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11-28-2021: Webmaster's Note:
I originally built this page primarily to keep everyone apprised of the latest hacks, data breaches, etc., however, these hacks and breaches have become so massive and frequent they are nearly impossible for me to keep up with on an individual basis, so below, I have a couple of websites I found that keep pretty good running lists of the latest incursions. I urge everyone to check them frequently to see if any companies with whom you do business directly or indirectly have suffered breaches and change your respective account login credentials accordingly.
I also suggest you subscribe to e-mail alerts from these websites for updates on the latest hacks:
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From Kim Komando
August 7, 2020
If you used this ancestry site, remove your data now
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Important Tech Security Updates
June 17, 2020
Don’t be tracked, use these Google alternatives - Kim Komando
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8-1-2019
UPDATE: "Seniors advised to avoid ‘free’ genetic tests" article and video from Scott Hines, Investigative Reporter with KFOR Oklahoma's News 4 - September 30, 2019
Official government fraud alerts from the:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General - 6-3-2019
Oklahoma Insurance Department - 6-13-2019
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A Year Later, CyberCrime Groups Still Rampant on Facebook
April 8, 2019
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540 million records of Facebook users leaked by app developers
April 3, 2019
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Email addresses of almost a BILLION people are leaked in one of the biggest data breaches ever
March 29, 2019
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Facebook Exposed Hundreds of Millions of Users' Passwords
March 21, 2019
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773 Million Unique E-Mail Addresses and 21 Million Passwords Exposed
January 17, 2019
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Marriott: Data on 500 Million Guests Stolen in 4-Year Breach
November 30, 2018
As reported by KrebsOnSecurity here.
What the Marriott Breach Says About Security - Krebs on Security
Another major hotel chain hacked, 500 million customers compromised - Kim Komando
Marriott security breach exposed data of up to 500 million guests - AP
Espionage, ID theft? Myriad risks from stolen Marriott data - AP
Marriott Starwood data breach ranks among biggest ever - Crain's Chicago Business
Marriott hack raises questions about merger diligence, tools in use
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USPS Site Exposed Data on 60 Million Users
November 11, 2018
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Credit Freezes are Now Free!
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LifeLock Bug Exposed Millions of Customer Email Addresses
July 18, 2018
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Exactis Data Breach Bigger Than Equifax - 340 Millions Personal Records Exposed
June 28, 2018
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Have your credit locked or frozen with the Big 3 credit reporting agencies? There's one more you need to take care of, the NCTUE
May 18, 2018
Think You’ve Got Your Credit Freezes Covered? Think Again - KrebsonSecurity
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U.S Government's Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Hacked
April 12, 2018
CFPB Hacked Hundreds of Times, Risking Sensitive U.S. Financial Data - Free Beacon
Forget Facebook, Here's The Real Privacy Scandal - Investors Business Daily
Uh Oh… CFPB Suffered More Than 1,000 Data Breaches - Daily Caller
Note: This seemingly critical story received scant coverage by the media and other, reliable sources have told me that is may not be true - I am currently waiting for a follow-up to my inquiry and will update this entry when I know more. ~Webmaster, May 17, 2018.
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X-RATED EMOJIS
February 24, 2018
Arecent e-mail from Kim Komando warns parents of a new way teens and young adults are using coded emojis to send sexual messages to each other and avoid scrutiny from adults.
The X-rated Codes Behind These Popular Emojis Will Shock You - Kim Komando
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CBD OIL SCAM
January 10, 2018
Old scam methodology, new product.
CBD oil is a popular new cannabis/hemp-derivative health product that is sweeping the country, but federal and state laws and opinions on the laws and its legality vary widely. Not to be outdone, the scammers are trying to capitalize on CBD's popularity. Most recently, several outfits are advertising on the Internet through social media, targeted e-mails and advertising pop-ups offering free samples and all you have to do is provide a credit card number to cover the shipping and handling, usually S5.95 - $9.95. And you may or may not receive the sample. Hidden in the small print of the trial offer's Terms & Conditions statement is the recipient's consent to automated/regular shipments and subsequent charges to the credit card unless the recipient calls to cancel future shipments. The problem arises when it is nearly impossible to reach someone at the toll-free customer support number to cancel shipments and again, you may or may not receive product. If this has happened to you, contact your credit card issuer immediately, have them cancel that card number and issue you a new card.
I've been getting a lot of questions about this product/subject, so for those wondering if CBD oil is legal where you live, below are few resources. There are many differences and nuances as to the source of the oil, marijuana plant versus industrial hemp plant, etc., etc., and their respective legalities in various jurisdictions. Disclaimer: If you have any questions as to its legality, contact your state's Attorney General's office. If you plan on ordering it through the mail, also check with the USPS - you do not want to engage in the interstate shipment of a banned product - very serious legal consequences to that. And, of course, before consuming any type of nutritional supplement, etc., for a health condition, be sure to consult your physician and pharmacist.
