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         August 27, 2026
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From fake education grants and Pell Grants to free laptop offers, discounted AI subscriptions, and delivery notifications, scammers are seeking to take advantage of the approaching new school year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFake education grant text messages are among the most prominent back-to-school scam trends Bitdefender Labs is seeing this season.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScammers are impersonating grant programs and promising thousands of dollars with \"no repayment required.\"\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOther campaigns offer fake scholarships, financial aid, or free laptops to lure victims into clicking phishing links.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhile SMS scam campaigns have reached people across the United States, our mobile telemetry shows that \u003Cstrong\u003EFlorida, Texas, Georgia, and California\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E have emerged as some of the most heavily targeted states.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEmail scammers are capitalizing on students' growing interest in AI by promoting fake or misleading premium AI subscriptions and study tools.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIncreased online shopping for school supplies also brings a rise in fake delivery and Amazon-related scams.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"fake-education-grant-texts-promise-thousands-of-dollars\"\u003EFake education grant texts promise thousands of dollars\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe largest SMS campaigns we've observed promise recipients between \u003Cstrong\u003E$6,500 and nearly $8,000\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E in education grants. Nearly every message follows the same formula: you've supposedly been selected, the money is waiting, and you must act immediately before the opportunity disappears.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome examples include:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\"Rick, Your $7,395 edu grant is set to expire on Thursday. No payback. Get your funds now. [Redacted Phishing Link] STOP to end.\"\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\"Patty, Your $7945.00 edu grant is expiring tonight. No payback. Get yours today before it expires 7\u002F30. [Redacted Phishing Link] STOP to end.\"\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender Labs telemetry shows these campaigns primarily target \u003Cstrong\u003EFlorida, Texas, and Georgia\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, although similar messages have been delivered to recipients across many other US states.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe goal isn't to award financial aid. Instead, victims are directed to phishing pages designed to collect personal information or persuade them to engage with fraudulent offers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"pell-grant-scams-make-the-messages-appear-legitimate\"\u003EPell Grant scams make the messages appear legitimate\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother variation abuses the name of the US Federal Pell Grant program to make scam messages sound more credible.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne example reads:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\"Denelle, your $6,850 Pell Grant is close to expiring. No repayment required. Confirm by Sunday before it closes. [Redacted Phishing Link] STOP to end.\"\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese messages again heavily targeted \u003Cstrong\u003ETexas, Georgia, and Florida\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, while similar scams were also observed elsewhere across the country.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe mention of a well-known government education program may encourage recipients to let their guard down, especially if they're actively seeking financial aid before the semester begins.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"money-for-school-texts-avoid-mentioning-government-programs\"\u003E\"Money for school\" texts avoid mentioning government programs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot every campaign pretends to be a government agency.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome simply promise money for education without explaining where it comes from.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\"Hi Tx, up to 7,395 is available for school and it's yours to keep. Check now: [Redacted Phishing Link] Reply Stop to Quit.\"\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese messages were most commonly seen targeting \u003Cstrong\u003ECalifornia, Florida, and Georgia\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, although recipients in other states also reported receiving similar texts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe vague wording is intentional. Rather than impersonating a specific organization, scammers simply tempt recipients with the promise of easy money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"free-laptop-offers-target-students\"\u003E\"Free laptop\" offers target students\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack-to-school shopping means many families are looking for affordable technology, making laptops another popular lure.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne campaign tells recipients:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\"HURRY! This New Laptop Opportunity Won't Last Long. Get One Delivered Right To You. Click Here: [Redacted Phishing Link] Text stop to end.\"\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInstead of receiving a free device, victims are directed to phishing websites or pages requesting personal information under the guise of verifying eligibility.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"ai-has-become-a-new-back-to-school-lure\"\u003EAI has become a new back-to-school lure\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's not just SMS campaigns that are evolving.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender's antispam telemetry shows scammers increasingly exploiting the popularity of AI tools among students.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne campaign spotted by researcher Viorel Zavoiu impersonates \u003Cstrong\u003EGoogle\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and advertises what appears to be a discounted \u003Cstrong\u003EGoogle AI Premium\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E subscription. The emails promote \u003Cstrong\u003E18 months of premium access for a one-time payment\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, encouraging recipients to believe they can unlock premium AI services at a heavily discounted price.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe emails rely on urgency and the promise of long-term premium access to persuade recipients to click embedded links before the offer supposedly expires.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs students prepare for classes, interest in AI assistants for research, writing, note-taking, coding, and other schoolwork creates an ideal opportunity for scammers to disguise fraudulent offers as useful educational tools.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"were-also-seeing-ai-themed-email-campaigns-such-as\"\u003EWe're also seeing AI-themed email campaigns such as:\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChatGPT Plus for students\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFree AI subscriptions\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPremium student AI accounts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEducation AI services\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAI study assistants\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAI homework tools\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot every email promoting AI tools is malicious. However, these themes are increasingly being used by scammers, spam operators, and affiliate marketers to attract clicks from students eager to prepare for the school year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"dont-forget-about-delivery-scams\"\u003EDon't forget about delivery scams\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack-to-school season also means millions of online purchases.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFamilies order laptops, backpacks, clothing, school supplies, textbooks and dorm essentials. Scammers know this all too well.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender researchers also see seasonal spikes in fake delivery notifications and Amazon-themed scams that claim there's a problem with an order or package.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese messages often urge recipients to:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVerify shipping information\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPay a small delivery fee\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EConfirm account details\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick a tracking link\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn reality, the links typically lead to phishing websites designed to steal login credentials or payment information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"why-these-scams-work\"\u003EWhy these scams work\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack-to-school season creates the perfect environment for social engineering.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParents are trying to reduce expenses. College students are searching for scholarships and grants. Adults returning to school may be looking for financial aid or discounts. At the same time, many people are buying new devices and experimenting with AI tools to prepare for classes.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScammers simply insert themselves into those everyday activities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy combining urgency, personalization, and promises of financial relief, they make fraudulent messages appear both timely and believable.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"red-flags-to-watch-for\"\u003ERed flags to watch for\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhether a message arrives by SMS or email, watch for these warning signs:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnexpected offers for grants, scholarships, or financial aid you never applied for.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClaims that money or benefits will expire within hours or days.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPromises of \"no repayment required\" or guaranteed approval.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMessages using your first name to appear legitimate.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnfamiliar or shortened links instead of official government, school, or company websites.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMisspelled words or unusual characters such as \u003Cstrong\u003E\"peII,\" \"CIaim,\"\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E or \u003Cstrong\u003E\"stiII,\"\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E which scammers sometimes use to bypass spam filters.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"the-trend-extends-beyond-the-united-states\"\u003EThe trend extends beyond the United States\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough the United States is currently experiencing the largest wave of back-to-school SMS scams in our telemetry, similar education-themed campaigns are appearing worldwide.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender Labs has also observed:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMalaysia:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Fake government aid programs offering free laptops for students and financial assistance.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENigeria:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Fraudsters impersonating youth empowerment and government grant programs to collect banking information.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKenya:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Fake student bursary schemes promising education funding.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIndia:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Bogus scholarship exams, AI education promotions, and scholarship giveaways.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPeru:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E WhatsApp campaigns promoting AI thesis-writing courses that pressure students into making payments.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"resurgence-of-%E2%80%98vote-for-my-child%E2%80%99-scams\"\u003EResurgence of ‘Vote for My Child’ scams\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIn Malta:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E we're also seeing a resurgence of the WhatsApp \"\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fwhatsapp-enabled-vote-for-my-child-scams-are-rapidly-spreading-across-europe-bitdefender-lab-warns\"\u003EVote for My Child\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\" scam previously documented by Bitdefender Labs. While the original campaign spread rapidly across Europe by asking victims to vote for a friend's child in a dance competition, the current variants increasingly use scholarship and education-related themes, asking recipients to support a student competing for tuition assistance or an educational prize. Once victims click the link, they're tricked into sharing their WhatsApp verification code, allowing attackers to hijack their account and continue spreading the scam through trusted contacts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExample: \"Hi! Could you please vote for Sonya? She's the daughter of my close friends, and this is her only chance to receive a scholarship for tuition‑free education. Thank you [Phishing Link]\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhile the names of the programs change from country to country, the tactics remain remarkably similar: exploit the cost of education, create urgency, promise financial assistance, and lure victims into handing over personal information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-stay-safe\"\u003EHow to stay safe\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore clicking any education-related offer, take a few moments to verify it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENever trust unsolicited texts or emails promising grants, scholarships, or free devices.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVisit official government, university, or school websites directly instead of following links in messages.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBe skeptical of offers that promise guaranteed approval or \"free money\" with no application process.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVerify suspicious links using \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E before opening them.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf you're unsure whether a message is a potential scam, ask \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScamio\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Bitdefender's free AI-powered scam detection tool, for a second opinion.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA layered \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fpremium-security\"\u003Esecurity solution\u003C\u002Fa\u003E with\u003Cstrong\u003E Scam Protection\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E can help detect phishing links, scam websites, malicious SMS messages, and other scam attempts before they reach you or trick you into handing over sensitive information.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisclaimer:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E&nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EThis article is published for informational and educational purposes only. The information presented is based on technical research conducted by Bitdefender Labs and publicly available sources. Bitdefender does not make any legal determination regarding the activities described herein. The mention of any company, brand, domain, or individual does not constitute an accusation of illegal activity. The technical indicators and behavioral patterns described reflect observations made at the time of research and may change over time. Readers should exercise their own judgment and consult appropriate authorities or legal counsel if they believe they have been affected by any of the activities described. Domain names and URLs listed in this article are provided solely to help consumers and security professionals identify potentially harmful infrastructure. Bitdefender disclaims any liability for actions taken based on the information in this article.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:w,name:x,slug:y,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,profile_image:p,cover_image:a,bio:q,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:"As millions of Americans prepare for a new school year, cybercriminals are launching their own seasonal scam campaigns.\n\nResearchers at Bitdefender Labs have identified multiple SMS and email campaigns targeting students, parents, teachers, and others preparing for the school year. From fake education grants and Pell Grants to free laptop offers, discounted AI subscriptions, and delivery notifications, scammers are seeking to take advantage of the approaching new school year.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n *",reading_time:ay,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fback-to-school-scam-report-2026\u002F"}],topPost:[{id:P,title:Q,slug:R,feature_image:S,featured:c,published_at:T,custom_excerpt:a,plaintext:"More than 120 technology, cybersecurity, financial and infrastructure organizations are urging companies and governments to strengthen digital defenses before increasingly capable AI systems make sophisticated cyberattacks faster, cheaper and more widespread.\n\nA coalition of technology companies, cybersecurity vendors, banks and other organizations is calling for an urgent global effort to strengthen cyber defenses as artificial intelligence reshapes the threat landscape.\n\nThe open letter, published by OpenAI, warns that organizations have a “limited window” to address longstanding security weaknesses before advanced AI capabilities become more widely available to attackers.\n\nSignatories include Amazon Web Services, Anthropic, Cloudflare, Google, Microsoft, Mastercard, Visa, Cisco, as well as major players in the cybersecurity sector.\n\nBut bringing so many influential companies into a single defensive effort also raises questions of trust, transparency and accountability. Consumers depend heavily on Big Tech, yet many remain wary of the companies building and deploying the most powerful AI systems.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n\n * More than 120 organizations have signed an open letter calling for a global surge in cyber defense\n * The coalition warns that AI-enabled cyberattacks could grow much more widespread and sophisticated in the coming months\n * Hospitals, water utilities, local governments and internet infrastructure are highlighted as areas of particular concern\n * Governments and businesses are urged to invest in AI-powered defensive tools, threat-intelligence sharing and vulnerability remediation\n * Bitdefender research shows that public trust in the technology companies leading the AI transition is sharply divided\n * Strong oversight, transparency and human accountability will be essential if AI is to play a larger role in cyber defense\n\n\n\nA race to fix old security weaknesses\n\n\n\nThe letter describes AI as a force multiplier for both attackers and defenders.\n\nMore advanced models can help threat actors discover vulnerabilities, analyze complex systems, write malicious code and automate parts of an attack. This could allow smaller or less-skilled groups to carry out operations that previously required substantial time, expertise and money.\n\nBut many of the weaknesses AI could help exploit are not new. They include unpatched software, insecure configurations, excessive user permissions, weak authentication and technical debt accumulated in legacy systems.\n\nThe coalition argues that the existing approach to security will no longer be enough once attackers can find and exploit these gaps at machine speed. The concern is particularly acute for critical infrastructure, where outdated technology and limited security budgets can make it hard to replace vulnerable systems or deploy patches without disrupting essential services.\n\nHospitals, water-treatment facilities, local governments and the systems underpinning the internet are among the services singled out as at risk.\n\n\nThe same technology can give defenders an advantage\n\n\n\nAI can also help security teams review code, find vulnerabilities, investigate alerts and prioritize remediation faster.\n\nThis creates what OpenAI has separately described as “the defender’s window”— a period in which organizations can still use advanced models to locate and repair weaknesses before offensive AI capabilities spread more widely.\n\nIn one example, OpenAI President Greg Brockman said an AI agent found 13 potential security issues on his personal website in about 15 minutes. The system then helped address problems involving email-spoofing protections, an outdated software component and an unencrypted connection between two hosting services.\n\nSuch tools could be particularly valuable for smaller organizations that lack large security teams. However, the open letter emphasizes that AI is no substitute for basic cyber hygiene. Strong access controls, secure architecture, timely patching, network isolation and defense in depth remain essential.\n\n\nFour groups are being asked to act\n\n\n\nThe initiative divides responsibility among organizations, cybersecurity providers, governments and frontier AI companies.\n\nBusinesses and public-sector leaders are urged to make cybersecurity an immediate priority, address their most dangerous vulnerabilities and apply stricter security standards to the technology they buy, build and deploy—including AI-generated code.\n\nCybersecurity companies and technology partners are asked to test their defenses continuously against emerging AI capabilities, incorporate AI into existing security tools and share threat intelligence and proven response playbooks.\n\nGovernments are called on to improve coordination across borders, fund cyber defense and expand access to advanced defensive capabilities. The letter places particular emphasis on hospitals, water utilities and local authorities that may lack the staff or resources to prepare independently.\n\nAI developers, meanwhile, are asked to provide responsible access to capable models, along with funding, training and hands-on assistance. The initiative also calls for traceable AI-agent identities, continuous monitoring, authorized security testing and responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities.\n\n\nWhat about public trust?\n\n\n\nThe coalition brings together some of the most powerful and widely used technology companies in the world. Their participation gives the initiative considerable technical reach, but public acceptance can’t be taken for granted.\n\nA Bitdefender survey of more than 7,000 internet users across seven countries found that trust varies considerably between major technology brands.\n\nNearly nine in 10 respondents said they trusted Google to some extent, while 85% said the same about Microsoft. Both companies signed the cyber-defense letter.\n\nIronically, OpenAI, which published the initiative, faces greater skepticism, with 45% of respondents expressing suspicion toward the company.\n\nThe findings expose a key tension. Consumers want technology companies to protect the services and information they rely on, but they also want to know how those companies use their data, how automated systems make decisions and who is accountable when something goes wrong.\n\nThat becomes especially important when AI tools are given access to sensitive code, infrastructure configurations, security alerts or operational systems. Defensive agents will need clearly defined permissions, strong monitoring and human oversight—particularly when their actions could affect essential services.\n\nCollective cyber defense therefore depends on more than access to powerful technology. It also requires transparency, safeguards and evidence that the tools work as intended without creating new privacy or security risks.\n\n\nWhat this means for consumers\n\n\n\nA successful attack on a hospital, bank, utility provider or local government can expose personal information, interrupt essential services and create opportunities for follow-up phishing, identity theft and financial fraud. AI may also help criminals personalize scam messages, imitate trusted organizations and operate fraudulent campaigns on a much larger scale.\n\nConsumers can’t manually fix vulnerabilities inside every service they use, but they can reduce their personal exposure by installing updates promptly, using unique passwords or passkeys, enabling multifactor authentication, reviewing app permissions and treating unexpected requests for money or credentials with caution.\n\nOrganizations, however, carry the larger responsibility. As AI lowers the barriers to sophisticated cyber activity, leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched or accounts overprivileged becomes increasingly risky.\n\nThe coalition’s message is ultimately one of urgency rather than inevitability: AI can (and likely will) increase the reach of cyberattacks, but it can also help defenders find and close weaknesses faster.\n\nOn topic:\n\nAI isn’t your lawyer or doctor: New York lawmakers say it’s time to draw the line\n\nDeepfakes are making romance scams harder to doubt\n\nBritain’s big push to make the internet safer",authors:[{id:F,name:G,slug:H,profile_image:I,cover_image:a,bio:J,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:z,name:A,slug:B,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:U,url:V},{id:az,title:aA,slug:aB,feature_image:aC,featured:c,published_at:aD,custom_excerpt:a,plaintext:"Back-to-school season is here again.\n\nNew school year, new routines, new devices and plenty to organize. While you're working through the usual back-to-school list, it's a good time to check how your family is protecting its accounts, devices, money and personal information online.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Back-to-school scams can hide in everyday activities. Think shopping deals, delivery messages, school emails, rentals, jobs and student discounts.\n * Slow down whenever money or personal information is involved. Urgency and unusually good deals are common scam warning signs.\n * Protect the basics. Unique passwords, 2FA, updates and private social media accounts go a long way.\n * Older students face different risks. Rental, textbook, scholarship and job scams become more important as teenagers gain independence.\n * Make asking for help normal. Kids should know they can show a parent or trusted adult a suspicious message without getting into trouble.\n\nAlong with buying clothes, notebooks, and school supplies, parents may be shopping for a new laptop, setting up school accounts, and downloading apps. Older students might be hunting for cheaper textbooks, a room to rent or a part-time job.\n\nAll of that creates opportunities for scammers. A bargain laptop could be advertised by a fake shop. A student could receive a phishing email telling them their school account is about to expire. A great-looking apartment near campus might not actually be for rent.\n\nBefore the school year gets into full swing, it's worth spending a few minutes checking the devices and accounts your family relies on and talking about the scams and privacy risks your kids may come across.\n\nHere's a practical back-to-school cybersecurity checklist you can go through together:\n\n\n1. Shop carefully for back-to-school deals\n\nBack-to-school shopping can get expensive, especially when laptops, tablets, phones or other electronics are on the list. Looking for a bargain makes sense, but be careful with unusually large discounts advertised through social media, email, search results or unfamiliar online stores.\n\nIf a laptop that normally costs $800 suddenly appears for $250, check the seller before reaching for your card. Compare prices with established retailers, look at independent reviews, and inspect the website address. Be wary of countdown timers, claims that only a few items remain, and sellers asking for gift cards, cryptocurrency or other unusual payment methods.