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               Bitdefender wins Best Scam Protection in H1 2026 from Artifact Security
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         October 27, 2026
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         October 27, 2026
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         October 21, 2026
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               WhatsApp rolls out new parental controls for teens. Here’s how to set them up
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         October 05, 2026
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         October 05, 2026
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      </a><!----><!----> <!----></div> <a href="/en-us/blog/hotforsecurity/protect-older-adults-cybersecurity-awareness-month" title="Cybersecurity Awareness Month Starts With Protecting Older Adults" class="tw-block"><h3 class="tw-font-bold tw-leading-tight tw-line-clamp-3 tw-text-lg">
               Cybersecurity Awareness Month Starts With Protecting Older Adults
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         October 01, 2026
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               Apple patches zero-day behind ‘extremely sophisticated’ iPhone attacks
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         October 01, 2026
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A free decoration kit, a €250 gift card, a costume discount or a Halloween-only bonus may sound harmless, especially when inboxes and social feeds are already full of real seasonal promotions.\n\nHere’s a look into the broader Halloween scam landscape of 2026, according to Bitdefender Labs.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Researchers at Bitdefender Labs have identified multiple Halloween-themed threats across email, SMS, social-media ads, instant messaging and suspicious online stores.\n * The combined Costco and Tractor Supply email campaigns mainly targeted US users, who represented 73% of observed targeting. Romania, Ireland, Germany and Hungary were also targeted.\n * Scammers impersonated Costco, Tractor Supply and bol.com in email lures, while other emails promoted suspicious Halloween stores, gambling bonuses and fake Samsung TV surveys. The impersonated brands are not involved in these campaigns.\n * SMS campaigns used fake lottery winnings, expiring credits, “spooky” deposits, Halloween-party invitations and a malicious workbook to pressure people into clicking.\n\n\nHalloween scams at a glance\n\nBitdefender Labs researchers Viorel Zavoiu and Alexandra Dinulica have uncovered multiple Halloween-themed scam campaigns between Sept. 1 and Oct. 22, 2026.\n\nThis includes scams delivered via email, text, instant messages and social media ads.  The campaigns targeted users across North America and Europe. Canada was targeted through French- and English-language SMS scams. UK users received prize and gambling-style messages. US users, meanwhile, were targeted with retailer impersonation, fake shopping offers and malware. France saw recently registered costume domains, while users in Germany, Romania, Ireland, Hungary, the Netherlands and Belgium were targeted by email lures and shopping scams.\n\nThe combined Costco and Tractor Supply campaigns were particularly US-focused: 73% of observed targeting involved US users. Romania accounted for 9%, Ireland for 5%, Germany for 4% and Hungary for 3%.\n\n\nFake Costco and Tractor Supply Halloween offers\n\nAmong the Halloween-themed email campaigns we observed, some of the most prominent used a classic lure we see each year during spooky season.\n\nOne campaign misused Tractor Supply branding and promised recipients a “Free Ultimate Halloween Decorating Kit.” Another impersonated Costco, claiming that a limited number of Halloween sets remained and asking recipients to complete a short shopping-feedback survey. Neither Tractor Supply nor Costco is associated with these messages.\n\nThe Tractor Supply campaign was heavily focused on US recipients, while the Costco lure was more geographically mixed, with notable targeting in Romania, the US and Ireland.\n\nA survey may not sound dangerous. But fake survey scams can lead to pages designed to collect names, addresses, payment-card details or account credentials. Targets may be told they have “won” a prize, then asked to pay a small delivery or verification fee. The fee and the card data used to pay it are usually the real objective behind these lures.\n\n\nFake bol.com gift-card giveaway\n\nBitdefender Labs also identified a Halloween-themed email impersonating bol.com, the Dutch and Belgian online retailer. bol.com is not associated with this campaign.\n\nThe campaign offered recipients the chance to win a €250 bol.com gift card. Its Halloween landing page used the bol.com logo and festive purple-and-orange imagery, inviting people to join a supposedly free giveaway.\n\nThe page described a simple three-step process:\n\n 1. Click the button\n 2. Enter your information\n 3. Get the chance to win\n\nIt reassured visitors that they only needed to fill in “a few fields,” making the data collection look harmless and effortless.\n\nFor users in the Netherlands and Belgium, this is a useful reminder that a trusted local brand, a recognizable logo and a polished seasonal design do not make a promotion legitimate. If bol.com is running a real competition, you should be able to find it through the official website or app, and not just via an unexpected email.\n\n\nGambling bonuses and fake Samsung TV prizes\n\nOther Halloween-themed emails relied on gambling-style rewards and expensive electronics.\n\nOne campaign, themed around “The Skeleton King,” promised €2,777 and 750 free spins. Another claimed that “the spirits” would bring recipients $20,000 and 1,000 free spins, but required a minimum £20 deposit to “complete the séance.”\n\nThese messages use Halloween imagery, a sense of exclusivity and time pressure to make a deposit feel like the final step before receiving an enormous reward. Never trust a gambling offer simply because it appears in an email or uses a festive theme.\n\nResearchers also identified a German-language giveaway misusing the Fritz! logo and offering a Samsung 65-inch 4K Smart TV as a Halloween bonus. The message told recipients they had been selected to complete a short, free survey in exchange for the television. Neither Fritz! nor Samsung is associated with this message.\n\nIt said:\n\n“Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Sie wurden ausgewählt, an dieser Umfrage teilzunehmen — völlig KOSTENLOS.”\n\nOr: “Congratulations! You have been selected to take part in this survey — completely free.”\n\n \n\n \n\nThe promise is deliberately simple: answer a few questions and receive a valuable television. In reality, these prize-survey scams can collect personal information and payment details, sometimes followed by a request for a small shipping fee.\n\n\nHalloween shopping emails leading to suspicious online stores\n\nNot every Halloween scam email we’ve flagged this year promised free goodies in return for filling out a short survey. Some emails advertised Halloween products directly and led users to suspicious online stores.\n\nRecent subject lines included:\n\n * “Dulce de Halloween: 22% de descuento en todo”\n * “Ultra-Realistic Alien Silicone Mask” with a 30% discount code\n * “3D Skeleton Halloween Scary Mask” with a 30% discount code\n * “Limited Edition Halloween Beaded Bracelet Set”\n\nThese messages target shoppers looking for costumes, masks, decorations and gifts at the last minute. The websites may feature professional-looking product photos, discount codes, Halloween graphics and countdowns designed to make people buy quickly.\n\nBefore entering payment details on an unfamiliar store, check the domain name, search for independent reviews, read the contact and refund information, and be cautious if the offer is dramatically cheaper than comparable listings elsewhere.\n\n\nScam ads can lead straight to fake Halloween shops\n\nHalloween scams are not confined to inboxes and text messages. We’ve also identified scam ads promoting suspicious shops, costume deals and decorations. Some ads used steep discounts and urgent claims to sell costumes, lights, doormats, outdoor decorations and novelty products. Some ads promoted Halloween clothing, Salem-inspired costumes, plush toys and decorations through stores that redirected users through shared landing pages.\n\nBe particularly cautious if an ad:\n\n * promises an unusually large discount or an implausibly cheap bundle\n * claims limited stock or fast local delivery without clear company information\n * leads to a website with a strange or unrelated domain name\n * redirects you through multiple websites before checkout\n * has no credible independent reviews, contact details or refund policy\n\n\nHalloween SMS scams: fake lottery winnings and expiring points\n\nBitdefender Labs also identified a French-language SMS campaign targeting Canadians with fake Halloween lottery winnings, expiring points and account credits. The campaign used 107 unique domains.\n\nThe messages appeared personalized and relied on urgency.\n\nSample messages\n\n“Portefeuille credite [redacted name]. Halloween tirage - 2500 pret + lots million. Verrouille avant soir: [phishing link redacted]”\n\n“[redacted name] vos points Halloween disparaissent bientot. 1550 en credits + prix d'un m1llion. Garde avant demain: [phishing link redacted] STOP to end”\n\n“[redacted name] tes points Halloween fondent ce soir. 1405 en credits + lots d'un m1llion. Sauve avant minuit: [phishing link redacted] STOP to end”\n\nThe wording changes, but the trick is consistent: money, credits or a prize are supposedly waiting, but will disappear unless the recipient acts immediately.\n\n\n“Spooky deposit” and Halloween credit scams\n\nA separate English-language SMS campaign used Halloween-themed credit and deposit claims. The texts were designed to make phishing links look like the final step in claiming money already waiting in the recipient’s account.