MyCRA Specialist Credit Repair Lawyers

Tag: cyber criminals

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

[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”2_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_text]

“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
Bloggers and small business sites a target for cyber-criminals

Press Release MyCRA

Bloggers and small business sites a target for cyber-criminals.

23 May 2013

There’s a gaping hole in cyber-security, and once again, the ‘little guy’ is at risk.

Experts warn Australians using WordPress or similar sites about the risks of being hacked by cyber criminals unless they bump up their safety measures.

“Small businesses and bloggers often don’t have the money to invest in online safety – and also believe their small site or blog is ineffectual, when in fact its resources make it a prime target for hackers,” Online expert Daniel Smith says.

These warnings come as part of Cyber-security Awareness Week 2013, and follow the world’s biggest ever WordPress and Joomla attack last month.

Mr Smith says the event demonstrates the ease with which small sites can be easily infiltrated and used to make a big impact as part of a systematic attack.

WordPress currently powers over 60 million websites and is read by over a quarter of a billion users every month. WordPress and Joomla were recently attacked by a botnet of tens of thousands of individual computers. The botnet targeted users with the login “admin”, trying thousands of possible pass words.[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]

Mr Smith says accessing sites can be easy if pass-phrase security is lax, particularly when the user ‘admin’ is used.

“I liken it to a locksmith with a whole set of generic keys – he can turn the keys in many doors until he finds one that fits. Hackers have common pass word ‘keys’, and they roll trials of these words until one unlocks the computer, and enables them to use the resources that power the site which are far more than could be gained by a singular desktop computer,” he explains.

He says the ramifications for individuals and businesses who become part of a botnet are loss of data, loss of secure personal information and break-down of the site.

“I know victims of who have had to close their business down because they have lost so much information without having any backups,” he says.

But he warns, hackers don’t always delete the information, but may leave it intact, putting in files in back doors so that they can go undetected – making use of these resources again and again.

“Hackers can on-sell information to fraudsters, cyber-terrorists or spammers, and can also on-sell the entire botnet to be used in a distributed denial of service (DDOS) event,” he cautions.

A national credit expert warns fraudsters can use the information to commit identity theft – the fastest growing crime in Australia.[ii]

CEO of MyCRA Credit Rating Repair, Graham Doessel says information like dates of birth, account numbers, full names and other personal information can be used to steal your identity and take credit out in your name.

“Fraudsters have been known to go so far as to take out personal loans, credit cards and even finance homes in their victim’s name,” Mr Doessel says.

“Unfortunately fraudsters are never so kind as to pay this credit back – which leads to defaults on your credit rating. Most victims are unaware of this until they apply for credit in their own right and are flat out refused.”

Defaults remain on the credit file of individuals for between 5 and 7 years.

“In the past it has not been easy for identity theft victims to prove they didn’t initiate the credit, particularly if they have no idea how they were duped in the first place. Often not much of a trail is left and prosecutions don’t come easily,” he says.

Both Smith and Doessel say prevention is key, and recommend you make some simple but important changes to the way you log in to your WordPress or other sites:

1. Use secure pass phrases. Come up with a unique scheme that is a minimum of 8 characters long – for example every 3rd vowel could be a number or symbol and you should always add some uppercase letters, numbers and any character that requires the shift key to type. Use multiple words in a pass phrase. You could use two unrelated words which are memorable to you.

2. Use a different pass phrase and user for each account.

3. Use a unique user name – not the default setting. Never use ‘admin’ as a user name.

4. Minimise login attempts. Restrict the number of attempts to access the site before the user is ‘locked out’.

5. Include a 2-step verification plug-in. You can download a plug-in which requires 2-step authentification similar to bank requirements when logging in to the site. This is harder to infiltrate by hackers, but Mr Smith says many don’t use 2-step verifications because they seem inconvenient.

“We may need to get a little inconvenienced to prevent what could be a personal or business disaster, or in worst case scenario, a future global disaster,” he says.