\n\nShopping season can also mean more delivery scams. If you receive a text claiming that a package couldn't be delivered or that you need to pay a small redelivery fee, check the order through the retailer or courier's official website or app instead of using the link in the message.\n\n\n2. Get school devices and accounts ready\n\nBefore classes start, update the phones, tablets and laptops your children will use and enable automatic updates where possible. It's also a good time to remove apps they no longer need and check that important accounts have strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA).\n\nPay particular attention to email accounts because they are often used to reset passwords for other services. Kids should also know never to share login or verification codes with anyone, including someone who claims a code was accidentally sent to their phone.\n\n\n3. Do a quick privacy check\n\nBack-to-school is also a good time to see how much information your family is sharing online. A first-day-of-school photo, for example, could reveal a child's school, age, teacher or location, while their social media profile might show their birthday, sports team or daily routine.\n\nGo through privacy settings together, review followers, switch off unnecessary location sharing, and check which apps have access to the camera, microphone, contacts, and photos. Encourage kids to think about whether a person, app, or website actually needs the information it's asking for before they share it.\n\n\n4. Talk about the scams kids actually see\n\nPhishing isn't limited to suspicious emails about bank accounts. For kids and teenagers, it can be a message asking, “Is this you in this photo?”, an offer of free in-game currency, a fake prize, or a warning that their school or social media account is about to be deleted.\n\nThe subject may change, but these messages tend to create enough excitement, worry or curiosity to get someone to click a link or hand over a password, verification code, payment or personal information.\n\nTalk through a few examples with your kids and encourage them to check with you when they're unsure. A message isn't necessarily safe just because it comes from someone they know either. A friend's social media or gaming account could have been compromised and used to send scams to their contacts.\n\n\n5. Older students have a few more scams to watch for\n\nTeenagers and college students may be making bigger financial decisions on their own, particularly if they're moving away from home. Rentals, textbooks, scholarships, and part-time jobs can all involve scams.\n\nFor accommodation, verify the property and the person renting it before paying a deposit, especially if they won't arrange a viewing or claim to be out of the country. When buying second-hand textbooks, stick to reputable marketplaces and their payment systems, and be careful with supposedly free textbook downloads from unfamiliar websites.\n\nJob and scholarship offers deserve the same scrutiny. A legitimate employer shouldn't ask you to pay a fee, buy gift cards or transfer money to get a job, and a scholarship provider shouldn't demand payment to release an award.\n\nA room that's far cheaper than everything else nearby, an unusually well-paid job that requires no experience or a guaranteed scholarship are all worth checking before sending money or personal information.\n\n\n6. Make it easy for kids to tell you when something goes wrong\n\nOne of the most important conversations you can have before school starts is also one of the simplest: If something goes wrong online, tell me.\n\nKids sometimes hide mistakes because they're afraid of getting in trouble or losing access to their phone, social media or games. If they've clicked a phishing link, shared a password, bought something from a fake store, or are being threatened online, however, finding out quickly gives you a better chance of helping.\n\nMake suspicious messages something you can look at together rather than something they need to deal with alone.\n\n\nYour 10-minute back-to-school cybersecurity checklist\n\nBefore school starts:\n\n * Update phones, tablets and laptops.\n * Replace weak or reused passwords.\n * Enable 2FA on important accounts.\n * Review social media privacy and location sharing.\n * Check app permissions.\n * Talk about phishing and verification-code scams.\n * Be cautious with unfamiliar back-to-school stores and huge discounts.\n * Show older students examples of rental, job and scholarship scams.\n * Remind kids not to post student IDs or sensitive school information.\n * Agree that suspicious messages, purchases or requests can always be brought to you.\n\n\nFree tools to keep on hand this school year\n\nYou won't always know whether a message, website or phone call is legitimate. Sometimes getting a second opinion is the easiest thing to do.\n\nBitdefender Scamio is our free AI-powered scam detector you can use to check suspicious texts, emails, links and QR codes. So, if your teenager gets an amazing job offer over WhatsApp, or you're not sure about a message asking you to pay for a delivery, you can send it to Scamio for a quick check.\n\nBitdefender Link Checker is useful when the question is simply, “Should I click this?” Paste in a URL from a back-to-school sale, rental listing, student offer, or unsolicited message, and it will check it for phishing, malware, and fraudulent websites.\n\nBitdefender Reverse Phone Lookup can also come in handy when you or your kids receive calls from unfamiliar numbers.\n\n\nOne plan for the family's everyday online life\n\nIf you want protection that doesn't depend on someone remembering to check every suspicious link or message, a Bitdefender Family Plan has you covered.\n\nThat means protection can follow the family through the things everyone already does online: kids browsing and doing homework, teenagers downloading apps and using their own devices, and parents shopping, checking email or managing family accounts.\n\nParents also get Parental Control, with tools for managing internet time, filtering content and setting routines, while family members can have roles appropriate to their age rather than everyone sharing one account.\n\nIt's a practical way to keep the family's devices and online activities protected under the same plan, during back-to-school season and for the rest of the year.",authors:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,profile_image:p,cover_image:a,bio:q,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:aE,name:aF,slug:aG,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:aH,url:aI},{id:aJ,title:aK,slug:aL,feature_image:aM,featured:c,published_at:aN,custom_excerpt:W,plaintext:"Even if it’s not immediately obvious, bank accounts hold something that can be just as useful as cash: a detailed record of your financial life. Transactions can reveal where you work, what services you use, who sends you money, when you pay bills and which other accounts may be connected to your name.\n\nThat information can help enable identity theft, more convincing scams and fraud that unfolds over time.\n\nA criminal breaking into a bank account with no money in it doesn’t make the breach harmless.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * A low balance does not make a compromised bank account safe\n * Transaction histories can expose personal details criminals can use in follow-up scams\n * Attackers may wait for incoming payments, exploit connected services or try reused passwords elsewhere\n * A compromised account can also be used to receive and move stolen money\n * Report suspicious access or transactions to your bank immediately\n\n\n\nAn empty account is not an empty target\n\nThe obvious risk of a bank account takeover is theft. A criminal can transfer money, make purchases or attempt withdrawals. But the account balance is not the only valuable aspect.\n\nSomeone with access to an account can see regular salary payments, tax refunds, benefits, insurance payments, reimbursements or transfers from relatives. They may wait for money to arrive.\n\nThey will also look for services connected to the account, including payment apps, debit cards, overdraft facilities, savings accounts or automatic bill payments. What is available depends on the bank and the account, but even limited access can give criminals useful information or options.\n\nThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises people to monitor accounts for unfamiliar activity, including small charges or debits. These may be attempts to test whether stolen details work before a larger fraud attempt.\n\n\nYour transaction history can become a fraud playbook\n\nA bank statement is often a surprisingly detailed profile of a person’s life. It reveals employers, utility providers, insurers, subscriptions, mortgage or rent payments, medical providers, travel plans and shopping habits.\n\nThat information can help criminals build a more believable lie. Instead of sending a generic phishing message, they may impersonate a bank, delivery company, employer or family member using details that make the message seem credible.\n\nFor example, an attacker who sees a regular payment from an insurer might send a fake “policy update” email. Someone who notices regular transfers between family members may attempt an impersonation scam that appears to come from a relative in need.\n\n\nCompromised banking details can lead to identity theft\n\nFinancial information is valuable because it can be combined with data stolen from other data breaches. A name, address, account number, payment history and contact details may help criminals impersonate a victim, attempt to open accounts or answer security questions.\n\nIdentity theft does not always become visible immediately. Warning signs can include bills for things you did not buy, debt collection calls, unfamiliar accounts on a credit report or loan applications being denied unexpectedly. USAGov’s identity theft guidance recommends reporting suspected identity theft to the affected financial institutions and taking action to protect your credit where appropriate.\n\n\nCriminals may try the same password elsewhere\n\nA bank account takeover can also confirm that a username and password combination works.\n\nIf the victim reused that password, as many people do, criminals may try it on email, shopping, social media, payment and cryptocurrency accounts. Access to email is especially valuable because it can allow attackers to reset passwords for other services.\n\nThis is why changing only the bank password may not be enough. If you used that password anywhere else, change it there too. The FTC specifically recommends creating a new, strong password and changing it on any other accounts where it was reused.\n\n\nYour account could be used to move stolen money\n\nCriminals sometimes use other people’s accounts to receive and transfer stolen funds. This is known as money mule activity.\n\nA victim may not realize their account has been used this way until they see unexplained transfers, hear from their bank or face questions about suspicious activity.\n\nThe FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center warns that money mule schemes can expose people to identity theft, financial losses and serious legal consequences, even when they were not fully aware of the wider scheme.\n\nA compromised account is therefore not just a victim’s problem. It can become part of the criminal infrastructure used to target other people.\n\n\nWhat to do if you think someone accessed your bank account\n\n * Act quickly, even if no money appears to be missing\n * Contact your bank using the number on its official website, app or the back of your card\n * Report unfamiliar transactions, new payees, changed contact details or login alerts\n * Change your online-banking password and enable multi-factor authentication if your bank has this option\n * Change any reused password on email, payment and shopping accounts\n * Review connected cards, payment apps, direct debits and account alerts\n * Check your account statements over the following weeks for delayed or small fraudulent transactions\n * If personal information was exposed, follow your country’s identity-theft reporting and credit-monitoring guidance\n\n\nNever rely on a phone number or link sent in an unexpected text or email claiming to be from your bank. Find the bank’s official contact details independently.\n\n\nBetter protection starts before a breach\n\nUse a unique password for every financial account and store it in a reputable password manager. Turn on multi-factor authentication, keep your phone and computer updated, and avoid using links in unexpected messages.\n\nA security solution can also help block malicious websites and phishing attempts before they reach a fake banking page. Bitdefender Ultimate Security includes protection designed to help keep phishing, scams and identity-related threats from turning into a larger problem.\n\n\nFAQ\n\n\nCan someone steal money from an empty bank account?\n\nPossibly, depending on the account’s features and linked payment methods. But even if there is no money to take immediately, criminals may wait for incoming payments or use the account data for other fraud.\n\n\nWhy would a hacker want my bank statements?\n\nStatements can reveal personal information, regular payments, employers, services you use and people you send money to. Criminals can use these details to make scams more convincing.\n\n\nCan a hacked bank account lead to identity theft?\n\nYes. Banking details may be combined with other stolen personal information to impersonate you, attempt account fraud or target you with more believable scams.\n\n\nWhat is a money mule account?\n\nA money mule account is used to receive or transfer money connected to crime. Criminals may use compromised accounts, or trick people into moving money for them.\n\n\nWhat should I do if my bank account was compromised but no money was taken?\n\nContact your bank immediately, secure your login credentials, review recent activity and change any reused passwords. Do not wait for a financial loss to appear.",authors:[{id:ac,name:ad,slug:ae,profile_image:af,cover_image:ag,bio:ah,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:ai,name:aj,slug:ak,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:W,url:aO}],postsWhite:[{id:P,title:Q,slug:R,feature_image:S,featured:c,published_at:T,custom_excerpt:a,html:al,authors:[{id:F,name:G,slug:H,profile_image:I,cover_image:a,bio:J,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:z,name:A,slug:B,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:U,reading_time:s,url:V},{id:aP,title:aQ,slug:aR,feature_image:aS,featured:c,published_at:aT,custom_excerpt:a,html:aU,authors:[{id:aV,name:aW,slug:aX,profile_image:aY,cover_image:a,bio:aZ,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:a_,reading_time:C,url:a$},{id:am,title:an,slug:ao,feature_image:ap,featured:c,published_at:aq,custom_excerpt:D,html:ar,authors:[{id:X,name:Y,slug:Z,profile_image:_,cover_image:a,bio:$,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:t,name:l,slug:u,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:K,name:L,slug:M,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:D,reading_time:C,url:as}],postsBlack:[{id:am,title:an,slug:ao,feature_image:ap,featured:c,published_at:aq,custom_excerpt:D,html:ar,authors:[{id:X,name:Y,slug:Z,profile_image:_,cover_image:a,bio:$,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:t,name:l,slug:u,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:K,name:L,slug:M,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:D,reading_time:C,url:as},{id:"6a84658d8beeea9658028f40",title:"French tax authority breach exposes data of 678,000 people and businesses",slug:"france-dgfip-data-breach-678000-affected",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002FFrench-tax-authority-breach-exposes-data-of-678-000-people-and-businesses.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-18T17:55:10.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EFrance's tax authority has confirmed a major data breach affecting 678,000 individuals and professionals after cybercriminals gained access to systems of the Direction générale des Finances publiques (DGFiP).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe disclosure came after a threat actor publicly claimed responsibility for the attack and advertised allegedly stolen DGFiP information on a cybercrime forum.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E678,000 individuals and professionals are confirmed to have been affected\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAttackers accessed tax and property-related information, including reference taxable income, family quotient, withholding tax rates, property addresses and property sizes\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFor businesses, exposed information included company names and SIREN identification numbers\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDGFiP says users' online tax accounts were not compromised, and usernames and passwords belonging to individuals and businesses were not exposed\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAffected users can expect to be contacted directly by DGFiP by email or postal mail, with information about what data may have been accessed or stolen\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-happened-in-the-dgfip-data-breach\"\u003EWhat happened in the DGFiP data breach?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the French government, the attacker gained access to DGFiP information systems in June and July using compromised credentials.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDGFiP says it terminated access for the accounts involved after detecting the intrusions. However, initial access checks did not reveal that data had also been stolen, which authorities attributed to the attack's sophistication.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFollowing claims made by the attacker on August 12 and 13, investigators conducted a deeper analysis and determined that the unauthorized access had been used to view and extract information belonging to \u003Cstrong\u003E678,000 people and professionals\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpresse.economie.gouv.fr\u002Facces-illegitime-au-systeme-dinformation-de-la-direction-generale-des-finances-publiques\u002F\"\u003Eincident\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is now being investigated by France's national cybersecurity agency, ANSSI. DGFiP has also notified the French data protection authority, CNIL, and said it will file a criminal complaint.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-information-was-exposed\"\u003EWhat information was exposed?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe confirmed compromised information includes some sensitive financial and tax-related details.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor individuals, the exposed data includes \u003Cstrong\u003Ereference taxable income, family quotient and withholding tax rates\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Cadastral information was also accessed, including \u003Cstrong\u003Eproperty addresses and property sizes\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor businesses, the stolen information may include \u003Cstrong\u003Ecompany names and SIREN numbers\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImportantly, DGFiP says personal and professional accounts available through its online services were \u003Cstrong\u003Enot compromised\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and users' usernames and passwords were not stolen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-should-affected-users-expect\"\u003EWhat should affected users expect?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDGFiP says it will contact each affected individual and professional directly by email or postal mail. Those notifications should explain which information may have been stolen and provide recommendations on precautions users should take.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven without exposed passwords, however, the stolen information could create opportunities for highly convincing fraud.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETax information, property details and other data can give scammers valuable context when impersonating tax authorities, banks or other organizations. Affected users should therefore be particularly cautious about unexpected messages claiming to come from DGFiP or another government service, especially those asking them to verify an account, provide additional information, follow a link or make a payment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-can-you-stay-safe-after-the-dgfip-breach\"\u003EHow can you stay safe after the DGFiP breach?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you receive a notification from DGFiP, don’t panic. Read it carefully and check what information was affected. Keep in mind that scammers may also try to take advantage of news about the breach by sending fake notifications of their own.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere are a few precautions you can take:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChange your password as a precaution.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E DGFiP says taxpayer usernames and passwords were not compromised. Still, consider updating the password you use for your tax account, particularly if you have used it on another website. Use a strong, unique password for every important account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever it's available.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe wary of breach-related scams.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Watch for unexpected emails, texts or calls claiming to come from DGFiP, tax officials, banks or other government services. Criminals could potentially use stolen tax and property information to make their stories sound more convincing.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon't trust someone simply because they know information about you.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Just because caller knows details about your finances, taxes or property doesn’t mean he’s legitimate. Never provide passwords, banking information or verification codes in response to an unsolicited request.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon't click first and investigate later.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Be especially cautious with messages about tax refunds, unpaid taxes, compromised accounts or urgent verification requests. Instead of following the provided link, navigate directly to the organization's official website.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck suspicious messages and links for free.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E If you're unsure whether something you've received is legitimate, ask \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, our free AI-powered scam detector, to analyze suspicious messages, emails, QR codes and links. You can also check suspicious URLs with the free \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E before opening them.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKeep an eye on your exposed personal information.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Digital Identity Protection\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E helps you monitor your digital footprint and alerts you when your personal information is found in data breaches and leaks.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlso, remember that information stolen in a data breach can remain useful to criminals long after the initial incident. Tax, financial and property information could also be combined with data obtained from other breaches to build a more complete profile of a potential victim, making future phishing, impersonation and social engineering attempts harder to spot.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,profile_image:p,cover_image:a,bio:q,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:K,name:L,slug:M,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:t,name:l,slug:u,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:"France's tax authority has confirmed a major data breach affecting 678,000 individuals and professionals after cybercriminals gained access to systems of the Direction générale des Finances publiques (DGFiP).\n\nThe disclosure came after a threat actor publicly claimed responsibility for the attack and advertised allegedly stolen DGFiP information on a cybercrime forum.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * 678,000 individuals and professionals are confirmed to have been affected\n * Attackers accessed tax and prope",reading_time:ba,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Ffrance-dgfip-data-breach-678000-affected\u002F"},{id:"6a8462c18beeea9658028f25",title:"Phone number leaked in the Bloctel breach? Here’s what to do.",slug:"bloctel-data-breach-phone-numbers-leaked",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002FPhone-number-leaked-in-the-Bloctel-breach-Here-s-what-to-do..png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-18T16:56:31.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EIf you’re a French citizen who registered your phone number with Bloctel to avoid unwanted marketing calls, you may want to be extra careful about unexpected calls and messages.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrance's Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has warned that a cybercriminal obtained files containing 3 million phone numbers, including 600,000 registered with Bloctel.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E3 million phone numbers were exposed, including around 600,000 registered with Bloctel\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENames, addresses and other personal information were not exposed in this incident, according to French authorities\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECriminals could combine leaked phone numbers with information from previous data breaches or other sources to identify and target individuals\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAffected users should be wary of suspicious calls, texts, password-reset requests and unexpected SIM changes\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBloctel officially closed on Aug. 11 as France moved to an opt-in system for commercial telephone calls\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-can-a-leaked-phone-number-still-be-useful-to-scammers\"\u003EHow can a leaked phone number still be useful to scammers?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA phone number on its own provides relatively little information. The problem is that criminals don't use information from just one breach.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENames, email addresses, passwords, dates of birth, addresses and other personal information have been exposed in countless previous data breaches.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your phone number appears in one leaked dataset and your name or email address appears in another, criminals may connect the dots. They can also search social media, public records and other online sources for additional information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd if they still don't know enough about you, they may simply try to get you to reveal it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA scammer might call pretending to represent your bank, mobile provider or another trusted organization. Knowing your phone number or a few other details collected from elsewhere can make the story considerably more convincing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-should-affected-bloctel-users-watch-out-for\"\u003EWhat should affected Bloctel users watch out for?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpresse.economie.gouv.fr\u002Fla-dgccrf-met-en-garde-les-consommateurs-a-la-suite-dune-fuite-de-donnees-sur-bloctel\u002F\"\u003EDGCCRF\u003C\u002Fa\u003E recommends being cautious about unknown calls and text messages, avoiding suspicious links and never disclosing personal information over the phone.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConsumers should also watch for unusual activity they didn't initiate, particularly \u003Cstrong\u003ESIM card changes and password updates\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. If your phone number is used as the login identifier for an online service, the DGCCRF recommends changing your password.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnexpected authentication codes, password-reset messages and account recovery notifications should also get your attention.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf someone calls claiming to represent your bank, mobile operator or another company and asks for sensitive information, end the conversation and contact the organization yourself using an official phone number, website or app.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"put-some-extra-defenses-around-your-phone-number\"\u003EPut some extra defenses around your phone number\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your phone number has been exposed, a few additional tools can help you spot suspicious activity and scams.