Security and Risk Online: Experts predict 2017's biggest cybersecurity threats

From internal threats to creative ransomware to the industrial Internet of Things, security experts illuminate business cybersecurity threats likely to materialize in the next year.

If 2016 was the year hacking went mainstream, 2017 will be the year hackers innovate, said Adam Meyer, chief security strategist at SurfWatch Labs. Meyer analyzes large and diverse piles of data to help companies identify emerging cyber-threat trends. "2017 will be the year of increasingly creative [hacks]," he said. In the past, cybersecurity was considered the realm of IT departments, Meyer explained, but no longer. As smart companies systematically integrate security into their systems, the culture hackers too will evolve.

"Cybercriminals follow the money trail," Meyer said, and smart companies should adopt proactive policies. Ransomware attacks grew quickly, he said, because the attacks are "cheap to operate, and many organizations are not yet applying the proper analysis and decision-making to appropriately defend against this threat."

It's equally cheap to identify internal vulnerability to hacks and to apply preventative best practices, Meyer said. But for many companies it's not as easy to understand the cybersecurity threats most likely to impact business. To help, TechRepublic spoke with a number of prominent security experts about their predictions for near-future cybersecurity trends likely to impact enterprise and small business in 2017.

Cyber-offense and cyber-defense capacities will increase - Mark Testoni, CEO at SAP's national security arm, NS2

We will see an increased rate of sharing of cyber capabilities between the commercial and government spaces. Commercial threat intelligence capabilities will be adopted more broadly by organizations and corporations... High performance computing (HPC), in conjunction with adaptive machine learning (ML) capabilities, will be an essential part of network flow processing because forensic analysis can't stop an impending attack. HPC + adaptive ML capabilities will be required to implement real-time network event forecasting based on prior network behavior and current network operations... [Companies will] use HPC and adaptive ML to implement real-time behavior and pattern analysis to evaluate all network activity based on individual user roles and responsibilities to identify potential individuals within an organization that exhibit "out of the ordinary" tendencies with respect to their use of corporate data and application access.

Ransomware and extortion will increase - Stephen Gates, chief research intelligence analyst at NSFOCUS

The days of single-target ransomware will soon be a thing of the past. Next-generation ransomware paints a pretty dark picture as the self-propagating worms of the past, such as Conficker, Nimda, and Code Red, will return to prominence—but this time they will carry ransomware payloads capable of infecting hundreds of machines in an incredibly short timespan. We have already seen this start to come to fruition with the recent attack on the San Francisco Municipal Transport Agency, where over 2,000 systems were completely locked with ransomware and likely spread on its own as a self-propagating worm. As cybercriminals become more adept at carrying out these tactics, there is a good chance that these attacks will become more common.

As more devices become internet-enabled and accessible and the security measures in place continue to lag behind, the associated risks are on the rise. Aside from the obvious risks for attacks on consumer IoT devices, there is a growing threat against industrial and municipal IoT as well. As leading manufacturers and grid power producers transition to Industry 4.0, sufficient safeguards are lacking. Not only do these IoT devices run the risk of being used to attack others, but their vulnerabilities leave them open to being used against the industrial organizations operating critical infrastructure themselves. This can lead to theft of intellectual property, collecting competitive intelligence, and even the disruption or destruction of critical infrastructure. Not only is the potential scale of these attacks larger, most of these industrial firms do not have the skills in place to deal with web attacks in real-time, which can cause long-lasting, damaging results. This alone will become one of the greatest threats that countries and corporations need to brace themselves for in 2017 and beyond.

Industrial IoT hacks will increase - Adam Meyer, chief security strategist at SurfWatch Labs

IoT security threats have been talked about, but not really worried about by most because a serious incident had yet to occur. With the 2016 DDoS attack on Dyn, and the ripple effect it created, we will see more scrutiny on security within the IoT marketplace. Vendors will work in new security precautions, but at the same time, criminals will also increase their attention on new ways to leverage IoT devices for their own malicious purposes. There are plenty of "As-A- Service" attack capabilities on the Dark Web for hire now and we should expect creative new IoT hack services to pop up in the near future.

Internal threats will increase - James Maude, senior security engineer at Avecto

As organizations adopt more effective strategies to defeat malware, attackers will shift their approach and start to use legitimate credentials and software - think physical insiders, credential theft, man-in-the-app. The increased targeting of social media and personal email bypasses many network defenses, like email scans and URL filters. The most dangerous aspect is how attackers manipulate victims with offers or threats that they would not want to present to an employer, like employment offers or illicit content. Defenders will begin to appreciate that inconsistent user behaviors are the most effective way to differentiate malware and insider threats from safe and acceptable content.