Is CBD Oil Legal in All 50 States?
Is CBD Oil Legal? Depends on Where You Are and Who You Ask
DEA: CBD Oil Is Not ‘Legal in All 50 States’
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NEW SHINGLES VACCINE, SHINGRIX, APPROVED BY FDA ON 10-20-2017!!!
December 14, 2017
No Excuses, People: Get the New Shingles Vaccine - New York Times, 11-10-2017
Should I Get the New Shingles Vaccine? - Mass Live, 11-23-2017
FDA Approves New "Super Vaccine for Shingles - AARP, 11-15-2017
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CREDIT REPORTING AGENCY EQUIFAX DATA BREACH MAY AFFECT 145 MILLION AMERICANS
September 7, 2017 (updated 10-09-2018)
Axios: A Year After Massive Equifax Breach, 'Nothing Changed' | Breitbart 9-7-2018
New Chart Shows All Equifax Breach Stolen Info – Kim Komando
Equifax Reveals Passport Details, Driver's Licenses Stolen in 2017 Data Breach
Kim Komando | Massive Equifax data breach is worse than originally thought
Insurance Journal | Equifax Breach Exposed More Consumer Data Than First Disclosed
Washington Examiner | Congressional Backlash at Equifax Data Breach Spares Its Business Model
Kim Komando | Equifax Security Breach: What You Must Do with Your Social Security Number NOW!
Krebs on Security | Equifax Breach: Setting the Record Straight
Krebs on Security | Experian Site Can Give Anyone Your Credit Freeze PIN
Clark Howard | Equifax data breach: What we know and how to protect yourself from what’s coming next
Krebs on Security | Ayuda! (Help!) Equifax Has My Data!
Krebs on Security | The Equifax Breach: What You Should Know
Krebs on Security | Equifax Breach Response Turns Dumpster Fire
Equifax | Equifax Announces Cybersecurity Incident Involving Consumer Information
Kim Komando VIDEO | MASSIVE data breach affects 143 million Americans
Kim Komando | What to do about the Equifax breach
Krebs on Security | Breach at Equifax May Impact 143M Americans
Bloomberg | Equifax Says Cyberattack May Have Hit 143 Million Customers
Clark Howard | Equifax data breach may have exposed personal info of 143M consumers
NBC News | Massive Equifax Data Breach Could Impact Half of the U.S. Population
Go to https://www.equifaxsecurity2017.com and click on the Potential Impact button to see if you may have been affected.
Related Stories:
- WaPo | Outrage builds after Equifax executives banked $2 million in stock sales following data breach
- NPR | 3 Equifax Executives Sold Stock Days After Hack That Wasn't Disclosed For A Month
- Bloomberg | Three Equifax Managers Sold Stock Before Cyber Hack Revealed
- CNN | If you want help from Equifax, there are strings attached
- Business Insider | Signing up for Equifax's help site could mean you're waiving your right to a class-action lawsuit
- Clark Howard | Don’t sign up for Equifax’s free credit monitoring! Here’s what to do instead
- Clark Howard | Equifax is Waiving Credit Freeze Fees for 30 Days
- Clark Howard | Credit Freeze Guide: The best way to protect yourself against identity theft
- Clark Howard | Equifax hack: 5 things to expect when you freeze your credit
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TOP SECRET SECURITY CLEARANCE INFO LEAKED
September 2, 2017
Breitbart | Personal Info of Citizens with Top Secret Security Clearances Leaked in Data Breach
Upguard | Insecure: How a Private Military Contractor's Hiring Files Leaked
Gizmodo | Data Breach Exposes Thousands of Job Seekers Citing Top Secret Government Work [Updated]
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700 MILLION E-MAIL LOGINS LEAKED ONLINE
August 30, 2017
Kim Komando | Change your email password now! 700 million logins leaked online
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NEW MEDICARE ID CARDS ROLLING OUT NATIONWIDE IN APRIL, 2018 - BEWARE OF SCAMMERS!
July 21, 2017 (updated 2-17-2018)
Purdue University Savvy Living Article
Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Official webpage for new card rollout information and updates (you can also sign up for e-mail updates here)
CMS Press Release - CMS Reveals New Card Design 9-14-2017
CMS (video) - New Medicare Cards are Coming
Your old card will be still be good for 2 more years. Beware of scams trying to get your personal information. You do NOT have to pay for this new card. It is very important for everyone, irrespective of age, to establish their online account at Social Security's website at: http://www.ssa.gov (then click on the "my Social Security" link) before someone else (scammer) does it for you. Also, the address reflected here is where your new Medicare card will be sent, so it is very important you confirm that it is correct, along with other details of your Social Security profile.
