LifeLock agrees to pay $100 million for allegedly violating FTC order- Dec. 17, 2015

December 17, 2015

by Colleen Tressler               

Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

Have you ever wondered what happens when a company is charged with violating a settlement order with the FTC? Well, ya got trouble. I mean trouble with a capital “T”. And for LifeLock, that trouble comes partly in the form of full refunds of up to $100 million for consumers affected by its alleged order violations.

Let me set the stage. In 2010, LifeLock agreed to settle charges with the FTC and 35 state attorneys general that it used false claims to promote its identity theft protection services. The settlement required Lifelock to:

• stop making deceptive claims;
• strengthen measures to safeguard the personal information it collects from customers; and
• pay the FTC $11 million for consumer refunds.

It’s five years later and what do we have? Broken promises and injured consumers. According to the FTC, LifeLock violated the 2010 FTC settlement order by:

• from at least October 2012 through March 2014, failing to establish and maintain a comprehensive information security program to protect its customers’ sensitive personal information, including credit card, Social Security, and bank account numbers;
• during that period falsely advertising that it protected consumers’ sensitive data with the same high-level safeguards as financial institutions;
• falsely advertising that it would send alerts “as soon as” it received any indication that a consumer may be a victim of identity theft from January 2012 through December 2014; and
• failing to meet the 2010 order’s recordkeeping requirements.

If you’re concerned about protecting your personal information, you may consider paying for identity theft protection services. But before you pay any fees, evaluate the company and its track record. Type the name of the company or product into a search engine along with words like “review,” “complaint,” or “scam.” Be sure to read a few reviews — don’t rely on just one source. Or, you may decide to take matters into your own hands by reviewing your credit reports on a regular basis or placing a credit freeze on your report.
For more information about protecting your personal information, visit our Privacy & Identity page. If you want help recovering from identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov.

 



Federal Trade Commission

FAA: Drone Registration effective December 21, 2015

News  from the FAA:

If you own a drone, you must register it with the Federal Aviation Administration's Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registry. A federal law effective December 21, 2015 requires unmanned aircraft registration, and you are subject to civil and criminal penalties if you do not register.

Review the UAS Registration FAQs to learn more about the program.

Read the Aircraft Registration Records System of Records Notice (PDF).

Read the Registration and Marking Requirements for Small Unmanned Aircraft Interim Final Rule (PDF).

Register before January 20, 2016 and your $5 registration fee will be refunded!

 

 

FAA website

 

 

 

 

Password Manager Programs, Which one is safe or best? CNETDownload tips and review for consumers

12/2/15,  Readers - I've received a number of questions about "Password Manager" type programs and are they safe. I found this CNET downloadCNET Download - Password Manager program options article that provides tips and reviews on the programs available, their costs, platforms ( MAC or Android) and what consumers should know when using these types of programs.

Rich Coleman, Crime Prevention Consultant, CPAM 

The best password manager

Set and forget the passwords to all your accounts with our pick for the best password protector.

by Joshua Rotter June 23, 2015, 9:32 PM

Best Password Manager: Dashlane Password Manager & Secure Digital Wallet

 

A password manager is your first line of defense against snoops and identity thieves. But some perform far better than others, as we discovered over months of hands-on testing. We looked for password managers that are easy to set up and use, generate excellent passwords, work across all major platforms, and offer strong encryption and multifactor authentication. (See our tips on what to look for in a password manager.)

Ultimately, Dashlane won our endorsement for best password manager. It has a sleek, modern user interface, a helpful tutorial to get you started, and all the features you'd expect from a top-flight password manager.

• Strong encryption: Dashlane encrypts and stores passwords using the AES-256 standard and, for another layer of security, offers two-factor authentication, letting you verify by text and fingerprint.
• Easy password management: Dashlane's Password Changer runs a diagnostic on your current passwords to let you know which are weak or generic, then helps you generate stronger passwords.
• Autofill: Besides storing passwords, Dashlane stores and encrypts notes, receipts, credit card and payment info, and even your IDs, such as your Social Security and passport numbers. That gives you one handy location for all that information and an easy way to autofill forms.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Dashlane works across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, and works with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer.
• Security extras: Dashlane sends automatic alerts if a site you've registered with has been compromised. Its Inbox Scans check your email inboxes for old passwords, email addresses, and other vulnerable information that hackers can use, so you can secure it before it gets stolen.

Read on to learn about more password managers, including cross-platform, mobile-only, and security suite options.