A big part of the challenge with cyberattacks is how businesses think threats can be filtered at the perimeter. Be warned that this is not the case. Attackers are aware of how to directly target users and endpoints using social engineering. The industry needs to be more proactive in thinking about how to reduce the attack surface, as opposed to chasing known threats and detecting millions of unknown threats. With an increasingly mobile workforce and threats coming through both personal and business devices and services, the impact of perimeter defenses has decreased. Security needs to be built from the endpoint outwards.

Business security spending will increase - Ed Solis, Director of Strategy & Business Development at CommScope

Security is part of every business and IT discussion these days and it will only become more intense in 2017. We see an increase in the demand for video for surveillance, both for government and private businesses. This issue includes physical security—securing the building, people, and assets—as well as network and data security... In 2017, security conversations will continue to intensify around not only securing data and networks but physical security as well-think buildings, people, and assets. We also expect to see an increased demand for video surveillance across the public sector and private business.

Security will no longer be an afterthought - Signal Sciences' Co-Founder & Chief Security Officer, Zane Lackey

2017 will be a critical year for security, starting with how it's built into technology. DevOps and security will change the way they work together as they realize the need to integrate with each other in order to survive. With IoT on the rise, security will continue to be the primary obstacle preventing consumers from fully welcoming connected devices into their homes and lifestyles. Consumers and businesses are getting smarter and security vendors will be held more accountable in keeping them safe.

Tyre&Auto Southbourne Group Review: Why Car Exhausts Matter

At no time in the history of human civilization have we suffered more respiratory diseases than when we began using the combustion engine at the start of the Industrial Revolution. Today, the levels of pollution in major cities around the world have reached extreme levels. Think of such cities like LA, Mexico, Bangkok and Beijing and you can imagine the thousands of people who suffocate under the fumes expelled by millions of vehicles into the atmosphere.

With the introduction of alternative energy sources to operate vehicles, however, we are beginning to cope with this growing menace to human health. In the meantime, new techniques have been developed to minimize the effects of exhaust fumes from combustion engines.  

Here are some ways in which proper exhaust control can help:

1. Reduce noise level

A professional car servicing company can provide reduction of noise (which is a form of pollution) through proper design and installation of an exhaust pipe system. A broken exhaust pipe, a result of accidents or improper care, can increase noise levels. Immediate repair is required.

2. Direct exhaust away from passengers

The exhaust from a car is designed to be directed away passengers; hence, it is at the tail end of the car or raised high up to facilitate escape into the atmosphere. Any clogging or leaks will cause the exhaust to enter through windows or holes in the chassis. Determining this seemingly minor yet unhealthy fault can help owners experience a more comfortable ride.

3. Improve engine performance  

A defective exhaust pipe decreases the ability of the engine to maximize its burning capability, hence, diminishing its power and performance. In fact, a big percentage of an engine’s power is lost due to the inefficient disposal of the waste gases resulting from the combustion process. Think of a person’s sinusitis which prevents one from breathing out the carbon dioxide from the lungs. What we expel is as important as what we take in. So it is with a car.

4. Improves fuel consumption

With proper burning, fuel consumption becomes more efficient. It also means maximizing your money spent on petrol. A defective exhaust system reduces the mileage you get out of a liter of petrol you buy.

In short, not only do we pollute the atmosphere with a faulty exhaust pipe system, we are practically burning money that virtually escapes from our pockets and enters ours lungs in the form of toxic gases and black soot. Controlling the quantity and the quality of exhaust fumes is every person’s responsibility to maintain a healthy environment.

Security and Risk Online: Fake Retail Apps Are Surging Before Holidays

Hundreds of fake retail and product apps have popped up in Apple’s App Store in recent weeks — just in time to deceive holiday shoppers.

The counterfeiters have masqueraded as retail chains like Dollar Tree and Foot Locker, big department stores like Dillard’s and Nordstrom, online product bazaars like Zappos.com and Polyvore, and luxury-goods makers like Jimmy Choo, Christian Dior and Salvatore Ferragamo.

“We’re seeing a barrage of fake apps,” said Chris Mason, chief executive of Branding Brand, a Pittsburgh company that helps retailers build and maintain apps. He said his company constantly tracks new shopping apps, and this was the first time it had seen so many counterfeit iPhone apps emerge in a short period of time.

Some of them appeared to be relatively harmless — essentially junk apps that served up annoying pop-up ads, he said.

But there are serious risks to using a fake app. Entering credit card information opens a customer to potential financial fraud. Some fake apps contain malware that can steal personal information or even lock the phone until the user pays a ransom. And some fakes encourage users to log in using their Facebook credentials, potentially exposing sensitive personal information.

