Fort
|
As groundbreaking leaders in personal security and risk management for travelers, we stand ready to equip and serve as you are called to the ends of the Earth.
|
ARE YOU PREPARED?
Faith-based guidance and practice in prevention, protection, interaction, and survival
Vertical Divider
|
Collaborative workshops on assessing risks, mitigating crises, and managing contingencies
Vertical Divider
|
Partner together to provide 24/7 emergency access, consultation, and threat analysis
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEWS FOR YOU
IPHONE USERS BEWARE!
The ever-growing list of apps that discretely access the iPhone user’s clipboard now includes Google News, LinkedIn, and Reddit. When confronted, some of these companies have touted they have good reasons to glean that information but add that they will release a fix to their code to eliminate this procedure. Why is this a big deal? Remember your phone’s clipboard is a tool to “copy” text from one location and “paste” to another. Many people use this to transfer passwords, credit card numbers, and other personal data that is difficult to remember and type. After you “paste” these private details, it is still stored on the clipboard until deleted or overwritten. Many of the 56 plus apps that access the clipboard have no apparent reason, nor is the user notified. This information is then easily transmitted or sold. What to do? Some companies have promised to stop scraping information but that has yet to be seen with many. TikTok continues to collect. Reddit and LinkedIn promise to stop in late July. In the meantime, utilize anti-spyware and anti-malware apps to automatically clean /erase the clipboard. Reconsider “copying” your private information as well. ~ Most people traveling overseas on mission trips take out insurance policies that cover sickness, death and evacuations. How are these policies being affected by the corona-virus outbreak? ~ US government assistance is being increasingly limited. What changes are the US Department of State putting into place? ~ Can a worldwide pandemic cause harassment toward foreign travelers? What should you be preparing for? <Read the 1-page summary here> |
TIPS & ADVICE
ROAD SAFETY 101
Traveling by roads locally or abroad is often hazardous enough in areas with poorly maintained surfaces or hazards in the roadway. Add to this the threat of carjacking with its continued rise in frequency and operation across borders and there is a strong need for avoidance and mitigation.
Step 1: Plan Ahead. Account for the high crime areas, less visible roads, and high-traffic intersections.
Step 2: Be Proactive. Lock your doors and keep windows up in these areas. Don’t stop to assist others (report to police instead of becoming a victim). Watch for others watching you abnormally and keep an escape route open.
Step 3: Identify the Tactics.
- “Bumping” – Criminals may bump your vehicle lightly making you feel obligated to stop and assess the damage with them. That’s when the criminal or accomplices assault you.
- “Good Samaritan” – Criminals pretend to need urgent help making you feel obligated to stop and assist. That’s when criminals assault you.
- “Trapping” – Criminals prepare a location with congested traffic or limited egress thus trapping your vehicle from escape. The criminals then intimidate, force, or assault drivers.
GOING, GOING, GONE!!
WHAT:
Thousands of organizations are being frauded out of millions of dollars with Payment Protection Program loan scams. In light of the corona-virus pandemic, many people and companies have been reliant on government funds to survive. Criminals are taking advantage of this situation in order to trick businesses into applying for loans and ultimately, stealing personal information and finances.
HOW:
Scammers pretending to be lenders send you a fake application complete with Treasury Department or Small Business Association logos, official-sounding website addresses, and promissory statements. Once you fill out the form, the fake lender has your personal and confidential information that they can use to steal your hard-earned funds. Often they will then claim that you need to pay a small fee to apply for the PPP Loan. They will even offer to “fast-track” the application for an additional fee.
Whether they contact you by phone, email, or postal mail – always verify the lender before applying for the loan. Only approved lenders by the Small Business Administration can administer the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. To find out if the lender you are applying with is approved to distribute PPP loans, you can visit the SBA website.
REMEMBER:
Businesses can only get a PPP Loan through an approved site, and there is no fee or fast-track process. Anybody saying otherwise is a fraud.
WHAT:
Thousands of organizations are being frauded out of millions of dollars with Payment Protection Program loan scams. In light of the corona-virus pandemic, many people and companies have been reliant on government funds to survive. Criminals are taking advantage of this situation in order to trick businesses into applying for loans and ultimately, stealing personal information and finances.
HOW:
Scammers pretending to be lenders send you a fake application complete with Treasury Department or Small Business Association logos, official-sounding website addresses, and promissory statements. Once you fill out the form, the fake lender has your personal and confidential information that they can use to steal your hard-earned funds. Often they will then claim that you need to pay a small fee to apply for the PPP Loan. They will even offer to “fast-track” the application for an additional fee.
Whether they contact you by phone, email, or postal mail – always verify the lender before applying for the loan. Only approved lenders by the Small Business Administration can administer the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. To find out if the lender you are applying with is approved to distribute PPP loans, you can visit the SBA website.
REMEMBER:
Businesses can only get a PPP Loan through an approved site, and there is no fee or fast-track process. Anybody saying otherwise is a fraud.
