Tag

Scams

All articles tagged with #scams

FBI Warns of QR Code Mystery Packages Triggering Phishing Scams
technology1 month ago

FBI Warns of QR Code Mystery Packages Triggering Phishing Scams

The FBI and FTC warn about unsolicited mystery packages that include QR codes leading recipients to fraudulent sites designed to steal personal and financial information. This dangerous twist on brushing scams targets people who scan codes without verification, risking identity and financial theft. Advice from authorities includes changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, checking credit reports, and reporting incidents to the FBI.

Guarding Against Scams in Google's AI Overviews
technology1 month ago

Guarding Against Scams in Google's AI Overviews

Google’s AI Overviews synthesize web results, but fake phone numbers planted by scammers have slipped into some summaries, sending users to impersonators who may harvest payment data. While Google says it’s strengthening anti-scam protections, the piece advises always verifying contact numbers on a company’s official site or with a separate search, since AI Overviews can still present outdated or misleading information.

Global cloud-storage scam hits inboxes with fake renewal alerts to steal payment details
cybersecurity2 months ago

Global cloud-storage scam hits inboxes with fake renewal alerts to steal payment details

A worldwide phishing campaign floods recipients with urgent emails claiming cloud-storage renewals failed, pushing them to a fake Google Cloud Storage link that redirects to scam pages impersonating cloud portals. The pages upsell a deceptive “loyalty” upgrade and collect credit card info, with the aim of affiliate revenue. Legitimate providers do not notify via such scans or require third-party security products, and users should delete the messages and verify billing directly on official sites.

Guarding Elder Finances: Practical Steps to Prevent Family Mistakes
society2 months ago

Guarding Elder Finances: Practical Steps to Prevent Family Mistakes

Americans over 70 control about $53 trillion in wealth and are prime targets for financial scams; the article urges empathetic, proactive engagement with aging relatives, due diligence, and outside help—such as AARP's BankSafe Initiative—to prevent financial missteps, while noting that family dynamics can both aid and impede timely interventions.

Holiday Travel Tips and Expectations Amid Peak Season and Storms
travel3 months ago

Holiday Travel Tips and Expectations Amid Peak Season and Storms

The holiday season is expected to be extremely busy, with over 122 million Americans traveling between December 20 and January 1, including record-breaking air travel days on December 19, 20, and 21, and post-Christmas weekends. Travelers are advised to watch out for scams involving fake websites and impersonators, and to use official airline channels for bookings and information.

AI Training Growth Sparks Rise in Scams
technology4 months ago

AI Training Growth Sparks Rise in Scams

A shadow market for illicit sale of verified AI training accounts has emerged on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram, driven by the high demand for data labeling work in AI development. Despite company bans and safeguards, scammers and opportunists are selling fake or real accounts, risking scams and data leaks for buyers and sellers. Companies like Scale AI and Surge AI are actively fighting fraud, but the underground industry continues to evolve, highlighting the challenges in securing AI training data.

ChatGPT Reveals the Worst Financial Moves to Avoid
finance6 months ago

ChatGPT Reveals the Worst Financial Moves to Avoid

ChatGPT outlines the worst financial mistakes to avoid, including letting money sit idle, chasing trends without understanding, carrying high-interest debt, overextending on housing, treating the stock market like gambling, neglecting emergency savings, ignoring retirement contributions, falling for scams, investing in depreciating assets, and making emotional financial decisions. These tips emphasize the importance of informed, disciplined, and strategic financial habits for long-term wealth building.

Rising Bitcoin ATM Scams Prompt Calls for Stricter Regulations
crime6 months ago

Rising Bitcoin ATM Scams Prompt Calls for Stricter Regulations

Scammers increasingly use bitcoin ATMs to target victims, with nearly $250 million lost in 2024, prompting warnings and legal actions. Victims, often elderly, are convinced to deposit large sums into these machines, which are difficult to recover from. Authorities and advocacy groups call for stricter regulations, but some companies deny involvement or knowledge of scams. A rare positive outcome involved a victim saved by a vigilant bystander and police intervention.