\n\nSample messages\n\n“Halloween drop finally dropped ur account: [redacted]. No tricks. Only credits. Cla1m 1t. [phishing link redacted]”\n\n“Spooky deposit just arrived yer 4ccount: [redacted]. Zero games. Just funds. Claim 1t. [phishing link redacted] STOP to end”\n\n“Spooky credit ready to your card: [redacted]. Th3 only th1ng scary iz missing it. Open. [phishing link redacted]”\n\nThe letter substitutions — such as “Cla1m,” “4ccount” and “Th3” — may help scammers bypass filters. They are also a sign that the message is not likely from a legitimate financial or rewards provider.\n\n\nFake Halloween-party invitations\n\nWe’ve also spotted a phishing campaign posing as a Halloween or costume-party invitation targeting users in Canada.\n\nThe scam messages included realistic-looking Canadian phone numbers, said that treats or goodies had been set aside, and asked recipients to RSVP through a link.\n\nSample messages\n\n“Halloween bash [Recipient Name Redacted] [redacted] file set. 500 treats ready. RSVP or Im ghosted: [phishing link redacted]”\n\n“Costume bash invite [Recipient Name Redacted] your [redacted] dossier posted. 690 treats parked. RSVP or you ghost me: [phishing link redacted]”\n\nThe links led to rotating phishing domains. An unexpected party invitation should not require you to sign in or enter personal details through an unfamiliar website. If you think it may be real, contact the organizer through a known phone number or another trusted channel.\n\n\nThe malicious “Halloween Work-boo-k”\n\nBitdefender Labs also observed a smishing campaign impersonating Tobio’s Kits, which is not associated with these messages. It used a seemingly harmless Halloween educational product as bait:\n\n“Tobio's: Hey, it's Mel! The Spooky Halloween Work-boo-k is here. [phishing link]”\n\n\nBe cautious with Halloween-themed crypto offers too\n\nHalloween is also being used to promote cryptocurrency offers and memecoins. A spooky name, themed artwork or a “Halloween-only” token launch can make a crypto promotion feel timely and fun.\n\nBut a seasonal token can also be part of a possible pump-and-dump scheme. Promoters create excitement and encourage people to buy quickly, then may sell their own holdings after the price rises. Late buyers can be left with assets that rapidly lose value.\n\nTreat any crypto offer promising fast profits, exclusive rewards or a limited-time Halloween bonus with caution. Never connect a wallet, disclose a recovery phrase or send cryptocurrency based on an unsolicited email, ad, text message or social-media post.\n\n\nHow to spot a Halloween scam\n\nBe cautious if an offer:\n\n * arrives unexpectedly and promises a gift card, free decoration kit, television, cash reward or free spins\n * asks you to complete a survey or enter personal information to unlock a prize\n * tells you that credits, points or rewards will expire before midnight\n * asks for a shipping, handling, verification or deposit payment\n * uses a trusted retailer’s name but directs you to an unrelated web address\n * promotes unusually cheap costumes, masks, jewellery or decorations through an unfamiliar shop\n * asks you to download a workbook, file or app from an unexpected message\n * promotes a cryptocurrency token while promising quick returns or “Halloween-only” access\n\n\nHow to stay safe\n\nIf you receive a tempting Halloween offer, don’t use the link in the email, text message or social-media post. Head to the retailer’s official app or type its web address into your browser yourself to check for any seasonal discounts, giveaways or bonuses.  If the offer is real, you should be able to find it independently.\n\nBefore visiting an unfamiliar shopping website, use Bitdefender Link Checker to vet potentially suspicious links or have a chat with Bitdefender Scamio, our AI-powered scam detector for FREE!\n\n\nAdd an extra layer of protection across your devices\n\nScams rarely stay on one screen. We shop on our phones, scroll social media, open sponsored posts, and receive text messages all day.\n\nA Bitdefender all-in-one security suite helps protect your family across the devices they use every day. With Bitdefender Mobile Security for Android or iOS, you can get protection against malicious links, scam-driven redirects, and unsafe websites that often originate in social-media apps, sponsored posts, emails, and text messages.\n\nScam Radar can also provide real-time alerts about scam campaigns actively spreading in your area, acting as an early warning system before you encounter the scam yourself. Alerts include real examples of messages or ads, along with the tactics, keywords and links attackers are using. They can also show who scammers are impersonating, making it easier to spot the same pattern when it appears in your inbox, messages or feed.\n\nThis Halloween, do not let a fake offer catch you off guard. The right protection can help keep the seasonal nasties off every device in your home.\n\nDisclaimer: This report is published for informational and educational purposes only. The findings presented are based on independent research conducted by Bitdefender Labs using publicly available information and proprietary threat intelligence. The mention of specific domains, entities, brands, or trademarks does not imply any endorsement, affiliation, or official relationship. All trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Bitdefender makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party information. Readers are encouraged to verify any information independently before taking action.",authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:v,name:w,slug:x,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:u,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:ao,title:ap,slug:aq,feature_image:ar,featured:c,published_at:as,custom_excerpt:a,plaintext:"Britain’s financial regulator is warning financial institutions that increasingly autonomous AI systems could cause widespread disruption, expose customers to cyber threats, and make accountability harder to establish. It wants firms to report serious AI failures and near-misses before they turn into bigger problems.\n\nArtificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday banking, from customer service chatbots to fraud detection and automated financial decisions. But what happens when an AI system makes a costly mistake, exposes sensitive information, or nearly triggers a disaster?\n\nThe UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) wants financial firms to prepare for precisely those scenarios — and report significant AI-related failures, including incidents that were narrowly avoided.\n\n\nKey points\n\n\n * The FCA wants financial institutions to report significant AI failures and near-misses, not just incidents that cause actual damage\n * 86% of financial firms now use AI, the regulator says, citing an upcoming joint survey with the Bank of England\n * Autonomous AI agents could introduce new cybersecurity risks as they gain the ability to manage payments, investments and other transactions\n * Firms are being urged to stress-test AI systems, maintain human oversight and prepare fallback procedures\n * Consumers are increasingly using general-purpose AI chatbots for financial advice, often without understanding the limits of their protections\n\n\n\nAI failures could become a regulatory priority\n\n\n\nJessica Rusu, the FCA's chief data, information and intelligence officer, warned that the financial sector's growing dependence on AI creates risks that existing safeguards must address.\n\n\"Poorly governed AI can create consumer harm, cyber vulnerabilities and operational failures, potentially at much greater speed and scale,\" Rusu said at Bloomberg's UK Policy Series on Oct. 19.\n\nThe regulator already requires firms to report major operational incidents. Rusu argued that this obligation must also cover significant AI failures and near-misses.\n\nA near-miss might involve an AI system attempting an unauthorized transaction that is blocked by a security control, or a chatbot generating dangerously incorrect financial information that’s spotted before reaching customers.\n\nNeither scenario necessarily inflicts immediate harm, but both could reveal weaknesses that might cause serious problems later.\n\nThe idea is similar to safety reporting in aviation, where investigating narrowly avoided accidents can help prevent future disasters.\n\nThe FCA's announcement signals a supervisory expectation, rather than a new, finalized AI-specific reporting regime.\n\n\nWhen AI starts making financial decisions\n\n\n\nThe FCA is particularly concerned about the emergence of agentic AI — systems capable of taking actions on behalf of users rather than simply answering questions.\n\nUnlike conventional chatbots, AI agents could compare financial products, initiate payments, manage investments and interact with other automated systems.\n\nSuch capabilities promise greater convenience but also introduce new security challenges.\n\nAn AI assistant that merely provides inaccurate information can mislead a customer. An autonomous agent acting on that information could potentially execute an unwanted transaction before anyone notices.\n\nCompromised AI agents, manipulated instructions, excessive permissions and weak authentication could also create opportunities for cybercriminals.\n\nFor example, an attacker might try to manipulate an AI-powered financial assistant into changing payment details or disclosing sensitive customer information.\n\nThe regulator wants the industry to develop clearer safeguards around agent identity, delegated authority, accountability and transaction execution.\n\nIn other words, financial institutions need to establish not only what an AI system can do, but who is responsible when something goes wrong.\n\n\nBanks are already making mistakes with AI\n\n\n\nAlongside Rusu's speech, the FCA published examples of good and poor AI practices observed during its engagement with financial firms.\n\nSome findings suggest that institutions are adopting AI faster than they’re developing safeguards to manage it.\n\nThe regulator identified firms that deployed AI tools with insufficient testing, introduced governance procedures only after deployment, or failed to maintain adequate records of automated decisions.\n\nIt also warned against treating human oversight as a formality.