As soon as a data breach occurs, companies are required to notify customers of a possible compromise. Majority of the time, customers are given a hotline that they can call in the event that they notice fraudulent behavior, but how long does this go on? It seems that one day we are reading of a breach and the next we get quickly side tracked by another important news segment, only to forget entirely about the data breach.
This is not the case for those customers who fall victim to the data breach, in which one out of three Americans experience fraud when affected by a breach. In the event that a customer experiences fraudulent activity the cleanup can be very timely and expensive.
Multiple hours spent with credit card providers, filing reports at the local police station and countless notifications to bank branches to clear credit history can add up. Not to mention, this is all solely done by the victim.
Should a victim's social security number be obtained, this can cause a delay when filing taxes. In some cases, it has taken up to 8 months for a victim to receive a refund when notified that the filing was already done by someone who took their personal information.
Along with the time, money and emotional effects of clearing up fraud comes bigger frustrations. Prosecutions of the crime are rarely made and investigations are often overlooked and kept open, never to be closed. While customers spend months trying to get their life back in order, justice is never seen.
Searching for a solution to the problem is an everyday struggle. Security measures, laws and enforced penalties have been pushed on businesses to help mitigate the issue. Government personnel have met time and time again to discuss sources like "chip-and-pin", a payment option that is rumored to be harder to hack, in hopes to make an effective resolution to the issue. Unfortunately, this is an issue that will remain to be on the forefront of everyday news.
As a consumer, take precaution when online shopping and periodically look at your credit card/banking history. While there is nothing a consumer can do in regards to a business's data breach, being aware of your spending history can help in the event you see something unfamiliar.
It’s interesting to watch the healthcare industry continue to become digitally enhanced. What is even more exciting is to watch as mobile applications strive to make your health information easier to obtain. There are plenty of apps that can log and track your fitness goals and dietary needs, but what about applications that can monitor your cholesterol, blood sugar, heart rate and more?
Patient IO, an application that can be used both through mobile application or desktop, is designed to do all this. Not only can it help keep track of your healthcare needs, but it bridges the gap between you and your healthcare provider by making that information readily available at all times.
With one platform, you've now made your care plan available for friends, family and your healthcare provider, allowing support and improvement whenever and wherever needed. The application works by first getting an invite from your healthcare provider. Once the invite is sent, you will either access the application by inputting an access code, or entering through an email invite. Download the app on your desktop or smart phone and create your account. The application is completely secure and the information you choose to share with each individual is under your discretion.
Another application that is helping revolutionize healthcare apps is Apple Health. Apple Health allows you to store health data such as heart rate, calories burned, blood sugar, and cholesterol and have the information available in one location.
You can simultaneously track all of your health and fitness goals from a locked screen and see your day to day health accomplishments. If you are using an Apple device, when the screen is locked with either a passcode or Touch ID, the information of your health data is encrypted. Similar to Patient IO, Apple Health has developed HealthKit, which works to provide your health information to your doctors when you see fit.
Both Patient IO and Apple Health have worked to make it easier to be a healthier you. The applications make you aware of health problems daily, and gives you the ability to fix those issues by monitoring them on the go.
In addition to monitoring these issues yourself, you can also have a support system through your family, friends and healthcare provider. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and proper nutrition are just a few issues that people struggle with daily. Now those issues can be right in front of you so you can see what positive changes you need to make for a healthier lifestyle.