All articles tagged with #scammers
Valve will stop selling physical Steam gift cards in stores by the end of 2026 due to ongoing gift-card scams; existing gift cards remain usable on Steam, and digital gift cards will continue to be sold. The move follows warnings from regulators and law enforcement, with Valve noting scammers have adapted to the scheme.
Valve is winding down the production of Steam’s physical retail gift cards due to scammers exploiting PINs and laundering funds; existing cards can still be redeemed, but stock is expected to be depleted by the end of 2026, effectively ending Valve’s last major brick-and-mortar link to Steam, while digital gift cards or prepaid options remain available.
Valve will discontinue restocking physical Steam gift cards at retailers by the end of 2026 to curb scams, while expanding its digital gift card program; physical cards purchased in 2026 will remain usable for now and stock is expected to be depleted by year’s end.
Singapore will implement mandatory caning of up to 24 strokes for scammers starting December 30, as part of new laws aimed at deterring the rising number of fraud cases, which constitute a significant portion of crime in the country.
Cybercriminals are now using portable fake cell towers called SMS blasters that can send up to 100,000 texts per hour, impersonate any sender, and target phones within a large radius, making scams more widespread and harder to detect, with recent incidents reported across Asia, Europe, and South America.
Three suspects are in custody after a machete attack outside a Times Square McDonald's left a man with stab wounds in both legs. The victim is in stable condition at Bellevue Hospital. The attack is believed to be linked to a group of scammers targeting tourists.
Facebook is inundated with AI-generated content that is attracting attention from its aging user base, with scammers and spammers exploiting this trend to grow their audiences and drive traffic to dubious websites filled with ads. Stanford and Georgetown University researchers found that Facebook's algorithms are rewarding AI spam accounts, resulting in massive engagement and views. The platform's parent company Meta has yet to comment on the flood of AI-generated junk, but researchers suggest implementing measures to address the issue, as Google has done. With Facebook's history of lax content moderation and a declining user base, the problem of AI-generated content is unlikely to disappear on its own.
The demand for limited-edition Stanley drinking tumblers has led to soaring prices and an increase in scammers targeting buyers. Shoppers are eagerly seeking out these collectibles, but many are falling victim to fraudulent ads and websites offering discounted prices. As the frenzy continues, experts advise consumers to only purchase from trusted sellers and to be cautious of copycat websites and social media ads that seem too good to be true.
The FBI is warning that gift card scams are on the rise, with scammers using a "gift card draining" trick to steal money before it can be used. Reports of gift card scams have increased by 50% this year, totaling over $210 million in losses. To avoid falling victim, consumers are advised to check for tampering on gift cards, avoid buying cards with damaged packaging, and register their gift cards if possible. If a gift card has been tampered with, there is little that can be done to recover the lost funds. Buying gift cards from behind the counter or gifting cash are alternative ways to protect oneself.
Scammers are using Telegram channels to trick anti-vaxxers into purchasing fake medical documents, including Covid-19 vaccination certificates and other proof of vaccination. Researchers have uncovered a network of around 60 Telegram channels selling these bogus documents, with some administrators impersonating legitimate medical professionals. The scammers target anti-vaxxers on social media platforms like X, directing them to the Telegram channels. The operation has reached over 3 million people and processed $286,000 in cryptocurrency payments. The channels also sell other medical documents and promote conspiracy theories. The impersonation of doctors erodes trust in medical systems, and the use of AI-generated images raises concerns about future scams.
The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about delivery scams targeting those expecting packages during the holiday season. Scammers send bogus emails or text messages about shipments, tricking people into clicking on fake links to steal their personal information. These fraudulent messages may claim a missed delivery attempt or prompt users to update their shipping preferences. Clicking on these links can lead to the installation of malware or the compromise of usernames and passwords, allowing scammers to steal victims' identities and open new accounts in their name. With an expected surge in parcel deliveries during the holidays, consumers are urged to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to these scams.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned that scammers are using QR codes to direct people to harmful websites and steal personal information. Scammers hide dangerous links within QR codes, often using deceptive tactics such as placing their own codes on top of legitimate ones or sending deceptive emails and text messages. Once users click on these links, scammers can steal entered information or install malware. The FTC advises users to be cautious and verify the legitimacy of QR codes before scanning them, check URLs for misspellings or switched letters, and avoid opening links from unknown contacts. Cybersecurity experts recommend using two-factor authentication and keeping software updated to protect against QR code attacks.
Amazon is suing a group called REKK for using hacks, social engineering, phishing attacks, and bribes to exploit its return and refund system. REKK offered a paid service to shoppers, manipulating the system to log fake returns and receive refunds without actually returning the items. The scheme involved bribing Amazon employees, with one employee approving 76 fake returns worth over $100,000 in exchange for $3,500. The lawsuit names more than two dozen individuals from various countries involved in the scam.
Scammers are taking advantage of the hype surrounding GTA 6 by creating fake PC downloads that install malware. Despite the game not being released until 2025, some fans may fall victim to these scams due to impatience or lack of awareness. It is advised to avoid downloading any suspicious software from the internet.
Google has filed a lawsuit against scammers who allegedly released a malware-infected Bard knockoff, seeking legal action against those responsible for distributing the malicious software.