Scam Prevention

Higher Costs Make You a Bigger Scam Target: What to Watch For Now When money gets tight, it’s natural to look for ways to save, earn extra cash, or delay payments. Unfortunately, scammers know this and adjust their tactics accordingly. A recent survey reported by Fox 59 suggests that rising living costs are directly linked to an increase in scam attempts. While the exact methodology of that survey should be verified, the pattern itself is well documented by consumer protection agencies. Here’s what’s happening and how you can protect yourself without adding to your stress. ...

2026 Scam Survival Guide: How to Spot Social Media Traps and Digital Party Scams What’s going on Social media scams are getting harder to spot. In 2026, one of the newer tactics involves fake event invitations — often called “digital party traps.” Scammers create convincing-looking Facebook or Instagram events for parties, concerts, or giveaways, then flood users with friend requests and messages to claim a “limited spot.” The goal is usually to steal login credentials, payment details, or personal information. ...

How to Shop Safely on Prime Day: 9 Tips to Avoid Scams Prime Day and other major sales events are an ideal time for scammers. With millions of shoppers hunting for bargains, fraudulent sites, phishing emails, and fake offers multiply quickly. A recent PCMag article (June 11, 2026) highlighted the growing number of online shopping scams tied to these events, and the Federal Trade Commission has also noted seasonal spikes in fraud reports. The good news is that a few straightforward precautions can make a real difference. ...

How to Spot Fake Shopping Websites That Are Tricking AI Chatbots Like ChatGPT If you’ve asked ChatGPT for product recommendations lately, you’re not alone. More people are using AI chatbots as shopping assistants—typing in queries like “best wireless earbuds under $100” or “where to buy a reliable camping tent.” The results can feel convenient and human-like. But a growing number of scammers are taking advantage of that trust. ...

Beware of fake productivity apps: new malware uses signed files to avoid detection You’re running low on disk space and looking for a lightweight note-taking app. A quick search turns up a clean-looking download page with a familiar logo and a direct download link. The file is digitally signed—your computer doesn’t complain. That green checkmark used to mean something. Lately, it’s less reliable. ...

How to Spot Dangerous Productivity Apps That Steal Your Data Downloading a productivity app like Teams, Slack, or Zoom seems harmless. But over the past few weeks, security researchers have flagged a new malware campaign called “TamperedChef” that hides inside these very apps. The trick: the malicious files are cryptographically signed, meaning they appear legitimate to both users and antivirus software. Here’s what you need to know to avoid installing one. ...

Signed Productivity Apps Used to Spread TamperedChef Malware: What You Need to Know A recent malware campaign called TamperedChef is exploiting a tactic that many users don’t think to question: digitally signed applications. Security researchers reported the campaign in late May 2026, and it targets people who download productivity software like office tools, note-taking apps, and other utilities from the internet. Instead of using unsigned or suspicious files, the attackers hide malicious code inside apps that carry a valid digital signature. The payload includes information stealers and remote access Trojans (RATs). This article explains how the attack works and what you can do to avoid becoming a victim. ...

How to Protect Your Finances When Your Bank or Debt Collector Uses Insecure Email If you’ve been contacted by a debt collector, a mortgage administrator, or even your own bank via email, you might assume the message is secure. Recent reporting suggests that’s not always a safe assumption. A June 2026 article in NL Times highlighted that many financial administrators handling sensitive cases—especially those involving people in debt or financial difficulty—are using email systems with weak security. That puts vulnerable individuals at greater risk of phishing, identity theft, and fraud. ...

How to Spot Malware Disguised as a Signed Productivity App If you use apps like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Notion, you probably trust them because they come from well-known companies. That trust is exactly what a new malware campaign called TamperedChef is exploiting. The malware hides inside seemingly legitimate productivity applications that have been digitally signed—sometimes with stolen certificates, sometimes with fake ones. Once installed, it delivers information stealers and remote access trojans (RATs), giving attackers control over your system. ...

Hackers Are Hiding Malware in Common Productivity Apps – Here’s How to Stay Safe If you routinely download free tools like Notepad++, 7-Zip, or PDF editors from third-party download sites, a recent malware campaign should give you pause. Security researchers have identified a fresh wave of attacks, dubbed “TamperedChef,” that uses signed installers of popular productivity software to slip information stealers and remote access trojans (RATs) onto victims’ computers. ...