Romance scams on Valentine’s Day focus on widowed and divorced Americans in 2026
Beware of Romance Scams This Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is typically a time for connection. Yet, it’s also prime season for romance scammers. In 2026, the stakes are set to rise even more. Today’s romance scams go beyond the old “lonely hearts” cliché. They take advantage of artificial intelligence, data brokers, and stolen profiles. Instead […]
Warning about Microsoft email scams: Tips for identifying fraudulent messages
Scam emails are becoming more convincing, recently posing as urgent notifications from Microsoft about your email account. They certainly look serious. I mean, time sensitivity can really put pressure on a person. Lily contacted me, unsure if one of these messages was legitimate. “I could use your help because I’m not sure whether this email […]
Deepfake Scams Surge as AI Tools Become Easily Available
Deepfake Fraud at Industrial Scale Deepfake technology is now facilitating large-scale fraud, enabling almost anyone to create sophisticated scams that target individuals and organizations globally, as highlighted by a recent analysis from AI experts. This shift marks a transition from a niche threat to a widely accessible means for scammers. The AI incident database details […]
Fraudsters are now employing AI chatbots for financial scams
Users of artificial intelligence are increasingly leveraging chatbots for financial crimes, but the methods used are surprisingly straightforward. One notable technique involves something referred to as prompt injection, which essentially allows users to manipulate chatbots to acquire wealth at the expense of others. With AI models being open-sourced and accessible for modification, companies are attempting […]
Tips to steer clear of Super Bowl scams as experts alert to phony tickets and fraudulent websites
The Super Bowl is considered a prime opportunity for scammers, prompting warnings from online safety experts. Fans are advised to remain vigilant against counterfeit tickets and deceptive websites while hunting for tickets to the big game. Recently, before the Chicago Bears faced off against the Los Angeles Rams, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) alerted fans […]
Impersonation scams targeting 2026 taxpayers increase during tax season
Tax season often brings its own set of stresses, and it seems that 2026 might make things even trickier. With major changes to tax filing systems, particularly the end of government-run free filing options, many taxpayers are left unsure about what’s legal. This kind of uncertainty can unintentionally create opportunities for scammers, who are quick […]
Kid Rock alerts Congress that ‘greedy snakes’ are taking advantage of fans with ticket scams.
Kid Rock Criticizes Ticket Resale Practices WASHINGTON — To some in the ticketing world, he’s a bit of a troublemaker. Robert James Ritchie, known as Kid Rock, appeared before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee, wearing a cowboy hat. He urged lawmakers to address resale fraud by calling out the “greedy snakes and thugs” dominating the ticket […]
FTC alerts taxpayers about phone scams pretending to be IRS officials as the 2025 tax season approaches
Tax Fraud Emerges as the 2025 Filing Season Approaches As we get closer to the 2025 tax season, scams aimed at taxpayers are starting to pop up. Typically, tax season runs from January to April, so it’s that time again. The Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning regarding an increase in scams where individuals […]
FBI alerts about North Korean QR code scams aimed at users
FBI Warns About QR Code Phishing Threats The FBI has recently cautioned about a rising trend of cyber threats where QR codes are being exploited for espionage. Specifically, a group of hackers believed to be backed by the North Korean government is using a technique known as “kissing” to target individuals in the United States. […]
Scams increase in January as criminals go after tax information and personal details
Every January, I often hear similar stories. You know, people say things like, “I nearly fell for it because I got an email that seemed legitimate.” This isn’t just happenstance; January sees a spike in scam activity. While many of us are busy with taxes, benefits, and organizing our finances, scammers are also getting ready—updating […]