Your Identity is Being Sold Right Now | Eva Velasquez
Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center
In an era where digital threats evolve as fast as innovation, leadership requires more than just a growth mindset—it requires a protective one. In a recent episode of the Breakthrough Podcast, David Mansilla sat down with Eva Velasquez to discuss the intersection of leadership, technology, and the imperative of identity protection.
EVA VELASQUEZ is the CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC). Eva previously served at the San Diego District Attorney’s Office for 21 years and as the Vice President of Operations for the San Diego Better Business Bureau. She is a recognized leader in the field of identity compromise and crime, cybercrime, and fraud, who has been featured on CBS Mornings, NBC Nightly News, CNBC’s American Greed, Fortune, The New York Times, NPR, The Associated Press and numerous other media outlets. Eva is a recipient of the National Crime Victim Service Award from the U.S. Department of Justice and the National Consumer League’s Florence Kelley Consumer Leadership Award. She is a published author, actively contributes to various advisory boards and working groups, and is regularly invited to speak at industry and policy events. Eva is committed to driving the ITRC’s mission to assist victims, educate the public and advocate for change for those who do not have a voice.
Purpose-Driven Leadership – Finding Your "Why"
Great leaders don't just manage organizations; they champion missions. Eva Velasquez’s journey from the District Attorney’s office to the nonprofit sector was fueled by a gap she identified in the justice system: the lack of support for victims of economic and cyber crimes.
For entrepreneurs, this is a masterclass in identifying a void and filling it. Eva transitioned into victim services because she felt it was "insulting" that people whose financial lives were ruined were often left to solve the problem alone.
Leadership Lesson: True leadership is rooted in empathy.
Actionable Insight: Look at your industry. Where are people being underserved? Your business’s greatest strength lies in its ability to provide a solution that restores dignity or control to your clients.
The High Stakes of Business Identity
Identity theft isn't just a personal risk; it is a sophisticated corporate threat. David Mansilla shared a harrowing experience where bad actors "hijacked" a domain and spoofed his identity to trick his controller into wiring $10,000.
Modern criminals use AI to automate research and develop "letter perfect" solicitations, lowering the barrier to entry for fraud.
The Entrepreneur’s Risk: Your reputation is your most valuable asset. If a criminal uses your name to defraud an employee or client, the damage extends far beyond the stolen funds.
Sophistication of AI: Technology has allowed bad actors to outsource sophistication for nearly zero cost, making even the most seasoned CEOs vulnerable.
Building a Culture of "Cyber Hygiene"
A leader’s responsibility is to educate their team. David and Eva both noted how new hires—specifically interns or juniors—are often targeted with "urgent" requests for gift cards or wire transfers.
Eva advocates for Strategic Skepticism. She suggests:
Onboarding Awareness: Make security training part of day one.
Zero-Trust Policy: Eva tells her team, "I will never ask you to make a purchase for me".
Habit over Event: Cyber hygiene isn't a one-time setup; it’s a daily practice of small habits that add up to a robust defense.
Tactical Protection for the Busy Executive
As an entrepreneur, you have a million things on your plate, but tactical security cannot be ignored. Eva recommends three non-negotiable steps:
Freeze Your Credit: Unlike monitoring services that notify you after a change, a freeze stops new accounts from being opened entirely.
Passphrases over Passwords: Use long, unique phrases or a password manager. Stop reusing the same passwords across accounts—it’s the "top vulnerability".
Embrace Passkeys: Utilize biometrics (FaceID, fingerprints) where available. They are more intuitive and harder to compromise through traditional phishing.
Resilience and the Path Forward
Eva’s career reminds us that resilience is a prerequisite for success. Starting as a young mother who dropped out of high school, she worked her way up through clerical ranks to become a CEO and a national expert.
She views identity protection as a shared stakeholder responsibility. Government, businesses, and individuals must all play a part.
Motivation for Leaders: Your past does not define your trajectory, and your vulnerabilities do not have to define your future.
Final Word: Protect your identity so you can continue to focus on what matters: making the world a better place.
Written by Jovilyn Dela Cruz
“Your cyber hygiene is something you need to think of as a practice. Just like physical hygiene, it’s not one thing you do one time; it’s the small habits and steps you do every day that add up to something bigger and more robust.”
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