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck your digital footprint.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\"\u003EBitdefender Digital Identity Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can help you monitor your personal information and discover whether your data has been exposed. This can be particularly useful when a phone number may be linked to information leaked elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck suspicious messages before acting.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E If you receive an unexpected SMS, email, QR code or other suspicious communication, you can ask \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to analyze it and help determine whether you're dealing with a scam.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck unfamiliar phone numbers.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E If you receive a call from a number you don't recognize, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Freverse-phone-lookup\"\u003EBitdefender Reverse Phone Lookup\u003C\u002Fa\u003E lets you check the number for signs of spam or scam activity before you decide whether to call back or engage with the caller.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReduce unwanted and suspicious calls.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fmobile-security-android\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003EBitdefender Mobile Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for Android includes \u003Cstrong\u003ECall Blocking\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, which can automatically block known scam and spam callers. Its AI-powered detection can also identify suspicious calling patterns, including unusual or potentially spoofed numbers, while users can create their own block lists for unwanted callers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo tool can prevent every fraudulent call, particularly when criminals continually change or spoof phone numbers. Treat these protections as another layer of defense alongside healthy skepticism about unexpected callers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"bloctel-has-officially-closed\"\u003EBloctel has officially closed\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe incident arrived just before the end of Bloctel itself.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBloctel officially closed on Aug. 11, 2026.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E France now operates under an opt-in system for commercial telephone calls. Instead of consumers having to register their refusal to receive marketing calls, businesses must generally obtain explicit, prior and traceable consent before calling and be able to prove that consent was given.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConsumers who receive commercial calls without providing consent can report them through SignalConso, request that the company delete their information, and preserve evidence such as the caller's number and the date and time of the call.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,profile_image:p,cover_image:a,bio:q,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:K,name:L,slug:M,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:t,name:l,slug:u,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:"If you’re a French citizen who registered your phone number with Bloctel to avoid unwanted marketing calls, you may want to be extra careful about unexpected calls and messages.\n\nFrance's Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) has warned that a cybercriminal obtained files containing 3 million phone numbers, including 600,000 registered with Bloctel.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * 3 million phone numbers were exposed, including around 600,000 registered with",reading_time:ba,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbloctel-data-breach-phone-numbers-leaked\u002F"},{id:"6a7ae0d58beeea9658028a4a",title:"Identity Theft Prevention: How to Protect Your SSN & Credit",slug:"identity-theft-prevention",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002FIdentity-Theft-Prevention-How-to-Protect-Your-SSN---Credit.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-11T11:53:54.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EUS consumers lost $27.3 billion to identity theft and related fraud in 2025, according to Javelin Strategy &amp; Research's\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjavelinstrategy.com\u002Fwhitepapers\u002F2026-identity-fraud-study-illusion-progress\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fjavelinstrategy.com\u002Fwhitepapers\u002F2026-identity-fraud-study-illusion-progress\"\u003E2026 Identity Fraud Study\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Losses held roughly steady from the year before, when they had climbed 19%, yet the number of victims rose across every fraud category, with new-account fraud growing the fastest.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMuch of the cost comes from a delay, since stolen data can circulate for years before it surfaces as a fraudulent account. Moreover, the\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.idtheftcenter.org\u002F\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003EIdentity Theft Resource Center found that 80% of consumers received at least one data breach notice in the past year, often with no clear sense of what happened to the exposed information afterward. Sounds familiar?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIdentity thieves are getting more efficient and more common. The Federal Trade Commission states that reports filed in the first nine months of 2025 already passed the full-year total for 2024.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut there are ways to protect your personal information, as most identity theft prevention is within your control. That is why this guide aims to cover the habits, monitoring, and services that reduce your exposure, and what to do the moment you suspect fraud.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey Takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EIdentity theft and identity fraud are different problems.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Theft is when someone steals your personal information, while fraud is what they do with it. Knowing which stage you are in tells you how to respond.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EPrevention works in layers.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Offline habits, strong account security, and monitoring each close a different gap. A protection service shortens the time a thief can operate before you catch it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EMonitoring catches fraud early, while a credit freeze stops it at the source.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Especially in the US, freezing your credit is free and blocks most new credit accounts in your name. Monitoring alerts you when something gets through via your chosen financial institutions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EProtection works globally.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Credit freezes are a US tool, but dark web monitoring, breach alerts, and data-privacy rights under laws like GDPR give people outside the US real options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-identity-theft-is-and-why-it-differs-from-fraud\"\u003EWhat identity theft is, and why it differs from fraud\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-5.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"975\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-5.png 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-5.png 975w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Funsplash.com\u002Fphotos\u002Fwhite-printer-paper-on-red-textile-xKmXZ4Fv63w\"\u003ESource\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIdentity theft and identity fraud describe two stages of the same crime, and they call for different responses.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Identity theft is the unauthorized capture of your personal information, such as your social security number, birth date, online account credentials, or credit card number.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Identity fraud is what criminals do with it, from opening new credit accounts to filing a false tax return or taking out loans in your name.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKnowing which stage you are in tells you what to do next. For example, a leaked email address means you tighten passwords and turn on alerts. A fraudulent account already opened in your name means you start the recovery steps covered later in this guide.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThieves also commit crimes with less than you would expect. A birth date from social media, an old address from a data breach, or a phone number from a leaked list can be enough to verify your identity somewhere and open the door.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome go further and combine real and fake details, sometimes using a child's unused Social Security number, to build a synthetic identity that goes undetected for years.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-thieves-get-your-identity-with-or-without-your-ssn-us-first\"\u003EHow thieves get your identity, with or without your SSN (US-first)\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou don't really need to lose your Social Security number to become a victim. Criminals build identities from whatever they can reach, and many of the most common routes never touch your SSN. For example, a name paired with an email, a birth date, an account number, and other personal information (seemingly harmless) can be enough to bypass initial identity verification layers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"data-breaches-and-the-dark-web\"\u003EData breaches and the dark web\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData breaches are a routine part of online life, and the exposure outlasts the notice. Stolen records can sit on the dark web for years, so a breach you have forgotten can resurface as fraud much later. Identity theft monitoring solutions scan the dark web for your exposed personal information and alert you when it shows up.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPS: This is where a tool like\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\"\u003EBitdefender Digital Identity Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can save you, as it scans the public web and dark web for leaks tied to your accounts, so you learn about exposure while you can still act on it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"phishing-and-ai-powered-scams\"\u003EPhishing and AI-powered scams\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fconsumer\u002Fsupport\u002Fanswer\u002F2204\u002F\"\u003EPhishing\u003C\u002Fa\u003E scams work by targeting your trust, not your device. Attackers impersonate banks or government agencies and use urgency to rush your judgment. So, make sure to keep one rule in mind: \u003Cstrong\u003Elegitimate companies never ask for personal information by email.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Treat any unsolicited message that demands immediate action as suspect, and avoid clicking links in emails from unknown sources.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore you enter sensitive data anywhere, check for https and the padlock symbol, and type bank URLs yourself instead of following a link. Scam messages have grown more convincing as attackers use AI to personalize them, so you need to use all the tools at your disposal to stay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"stolen-wallets-mail-and-physical-theft\"\u003EStolen wallets, mail, and physical theft\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlenty of theft happens offline, too. Think about what would happen if your wallet were stolen, your mailbox raided, or if someone found a discarded bank statement. Sometimes, these are enough to help a scammer impersonate you.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake sure to carry only essential items in your wallet and leave your Social Security card at home. Shred anything showing an account number or date of birth before you throw it out, and secure your mail if theft or other crimes are a risk where you live.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"public-wi-fi-and-unsecured-networks\"\u003EPublic Wi-Fi and unsecured networks\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn public Wi-Fi at an airport or cafe, someone on the same network can intercept your data in transit. Use a trusted virtual private network (like\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fvpn\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fvpn\"\u003EBitdefender's VPN\u003C\u002Fa\u003E) to encrypt your traffic before you log into any financial account or start shopping online, and keep your home Wi-Fi network locked down so it stays off the list of easy entry points.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"five-essential-ways-to-prevent-identity-theft\"\u003EFive essential ways to prevent identity theft\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo single step stops identity theft, so the strongest approach stacks a few habits that each close a different gap. Here are the five that give you the most protection for the least effort.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"1-lock-down-your-personal-information-offline\"\u003E1. Lock down your personal information offline\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStart with what a thief can grab physically. Limit what you carry in your wallet to the cards you use, and keep your Social Security card at home. Shred bank statements, credit card statements, tax records, and pre-approved credit offers before you throw them out, since each one shows an account number or other details a thief can use. When a business or provider asks for your Social Security number, ask if they can accept another identifier instead. Share it only when it is legally required.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"2-use-strong-passwords-and-multi-factor-authentication\"\u003E2. Use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour online accounts are only as safe as the passwords guarding them. Use different passwords for every account, each with at least eight characters and a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen, use a password manager, which stores all your passwords so you only remember one master password. Then add multi-factor authentication on your sensitive accounts, especially email, banking, and social media. It is one of the highest-value habits you can build, since MFA blocks more than 99% of identity-based attacks, even when an attacker already has your password. Where you have the choice, use an authenticator app rather than SMS codes, as those can be intercepted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPS: We're offering a\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fpassword-generator\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fpassword-generator\"\u003Efree strong password generator\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to create airtight credentials.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"3-secure-your-devices-and-keep-them-updated\"\u003E3. Secure your devices and keep them updated\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-4.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"975\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-4.png 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-4.png 975w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUpdates patch the security holes that malware and spyware rely on, so turn on automatic updates for your phone, computer, and apps. Recent operating systems help here. Apple now turns on Stolen Device Protection for all iPhone users in iOS 26.4, which requires Face ID or Touch ID for sensitive actions when your phone is away from familiar places, and Android automatically resets permissions for apps you have stopped using. Back those settings with reputable antivirus software, and review app permissions so a flashlight app is not reaching your contacts or location.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"4-share-less-and-more-strategically-on-social-media\"\u003E4. Share less (and more strategically) on social media\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAttackers mine social media for the details that verify your identity to commit fraud. A full birth date, a pet's name, a hometown, or a first school can double as an answer to a security question. Make sure to tighten your privacy settings so only people you trust can see your posts, and keep personal details like your birth date and address off public profiles.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"5-freeze-your-credit-and-set-fraud-alerts\"\u003E5. Freeze your credit and set fraud alerts\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA credit freeze is the single strongest move against new-account fraud, and it is free by federal law in the US. A security freeze restricts access to your credit reports, so a lender who tries to open a new account cannot pull your file to approve it. Place one at each of the three major credit bureaus separately, since a freeze at one does not carry to the others. Requests placed online or by phone take effect within one business day, and you can lift a freeze in as little as an hour when you need to apply for credit yourself.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you would rather keep your credit accessible, a fraud alert is the lighter option. It asks lenders to verify your identity before granting credit and lasts one year, or seven years if you are a confirmed victim. Parents can also freeze a child's credit file, which matters because a child's unused Social Security number is a prime target, and the misuse can go unnoticed for years and affect their credit history.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-protect-your-personal-identity-outside-the-us\"\u003EHow to protect your personal identity (outside the US)\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECredit freezes, the FTC, and\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003EIdentityTheft.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E are US-specific, but the risk is global and so are the defenses. As of 2025, most countries have data-privacy laws on the books, from the GDPR across Europe and the UK to Brazil's LGPD and India's DPDP framework.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnder the GDPR, for example, you can ask any company what personal data it holds on you and request that it be deleted, which shrinks the pool of information a thief could exploit.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe monitoring layer works the same wherever you live. Dark web scanning, breach alerts, and password managers do not depend on a single credit system, which is why a globally available service matters outside the US.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\"\u003EBitdefender Digital Identity Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is available worldwide and maps your digital footprint, tracks which services hold your data, and alerts you in real time when your information leaks. For account-level fraud where local credit reporting exists, check whether your national credit bureau offers its own freeze or alert equivalent, since many now do.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-check-if-someone-is-using-your-identity-and-get-identity-theft-protection\"\u003EHow to check if someone is using your identity (and get identity theft protection)\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-3.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"975\" height=\"550\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-3.png 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-3.png 975w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Funsplash.com\u002Fphotos\u002Fa-man-sitting-in-front-of-a-computer-monitor-eaVaEMs9FQA\"\u003ESource\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERegular monitoring is how you catch fraud while it is still small, and the habit of learning to monitor your own accounts costs nothing. The fastest signals are free and already available to you:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Review your bank statements and credit card statements each month for charges you do not recognize, including small test financial transactions that thieves use to confirm a credit card works before a larger purchase.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Monitor for suspicious activity by setting up account alerts for transactions over a set amount, new payees, and changes to your contact details, so your bank tells you the moment something shifts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Your credit file is the other place fraud shows up first. In the US, you are entitled to one free annual credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) at\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fannualcreditreport.com\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fannualcreditreport.com\"\u003EAnnualCreditReport.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Request one bureau every four months, and you get free coverage across the whole year. Read each report for accounts you did not open and inquiries you did not authorize, and dispute any error you find directly with the bureau that reported it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, monitoring services automate this watch and widen it, so you no longer have to monitor every statement by hand. Credit monitoring services notify you when your credit file changes, such as a new account or a hard inquiry, and identity monitoring services monitor and extend the same idea to the dark web and data breaches.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fidentity-theft-protection\"\u003EBitdefender Identity Theft Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E combines both by tracking your credit alongside your identity and privacy, so a single alert covers a new credit line and a leaked record on the dark web.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut if you want to go a step ahead and really tighten your security,\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003EBitdefender Ultimate Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E folds that identity protection into a wider layer of prevention, pairing the monitoring and recovery above with scam and email protection, a VPN, and device security that work to stop the phishing, malware, and data leaks that hand your details to thieves in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-to-do-if-you-suspect-identity-theft\"\u003EWhat to do if you suspect identity theft\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf someone has your Social Security number or you spot fraud in progress, move in order and keep records of phone calls and letters. Fast, organized action limits the damage.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFirst, contact the fraud department of any affected bank or card issuer. Freeze or close the compromised accounts, dispute the fraudulent charges and any unauthorized charges, and reset the passwords and multi-factor authentication on the linked online accounts.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESecond, place a fraud alert with one of the major credit bureaus, which is free and legally required to be shared with the other two.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThird, if you are in the US, file a report at\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003EIdentityTheft.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which builds you a personalized recovery plan and generates the letters you will need for creditors and bureaus. Outside the US, report the incident to your national data-protection authority.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFourth, file a police report with local law enforcement to create an official record of the theft, which supports your disputes with creditors and identity theft insurance company. If the fraud is tax-related, respond to any IRS notice promptly and request an Identity Protection PIN if you qualify.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOur subscribers in the US work with certified specialists who handle creditor contacts, agency filings, and credit bureau disputes until the case closes, which spares you the hardest part of recovery.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"start-protecting-your-identity-long-term\"\u003EStart protecting your identity long-term\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-2.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"975\" height=\"548\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-2.png 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-2.png 975w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIdentity theft involves unauthorized use of personal and financial information. It can lead to distress and costly financial and personal outcomes. Fortunately, identity theft prevention comes down to an easy-to-sustain routine:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Strong unique passwords with multi-factor authentication\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Caution with the personal or sensitive information you share online and offline\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Layer monitoring so exposure reaches you as an alert rather than a surprise\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A frozen credit file if you suspect identity theft or a breach in your personal and sensitive information\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Monthly checks of your statements and credit reports (make sure to use your one free credit report each year)\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor protection that combines proactive monitoring with recovery in one place,\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003EBitdefender Ultimate Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E brings device security, privacy tools, and identity theft protection together. Get peace of mind and steer away from identity theft-related costs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\"\u003EFrequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Ch4 id=\"how-do-i-protect-myself-if-someone-has-my-ssn\"\u003EHow do I protect myself if someone has my SSN?\u003C\u002Fh4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPlace a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus right away so no one can open new credit accounts in your name. File a report at\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003EIdentityTheft.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for a recovery plan, review your credit reports for accounts you did not open, and consider requesting an IRS Identity Protection PIN to block tax fraud. Keep a record of every step you take.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch4 id=\"how-do-i-check-if-someone-is-using-my-identity\"\u003EHow do I check if someone is using my identity?\u003C\u002Fh4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWatch three places. Review your bank and credit card statements monthly for charges you do not recognize, check your free credit reports from each bureau for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries, and use credit monitoring or identity monitoring to catch dark web exposure and credit file changes as they happen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch4 id=\"can-someone-steal-your-identity-without-your-ssn\"\u003ECan someone steal your identity without your SSN?\u003C\u002Fh4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes. A thief can do real harm with your name, birth date, email, or account number alone, using them to access existing accounts or piece together enough to impersonate you. This is why protecting all of your personal information matters, not only your Social Security number.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch4 id=\"is-a-credit-freeze-better-than-credit-monitoring\"\u003EIs a credit freeze better than credit monitoring?