring and review – Monitoring compliance with the security policy, periodic assessments of new security risks and the adequacy of existing security measures, and ensuring that effective complaint handling procedures are in place.

• Standards – Measuring performance against relevant Australian and international standards as a guide.

• Appropriate contract management – Conducting appropriate due diligence where services (especially data storage services) are contracted, particularly in terms of the IT security policies and practices that the service provider has in place, and then monitoring compliance with these policies through periodic audits.

He goes on to say that in in seeking to prevent data breaches, agencies and organisations should be considering their other privacy obligations to do with data collection and retention. Some breaches or risks of harm can be avoided or minimised by not collecting particular types of personal information or only keeping it for as long as necessary.

Consider the following:

•What personal information is it necessary to collect? – …“Personal information that is never collected, cannot be mishandled,” he says.

• How long does the personal information need to be kept? –…”destruction or de-identification of information that this no longer required will usually be a reasonable step to prevent the loss or misuse of that information).”

For a full and complete picture of the OAIC Privacy Guidelines, including the relevant Privacy Principles and obligations you may be subject to, we recommend you read the above information in its full context, in this article: the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner, Data breach notification: a guide to handling personal information security breaches – April 2012.

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04/12/2012
AFP and FBI sign agreement to pool resources on identity crime

Police from Australia and the United States have joined forces to pool their resources to fight a number of crimes which cross international borders, including identity crime and cyber-crime. We watch these changes with interest as they apply to fighting the increasing instances of identity crime which can result in victims being stung with bad credit and being banned from borrowing for 5 to 7 years when frausters use their good name to take out credit.

By Graham Doessel, Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repairs and www.fixmybadcredit.com.au.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Washington on Friday to share intelligence in order to fight many types of crime, including identity crime and cyber crime, ninemsn reports in its story AFP, FBI pool resources against crime.

The MoU, called Combatting Transnational Crime, Combatting Terrorism and Developing Law Enforcement Cooperation focused on collaboration between agencies in terrorism, illicit drugs, money laundering, illegal firearms trafficking, identity crime, cyber crime and transnational economic crime.

It also consolidated AFP and FBI cooperation in the exchange of information, resources and technical and forensic capabilities.

The Australian Government made changes to Australia’s laws in June last year, to allow for the international collaboration of information on cybercrime. The Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, amended several laws in order to comply with the only international treaty on cyber-crime.

This was done in the hope of coming up to speed with other countries in the fight to tackle an international wave of cyber-attacks.

Cyber-crime and identity crime are a global phenomenon, and potentially this relationship between Police forces could improve the chances of tracking fraudsters, and potentially lead to more arrests.

Currently, identity crime and cyber- identity crime is often one of those largely ‘untrackable’ crimes – especially if it originates overseas. It can lead to the victim having any number of credit accounts taken out in their name, which can result in the victim being stuck with wrong defaults on their credit rating, or a bad credit rating they didn’t initiate, and a whole heap of trouble recovering their good name. Often Police are unable to prosecute anyone, and it is up to the identity theft victim to go about proving they didn’t initiate the bad credit.

It will be interesting to see whether more arrests can be made or whether the sharing of information could deter cyber-criminals in the future.

If you have been a vicitm of identity crime or cyber-crime, we would be interested to hear from you, and the process you went through. Did you let Police know of the attack?

If you need help with a bad credit rating you didn’t inititate which would point to identity theft, whether inititated on our shores or overseas, you may be able to get assistance in recovering your good name. You may be eligible for a Victims of Commonwealth Identity Crime Certificate, and/or you may be able to get help from a professional credit repairer to help with getting those wrong defaults removed from your credit file.

Contact our credit repair team on 1300 667 218 to get advice.

Image: Victor Habbick/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

17/07/2012
Gamers need to know identity theft risks

The massive increase in gaming popularity comes with a price, as gamers unknowingly expose themselves more and more to identity theft. The cyber-crime world is alert to any potential places where personal information can be extracted easily and used to steal money, identities, and ultimately take advantage of good credit ratings.

By GRAHAM DOESSEL Founder and CEO of MyCRA Credit Repairs and www.fixmybadcredit.com.au.

We like to alert readers to any places where their personal information may be at risk.

Recently, a security expert, Michael Sentonas warned ABC’s gaming readers of the need to keep their personal information safe. In the article ‘Cyber threats a reality in online gaming.’ One area of threat he identifies is data breach. He says the Sony Playstation data breach was a major example of how gamer’s personal information can easily be compromised.

