Blackmail and extortion are among the oldest scams — and unfortunately, they’re still effective. A fresh wave of these threats is targeting both adults and teens online, using fear, shame, and manipulation to pressure victims into sending money or sensitive content. Here’s how these scams work and what you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. How These …
Don’t get caught in a phishing scam! Knowing how to recognize and avoid phishing scams is essential in today’s digital world. Here’s how to stay safe. What is Phishing? Phishing is a cybercrime where scammers use deceptive messages to steal victims’ personal information. These messages can impersonate well-known companies, government agencies, celebrities or even people the victim knows. The goal …
In today’s digital world, fraudsters are constantly evolving—and even the most cautious among us can fall victim to suspicious activity. Whether it’s an unfamiliar charge, a login alert you didn’t expect, or a change to your account details, acting quickly is key to protecting your finances and identity. Here’s everything you need to know to act fast and stay secure. What Counts …
While increased accessibility helps make so many activities quick and convenient, having so much of our personal information online leaves us vulnerable to cyber criminals who are eager to steal and benefit from our personal information. As the multitude of online services has expanded, so has the rate of fraudsters engaging in identity theft. Cyber thieves who access one’s personally …
Debt-collection scams exploit the feelings of helplessness and overwhelm to lure victims. Let’s take a look at these scams and how to keep yourself from falling victim. How the scams play out In a debt-collection scam, a scammer posing as a debt collector will call a victim to demand payment for an outstanding debt. The caller insists on a specific …
Quick question: if a scammer was trying to pull off a con on two groups of people, one aged 13-21, and one aged 55+, which group would be more likely to fall for the scam? If you’d guess the group aged 55+, you may want to think again. Yes, older adults are a more vulnerable group that is also sometimes …
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the way we live and work. Unfortunately, though, it’s also revolutionizing the way scammers play their games. Here’s what you need to know about AI fraud and how to protect yourself. What is AI fraud? AI fraud is the use of artificial intelligence to deceive or defraud individuals or organizations. When using AI to pull …
When it comes to convenience, service and scale of products, nothing beats Amazon. Unfortunately, though, scammers leverage Amazon’s reputation in many unique ways. Here are five Amazon-related scams you need to know about. Update your order In this scam, a shopper places an order on Amazon and then gets a phone call or notice by email or text. It claims …
It’s tax season, and scammers are working overtime to get your money. Tax scams are as varied as they are common, but when you know what to look for, you can beat fraudsters at their game and keep them from getting your money and your information. If you hear or see any of the following 12 lines this tax season, …
No matter what’s going in with the economy, debt-collection scams are always around. Now, scammers are exploiting the financial downturn by tricking unsuspecting victims into paying for debts that don’t actually exist or using abusive tactics to collect legitimate debts. Don’t be the next victim of a debt-collection scam. Here’s all you need to know about these scams: How the …