Click the link below for more details from the article and tips:

CNET Download - Password Manager program options

 

Federal Trade Commisson: New EMV Credit Card Chip Email Scam

Federal Trade Commission: Credit Card Chip Email Scam

10/19/15,Colleen Tressler Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

 

Here's what’s happening: Scammers are emailing people, posing as their card issuer. The scammers claim that in order to issue a new chip card, you need to update your account by confirming some personal information or clicking on a link to continue the process.

If you reply to the email with personal information, the scammer can use it to commit identity theft. If you click on the link, you may unknowingly install malware on your device. Malware programs can cause your device to crash, monitor your online activity, send spam, steal personal information and commit fraud.

So how can you tell if the email is from a scammer?

There's no reason your card issuer needs to contact you by email or by phone, for that matter to confirm personal information before sending you a new chip card. Don't respond to an email or phone call that asks you to provide your card number. Period.

Still not sure if the email is a scam? Contact your card issuers at the phone numbers on your cards.

Don't trust links in emails. Only provide personal information through a company's website if you typed in the web address yourself and you see signals that the site is secure, like a URL that begins https (the "s" stands for secure). Click the image for more details.

Click the FTC link below for the rest of the article and tips:

FTC- New Credit Card Scam

Skimming Devices: New EMV Chip Credit Cards - Check ATM Machines and Gas Station Credit Card Readers before use

The Credit Card / Banking industry has sent a number of alerts and tips on the use of the new EMV chip installed in Credit Cards. All of the "points of sale" have compliance dates for having the new card readers in place for you to use the new card. The ATM's and Gas Stations don't have to comply until 2017 so this makes ATM's and Gas Station vulnerable to fraud and skimming devices capturing your bank card numbers and passwords.

Having your "PIN Number" is crucial!  you will not be able to use the new EMV card if you don't have the PIN #.   Recommendation: Don't activate your new cards until you receive the PIN #'s.

 

 

Skimming Devices: Credit Card Fraud

The new EMV chip credit cards being issued are designed to help protect consumers from fraud and unauthorized chargers on credit cards. The scammers have continued to find ways to make you a victim, “ATM machines and Credit Card access at the gas pumps” have become the two devices that consumers should be aware of when using. The “skimming devices” that can be put on these units can go undetected.

 

Recommendation: Check the card reader on the machine, if it is loose or falls off report it immediately to the bank or gas station and call 9-1-1.

 ATM Skimming Device

 Gas Station Skimming Device

 

 

 

ScamBusters: Tips on Avoid ATM & Credit Card theft (click the link below for more details)

 

ScamBusters- Skimming Devices ATM / Gas Stations

Holiday Shopping: Tips to avoid packages being stolen from your porch

Holiday Package Delivery Safety Tips:

Here are a few safety tips you can take to better protect yourself if you are expecting a package delivery.  Always retrieve packages (and mail) as soon as it arrives.  

 

If you aren’t going to be home to receive the package:

- Send the package to the residence of a trusted friend or relative who you know will be home. Be sure that the friend is ready and waiting to retrieve the package when the doorbell rings.
- Ask the package delivery company to hold the package if you will not be home (many have local delivery centers) *some companies will hold a package for up to 5 days.
- Request that your package is marked “signature required.” This requires the delivery person to stand by and wait until you’re available to retrieve the package. You could also put a note on your door, requesting the deliverer go to your next door neighbor for the signature.
- Mark the package with a value of $100 or more, which will likely require a signature.
- Leave special instructions on where to deliver the package. A good place is on the side or back of the house, so that the package is out of sight from the road. Ask the deliver to take and discard the note with him/her or leave it with the package.
- Use a company that provides a tracking service and check online to see when it is scheduled to arrive.
- Have the items shipped to the nearest store for “in-store pick up.”
- If you have an understanding boss, have your packages delivered to you at work.

 

Click the company links below for details.

-UPS

 

                                                                          

FedEx

United States Postal Service

FraudGuide.com : Blog post, "Gift Card Scams to avoid"

Fraud Guides.com- Gift Card Scam Blog Post

Be careful when selecting gift cards for your friends and loved ones. Crooks have learned how to exploit this popular form of gift-giving through tampering, trickery and outright theft.
Even when the Holiday season is over, gift card sales are a year round business for many retailers. Because of this we want to bring gift card scams to your attention. These scams can drain the value right out of your card before you get to use it.