\u003C\u002Fh4\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey do different jobs, so use both. A security freeze restricts access to your credit file and prevents most new accounts from being opened, working as prevention. Credit monitoring alerts you after a change occurs, working as detection. A freeze stops new-account fraud at the source, while monitoring catches the activity a freeze cannot, such as misuse of existing accounts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:"66d5cbea28045a04f10b89ca",name:"Bitdefender",slug:at,profile_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2022\u002F02\u002Flogo_bd_social.png",cover_image:a,bio:"The meaning of Bitdefender’s mascot, the Dacian Draco, a symbol that depicts a mythical animal with a wolf’s head and a dragon’s body, is “to watch” and to “guard with a sharp eye.”",website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:t,name:l,slug:u,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:"66f50fb228045a04f10ce989",name:"How to",slug:"how-to",description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],excerpt:"US consumers lost $27.3 billion to identity theft and related fraud in 2025, according to Javelin Strategy & Research's 2026 Identity Fraud Study. Losses held roughly steady from the year before, when they had climbed 19%, yet the number of victims rose across every fraud category, with new-account fraud growing the fastest.\n\nMuch of the cost comes from a delay, since stolen data can circulate for years before it surfaces as a fraudulent account. Moreover, the Identity Theft Resource Center foun",reading_time:11,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fidentity-theft-prevention\u002F"}],tagWhiteDetail:{slug:j,id:h,name:i,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a,url:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Ftag\u002Findustry-news\u002F"},tagBlackDetail:{slug:u,id:t,name:l,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a,url:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Ftag\u002Fdigital-privacy\u002F"},settings:{title:au,description:bb,logo:bc,icon:a,accent_color:bd,cover_image:be,facebook:at,twitter:bf,lang:d,locale:d,timezone:bg,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,navigation:[{label:bh,url:av},{label:bi,url:bj},{label:l,url:bk},{label:N,url:bl},{label:bm,url:bn},{label:E,url:bo}],secondary_navigation:[],meta_title:a,meta_description:a,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,members_support_address:bp,members_enabled:c,allow_self_signup:c,members_invite_only:c,paid_members_enabled:c,firstpromoter_account:a,portal_button_style:bq,portal_button_signup_text:br,portal_button_icon:a,portal_signup_terms_html:a,portal_signup_checkbox_required:c,portal_plans:[bs,bt,aa],portal_default_plan:aa,portal_name:O,portal_button:c,comments_enabled:bu,recommendations_enabled:c,outbound_link_tagging:c,default_email_address:bv,support_email_address:bw,editor_default_email_recipients:bx,labs:{},url:by,version:bz},allBiTags:[]}],fetch:{"BlogMenu:0":{settings:{title:au,description:bb,logo:bc,icon:a,accent_color:bd,cover_image:be,facebook:at,twitter:bf,lang:d,locale:d,timezone:bg,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,navigation:[{label:bh,url:av},{label:bi,url:bj},{label:l,url:bk},{label:N,url:bl},{label:bm,url:bn},{label:E,url:bo}],secondary_navigation:[],meta_title:a,meta_description:a,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,members_support_address:bp,members_enabled:c,allow_self_signup:c,members_invite_only:c,paid_members_enabled:c,firstpromoter_account:a,portal_button_style:bq,portal_button_signup_text:br,portal_button_icon:a,portal_signup_terms_html:a,portal_signup_checkbox_required:c,portal_plans:[bs,bt,aa],portal_default_plan:aa,portal_name:O,portal_button:c,comments_enabled:bu,recommendations_enabled:c,outbound_link_tagging:c,default_email_address:bv,support_email_address:bw,editor_default_email_recipients:bx,labs:{},url:by,version:bz},blogNames:bA,blogTitles:{hotforsecurity:au,labs:"Labs",businessinsights:"Business Insights",cyberpedia:"Cyberpedia"},blogRegions:{hotforsecurity:[d,"ro","de",bB,"es"],labs:[d],businessinsights:[d,bB],cyberpedia:[d]},activeBlog:aw,blogFound:aw},"FilterSection:0":{posts:[{id:P,title:Q,slug:R,feature_image:S,featured:c,published_at:T,custom_excerpt:a,html:al,tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:z,name:A,slug:B,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:F,name:G,slug:H,profile_image:I,cover_image:a,bio:J,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:U,reading_time:s,url:V},{id:"6a9190298beeea96580295c6",title:"Scammers target families of newly jailed inmates with fake bail and release fees",slug:"scammers-target-families-new-jail-inmates",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002FScammers-target-families-of-newly-jailed-inmates-with-fake-bail-and-release-fees.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-28T16:47:25.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EAuthorities in the United States have warned that scammers are monitoring public jail information and contacting the relatives of people who have been incarcerated. Posing as law enforcement officers or corrections personnel, they demand money for bail, electronic monitoring, special release programs or other invented fees.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScammers use names of real inmates and other publicly available information to make fake bail or release demands sound credible\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThey may impersonate law enforcement, spoof an official phone number and contact families shortly after an arrest\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnexpected demands for payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, payment apps, wire transfers or texted links are major warning signs\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAlways verify custody, bail, and release information directly with the jail, court, attorney, or licensed bail bond agency using independently sourced contact details\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"families-of-newly-incarcerated-people-are-being-targeted\"\u003EFamilies of newly incarcerated people are being targeted\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis month, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office in Minnesota warned that scammers were identifying people recently added to the county jail roster and contacting their relatives.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe calls sometimes appeared to come from the Sheriff’s Office because the fraudsters spoofed its phone number. In one reported incident, a family member transferred $1,800 believing the money was needed to post bail for a relative who really was in custody, according to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Flptv.org\u002Fcass-county-warning-of-scam-targeting-family-members-of-jail-inmates\"\u003ELakeland PBS\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESimilar warnings have emerged in other states as well.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fox4news.com\u002Fnews\u002Fscammers-target-families-dallas-county-inmates-demanding-payment-fake-early-release\"\u003EDallas County Sheriff’s Office\u003C\u002Fa\u003E said scammers were contacting the families and friends of inmates with claims that their loved ones qualified for early release or electronic monitoring because of overcrowding. The callers demanded immediate payment for bond, monitoring or release fees.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fgdc.georgia.gov\u002Fpress-releases\u002F2026-07-27\u002Fscams-targeting-families-georgia\"\u003EGeorgia Department of Corrections\u003C\u002Fa\u003E has also warned of calls demanding additional bond payments from the families of people recently released from county jails, as well as money allegedly required before an incarcerated person can be released.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-do-scammers-know-someone-has-been-arrested\"\u003EHow do scammers know someone has been arrested?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJail rosters, booking records, and court information may be publicly accessible. Depending on the jurisdiction, these records can include an inmate’s name, booking date, charges, custody location, and identification or case number.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScammers can combine the information with social media profiles, people-search sites, public records or data exposed in previous breaches to identify potential family members.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis allows them to construct a convincing story. A caller may know:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe inmate’s real name\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhere and when the person was booked\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe charges or case number\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe name of the relevant sheriff’s office or jail\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe names and contact details of relatives\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe name of a real officer or public employee\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome schemes may also originate from inside correctional facilities. Georgia officials said two recent scams were believed to have been orchestrated by inmates using contraband phones. However, families should not assume that every suspicious call comes from another inmate. The information needed for this type of fraud may be available from outside the facility.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"real-arrest-fake-payment-demand\"\u003EReal arrest, fake payment demand\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis scheme is particularly effective because the scammer does not have to invent the entire emergency.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe family may already know that their loved one has been arrested. They may be waiting for information about bail, a court appearance or release conditions. A caller who knows several genuine details can therefore appear to be helping at precisely the right moment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fraudster may claim the inmate:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIs eligible for early release because the jail is overcrowded\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECan enter a “second chance” or supervised-release program\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENeeds an ankle monitor before being released\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMust pay an additional bond or processing fee\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECan have charges reduced, dismissed or removed from their record\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWill remain in custody unless the family pays immediately\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHas missed a deadline or needs money before an upcoming court appearance\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scammer then introduces a sense of urgency. The family may be told that the offer expires soon, that payment must be made before the inmate can leave or that discussing the matter with anyone else could delay the process.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-is-this-different-from-a-grandparent-or-family-emergency-scam\"\u003EHow is this different from a grandparent or family-emergency scam?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe two schemes use similar emotional pressure, but they start from different circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a traditional family-emergency or grandparent scam, the fraudster invents the crisis. They may impersonate a child or grandchild and claim to have been arrested, caused an accident or need urgent medical assistance. A second scammer may then pose as a lawyer, police officer or doctor. In reality, the loved one is safe and was never involved in the alleged emergency.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese scammers may use information from social media, compromised accounts or even AI voice cloning to make the fabricated story more convincing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the inmate-family scam, the incarceration itself is real and may be independently verifiable. The fraudster exploits that real event and lies about the payment, release program, bond conditions or authority to collect money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis difference matters because common advice such as “call your loved one and check whether they were really arrested” may not be enough. The family could confirm the arrest and still pay a scammer. They must also verify every payment request and release claim through the official jail, court, attorney or licensed bail bond provider.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"warning-signs-of-an-inmate-release-or-bail-scam\"\u003EWarning signs of an inmate release or bail scam\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBe suspicious if an unexpected caller or sender:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDemands an immediate payment to release an inmate\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPromises early release, electronic monitoring or case dismissal for a fee\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClaims to offer a special program you cannot verify independently\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInsists that you stay on the phone while making the payment\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETells you not to contact the jail, court, attorney or other relatives\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERequests gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or payment apps such as Zelle, Venmo or Cash App\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESends a barcode and tells you to pay cash at a gas station or convenience store\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESends an unfamiliar payment link by text, email or social media\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERequests a Social Security Number, bank information, login credentials or a verification code\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThreatens to delay the inmate’s release if you ask questions or hang up\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECaller ID is not proof of identity. Scammers can make a call appear to come from a real sheriff’s office, police department or courthouse. They can also use the name of an actual employee.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-families-should-do-to-avoid-falling-for-similar-scams\"\u003EWhat families should do to avoid falling for similar scams\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFamilies can reduce their exposure by agreeing on a verification process as early as possible.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChoose one trusted family member to handle calls and payments related to the case. This can prevent scammers from contacting several worried relatives and telling each person a different story.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFind the jail, court and inmate-information pages through official government websites. Save their verified phone numbers rather than relying on numbers provided by callers, texts or search ads.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsk the facility or the inmate’s attorney how legitimate bail, bond, monitoring and release payments are handled in that jurisdiction. Procedures differ, so verify the exact recipient, amount and payment method before sending money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf someone contacts you unexpectedly:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStop the conversation and do not pay\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWrite down the caller’s claims, name and callback number without confirming any information\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHang up, even if the caller threatens a delay or other consequences\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EContact the detention facility or court using a number from its official website\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf a bail bond company is involved, verify that it is properly licensed and contact it through independently sourced details\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESpeak with the inmate’s attorney or another trusted family member before acting\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo not call back the number shown on caller ID or use a link the caller sends. Both may lead straight back to the scammer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuspicious texts, screenshots and links can also be checked with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. If a message includes a website or payment page, paste its address into the free \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E without opening it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA security solution that includes \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscam-protection\"\u003EScam Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can also help identify suspicious messages, links and impersonation attempts across common online channels.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-to-do-if-you-already-paid\"\u003EWhat to do if you already paid\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact the bank, card issuer, payment app, wire-transfer provider or cryptocurrency platform immediately. Explain that the transaction resulted from fraud and ask whether it can be stopped, recalled or disputed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESave all available evidence, including:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPhone numbers and caller ID screenshots\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EText messages, emails and chat conversations\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPayment links and barcodes\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReceipts and transaction identifiers\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENames, badge numbers or agency details used by the caller\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDates, times and descriptions of each conversation\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReport the incident to the real law enforcement agency being impersonated and to local police. US consumers can also report fraud to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Freportfraud.ftc.gov\u002F\"\u003EFederal Trade Commission\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. If personal information was disclosed, follow the recovery guidance at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.identitytheft.gov\u002F\"\u003EIdentityTheft.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWarn other relatives as well. Scammers may contact multiple people connected to the same inmate or return with another invented payment after a family has already sent money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"faqs\"\u003EFAQs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"how-do-scammers-target-their-victims\"\u003EHow do scammers target their victims?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScammers reach potential victims through phone calls, emails, text messages, social media, messaging apps, online ads and fake websites. They may use information from\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003Esocial media, public records or data breaches to personalize their approach. Most scams exploit trust, fear, urgency, curiosity or the promise of financial gain.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-should-you-never-say-to-a-scammer\"\u003EWhat should you never say to a scammer?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENever reveal passwords, verification codes, bank or card details, your Social Security number or answers to security questions. Avoid confirming personal details the scammer already has, such as your address, relatives’ names or date of birth. The safest approach is to end the conversation without arguing or providing additional information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"how-do-you-know-if-you-are-chatting-with-a-scammer\"\u003EHow do you know if you are chatting with a scammer?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWarning signs include unexpected contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for money or sensitive information, suspicious links and instructions to keep the conversation secret. Scammers may also refuse video calls, avoid direct questions, tell inconsistent stories or insist on payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers or payment apps. Even if the person appears to know you, verify their identity through a separate, trusted channel.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:w,name:x,slug:y,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,profile_image:p,cover_image:a,bio:q,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:"Authorities in the United States have warned that scammers are monitoring public jail information and contacting the relatives of people who have been incarcerated. Posing as law enforcement officers or corrections personnel, they demand money for bail, electronic monitoring, special release programs or other invented fees.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Scammers use names of real inmates and other publicly available information to make fake bail or release demands sound credible\n * They may impersonate la",reading_time:ay,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fscammers-target-families-new-jail-inmates\u002F"},{id:aP,title:aQ,slug:aR,feature_image:aS,featured:c,published_at:aT,custom_excerpt:a,html:aU,tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:aV,name:aW,slug:aX,profile_image:aY,cover_image:a,bio:aZ,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:a_,reading_time:C,url:a$},{id:am,title:an,slug:ao,feature_image:ap,featured:c,published_at:aq,custom_excerpt:D,html:ar,tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:t,name:l,slug:u,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:K,name:L,slug:M,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:X,name:Y,slug:Z,profile_image:_,cover_image:a,bio:$,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:D,reading_time:C,url:as},{id:"6a904c818beeea9658029589",title:"OpenAI bans Russian ChatGPT accounts in influence operation",slug:"openai-bans-russian-chatgpt-accounts",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Flevart_photographer-7q-kE4SZzvQ-unsplash.jpg",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-27T17:42:30.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EOpenAI banned Russian-linked ChatGPT accounts that promoted a suspect think tank and amplified pro-Russia narratives across social platforms.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpenAI banned a cluster of ChatGPT accounts it assesses as very likely originating in Russia.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe accounts used ChatGPT mainly to create promotional posts for the International Burke Institute (IBI).\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOpenAI found that 34 of 36 IBI articles reviewed had been copied from elsewhere online.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe campaign had limited overall reach, but some associated Telegram channels had 10,000–20,000 followers.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"openai-traces-the-campaign-to-russian-linked-accounts\"\u003EOpenAI traces the campaign to Russian-linked accounts\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpenAI has banned a cluster of ChatGPT accounts it says very likely originated in Russia after uncovering an unusually elaborate covert influence operation built around the International Burke Institute (IBI), a self-described expert community claiming to be based in Israel.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe operators used Russian-language prompts to generate mostly English-language social posts and comments for X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Telegram and Substack. OpenAI says they instructed ChatGPT to strip out linguistic clues pointing to Russia and they used VPNs to access the service, which is unavailable there. The company says the campaign was previously unreported.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"a-questionable-think-tank-supplied-credibility\"\u003EA questionable think tank supplied credibility\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe AI-generated content was mainly promotional. It pushed readers toward IBI material and related channels rather than form the institute’s core articles. OpenAI \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fopenai.com\u002Findex\u002Fdisrupting-malicious-uses-of-ai-influence-campaign-russia\u002F\"\u003Esays\u003C\u002Fa\u003E the website, registered in February 2025, presented purported experts, academic-style research and a proprietary “sovereignty” index that portrayed Russia favorably while criticizing Western countries.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat appearance of authority was fragile. In OpenAI’s review of 36 IBI articles published between September 2025 and May 2026, 34 had been copied from elsewhere online, and some were attributed to the wrong authors. OpenAI also found traces of real individuals in Israel associated with IBI activities but said it could not establish their relationship to the Russian operators.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"scalable-influence-playbook-despite-limited-reach\"\u003EScalable influence playbook despite limited reach\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe campaign also supported German-language Telegram activity critical of Ukraine, the EU and Germany’s government, while another operator generated logos for around a dozen channels aimed at audiences in the US, France, Poland and Türkiye. OpenAI described the infrastructure as more elaborate than Russia-linked operations it had previously disrupted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOpenAI assessed the operation’s immediate reach as limited. Typical social posts attracted few views, although some Telegram channels had roughly 10,000 to 20,000 followers. The bigger concern is the playbook: AI can help influence actors rapidly produce polished promotion around an ecosystem engineered to look independent, credible and scalable. For readers, the case is another reason to verify who operates unfamiliar “research” organizations, inspect original sources, and treat social-media authority signals with caution.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"think-before-you-trust-or-click\"\u003EThink before you trust or click\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI-assisted influence campaigns can borrow the visual language and authority signals of legitimate organizations, making unfamiliar sources harder to judge at a glance. Before sharing claims, look for original research, independent reporting, identifiable authors and evidence that an organization has the expertise it claims.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuspicious posts can also lead users to deceptive or malicious links. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can analyze questionable messages, links, screenshots and QR codes, while \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003EBitdefender Ultimate Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E adds anti-phishing, anti-fraud and AI-powered scam protection for broader protection against deceptive online content.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:z,name:A,slug:B,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:X,name:Y,slug:Z,profile_image:_,cover_image:a,bio:$,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:"OpenAI banned Russian-linked ChatGPT accounts that promoted a suspect think tank and amplified pro-Russia narratives across social platforms.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * OpenAI banned a cluster of ChatGPT accounts it assesses as very likely originating in Russia.\n * The accounts used ChatGPT mainly to create promotional posts for the International Burke Institute (IBI).\n * OpenAI found that 34 of 36 IBI articles reviewed had been copied from elsewhere online.\n * The campaign had limited overall reach, b",reading_time:C,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fopenai-bans-russian-chatgpt-accounts\u002F"},{id:"6a9047788beeea9658029569",title:"Night market invitation scams target small businesses: what you need to know",slug:"night-market-invitation-scams-small-business",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002FNight-market-invitation-scams-target-small-businesses.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-27T17:26:51.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EA Manitoba bakery lost $150 and spent 48 hours preparing products after accepting what appeared to be a legitimate invitation to a local night market.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOwners of a small bakery paid $150 for a vendor spot offered by someone impersonating a Manitoba night market.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe owners also spent 48 hours preparing baked goods before discovering the offer was bogus.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOther Manitoba markets and festivals have warned that scammers are impersonating them to collect vendor fees.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESmall business owners should confirm invitations directly with the venue or organizer before paying or preparing products.