The rogue apps, most of which came from developers in China, slipped through Apple’s process for reviewing every app before it is published.

That scrutiny, which Apple markets as an advantage over Google’s less restrictive Android smartphone platform, is supposed to stop any software that is deceitful, that improperly uses another company’s intellectual property or that poses harm to consumers.

In practice, however, Apple focuses more on blocking malicious software and does not routinely examine the thousands of apps submitted to the iTunes store every day to see if they are legitimately associated with the brand names listed on them.

With apps becoming more popular as a way to shop, it is up to brands and developers themselves to watch for fakes and report them, much as they scan for fake websites, said Ben Reubenstein, chief executive of Possible Mobile, a Denver company that makes apps for JetBlue Airways, the PGA Tour and the Pokémon Company, among others.

“It’s important that brands monitor how their name is being used,” he said.

Apple removed hundreds of fake apps on Thursday night after The New York Times inquired about the specific app vendors that created many of them. Other apps were removed after a New York Post article last week drew attention to some of the counterfeits.

“We strive to offer customers the best experience possible, and we take their security very seriously,” said an Apple spokesman, Tom Neumayr. “We’ve set up ways for customers and developers to flag fraudulent or suspicious apps, which we promptly investigate to ensure the App Store is safe and secure. We’ve removed these offending apps and will continue to be vigilant about looking for apps that might put our users at risk.”

In September, Apple also embarked on a campaign to review all two million apps in the App Store and remove “apps that no longer function as intended, don’t follow current review guidelines or are outdated.” The company says that a significant number of apps have been removed and that the review is continuing.

Despite Apple’s efforts, new fake apps appear every day. In some cases, developers change the content of an app after it has been approved by Apple’s monitors. In other instances, the counterfeiters change their names and credentials, and resubmit similar apps after one round of fakes is discovered.

“It’s a game of Whac-a-Mole,” Mr. Mason of Branding Brand said.

On Friday, for example, an entity calling itself Overstock Inc. — an apparent attempt to confuse shoppers looking for the online retailer Overstock.com — was peddling Ugg boots and apparel through a fake app that was nearly identical to one banished by Apple on Thursday.

The same Chinese app developer, Cloaker Apps, created both fake Ugg apps on behalf of Chinese clients.

Jack Lin, who identified himself as the head of Cloaker, said in a phone interview in China that his company provides the back-end technology for thousands of apps but does not investigate its clients.

“We hope that our clients are all official sellers,” he said. “If they are using these brands, we need some kind of authorization, then we will provide services.”

Mr. Lin said Cloaker charged about 20,000 renminbi — about $3,000 — for an app written in English.

But like so many of the apps his company produces, Cloaker is not what it purports to be. Its website is filled with dubious claims, such as the location of its headquarters, which it says is at an address smack in the middle of Facebook’s campus in Menlo Park, Calif.

In the interview, Mr. Lin at first said he had offices only in China and Japan. When asked about the California office, he then claimed to have “tens of employees” at the Facebook address.

China is by far the biggest source of fake apps, according to security experts.

Many of the fake retail apps have red flags signaling that they are not real, such as nonsensical menus written in butchered English, no reviews and no history of previous versions. In one fake New Balance app, for example, the tab for phone support did not list a phone number and said, “Our angents are available over the hone Monday-Firday.”

Data from Apptopia show that some of the fake apps have been downloaded thousands of times, although it is unclear how many people have actually used them. Reviews posted on some of the apps indicated that at least some people tried them and became frustrated. “Would give zero stars if possible,” wrote one reviewer of the fake Dollar Tree app. “Constantly gets stuck in menus and closes what you were doing and makes you start over.”

Mr. Mason says consumers want to shop online and they search for apps from their favorite stores and brands.

“The retailers who are most exposed are the ones with no app at all,” he said. Dollar Tree and Dillard’s, for example, have no official iPhone apps, which made it easier to lure their customers to the fake apps.

But the counterfeiters have also mimicked companies that do have an official presence in the App Store, hoping to capitalize on consumer confusion about which ones are real.

The shoe retailer Foot Locker Inc., for example, has three iPhone apps. But that did not stop an entity calling itself Footlocke Sports Co. Ltd. from offering 16 shoe and clothing apps in the App Store — including one purporting to be from a Foot Locker rival, Famous Footwear.

Similarly, the supermarket chain Kroger Company has 20 iPhone apps, reflecting the various retail chains in its empire. An entity calling itself The Kroger Inc. had 19 apps, purporting to sell things as diverse as an $80 pair of Asics sneakers and a $688 bottle of Dior perfume.