“Card Not Present” Scam

The first, and rarest (although it does occur) of these is called the Card Not Present or “CNP” scam. Swindlers record the numbers on cards offered for sale, then periodically check to see if the cards bearing those numbers have gone “live”. By “live” we mean that the cards were sold, activated and had a monetary value added to them. When they find cards that have, they use them to make online “card not present” (aka “CNP”) purchases. Using the gift card this way allows the scammer to drain them of their cash values before their intended recipients can use them.


This doesn’t work on all gift cards, however, just the ones allowing “card not present” situations such as online transactions. While a scam artist can in many cases easily physically access gift card numbers by prying the card from its packaging and putting it back once the number is written down, it’s not  easy to hide the fact that the cards’ PIN number is now visible. Once the covering has been scratched away it can’t be put back. Ironically, the packaging itself can conceal that the card has been tampered with.

If you then purchased one of these cards, the fact that it had been tampered with and its PIN number coating removed might go undetected until its recipient attempts to use it! Many people don’t understand the importance of the PIN number anyway, so a scratched off PIN coating might not raise any alarm. We suggest that consumers only purchase cards stored in secure locations that make tampering difficult. We can’t let that piece of advice go without letting you know that store clerks have also been known to engage in this scam. So purchasing gift cards stored under lock and key may reduce your chances of being ripped off but it won’t guarantee protection from this scam.

Whether you choose a gift card from a store display or have a clerk hand it to you, always take the time to examine both side of the packaging before paying for it. Better yet, remove the packaging before you leave the store. If you can see the PIN number or detect signs of tampering, don’t pay for the card or ask for another. Let the store’s management know why. If the card can’t be used for online or “card not present” purchases you don’t have to worry as much because the thief would need the card in hand to use it.

Additional info - Overstated value, Other ways gift cards have been abused by criminals, and how to avoid gift card scams.
 Click the link for more details:

FraudGuides.com

Nov. 30, 2015 - VTech Toys: Data Breach of Emails, Passwords, Childrens info-date of birth, profiles

VTech - Press Release Nov. 30, 2015

Data Breach Notification of Children's Information

VTech Holdings Limited noted that an unauthorized party accessed VTech customer data housed on our Learning Lodge app store database on 14 November 2015. Learning Lodge allows our customers to download apps, learning games, e-books and other educational content to their VTech products.
Upon discovering the unauthorized access on 24 November 2015, we immediately conducted a thorough investigation, which involved a comprehensive check of the affected site and implementation of measures to defend against any further attacks.

Our customer database contains user profile information including name, email address, password, secret question and answer for password retrieval, IP address, mailing address and download history. In addition the database also stores kids information including name, genders and birthdates. In total about 5 million customer accounts and related kids profiles worldwide are affected.

It is important to note that our customer database does not contain any credit card information and VTech does not process nor store any customer credit card data on the Learning Lodge website. To complete the payment or check-out process of any downloads made on the Learning Lodge website, our customers are directed to a secure, third party payment gateway.

In addition, our customer database does not contain any personal identification data (such as ID card numbers, Social Security numbers or driving license numbers).

We have reached out to every account holder in the database, via email, to alert them of this data breach and the potential exposure of their account data. The following email enquiry contacts have also been set up:

• US: vtechkids@vtechkids.com

• Click the link for details and updates;
• Vtech Toys data breach Nov. 2015

Halloween Safety Tips: Michigan Poision Control Center



 

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS

Candy

Parents Should:

• Instruct their children not to open their candy until they return home.
• Inspect all candy for tampering before allowing them to start eating.
• Accept only wrapped and packaged candy.
• Do not eat candy that has been unwrapped or opened.
• Never eat fruit or other unwrapped items.
• Prevent a tummy ache by limiting 2- 3 small pieces of candy at a time.
• Throw away any candy or food that is not wrapped tightly by the candy company.

• If you should find an object in the candy or find anything unusual about it, call the police department and Children’s Hospital of Michigan Regional Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222. • Consider throwing a Halloween party for your child and his or her friends instead of extended trick-or-treating.
• Do not give homemade or unwrapped treats to children.
• Remember, some children have to follow certain dietary restrictions which prohibit them from eating the traditional treats we offer on Halloween.

 

When in doubt, throw it out!