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"small-bakery-loses-150-to-a-fake-night-market-invitation\"\u003ESmall bakery loses $150 to a fake night market invitation\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe owners of a recently opened gluten-free bakery received an email inviting their business to participate in a local night market.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe message looks professional and included what seemed like a legitimate vendor application. After answering questions about the products they sold, the owners were quoted a price and paid a $150 vendor fee.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe email \"all seemed very official,\" one of the owners said. \"We were filling out the form — they were asking us what kind of products we provide. So we filled it out and responded to them and they gave us a price [to participate].\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBelieving their place was confirmed, they spent 48 hours preparing gluten-free baked goods for the market.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt was only on the day of the event, when one of the owners called the venue to confirm the final details, that they learned the bakery was not on the vendor list. The email address they had been communicating with did not belong to the venue or the real organizers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbc.ca\u002Fnews\u002Fcanada\u002Fmanitoba\u002Fnight-market-email-scam-9.7321846\"\u003ECBC News\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the owners considered themselves fortunate to have lost only $150, as a legitimate market space can cost as much as $600. But the real cost was higher. They had also lost two days of work and were left with a large quantity of baked goods prepared for an event they could not attend.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfter sharing their experience on social media, the bakery received support from the local community. The incident was also reported to police.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-the-fake-night-market-invitation-worked\"\u003EHow the fake night market invitation worked\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scam succeeded because it closely resembled a normal interaction between an event organizer and a vendor.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe invitation referred to a real market at a real venue. It asked relevant questions about the business and its products, then provided a plausible price for participation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis type of scam may unfold in several stages:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScammers identify small businesses that regularly attend markets or could benefit from a vendor opportunity\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThey impersonate a real market, venue or event organizer using copied names, logos and event details\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe business receives an unsolicited invitation or is directed to a fake vendor application\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe scammers ask questions about the products the business sells, making the application process feel genuine\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe vendor is asked to pay an application fee, deposit or booth fee\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOnce the money is sent, the scammers disappear or continue communicating until the real event date approaches\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn some cases, the fake email address may look almost identical to the real one. Fraudsters can add an extra letter, switch two characters or use a free email account containing the event’s name.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe victim may not notice the difference unless they compare the address with contact information published on the official event website.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"the-real-cost-can-exceed-the-vendor-fee\"\u003EThe real cost can exceed the vendor fee\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe $150 payment was only one part of the loss for the owners of the small bakery.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPreparing for a market can involve:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPurchasing ingredients or stock\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProducing goods in advance\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDesigning signs and promotional materials\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPackaging and labeling products\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScheduling employees\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EArranging transportation\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETurning down other sales opportunities\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESpending hours or days preparing inventory\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFood businesses face an additional problem because many of their products have a limited shelf life. If the event does not exist or the vendor is not registered, the business may be left with unsold inventory before it expires.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor a young business without a large financial buffer, the combined loss of money, products, and working time can hurt considerably more than the original scam payment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScammers may also ask vendors for contact, payment or business information as part of the fake application. Those details could potentially be used in follow-up phishing attempts or to make future approaches more convincing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"other-markets-and-events-have-also-been-impersonated\"\u003EOther markets and events have also been impersonated\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fake night market invitation was not an isolated incident. Other market and festival organizers have reported scammers using their names to approach small businesses and request vendor fees.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn one case, a regular vendor received a convincing invitation supposedly connected to an annual craft market. The vendor contacted the real organizers before paying, allowing them to confirm the email was fraudulent and warn their wider network.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn organizer responsible for urban markets and pop-up shops said scammers have repeatedly copied its name and branding. The fraudulent email addresses may differ from the legitimate address by only one additional or altered letter, making the impersonation easy to overlook.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECultural festivals and community events have issued similar warnings, reminding businesses to submit applications and payments only through their official channels.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne scam invitation even offered businesses vendor spaces at an event that did not operate a vendor market at all. A quick check of the event’s official website or a call to its organizers would have revealed that the opportunity did not exist.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cbc.ca\u002Fnews\u002Fcanada\u002Fmanitoba\u002Fnight-market-email-scam-9.7321846\"\u003ECBC News\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, police received several reports of similar incidents over the summer. No arrests had been made at the time of the report, and the cases remained under investigation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou may also want to read: Summer event scams: How fake vendor invites target small businesses \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-check-a-night-market-invitation-before-paying\"\u003EHow to check a night market invitation before paying\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA real market invitation can still arrive unexpectedly, so receiving an unsolicited email does not automatically mean it is fraudulent. It does mean you should verify the opportunity independently.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore completing an application, paying a fee or preparing products:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFind the official event website yourself.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Do not rely only on links in the invitation.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck the event calendar.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Confirm that the market exists and that its dates and location match the email.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECompare email addresses carefully.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Look for extra letters, misspellings, substituted characters or unrelated domains.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECall the venue or organizer.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Use a telephone number published on the official website, not one provided by the sender.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAsk whether applications are open.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Some scammers advertise vendor spaces for events that are not accepting applications or do not have vendors at all.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConfirm the payment process.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Ask who receives vendor fees, when payment is expected and which payment methods are used.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESearch for warnings.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Look up the event name alongside terms such as “scam,” “fake vendor invitation” or “fraud.”\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDo not let urgency rush you.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Claims that only one booth remains or that payment must be made immediately may be designed to stop you from checking.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIdeally, you should complete these checks before investing time or money in preparation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-to-do-if-you-paid-for-a-fake-vendor-spot\"\u003EWhat to do if you paid for a fake vendor spot\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact your bank or payment service immediately and explain that the transaction was connected to fraud. Ask whether the payment can be stopped, recalled or disputed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESave all available evidence, including:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe original invitation\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe sender’s full email address\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EApplication forms\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPayment instructions and receipts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ELinks and attachments\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYour conversations with the sender\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScreenshots of social media profiles or advertisements\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReport the fraudulent account to the email provider or platform used to contact you. Notify the real event organizer as well so it can warn other vendors.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the application requested passwords, financial details or identity documents, take additional precautions. Change exposed passwords, enable two-factor authentication and contact your bank if financial information was shared.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"help-your-small-business-identify-fraudulent-invitations-and-scams\"\u003EHelp your small business identify fraudulent invitations and scams\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake sure anyone who handles your business email, bookings or payments knows that event and vendor invitations can be impersonation scams.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEstablish a simple internal rule: no new event fee should be paid until someone has confirmed the opportunity through an independently sourced phone number or official website.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fsmall-business-security?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E combines scam detection, email phishing protection, device security, password management and business exposure monitoring in one plan designed for small teams without dedicated IT personnel. Pair a comprehensive solution with awareness to keep your business safe!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:"66f50fb228045a04f10ce9b5",name:"Very Small Business",slug:"very-small-business",description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:w,name:x,slug:y,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,profile_image:p,cover_image:a,bio:q,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:"A Manitoba bakery lost $150 and spent 48 hours preparing products after accepting what appeared to be a legitimate invitation to a local night market.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Owners of a small bakery paid $150 for a vendor spot offered by someone impersonating a Manitoba night market.\n * The owners also spent 48 hours preparing baked goods before discovering the offer was bogus.\n * Other Manitoba markets and festivals have warned that scammers are impersonating them to collect vendor fees.\n * Small ",reading_time:s,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fnight-market-invitation-scams-small-business\u002F"}],sidePosts:[{id:P,title:Q,slug:R,feature_image:S,featured:c,published_at:T,custom_excerpt:a,html:al,tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:z,name:A,slug:B,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:F,name:G,slug:H,profile_image:I,cover_image:a,bio:J,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:U,reading_time:s,url:V},{id:az,title:aA,slug:aB,feature_image:aC,featured:c,published_at:aD,custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EBack-to-school season is here again.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENew school year, new routines, new devices and plenty to organize. While you're working through the usual back-to-school list, it's a good time to check how your family is protecting its accounts, devices, money and personal information online.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBack-to-school scams can hide in everyday activities. Think shopping deals, delivery messages, school emails, rentals, jobs and student discounts.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESlow down whenever money or personal information is involved. Urgency and unusually good deals are common scam warning signs.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EProtect the basics. Unique passwords, 2FA, updates and private social media accounts go a long way.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOlder students face different risks. Rental, textbook, scholarship and job scams become more important as teenagers gain independence.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMake asking for help normal. Kids should know they can show a parent or trusted adult a suspicious message without getting into trouble.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlong with buying clothes, notebooks, and school supplies, parents may be shopping for a new laptop, setting up school accounts, and downloading apps. Older students might be hunting for cheaper textbooks, a room to rent or a part-time job.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll of that creates opportunities for scammers. A bargain laptop could be advertised by a fake shop. A student could receive a phishing email telling them their school account is about to expire. A great-looking apartment near campus might not actually be for rent.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore the school year gets into full swing, it's worth spending a few minutes checking the devices and accounts your family relies on and talking about the scams and privacy risks your kids may come across.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere's a practical back-to-school cybersecurity checklist you can go through together:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"1-shop-carefully-for-back-to-school-deals\"\u003E1. Shop carefully for back-to-school deals\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack-to-school shopping can get expensive, especially when laptops, tablets, phones or other electronics are on the list. Looking for a bargain makes sense, but be careful with unusually large discounts advertised through social media, email, search results or unfamiliar online stores.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf a laptop that normally costs $800 suddenly appears for $250, check the seller before reaching for your card. Compare prices with established retailers, look at independent reviews, and inspect the website address. Be wary of countdown timers, claims that only a few items remain, and sellers asking for gift cards, cryptocurrency or other unusual payment methods.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EShopping season can also mean more delivery scams. If you receive a text claiming that a package couldn't be delivered or that you need to pay a small redelivery fee, check the order through the retailer or courier's official website or app instead of using the link in the message.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"2-get-school-devices-and-accounts-ready\"\u003E2. Get school devices and accounts ready\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore classes start, update the phones, tablets and laptops your children will use and enable automatic updates where possible. It's also a good time to remove apps they no longer need and check that important accounts have strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPay particular attention to email accounts because they are often used to reset passwords for other services. Kids should also know never to share login or verification codes with anyone, including someone who claims a code was accidentally sent to their phone.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"3-do-a-quick-privacy-check\"\u003E3. Do a quick privacy check\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBack-to-school is also a good time to see how much information your family is sharing online. A first-day-of-school photo, for example, could reveal a child's school, age, teacher or location, while their social media profile might show their birthday, sports team or daily routine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGo through privacy settings together, review followers, switch off unnecessary location sharing, and check which apps have access to the camera, microphone, contacts, and photos. Encourage kids to think about whether a person, app, or website actually needs the information it's asking for before they share it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"4-talk-about-the-scams-kids-actually-see\"\u003E4. Talk about the scams kids actually see\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPhishing isn't limited to suspicious emails about bank accounts. For kids and teenagers, it can be a message asking, “Is this you in this photo?”, an offer of free in-game currency, a fake prize, or a warning that their school or social media account is about to be deleted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe subject may change, but these messages tend to create enough excitement, worry or curiosity to get someone to click a link or hand over a password, verification code, payment or personal information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETalk through a few examples with your kids and encourage them to check with you when they're unsure. A message isn't necessarily safe just because it comes from someone they know either. A friend's social media or gaming account could have been compromised and used to send scams to their contacts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"5-older-students-have-a-few-more-scams-to-watch-for\"\u003E5. Older students have a few more scams to watch for\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETeenagers and college students may be making bigger financial decisions on their own, particularly if they're moving away from home. Rentals, textbooks, scholarships, and part-time jobs can all involve scams.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor accommodation, verify the property and the person renting it before paying a deposit, especially if they won't arrange a viewing or claim to be out of the country. When buying second-hand textbooks, stick to reputable marketplaces and their payment systems, and be careful with supposedly free textbook downloads from unfamiliar websites.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJob and scholarship offers deserve the same scrutiny. A legitimate employer shouldn't ask you to pay a fee, buy gift cards or transfer money to get a job, and a scholarship provider shouldn't demand payment to release an award.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA room that's far cheaper than everything else nearby, an unusually well-paid job that requires no experience or a guaranteed scholarship are all worth checking before sending money or personal information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"6-make-it-easy-for-kids-to-tell-you-when-something-goes-wrong\"\u003E6. Make it easy for kids to tell you when something goes wrong\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne of the most important conversations you can have before school starts is also one of the simplest: \u003Cstrong\u003EIf something goes wrong online, tell me.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKids sometimes hide mistakes because they're afraid of getting in trouble or losing access to their phone, social media or games. If they've clicked a phishing link, shared a password, bought something from a fake store, or are being threatened online, however, finding out quickly gives you a better chance of helping.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake suspicious messages something you can look at together rather than something they need to deal with alone.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"your-10-minute-back-to-school-cybersecurity-checklist\"\u003EYour 10-minute back-to-school cybersecurity checklist\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore school starts:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUpdate phones, tablets and laptops.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReplace weak or reused passwords.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEnable 2FA on important accounts.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReview social media privacy and location sharing.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECheck app permissions.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETalk about phishing and verification-code scams.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBe cautious with unfamiliar back-to-school stores and huge discounts.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EShow older students examples of rental, job and scholarship scams.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ERemind kids not to post student IDs or sensitive school information.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAgree that suspicious messages, purchases or requests can always be brought to you.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"free-tools-to-keep-on-hand-this-school-year\"\u003EFree tools to keep on hand this school year\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou won't always know whether a message, website or phone call is legitimate. Sometimes getting a second opinion is the easiest thing to do.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is our free AI-powered scam detector you can use to check suspicious texts, emails, links and QR codes. So, if your teenager gets an amazing job offer over WhatsApp, or you're not sure about a message asking you to pay for a delivery, you can send it to Scamio for a quick check.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E is useful when the question is simply, \u003Cem\u003E“Should I click this?”\u003C\u002Fem\u003E Paste in a URL from a back-to-school sale, rental listing, student offer, or unsolicited message, and it will check it for phishing, malware, and fraudulent websites.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Freverse-phone-lookup\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Reverse Phone Lookup\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can also come in handy when you or your kids receive calls from unfamiliar numbers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"one-plan-for-the-familys-everyday-online-life\"\u003EOne plan for the family's everyday online life\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you want protection that doesn't depend on someone remembering to check every suspicious link or message, a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Ffamily\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Family Plan\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E has you covered.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat means protection can follow the family through the things everyone already does online: kids browsing and doing homework, teenagers downloading apps and using their own devices, and parents shopping, checking email or managing family accounts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParents also get \u003Cstrong\u003EParental Control\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, with tools for managing internet time, filtering content and setting routines, while family members can have roles appropriate to their age rather than everyone sharing one account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's a practical way to keep the family's devices and online activities protected under the same plan, during back-to-school season and for the rest of the year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:aE,name:aF,slug:aG,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,profile_image:p,cover_image:a,bio:q,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:aH,reading_time:s,url:aI},{id:aJ,title:aK,slug:aL,feature_image:aM,featured:c,published_at:aN,custom_excerpt:W,html:"\u003Cp\u003EEven if it’s not immediately obvious, bank accounts hold something that can be just as useful as cash: a detailed record of your financial life. Transactions can reveal where you work, what services you use, who sends you money, when you pay bills and which other accounts may be connected to your name.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat information can help enable identity theft, more convincing scams and fraud that unfolds over time.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA criminal breaking into a bank account with no money in it doesn’t make the breach harmless.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA low balance does not make a compromised bank account safe\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETransaction histories can expose personal details criminals can use in follow-up scams\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAttackers may wait for incoming payments, exploit connected services or try reused passwords elsewhere\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA compromised account can also be used to receive and move stolen money\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EReport suspicious access or transactions to your bank immediately\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"an-empty-account-is-not-an-empty-target\"\u003EAn empty account is not an empty target\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe obvious risk of a bank account takeover is theft. A criminal can transfer money, make purchases or attempt withdrawals. But the account balance is not the only valuable aspect.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESomeone with access to an account can see regular salary payments, tax refunds, benefits, insurance payments, reimbursements or transfers from relatives. They may wait for money to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey will also look for services connected to the account, including payment apps, debit cards, overdraft facilities, savings accounts or automatic bill payments. What is available depends on the bank and the account, but even limited access can give criminals useful information or options.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises people to monitor accounts for unfamiliar activity, including small charges or debits. These may be \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.consumerfinance.gov\u002Fconsumer-tools\u002Fbank-accounts\u002Fwatch-accounts-closely-when-card-data-is-hacked\u002F\"\u003Eattempts to test\u003C\u002Fa\u003E whether stolen details work before a larger fraud attempt.