Cybercrime / Privacy

‘They were able to steal $600 from me in seconds’ — Another holiday, another flurry Starbucks mobile app ‘hack’ complaints (and a special prepaid cards warning)

January 4, 2017 Bob Sullivan 1

Angry Starbucks customers keep writing me to say their bank accounts are being drained via the coffee giant’s popular mobile app, more than a year after I first reported the disturbing problem. Such a heist ruined Jenna Veeve Farag’s Christmas morning. “They were able to wipe out my checking account,” she [Keep reading]

Gotchas / Consumer

Equifax, Trans Union will pay fines, refunds to settle charges they deceptively marketed free credit scores and credit reports

January 3, 2017 Bob Sullivan 0

Equifax and Trans Union were smacked by federal regulators on the first business day of the year, as the credit bureau giants will pay millions to settle allegations they deceptively sold and advertised free credit reports and credit score products. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says the two giant credit bureaus [Keep reading]

Personal

My 2016 in pictures

December 30, 2016 Bob Sullivan 0

Because I spend so much time traveling for work, for the past 20 years or so, I’ve made a calendar each year for my family and friends. It’s my way of saying, “Here’s what I’ve been up to for the past 12 months when I probably should have been spending [Keep reading]

Cybercrime / Privacy

‘Your money or your data!’ – Most still have never heard of ransomware; while a majority of victims have paid up, IBM says

December 14, 2016 Bob Sullivan 4

There’s fresh evidence out Wednesday to show the ransomware epidemic has staying power. Why? Victims are paying ransoms for their data, that’s why. Madison County, Indiana made headlines last week because it admitted a recent ransomware attack will cost taxpayers there $220,000 — some to the hackers, most for security [Keep reading]