Companies often unprepared for risks social media pose
Here's the abstract for an interesting article that is published in the journal Business Insurance. You'll have to pay to obtain access to this article, or you can get it through a library.
Abstract: The article delves into the risks beneath the use of social media outlets by companies. Experts revealed that the risks firms may be facing are categorized to information technology and reputation, while concerns can be in the legal form with defamation and copyright risks and in the workplace productivity, when employees are engrossed to using social networking sites. Robert Stroud of the Information Systems Audit & Control Association advises firms to search the Web about their brand to prevent harmful information on social media forums.
Here's the permalink: http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20100912/ISSUE03/309129997
Of course, a private investigator can help you monitor your reputation and obtain useful intelligence on those who are undermining it. Feel free to get in touch with Claude if you have questions about various countermeasures.
Tracking the trackers through the Internet
Here's an interesting video from TED that some readers may find interesting:
Gary Novak discusses how websites track you. It also covers some laws and rules that might be interesting to our small business readers.
Gary Novak discusses how websites track you. It also covers some laws and rules that might be interesting to our small business readers.
Is it safe to sell an iPhone?
We've blogged in the past about the potential security threats related to devices that store information, such as copier machines. Here's an interesting story about the risks of selling an iPhone (or other smart device) and what you can do to protect your data: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/upgrade-your-life/true-false-never-sell-old-phone-215656295.html
Another story of employee theft
We've blogged in the past about the importance of protecting your business assets with a thorough and comprehensive security analysis. Private investigators can help you conduct a security analysis in a variety of ways. One particular strategy, which is something a security and alarm company will not do, is to conduct a pretexting or undercover investigation in which the investigator tests employees' willingness to consider or engage in theft. Of course, the investigator will also check your security set up in terms of your surveillance, security system, and potential compromises in your filing systems.
It's important to be diligent against security compromises and employee commitment to your operating goals. Here's a fairly recent example to remind you of the need to keep a private investigator on retainer, especially if you operate a warehouse or transportation company: Amazon warehouse worker stole $160,000 in electronics.
What not to keep in your wallet
We've blogged in the past about issues of identity theft, and given the significant amount of discussion in news media about the risk of identity theft, we don't think it's necessary to try to convince our readers that they should do more to mitigate the risk of identity theft. Instead, we'd just like to Give you some good ol' fashioned advice. We came across this little article on Yahoo! News (via Kiplinger), and thought you might like to know what 8 things security experts, which includes us, suggest you keep out of your wallet:
- Social Security Card
- Password Cheat Sheet
- Spare Keys
- Checks
- Passport
- Multiple Credit Cards
- Birth Certificate
- A stack of receipts
We're all guilty of 4, 6, and 8. With the sophistication of today's organized identity theft networks, those three things could be enough for them to steal your money or identity. Of course, we recommend that our clients sign up for an online credit score monitoring company (e.g., Credit Secure from American Express) and, especially for small business owners, retain a private investigator to conduct a thorough security risk assessment.
Social Media Background Checks Are Gaining Popularity
People are learning that social media is great way to connect with people and social network for both professional and personal reasons; however, online social networking platforms can also be disconcerting, especially when applying for job. It's not so much what you might post, but what others might post about you. Just check out these interesting facts from a recent Inc. Magazine infographic:
If you feel that your social media profile or brand has been compromised in any way (e.g., hacking, copyright violation, or inappropriate post of your image or name) hire a private investigator to help you identify the parties involved, especially when accounts have non-public owners. Armed with this information, you can can send requests for removal or cease-and-desist orders.
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| Source: Inc. Data Bank |
If you feel that your social media profile or brand has been compromised in any way (e.g., hacking, copyright violation, or inappropriate post of your image or name) hire a private investigator to help you identify the parties involved, especially when accounts have non-public owners. Armed with this information, you can can send requests for removal or cease-and-desist orders.