Sony Australia confirmed in April last year that the personal information of all PlayStation Network account holders worldwide had fallen into the wrong hands. All users were at grave risk of identity theft with the hackers having access to all names, addresses, email addresses, birthdates, usernames, passwords, logins, security questions and more. The NSW Police fraud squad said it was enough information for the hackers to even take out loans on the vicitms’ behalf. Luckily, there were no Australian cases of credit card or identity fraud eventuating from the attack.

Aside from data breaches, Sentonas pinpoints some of the ways individual gamers can be put at risk:

“Gamers who mainly engage in massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) such as World of Warcraft, Guild Wars 2 and Final Fantasy XIV and social networking games via Facebook have several common threats to watch out for including gold keylogging, phishing and gaming bots.

Gold keylogging aims to steal “gold” (the currency and valuables a gamer accumulates within a game) and often manifests itself as a Trojan disguising itself as a normal application. A keylogging Trojan tracks the keys typed on a keyboard while the person using the keyboard is unaware. This allows the hacker to obtain your login and password information. A keylogging virus fulfils the same aim however it is designed to replicate itself and spread from computer to computer.

Phishing on the other hand is a much more direct form of cybercrime that occurs via email or instant messaging. The email or instant message looks identical to the game’s official service and will pop up during a game or appear in your email inbox for example. Phishers attempt to acquire people’s personal information, such as banking details or logins and passwords. They pretend to be an honest business distributing an apparently official electronic communication. A typical phishing email asks you to ‘renew your registration / account’. Reputable businesses will not send you random emails or pop ups asking for your personal or financial information.

While gaming bots may not be a direct cyber threat in terms of stealing personal information or attacking bank accounts, they have a clear advantage over real life players in online gaming. Most bots usually play with far higher accuracy than most real life players which essentially constitutes cheating. Players also use gaming bots to control their character while they are away from their computer or console. This allows them to keep the account running to enable the player to accumulate money, objects and experience without having to be in front of the screen,” Sentonas says.

He also warns about the security threats ensuing from mobile devices, which are virtual portable PC’s, at risk of the same if not more security threats than people’s actual computer. Sentonas explains how gamers can be at risk from their smartphone:

“Users should mainly be looking out for malicious mobile apps and games. Some apps are specifically designed with malicious components to secretly track users’ phone calls, text messages and emails to gather potentially sensitive data. Dangerous apps are usually offered for free and masquerade as fun applications. For example, last year 4.6 million Android smartphone users downloaded a suspicious wallpaper app that collected and transmitted user data to a site in China,” he says.

He recommends a couple of vital ways gamers can protect themselves against these threats. Gamers should only install apps and games from official stores from their platforms of choice. He also says a little research such as reading user reviews and checking into the developer would go a long way in protecting against identity theft.

“To help protect your disc-based games, we recommend making reliable backup copies of your saved games (using a USB flash drive) to protect your investment. Avoid storing personal information on the gaming device and consider using security software that protects PCs, tablets and smartphones as well. If children play online games, we recommend parents educate their children to not play with strangers over the internet. Parents should also consider activity-monitoring tools and utilising built-in parental controls,” Sentonas says.

The threats and ramifications of identity theft are real and debilitating. Currently it is the fastest growing crime in Australia, with 1 in 6 people reporting being affected by it. If credit is taken out by fraudsters in the victim’s name, they can end up with their bank accounts emptied or at worse, defaults on their credit file – and this is not easy to recover from. First the victim has to prove they didn’t initiate the credit themselves. This would require documentary evidence and Police reports. But the identity theft victim would be virtually banned from obtaining credit until they are able to wade through the mess that has been created for them on their credit report, and clear their good name.

For help with credit repair following identity theft, contact MyCRA Credit Repairs on 1300 667 218 or visit our main website www.mycra.com.au.

Image: David Castillo Dominici/ Freedigitalphotos.net

30/01/2012
Insight into the ‘dark market’ of the cyber-crime underworld

Identity theft is on the lips of many concerned Australians. It is also discussed in length amongst Governments, business and the Police who attempt to not only unravel the workings of cyber-crime, but in turn are (albeit often unsuccessfully) attempting to stay one step ahead of it.

On Wednesday, British newspaper The Guardian, featured organised crime expert Misha Glenny in an article, titled Cybercrime: is it out of control? Anyone who is even slightly curious about the cyber-underworld should at the very least read this article.

It features Glenny’s new book, titled ‘DarkMarket: CyberThieves, CyberCops and You’. This book follows Glenny’s international bestseller ‘McMafia’.

The book’s promo says:

“DarkMarket explores the three fundamental threats facing us in the 21st century: cyber crime, cyber warfare and cyber industrial espionage. The Governments and the private sector are losing billions of dollars each year, fighting an ever-morphing, often invisible, often super-smart new breed of criminal: the hacker.”