Halloween Candy: Bite Into These Safety Tips

• Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.
• Children shouldn't snack while they're trick-or-treating. Parents should check treats at home. Give children an early meal before they head out to discourage snacking.
• Watch for signs of tampering, such as small pinholes in wrappers and torn or loose packages.
• Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it.
• Accept and give out candy that isn't easily unwrapped. Candies such as Tootsie Rolls, hard candies and certain bubble gums with twist-type wrappings can be tampered with more easily than those that are sealed.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

HALLOWEEN CANDY SAFETY

Children should be taught never to eat the candy they've received until you have carefully inspected it . It's best to throw away unwrapped candy, homemade items and fruit.
Keep small candies from children under the age of five, it is a choking hazard.
Keep chocolate candy, raisins, and macadamia nuts away from dogs. It is toxic to them, even in small amounts.

NOVELTY MAKEUP

Follow all directions carefully Don’t decorate your face with things that are not intended for your skin Do not use face paint near the eyes, even if the label has a picture of people wearing it near the eyes.
Do not go to bed with your makeup on. Wearing it too long may irritate your skin or smear and get into your eyes. Some fluorescent hair sprays have become toxic when left on overnight and absorbed through the skin.

Wash them off thoroughly from the hair and skin before going to sleep.

HALLOWEEN BUBBLE LIGHTS

Bubble lights contain a liquid “methylene chloride” This is a solvent that is very harmful when swallowed. If the glass is broken and liquid is swallowed, call the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Regional Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

GLOW STICKS

Glow sticks contain a liquid that produces a temporary burning sensation and bad taste in the mouth when tasted. Small amounts that are swallowed are generally not harmful.

Call the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Regional Poison Control Center at 1-800-222- 1222 for any questions regarding accidental ingestions.

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF MICHIGAN REGIONAL POISON CONTROL CENTER 1-800-222-1222

 

T - Mobile’s / Experian’s Data Breach of 15 Million T-Mobile subscribers

T-Mobile  / Experian Data Breach of 15 Million subscribers:

T Mobile: “We have been notified by Experian, a vendor that processes our credit applications, that they have experienced a data breach. The investigation is ongoing, but what we know right now is that the hacker acquired the records of approximately 15 million people, including new applicants requiring a credit check for service or device financing from September 1, 2013 through September 16, 2015. These records include information such as name, address and birthdate as well as encrypted fields with Social Security number and ID number (such as driver’s license or passport number), and additional information used in T-Mobile’s own credit assessment. Experian has determined that this encryption may have been compromised. We are working with Experian to take protective steps for all of these consumers as quickly as possible”.

 

T-Mobile users can obtain additional information on signing up for ID Theft protection and details on what both companies are doing to protect consumers. Click on the image below for more details from T Mobiles website.

 

T Mobile - Data Breach protection for consumers

2015 CPAM Award Winners Announced

On Oct. 6th, CPAM members and guests kicked of the 2015 conference "Building Community Partnerships in the 21st Century" at the Doubletree Hilton in Bay City MI.  Crime Prevention personnel from across the state have make the annual trip to network, share resource, and hear about new  issues we will need to address now and in the future. We want to thank our leadership at our agencies for endorsing crime prevention and community policing and the recipients of the 2015 awards who's work didn't go unrecognized.

Here are the recipients of the 2015 C.P.A.M. awards:

Outstanding Crime Prevention Practitioner - Trooper Geno Basaness

Michigan State Police, Iron Mountain Post 

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year- Ms. Kimberly Seitler 

The Crossing Apts.

Outstanding Media Award

WNEM TV 5, Saginaw MI

Gen. Manager, Al Blinke, News Dir. Ian Rubin ,& Reporter Gino Vicci

-Link to WNEM TV 5 Coverage of the Awards-

 2015 CPAM Awards covered by WNEM TV 5

Outstanding Corporate Award

Frank Diehl Sales Manager Lamar Advertising #151

Special Project in the Field of Crime Prevention

Michigan Youth Leadership Academy,

Sergeant Duane Zook

Outstanding Unit Award

Southfield Police Department, Eastside Community Police

Officer Kelly Pate

Outstanding Youth Award

Bay City Police Department Explorer Program

Logan Davis

Outstanding School Officers Award

"School Resource Officers of Midland Police Department"

Lt. Matthew Bercher, Officer Paul McDonald

Outstanding Contribution to C.P:A.M.