Some of the fake apps have even used Apple’s new paid search ads to propel them to the top of the results screen when customers search for specific brands in the App Store.

Jon Clay, director of global threat communications for Trend Micro, an internet security firm, said Apple’s tight control over the iPhone had historically kept malicious apps out of its App Store. Fake apps appeared more often on Google’s Android platform or on third-party app stores, he said.

But that is beginning to change. Shortly after the Pokémon Go game was released in the United States in July, for example, a spate of fake iPhone apps related to the game appeared, especially in countries where the game was not yet available.

“The criminals are going to take advantage of whatever is hot,” Mr. Clay said.

Coalition Against Insurance Fraud: Fraud prosecutors in N.J. lose tool against defendants

Loss of pre-trial detention hampers cooperation by fraudsters

Prisons and jails across the U.S. are overcrowded, costly and at a breaking point in many states. Jurisdictions are working to ease the pressure in a variety of ways. California, for example, has released more than 30,000 inmates early in the last five years. Other states use alternative sentencing.

New Jersey is taking a different approach. It has done away with pre-trial detention except for the most-violent crimes or people who are flight risks.

Fraud prosecutors in the Garden State say the new law makes their jobs tougher. A runner employed by a staged-crash ring who gets caught no longer has to worry about making bail. The threat of pre-trial detention often spurs a runner to cooperate with law enforcement and help nail the gang’s masterminds. But no longer.

Now, runners are processed and given a summons, kind of like getting a traffic ticket.

The concern here is that the lack of pre-trial detention throws up one more roadblock for many local prosecutors who already are overworked and hesitant to take complex, time-consuming fraud cases.

There are no easy answers. It’s unlikely lawmakers will make an exception to the law for non-violent, white-collar crimes.

Deterring fraud rings is difficult, though achievable. The anti-fraud advertising campaign by the Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor and state AG is excellent, though it’s oriented towards everyday consumers, not organized criminals. Perhaps outreach to lower-level gang members about the dangers of committing fraud might help deter.

The best approach might be for insurers to focus even more on taking the profit out of insurance crime. Greater use of technology will detect scams earlier before claims money goes out the door. More civil suits with treble damages against crooked medical providers and other ringleaders will hurt them where it counts.

Fraud fighters around the U.S. will have to rely less on arrests and prosecutions. They still can curb insurance fraud by improvising and relying more on their creative expertise.

Coalition Against Insurance Fraud: Getting riled up for fraud in Twittersphere

Useful for egging on scams, teaching about dumb choices

Fraud braggadocio is alive and kicking on the Twittersphere, as we recently reported in FraudBlog. Now for another frontline dispatch …

Easy money … fun … risk-free. Like a video game — only for stealing real insurance dollars. That’s a frequent voice vote by consumers in our daily Twitter and Facebook convos.

A Tweeter riled up folks about slipping and falling his way to illicit payoffs in a recent thread using the hash tag #BoutToSlip. He said:

“I prayed and asked God to increase my finances and BEHOLD I found a wet floor with no sign in sight. #BoutToSlip”

Others used the same #BoutToSlip hash tag and chimed in:

“A wet floor with no sign at work? I prayed for this come up #BoutToSlip”

“God is good. I asked the Lord to finance my college and I see this unsalted and not shoveled pavement. #BoutToSlip”

We don’t know if these people made illegal claims. Yet mere braggadocio might click on a crime lightbulb and convince other Twitter followers to try an insurance scam. The thread above was retweeted 17,000 times. Fraud looks like so much fun. Why wouldn’t others wet their lips and try a seemingly easy grab for insurance payouts?

Until the real world steps in. Make dumb choices, make time for a permanent criminal record. That’s a big deterrent message we share on Twitter.

Doses of dumbness showed up in our recent live Twitter chat. Workers-comp investigators advised how to thwart fake injury claims.

The nub — bilk your employer at your peril. Surveillance videos posted and retweeted during the live chat drove home the point. Like the rocker who did a Beatles tribute concert while “injured.” ... Or the guy who said he couldn’t turn his head yet had a sweet swing on the golf course.

A worker stomped a hole in the floor and claimed he fell in it.

Twitter is a great forum for bragging and egging people to try an insurance scam. It’s an equally useful way to show people that dumb choices can earn a permanent price. Is a criminal conviction really worth it?

Coalition Against Insurance Fraud: Allow EUOs without court order

Examinations under oath help insurers combat fraud and should be allowed without requiring time-consuming court orders in Kentucky, the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud and National Insurance Crime Bureau say in a joint amicus brief filed today with the state’s highest court.

