Liz Lasher

Over the last year, the global pandemic has profoundly impacted fraud trends, with financial criminals feasting on a desperate stew of consumer loneliness, financial difficulties, boredom and desperation. A few months ago my colleague TJ Horan blogged about money muling, a crime in which unsuspecting folks are duped into illegally transferring ill-gotten funds on beha…

This year the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will start accepting 2020 tax returns on February 12, about two weeks later than usual. That’s positive news—because you definitely want to file your tax return as soon as possible, particularly if you’re claiming a refund. Why is that important? Filing early will reduce the chances that a financial criminal will use stolen…

In June 2020, the US Social Security Administration (SSA) launched their electronic consent-based verification service (eCBSV). The eCBSV is an electronic service that offers registered members, such as banks, the ability to confirm the social security number of their customers, with the customers consent. Why is the eCBSV needed? The USA has been suffering from…

Identity-based fraud takes many forms: application fraud, bust-out fraud, account takeover, synthetic identities and identity theft. In response, many institutions have deployed layered controls to ensure they are interacting with genuine customers and help stop identity fraud. But, taken too far, having too many controls makes for a frustrating experience that can dr…

As we head into the holiday season, you’ve probably had enough stress in 2020. But wait––yet another wrench has been thrown in this challenging year! Fraud has spiked during the pandemic, with criminals upping their game as consumers swing into holiday shopping mode. Read on for five powerful fraud-fighting tips to help you break out of the 2020 doldrums and end the y…

Did you know that a pickup truck can easily cost $72,000? That’s as much as many Mercedes-Benz models! But for criminals, working individually or in fraud rings, these vehicles (or any vehicle, for that matter), present an attractive opportunity: finance the vehicle, sell it illicitly, and pocket the cash. An estimated 10% to 15% of auto finance companies’ bad debt bo…

COVID-19 scams are on the rise. In a recent webinar I hosted, we learned that 31% of participants had received a communication that looks like a COVID-19 scam in the past 30 days. While we’ve seen it take some unexpected turns, like the surge of pet adoption scams, where criminals prey on the desire to adopt a furry friend while under quarantine, there are other ki…

Did you know that today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day? In addition to being a  passionate defender in the fight against child identity fraud, I am also an ardent supporter of elders’ financial well-being. With this year’s theme of “Access to Justice: Legal, Social and Economic Services for Older Victims of Sexual, Physical and Financial Crimes,” a…

As a fraud professional, I am passionate about fighting financial crime — yet, at the same time, I tout the importance of balancing security with the customer experience. It came as a big shock, then, when I found myself in the middle of a fraud investigation — by my own wireless provider! (My former wireless provider, I will add.) The good news? The frustrating tr…

With my binge watching at an all-time high, I realized I need a detox from not just movies and shows, but electronics in general. As it turns out, I am not alone. I recently polled my colleagues for a recommended reading list, and there were almost too many options to choose from.  If you’re also searching for a break from devices, you may enjoy these reads th…

Across the globe, binge-watching is at an all-time high with movies and shows providing a slight, welcome distraction. By now, you may have made your way through your bucket list, the latest blockbusters and possibly a few outrageous reality shows, aka Tiger King. But now what should you watch? Well, for those of you as obsessed with fraud and financial crime as me…