Ferocious Competition
Then July issue of Entrepreneur magazine has a very interesting article on "the ferocious competitor." While the online version of this article is not yet available, I thought I'd get a head start and remind businesses that private investigators should be a strategic part of a competitive strategy. When the link is available, usually within a month, I'll update this post. Until then, remember that a private investigator can help you:
- Conduct due diligence checks on potential partners and suppliers.
- Conduct background checks to ensure you're hiring the right employees.
- Check on business competitors who may be violating the law.
- Reduce theft of supplies and poaching of customers, thus reducing costs and liability.
- Conduct undercover investigations and other forms of corporate espionage to get intelligence on competitors' product developments and announcements.
The above (incomplete) list will help you become a ferocious competitor in today's complex and dynamic business environment. As noted, intelligence can reduce business risks and decrease overall expenses. If you think a private investigator can help you improve your bottom line, give us a call.
LinkedIn and eHarmony Passwords Hacked -- Private Investigators can Mitigate Security Risks
By now you've probably heard about the stolen 1.5 million passwords stolen from eHarmony, and also the LinkedIn password breach.
Businesses should hire a private investigator to conduct a thorough security risk assessment, which includes creating security protocols, training employees, and implementation due diligence checks--e.g., verifying that employees are following proper protocols through undercover investigations.
To learn more about the hacking scandals, follow these links:
- http://mashable.com/2012/06/06/eharmony-passwords-stolen/
- http://mashable.com/2012/06/06/linkedin-password-check/
If you're in Texas, call United International Investigations and see how our services can help you and your employees' stay safe online: www.investigateworldwide.com.
Read License Agreements
We've often provided information about storage and retrieval of information, which is always a concern for businesses. With iPhones growing in popularity, keep in mind that the phones themselves not only save a lot of information but most of the apps allow third parties to retain information on your iPhone use. IBM is the latest company to take this to heart, and has recently banned employees' use of Siri, the digital voice assistant. Siri stores and shares all kinds of information about you (such as names and addresses of contacts).
A private investigator can help you develop a comprehensive security policy, train your employees, a security risk assessments and, in the event of unfortunate security breaches, investigations.
How long does Apple store all of this stuff, and who gets a look at it? Well, the company doesn’t actually say. Again, from the user agreement: “By using Siri or Dictation, you agree and consent to Apple’s and its subsidiaries’ and agents’ transmission, collection, maintenance, processing, and use of this information, including your voice input and User Data, to provide and improve Siri, Dictation, and other Apple products and services.”Full story here: http://www.wired.com/wiredenterprise/2012/05/ibm-bans-siri/
A private investigator can help you develop a comprehensive security policy, train your employees, a security risk assessments and, in the event of unfortunate security breaches, investigations.
DIY Private Eye
A new website allows people to know who has been searching for them:
BrandYourself built a database of organizations' publicly-available IP addresses in order to create the feature. They use it to match IP addressees of profile visitors with the companies that own those addressses.
So, if you go for a job interview or on a date, you may be able to know whose been looking you up. Nevertheless, the system is not fool proof, is somewhat limited, and requires you to join yet another social network. Nevertheless, this could be the future for most social networking sites.
This search ability gives you one more tool in your arsenal for do-it-yourself private investigating. It also means, however, that you may want to get serious about hiring a professional investigator, who will be able to get real evidence when you discover something strange, such as in cases where you feel like you're being profiled, when you feel like someone may be trying to scam you, or when you're being stalked.
This search ability gives you one more tool in your arsenal for do-it-yourself private investigating. It also means, however, that you may want to get serious about hiring a professional investigator, who will be able to get real evidence when you discover something strange, such as in cases where you feel like you're being profiled, when you feel like someone may be trying to scam you, or when you're being stalked.
Reasons to Hire a Private Investigator
Here's the list of reasons you should hire a private investigator instead of conducting them yourself.
- Knowledge. Most states require examination and continuing education to be an investigator. This entails staying on top of legislative changes. An investigator is more likely to know the laws better than you do.