\n\nIn one example, reviewers increasingly accepted AI-generated recommendations without meaningful scrutiny, even when there were signs of errors.\n\nThe FCA highlighted better practices, including limiting chatbots to approved information sources, maintaining audit trails, and allowing customers to escalate problems to human advisers.\n\nA system that works correctly during testing may behave differently when exposed to unusual circumstances, changing models or large numbers of simultaneous transactions.\n\nRusu urged financial firms to stress-test AI systems, understand their dependence on external technology suppliers, and maintain fallback options when automated services fail.\n\n\nConsumers may not realize AI financial advice comes without protection\n\n\n\nThe regulator also raised concerns about consumers turning to general-purpose AI chatbots for financial guidance.\n\nAccording to figures cited by the FCA, four in five less-experienced investors aged 18 to 40 have used AI to help with investing.\n\nYet only 40% of consumers recognize that acting on advice from a general-purpose AI tool doesn’t result in the same regulatory recourse as receiving advice from an authorized financial adviser.\n\nThe FCA is calling on AI providers to make these limitations clearer through consistent, proportionate warnings.\n\nThe watchdog wants consumers to understand when they are dealing with an authorized financial institution and when they are simply receiving information generated by an AI model.\n\n\nHow to protect your finances when using AI for financial decisions\n\n\n\nAI can be useful for explaining financial concepts, comparing terminology or helping consumers formulate questions. However, it should not be treated as an unquestionable financial authority.\n\nA few precautions can help reduce the risks:\n\n * Verify financial recommendations independently. Check investment claims, fees, risks and product details against official sources before making decisions\n * Check who you're dealing with. In the UK, use the FCA Firm Checker to establish whether a financial services provider is authorized\n * Be cautious about granting AI agents financial access. Understand what an assistant can see, what transactions it can initiate, and whether it requires your approval\n * Avoid sharing sensitive financial information. Don't paste banking passwords, authentication codes or unnecessary personal details into general-purpose chatbots\n * Watch for AI-powered impersonation scams. Criminals can use convincing AI-generated messages, voices and websites to impersonate banks, investment advisers and support representatives\n * Secure your accounts and devices. Enable multi-factor authentication, keep software updated, and use reputable security software to help detect phishing, malicious links and other threats\n\nIf an AI-powered banking service produces an unexpected transaction or suspicious recommendation, stop interacting with it and contact the financial institution through an official channel.\n\n\nBottom line\n\n\n\nThe FCA isn't calling for banks to abandon artificial intelligence. It wants them to recognize that the technology introduces risks that can spread faster than conventional operational failures.\n\nAs AI moves from answering questions to making decisions and carrying out transactions, the consequences of a mistake become harder to contain.\n\nReporting close calls, maintaining meaningful human oversight and testing systems against unexpected behavior could help financial institutions catch dangerous weaknesses before customers pay the price.\n\nOn topic:\n\nUK warns powerful AI models could pose security risks before they're even released\n\nAI agents want to shop for you; banks warn of scams and privacy risks\n\nBritain’s big push to make the internet safer",authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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:D,name:E,slug:F,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:at,name:au,slug:av,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:u,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:aw,url:ax},{id:ay,title:az,slug:aA,feature_image:aB,featured:c,published_at:aC,custom_excerpt:a,plaintext:"WhatsApp is rolling out new controls that let parents manage parts of their teenager’s experience without accessing their private conversations.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n\n * WhatsApp is rolling out optional parental controls for users aged 13 to 17\n * Parents can manage privacy settings and some features using a six-digit PIN\n * Teens need parental approval to make protected settings less restrictive\n * Parents can receive alerts about activity such as new contacts and groups, but can’t read their teen’s messages\n * Parents can restrict Channels, Status and their teen’s experience with Meta AI\n * The controls require the parent and teen to agree to link their WhatsApp accounts\n * The feature is rolling out gradually and may not yet be available everywhere\n\n\n\nMore oversight without reading their messages\n\n\n\nWhatsApp is giving parents more say over how their teenagers use the messaging service, including who can see their information, how they interact with groups and Channels, and what content they can access through Meta AI.\n\nThe messaging service announced the new controls on Sept. 30, describing them as a way for parents to guide teenagers without looking over their shoulder.\n\nOnce accounts are linked, parents can manage privacy settings such as who can see their teen’s profile information and who can add them to groups. A teen can still adjust their own privacy settings, but making a protected setting less restrictive requires approval using the parent's PIN.\n\nParents can also receive notifications about certain changes and activities. For example, WhatsApp can alert them when their teenager adds a contact, creates or joins a group, or changes their profile picture, or when a group they belong to grows significantly. Parents can choose which of these notifications to receive.\n\nThe system also gives parents some control over WhatsApp features that extend beyond one-to-one messaging.\n\nFor Status, parents can decide whose updates their teen can see and who can see their teen's updates.\n\nFor Channels, they can allow access to all Channels, limit their teen to parent-approved Channels, or block Channel access. They can also prevent their teen from creating a Channel.\n\nPerhaps most notably, given the growing use of AI among young people, parents can choose between WhatsApp's standard 13+ Meta AI experience and a Limited setting designed to further restrict the topics their teenager can discuss with the chatbot.\n\n\nWhat parents still can't see\n\n\n\nSource: WhatsApp\n\nThe new controls don't turn WhatsApp into a surveillance tool.\n\nParents can’t read their teenager's personal messages or listen to their calls. WhatsApp says conversations remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning nobody outside a conversation – including a linked parent or WhatsApp itself – can access their contents.\n\nThat's an important distinction.\n\nParental controls can reduce exposure to strangers, inappropriate content and unwanted interactions. But they don't tell parents everything happening inside a conversation. A teenager could still encounter scams, manipulation, cyberbullying, inappropriate requests or malicious links from someone they're already communicating with.\n\nThe controls work best as guardrails rather than a substitute for conversations about online safety.\n\n\nHow to set up WhatsApp parental controls for your teen\n\n\n\nWhatsApp says its new controls are designed for kids aged 13 to 17, while the parent or guardian linking the account must be at least 18. Both parent and teen must agree to link their accounts, and both devices need the latest version of WhatsApp.\n\nTo set up parental controls, you'll need both phones:\n\n1.     On your teen's phone, open WhatsApp and go to Settings \u003E Parental controls \u003E Continue\n\n2.     Enter your teen's birthday and confirm their age\n\n3.     Tap Continue to begin linking a parent's account\n\n4.     A QR code will appear on the teen's device\n\n5.     Using the parent's phone, scan the QR code with the phone's camera and follow the link into WhatsApp\n\n6.     Tap Continue and complete the adult-verification process\n\n7.     Create a six-digit parent PIN and confirm it. This PIN is required to access and change protected settings\n\n8.     Return to your teen's phone, enter the parent PIN and review the available privacy and feature settings\n\n9.     Tap Continue \u003E Done to finish setup\n\nAfterwards, parents can manage settings from the teen's device by opening WhatsApp \u003E Settings \u003E Parental controls and entering the parent PIN.\n\nParents can also review activity from their own device by opening WhatsApp \u003E Settings \u003E Parental controls and selecting their teenager's account.\n\nThe controls are optional and can be removed later. WhatsApp says the feature is rolling out gradually, so don't be surprised if it isn’t in your settings yet. Keeping WhatsApp updated will ensure the feature becomes available when it reaches your account or region.\n\n\nWhat about younger children?\n\n\n\nWhatsApp now makes an important distinction between teenagers and younger children.\n\nEarlier this year, the company began rolling out parent-managed accounts for children under 13 – or an older minimum age where required by local rules. These accounts are much more restrictive and focus primarily on messaging and calling under parental supervision.\n\nParents can manage who contacts the child, review requests from unknown people, control privacy settings and receive alerts about certain account activity. Personal conversations still remain end-to-end encrypted and inaccessible to the parent.\n\nBoth parent-managed accounts and the newer controls for teens are being introduced gradually, so availability can vary by country and account.\n\n\nParental controls are only one layer of protection\n\n\n\nGiving parents better controls inside WhatsApp is useful, particularly because messaging apps sit at the intersection of so many risks young people encounter online.