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"your-transaction-history-can-become-a-fraud-playbook\"\u003EYour transaction history can become a fraud playbook\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA bank statement is often a surprisingly detailed profile of a person’s life. It reveals employers, utility providers, insurers, subscriptions, mortgage or rent payments, medical providers, travel plans and shopping habits.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat information can help criminals build a more believable lie. Instead of sending a generic phishing message, they may impersonate a bank, delivery company, employer or family member using details that make the message seem credible.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, an attacker who sees a regular payment from an insurer might send a fake “policy update” email. Someone who notices regular transfers between family members may attempt an impersonation scam that appears to come from a relative in need.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"compromised-banking-details-can-lead-to-identity-theft\"\u003ECompromised banking details can lead to identity theft\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinancial information is valuable because it can be combined with data stolen from other data breaches. A name, address, account number, payment history and contact details may help criminals impersonate a victim, attempt to open accounts or answer security questions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIdentity theft does not always become visible immediately. Warning signs can include bills for things you did not buy, debt collection calls, unfamiliar accounts on a credit report or loan applications being denied unexpectedly. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.usa.gov\u002Fidentity-theft\"\u003EUSAGov’s identity theft guidance\u003C\u002Fa\u003E recommends reporting suspected identity theft to the affected financial institutions and taking action to protect your credit where appropriate.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"criminals-may-try-the-same-password-elsewhere\"\u003ECriminals may try the same password elsewhere\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA bank account takeover can also confirm that a username and password combination works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf the victim reused that password, as many people do, criminals may try it on email, shopping, social media, payment and cryptocurrency accounts. Access to email is especially valuable because it can allow attackers to reset passwords for other services.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is why changing only the bank password may not be enough. If you used that password anywhere else, change it there too. The FTC specifically \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fconsumer.ftc.gov\u002Farticles\u002Fwhat-do-if-you-were-scammed\"\u003Erecommends\u003C\u002Fa\u003E creating a new, strong password and changing it on any other accounts where it was reused.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"your-account-could-be-used-to-move-stolen-money\"\u003EYour account could be used to move stolen money\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECriminals sometimes use other people’s accounts to receive and transfer stolen funds. This is known as money mule activity.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA victim may not realize their account has been used this way until they see unexplained transfers, hear from their bank or face questions about suspicious activity.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ic3.gov\u002FPSA\u002F2021\u002FPSA211203\"\u003Ewarns\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that money mule schemes can expose people to identity theft, financial losses and serious legal consequences, even when they were not fully aware of the wider scheme.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA compromised account is therefore not just a victim’s problem. It can become part of the criminal infrastructure used to target other people.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-to-do-if-you-think-someone-accessed-your-bank-account\"\u003EWhat to do if you think someone accessed your bank account\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAct quickly, even if no money appears to be missing\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EContact your bank using the number on its official website, app or the back of your card\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EReport unfamiliar transactions, new payees, changed contact details or login alerts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EChange your online-banking password and enable multi-factor authentication if your bank has this option\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EChange any reused password on email, payment and shopping accounts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EReview connected cards, payment apps, direct debits and account alerts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECheck your account statements over the following weeks for delayed or small fraudulent transactions\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EIf personal information was exposed, follow your country’s identity-theft reporting and credit-monitoring guidance\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003ENever rely on a phone number or link sent in an unexpected text or email claiming to be from your bank. Find the bank’s official contact details independently.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"better-protection-starts-before-a-breach\"\u003EBetter protection starts before a breach\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUse a unique password for every financial account and store it in a reputable password manager. Turn on multi-factor authentication, keep your phone and computer updated, and avoid using links in unexpected messages.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA security solution can also help block malicious websites and phishing attempts before they reach a fake banking page. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003EBitdefender Ultimate Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E includes protection designed to help keep phishing, scams and identity-related threats from turning into a larger problem.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003EFAQ\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"can-someone-steal-money-from-an-empty-bank-account\"\u003ECan someone steal money from an empty bank account?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPossibly, depending on the account’s features and linked payment methods. But even if there is no money to take immediately, criminals may wait for incoming payments or use the account data for other fraud.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"why-would-a-hacker-want-my-bank-statements\"\u003EWhy would a hacker want my bank statements?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStatements can reveal personal information, regular payments, employers, services you use and people you send money to. Criminals can use these details to make scams more convincing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"can-a-hacked-bank-account-lead-to-identity-theft\"\u003ECan a hacked bank account lead to identity theft?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes. Banking details may be combined with other stolen personal information to impersonate you, attempt account fraud or target you with more believable scams.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-is-a-money-mule-account\"\u003EWhat is a money mule account?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA money mule account is used to receive or transfer money connected to crime. Criminals may use compromised accounts, or trick people into moving money for them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-should-i-do-if-my-bank-account-was-compromised-but-no-money-was-taken\"\u003EWhat should I do if my bank account was compromised but no money was taken?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact your bank immediately, secure your login credentials, review recent activity and change any reused passwords. Do not wait for a financial loss to appear.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:ai,name:aj,slug:ak,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:ac,name:ad,slug:ae,profile_image:af,cover_image:ag,bio:ah,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:W,reading_time:4,url:aO},{id:"6a7da9f88beeea9658028bde",title:"Police Warning: Your bank is not coming to your house for your card",slug:"bank-scam-fraudsters-come-to-your-home",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002FPolice-Warning-Your-bank-is-not-coming-to-your-house-for-your-card-.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-13T14:52:45.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EScammers can be frighteningly creative. And while we tend to imagine scams happening behind a phone or laptop screen, they don't always stay there.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPolice in Kent, Ohio, are warning the public about a banking scam that can start with a simple text message and end with a stranger \u003Cstrong\u003Eshowing up at your front door to collect your bank card\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYour bank will not send someone to your home to collect a compromised debit or credit card.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECaller ID isn't proof you're speaking with your bank.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Scammers can spoof legitimate phone numbers.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA scam that starts online can quickly move offline.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Never assume you're physically distant from the people behind a text, email or phone scam.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon't move or withdraw money because someone claims your account is part of an investigation.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EIf someone unexpectedly comes to your home claiming to represent your bank, don't give them your card, PIN, cash or personal information.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDiscuss new scams with your family.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Parents, grandparents and other relatives should know about emerging tactics before they're confronted with them.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-does-the-bank-card-collection-scam-work\"\u003EHow does the bank card collection scam work?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-6.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"767\" height=\"501\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-6.png 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fimage-6.png 767w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.facebook.com\u002FKPDOhio\u002Fposts\u002Fpfbid02m8w6fb2egjuFYGPu8Rjh4W6tQp8eXPgAEQvSJrJUFrs6gKE7wpsTTNpSBAXRHbp8l?rdid=yuqcYeIuQvttWIRU\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003ESource\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to Kent Police, the scheme can begin with a text message that looks like it comes from your bank.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe message asks if you recognize a supposedly suspicious transaction. This creates a sense of urgency and gives scammers a reason to contact you again.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENext comes a phone call.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe criminal poses as a bank representative and claims your card has been compromised. Caller ID may even display what appears to be the bank's legitimate phone number.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat doesn't make the call genuine. Caller ID information can be spoofed, allowing scammers to disguise the number they're actually calling from.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThen comes the twist that makes this scam stand out.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe supposed bank employee offers to send someone to your home to collect the compromised card and provide a temporary replacement.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA person posing as a bank employee may subsequently arrive at the address, potentially wearing clothing intended to make the visit look legitimate.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIt's a reminder that scammers aren't restricted to phishing emails, text messages or fraudulent websites. If a scheme requires someone to knock on your door to make the deception more believable, some criminals are willing to take that step.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd if this sounds a bit familiar, that’s because it’s not the first time similar tactics have been used to steal people’s money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you’re a regular on our \u003Cem\u003EHot for Security\u003C\u002Fem\u003E blog, you’ve probably read about a similar scheme. For example, in July 2025, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-au\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fno-real-government-agents-dont-want-you-to-buy-gold-bars-how-to-spot-and-stop-this-scam\"\u003Ewe talked about gold-bar scams\u003C\u002Fa\u003E in which criminals impersonated government or law-enforcement officials and convinced victims to withdraw their savings, buy gold, and hand it to a supposed \"courier.\"\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, the scale of these schemes is becoming clearer. In August 2026, the NYPD \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fabcnews.com\u002FUS\u002Fscammers-target-seniors-steal-100m-gold-bar-scheme\u002Fstory?id=135430602\"\u003Ewarned\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that hundreds of victims may have lost more than $100 million to gold-bar scams. In many cases, a courier reportedly showed up at the victim's home to collect the gold while another scammer remained on the phone.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"when-an-online-scam-follows-you-into-the-real-world\"\u003EWhen an online scam follows you into the real world\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's another reason this particular type of scam deserves your attention.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe often think of online scams as having a degree of physical separation. The criminal is somewhere behind a screen, while you're behind yours.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBut think about it like this:\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E&nbsp;If criminals have your name, phone number, and home address, and you engage with their initial messages, they may learn even more about you before someone arrives at your door.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn in-person visit could potentially reveal additional information about your household:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Who answers the door?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Does an older person live alone?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Are there other family members around?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What security measures are visible?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Is there a doorbell camera?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E·&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Does the person appear particularly trusting or vulnerable?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThere is no indication from the Kent Police warning that this scheme has led to burglaries or home invasions.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Still, allowing someone involved in a scam to visit your home creates a physical-security concern that doesn't exist with an ordinary phishing email.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd there's a broader issue worth considering. \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIf criminals know that someone has already responded to one scam, what's stopping them from trying again?\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScam victims can be targeted repeatedly, sometimes through completely different approaches. That's one more reason to treat an incident like this as more than a compromised bank card.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnd let’s break down the part that makes this type of scam so convincing.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFirst of all, these fraudsters don’t rely on a single trick to con people. \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EThey build credibility in multiple stages, using text messages to alert you, a phone call to confirm the “issue,” and personal information to establish trust.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThen comes the solution to fix your problem: another person physically arriving at your door.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach step appears to confirm the one before it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's also why an unexpected call shouldn't be trusted simply because the caller knows something about you. Names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and other personal information can be obtained through data breaches, public records, social media, previous scams and other sources.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd remember, \u003Cstrong\u003Eknowing your name, bank or address doesn't prove someone is legitimate. Sometimes it simply means a scammer has done their homework.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"will-a-bank-come-to-your-house-to-collect-a-compromised-card\"\u003EWill a bank come to your house to collect a compromised card?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDefinitely Not! A request to hand a payment card to someone arriving at your home should immediately raise alarm bells.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your card really has been compromised, stop communicating with the person who contacted you and independently contact your bank.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUse the official banking app, visit a branch, or call the verified telephone number printed on your card or published on the bank's official website.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDon't use a phone number or link supplied in the suspicious text message.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPolice also warn that legitimate banks and law enforcement agencies won't tell you to withdraw or move money because it's supposedly needed for an investigation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERequests to transfer your savings to a \"safe account,\" withdraw cash for safekeeping, hand over a bank card, or give someone your PIN are also \u003Cstrong\u003Emajor warning signs\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-if-someone-claiming-to-be-from-your-bank-comes-to-your-door\"\u003EWhat if someone claiming to be from your bank comes to your door?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDon't hand over your card, cash, PIN, account credentials or identification documents.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERemember, \u003Cstrong\u003Eyou don't have to continue the conversation simply because someone is standing at your door.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDon't let the visitor inside. Close the door and contact your bank independently. If the person refuses to leave, behaves aggressively or makes you feel unsafe, contact local law enforcement.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUniforms, badges, branded clothing and caller ID can all be used to create an appearance of legitimacy. Verification should happen through a communication channel \u003Cstrong\u003Eyou choose\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, not one provided by the person asking for your money or card.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-should-you-do-if-you-receive-a-suspicious-bank-text\"\u003EWhat should you do if you receive a suspicious bank text?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you receive an unexpected fraud alert, don't panic. A few simple steps can help you determine whether there's actually a problem:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon't click links in the message.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Open your banking app yourself or type the bank's official website into your browser.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon't continue an unexpected call.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Hang up and contact the bank using a verified number.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENever reveal your PIN, password or verification codes.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon't move money to protect it.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Anyone urgently instructing you to transfer or withdraw your savings because your account is supposedly under attack should be treated with suspicion.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENever hand your card to an unexpected visitor.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck your account.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Look for transactions, transfers or changes you don't recognize.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also check suspicious messages with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and inspect questionable URLs with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E before interacting with them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"make-scam-awareness-a-family-conversation\"\u003EMake scam awareness a family conversation\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere's one security resource every family already has: \u003Cstrong\u003Eeach other\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDon't wait until a parent or grandparent receives a suspicious phone call to explain how these scams work. Talk about new tactics when you hear about them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConsider making scam awareness a small monthly family habit. It doesn't need to be a cybersecurity lecture. Spend ten minutes talking about one or two scams you've recently encountered or read about. Show parents and grandparents examples of suspicious texts. Remind everyone that caller ID can be spoofed and that legitimate organizations won't pressure them into immediately handing over money, cards or passwords.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost importantly, agree on a simple family rule: \u003Cstrong\u003EIf something feels strange, urgent or frightening, call someone you trust before doing anything.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat conversation becomes even more important as scammers combine digital and real-world tactics. Protecting a family today isn't just about securing individual devices. It's about protecting the accounts, identities, money and personal information connected to everyone in the household.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Ffamily\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender's family plans\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E are designed around that broader idea of protecting your entire digital life across the people and devices that matter to you. Combined with regular conversations about scams, technology can provide another layer of protection when fraudulent messages, malicious links and other threats reach family members.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"already-handed-over-your-card-act-quickly\"\u003EAlready handed over your card? Act quickly\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you've given your card, PIN or banking information to someone you now suspect is a scammer, contact your bank immediately.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsk the bank to block the card and review the account for unauthorized transactions. Change compromised online-banking credentials and check whether unfamiliar beneficiaries, transfers or contact details have been added.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you've shared passwords that you also use elsewhere, change those accounts too and use unique passwords going forward.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReport the incident to local law enforcement and preserve text messages, phone numbers, screenshots, transaction records and any available doorbell or security-camera footage.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBecause the scammers may now have your home address and know that someone at the address responded to their scheme, make sure everyone in the home knows what happened. Be particularly cautious about unexpected visitors, calls or follow-up messages.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"faqs\"\u003EFAQs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"would-a-scammer-come-to-your-house\"\u003EWould a scammer come to your house?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes. While many scams happen entirely through calls, texts, emails or websites, some schemes involve \u003Cstrong\u003Ein-person couriers or scammers coming directly to a victim's home\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe FBI has warned about scams in which criminals impersonating government agencies, banks or tech-support companies convince victims to withdraw cash or buy gold before sending a courier to collect it. \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"can-someone-steal-your-money-if-they-have-your-bank-details\"\u003ECan someone steal your money if they have your bank details?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt depends on what information they have. Knowing your bank's name or even some account information doesn't necessarily give a scammer direct access to your money, but those details can help them build a much more convincing attack.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, if a scammer has your \u003Cstrong\u003Ebank account number and routing number\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, they may attempt unauthorized withdrawals or payments from your account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAdditionally, scammers may use information they already have to impersonate your bank and trick you into revealing passwords, card information, PINs or one-time verification codes. They may also persuade you to authorize a transfer yourself.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you believe your banking information has been compromised, contact your bank immediately using its official app, website or the number printed on your card.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"should-i-be-worried-if-a-scammer-has-my-address\"\u003EShould I be worried if a scammer has my address?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDon't panic, but take it seriously. Your home address alone usually isn't enough for someone to access your bank account, but scammers can combine it with other personal information to make future scams much more convincing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour address can also be used for scams that reach your physical doorstep. In so-called \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-au\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbrushing-scams-with-a-twist-what-to-do-when-an-unexpected-package-asks-you-to-scan-a-qr-code\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ebrushing scams\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, for example, criminals or unscrupulous sellers send packages you never ordered to your home. More recently, the FBI and FTC have warned about a variation involving unsolicited packages containing QR codes. The recipient may be encouraged to scan the code to discover who sent the \"gift\" or how to return it, only to be directed to a phishing site designed to steal personal or financial information or potentially download malicious software.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReceiving a strange package doesn't necessarily mean you're in immediate physical danger. But it does show why you shouldn't dismiss the fact that a scammer has your address. Be alert for follow-up calls and messages, unexpected packages and people showing up at your door, and make sure everyone in your household knows what's happening.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd never scan a QR code in an unsolicited package simply because you're curious about who sent it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:w,name:x,slug:y,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:ai,name:aj,slug:ak,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,profile_image:p,cover_image:a,bio:q,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:"Scammers can be frighteningly creative. And while we tend to imagine scams happening behind a phone or laptop screen, they don't always stay there.