- Skill. You might think following someone or finding information about someone is easy. If you're not used to doing it you will get "burned" or spend a lot of time chasing unnecessary data and leads.
- Experience. Many private investigators are former public detectives. Did you spend 30 years of your life investigating homicides and conducting stakeouts? Didn't think so.
- Technology. Do you have the latest camera equipment with GPS tagging or counter-surveillance equipment. With price tags into the thousands of dollars, probably not. For the price you'll pay for equipment you could hire a private investigator for more than 30 hours of surveillance.
- Time. Do you have 12 hours to hang out on the street waiting for a target to move? Probably not, so get someone to do it for you.
- Danger. People don't like being investigated. Private investigators are trained in self-defense and risk reduction.
- Evidence. An objective observation obtained through legal means will be more persuasive and admissible into court.
Still not convinced? Then call United International Investigations and we'll give you more reasons.
Hackers turn credit report websites against consumers
Here's an interesting story worth checking out: http://redtape.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/26/10875023-exclusive-hackers-turn-credit-report-websites-against-consumers
In short, companies that offer credit reports and security monitoring are vulnerable to attack from hackers, creating huge opportunities for thieves wanting to still another's credit. If you feel that you're credit has been compromised in any way, hire a private investigator to help you with the investigation and to do a thorough risk assessment of your daily online and offline activities.
In short, companies that offer credit reports and security monitoring are vulnerable to attack from hackers, creating huge opportunities for thieves wanting to still another's credit. If you feel that you're credit has been compromised in any way, hire a private investigator to help you with the investigation and to do a thorough risk assessment of your daily online and offline activities.
From the Vault: News articles referencing Private Investigators
Sometimes it's fun to explore old newspapers. It's a way to learn history through a specific topic--in our case, the private detective. We've collected, thanks to Google and Archive.org, some fun news stories from the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s and old-time programming from earlier decades that include reference to private investigators. We'll release these from time to time as part of our ongoing effort to provide interesting articles, pointers, and tips about the world of the professional investigator.
We hope you enjoy these two articles:
We'll keep posting articles that reference the excellent work of contemporary professional investigators and other useful tips. But it's fun to go way back too.
We hope you enjoy these two articles:
Just for fun: Remember what Yahoo looked like in 1996? See The 1996 Yahoo.com homepage here
We'll keep posting articles that reference the excellent work of contemporary professional investigators and other useful tips. But it's fun to go way back too.
Privacy and unmanned drones
A recent Nightline (ABC) segment on the use of unmanned drones made it clear that small aerial camera-ready craft are becoming mainstream.
Here is the video: http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/drones-who-is-watching-you-28326842.html
At the beginning of the segment, note that the humming bird covert camera can record audio. Buyer beware! While it is legal to record video of people when they do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy (the courts will eventually take up this issue once the lawsuits are filed over these devices), in almost every state--and for that matter in federal statute--the recording of audio in which you are not a party to the conversation is illegal wiretap. In other words, careless use of aerial drones to conduct covert surveillance could lead to prison.
Here is the video: http://news.yahoo.com/video/us-15749625/drones-who-is-watching-you-28326842.html
At the beginning of the segment, note that the humming bird covert camera can record audio. Buyer beware! While it is legal to record video of people when they do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy (the courts will eventually take up this issue once the lawsuits are filed over these devices), in almost every state--and for that matter in federal statute--the recording of audio in which you are not a party to the conversation is illegal wiretap. In other words, careless use of aerial drones to conduct covert surveillance could lead to prison.
Be careful of this scam (and using public wifi)!
These two interesting clip's from "Upgrade Your Life" blogger Becky Worley offers some important tips about public WiFi and "Who's Searching for Me" scams.
Who's Searching for Me Scams
Is it Safe to Bank on Public WiFi?
Remember, it is always best to consider the risks of sharing your data online in general and in public locations in particular. If you feel your data has been compromised, hire a private investigator to conduct a thorough investigation and security risk assessment.