\n\nBut no collection of privacy switches can prevent every scam, malicious link, compromised account or manipulation attempt.\n\nParents should teach children and teenagers to be suspicious of unexpected requests for money or personal information, to never share passwords or verification codes, and to be cautious when someone suddenly asks them to move a conversation, download a file or click a link.\n\nYoung people should also know that identities can be faked online. A message appearing to come from a friend or relative doesn't necessarily mean that person actually sent it – particularly if an account has been compromised.\n\nAnd make sure children know that blocking and reporting someone is always an option if a conversation makes them uncomfortable.\n\n\nAdd another layer of protection for the whole family\n\n\n\nWhatsApp's parental controls can help manage what happens inside WhatsApp, but a child's digital life doesn't stop at a single app.\n\nThat's where device-level security and broader parental controls can complement the safeguards built into individual platforms.\n\nBitdefender Family Plans provide security for up to five family members and 25 devices, with different roles and protections for parents, teenagers and children. Depending on the plan, families can combine real-time protection against online threats with parental controls, scam protection, privacy features and other security tools.\n\nBitdefender Parental Control lets parents set internet time limits, filter inappropriate content and get a clearer picture of children's online activity, while the wider security suite helps protect family devices against malicious websites, phishing attempts, risky downloads and other threats.\n\nThe goal isn't to watch everything children do online. It's to put sensible safeguards around them while they learn how to make safer decisions themselves.\n\nOn topic:\n\nSafer messaging for kids: how to set up a parent-managed WhatsApp account for your child\n\nWhatsApp makes account theft harder: how to turn on the new defenses\n\nWhatsApp usernames explained: how to reserve yours and stay safe",authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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},{id:u,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:aD,url:aE}],postsWhite:[{id:aF,title:aG,slug:aH,feature_image:aI,featured:c,published_at:aJ,custom_excerpt:a,html:aK,authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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}],excerpt:aL,reading_time:Z,url:aM},{id:aN,title:aO,slug:aP,feature_image:aQ,featured:c,published_at:aR,custom_excerpt:a,html:aS,authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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:v,name:w,slug:x,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:D,name:E,slug:F,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:aT,reading_time:z,url:aU},{id:"6adf837a8beeea965802b28a",title:"Scammers Are Telling Norwegians to Drop Gold in Forests for ‘Safekeeping’",slug:"norwegians-leave-gold-in-forest-scam",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FGold-scam.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-26T19:11:47.000+02:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EFinancial institutions in Norway have recently issued a warning about an unusual, yet extremely concerning, scam tactic where criminals seek to persuade victims to buy large amounts of gold and then leave it in forests, parks, or other isolated locations for collection.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBanks in Norway are warning about scams in which victims are told to buy gold and leave it in parks, forests or other locations\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe request may be framed as an investment or a way to protect savings from fraud\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EVariations of this scam have already appeared in the US, Australia and the UK, often involving a courier who collects gold, cash or even a bank card\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENo legitimate bank, police force or government agency will ask you to buy gold, hide valuables, or hand over your savings for “safekeeping”\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf someone makes such a request, stop communicating and verify independently\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"how-the-scam-works\"\u003EHow the scam works\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsually, when we read about these types of scams, we think few people would ever fall for them. But here’s the thing: The scam doesn’t begin with a stranger asking you to simply abandon gold in the woods.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt usually starts with a phone call, with criminals pretending to be from a bank, the police, local government or another trusted entity. The caller may claim your identity has been stolen, your account has been compromised, or that criminals are about to take your savings. Then comes the supposed solution: move your money somewhere “safe.”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn this case, that means buying gold and following instructions about where to leave it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn some cases, they are then instructed to leave the gold in an unusual place outdoors so it can be collected later. While this scam variant seen in Norway seems extremely unusual, the scam playbook isn’t.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe’ve already seen related gold-bar scams in the United States and Australia, where criminals impersonate government officials, law enforcement officers or technical-support staff. They tell victims their identity, computer or bank account has been compromised and buying gold is the only way to protect their money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut across the Atlantic, after the gold has been purchased, a “courier” is usually sent to collect it. Either way, the outcome is the same: the criminals obtain assets that are valuable, portable and extremely difficult to recover.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"when-a-scam-moves-from-the-phone-to-your-doorstep\"\u003EWhen a scam moves from the phone to your doorstep\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe forest drop-off is one variant of a broader tactic: making an online or phone scam feel more credible by bringing it into the real world.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn a \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbank-scam-fraudsters-come-to-your-home\"\u003Erelated bank-card collection scam\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, victims receive a text or call claiming that their card has been compromised. The caller then offers to send a supposed bank employee to the victim’s home to collect the card.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe valuables may differ, from gold, cash, or a bank card, but the manipulation is similar. A message or phone call creates fear, and then a convincing voice on the other line offers a solution, and a courier or unexpected visitor arrives at your door to make the story even more believable.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERelated articles:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fgold-courier-scam-warning\"\u003EWoman Loses Nearly $2 Million in Gold Scam: Never Hand Over Money for ‘Safekeeping’\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"file:\u002F\u002F\u002FUsers\u002Fadammacbrown\u002FDownloads\u002F•%09https:\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\"\u003ENo, Real Government Agents Don’t Want You to Buy Gold Bars: How to Spot and Stop This Scam\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-gb\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbank-scam-fraudsters-come-to-your-home\"\u003EPolice Warning: Your bank is not coming to your house for your card\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"red-flags-to-watch-for\"\u003ERed flags to watch for\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStop and question the situation if someone:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClaims that your bank account, identity or computer has been compromised\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPoses as a bank, police officer, government official or technical-support representative\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETells you to withdraw cash, buy gold, purchase cryptocurrency or move money to a “safe account”\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPressures you to act immediately\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETells you not to speak to your family, friends or bank\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKeeps you on the phone while you visit the bank, store or gold dealer\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESends a courier to collect valuables, cash or a bank card\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInstructs you to leave money or valuables in a public place\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGives you a code word to “verify” a collector or courier\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPressure and secrecy are not signs of legitimate investigations.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat you need to remember: No authority needs your savings for safekeeping\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENo legitimate bank will ask you to hand over your card, PIN, cash or valuables to an unexpected visitor.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENo legitimate government agency or police force will tell you to turn your savings into gold and leave it in a forest.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENo real investigation \u003Cstrong\u003Erequires\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E you to hide financial decisions from people close to you.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you receive a call, message or pop-up that makes you fear for your money, end the conversation. Do not use a phone number, website or link supplied by the person who contacted you. Instead, open your banking app, call the number printed on your card, visit a branch, or find the organization’s contact details through its official website.