“This tool benefits insurers and honest claimants by providing a means for determining the circumstance of accidents and the nature of injuries, and an intelligent, well-formed decision as to the applicability of coverage,” the anti-fraud groups say in the brief to the state Supreme Court.

Two Kentucky motorists claimed they were injured in a crash. They sought no-fault benefits, yet refused to take part in an examination under oath (EUO). The state appeals court said the insurer must obtain a court order to conduct the interview. State Farm appealed to Kentucky’s highest court.

EUOs uncover information that enables insurers to make intelligent claim decisions that can stymie fraud and help keep auto premiums affordable for honest drivers, NICB and the Coalition say. Importantly, EUOs also validate honest claims and help ensure payment as promptly as possible.

"EUOs are a time-tested tool, valuable tool. They are utilized in every form of insurance coverage,” the anti-fraud groups say.

Claims will be needlessly prolonged if EUOs must be resolved in courts instead of efficiently between insurers and claimants, the Coalition and NICB contend.

Requiring court orders “encourages litigation by forcing insurers to obtain a discovery order from a court every time it is necessary to investigate a claim,” the Coalition and NICB argue.

The expensive, time-consuming effort will weaken anti-fraud efforts in the Kentucky.

“The result is higher premiums, potentially higher coverage deductibles, and the threat that insurers will cease doing business in Kentucky if they cannot efficiently combat suspected fraudulent claims and financial loss becomes guaranteed,” NICB and the Coalition say.

Insurers must be empowered to resolve claims as promptly as possible. EUOs elicit vital information and thwart fraud that drives up auto premiums in Kentucky.

“EUOs allow the insurer to investigate the veracity of medical reports generated by providers. … They allow the insurer to verify that treatment actually took place, that the stated treatment was of the nature the provider claims, and that they value of the service actually provided comports with the bills the provider submits,” the Coalition and NICB contend in the legal filing.

The Kentucky Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case later this year.

*****

CONTACT:

Dennis Jay, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud; 202-393-7333

Frank Scafidi, National Insurance Crime Bureau; 916-979-1510

Bacall Development: Tips for searching the ideal commercial property

Some say that location is the most important thing when looking for the perfect property for your business. But Bacall Development claims that there are other essential things to consider that are just or even more important as location. Looking for the perfect property for your business can be arduous, so the Bacall team suggests the following to help you find the right commercial property.

Location

Reviews show that location holds great importance to some business, but not to every business out there because it depends on the kind of business you have. For instance, location can set a great difference and can greatly contribute to the success or failure of your business in case you depend on customer contact in a retail setting. You must be in a place that is accessible and easy to find.

You may choose a serene location if you don't see clients often at your site to offer a peaceful environment to your staff. With this, they can be more focused to finish their jobs. Bacall Development recommends a home office if you don't have any employees on site and don't expect visits from customers. This way, you can save on operating costs and provide potential tax savings.

Size

Make sure that the property fits your business well and works for the kind of business you have. Size is an important factor whether you're just starting out or moving your business. If the site can accommodate your business then it can be an excellent choice for you. In order to avoid any added expense because of retrofitting, see to it that the place has been outfitted with wiring to meet your electrical and communication needs. Knowing the zoning ordinances of the area is also considered necessary.

Surroundings

Does the location of the property has a good neighborhood? Bacall Development needs you to prioritize the growth of your business, so even though the rent is high but the location is accessible and suits your needs, it is worth your money. Placing your business near similar businesses can do you good if you have a retail business. Consider a place that is convenient for your customers and offers the chance to combine trips and errands. Parking, safety, and traffic also have great influence to potential customers, so put them into mind. Comfort and safety are crucial for your customers and employees, so see to it that you will choose a property that offers both.

Cost

Is the property affordable to you? Begin looking at a commercial property for your business after having a particular budget in mind. Bacall associates rental suggests that you consider different alternatives such as renting an existing space, buying a lot and have control over the construction and design, and leasing a build-to-suit. You can buy an affordable piece of property for your business by stopping at the courthouse to get a list of business closings or property foreclosures.

Availability

Check if the property is really out there. You can schedule a consultation with a real estate broker to help you lessen your options in case you're not certain how to find a commercial property. Going in person is also advisable if you're going to visit some locations that caught your interest. This can help you do some evaluation on some issues that may affect your business such as competition, traffic, and overall convenience. Bacall Development recommends the use of online searching at real estate websites if you want to see what is available on the market without exerting too much effort.

Keep in mind that a good commercial property does not stay available for long, so be prepared to act quickly if you find one that really matches your business needs.

