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Took a DNA Test? 4 Things You May Want to Do When You Get Your Results Took a DNA Test? 4 Things You May Want to Do When You Get Your Results

Took a DNA Test? 4 Things You May Want to Do When You Get Your Results

Consumer DNA tests are one of the hottest trends right now, with 23andMe boxes lining Target’s end caps and Kelly Ripa promoting Ancestry.com. It’s a pretty amazing concept: Spit into a tube and get a wealth of information about your ancestral history and family lineage.

Once your results are uploaded into the provider’s database, you’ll have access to a network of other individuals with similar genetic markers. These people could be second, third, fourth cousins, half-siblings, or even biological family members you didn’t know you had. Depending on your privacy settings, these individuals can see your family tree and where they fit into it, along with your name and contact information.


Think Someone Is Impersonating You? Here's What You May Want To Do Think Someone Is Impersonating You? Here's What You May Want To Do

Think Someone Is Impersonating You? Here's What You May Want To Do

If you’re like most Americans, you’re active on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Reddit, and more.

The information you post on these accounts can reveal a lot about you. When you add in public records like addresses, phone numbers, birth and marriage certificates, driving violations, and court cases, anyone who searches your name online will find a fairly comprehensive overview of you.

People run online searches on others all the time, and it’s important to occasionally search yourself, both on Google and a more thorough search tool like BeenVerified, so you know what they’re finding. You don’t want an embarrassing or questionable old post to come back and haunt you.


Which States Have the Most Cases of Identity Theft? Which States Have the Most Cases of Identity Theft?

Which States Have the Most Cases of Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a big problem in the United States. Cyber criminals have been hacking into big data banks to pilfer personal information, including financial data, for many years. Recently, data analyzed by WalletHub was used to determine where identity theft occurs most often, and how much money has been lost to these cyber thieves.

In the past 13 years, there have been nearly 9,400 data breaches, which means more than 1 billion accounts have been compromised. That means there’s a good chance that your information could be floating around the dark web, where personal data is bought and sold.


How to Protect Your Child's Identity How to Protect Your Child's Identity

How to Protect Your Child's Identity

Identity theft is a common concern for many Americans, and unfortunately, there’s good reason for that. There are numerous factors that impact your risk, from where you live to your credit score.

Despite the frequency of identity theft among adults, children might actually be at an even greater risk. The unsettling part? You’ll probably have no idea it’s happening to your child.

Criminals target minors for similar reasons they target deceased individuals: it is less likely that someone is checking their credit report. They then use their personal information, typically for non-financial purposes, like applying for apartment rentals or getting medical treatment.


Don't Fall for the "Secret Sister" Scam on Facebook Don't Fall for the "Secret Sister" Scam on Facebook

Don't Fall for the "Secret Sister" Scam on Facebook

Holiday greetings, festive videos, and other celebratory posts fill your social media feeds during this time of the year — along with clever scams designed to target you for your money, identity, or other personal information.

One scam that’s going around on Facebook is the Secret Sister" gift exchange. Secret Sister, which was spotted frequently last holiday season, promises that you’ll get back up to 36 gifts for purchasing and mailing a single $10 gift for your “secret sister.” The catch? You have to invite six of your friends to participate.


Holiday Season Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself Holiday Season Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself

Holiday Season Identity Theft: How to Protect Yourself

As the holiday season approaches this year, you might be feeling a bit wary of using your credit or debit card at certain retailers who have had data breaches in the past. You’re not alone. In fact, the majority of Americans (75 percent) say they are at least somewhat, if not very, concerned about the potential of a similar occurrence.  

The main reason to be concerned about a data breach of your financial information is the threat of identity theft. If a hacker manages to break into a database with customer information, there’s a chance yours could be stolen and sold on the dark web.


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Disclaimer: The above is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.