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also ask a trusted family member or friend to look at the message with you. A short pause and a second opinion can prevent a devastating loss.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can help you assess a suspicious message or claim, while \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can check an unfamiliar URL before you open it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:v,name:w,slug:x,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:m,name:n,slug:o,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:"Financial institutions in Norway have recently issued a warning about an unusual, yet extremely concerning, scam tactic where criminals seek to persuade victims to buy large amounts of gold and then leave it in forests, parks, or other isolated locations for collection.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Banks in Norway are warning about scams in which victims are told to buy gold and leave it in parks, forests or other locations\n * The request may be framed as an investment or a way to protect savings from fr",reading_time:Z,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fnorwegians-leave-gold-in-forest-scam\u002F"}],postsBlack:[{id:"6adf29ca8beeea965802b230",title:"Social Security Identity Theft: How It Occurs & How to Avoid It",slug:"social-security-identity-theft",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FWhat-Is-Social-Security-Identity-Theft.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-26T18:13:06.000+02:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EIn early 2026, Social Security identity theft found a new entry point in emails offering a \"Social Security statement,\" one more variation of the\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fslam-the-scam-day-2026\"\u003E government impersonation scams\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that target people through trusted agency names. The SSA Office of the Inspector General\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Foig.ssa.gov\u002Fscam-alerts\u002F2026-02-20-ssa-office-of-the-inspector-general-warns-public-of-surge-in-fraudulent-social-security-statement-emails\u002F\"\u003E warned of a sharp rise in these messages\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E,\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and clicking the links may lead to identity theft, financial loss, malware infection, or compromised personal data.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scale explains why the Social Security number (SSN) draws so much attention. The Federal Trade Commission received\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.experian.com\u002Fblogs\u002Fask-experian\u002Fidentity-theft-statistics\u002F\"\u003E 1,358,253 identity theft reports in 2025\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and more than 81,000 of them involved employment or tax fraud, while another 65,720 involved government documents or benefits. SSN misuse can fall into both categories.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis guide is for individuals, families, and seniors who want to keep their SSN out of the wrong hands. Social Security identity theft, the unauthorized use of your SSN by a criminal, can lead to financial loss, damaged credit, and tax and benefits problems that take months to resolve.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETherefore, we'll cover how it occurs, what thieves do with a stolen number, the warning signs, and which agency to contact for each type of misuse.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKey Takeaways\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EYour SSN opens several doors at once.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Thieves use it for credit, jobs, tax refunds, and government benefits, and each type of misuse leaves a different trail.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EEach problem has its own agency.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E The FTC handles identity theft involving credit and accounts, the IRS handles tax-related identity theft, and the SSA Office of the Inspector General handles fraud against Social Security programs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EA credit freeze covers only part of the risk.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E It blocks new credit accounts, while employment and benefits fraud require separate locks through E-Verify, the IRS, and the SSA.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EMost protective steps are free.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E An IRS Identity Protection PIN, a credit freeze, and a my Social Security account cost nothing and take minutes to set up.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-is-social-security-identity-theft\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat is Social Security identity theft?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESocial Security identity theft occurs when a criminal obtains and uses your SSN without authorization, whether to open accounts, get a job, file a tax return, or claim benefits in your name. A useful social security identity theft description is that the SSN works as a master key: introduced in 1936 to track workers' earnings, it has become a fundamental identifier across sectors in the U.S., relied on by lenders, employers, health insurers, and government agencies to confirm who you are.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat reliance is what makes a stolen Social Security number so valuable. Passwords and card numbers can be changed in minutes, while an SSN stays with you for life, so once it is compromised, identity thieves can keep committing fraud with it for years.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"why-the-ssn-works-as-both-an-id-and-a-password\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhy the SSN works as both an ID and a password\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe core weakness is that the SSN was designed to identify people, and over time it became a way to authenticate them. Knowing a name, a birth date, and an SSN is treated as proof of identity by many systems, even though all three are static and circulate in breach data. A thief who has the three pieces can pass the same checks you do.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is also why synthetic identity theft has grown. Criminals combine a real SSN with a fake name and date of birth to create a new person on paper, one that passes verification checks and builds credit before defaulting. When the SSA randomized SSN assignment in 2011, the first three digits stopped carrying geographic meaning, which removed one of the checks lenders used to spot numbers that did not fit an applicant's history.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe SSA responded with\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ssa.gov\u002Fdataexchange\u002FeCBSV\u002F\"\u003E eCBSV\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, a paid service that lets approved financial institutions confirm, with the consumer's consent, whether a name, SSN, and date of birth match its records and whether the number holder is deceased. The match confirms that the data combination is consistent with SSA records, and it does not verify that the applicant is the person behind the number, which is why your own monitoring matters.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-can-social-security-identity-theft-occur\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow can Social Security identity theft occur?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESocial Security identity theft occurs through a handful of common ways, from large data breaches to a single convincing phone call.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"data-breaches-and-the-dark-web\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EData breaches and the dark web\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EData breaches expose personal information held by employers, hospitals, schools, and retailers, and SSNs sit at the center of many of those records. Once leaked, the numbers are sold on the dark web alongside names, addresses, and birth dates.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA breach notice is the moment to act, because a leaked SSN can be sold and reused for years. When a letter says your SSN was involved, freeze your credit, request an IRS Identity Protection PIN, and check your Social Security earnings record. Free credit monitoring from the breached company may help detect credit-related misuse, while the IP PIN and the earnings check address tax and employment fraud.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"phishing-scams-and-government-impersonation\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPhishing scams and government impersonation\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fconsumer\u002Fsupport\u002Fanswer\u002F2204\u002F\"\u003EPhishing scams\u003C\u002Fa\u003E trick you into providing personal information by posing as a trusted institution, and government agencies such as the Social Security Administration are among the most imitated. The FTC received\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ssa.gov\u002Fblog\u002Fen\u002Fposts\u002F2026-09-25.html\"\u003E more than 375,000 government impersonation reports\u003C\u002Fa\u003E in 2025, with losses above $900 million. Scammers claim your SSN has been \"suspended\" or your Social Security benefits will stop unless you confirm your details, and caller ID spoofing makes the phone calls look official.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI has made these calls harder to spot. In our\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fslam-the-scam-day-2026\"\u003E Consumer Cybersecurity Survey\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, 37% of consumers named AI-powered scams, including deepfake voice and video, as their biggest concern. The SSA does not suspend Social Security numbers or threaten you for information, so contact the agency through its official website instead of the link or number you were given.