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You don’t need an SSN to open a credit card: Scammers know that

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Some credit card issuers now approve applicants without a Social Security Number. Instead, they accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, a passport or proof of income.

That makes it easier for more people to access credit, but it also changes how lenders verify identity. Instead of relying on one number, they now review a mix of personal details.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation says they received 1,008,597 internet crime complaints in 2025. Phishing and spoofing ranked among the most common. These scams collect small pieces of your personal information over time, including your name, address or date of birth.

HOW DEBIT CARD FRAUD CAN HAPPEN WITHOUT USING THE CARD

Each detail may seem harmless on its own. But scammers combine them to build a profile that looks real. That profile can pass basic checks and lead to accounts opened in your name.

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 How lenders verify identity without an SSN

Lenders check new credit applications against credit bureau records. These records include your name, date of birth and address history.

Experian says it can use these details to find or build a credit file when an SSN is not available. Lenders also look for an existing credit file and recent activity.

If the details match what is already on file, lenders may approve the application. The decision depends on whether the profile looks consistent and believable. 

Scammers rely on phishing and impersonation tactics to collect data over time. The FBI reports more than 190,000 phishing and spoofing cases in 2025.

A message may ask you to confirm your name or address. Another message may request part of an account number. Each interaction adds another piece.

Alone, the information does not seem useful. Together, it creates a complete profile. These are the same details lenders use to verify identity. Scammers then combine everything and apply for credit in one step.

Lenders approve applications by matching the details to existing records. They do not trace where that information came from. They focus on consistency. Many systems process applications automatically using credit bureau data. Each application usually creates a hard inquiry on your credit file.

If the details match and a credit file already exists, lenders may treat the application as legitimate. No step confirms that the person applying actually owns that identity. The Federal Trade Commission receives more than 1 million identity theft reports each year. Credit card fraud remains one of the most common types. Many cases involve new accounts opened with information that passed basic checks.

You cannot see credit applications in real time. Most people only notice activity when it shows up on their credit report.

DO YOU KNOW THE TRUE COST OF IDENTITY THEFT?

By the time you see these changes, the account is already open. That gives scammers time to apply for more credit or start spending.

That delay is what makes this type of fraud so difficult to catch early. 

The only way to see this type of fraud early is to keep an eye on your credit file. These include:

Most people don’t check their credit regularly. Bank alerts can flag activity on existing accounts, but they don’t show new credit cards opened at a different bank. Those only appear once they are reported to the credit bureaus. You can also place a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion, which can block new credit accounts from being opened in your name. A fraud alert is another option that tells lenders to take extra steps to verify your identity before approving new credit.

Credit monitoring services can track activity across all three bureaus and alert you when something changes. That gives you time to respond by freezing your credit, disputing the account or contacting the lender.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

More lenders now approve credit cards without a Social Security number. That makes credit easier to access. But it also changes how identity gets verified. Lenders now match multiple pieces of personal information instead of relying on one number. That gives scammers more ways in. They can collect small details over time and use them together. This is why identity theft is harder to spot. You may not notice anything until a new account shows up on your credit report. By then, the damage may already be done. The takeaway is simple. Check your credit regularly. Set up alerts and limit what you share online. Fraud is no longer just about stolen numbers. It is about stolen identities built piece by piece.

Is enough being done to stop scammers from using your personal information to open accounts, or is the system making it too easy for them to slip through? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Oprah Winfrey to Kim Kardashian: How Bing Crosby inspired the ‘Canadian tuxedo’ as stars keep the trend alive

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The Canadian tuxedo has been around since the 1950s and is still as trendy as ever.

Legend has it that the term Canadian tuxedo was born after Bing Crosby was denied entry to an upscale hotel in Vancouver, Canada, for being underdressed, as he was wearing a denim on denim outfit designed by the popular jeans brand, Levi.

After hearing about Crosby’s situation, Levi Strauss & Co. designed a full denim tuxedo for the singer, so he would never be accused of being underdressed again.

Since then, the denim on denim look has been dubbed the Canadian tuxedo and has been worn by countless celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey and Kim Kardashian, both on and off the red carpet.

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Here are some of the stars who have rocked a Canadian tuxedo

Oprah Winfrey was spotted waving at fans while out and about in New York City in a denim outfit.