\n\nPolice in Kent, Ohio, are warning the public about a banking scam that can start with a simple text message and end with a stranger showing up at your front door to collect your bank card.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Your bank will not send someone to your home to collect a compromised debit or credit card.\n * Caller ID isn't proof you're speaking with your",reading_time:8,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbank-scam-fraudsters-come-to-your-home\u002F"},{id:"6a7b40a88beeea9658028aa3",title:"Steam gift scams: Why you should never accept one from an unknown user",slug:"steam-gift-scams-why-you-should-never-accept-one-from-an-unknown-user",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002FChatGPT-Image-Aug-11--2026--06_31_10-PM.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-11T18:36:40.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:bC,html:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EValve warns Steam users not to accept gifts from people they don't know, but the practice remains common enough that the company specifically flags it as a potential source of fraud.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnsolicited games can be linked to payment-card fraud, phishing, or item-trading scams. These problems don’t always involve an obvious fake. A stranger offers you a free game, then claim they sent a gift by mistake, or direct the recipient to a page that supposedly lets them accept it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEach approach aims to turn this apparently benign interaction into something more valuable for the scammer: a Steam login, rare in-game items, a payment, or a way to convert a fraudulent purchase into legitimate value.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EDecline Steam gifts from people you don't know, even when the offer appears genuine\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ENever use a link in a chat, email, or Discord message to “accept” a gift or verify your account\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA gift may be bait for a trade, a fake refund request, or an attempt to launder money from payment-card fraud\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"why-would-a-scammer-send-a-steam-gift\"\u003EWhy would a scammer send a Steam gift?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESteam lets users send games as gifts—a handy feature when you want to send something to a friend or a family member. But scammers have weaponized the feature.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn unsolicited gift from someone you don’t know can open a conversation, create a sense of obligation or make an unfamiliar account seem credible before the sender asks for something of greater value.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe clearest financial motive involves payment fraud. A scamer can buy a game with a stolen card, send it to another account, then ask the recipient for cash, Steam items, skins, cryptocurrency, or another gift.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat exchange turns a fraudulent purchase into value the criminal can keep or resell. If the payment is reversed, the recipient may lose the game and face questions about a fraudulent gift.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EValve's own account-restriction guidance is very clear: “Never accept a gift from an unknown user.” It specifically lists redeeming fraudulent gifts among conduct that can lead to account restrictions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-steam-gift-scams-work\"\u003EHow Steam gift scams work\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"1-the-stolen-payment-card-gift\"\u003E1. The stolen-payment-card gift\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe sender offers a game bought with a compromised card, then asks for something they can transfer or resell: an item trade, a wallet-code purchase or payment outside Steam.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe request may sound reasonable: “I bought the wrong game; send me the equivalent in skins,” or “Accept it and give me half the price.” It isn't a resale arrangement. The sender keeps the clean value while the recipient becomes connected to the disputed purchase.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"2-the-%E2%80%98i-sent-it-by-mistake%E2%80%99-trade-scam\"\u003E2. The ‘I sent it by mistake’ trade scam\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther scammers use a small, real gift to establish credibility. Later, they claim they sent something expensive by mistake or need help reversing a transaction. They may demand rare CS2, Dota 2, or Team Fortress 2 items as “compensation.”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThey rely on pressure: accusations of theft, threats to report the account or an invented deadline.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"3-the-fake-steam-gift-link\"\u003E3. The fake Steam gift link\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESometimes there is no gift at all. A message may claim one is waiting, say Steam needs an age check, or require a login to view the sender's profile. The link can lead to a copy of Steam built to collect a username, password, Steam Guard code, or QR-code approval.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith access to an account, attackers can empty inventory, lock out the owner and message friends from a familiar profile.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"4-the-trust-building-setup\"\u003E4. The trust-building setup\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA small gift can also make the sender appear friendly. After a few messages, they may pitch a “sponsor” offer, a tournament, a high-value trade or a supposed Steam Support investigation. They may also push the conversation to Discord or other platforms, away from the context in which the offer began.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EValve \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fhelp.steampowered.com\u002Fen\u002Ffaqs\u002Fview\u002F4F62-35F9-F395-5C23\"\u003Esays\u003C\u002Fa\u003E its employees never discuss account issues through Steam Chat or Discord. Anyone who claims to be Valve or Steam Support and asks you to verify items should be reported for trade scams.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-tell-a-real-steam-gift-from-a-scam\"\u003EHow to tell a real Steam gift from a scam\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you don't know the sender, decline the gift. This is the most effective way to ensure you stay safe and that your account won’t be affected by possible bans.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor gifts from actual friends or family, verify the situation independently. Ask the person via a separate method whether they sent it, especially if their account suddenly writes in an unusual tone or asks you to click a link.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWarning signs include:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe sender is an unfamiliar account or recently added you as a friend\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe message creates urgency: “Accept in five minutes” or “your account will be banned”\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe sender wants payment, skins, Steam Wallet codes, crypto, or another gift in return\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe sender asks you to move to Discord, Telegram, or another platform\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EA link asks for your Steam password, Steam Guard code, QR scan, or other login approval\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ESomeone claims to be a Valve employee and demands that you trade or “verify” your items\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EA real gift doesn't require payment to a stranger, login credentials or a detour outside Steam's ecosystem. Open Steam yourself to check account notifications and support information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-to-do-if-an-unknown-account-sends-you-a-gift\"\u003EWhat to do if an unknown account sends you a gift\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Don't accept or redeem it. Decline the offer.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cstrong\u003E2.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Don't negotiate. Don't send money or items to “return” a mistaken gift.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cstrong\u003E3.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Block and report the account. Preserve screenshots if the sender used threats, links, or impersonation.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cstrong\u003E4.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Open Steam Support yourself. Type the address or use the support option within Steam; don't follow the sender's link.\u003Cbr\u003E\n\u003Cstrong\u003E5.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Tell friends who may receive the same message. Compromised accounts often contact people from an existing friend list.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"what-to-do-if-you-clicked-a-link-or-accepted-the-gift\"\u003EWhat to do if you clicked a link or accepted the gift\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you only received an unsolicited gift and took no action, decline it and cut contact. If you typed credentials into a suspicious page, approved a Steam Guard prompt, scanned a QR code, or traded items, act quickly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EChange your Steam password from the official Steam website or client\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EReview Steam Guard and remove any unfamiliar devices or authorizations\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ECheck recent trades, market listings, and account activity for anything you didn't approve\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUse the official Steam Support site to report account compromise or an item scam\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EChange the password on the email account linked to Steam if you reused credentials or believe it may be exposed\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EEnable Steam Guard and use a unique password for Steam. Multi-factor authentication makes it harder for an attacker to enter an account even after obtaining a password, according to the FTC.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003EFAQ\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"is-it-safe-to-accept-a-steam-gift-from-a-stranger\"\u003EIs it safe to accept a Steam gift from a stranger?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnswer:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E No. Valve specifically advises users never to accept gifts from unknown users.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"can-someone-steal-my-steam-account-by-sending-a-gift\"\u003ECan someone steal my Steam account by sending a gift?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnswer:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E A gift notification alone doesn't give someone access to your account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-happens-if-a-steam-gift-was-bought-with-a-stolen-card\"\u003EWhat happens if a Steam gift was bought with a stolen card?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnswer:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E The payment can be disputed and reversed. Valve says redeeming fraudulent gifts can lead to account restrictions, so don't accept gifts from unknown accounts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"does-steam-support-contact-users-on-discord\"\u003EDoes Steam Support contact users on Discord?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnswer:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E No. Valve says Steam employees won't communicate about account issues through chat systems, including Steam Chat and Discord.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"should-i-repay-someone-who-says-they-sent-me-a-steam-gift-by-mistake\"\u003EShould I repay someone who says they sent me a Steam gift by mistake?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAnswer:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Don't send money, items, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Decline the gift, block the sender, and report suspicious conduct through Steam.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:w,name:x,slug:y,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:ac,name:ad,slug:ae,profile_image:af,cover_image:ag,bio:ah,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:bC,reading_time:s,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fsteam-gift-scams-why-you-should-never-accept-one-from-an-unknown-user\u002F"},{id:"6a7adfcb8beeea9658028a0d",title:"Deepfake OnlyFans accounts are scamming fans and putting creators at risk",slug:"deepfake-onlyfans-account-scam",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fdeepfake-onlyfans.jpg",featured:c,published_at:"2026-08-11T11:47:29.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EA familiar OnlyFans creator appears in your TikTok feed. She looks into the camera, speaks in a recognizable voice and invites you to continue the conversation somewhere more private. Soon, she offers exclusive content in return for a quick payment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExcept the creator never recorded the video, never sent the messages and never received the money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to reports, scammers are now stealing creators’ photos and videos, animating still images, cloning voices and building fake social media accounts to deceive their fans.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fraud may begin with a synthetic video, but it ultimately relies on a combination of impersonation, emotional manipulation and hard-to-reverse payments.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EScammers are using stolen creator content, animated images and cloned voices to build convincing OnlyFans impersonations\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFake accounts may approach fans on TikTok before moving conversations to private messaging apps such as Snapchat\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EVictims are asked to pay through peer-to-peer services for exclusive content or live interactions that never arrive\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBoth sides face harm: fans lose money, while creators suffer lost income, reputational damage and even threats to their physical safety\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EVerify every unexpected approach through the creator’s official account and never treat a familiar face or voice as proof of identity\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ELook for visual, audio and behavioral warning signs, then use a dedicated deepfake detector when a video remains suspicious\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"how-the-scam-moves-from-a-fake-video-to-real-payment\"\u003EHow the scam moves from a fake video to real payment\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scheme is a technologically enhanced form of catfishing. Instead of relying only on stolen profile pictures, criminals now use AI tools to make a still image appear to speak, then pair it with a synthetic version of the creator’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScammers have used this material to create fake accounts on social platforms like TikTok. They then encourage fans to move to a direct-messaging service such as Snapchat, where the conversation is less visible and the imposter can apply pressure one-on-one.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fake creator eventually offers exclusive content or a live interaction in exchange for payment, sometimes through Cash App, which lets users easily send, receive, and save money. Once the payment arrives, the scammer blocks the fan and disappears.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeer-to-peer payment apps are especially useful to fraudsters because transfers can clear quickly and may be difficult to reverse.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"a-classic-deepfake-scam\"\u003EA classic deepfake scam\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA deepfake is media created with AI to make someone appear to say or do something they never said or did. It can involve a face swap, altered lip movements, a cloned voice, a fully generated scene or a mixture of authentic and fabricated elements.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this campaign, scammers do not necessarily need a flawless, cinema-quality fake. They need just enough movement, speech and familiarity to make a stolen image feel like fresh proof that the account is genuine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne fake TikTok video reportedly impersonating creator Elaina St. James animated a still photo and cloned her voice. The illusion was not perfect: the teeth appeared distorted and the eyebrows remained unnaturally still.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESocial media viewers tend to watch short clips quickly and on small screens, making imperfections easier to miss.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"two-sets-of-victims\"\u003ETwo sets of victims\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFans who send money are the most obvious victims, but the fraud also shifts blame and risk onto the person being impersonated.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECreator Jessieanna Campbell \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Feu.usatoday.com\u002Fstory\u002Flife\u002Fhealth-wellness\u002F2026\u002F08\u002F03\u002Fonlyfans-creators-ai-imposters-deepfake-scammers\u002F91095998007\u002F\"\u003Etold\u003C\u002Fa\u003E USA Today that she regularly hears from confused fans who believe she accepted payments and then blocked them. One reported complaint involved $150.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe victim believed the face and voice belonged to the real creator, so the anger may be directed at her rather than at the unknown scammer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe consequences can move offline. USA Today also spoke with a creator who said angry fans had come to her home, leaving her afraid to go outside at times. Impersonation can therefore cost creators income and trust while exposing them to harassment or physical danger.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"a-convincing-face\"\u003EA convincing face\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeople naturally use faces, voices and apparent live interaction as evidence of identity. Deepfakes exploit that reflex by borrowing a real person’s credibility and placing it inside a false story.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender’s \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Ffiles\u002F2025\u002F11\u002F11052025-2025-Consumer-Cybersecurity-Survey.pdf?_gl=1*6jca3p*_ga*MTI2Mzk0NTA1My4xNzgxNzY2MDQz*_ga_6M0GWNLLWF*czE3ODY0MzE4Mzgkbzk4JGcxJHQxNzg2NDMyOTAyJGo2MCRsMCRoMTE5NDQ0MTMyMA..*_fplc*bU5SU3c5WHpUUWEzT014TWxWSWVxUE9NeHA2V2RCMHM1bzBzUGYyOVFhTVlSUFJsT0ZuOFpsdlVmbUc3ZUZCMjBWOHVxM25hUUoyb2U1QjBHWXJJNjBQdWlUcEtHMGZuJTJCWjFUemhYSCUyRlVabkpFNUpoMlluY1EwNDRtQVFXUSUzRCUzRA..*FPAU*MTkwNjEwOTEyMy4xNzgxNzY4NjM3\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2025 Consumer Cybersecurity Survey\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E of more than 7,000 internet users in seven countries found that \u003Cstrong\u003E37% consider deepfake videos a top concern regarding AI’s use in scams\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fchart-1-2.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"492\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fchart-1-2.jpg 600w\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESocial media was the leading scam-delivery channel\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, cited by \u003Cstrong\u003E34%\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E of respondents, while \u003Cstrong\u003E66%\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E said they \u003Cstrong\u003Epost personal content\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E such as photos, videos and milestones online.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat public material gives impersonators a person’s voice, expressions, routines, relationships and communication style — ingredients for a tailored scam.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-spot-an-onlyfans-deepfake-scam\"\u003EHow to spot an OnlyFans deepfake scam\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs we explain in \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fhow-to-detect-fake-video-deepfake\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eour guide to spotting deepfake videos\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, no single glitch proves that a video is fake. Compression, filters and poor lighting can also create strange effects.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELook at the source, the media and the request together.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"start-with-the-account\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStart with the account\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECheck whether the message came from the creator’s verified account or from a new profile using a similar name.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVisit the creator’s known website or official social media accounts directly rather than following a link supplied by the sender. Search for warnings about impersonators and confirm whether the creator actually uses the platform where you were contacted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"replay-the-face-and-mouth\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EReplay the face and mouth\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESlow down a short section and look to see whether the lips match the words.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELook for teeth that merge or change shape, frozen eyebrows, blurred facial edges, skin texture that shifts between frames, or hair and accessories that briefly disappear. These are reasons to investigate further, not proof by themselves.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"listen-beyond-the-familiar-voice\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EListen beyond the familiar voice\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA cloned voice may sound recognizable despite unnatural pauses, flat emotion, missing breaths or odd pronunciation. Background noise may cut in and out while the voice remains unnaturally clean.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo not use voice recognition alone to confirm identity.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"examine-what-the-person-wants\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EExamine what the person wants\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe behavior may expose the scam even when the video does not.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBe wary when someone quickly tries to switch you to a private chat, promises a live interaction, demands secrecy or requests advance payment through a peer-to-peer app, cryptocurrency, gift card or another difficult-to-reverse method.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"verify-through-a-separate-channel\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVerify through a separate channel\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EContact the creator only through an official account you locate independently. Do not simply ask the suspicious profile for proof of identity—the scammer controls that channel and can send more fabricated material.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor an additional check, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fdeepfake-detector-bitdefender-realcheck\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender RealCheck\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can analyze a suspicious video for signs of manipulation and deceptive intent. A detection tool should support independent verification, not replace it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-to-do-if-you-encounter-or-pay-a-fake-account\"\u003EWhat to do if you encounter (or pay) a fake account\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStop communicating and do not send more money or personal information\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESave the profile name, messages, payment details, video links and screenshots before the account disappears\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReport the impersonation to every platform involved\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EContact the payment provider immediately and ask whether the transfer can be stopped or disputed\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENotify the real creator through a verified channel without blame or threats\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChange any password you disclosed and enable two-factor authentication on affected accounts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReport the fraud to the national consumer-protection or cybercrime authority\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECreators targeted by impersonation should also document each account, alert followers through verified channels and avoid exposing home addresses, real-time locations or other details that could help an angry or confused fan find them offline.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"deepfake-scams-dont-have-to-be-perfect-to-work\"\u003EDeepfake scams don't have to be perfect to work\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA short synthetic video can provide a spark of credibility, while private messages, emotional attention and an urgent payment request do the rest.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf a supposed creator contacts you away from their official platform, don’t let a familiar face or voice settle the question.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPause, inspect the account and the video, verify the approach independently and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fdeepfake-detector-bitdefender-realcheck\"\u003Euse a detection tool\u003C\u002Fa\u003E when needed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERelated:\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fdeepfake-romance-scams\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDeepfakes are making romance scams harder to doubt\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fhow-to-detect-fake-video-deepfake\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EIs that video real? How to spot a deepfake before it fools you\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fdeepfake-detector-bitdefender-realcheck\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EThe deepfake detector in your pocket: introducing Bitdefender RealCheck\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",tags:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:w,name:x,slug:y,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:z,name:A,slug:B,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:k,name:g,slug:g,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a},{id:e,name:f,slug:d,description:a,feature_image:a,visibility:b,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,canonical_url:a,accent_color:a}],authors:[{id:F,name:G,slug:H,profile_image:I,cover_image:a,bio:J,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],excerpt:"A familiar OnlyFans creator appears in your TikTok feed. She looks into the camera, speaks in a recognizable voice and invites you to continue the conversation somewhere more private. Soon, she offers exclusive content in return for a quick payment.\n\nExcept the creator never recorded the video, never sent the messages and never received the money.