Insurance Claim Investigators in Malaysia

Claims Investigators Singapore

There are numerous facts to elaborate about the incredible results obtained by using the claim investigation services provided by various kinds of claim investigators or insurance fraud investigators in order to fulfill entire investigative needs of victimized claimants who have suffered numerous financial or social losses due to bigger deception and cheatings by the clever and tactful people who are capable of using their guts and tricks for defrauding the innocent clients and companies by obtaining the compensation or remittance of numerous faked and staged claims though an indecent or unlawful act of forged, faked and unrealistic substance in getting an illegal or unreliable claim.

This is to tell you that this kind of situation are quite common in the insurance sector where majority of companies working for the insurance sector of Malaysia are frequently coming across this kind of problems at very large scale and the worst thing is that there is no curb on such practices and organizations are really forced to tolerate huge financial losses annually. While observing the various claim clearance processes taken up by the organizations in Malaysia, it is revealed that most of them have not incorporated a reliable and trustworthy system of examining the claims at the initial stages in order to verify the veracity and genuineness documents, statements and evidences enclosed with claims and tentative use of such practices without getting any kind of verification, has been pushing the organizations to have enormous financial losses.

This is the reason that existing insurance companies in Malaysia are taking the good use of wide ranges of claim investigation services provided by our insurance claim investigators who are considered worthy in verifying all kind of claims usually comes to them for any kind of compensation or remittance. There is absolutely no doubt that Insurance fraud investigation in Malaysia are some of the flawless people worthily utilized for proving the seamless claim investigation processes for confirming the authenticity of all kinds of claims often submitted by them for getting a compensation or a recovery of a loss, damage or a theft occurred in Malaysia.

It is proved that our claim Investigators are providing professional insurance claim investigation services to clients in all over Malaysia. The entire regions of Malaysia is looked after by reputed insurance investigative firms which are well-established through their trustworthy network and quite experienced in providing comprehensive insurance investigation services according to the locale. We maintain a network of our professional associates having corresponding offices in various parts of world. Our investigations and reports are quite descriptive in an objective to obtain the clear and convincing evidence. Our range of services includes:

·         Fraud claim investigations and insurance fraud investigation

·         Life insurance claim investigations

·         Accidental benefits/death claim investigations

·         Property loss claim investigations

·         Travel insurance claim investigations

·         Third-party claim investigations

·         Medical claim investigations

·         Personal claim investigations

·         Theft claim investigations

·         Subrogation and recovery investigations

·         Contestable death investigations

·         Fatal accident investigations

·         Motor vehicle crash investigation

·         Recovery of stolen vehicles

·         Insurance litigation support

Our associates are very well experienced in insurance claim investigations and well known in their respective locale. Consequently, we assure to give you the best and prompt service. Indeed we cover all over Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Kajang, Ipoh, Klang, Subang Jaya, Kuching, Petaling Jaya, Seremban, Georgetown, Malacca City, Kota Bharu, Kota Kinabalu, Kuantan, Sungai Petani, Batu Pahat, Tawau, Sandakan, Alor Setar, Kuala Terengganu. Kindly contact us on our email: info@claiminvestigators.com according to your requirement respectively.

Insurance Claim Investigators in Singapore

There are numerous illustrations which describes the incredible use of claim investigation services as provided by numerous claim investigators or Insurance fraud investigation in Singapore who are used for fulfilling the entire investigative needs of various claimants who might have been suffering with financial or social losses due to higher deception and cheatings done by tactful and manipulative people who are having the potential to defraud the innocent clients or insurance companies by obtaining the compensation or remittance of faked and staged claims with indecent or unlawful use of forged, faked and unrealistic substance utilized in formulating illegal claims.

This is to tell you that this kind of situations are quite common in the insurance sector of Singapore where majority of companies working here are very frequently falling prey of this kind of problems and the worst part in that there is no relief from such practices and organizations are forced to bear huge financial losses annually. While studying claim clearance processes which are often utilized by the organizations in Singapore, it is revealed that most of them have not incorporated a reliable and trustworthy system of examining all claims at the initial stages in order to verify the veracity and genuineness documents, statements and evidences enclosed with claims and tentative use of such processes without any verification, have been pushing the organizations to have enormous financial losses.