Mr. Lee Hoeksema, Past C.P.A.M. President

Crime Prevention Association of MI's 2015 Conference "Building Community Partnerships in the 21st Century" , Oct. 6th-9th, Bay City MI

 

The 2015, CPAM conference theme “ Building Community Partnerships in the 21^st Century” reflects the importance of the “team” approach to problem solving and trust.   We will kick off the conference with a banquet, and awards. Our key note speaker is Mr. Dwayne Gill , A Marine, A Cop, and A Comic.  Our members will be able to network and embrace new / old concepts of community policing that we will bring back to our communities. This year we have topics covering substance abuse, Identity Theft  and Fraud, computer security (LoJack), policing in a multi-cultural environment and more.   

This year we’re reaching out to agencies across the state of Michigan to find crime prevention best practices and successes and will be recognizing them for their achievements in their communities. I’ve provided an overview of the concept that we’ve used and will continue to beyond the 2015 conference.

Rich Coleman, PSCC, Pittsfield Twp. D.P.S., Leg. Rep. CPAM / Blog host

 

Crime Prevention Association of Michigan 

“Crime Prevention in Michigan: Search for Best Practices ”

In 2015, an Internet search of Law Enforcement agencies across Michigan found more than just the names of current and past CPAM members whose agencies are impacted by budget constraints for attendance at conferences, travel, and the most important,  networking with peers on crime prevention best practices.   What was exciting to see is the challenge “ to do more with less” being documented at the agencies websites and through the media. The new trend of embracing social media as a new tool to engage the community has continued to cautiously increase due to the advancing technology and having personnel trained in how to use, and keeping information accurate and current for those who subscribe.

Law Enforcement around the world has increased the use of social media while continuing to work with the local television stations, radio (AM / FM / Internet) , blogs, and mobile apps to help strengthen their partnership in the promotion of crime prevention awareness tips, alerts, and programs.  

Historically the  Neighborhood Watch alert offered by the agencies started with telephone calls and flyers passed out by volunteers  going door-to-door.  Now all notices and alerts are “one click away” for those who have signed up through law enforcement agencies , homeowner associations , neighborhood watch groups,  faith groups, apartment and condominiums, or businesses websites.  Most residents now use an electronic device such as a Smart phone, tablet, or laptop to access /send alerts,  and stay informed about local law enforcement initiatives.

This search for “best practices” goes beyond our current CPAM recommendations for awards and recognition from our members but being inclusive of the hard work being done by small and large agencies to engage their communities in reducing crimes, engaging residents, students, and businesses through social media, and being “the eyes and ears” by submitting tips through all available formats that help solve and prevent crimes from occurring.

This outreach from the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan and its members is to say “job well done” and your collaboration with your residents, local media, and community abroad has not gone unnoticed.

The following awards will be presented on October 6th, 2015 to kick off the CPAM Conference:

Outstanding Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year

Outstanding Volunteer of the Year

Outstanding Michigan Media

Outstanding Corporate Award

Special Project in the field of Crime Prevention

Outstanding Unit Award

Outstanding Youth Award

Outstanding Youth / School Officer Award

 

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2015 Conference Awards Letter.pdf

2015 Conference Awards Letter.pdf

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Cyberbullying is worst than face-to-face teens say, "Vodafone International survey of 5,000 teens" 9/22/15

Groundbreaking Vodafone global survey reveals 43% of teens think cyberbullying a bigger problem than drug abuse

22 September 2015

• One of the largest global surveys of its kind, spanning 11 countries and almost 5,000 teens, reveals one in five teens cyberbullied, a fifth of whom felt suicidal
• #BeStrong anti-cyberbullying emoji initiative launched by Vodafone in response
• Anti-bullying ambassador Monica Lewinsky, psychologist adviser for 'Inside Out' film Dacher Keitner and anti-bullying NGOs involved in developing emojis to convey support

More than half of teenagers think cyberbullying is worse than face-to-face bullying and 43 per cent believe it to be a bigger problem for young people than drug abuse, a global online survey of around 5,000 teenagers across 11 countries* has revealed. The Vodafone survey, commissioned from YouGov, found that an average of around one in five (18%) teens across the countries surveyed had been cyberbullied and, as a result:

• 41 per cent said cyberbullying made them feel depressed or helpless (also 41%);
• 26 per cent felt ‘completely alone’ and 18 per cent experienced suicidal thoughts;
• 21 per cent had ‘not gone to school’ and 25 per cent closed down their social media accounts;
• 38 per cent said they did not tell their parents or guardians, as they felt ashamed (32%), scared their parents would get involved (40%), or worried what their parents might do (36%).

Forty-three per cent of those surveyed would find it hard to support a friend who had been bullied on social media, as they ‘could not find the right words’ to show support. Seventy-two per cent of teens said they would be likely to use an emoji to express compassion or support for friends being cyberbullied.