Who's Searching for Me Scams
Is it Safe to Bank on Public WiFi?
Remember, it is always best to consider the risks of sharing your data online in general and in public locations in particular. If you feel your data has been compromised, hire a private investigator to conduct a thorough investigation and security risk assessment.
Some great stories
The private investigations industry does not have the greatest professional image. However, these two recent stories show both the importance of private investigators and the profession's growing status as a necessary and useful enterprise for businesses, individuals, and governments.
- Uganda hires private investigator over journalist's shooting
- Village hires private investigator to investigate its only police officer
A useful book
Though the following book may not be useful for all readers, it is something that both the Californian private investigator and clients (especially attorneys) should read. It is written by David Queen, a tenured federal prosecutor, defense attorney, and licensed private investigator. The book's legal focus makes it very useful guide for assured due diligence in investigative cases. Investigators and clients residing outside of California can benefit from this text by using it as a reference when subcontracting or when an investigation shifts to California legal statute. As a reference book, it can certain assure that the investigator handling a case is operating within the rule of law.
New format: Also, a few notes on social networking safety
As promised in our end of the year post, we're going to change some things about our blogging efforts this year.
While we will intermittently write a variety of our longer posts offering advice and tips, we're going to try a more popular format of writing short posts somewhat more frequently. Expect a post about every 2 to 3 weeks instead of every four.
The theme of the posts will vary, but will generally provide links to interesting news stories, reviews of relevant books and journal articles, helpful advice and reminders, and other interesting substance. As before, the posts will focus on issues relevant to the private investigations industry with an intended audience of (potential) clients. As we've advocated, it is important to remain an informed consumer and select investigators who are practicing ethically and legally.
In this post, we want to remind our reader's to remember that it is hard to identify people who are potential con artists, as evidenced by a woman who recently was able to swindel her boss out of a million dollars, and to be wary of social networking scams, which are becoming more sophisticated.
- How Facebook is fueling a new breed of social scams
For example: - Facebook Identity Theft: Thieves Use Deceased Child’s Photos For Online Donations
- Facebook birthday T-shirt scam steals secret mobile email addresses
The following books are useful resources for people looking for specific tips and strategies
It's that time of the year... to wrap things up and open new gifts
It's that time of the year again, when people wrap presents, eat food, and drink delicious beverages... that they likely didn't buy! One in every 11 people who walk through a retailer's door is likely to walk out with at least one item he or she didn't pay for, with nearly 70% claiming they didn't plan to steal something (Klara, 2011). The top 10 most shoplifted items, according to Klara in an article published in Adweek, are as follows:
- Filet Mignon
- Jameson (liquors)
- Electric tools
- iPhone4
- Gillette Mach4
- Axe (deodorants)
- Polo Ralph Lauren
- Let's Rock Elmo
- Chanel No. 5
- Nikes
The list is interesting, for sure. But we provide it as a friendly reminder that retailers need to take precautions, as we suggest last year at this time. No retailer is safe from sticky fingers, and it seems that there are a variety of motivations for theft. It is also a reminder to be observant of others' behaviors and, if warranted, do a background check or surveillance on employees, spouses, children, etc., especially when they engage in suspicious behavior. This is just a matter of protecting your own self interest, even if it feels odd.
It is also that time of the year when people think it is appropriate to make changes. We're not alone. We're planning to make a few changes to our blog next year. We'll continue to write long posts with ideas and tips for clients, and thoughts on the profession. However, these will be less frequent. Instead, we will update the blog a few more times per month with shorter comments, and more timely news about the profession. This, we believe, will allow us to cover more topics. It is also consistent with the push in social media to make information fresh and concise. We believe shorter comments with links to articles will better serve our readers and the PI profession more than our current approach does.
So until 2012, have a safe and happy holiday. However, if it is for any reason a little unsafe and unhappy, give us a call: investigateworldwide.com.
(Note: We'll be working cases, but we'll begin delivering content in mid-January.)
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