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"fake-job-offers\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFake job offers\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause employment paperwork is a legitimate reason to share an SSN, scammers send tax forms that ask for your number and bank details after a fake interview. In its broader business and job opportunities category, the FTC logged\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.experian.com\u002Fblogs\u002Fask-experian\u002Fidentity-theft-statistics\u002F\"\u003E 157,841 reports\u003C\u002Fa\u003E in 2025, with $906.8 million in reported losses. Verify any employer before completing a W-4 or direct deposit form.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"stolen-mail-wallets-and-trash\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EStolen mail, wallets, and trash\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPhysical theft remains a route as well, as criminals steal mail containing tax documents and bank statements, take wallets that hold a Social Security card, or rummage through trash for discarded paperwork. Each of these hands over personally identifiable information without any technical skill.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-thieves-do-with-a-stolen-social-security-number\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat thieves do with a stolen Social Security number\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA stolen SSN can lead to several types of fraud at once, and the FTC's 2025 identity theft categories map the damage:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003ECredit and loans.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Criminals open new credit lines and file loan applications in your name. Credit card fraud led all categories with 597,770 reports, followed by 210,030 loan or lease reports, and the unpaid debt lands on your credit report.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EBank accounts.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Thieves open or take over bank accounts in the victim's name, a category behind 114,244 reports.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EEmployment.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Someone uses your SSN to get a job, so their wages post to your earnings record. \u003Cstrong\u003EThat can create incorrect wage records and lead to IRS or SSA notices you need to resolve.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003ETax returns.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E In tax related identity theft, a criminal files a fraudulent return using your SSN to collect a refund before you file.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EGovernment benefits.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E A stolen SSN can be used to claim unemployment, disability, or Social Security benefits, leaving the real owner facing denied claims.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EMedical care.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E A thief can use your SSN and insurance details to get treatment, which adds their diagnoses to your medical history and their bills to your name.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBeyond the direct losses, a damaged credit score can complicate loan applications for years, and proving you did not open an account involves legal and bureaucratic steps. Of the victims who sought help from the Identity Theft Resource Center,\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.idtheftcenter.org\u002Fwp-content\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F10\u002FThe-2025-ITRC-Consumer-Impact-Report.pdf\"\u003E 48% were still resolving their cases\u003C\u002Fa\u003E at the time of the survey, and a case that stays open for months adds emotional distress to the financial damage.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe people most exposed are those who never check their records. A child's SSN carries no credit history, and the SSN of a relative who has died can stay in use until the death is reported to the SSA and the credit bureaus.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"warning-signs-of-social-security-identity-theft\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWarning signs of Social Security identity theft\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt may take time for identity theft signs to surface, and they appear in paperwork and account records. Watch for the following:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A W-2 from an employer you never worked for\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An IRS CP01E notice, which means\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.irs.gov\u002Findividuals\u002Funderstanding-your-cp01e-notice\"\u003E someone used your SSN on a W-2\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that is not yours\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An electronically filed tax return rejected because one was already filed under your SSN\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wages on your Social Security Statement from employers you do not recognize\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Accounts, inquiries, or addresses you do not recognize on your credit report\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Calls from debt collectors about debts you never incurred\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A benefits claim denied because benefits are already being paid under your number\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Medical bills or insurance statements for care you never received\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Unfamiliar charges or suspicious activity on your bank statements\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-report-identity-theft-to-social-security-and-the-ftc\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to report identity theft to Social Security and the FTC\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you suspect your SSN was stolen, start by knowing where each problem belongs, since\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ssa.gov\u002Ffraud\u002F\"\u003E identity theft involving credit, loans, or accounts goes to the FTC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and the SSA cannot resolve it:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECredit, loans, and new accounts.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission at\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003E IdentityTheft.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or by phone at 1-877-438-4338. You can report online and receive an FTC identity theft report along with a personalized recovery plan.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ETax and employment fraud. \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EFollow the instructions in any IRS notice or rejected-return message, and call the number printed on the notice. A CP01E notice about\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.irs.gov\u002Findividuals\u002Funderstanding-your-cp01e-notice\"\u003E employment-related identity theft\u003C\u002Fa\u003E has no known impact on your tax return. Most people do not need to file Form 14039, which applies when the IRS directs you to or when your e-filed return is rejected and the IRS has not already contacted you.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFraud against Social Security programs.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Contact the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time, or report online at\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Foig.ssa.gov\"\u003E oig.ssa.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. This channel\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ssa.gov\u002Ffaqs\u002Fen\u002Fquestions\u002FKA-02639.html\"\u003E covers benefits fraud, waste, and abuse\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, misuse by a representative payee, and scammers impersonating the SSA, and OIG staff can investigate faster when you include names, dates, and how you were contacted.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA police report. \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EIn most cases, your FTC identity theft report can replace a police report. File one with your local police department when you know the thief, when your name was used in an encounter with police, or when a creditor insists on one.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThe credit bureaus.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Place a fraud alert with one of the three credit bureaus, which must notify the other two, and request a security freeze from all three.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"your-recovery-plan-after-ssn-theft\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYour recovery plan after SSN theft\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003E IdentityTheft.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E recovery plan tracks most of these steps, and dated copies of every letter, email, and call record make each one faster.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFreeze your credit at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E A freeze is free under federal law and blocks new credit accounts until you lift it.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDispute fraudulent items.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Send your identity theft report to each bureau and to the companies where accounts were opened.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGet an IRS Identity Protection PIN.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Anyone with an SSN can request a\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.irs.gov\u002Fnewsroom\u002Fidentity-protection-pins-help-taxpayers-guard-against-tax-related-identity-theft\"\u003E free IP PIN, a six-digit code that stops someone else from filing a return with your number\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and a new one is issued each year.