Scam

I Lost $150 to a Fake Store Recommended by ChatGPT — Here’s How to Avoid the Same Scam Like many people, I’ve been experimenting with using ChatGPT for shopping research. It’s fast, convenient, and seems to cut through the noise. Two weeks ago I asked it to find a good deal on a popular wireless speaker. Within seconds it returned a link to an online store I’d never heard of, priced $150 below what I’d seen elsewhere. The description looked professional, and the site had what appeared to be dozens of five-star reviews. I made the purchase. ...

How to Avoid TamperedChef Malware Hiding in Free Productivity Apps A new malware campaign called TamperedChef is using a trick that makes dangerous software look perfectly safe: valid digital signatures on fake versions of popular free apps like Notepad++. Because the malware is signed with authentic code signing certificates, it can slip past Windows Defender, macOS Gatekeeper, and other security checks that normally flag unsigned downloads. Here is what happened, why it matters for anyone who downloads free tools, and a practical checklist to verify an app before you install it. ...

How TamperedChef Malware Sneaks In Through Fake Productivity Apps (and How to Protect Yourself) If you’ve ever downloaded a free note-taking app or a calendar tool from a third-party website, you may have assumed it was safe because it didn’t trigger any security warnings. Unfortunately, a new malware campaign called TamperedChef is exploiting that trust by using legitimate-looking digital signatures. ...

TamperedChef Malware Tricks Users with Signed Productivity Apps – Here’s How to Stay Safe It’s easy to assume that if an app carries a digital signature, it’s safe. That assumption is exactly what a new malware campaign called TamperedChef is exploiting. Security researchers have documented attackers using apps that appear legitimate—complete with valid digital signatures—to deliver information stealers and remote access trojans (RATs). For anyone who regularly downloads productivity tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, or Notion, this represents a real and evolving threat. ...

Warning: Facebook ‘Aldi meat box’ scam steals your payment info – here’s how to stay safe A new phishing scam is making the rounds on Facebook, targeting anyone looking for a deal on groceries. According to a report published by Security Boulevard on May 19, 2026, scammers are running fake ads that promise steep discounts on Aldi meat box bundles. Clicking the ad leads to a convincing-looking phishing site, where victims are asked to enter their credit card details—only to have that information stolen and used for fraudulent charges. ...

How to Spot Fake Prom Dress Websites and Avoid Scams This Season Prom season is a stressful enough time for families without having to worry about losing money to a fraudulent website. Every spring, scammers set up fake online stores that offer prom dresses at deep discounts, only to disappear after taking payment—or worse, steal personal and financial information for identity theft. A recent alert from the Better Business Bureau serving the Hudson Valley region highlights this exact problem, but the threat is national. Here’s what happened, why it matters, and how you can protect yourself. ...

How to Spot an Online Boutique Scam: What a 17-Time Arrest Case Reveals If you buy clothes, accessories, or home goods from small online boutiques—especially those run through Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, or standalone e-commerce sites—you’ve likely encountered stores that look polished but feel a bit off. A recent case in South Carolina underscores just how common and organized these scams can be. A boutique owner was arrested 17 times this year in connection with an online shopping scam, raising questions about how consumers can tell the difference between a legitimate small business and a fraud operation. ...

This New Google Scam Looks Perfectly Real – Here’s How to Spot It A phishing campaign masquerading as official Google notifications has been gaining attention, with Reader’s Digest reporting on it on April 30, 2026. While Google has not confirmed this specific wave, the tactics are classic — and effective enough to trip up even cautious users. Here’s what you need to know to avoid getting caught. ...

This New Google Scam Looks Real—Here’s How to Spot It A convincing new phishing campaign is targeting Google users with fake account alerts that look nearly identical to official Google communications. The scam, reported by Reader’s Digest in late April 2026, employs realistic login pages and urgent language to trick people into handing over their credentials. Here’s what’s happening, why it’s dangerous, and how to protect yourself. ...

Warning! This New Google Scam Looks Totally Legit—But Whatever You Do, Don’t Click on It A highly convincing phishing scam targeting Google account users is making the rounds. It starts with an email that appears to come from Google—often a “security alert” or “unusual sign-in attempt” notice—and leads to a login page that looks identical to the real Google sign-in screen. If you enter your credentials, attackers capture them and gain full access to your Gmail, Drive, and any linked services. ...