MyCRA is a partner for Cyber Security Awareness Week 2013 – an Australian Government initiative through Stay Smart Online, to help Australians using the internet – whether at home, the workplace or school – understand the simple steps they can take to protect their personal and financial information online.[iii]

To stay one step ahead of fraudsters, you can subscribe to Stay Smart Online Alerts at no charge – which lets you know about cyber issues as soon as they unfold http://www.staysmartonline.gov.au/alert_service.

/ENDS.

Please Contact:

Graham Doessel – Founder and CEO MyCRA Ph 3124 7133

Lisa Brewster – Media Relations MyCRA & for comment from Daniel Smith Web analyst media@mycra.com.au

http://www.mycra.com.au/ www.mycra.com.au/blog

246 Stafford Rd, STAFFORD Qld

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

Stuart Miles/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]

23/05/2013
Identities at risk in the Australia Post system

In the news this week it was revealed that Australia Post customers have been exposed to identity theft. On Monday a Sydney Postal Centre worker was found guilty on four charges of mail theft. The worker was caught stealing credit cards and other sensitive information for criminal contacts. Investigators are unable to say how many people’s confidential details had been compromised, having only recovered four letters. We feature this story in full from news.com.au, and look deeper at identity theft, what criminals have to gain from it, and how you and your credit file may be at risk.

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

An Australian Government survey on identity theft, released in June 2011 by then Attorney-General Robert McLelland, revealed 1 in 6 Australians have been a victim or know someone who has been a victim of identity theft. Identity theft can happen to anyone, and it seems even if you have no Facebook account, only a minimal online presence, answer no scam phone calls and don’t unnecessarily reveal your personal information, you can still be at risk, just by your mail being compromised.

This recent news story illustrates how easily this can occur:

Australia Post customers at risk of identity theft after sorter stole credit cards for criminal contacts

AUSTRALIA Post customers have been left exposed to potential scams and identity theft after a worker at a Sydney postal centre was caught stealing credit cards and other sensitive information for criminal contacts.

Investigators are unable to say how many people’s confidential details disgraced night sorter Morris John Lilio compromised, with only four letters he lifted recovered.

The 60-year-old had been working at the Waterloo facility since 2008 when he was nabbed on camera sneaking out eastern suburbs residents’ mail in August.

CCTV footage of his early-morning shifts revealed him repeatedly looking around the facility before slipping mail into his jacket sleeves and leaving the building for his morning break.

On the day he was arrested police seized several letters – one of which had a credit card inside it – all addressed to one Woollahra household hidden in a Gregory’s street directory inside a colleague’s parked car.

Detectives also found a series of text messages on Lilio’s two mobile phones, including some from earlier in the morning when officers swooped on the thief.

“If you ever want the guy’s signature he can get that also,” one message said, listing a man’s birthdate and phone number. “He said if he could get two really good GE (Money) or GO. Also can you please look out for tax return cheques.”

In an earlier message Lilio wrote: “That’s all I could get this morning. 2 and u got both. But send one of girls 2 pick up.”

“No good, reported stolen,” he was messaged back.

Lilio told police that people had asked him to do “things I don’t want to do” after he got involved with drugs, but he denied acting on their demands for stolen mail.

He later claimed in court that any letters seen in his jacket got there by mistake when he was putting it on for his break. But in Central Local Court last week, magistrate Mark Buscombe said Lilio’s explanation that letters had repeatedly got stuck in his clothes accidentally was “fanciful”.

He found Lilio guilty on four charges of mail theft, adding the former Australia Post worker had told police a series of lies and the text messages clearly showed he had been stealing mail for others based on the details they sent him.

Police admitted the bulk of the mail Lilio stole was never found and it was not known who he had passed the confidential material to.

Australia Post spokeswoman Melanie Ward said the organisation had a “zero-tolerance” to mail-security breaches and any workers implicated were immediately sacked, although she would not say what screening processes Australia Post had in place for its staff.

Lilio is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Organised crime and Identity theft

The typical identity theft victim is an ordinary person, who just happens to have fallen prey to the vast criminal network which exists on the internet or elsewhere.