The talk show host wore a pair of high-waisted jeans that flared out at the bottom, which she paired with a loose denim jacket with puffy sleeves and gold buttons.

She paired the look with dangling gold earrings, a pair of sunglasses and a brown purse, styling her brown hair in big curls.

Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears brought the Canadian tuxedo back into the mainstream when they posed for photos at the 2001 American Music Awards.

Spears wore a floor-length strapless denim dress, which she paired with a denim purse, a silver chain around her waist, and silver jewelry, including a statement necklace and bracelets.

Timberlake also wore head-to-toe denim, including a denim cowboy hat and jacket, which he paired with a pair of sunglasses and a silver necklace.

“It was such a no-brainer. Justin and Britney were dating at the time. We were in New Orleans when Britney and Justin were like, ‘We’re doing matching denim.’ And I was like, ‘How are you doing that? Who is doing that?'” designer Steven Gerstein told Jezebel in October 2022.

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“It was kind of like their prom,” he added. “They had an idea, and we did what they wanted as opposed to the other way around… The rest is history.”

Katy Perry brought a darker take to the denim on denim trend when she stepped out of her London hotel in 2024.

The “California Girls” singer was photographed leaving her hotel dressed in dark denim pants and a matching jacket, which she paired with black sunglasses and open-toed shoes.

This isn’t the only time Perry has rocked the Canadian tuxedo, as she has been spotted sporting the look both on and off the red carpet in the past, even recreating Spears’ iconic AMA moment.

“That moment Britney gave us was the moment, and I wanted to pay my respects,” she said about her own denim red carpet moment at the 2014 VMAs.

Bella Hadid put her own spin on the denim on denim look, while out and about in Paris, France in 2020.

The supermodel was photographed in the city of love wearing baggy denim jeans, which she paired with an oversized fleece-lined denim trench coat with a brown crop top underneath, giving a hint of midriff.

She paired the look with black sunglasses and black square-toed shoes, and styled her long brown hair with two microbraids to frame her face.

Anne Hathaway had a denim moment when she posed for photos at the CFDA Fashion Awards in November 2023.

The “Princess Diaries” star turned heads on the red carpet in a floor-length light-wash denim skirt with floral designs printed on throughout, which she paired with a darker strapless denim corset top with buttons going up the torso.

She paired the outfit with a soft makeup look and dazzling Bulgari jewelry, including a large statement necklace, bracelets and earrings.

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“In this moment, everybody’s taking risks and I feel like there’s more than one way to do it right now, which means that you don’t have to hit a mark, you just have to be yourself — and that feels wonderful,” Hathaway told People in 2023 about how her stylist, Erin Walsh, has made her comfortable taking risks with fashion.

Singer, Dua Lipa, brought a modern twist to the Canadian tuxedo when she was photographed for a day out in New York.

The singer stepped out in a denim bustier top that showed off her toned abs, which she paired with patterned jeans with built-in heels, combining two trends in one.

Dua Lipa accessorized the look with a matching denim purse, a low-slung belt and diamond jewels, including earrings, bracelets and a necklace.

Emily Ratajkowski stunned when she was spotted sporting a Canadian tuxedo while out and about in New York City.

The model was photographed in a pair of straight-legged high-waisted jeans, which she paired with a matching button-up collared denim shirt.

She accessorized with a woven brown belt to break up the denim, which matched her brown shoes.

Jennifer Lopez stunned in a denim look at a special screening for her movie, “Hustlers,” in New York in 2019.

The actress and singer wore a pair of dark wash denim Balmain jeans with a folded waistline and a dropped crotch and cargo-style pockets, which she paired with a matching strapless top.

She accessorized the look with big hoop earrings, a diamond necklace and bracelets and clear high-heeled shoes. She styled her hair in a half-up-half-down look and sported a heavy makeup look with bold lashes.

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Kim Kardashian turned heads when she walked the red carpet at the WSJ Innovator Awards in November 2019 in a custom Burberry look.

The “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star wore an off-the-shoulder denim corset top with puffy sleeves and boning on the torso, and a pair of jeans which transitioned into navy leather chaps.

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She paired the look with blue high-heeled boots which matched the navy chaps. Kardashian let the outfit do all the talking, keeping her accessories to a minimum and going for a more subdued makeup look.