The workings of the underworld will astound any reader interested in how internet scams are perpetrated, and how we as individuals can fit in as pieces of the cyber-crime puzzle at many levels.

Glenny gives an example of how criminals can hack into computer systems of companies, and use people power of ‘mules’ on the ground, to steal millions of dollars. Here’s how they did it in Canada:

“The scam was impressive in its simplicity and effectiveness. The gang bought a number of pre-paid debit cards in different locations and placed $15 on each card. Once they had broken into the computer system of the company that issued them, they found the network area that dealt with the limits placed on each card. They sought out the cards they had purchased and, using the control they had established over the company’s networked system, they electronically raised the spending limit on the cards from $15 to tens of thousands of dollars. Over one weekend, they extracted around $1m (£640,000) using the affected cards in ATM machines around the world,” the article says.

U.S. company, Fidelity National Information Services, which is one of the biggest providers of technology and card services to the banking industry worldwide recently had US$13million stolen in the same way.

“Traditional bank robbers must be absolutely gobsmacked when they hear sums like this being hoovered up by cyber criminals week in, week out… The Mr Big who orchestrated the whole operation, I was told, kept 70% of those profits for himself – only 30% went to the hackers and the so-called “cash-out” team – that is, the people who have somewhat laboriously to go from ATM to ATM and extract up to $500 each time (before, of course, transferring 70% back to Mr Big),” Glenny says.

Glenny says that while there are no precise figures out there, the White House suggested in 2009 that cybercime and industrial espionage inflicts damage of around U.S.$1tn per year, which is almost 1.75% of the worlds GDP.

He says that Britain, the US, Canada, Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand are top targets for cyber criminals from across the world. He says in today’s world any business that is computer-based is vulnerable to attack.

Glenny describes in great detail the nature of the cyber-crime underworld. He says up until recently criminals could shop at “carder” sites, designed for hackers to deal in credit card or card details – effectively a department store for criminals.

“The first and the most celebrated among thieves was CarderPlanet. Members would come to this website, run out of Odessa in Ukraine, to buy and sell stolen credit card details, to purchase viruses, trojans and worms with which they could compromise victims’ computers, to take tutorials in how to deploy the latest cyber weapons, or to hire a botnet – a network comprising thousands of zombie computers – to use in an attack against your enemies,” the article says.

Glenny says these sites set up ‘Escrow’, which is similar to PayPal, using legitimate channels such as Western Union, and allowed criminals to trade with one another – without being ripped off by each other.

“Carder” sites such as DarkMarket have slipped out of fashion because they were too easily infiltrated by law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and the Serious Organised Crime Agency here in Britain. Instead, the lone wolves have started to form packs with trusted friends and these look more like traditional organised crime groups with a clear hierarchy and division of labour,” Glenny says.

He gives one example of the new cyber-criminals and the infiltration of malicious software called “scareware”, which played on the fear of virus infection. The company, ‘Innovative Marketing’ made so much money selling fake virus software they established three call centres in England, Germany and France.

“The structure acts as a mask that obscures the real money-makers: the people who assemble the zombie networks and the Mr Bigs who use their services. The mules are easy to catch but they are very small cogs in a more ruthless machine. The next challenge for law enforcement is not unlike that facing the Untouchables in Al Capone’s Chicago. Capone, of course, was eventually busted for tax evasion. But how can you track down a digital Al Capone when you don’t know who he is or where he is?” he says.

This illustrates the importance for people to report any instance of identity theft to the Police, no matter how small we may think the matter is. It could be a drop in the ocean to big amounts like the $13m stolen from FIS, but who knows – it could all be drops in the ocean from the same source.

Cyber-crime with the purpose of idenitty theft can take many forms. It can be perpetrated by stealing the personal information of individuals, generally through obtaining it via virus software known as ‘malware’ or by phishing scams which appear to be genuine companies asking for personal details which can then be used to generate fake identification. Then the fraudster will go about taking out credit in the victim’s name.

If the theft goes undetected, the fraudster can be racking up thousands of dollars in debt in the person’s name. This is when identity fraud affects the victim’s credit file. When this happens, it is not only the victim’s bank accounts that can be affected, but more importantly their ability to obtain credit in the future.

In Australia, if a credit file holder fails to make repayments on credit past 60 days, then a default can be placed on their credit file by the creditor. This default shows on the credit rating for 5 years, and can severely hinder their chances of getting credit once it is placed. For the identity theft victim, this can leave them severely disadvantaged for 5 years, and unable to take out legitimate credit. The only way they may be able to restore their good name is through lots of hard work proving to creditors they did not initiate the credit.