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELock your SSN for employment.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E E-Verify's Self Lock, set up through a free myE-Verify account, prevents employers who use E-Verify from confirming your SSN, and the lock\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.e-verify.gov\u002Ffaq\u002Fself-lock\u002Fwhat-is-the-self-lock-feature\"\u003E \u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.e-verify.gov\u002Ffaq\u002Fself-lock\u002Fwhat-is-the-self-lock-feature\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Estays active as long as your account remains valid and you do not unlock it\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAdd SSA account blocks.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E The eServices block stops online access for anyone, including you, to view or change your information, and the Direct Deposit Fraud Prevention block stops changes to your address or direct deposit.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"can-you-get-a-new-social-security-number\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECan you get a new Social Security number?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes, in narrow cases. The SSA will assign a new Social Security number to a victim who has tried to fix the problems caused by the misuse and\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ssa.gov\u002Ffaqs\u002Fen\u002Fquestions\u002FKA-02220.html\"\u003E continues to be disadvantaged\u003C\u002Fa\u003E by the original number, and the request requires an in-person appointment at a local office.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new number comes with trade-offs, since your old SSN stays linked to records at other agencies and lenders, and a file with no credit history can make renting or borrowing harder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-protect-your-social-security-number\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow to protect your Social Security number\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPrevention comes down to limiting who has your number and locking every channel where it can be used:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Do not routinely carry your Social Security card. Keep the physical card in a secure, safe place at home.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Never say your SSN aloud in public, and ask why organizations need it before providing it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Create a my Social Security account before a scammer does, and review your earnings record each year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Shred tax documents, bank statements, and anything else that shows your SSN.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Turn on multi-factor authentication for your email, bank accounts, and social media accounts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Keep your credit frozen, and check your free credit reports at\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fannualcreditreport.com\"\u003E AnnualCreditReport.com\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, where all three bureaus offer them weekly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Never share personal or financial information, including credit card information, through a link in an unexpected message.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-bitdefender-helps-you-safeguard-your-ssn\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow Bitdefender helps you safeguard your SSN\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESocial Security identity theft depends on a leaked number and a convincing message, and\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003E Bitdefender Ultimate Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E addresses both.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On the detection side, Ultimate Security Plus includes\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fidentity-theft-protection\"\u003E Bitdefender Identity Theft Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, which monitors for your SSN and financial information on the dark web, and its Advanced Fraud Monitoring alerts you when your identity is used to apply for credit or a loan.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E●&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If fraud occurs, identity theft insurance and a resolution specialist help you through recovery. On the prevention side, Scam Protection flags phishing emails and links, including those impersonating government agencies.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe IRS IP PIN, E-Verify Self Lock, SSA account blocks, and credit freezes are set up with each agency or bureau, so pair the monitoring with those free tools. Together they cover the two sides of the problem: the locks limit where a stolen SSN can be used, and the monitoring tells you when someone tries.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFrequently asked questions\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"how-does-social-security-identity-theft-occur\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow does Social Security identity theft occur?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA criminal obtains your SSN through a data breach, a phishing scam, a fake job offer, or stolen mail, then uses it without authorization to open accounts, work, file a tax return, or claim benefits.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"how-do-i-report-identity-theft-to-social-security\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EHow do I report identity theft to Social Security?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReport benefits fraud or SSA impersonation to the Office of the Inspector General at 1-800-269-0271 or\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Foig.ssa.gov\"\u003E oig.ssa.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and report credit or account fraud to the FTC at\u003Ca href=\"http:\u002F\u002Fidentitytheft.gov\"\u003E IdentityTheft.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"can-a-credit-freeze-stop-someone-using-my-ssn-for-a-job\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECan a credit freeze stop someone using my SSN for a job?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo. A freeze blocks new credit accounts, while employment fraud runs through employer verification. E-Verify Self Lock covers employers that use E-Verify, and your Social Security earnings record shows wages reported under your number.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-should-i-do-if-my-ssn-was-in-a-data-breach\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhat should I do if my SSN was in a data breach?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFreeze your credit at all three bureaus, request an IRS Identity Protection PIN, create or check your my Social Security account, and set up monitoring for your SSN on the dark web.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"should-i-get-a-new-social-security-number\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EShould I get a new Social Security number?\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA new number is a last resort, because the SSA assigns new numbers only to victims who continue to be disadvantaged after trying to fix the problems, and the old number stays linked to many of your records.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:"66d5cbea28045a04f10b89ca",name:"Bitdefender",slug:_,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:H,name:B,slug: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},{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:"In early 2026, Social Security identity theft found a new entry point in emails offering a \"Social Security statement,\" one more variation of the government impersonation scams that target people through trusted agency names. The SSA Office of the Inspector General warned of a sharp rise in these messages, and clicking the links may lead to identity theft, financial loss, malware infection, or compromised personal data.\n\nThe scale explains why the Social Security number (SSN) draws so much atten",reading_time:10,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fsocial-security-identity-theft\u002F"},{id:"6adb41118beeea965802b116",title:"Pennsylvania Woman Arrested After Her Identity Was Stolen",slug:"pennsylvania-woman-arrested-after-her-identity-was-stolen",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FPennsylvania-Woman-Arrested-After-Her-Identity-Was-Stolen.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-23T14:23:45.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EI’ve been writing about identity theft and scams for years, and most of the time, people who’ve been victimized are placed in the “financial loss” category. However, I think I've found a perfect example of how damaging this type of crime can be to unsuspecting victims: identity theft isn’t just a financial problem caused by a loan or a credit card opened in our name.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIdentity theft wears many hats and can affect us in many ways—sometimes it can land an innocent person in jail.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStolen personal details can be used to create payment accounts and commit fraud in someone else’s name\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENot using a particular app does not necessarily mean an account cannot be opened using your identity\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETreat unexpected account notices, collection letters, police contact or unfamiliar transactions as urgent warning signs\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMonitoring exposed data and acting quickly after a breach can help limit the damage\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKeep records of every report, alert and conversation if you suspect identity theft\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-do-you-think-can-happen-if-someone-fraudulently-opened-a-cashapp-account-in-your-name\"\u003EWhat do you think can happen if someone fraudulently opened a CashApp account in your name?