This is the reason that existing insurance companies in Singapore are taking the good use of wide ranges of claim investigation services offered by our insurance claim investigators who are considered worthy in verifying all kind of claims usually comes to them for any kind of compensation or remittance. There is absolutely no doubt that Singapore claim investigators are some of the flawless people worthily utilized for proving the seamless claim investigation processes for confirming the authenticity of all kinds of claims often submitted by them for getting compensation or a recovery of a loss, damage or a theft occurred in Singapore. Our Claim Investigators are providing their professional insurance fraud investigation services to clients in all over Singapore. The regions of Singapore are looked after by our local associates/partners firms who are well-established by having trustworthy network and experienced in providing comprehensive insurance investigation services according to the locale and also we maintain a network of professional on-ground associates/partners associates throughout the world. Our wide range of services includes:

·         Fraud claim investigations and insurance fraud investigation

·         Life insurance claim investigations

·         Accidental benefits/death claim investigations

·         Property loss claim investigations

·         Travel insurance claim investigations

·         Third-party claim investigations

·         Medical claim investigations

·         Personal claim investigations

·         Theft claim investigations

·         Subrogation and recovery investigations

·         Contestable death investigations

·         Fatal accident investigations

·         Motor vehicle crash investigation

·         Recovery of stolen vehicles

·         Insurance litigation support

Our associates are very well experienced in insurance fraud claim investigations and well known in their respective locale. Consequently, we can give you the best and prompt service. Indeed we cover all over Singapore. Our investigations and reports are describing our main objective to obtain the clear and convincing evidence Kindly contact us on our email: info@claiminvestigators.com according to your requirement respectively.

Global Singapore Visa processing tips: How to report fraud

How do I report immigration fraud?

Call the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Border Watch Toll-Free Line at 1-888-502-9060 to report:

·         suspicious border activity,

·         a marriage of convenience,

·         a person who has given false information on any immigration application or

·         a person wanted on an immigration warrant.

What you tell the tip line is private.

How do I report citizenship fraud?

You can report a person who:

·         pretended to live in Canada to become a citizen or

·         hid information about their case.

In Canada, you may contact the Call Centre and choose the citizenship fraud tip option in our automated telephone system.

Outside Canada, contact your nearest Canadian visa office.

You can also email tips to Citizenship-fraud-tips@cic.gc.ca.

How do I report Internet, E-mail or Telephone scams and fraud?

If you or someone you know may have been the target of a telephone, internet, email or other type of scam and unwittingly provided personal or financial information you should:

In Canada, contact the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

Toll-free: 1-888-495-8501

Toll-free fax: 1-888-654-9426

Outside Canada, report the scam to your local police.

How do I report a possible victim of human trafficking?

If you or someone you know is a victim, contact your local police.

To report a crime without saying who you are, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Do not take the law into your own hands or take part in any illegal activity.

Global Director - Fraud Detection and Analytics (Stockholm)

JCW is currently working on an exciting retained search for a Global Director of Fraud Detection and Analytics at a rapidly growing Payments Organization. The qualified candidate will help to develop a pre-existing fraud detection system, with cutting-edge mitigation solutions in place - but also to develop the scope of this system to a global level leading the Fraud team in both the EU and US. This position will be based in Stockholm, Sweden and full relocation benefits will be offered.

Responsibilities include:

·         All end customer fraud prevention efforts across the organization’s rapidly expanding, multi-country footprint

·         Overseeing fraud analytics and development of the fraud detection system

·         Continuous gap and root cause analysis to improve fraud and underwriting decisions

·         End-to-end development of fraud prevention strategies

·         Overall leadership in innovating, building, and implementing fraud risk solutions and setting the roadmap of external and internal fraud prevention tools

·         Creating and maintaining metrics for measuring the success of fraud systems and agents

·         Owning and resolving all fraud related issues related to geographic expansion and new verticals

·         Communications on fraud topics to the executive management team

Position requirements:

·         Extensive leadership experience with a pragmatic approach to motivating teams.

·         Large scale Fraud Prevention experience with a global firm

·         The ability to lead teams and influence senior management on a global scale

·         An understanding of payments methods and the internet retail ecosystem.

Et Halstead recruits for Fraud and Risk professionals across the financial services sector and would be happy to provide further details about this or other positions. You can reach him at 646-934-8400 or at Et.Halstead@jcwresourcing.com

COMUNICADO ACLARATORIO – Mossack Fonseca (Colombia)

Deseamos aclarar las infundadas publicaciones que han salido en ciertos medios de prensa durante los últimos días:

• MossackFonseca & Co. al cumplir su función de Agente Residente no es responsable del actuar comercial de las sociedades que constituye, no tenemos ningún tipo de vinculación comercial, así como tampoco tenemos la facultad de administrar o de captar fondos para ninguna de ellas; por ende, las aseveraciones relacionadas a la supuesta posesión de un apartamento en Brasil, a la constitución de compañías para actuar ilícitamente a través de ellas, y el supuesto involucramiento en delitos de lavado de dinero son absolutamente falsas y temerarias.

