The internet and technology have significantly expanded access to learning and social connection, but that same openness extends to those who act in bad faith. As technology becomes more powerful and more accessible, the digital environment grows increasingly difficult to navigate safely. This challenge falls hardest on vulnerable groups, such as children and older adults, as many bad-faith actors target or exploit their naivety.
In March 2026, President Trump signed the executive order, “Combating Cybercrime, Fraud, and Predatory Schemes Against American Citizens,” into effect in hopes of reducing looming threats from hackers or exploiters.
Key Takeaways
Signed on March 6, the executive order focuses on protecting American citizens from cybercrime, fraud, and predatory schemes.
The initiative emphasizes the importance of international cooperation, ongoing training, and…
PAYROLL & HR CONTROLS (PREVENTING “GHOST” SCHEMES)
Payroll fraud is often the hardest to detect because it “looks” like a normal business expense.
- Segregation of Duties (SoD): The person who adds new employees to the system must not be the same person who approves the monthly pay run.
- Mandatory Vacation Policy: Require all financial and HR staff to take 5–10 consecutive days of leave annually. Fraud often surfaces when the perpetrator isn’t there to “hide” the trail.
- Ghost Employee Audit: Perform a quarterly “Headcount Reconciliation” where managers must physically verify every name on their payroll list exists.
- Self-Pay Blocking: Ensure the payroll software has a hard-coded block preventing administrators from editing their own salary or bank details.