\n\nAccording to reports, scammers are now stealing creators’ photos and videos, animating still images, cloning voices and building fake social media ac",reading_time:s,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fdeepfake-onlyfans-account-scam\u002F"}],page:1,limit:999,isLoading:c,filterString:r,blogname:bA,menuItems:{hotforsecurity:{en:[{tag:r,name:v},{tag:"threats",name:"Threats"},{tag:ab,name:E},{tag:ax,name:N},{tag:"tips-and-tricks",name:"Tips and Tricks"},{tag:bD,name:bE}],es:[{tag:r,name:v},{tag:"consejos-de-seguridad",name:"Consejos de Seguridad"},{tag:"noticias-de-la-industria",name:"Noticias de la industria"},{tag:"microempresas",name:"Microempresas"},{tag:"actualizaciones-de-productos",name:"Actualizaciones de productos"},{tag:"hogar-inteligente",name:"Hogar Inteligente"},{tag:bD,name:bE}],ro:[{tag:r,name:v},{tag:ab,name:E},{tag:ax,name:N}],fr:[{tag:r,name:v},{tag:ab,name:E},{tag:"conseils-astuces",name:"Conseils"},{tag:"maison-connectee",name:"Maison Connectée"},{tag:bF,name:"ABC CYBERSÉCURITÉ"}],de:[{tag:r,name:v},{tag:"branchennachrichten",name:"Nachrichten"},{tag:ab,name:E},{tag:"tipps-und-tricks",name:"TIPPS"},{tag:ax,name:N},{tag:bF,name:"ABC DER CYBERSICHERHEIT"}]},labs:{en:[{tag:r,name:v},{tag:"antimalware-research",name:"Anti-Malware Research"},{tag:"free-tools",name:"Free Tools"},{tag:"whitepapers",name:"Whitepapers"}]},businessinsights:{en:[{tag:r,name:v},{tag:"enterprise-security",name:"Enterprise Security"},{tag:"cloud-security",name:"Cloud Security"},{tag:"privacy-and-data-protection",name:"Privacy and Data Protection"}]}}}},error:a,state:{lang:d,primaryTag:bG,server:"http:\u002F\u002Flocalhost:3000\u002Fnuxt\u002Fapi",mainTag:bG,locale:"en-us"},serverRendered:O,routePath:"\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002F",config:{pageEnv:"prod",_app:{basePath:av,assetsPath:"\u002Fnuxt\u002F_nuxt\u002F",cdnURL:a}}}}(null,"public",false,"en","66f50fb228045a04f10ce986","EN","top","66f50fb228045a04f10ce98a","Industry News","industry-news","66f50fb228045a04f10ce992","Digital Privacy","66d5cbea28045a04f10b89c1","Alina BÎZGĂ","abizga","http:\u002F\u002F2.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F8438d6e3076d0baf471aec1235424fcf?s=512&d=mm&r=g","Alina is a history buff passionate about cybersecurity and anything sci-fi, advocating Bitdefender technologies and solutions. She spends most of her time between her two feline friends and traveling.","all",5,"66f50fb228045a04f10ce985","digital-privacy","All","66f50fb228045a04f10ce9b2","Scam","scam","696f63bc2fa53a9f2eef2657","AI","ai",2,"Hackers obtained customer contact and booking-related data from Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, creating new phishing risks for travelers.","Product Updates","66d5cbea28045a04f10b89d0","Filip TRUȚĂ","ftruta","http:\u002F\u002F0.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F377aeee1f02a7ae7ac62f20f2f4ce504?s=512&d=mm&r=g","Filip has 17 years of experience in technology journalism. In recent years, he has focused on cybersecurity in his role as a Security Analyst at Bitdefender.","66f50fb228045a04f10ce9b3","Data Breach","data-breach","Smart Home",true,"6a91ae3d8beeea96580295e2","Big Tech calls for cyber-defense before AI attacks surge","big-tech-cyber-defense-ai-cyber-attacks","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fbig-tech-header.jpg","2026-08-28T18:54:46.000+03:00","More than 120 technology, cybersecurity, financial and infrastructure organizations are urging companies and governments to strengthen digital defenses before increasingly capable AI systems make sophisticated cyberattacks faster, cheaper and more widespread.\n\nA coalition of technology companies, cybersecurity vendors, banks and other organizations is calling for an urgent global effort to strengthen cyber defenses as artificial intelligence reshapes the threat landscape.\n\nThe open letter, publi","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbig-tech-cyber-defense-ai-cyber-attacks\u002F","Even if it’s not immediately obvious, bank accounts hold something that can be just as useful as cash: a detailed record of your financial life. ","66d5cbea28045a04f10b89eb","Vlad CONSTANTINESCU","vlad","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2021\u002F12\u002FVlad.jpg","Vlad's love for technology and writing created rich soil for his interest in cybersecurity to sprout into a full-on passion.\nBefore becoming a Security Analyst, he covered tech and security topics.","yearly","product-updates","66d5cbea28045a04f10b89df","Silviu STAHIE","sstahie","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F03\u002FBD_Silviu_Stahie_Pic3-1.jpeg","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F03\u002FBD_Silviu_Stahie_Pic3.jpeg","Silviu is a seasoned writer who followed the technology world for almost two decades, covering topics ranging from software to hardware and everything in between.","6a608f628beeea9658028065","Finance","finance","\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EMore than 120 technology, cybersecurity, financial and infrastructure organizations are urging companies and governments to strengthen digital defenses before increasingly capable AI systems make sophisticated cyberattacks faster, cheaper and more widespread.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA coalition of technology companies, cybersecurity vendors, banks and other organizations is calling for an urgent global effort to strengthen cyber defenses as artificial intelligence reshapes the threat landscape.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe open letter, published by OpenAI, warns that organizations have a “limited window” to address longstanding security weaknesses before advanced AI capabilities become more widely available to attackers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESignatories include Amazon Web Services, Anthropic, Cloudflare, Google, Microsoft, Mastercard, Visa, Cisco, as well as major players in the cybersecurity sector.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut bringing so many influential companies into a single defensive effort also raises questions of trust, transparency and accountability. Consumers depend heavily on Big Tech, yet many remain wary of the companies building and deploying the most powerful AI systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMore than 120 organizations have signed an open letter calling for a global surge in cyber defense\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe coalition warns that AI-enabled cyberattacks could grow much more widespread and sophisticated in the coming months\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EHospitals, water utilities, local governments and internet infrastructure are highlighted as areas of particular concern\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EGovernments and businesses are urged to invest in AI-powered defensive tools, threat-intelligence sharing and vulnerability remediation\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBitdefender research shows that public trust in the technology companies leading the AI transition is sharply divided\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EStrong oversight, transparency and human accountability will be essential if AI is to play a larger role in cyber defense\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"a-race-to-fix-old-security-weaknesses\"\u003EA race to fix old security weaknesses\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fopenai.com\u002Fcollective-cyberdefense\u002F\"\u003Eletter\u003C\u002Fa\u003E describes AI as a force multiplier for both attackers and defenders.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore advanced models can help threat actors discover vulnerabilities, analyze complex systems, write malicious code and automate parts of an attack. This could allow smaller or less-skilled groups to carry out operations that previously required substantial time, expertise and money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut many of the weaknesses AI could help exploit are not new. They include unpatched software, insecure configurations, excessive user permissions, weak authentication and technical debt accumulated in legacy systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe coalition argues that the existing approach to security will no longer be enough once attackers can find and exploit these gaps at machine speed. The concern is particularly acute for critical infrastructure, where outdated technology and limited security budgets can make it hard to replace vulnerable systems or deploy patches without disrupting essential services.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHospitals, water-treatment facilities, local governments and the systems underpinning the internet are among the services singled out as at risk.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"the-same-technology-can-give-defenders-an-advantage\"\u003EThe same technology can give defenders an advantage\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI can also help security teams review code, find vulnerabilities, investigate alerts and prioritize remediation faster.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis creates what OpenAI has separately described as “the defender’s window”— a period in which organizations can still use advanced models to locate and repair weaknesses before offensive AI capabilities spread more widely.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn one example, OpenAI President Greg Brockman said an AI agent found 13 potential security issues on his personal website in about 15 minutes. The system then helped address problems involving email-spoofing protections, an outdated software component and an unencrypted connection between two hosting services.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuch tools could be particularly valuable for smaller organizations that lack large security teams. However, the open letter emphasizes that AI is no substitute for basic cyber hygiene. Strong access controls, secure architecture, timely patching, network isolation and defense in depth remain essential.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"four-groups-are-being-asked-to-act\"\u003EFour groups are being asked to act\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe initiative divides responsibility among organizations, cybersecurity providers, governments and frontier AI companies.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBusinesses and public-sector leaders are urged to make cybersecurity an immediate priority, address their most dangerous vulnerabilities and apply stricter security standards to the technology they buy, build and deploy—including AI-generated code.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECybersecurity companies and technology partners are asked to test their defenses continuously against emerging AI capabilities, incorporate AI into existing security tools and share threat intelligence and proven response playbooks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGovernments are called on to improve coordination across borders, fund cyber defense and expand access to advanced defensive capabilities. The letter places particular emphasis on hospitals, water utilities and local authorities that may lack the staff or resources to prepare independently.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI developers, meanwhile, are asked to provide responsible access to capable models, along with funding, training and hands-on assistance. The initiative also calls for traceable AI-agent identities, continuous monitoring, authorized security testing and responsible disclosure of vulnerabilities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-about-public-trust\"\u003EWhat about public trust?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe coalition brings together some of the most powerful and widely used technology companies in the world. Their participation gives the initiative considerable technical reach, but public acceptance can’t be taken for granted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fwhich-big-tech-companies-do-you-trust-or-not-we-asked-netizens?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender survey of more than 7,000 internet users across seven countries\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E found that trust varies considerably between major technology brands.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENearly nine in 10 respondents said they trusted Google to some extent, while 85% said the same about Microsoft. Both companies signed the cyber-defense letter.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIronically, OpenAI, which published the initiative, faces greater skepticism, with 45% of respondents expressing suspicion toward the company.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Ftrust-in-big-tech-chart.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1268\" height=\"633\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Ftrust-in-big-tech-chart.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Ftrust-in-big-tech-chart.jpg 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Ftrust-in-big-tech-chart.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe findings expose a key tension. Consumers want technology companies to protect the services and information they rely on, but they also want to know how those companies use their data, how automated systems make decisions and who is accountable when something goes wrong.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat becomes especially important when AI tools are given access to sensitive code, infrastructure configurations, security alerts or operational systems. Defensive agents will need clearly defined permissions, strong monitoring and human oversight—particularly when their actions could affect essential services.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECollective cyber defense therefore depends on more than access to powerful technology. It also requires transparency, safeguards and evidence that the tools work as intended without creating new privacy or security risks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-this-means-for-consumers\"\u003EWhat this means for consumers\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA successful attack on a hospital, bank, utility provider or local government can expose personal information, interrupt essential services and create opportunities for follow-up phishing, identity theft and financial fraud. AI may also help criminals personalize scam messages, imitate trusted organizations and operate fraudulent campaigns on a much larger scale.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConsumers can’t manually fix vulnerabilities inside every service they use, but they \u003Cem\u003Ecan\u003C\u002Fem\u003E reduce their personal exposure by installing updates promptly, using unique passwords or passkeys, enabling multifactor authentication, reviewing app permissions and treating unexpected requests for money or credentials with caution.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOrganizations, however, carry the larger responsibility. As AI lowers the barriers to sophisticated cyber activity, leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched or accounts overprivileged becomes increasingly risky.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe coalition’s message is ultimately one of urgency rather than inevitability: AI can (and likely will) increase the reach of cyberattacks, but it can also help defenders find and close weaknesses faster.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EOn topic:\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fnew-york-bill-ai-chatbot-legal-medical-advice\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAI isn’t your lawyer or doctor: New York lawmakers say it’s time to draw the line\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fdeepfake-romance-scams\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EDeepfakes are making romance scams harder to doubt\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbritain-push-cybercrime-scams-ai-internet-legislation\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBritain’s big push to make the internet safer\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","6a9146648beeea965802959b","Manchester Airports Group cyberattack exposes data of 8.7 million customers","manchester-airports-group-data-breach-8-7-million","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fjoel-barwick-7qz6rINHYBw-unsplash.jpg","2026-08-28T11:28:40.000+03:00","\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EHackers obtained customer contact and booking-related data from Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports, creating new phishing risks for travelers.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EManchester Airports Group confirmed that an unauthorized third party obtained customer data linked to three UK airports\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAround 8.7 million customers are reportedly affected by the breach\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EExposed information includes email addresses, phone numbers, vehicle registrations and postcodes, but not bank or payment details\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETravelers should be particularly wary of phishing emails, texts and calls impersonating airports or travel services\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-data-was-exposed-in-the-manchester-airports-group-cyberattack\"\u003EWhat data was exposed in the Manchester Airports Group cyberattack?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EManchester Airports Group (MAG), the UK’s largest airport operator, has \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.manchesterairport.co.uk\u002Fhelp\u002Fdata-security-incident\u002F\"\u003Econfirmed\u003C\u002Fa\u003E a cybersecurity incident involving information collected through airport Wi-Fi registrations and bookings for parking, lounges and Fast Track services at the Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReports citing MAG place the affected population at roughly 8.7 million customers. Compromised information can include email addresses, telephone numbers, postal codes and vehicle registration numbers. MAG says neither the company nor the affected system held customers’ bank or payment information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"why-stolen-airport-data-could-fuel-convincing-scams\"\u003EWhy stolen airport data could fuel convincing scams\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFinancial information does not need to be exposed for a breach to create fraud risks. Contact details combined with information about an airport or travel service can give criminals enough context to create convincing phishing messages about bookings, parking, refunds or account problems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECriminals routinely exploit information from breaches to make fraudulent emails, texts and calls appear more legitimate, the UK National Cyber Security Centre \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncsc.gov.uk\u002Fguidance\u002Fdata-breaches\"\u003Ewarns\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Scammers can also impersonate the breached organization and steer recipients toward fake login or payment pages.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-affected-travelers-should-do-now\"\u003EWhat affected travelers should do now\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMAG says passenger safety, aviation security and airport operations were unaffected. At disclosure, the company also temporarily suspended its online Manage My Booking service as a precaution. Customers who receive unexpected communications should verify the messages through official airport websites or established contact numbers rather than links supplied in messages.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBe especially suspicious of requests for passwords, banking information or payment details. Check important accounts for unfamiliar activity, use unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication wherever possible. The NCSC also recommends checking directly with the affected organization rather than relying on contact details contained in unexpected messages.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor another layer of protection, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can analyze questionable links, messages and screenshots before you interact with them. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Digital Identity Protection\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can monitor exposed personal information and breach activity, while \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUltimate Security\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E provides broader anti-phishing and scam protection.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fmanchester-airports-group-data-breach-8-7-million\u002F","bitdefender","Consumer Insights","\u002F","hotforsecurity","smart-home",6,"6a8ed0f38beeea9658029493","Back-to-school cybersecurity checklist for parents and students","back-to-school-cybersecurity-checklist-families","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002FBack-to-school-cybersecurity-checklist.png","2026-08-26T15:12:42.000+03:00","66f50fb228045a04f10ce987","Family Safety","family","Back-to-school season is here again.\n\nNew school year, new routines, new devices and plenty to organize. While you're working through the usual back-to-school list, it's a good time to check how your family is protecting its accounts, devices, money and personal information online.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Back-to-school scams can hide in everyday activities. Think shopping deals, delivery messages, school emails, rentals, jobs and student discounts.\n * Slow down whenever money or personal informatio","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fback-to-school-cybersecurity-checklist-families\u002F","6a88606c8beeea9658029244","Why an Empty Bank Account Is Valuable to Cybercriminals","empty-bank-account-valuable-cybercriminals","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fmohamed_hassan-money-transfer-7185873_1920.png","2026-08-21T18:20:34.000+03:00","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fempty-bank-account-valuable-cybercriminals\u002F","6a91602f8beeea96580295b2","Shai-Hulud hackers: two men charged over TeamPCP's global supply chain crime spree that hit OpenAI, and thousands more","shai-hulud-hackers-charged-teampcps","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fteampcp.jpeg","2026-08-28T13:18:00.000+03:00","\u003Cp\u003EPolice have charged two men from Western Australia over their alleged involvement in TeamPCP, a cybercriminal gang that has been blamed for a massive software supply-chain hacking campaign. TeamPCP is best known for Shai-Hulud, a self-propagating worm that spread itself through open source software.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Australian Federal Police (AFP), working with the FBI and Western Australia Police, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.afp.gov.au\u002Fnews-centre\u002Fmedia-release\u002Ftwo-wa-men-charged-following-afp-fbi-wapf-disruption-alleged-global\"\u003Eannounced\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that on 26 August they charged a 21-year-old from Cottesloe and a 23-year-old from Mandurah with multiple offences, including data intrusion and unauthorised modification of data. Both men appeared in court in Perth on Thursday.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the authorities, the two men were principal members of a \"sophisticated cybercrime syndicate\" that created malicious open source software designed to steal data and extort ransoms from businesses. More than 1000 organisations around the world are estimated to have been compromised in the attacks, with over 500,000 credentials and at least 300GB of data stolen.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENeither of the men has been formally named by the police, but cybercrime investigative journalist Brian Krebs \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fkrebsonsecurity.com\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Ftwo-alleged-teampcp-hackers-arrested-in-australia\u002F\"\u003Ereports\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that the 21-year-old is Ruben Thomson, who used the handle \"Ellis\" and allegedly led TeamPCP until March 2026.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFirst emerging in late 2025, TeamPCP built a reputation for poisoning popular open source packages rather than directly attacking businesses. By compromising individual pieces of widely-used software their attack could impact thousands of victims at once.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe group's \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.wired.com\u002Fstory\u002Fteampcp-software-supply-chain-attack-spree-github\u002F\"\u003EShai-Hulud worm\u003C\u002Fa\u003E hijacks GitHub and NPM developer credentials, and publishes boobytrapped versions of legitimate software packages. Anyone who uses the package in their own software risks sharing their own secret API keys and credentials with the hackers, opening the door for a further round of compromises.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHacks linked to TeamPCP include the compromise of vulnerability scanner \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Farstechnica.com\u002Fsecurity\u002F2026\u002F03\u002Fwidely-used-trivy-scanner-compromised-in-ongoing-supply-chain-attack\u002F\"\u003ETrivy\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which led to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2026\u002F03\u002F31\u002Fmercor-says-it-was-hit-by-cyberattack-tied-to-compromise-of-open-source-litellm-project\u002F\"\u003Ebreaches\u003C\u002Fa\u003E of open source AI gateway LiteLLM, and AI recruitment firm \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mercor.com\u002Fblog\u002Fupdate-on-mercor-security-incident\u002F\"\u003EMercor\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. TeamPCP also compromised LiteLLM's own code directly, in an attack CloudSEK found had harvested secrets from \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cloudsek.com\u002Fblog\u002Fai-supply-chain-breach-2500-companies-434000-cicd-pipelines\"\u003Emore than 2,500 organisations\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe attacks even resulted in the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2026\u002F05\u002F14\u002Fopenai-says-hackers-stole-some-data-after-latest-code-security-issue\u002F\"\u003Etheft of data from OpenAI\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftechcrunch.com\u002F2026\u002F04\u002F03\u002Feuropes-cyber-agency-blames-hacking-gangs-for-massive-data-breach-and-leak\u002F\"\u003Ehack\u003C\u002Fa\u003E of the European Commission's cloud infrastructure.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn an audacious twist earlier this year, it was announced on Telegram that TeamPCP was \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.dataminr.com\u002Fresources\u002Fcyber-intel-deep-dive-teampcp-shai-hulud-3-0\u002F\"\u003Erunning a competition\u003C\u002Fa\u003E offering a prize for whoever built the biggest attack with leaked Shai-Hulud code.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fteampcp-prize.jpeg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"600\" height=\"505\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F08\u002Fteampcp-prize.jpeg 600w\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESupply chain attacks like Shai-Hulud exploit the fact that most developers trust open source software packages too easily, and can all too easily believe a package from a public registry is safe because thousands of others use it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","66d5cbea28045a04f10b89d1","Graham CLULEY","gcluley","http:\u002F\u002F2.gravatar.com\u002Favatar\u002F5fdc27b8b6f6fd69e77aa017a53cceb5?s=512&d=mm&r=g","Graham Cluley is an award-winning security blogger, researcher and public speaker.  He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s.","Police have charged two men from Western Australia over their alleged involvement in TeamPCP, a cybercriminal gang that has been blamed for a massive software supply-chain hacking campaign. TeamPCP is best known for Shai-Hulud, a self-propagating worm that spread itself through open source software.\n\nThe Australian Federal Police (AFP), working with the FBI and Western Australia Police, announced that on 26 August they charged a 21-year-old from Cottesloe and a 23-year-old from Mandurah with mul","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fshai-hulud-hackers-charged-teampcps\u002F",3,"News, views and insights from the Bitdefender experts","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2021\u002F05\u002Fh4s_2x.png","#15171A","https:\u002F\u002Fstatic.ghost.org\u002Fv3.0.0\u002Fimages\u002Fpublication-cover.png","@bitdefender","Europe\u002FAthens","Home","Cybersecurity News","\u002Ftag\u002Fpeople-of-bitdefender\u002Findustry-news\u002F","\u002Ftag\u002Fdigital-privacy\u002F","\u002Ftag\u002Fsmart-home\u002F","How To","\u002Ftag\u002Fhow-to\u002F","\u002Ftag\u002Fproduct-updates\u002F","noreply","icon-and-text","Subscribe","free","monthly","off","hotforsecurity@bitdefender.com","noreply@blogapp.bitdefender.com","disabled","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002F","5.101",{},"fr","Valve warns Steam users not to accept gifts from people they don't know, but the practice remains common enough that the company specifically flags it as a potential source of fraud.","vpn","VPN","abc",""));</script></body></html>