• La oficina del representante de Brasil ha sido requerida para suministrar información al respecto de este caso como parte de las investigaciones, información que se ha entregado y se ha colaborado en todo lo que está a nuestro alcance para aclarar este inconveniente en el menor tiempo posible. Los empleados de esta oficina, que colaboraron con dichas investigaciones se encuentran actualmente en libertad.

• No hemos prestado en el pasado ni prestamos en el presente servicios de asesoría o intermediación de ningún tipo para la compra, préstamo o financiación de bienes inmuebles ni de cualquier otro tipo, lo cual ratifica que no somos parte de este mal entendido, al cual erróneamente hemos sido vinculados.

• Es importante recalcar que Mossack Fonseca cumple y ha cumplido siempre con la verificación de debida diligencia de nuestra clientela, en estricto apego a la normativa vigente en cada país. Por esta razón, reiteramos nuestra disposición para cooperar con las autoridades cuando así nos sea requerido, disposición esta la cual de manera proactiva ya se ha hecho de su conocimiento.

• Finalmente, Mossack Fonseca no apadrina ilícitos; muy por contrario, nos complacen los avances que en materia de prevención del lavado de dinero y delitos conexos, se están verificando en nuestros países.

Carlos Sousa

Director de Relaciones Públicas

MOSSACK FONSECA & CO.

Mossack Fonseca, Division Interview of Raquel Araúz, Esq. – IP Division

On October 20, 2015, Raquel Araúz, Esq., the headof  Mossack Fonseca’s (MF) Intellectual Property Division, gave a highly informative interview to representatives of the MF Marketing Division.

Raquel, we would like our readers to get to know you; please tell us about yourself and your career prior to working at MF

My pleasure, I’m 38 years old, and for the past 10 years I have been working here at MF. I started out as a legal assistant for Attorney Sara Montenegro. I then began developing the Intellectual Property (IP) Division with the guidance of Attorney Joanna Soto. I have been the director of the IP division since its inception four years ago.

Prior to joining MF, I spent several years working as an IP executive assistant, specializing in managing and protecting trademark portfolios.

Please tell us about your legal and continuing education

I attended the Latina University (Universidad Latina) in Panama where I studied law and political science. I have been a member of the International Trademark Association and the Inter-American Association of Intellectual Property for the past six years. The International Trademark Association is a congress that brings together around 10,000 IP agents and lawyers. A group of our lawyers, along with the IP Division have been working really hard with these two associations.

Last year, for the first time, we attended the International Anti-counterfeiting Coalition meeting―they are an organization focused solely on combating product counterfeiting and piracy. We also regularly attend local seminars and congresses to continually update our knowledge base.

In May of this year, my colleague Attorney Li An Chong and I were invited by the Panamanian consulate in Venice to talk about our complete range of legal services, as well as IP matters. We discussed the benefits of trademark registration with the Venice Chamber of Commerce and the Verona Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Attorney Amauri Batista is a member of the International Offices Committee and the International Trademark Association.

Please tell us more about your team here at MF

I am fortunate to have a talented and highly committed team. I have an extremely able attorney, Jorge Gutierrez, who recently earned his master’s degree in litigation procedure. I also have a business administrator, Milena Pinilla, who is my IP analyst, and Eric Carvajal who is my legal assistant―he is in charge of monitoring our litigation process before the court. The team works directly with and is supported by a truly outstanding group of lawyers in our Legal and Trust Services Department.

What are the benefits of going to MF instead of another provider?

First and foremost, our dedication to quality service: MF is the only ISO 9001 certified law firm in Panama. We have over 500 staff members across every continent, and more than 35 years of experience. Our clients can register and protect their trademarks, patents, and copyrights not only in Panama, but in any country in the world, through our allied offices. We offer the highest commitment and most competitive costs and to our clients.

How would you define intellectual property?

It is the development of ideas, the creation of the mind, our inventions, dreams, art, and designs that should be protected―to make them unique. It is important to protect the rights over those designs, products or services―for many reasons―to avoid third parties taking advantage of your work. That’s the way I see it, I see it in a very passionate way. Keep in mind that intellectual property goes beyond simple trademark registration―it is everything that comes after that, and we work hard to ensure that no one else can take advantage of our client’s dream.

Please give us some specific examples of what constitutes intellectual property

Sure, we have been protecting trademark registration for all kinds of products and services―everything from cosmetics, fashion, sports, medical and pharmaceutical goods, education, entertainment, financial services, management, and many others.

Right now we are working with software developers. In fact, recently we have been working on protecting software developed by the Microsoft Corporation. We protect Giorgio Armani which is one of our strongest trademarks. We also provide trademark protection for Terpel, a company with over 2,000 gas stations in Central and South America.

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