Richard Freiberg CPA PC

#Geopolitical tensions are reshaping the #fraudlandscape. #Cybercriminals are taking advantage of technological advances and #regulatorygaps between countries to #stealidentities, commit #scams and #laundermoney. In fact, the European Banking Authority in 2022 found that the rate of cross-border fraud was nine times higher than domestic fraud. Protect your #identity with our consumer-based scam and identity theft recovery and restoration services.

U.S. utilities have faced a near 70% jump in #cyberattacks this year over the same period in 2023 underlining the escalating threat to #criticalinfrastructure. The utilities and power infrastructure across the U.S. are becoming increasingly vulnerable as the grid expands rapidly to meet surging demand for power and assets are #digitalized. Utilities are low-hanging fruit for cyberattacks because many of them use #outdatedsoftware. To date, the attacks have not crippled any U.S. utility, but industry experts warn a coordinated attempt could be devastating, impacting essential services and causing substantial financial losses.

Despite its role in a mid-July meltdown of millions of Windows computers and despite being based in the most #litigious country in the world #CrowdStrike has yet to see any #lawsuits be filed against it by customers, following its July 19 faulty software update #crashingsystemsworldwide. https://lnkd.in/eU_uRbki

Most Americans wish they had started saving for #retirement sooner and that they hadn't withdrawn money early from retirement accounts, according to a recent study. The report, conducted by Censuswide and commissioned by Human Interest, also indicated employers can help employees avoid retirement planning decisions they'll later regret. The study found that 41% of Americans expect to #retirelater than planned due to recent #financialcircumstances and 83% plan to continue working after retirement. Starting too late was a common problem, as 68% of respondents said they wish they would have started saving for retirement sooner. Notably, 19% said they didn't start saving until they were age 41 or older. Additionally, 37% of respondents reported having removed money from their retirement accounts. 17% said they had taken a loan against their 401(k), and 23% said they had withdrawn money early before retirement. According to the survey, 48% of those who took out a loan against their 401(k) and 60% who withdrew money said they regretted the choice. This is critical to think about. Financial professionals like us can help and advise YOU! It's your #money! Don't make mistakes by listening to the wrong people. https://lnkd.in/gpTeZu63

The #CISO is tasked with enormous personal, and legal responsibilities as it relates to #cybersecurity. Yet for the #forwardthinking one, even with the challenges comes great opportunities. https://lnkd.in/eWyGgyNf

Think your #financialassets are safe from #databreaches? Think again. Want to protect your identity - we can assist you with a better service that you may get offered from your provider! T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services was the victim of a cyber breach that leaked the personal information of an undisclosed number of retirement plan participants, according to a notification that Infosys McCamish Systems filed with the Office of the Maine Attorney General on Sept. 9. Infosys McCamish Systems is a third-party vendor to T. Rowe Price, supporting its corporate and business operations, IMS said in the filing. Other IMS clients affected by the breach were New York Life Group Benefit Solutions, Principal Life Insurance Company, Prudential Insurance Company of America and Oceanview Life and Annuity Company. A total of 6,078,263 individuals across all five companies had their personal information leaked, of which 11,866 were in Maine, IMS disclosed in the filing. https://lnkd.in/eYRBNjvH

#Embarassing! Don't get fooled. WE DON"T https://lnkd.in/emFqbh-E

Louisiana-based ambulance company that provides emergency medical care services in four states is notifying nearly #3million people that their #PHI was potentially stolen in a June #hack. #Ransomwaregang Daixin claims to have published the data on its #darkweb leak site. Don't be victimized - contact me to #protectyouridentity https://lnkd.in/eZ4drGEd

https://lnkd.in/eqPHWV6T] Welcome back to our Cybersecurity weekly Series! Enjoy this week's podcast addressing an update to litigation on a ransomware attack which caused the death of a newborn baby as a follow up to a previous newsletter. LIKE IT! POST a comment or question & SHARE!

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration, alleging that "unlawful" HIPAA Privacy Rule regulations are hindering the state's law enforcement investigations into abortion cases and other reproductive health care cases. In seeking to nullify the HIPAA Privacy Rules is both shocking and could be potentially devastating to patient privacy rights. If the suit is successful, it could fundamentally alter the protection of #healthinformation in the US and potentially invalidate the Privacy Rule’s limitations on disclosures to law enforcement or the Privacy Rule more generally. It's a surprising challenge as it looks to reject the Privacy Rule written in 2000, which has been in effect since 2003 and issued in final form by the Bush administration.  Privacy attorney Kirk Nahra of the law firm WilmerHale said. "I would be curious what Texas consumers would think if their health privacy rights were eliminated as a result of this lawsuit." If the courts rule in Texas' favor, then, at a minimum, this would seemingly limit the ability of HHS to regulate disclosures to law enforcement absent additional statutory authority. Could this really be a politically motivated state attorney general purposely filing a lawsuit in a federal district court friendly to those who disdain the exercise of federal agency action? The Texas lawsuit also appears to follow a growing trend in litigation by states challenging federal authority and is also likely about the current emotional and political climate in our country. https://lnkd.in/eN9B9rww