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MILLIONS OF VERIZON CUSTOMERS' ACCOUNT PINs LEAKED
July 12, 2017
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KIM KOMANDO: YOU MUST DELETE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION FROM THIS SCARY WEBSITE NOW!
January 13, 2017
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KIM KOMANDO: ANDROID SECURITY ALERT - 900 MILLION DEVICES AT RISK
August 8, 2016
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KREBS ON SECURITY: DATA BREACH AT ORACLE'S MICROS POINT-OF-SALE
August 8, 2016
Information is still coming out, but according to the article, the MICROS point-of-sale system is used at 330,000 cash registers in 180 different countries, giving this breach the potential to be one of the most serious of all time. Monitor your credit card accounts very closely and be sure to read my report on this subject on the Publications page under the Fraud and Scams section!
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THINK YOU HAVE A STRONG PASSWORD? HACKERS CRACK 16-CHARACTER PASSWORDS IN LESS THAN AN HOUR! U.K. DAILY MAIL
May 28, 2013
Article from UK Daily Mail here.
Yes, this article is old, but reinforces the importance of using strong passwords and 2-step login features. Thanks to my MMA brother Zach for bringing this to my attention!
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RUSSIAN HACKER IS TRADING E-MAIL CREDENTIALS FOR 272.3 MILLION ACCOUNTS
May 5, 2016
It is imperative that you change your passwords now if you have any e-mail accounts with Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail or Outlook (Microsoft Live). Also, I strongly suggest you enable any 2-step verification (authentication) log-in or security question options your e-mail provider may offer.
Reuters article & video
Fox New article
UK Independent article
See the bottom of the Helpful Info & Links page for more info about Identity Theft.
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CRITICAL FAIR HOUSING GUIDELINE CHANGES FOR RENTALS
April 4, 2016
Daily Caller report: Obama Tells Landlords They Can't Refuse to House Criminals
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U.S. SUPREME COURT UNANIMOUSLY OVERTURNS MASSACHUSETTS' STUN GUN BAN
March 21, 2016
Full opinion from Supremecourt.gov
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KREBS ON SECURITY: THE GREAT EMV FAKE-OUT: NO CHIP FOR YOU!
February 16, 2016
Explains why at some retailers you still have to swipe your card while at others you can now insert, or dip it, to take advantage of the new security features with the chip.
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OFFENDERWATCH®
OCPD just launch their OffenderWatch® website. According to the website, it "is the nation's leading registered sex offender management notification tool with hundreds of leading agencies in dozens of states utilizing it."
More info about it here.
OffenderWatch® website - search for offenders in you area here.
Another good side for this is: Family Watchdog
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EXPERIAN/T-MOBILE BREACH AFFECTS 15 MILLION CUSTOMERS
October 3, 2015
If you have any equipment financed through T-Mobile, I strongly suggest you read the following articles and consider taking the steps I outlined below to secure your accounts.
CNBC article here
Krebs on Security article here
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U.S. GOVERNMENT'S OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (OPM) ESTIMATES 5.6 MILLION HAD FINGERPRINTS STOLEN IN BREACH September 23, 2015
Recall that earlier in the summer this number was estimated to be around 1.1 million and was in addition to the personal information (including SSN's and addresses) of an estimated 21 million past and present government employees, certain contractors and members of the military. This also included information from SF-85 and SF-86 background investigation forms from individuals applying for security clearances.
CNBC article
Washington Post article
Navy Times article
More articles
Some steps you can take now to protect yourself:
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U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE'S BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS NEWLY RELEASED REPORT ON IDENTITY THEFT
September, 2015
Link to summary here.
Link full report here.
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KREBS ON SECURITY: CHIP CARD ATM 'SHIMMER' FOUND IN MEXICO
By now, most of us have either heard about or actually have one of the new credit cards with the chip embedded in it. Ostensibly, this technology change was meant to help stem the flood of theft from credit card skimming and other methods of cloning credit cards. However, Krebs is warning that the new chip & pin technology may not be the panacea we expected. Read his article here. The takeaway from this article is that we STILL must continue to be vigilant in the places (and machines) where we use our cards and to whom we hand them.
Updates:
More ATM "Insert Skimmer" Innovations, 9-3-2015
Tracking a Bluetooth Skimmer Gang in Mexico, Part 1, 9-15-2015
Tracking a Bluetooth Skimmer Gang in Mexico, Part 2, 9-15-2015
Who's Behind the Bluetooth Skimming in Mexico?, 9-15-2015
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TAKATA AIR BAG RECALL INFO
For those of you confused and concerned about this, I think I have finally run across a government website (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) that says it has a full list of the years, makes and models affected, as well as link to check your vehicle's VIN against the recall list. If you can't read the VIN on your car, it should be listed on your proof of insurance card that your carrier provides you.