A leading commentator on technology issues, Stilgherrian warned people of the intricacies of identity theft in the modern age in his article ‘The real cyber criminals are no lolling matter’:

“First, these crimes are committed on a vast scale. Criminal processes are orchestrated globally, automated, and supported by thousands of unwitting, disposable minions. If only a tiny percentage of people fall for scams, we’re still talking millions of dollars.

Second, the bad guys are good at this. Really good. Blaming the victims is inappropriate. “They had it coming to them”? Really? Third, it all connects up. Fifty bucks went missing from your credit card precisely because the number had been stolen from a poorly-secured online store. The legitimate website popped up the message from the fake anti-virus product because it, too, was poorly secured and had been hacked automatically by software that probed a hundred thousand websites one night.

Or, in the case of identity theft, when someone takes out $50,000 of loans in your name? That happens through the gradual accumulation of personal data. Your name and email address from a list stolen from a hacked website, cross-matched with your street address from another, your date of birth from a third, and so on.

These databases can contain millions of people’s details. They’re traded in shady online markets where people buy the pieces missing from the databases they already have, merge them, refine them, mark ‘em up and sell ‘em on until eventually there’s enough to turn it all into a credit application. It’s then laundered though “money mules”, people recruited in the belief they’re making money at home with just a computer.”

The story of this vast, global ecology of crime is both fascinating and real. So why isn’t it told?

Well, it’s a hard story to tell. Everything’s new and different. Imagine trying to tell the story a bank hold-up if you had to first explain all the pieces as if they were brand new. Bank. Money. Gun, Trigger. Balaclava, “OK, everybody lie down on the floor and keep calm.” Getaway car.

Global organised crime is a complex octopus. By the time you’ve explained the first sucker at the end of tentacle number one you’re up to the next ad break and everyone’s lost attention.

The Australian Crime Commission’s CEO, John Lawler revealed at a national conference for credit professionals in September that identity crime is a “key facilitator” for organised crime groups because it is an anonymous crime which can enable significant fraud.

“Every single person in this room and the various sectors and organisations that you represent are targets for organised crime,” he told the Conference.

“Criminals will exploit technology to not only carry out new crimes but commit traditional crimes on a much larger scale.”

The ACC estimates organised crime is currently costing the Australian economy at least $15 billion per annum – and that the impacts of this are significant and growing.

Mr Lawler says the amount of personal information requested and stored online, along with the growing popularity of social networking sites, provides organised crime with a larger pool of victims and data to harvest.

“Organised criminals seek to conduct significant research on their intended victims and tailoring their operations to target weaknesses,” he says.

So whilst this Aussie postal worker has been caught out and that is indeed terrible – we need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. Look at the machine he was feeding this information to. That’s the big issue. The real problem here. They can probably find many people like him to do what he did. There are probably many people willing to go through somebody’s rubbish bin for a few bucks, to steal mail out of letterboxes, to make some shady phone calls to get personal information, even to write up computer programs and online scams to trick people. Some of these fraudsters probably have no idea that they are potentially contributing to not just theft, but in the wrong hands full-blown identity theft at some point – where not only money is stolen, but credit and therefore a person’s good credit rating.

A life turned upside down

Recovering from identity fraud is never an easy task – and it can be fraud to the tune of a mere $300 which is as devastating to a victim’s ability to obtain credit in the future, as fraud of $300,000. Creditors need proof the victim didn’t initiate the credit. But many people don’t know how the fraud eventuated, and even if they do there’s no guarantee they can recover their good credit rating – meaning they can be locked out of credit for the duration of the credit listing, which in the case of a default, is 5 years. Not to mention if there is a hefty debt to pay they are not responsible for.

Early intervention is critical

If you have ever had any type of scam or crime committed against you, the message is – be wary of what the real ramifications of that fraud could be, and take action to protect your credit file as well as your finances. Check your bank and credit card statements thoroughly – any suspect signs could mean you are at risk of identity theft. You should also order a copy of your credit report – which would indicate if your credit file has been misused or attempts have been made to obtain credit in your name.

Contact Police immediately and also alert your Creditors and the Credit Reporting Agencies which hold your credit file if you are at all suspicious of identity theft before it leads to fraud.

Image: nuttakit/ www.FreeDigitalPhotos.net

18/04/2013