Megan Fox added some sparkle to her version of the Canadian tuxedo.

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The “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” star was photographed with her former fiancé, Machine Gun Kelly, while leaving “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” in a pair of baggy ripped denim jeans, a glittery silver top and a jean jacket.

Katie Holmes is known for her effortlessly cool style, and her take on the Canadian tuxedo is no different.

When attending the Alice + Olivia fashion show in February 2024, the “Dawson’s Creek” actress wore a pair of baggy jeans, with a denim button up in a slightly brighter shade of blue.

The “Batman Begins” star accessorized the denim look with a black undershirt, a cream jacket and hot pink shoes, as well as a simple gold chain and a white purse.

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Kash Patel doubles down on lawsuit against The Atlantic, slams outlet as ‘fake news mafia’

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FBI Director Kash Patel said Sunday he planned to file a lawsuit against The Atlantic by Monday, telling Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo that legal action would follow a report alleging misconduct, including “excessive drinking.”

Patel made the announcement during an appearance on “Sunday Morning Futures,” where he directly confirmed his intent to pursue legal action against the publication.

“Absolutely, it’s coming tomorrow,” Patel said when asked about whether he would officially file a lawsuit.

The dispute stems from a recent report by The Atlantic that cited anonymous sources alleging Patel engaged in “excessive drinking,” “erratic” behavior and had “unexplained absences” during his tenure leading the FBI. The article, written by staff reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick, relied on accounts from current and former officials and others familiar with Patel’s conduct.

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Patel rejected those claims during the interview, framing the report as politically motivated and baseless.

“If the fake news mafia isn’t hitting you personally with baseless information in Washington, D.C., then you’re not doing your job,” Patel said.

The FBI director pointed to agency accomplishments under his leadership as evidence against the allegations, citing reductions in crime and drug overdoses, as well as arrests of high-profile fugitives.

“This FBI has the most prolific year in crime reduction in United States history,” Patel said. “A 20% reduction in the homicide rate, a 20-point drop in opiate overdose deaths. We have found and identified 6,300 child victims… a 30% increase, seizing enough fentanyl to kill 180 million Americans.”

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The Atlantic has stood by its reporting. Editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg previously said the outlet maintained confidence in the story, while Fitzpatrick defended her work publicly, stating she stands by “every word” and that the reporting was thoroughly vetted.

Jesse Binnall, an attorney representing Patel, shared a letter that was sent to The Atlantic ahead of the report being published, calling out the magazine for giving the FBI less than two hours to respond to “defamatory assertions” before its stated deadline and that most of the 19 substantive claims are “false.”

“They were on notice that the claims were categorically false and defamatory. They published anyway,” Binnall said in a statement.

The report also drew responses from administration officials, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who said Patel “remains a critical player” in the administration, and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who criticized the article for relying on anonymous sources.

Patel framed the lawsuit as part of a broader pushback against media coverage he described as unfair, invoking President Donald Trump and his long-standing criticism of the press.

“We have to fight back against the fake news,” Patel said. “I won’t tolerate their attacks on me.”

The Atlantic report detailed claims from more than two dozen sources, including allegations that meetings were rescheduled due to late nights involving alcohol and that security personnel at times struggled to reach Patel. It also cited concerns among some officials about his leadership and decision-making.

Fox News Digital reached out to The Atlantic for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

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Several University of Iowa students wounded in downtown shooting after fight erupts near campus

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Gunfire erupted at Iowa City’s bustling Pedestrian Mall near the University of Iowa early Sunday, leaving multiple people, including students, wounded and sending police scrambling to secure the area as the suspect remains at large.

Police responded around 1:46 a.m. Sunday to reports of a brawl in the 100 block of East College Street, a busy nightlife area near the university, Iowa City Public Safety said. As officers arrived, they heard gunshots.

Multiple victims were rushed to area hospitals to be treated for wounds suffered in the shooting, police said.

Students at the University of Iowa were among the wounded, the school said in a statement.

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“While the investigation is in its early stages, there are no indications any university students were the intended victims,” it added.

No information on how many people were wounded, or their conditions was immediately provided.

No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting.

Authorities asked anyone with information or video footage of the shooting to contact Detective Cade Burma at [email protected] or 319-356-5275.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers online at iccrimestoppers.org, or by phone at 319-358-TIPS (8477).

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