NHTSA Takata Air Bag Recall List
NHTSA Recall Look-Up by VIN
Sign Up for NHTSA Recall Notifications by e-mail here
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WARNING!! Small business owners take note:
Effective July 1st, 2015, the IRS may start fining business owners who help employees pay for health care costs.
National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) article
Fox Business News Video
Forbes article
Newsmax article
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RUSSIAN GANG AMASSES OVER 1 BILLION INTERNET PASSWORDS
August 5, 2014
New York Times article
Because of this massive breach and others that occur almost daily, we must all remain vigilant with our online accounts and activities. Here is a very short list of easy steps you can take now to help thwart cyber threats:
Quick Steps You Can Take to Help Thwart Cyber Fraud and Steps You Can Take to Help You Recover If You've Been the Victim of Identity Theft
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LAWSUIT RULING PROMPTS IMPORTANT CHANGES TO MEDICARE RULES
Due to a ruling in a recent lawsuit, there have been some critical changes made to certain rules covering treatment for anyone who has received (and still needs), is currently receiving or may need physical, occupational or speech therapy. If this applies to you, it is very important that your read up on these changes. Click on the links below to read the articles:
A Quiet 'Sea Change' In Medicare by Susan Jaffe, New York Times, March 25, 2014
Medicare Expands Rehab Coverage by Sally Abrahms, AARP, January 23, 2014
NEW!!! Updated 06-01-2014
Self Help Packet for Expedited Skilled Nursing Facility Appeals Including "Improvement Standard" Denials
(Also includes a brief summary of Medicare coverge for skilled nursing facility care and the "improvement myth" plus specific law citations.)
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OKLAHOMA'S CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT LAW
Significant changes are coming to this law on November 1, 2014 which include changes to and record removal of certain charges and convictions from publicly-accessible Internet databases, courthouse records and databases used by employers for background checks.
Attorney Michael Risley's website does an excellent job explaining these changes. Click here for more information.
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EARTHQUAKE INSURANCE
Did you know that most homeowners and renters insurance policies do NOT cover damage caused by earthquakes? In a recent (May 2014) discussion with my insurance agent, I discovered that due to the increasing frequency of earthquakes in Oklahoma, it may not be long before insurance companies stop writing these policies altogether and coverage is difficult enough to obtain right now as it is. Depending upon the company, coverage may be available in the form of a separate policy or a rider to your primary policy and fees vary greatly, so, shop around. I would encourage anyone who is concerned about this to contact your insurance agent immediately. UPDATE (1-11-2016): It has been brought to my attention that some insurance companies may be denying claims by saying that the earthquakes are caused by man-made fracking and therefore, not true "natural disasters." If this is true, and since the cause of the recent geologic activity in Oklahoma is still a point of much debate, it is very important that if you do have earthquake coverage, you check with your insurance agent to ensure that they do not make this exclusion in your policy.
Oklahoma Insurance Dept. article and guides
Fox News: Record Number of Oklahoma Tremors Raise Earthquake Threat, Officials Say - May 6, 2014
Is Earthquake Insurance Really Worth It? KFOR Newschannel 4 story and video Feb. 25, 2014
Oklahoma Earthquake Tracker
Earthquake Tracker (pick a desired location, worldwide)
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MAY 2013 TORNADOES
Many thanks to everyone who contacted me to see if I made it through the recent bad weather. Thankfully, I made it without any injury or damage, but countless others were not as fortunate. There are numerous local and national charitable organizations that will be working for many months to help affected residents. If you wish to donate, here are a few:
American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund donations via cell phone text messaging
United Way of Central Oklahoma
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
Oklahoma Baptist General Convention Oklahoma Disaster Relief Fund
When making charitable donations, we have to be careful not to fall victims to scammers and many charities have similar-sounding names, so, before donating, be sure to check out the organization(s) first with one of these charity review websites:
Charity Navigator
GiveWell Charity Reviews
Charity Watch
Great Nonprofits
Smart Givers
Guidestar
Better Business Bureau Charity Reviews
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The information, reports, forms, etc., on this website are all free and without any obligation whatsoever. I provide all this as a service to my clients and the public. However, if you would like to make a small donation to support the website and keep all the good information coming, it would be most appreciated! I respect your privacy! I will not spam you, ask you for additional contributions, or sell any of your contact information to anyone else!
Click here to make a donation or invoice payment.
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This page updated on September 2, 2023