In response to the findings, Vodafone today announces the #BeStrong anti-cyberbullying emoji initiative,which involved the creation of a suite of ‘support emojis’ to raise awareness of the importance of conveying compassion, sympathy and support when friends are being bullied online. The emojis were chosen by the 4,720 teens surveyed from a wide selection designed by Vodafone and its anti-bullying panel as their favourite symbols for compassion and support. The favourite two sets of emojis can be seen below.

The images will be available from today on Vodafone and Vodafone Foundation social media platforms as part of a donation campaign. The Vodafone Foundation, Vodafone’s philanthropic arm, announces as part of its digital family programme that it will help raise funds for anti-bullying NGOs by donating 10p (14 cents) for every Twitter retweet or public Facebook like of Vodafone’s image of the #BeStrong emojis*.  The company is also talking to the major emoji app and social media platforms towards featuring the emojis on their platforms in the near future.

The idea for a ‘support emoji’ was first brought to Vodafone by anti-bullying ambassador Monica Lewinsky, who has been a consultant on the initiative, working alongside semioticians (who study signs and symbols and their use or interpretation), anti-bullying NGOs including The Diana Award, ENABLE, a European Union project to help combat bullying, and Berkeley University Professor Dacher Keltner - the psychologist who advised on the creation of the characters for Pixar film Inside Out.

Commenting in a new video released today, Professor Keltner explains the importance of teens being able to offer support and show sympathy to their peers being cyberbullied. He said: “A lot of emojis can be limited for communicating emotions.  The bystander needs better tools.  Specific emojis that they can send their friends to show that they are there for them.”

Vodafone and NGO The Diana Award have also released a series of learning modules aimed at teenagers, which cover subjects from ‘selfies ‘and ‘online gaming’ to ‘social networking’ and ‘mean tweets’. Further learning modules will be released over the next year on www.vodafone.com/parents , by NGOs including The Diana Award and by many of Vodafone’s markets. Each module provides resources needed for teachers to train a small group of students to deliver short lessons to other students at school. The modules also include advice for parents.

Today also marks the release of the fourth edition of Vodafone UK’s Digital Parenting magazine, which has been developed in partnership with parenting NGO The Parent Zone.  One million copies of the magazine, which aims to offer help and advice to parents and guardians trying to help their children navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape, will be distributed to schools, NGOs, government bodies, children charities and many other outlets over the next year. The magazine is available online at:http://vodafonedigitalparenting.co.uk/

Vodafone Foundation Director Andrew Dunnett, said: “The results of the global survey – which we believe to be one of the largest of its kind among teenagers in so many countries – will be a serious concern for any parent. The new generation that was born digital thrives in a world of constant connectivity, but there are clear risks for young people as well as benefits - and it is striking that cyberbullying troubles many young people more than drug abuse. Our research showed many teenagers find it difficult to help their friends when cyberbullying is happening, and the #BeStrong campaign has been created to help them convey emotional support”.

For further information:

Vodafone Group Media Relations  www.vodafone.com/media/contact

About Vodafone

Vodafone is one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies and provides a range of services including voice, messaging, data and fixed communications. Vodafone has mobile operations in 26 countries, partners with mobile networks in 55 more, and fixed broadband operations in 17 markets. As of 30 June 2015, Vodafone had 449 million mobile customers and 12 million fixed broadband customers. For more information, please visit: www.vodafone.com.

About the Vodafone Foundation

The Vodafone Foundation’s Mobile for Good programme combines Vodafone's charitable giving and technology to make a difference in the world. Globally, the Vodafone Foundation supports projects that are focused on delivering public benefit through the use of mobile technology across areas including health, education and disaster relief. The Vodafone Foundation invests in the communities in which Vodafone operates and is at the centre of a network of global and local social investment programmes. The Vodafone Foundation is a UK registered charity, registered charity number 10989625.

Note to editors

* All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 4,720 13-18 year olds in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, New Zealand, Greece, South Africa, USA, Ireland & the Czech Republic. The figures have been given an even weighting for each country to produce an ‘average’ value.

 *The Vodafone Foundation will provide a total donation to anti-bullying NGOs of up to £100,000 (€137,000)

 Images of the emojis can be found here:

https://www.flickr.com/gp/vodafonegroup/pK5215

Survey highlights across the 11 countries:

Download the full news release (PDF)

 

Vodafone- Cyberbullying survey 2015