Celebrity Measurements

New research from Aura finds 40% of military families report having experienced online crime 

BOSTON, Nov. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Aura, the first truly intelligent safety solution, and celebrity chef and Army veteran, Andre Rush, today launched a partnership to shine a spotlight on the crisis of online crime plaguing the country. Together, Chef Rush and Aura aim to raise awareness of the incredibly high risk of falling victim to online crime and to encourage all Americans–but especially military and veteran families who fall victim at even higher rates–to take steps to protect themselves before it’s too late.

Online crime is a $10.3 billion crisis in America, but for military families, active duty servicemembers and veterans, the crisis is even more acute. New research commissioned by Aura and conducted online by The Harris Poll asked Americans about their personal and their families’ experiences with online crime. The report found that 26% of non-military families had experienced online crime, while 40% of military families¹ had, highlighting the military community’s increased vulnerability to fraud and scams.

The risk escalates further for military families going through permanent change of station (PCS) moves, which impact more than 400,000 service members each year. The research found that 62% of military families who have moved in the past three years say the serving member of their family has experienced online crime.

“Online crime is a crisis facing all Americans at alarmingly high rates, but it’s particularly distressing that the sacrifice of those who protect our country results in their families’ increased risk of fraud,” said Hari Ravichandran, founder and CEO of Aura. “Through our partners in the military community, we are encouraging military families to take steps to proactively protect themselves, so that they don’t become part of the next big statistic.”

Aura x Chef Andre Rush
Aura and Chef Rush are giving away four lower-bowl tickets to the soldout Army-Navy Game. The Army-Navy rivalry has been a cultural staple and rallying event for the military community for 124-years. The game embodies the spirit of the good-natured interservice rivalries between divisions of the United States Armed Forces. This year, the Army-Navy game will mark the first time the game will be played in Aura’s home state, Massachusetts, making it the perfect moment for Aura and Chef Rush to supercharge awareness of this crisis.

“We have fun with the rivalry, but as military service members, we’ll always take care of each other. And that’s exactly what Aura does,” said award-winning military advocate and veteran Chef Andre Rush. “We need to end this crisis, dammit.”

To enter, visitors can go to aura.com/chefrush to start a free trial of Aura and enter to win. Participants can double their chances to win by donating to Aura’s military nonprofit partner Blue Star Families.

Aura’s Commitment to Military Families 

These recent efforts build upon Aura’s long-standing commitment to the military community, including partnerships with Blue Star Families and Blue Star Families of New England, as well as the company’s discount and digital hub for active-duty service members, Veterans and their families. In honor of Veterans Day, Aura is offering military service members and their families a 68% discount and are extending Aura’s free trial to 30 days (normally 14 days). Interested members of the military community can take advantage of this deal at aura.com/veteransday.

Knowing that online crime is a huge problem for all Americans, Aura introduced a new, free online safety resource center, available to all Americans–not just customers. This resource center offers visitors clear, step-by-step guidance on addressing online crimes. Assistance can be provided via AI-powered chat tools designed to provide easy to follow action plans to individuals dealing with digital crimes. And, should users require more hands-on support, Aura has allocated specific time slots each week for the public to schedule appointments with their highly skilled White Glove Resolution Team. For free access to our resource center, please visit aura.com/helpme.

ABOUT AURA

Aura is the first truly intelligent safety solution, protecting everything your family does online. With an easy-to-use, AI-powered platform that continuously adapts to evolving online risks^[2], Aura mitigates threats before they become real problems. By focusing on preventative protection – leveraging our #1 rated identity protection services, automatically updating breached passwords found on the dark web, auto-blocking call and SMS scams, and alerting parents to cyberbullying and online predators – Aura puts families a step ahead of cybercriminals for the first time. To learn more, visit www.aura.com.

ABOUT CHEF ANDRE RUSH
Chef Andre Rush is renown as one of the top chefs in the United States military, and retired as Master Sergeant. He has represented the Army resulting in over 100 new soldiers joining the forces. He was also a member of the United States Culinary Arts Team where he competed and won 150 medals and trophies.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Aura from September 19-21, 2023 among 2,067 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + /- 2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact [email protected].

Giveaway Guidelines
NO PURCHASE, CONTRIBUTION, DONATION OR PAYMENT IS NECESSARY AND MAKING ONE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. This giveaway is open to residents of the United States, age 18 and older. Void where prohibited. You must enter the giveaway by November 11, 2023 for a chance to win. Odds of winning = One (1) divided by total number of valid tickets timely entered for this drawing. For entry details and official rules including free entry method visit aura.com/chefrush. Prizes identified, logos, brands and other trademarks referred to herein are the property of their respective trademark holders and are not sponsor of this promotion. Aura https://www.aura.com/legal/privacy-policy 

Giveaway Eligibility Requirements

• Eligibility – Open only to legal residents of the fifty United States and District of Columbia, 18 or older. Void where prohibited.
• Sweepstakes Period – October 27 2023 at 9:00am EST to November 11th, 2023 at 11:59pm EST
• Limit two (2) entries per person for the entire sweepstakes, regardless of method of entry. Multiple entries in excess of two (2) from any person will be void. Entries generated by a robotic, programmed, script, macro or other automated means will be disqualified; any use of automated methods of entry may result in disqualification. No other form of attempted entry is valid and Sponsor may choose to disqualify all entries submitted by that person at Sponsor’s sole discretion. All entries submitted will not be returned or acknowledged.
• Prize -4 lower level seats at the December 9th Army-Navy Game at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA ($5000 value)

1. Defined as those who themselves/members of their immediate family are currently/have previously served in the U.S. military.
2. Not all features use AI capabilities.

SOURCE Aura