For information on preventing identity theft, and help with repairing a credit rating following fraud, contact MyCRA Credit Repairs, or call tollfree 1300 667 218.

Image: Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

22/09/2011
Parents’ lack of cyber-knowledge can lead to identity theft

Media Release

22 August 2011

Parents who hand over control of the home computer to their children due to a lack of their own technical knowledge are putting their personal information and their good name at risk, a national credit rating repairer warns.

Director of MyCRA Credit Repairs, Graham Doessel says experience is showing us the ‘set and forget’ mentality of installing anti-virus software, and leaving the rest to our children is simply not effective in combating the current level of cyber-crime which is resulting in identity theft.

“Every day there’s more and more reported cases of online identity theft. Criminals can gain access to personal information in a host of ways, in order to commit identity fraud in the victim’s name. To expect our children to be able to effectively protect us and themselves against this crime is asking too much of them,” Mr Doessel says.

This comes as a recent Cyber-Survey commissioned by Telstra reveals more than one in three parents of children aged 10-17 admit their offspring’s tech skills exceed their own.

Darren Kane, Telstra’s Internet Trust and Safety Officer says Telstra’s inaugural Cyber-Safety Indicator shows more than 87 per cent of young people use the internet at least once a day, with almost half spending at least three hours a week on social networking sites.

“The research shows that a gap in technology skills is leading parents to believe that they are less capable of understanding how their kids might be exposing themselves to online risks such as cyber-bullying and identity theft,” Mr Kane says.

Mr Doessel says there is a real danger for children in downloading viruses, participating in scams, releasing credit card details and disclosing personal information and passwords to criminals. But he says this can all be minimised by parents taking an active role in their child’s internet use, and constantly updating their own cyber-awareness.

“Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in Australia and parents need a major update on their own knowledge of cyber-safety if they expect to be able to stay one step ahead of both their children and cyber-criminals,” he says.

The survey also showed mixed views on social networking: 36 per cent of parents trust their child’s use of social networking sites, while a quarter admit to worrying about them posting personal information online and 15 per cent worry about who their children talk to and what they talk about.

Mr Doessel says fraudsters are often extremely good at extracting personal information from people, and sites like Facebook are the perfect avenue for doing this.

“The amount of personal information that many young people have freely available for viewing on Facebook is frightening. We may say it is harmless, but what’s to say fraudsters can’t sit on that information and wait until their victims come of age to commit fraud in their name?”

“Fraudsters are also looking for credit card details, passwords and bank details to commit identity theft. The security of these details can all be compromised with the constant onslaught of viruses attacking the computers of most Australians these days,” he says.

Mr Doessel says a major downfall to being an identity theft victim is not only the initial loss of monies, but if the fraud sees accounts in the victim’s name going undetected and unpaid past 60 days, a person’s credit rating can be ruined for 5-7 years due to defaults.

“It need not be major fraud to be a massive blow to the identity theft victim. Unpaid accounts for as little as $100 can have the same negative impact on someone’s ability to obtain credit as a missed mortgage payment. So any misuse of someone’s credit file can be extremely significant,” he says.

For parents who want to educate themselves on cyber-crime, Mr Doessel recommends good places to start are the Government’s Stay Smart Online(www.staysmartonline.gov.au), and Cyber Smart websites (www.cybersmart.gov.au).

The Government recommends the close monitoring of all children’s internet use. Some of the other recommendations it makes include:

• Be aware of and involved in children’s internet use. Bookmark a list of ‘favourites’ for them. Encourage children to share new websites and explore together. Assist them whenever they need to disclose personal information.
• Talk to children about personal information and why it is special.
• Consider creating a family ‘fun’ email account separate from all other accounts for the child’s use. This way it can be deleted if misused.
• Consider using filters, labels and safe zones to manage children’s online access.
• Install and update anti-virus and other e-security software to restrict unauthorised access to data on the home computer and protect that data from corruption. Turn firewall on, set computer to automatic scan and update regularly.

If people suspect identity theft has affected their credit file, they can contact MyCRA Credit Repairs www.mycra.com.au.

/ENDS

Please contact:

Lisa Brewster – Media Relations Mob: 0450 554 007 media@mycra.com.au

Graham Doessel – Director 07 3124 7133

http://www.mycra.com.au MyCRA Credit Repairs is Australia’s leader in credit rating repairs. We permanently remove defaults from credit files.

