According to a report from Talking Points Memo, Mayor Bloomberg was recently asked about the spying scandal at his former news company, Bloomberg, and told a reporter that he couldn’t say anything due to “an agreement with the Conflict of Interests Board.”

“You’ll have to talk to the company,” he said.

The scandal came to light after a complaint from Goldman Sachs about Bloomberg journalists accessing information about Goldman employees.

It turned out that Bloomberg reporters had been trained to use the terminals to track story subjects and were accessing data on staffers at J.P. Morgan Chase, as well as higher-ups at U.S. Treasury Department and Federal Reserve.

The company has admitted at least one reporter got Goldman Sachs-related information through this terminal-accessed data.

Mayor Bloomberg, who is no longer an executive at the company since he became mayor, but is still a majority owner, was asked about the issue at a press conference regarding water cleanup in the Gowanus Canal.

He reportedly initially declined to discuss the matter, but when a second reporter asked about tracking that occurred when he was still with the company, he replied “I don’t know what you’re talking about, you’ll have to talk to the company.”

Follow Danielle Tcholakian on Twitter @danielleiat

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From the governor to New Yorkers visiting an ATM, this week’s cybercrime arrests are amping up cybersecurity efforts.

After several were charged in a $45 million ATM heist, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer released a report today about cybercrime, cautioning New Yorkers to be more careful, even during routine ATM withdrawals.

The report offers consumer tips on avoiding identity theft as well as suggestions on how to toughen laws.

“The stunning scope of this crime is a sobering wake-up call for New Yorkers, from the highest levels of the financial community to millions of citizens who need to feel secure when they use ATM machines,” Stringer said.

Today, Gov. Andrew Cuomo also announced a new Cyber Security Advisory Board, which will advise state officials on how to protect state infrastructure and information systems.

Cuomo also noted this week’s arrests.

“The need to increase cyber security to guard against these threats is urgent,” he said. “In the 21st century, almost all of our daily activities are linked to the internet – from banking to shopping to using our telecommunications networks and physical infrastructure systems.”

How to protect yourself against cybercrime:

• Always use your other hand to shield your hand typing in your PIN at an ATM.
• When you can’t see your credit card, for example at a hotel or restaurant, always use a credit card instead of a debit card. Credit card companies have stronger protections against fraud, Stringer said.
• Keep a firewall on your home computer to protect from hackers.
• Never open an email attachment from someone you don’t know or even forwarded attachments from people you do know.

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Divorce can be a trying experience both emotionally and financially. According to Brendan Lyle of divorce finance company BBL Churchill, taking a few wise steps can substantially lessen the potential for monetary damage after a couple decides to dissolve their marriage. Making the divorce process easier can help reduce stress, and ease the pain of a challenging transition.

Understand your assets and liabilities.
Take an inventory of what you owe and what you own. This includes mortgages, loans, stocks, and other investments and accounts. So many people rely on their spouse to pay things like mortgage on the house, and have no idea what their situation is. It is imperative that people take this step before legal counsel is even consulted. Finding these things out after a divorce lawyer is involved takes time and money. Knowing this information makes everyone’s lives a lot easier. This is also an important time to preserve or improve your credit. You will potentially spend the rest of your life securing loans without the assistance of your partner, so that is something to consider in the early stages of a divorce or separation.

Get professional financial advice.
Advisors can help clients determine whether it is wiser to sell things such as the shared home immediately and split its proceeds for investments, or if it is better to wait and sell major assets later. They are able to make these projections about your financial situation five years down the line, and help you determine what course of action best fits your needs. There are specialized divorce financial planners who do just that. It is also important to realize your spouse’s future earning potential, as well as your own.

Secure records and passwords.
This includes insurance information, birth certificates, passports and credit card information. Being as well informed as possible can also help control the cost of a forensic accountant, which can be one of the most expensive aspects of a divorce.

Know that resources are available in the interim.
BBL Churchhill issues divorce financing loans to pay for divorce litigation and living expenses based on projected awards at the end of the case. These loans generally constitute 25% of overall estimated awards, and are lent at rates akin to credit cards. This money can help a client secure the best legal counsel and maximize alimony and child support, as well as cover their costs of living in the time before the judge’s decision is finalized.

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Wall Street bonuses jumped last year, according to a new state report.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released data today revealing that cash bonuses to finance employees increased by 8 percent last year.

The total was a whopping $20 billion, according to the report.

The average cash bonus also increased, by 9 percent to an average of $121,900, according to the report.

And the average salary for the securities industry, including bonuses, was $362,900 in 2011, the last year data was available.

The report also revealed that the industry has 10 percent fewer jobs in the city since the recession began in 2008.

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