Follow these smart toy tips to mitigate risk
of identity theft
ERIE, Pa. , Nov. 16,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As the holiday season approaches
and children build their gift lists, smart toys may be at the top
of the list. By 2027, the smart toy market is expected to exceed
$24 billion but internet-connected
toys, which typically have a built-in microphone and speaker, can
potentially expose children and others in their household to data
or identity theft. Erie Insurance is offering tips on which toy
features to watch for and monitor to ensure families have a safe
and happy holiday.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, smart toys run the
risk of being accessed by criminals, just like any smart device.
Erie Insurance, which offers coverage to help people recover from
identity theft, is bringing attention to the risks and what parents
should consider before purchasing a smart toy this year.
What should I know about the toy?
- Conduct an internet search to see if there are any articles or
complaints regarding security or privacy issues. Using terms such
as "toy name" + "privacy" will yield results.
- Research security updates by searching "toy name" + "firmware"
or "software" update. If there is not an option to update the
software, it may be an indication that the company does not
regularly update its software, which could leave the toy vulnerable
to security breaches.
- See what watchdog and safe harbor groups have to say. Reviews
and recommendations are common for children's toys.
What features should I understand?
- Know what the microphone and speaker will be doing within the
toy. Does it communicate back to the child and answer questions?
Does it record? How long does it hold onto a recording? Be cautious
about the data provided. It is essential to carefully review the
terms, conditions and privacy policies to understand how the data
collected will be used and protected.
- Determine the usage of Bluetooth on the toy. What does the
Bluetooth connection do? Is there a PIN associated with it? Without
a PIN, the Bluetooth connection can be accessed by anyone and
monitored to find vulnerabilities. With a PIN, the connection is
essentially locked, and other devices cannot access it.
- Understand what data is being accessed by the pairable app.
Does it need access to an email or credit card? Does it connect to
social media accounts? Does it require access to the photo
gallery?
- Look for parental controls. Are there parental controls within
the app or toy? How can a parent manage data and its use?
Smart toys are educational and fun for children, but researching
smart toys ahead of time and choosing wisely can give parents added
peace of mind.
Parents can also add Identity Theft Recovery coverage to their
homeowners or renters policy as an additional precaution.
"With Erie Insurance's Identity Theft Recovery coverage, a
customer would have access to their very own case manager who can
help them take care of the many time-consuming tasks that have to
be done to restore a person's credit following identity theft, such
as contacting credit bureaus and writing letters to governmental
bodies like the Social Security Administration," said Michelle Tennant, vice president of Product
Management, Erie Insurance. "The coverage also pays some of the
costs associated with identity theft, which may include not only
lost wages but also filing fees for reapplying for loans or other
types of credit, certain legal fees and more."
Tennant recommends parents talk with their insurance agent to
find out more about the specific benefits of Erie Insurance's
Identity Theft Recovery coverage, which is included with any of the
ErieSecure® homeowners bundles.
About Erie Insurance
According to A.M. Best Company,
Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie,
Pennsylvania, is the 12th largest homeowners insurer, 12th
largest automobile insurer and 13th largest commercial lines
insurer in the United States based
on direct premiums written. Founded in 1925, Erie Insurance is a
Fortune 500 company and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer
in the United States based on
total lines net premium written. Rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best,
ERIE has more than 6 million
policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. News releases and more
information are available on ERIE's website at www.erieinsurance.com.
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SOURCE Erie Insurance Group