Links:

http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media-centre/announcements/parents-say-tech-skills-are-a-barrier-to-keeping-kids-cyber-safe.xml
http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/Parents/Cybersafety%20issues/Protecting%20personal%20information/Identity%20theft.aspx

Image: Michal Marcol / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

22/08/2011
Australia part of ‘Quintet’ of nations meeting to discuss cyber-crime

Identity theft is proving to be the new wave of crime, and the worst part of it is – it hits twice, once when the initial fraud takes place, and secondly when the victim’s credit rating – their good name, is tarnished, leaving them unable to take out credit for up to 5 years.

Cyber-crime is now such a serious global threat – to individuals, businesses and governments that nations will continue to join together in its fight.

Discussions on cyber-crime are being held in Sydney later this week with Attorneys-General from Australia, the U.S. and their counterparts in the U.K., Canada and New Zealand attending.

The ‘Quintet’ as it is termed, will meet 14-15 July, and will focus on joint and cooperative actions that can be taken to address the growth of international cyber threats. This is the first time the U.S. Attorney General has been to Australia in several decades.

Australian Attorney-General, Robert McLelland says fighting cyber-crime is a global task.

“It is a complex policy and law enforcement challenge because of its transnational nature and use of rapidly evolving technology.

“The global nature of cyber crime is such that no nation alone can effectively combat the problem, making international cooperation and engagement essential components of an effective response.”

“That’s why renewed international vigilance is such a priority for all five countries,” he says.

This meeting also follows the recent introduction into Australian parliament of the Cyber-crime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011. Swift changes to Australia’s laws were made late last month, in order to bring them in to line with the other 40 countries which have joined the European Convention on Cybercrime.

Increased episodes of cyber-attacks and cyber espionage have sparked these changes, and have prompted many countries to increase their vigilance in what has now been termed a ‘war’ against cyber-crime.

“In the last six months alone, Australia’s Computer Emergency Response Team has alerted Australian business to more than a quarter of a million pieces of stolen information such as passwords and account details, allowing them to rectify and protect against potential attacks,” Mr McLelland said when announcing the new legislation in June.

Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in the country, according to the Australian Crime Commission. In addition, an identity theft survey released by the Government last week showed that 1 in 6 people have been a victim, or know somebody who has been a victim of identity theft or misuse in the past six months. The majority of identity theft or misuse
occurred over the Internet (58 per cent), or through the loss of a credit or debit card (30 per cent). Stolen identify information was primarily used to purchase goods or services (55 per cent) or to obtain finance, credit or a loan (26 per cent).

Those are frightening statistics for ordinary individuals who are trying to navigate the cyber-world. To know governments are running up hill trying to catch these crooks and prevent cyber-attacks in their own offices – leaves little hope for those who may not be so computer savvy in trying to protect themselves against identity theft.

The problem with identity theft is, often it goes undetected until people go to apply for credit and are flatly refused due to blemishes on their credit file they did not initiate. Unfortunately when a creditor places a default on a person’s credit file, it remains there for 5 years, greatly hindering someone’s chances of obtaining further credit. Some are even unable to take out a mobile phone plan.

Keeping identity theft at bay online

Education and action are the winning combinations in preventing cyber-crime at home and its corresponding evils – identity theft, identity fraud and credit file destruction.

Here are some quick tips to help people protect themselves and their credit rating:

1. Keep virus software up to date. Install automatic updates and perform
regular virus scans.

2. Keep privacy settings secure on all social networking sites.

3. Change passwords regularly and use a variety of passwords for different purposes.

4. Check all credit card and bank statements each time they come in.

5. Do not give over personal information or credit card details online unless the site is secure, and company details can be verified.

6. Be aware of who gets our personal information and for what purposes. What can these people do with the information they are gathering? For instance, is it really necessary for the site we are registering on to have our date of birth?

7. Visit the government’s stay smart online website, and sign up for alerts.

8. Check our credit file for free every 12 months. By requesting a copy of our
credit file from one or more of the major credit reporting agencies,Veda Advantage, Dun & Bradstreet and Tasmanian Collection Service (TASCOL) we can be aware of any discrepancies which may need to be investigated. Often it is only through a credit check which comes back with defaults on our credit file do we realise we have been victims of identity theft.

9. Report any incident of identity theft, no matter how small, or even if we have been reimbursed for the damage – to the Police. The more of us who report identity theft, the more effective will be our Government and Police response to it in the future.

For people who are already identity theft victims, it can be difficult to navigate the current credit reporting system to have the offending defaults removed from their credit file.

MyCRA Credit Repairs can completely remove defaults from credit files that have errors, are unjust or just shouldn’t be there.

Visit MyCRA for more help with credit rating repair following identity theft.

Image: jscreationz / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

11/07/2011