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe story of a 47-year-old woman in Pennsylvania helps shed light on the consequences of identity theft. According to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.404media.co\u002Famanda-smith-opened-a-cashapp-in-her-name-she-faces-years-in-prison-cashapp-fraud\u002F\"\u003E404 Media\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, Amanda Smith was served an arrest warrant after her local sheriff’s department knocked on her door in April this year.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe warrant was for computer fraud in Arkansas, a state she said she never visited. She even told reporters that she was “completely confused” and not a very tech-savvy person.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd here’s the kicker: Smith learned that someone on Facebook Marketplace had persuaded a user to send $1,000 to a CashApp account that was created using her Social Security Number and date of birth. Despite never using CashApp or creating said account, the woman spent three nights in the local jail and was forced to go through nearly six months of proving her innocence in the criminal case against her.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe case is especially unsettling because the account contained details that reportedly did not match Smith, including an unfamiliar address, phone number, device and network information. Yet the stolen identity details attached to the account were enough to point investigators in her direction.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESmith believes her identity may have been stolen through a past data breach and used to create the Cash App account. She says she didn't learn about that account until evidence was shared as part of her criminal case; when she contacted Cash App herself, she reportedly couldn't get details because she couldn't prove she owned it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer private investigator has raised questions about whether the evidence established that Smith actually operated or controlled the account, rather than simply showing that her personal details were attached to it. Her lawyer is seeking to have the charges dismissed and argues that the information they have provided supports Smith’s claim of innocence.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to the report, the account received the $1,000 from the Marketplace scam and quickly moved the money in smaller amounts to other accounts—activity that appears consistent with an effort to distribute the funds.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe case is ongoing. Smith has reportedly declined a plea deal because accepting it would mean accepting consequences for a crime she says she did not commit; a hearing is scheduled for November.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt’s an extreme example, but it illustrates an important reality: personal information exposed in a breach can be collected, combined with other data and misused long after the original breach is forgotten.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou may also want to read: \u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-bookmark-card\"\u003E\u003Ca class=\"kg-bookmark-container\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fidentity-theft-prevention\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-content\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-title\"\u003EIdentity Theft Prevention: Protect Your SSN &amp; Credit\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-description\"\u003ELearn how to prevent identity theft, protect your Social Security number and credit, monitor your accounts, and spot signs of fraud.\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-metadata\"\u003E\u003Cimg class=\"kg-bookmark-icon\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Ficon\u002Ffavicon-196x196-19.png\" alt=\"\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"kg-bookmark-author\"\u003EBitdefender\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"kg-bookmark-publisher\"\u003EBitdefender\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-thumbnail\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fthumbnail\u002FIdentity-Theft-Prevention-How-to-Protect-Your-SSN---Credit.png\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display = 'none'\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-bookmark-card\"\u003E\u003Ca class=\"kg-bookmark-container\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-au\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcash-app-scams\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-content\"\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-title\"\u003ECash app scams: How to stay safe and what to do if they happen to you\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-description\"\u003ECash App scams are fraud schemes that trick users into sending money, sharing login codes, or giving away personal information through fake support messages, bogus giveaways, fake payment confirmations, investment offers, refund tricks, romance scams, or marketplace deals.\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-metadata\"\u003E\u003Cimg class=\"kg-bookmark-icon\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Ficon\u002Ffavicon-196x196-18.png\" alt=\"\"\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"kg-bookmark-author\"\u003EBitdefender\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"kg-bookmark-publisher\"\u003ECristina POPOV\u003C\u002Fspan\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"kg-bookmark-thumbnail\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fthumbnail\u002FCash-app-scams.jpg\" alt=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display = 'none'\"\u003E\u003C\u002Fdiv\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-reduce-your-risk\"\u003EHow to reduce your risk\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EProtect the accounts that protect everything else.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Use strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication, especially for email, financial services and mobile-provider accounts.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe careful with personal data.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Your date of birth, address, phone number and answers to common security questions can help criminals impersonate you or pass weak verification checks.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck unfamiliar notices instead of ignoring them.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E A welcome email for a service you never joined, an unexpected password-reset email or a letter about an account you do not recognize may be an early sign of misuse.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERespond quickly if you discover fraud.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Contact the company involved through its official channels, secure affected accounts, report the incident and keep copies of reference numbers, emails and documents.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConsider a credit freeze.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E In the US, freezing your credit can make it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENever send money to ‘fix’ an identity-theft problem.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Scammers may impersonate banks, law enforcement, credit bureaus or identity-protection companies to exploit people who are already worried.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESearch for yourself occasionally.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Google your name, email address and phone number to see what is publicly visible. You may find old profiles, people-search listings or accounts you forgot about. Remove or restrict what you can.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon’t ignore breach notifications.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E If a company tells you that your data may have been exposed, take it seriously (even if the breach happened years ago). Change your password, make sure it is not reused elsewhere and enable two-factor authentication.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUse identity monitoring to stay informed.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\"\u003EBitdefender Digital Identity Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can alert you when exposed personal information appears in a breach and help you understand what needs attention. For US readers, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fidentity-theft-protection\"\u003EBitdefender Identity Theft Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E also provides credit and identity monitoring, recovery support and identity-theft insurance.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ERemember: No service can prevent every crime committed with stolen data. But knowing what is exposed, catching warning signs early, and having a clear response plan can make a deeply stressful situation easier to contain.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:H,name:B,slug: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},{id:D,name:E,slug:F,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:"I’ve been writing about identity theft and scams for years, and most of the time, people who’ve been victimized are placed in the “financial loss” category. However, I think I've found a perfect example of how damaging this type of crime can be to unsuspecting victims: identity theft isn’t just a financial problem caused by a loan or a credit card opened in our name.\n\nIdentity theft wears many hats and can affect us in many ways—sometimes it can land an innocent person in jail.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n",reading_time:aV,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fpennsylvania-woman-arrested-after-her-identity-was-stolen\u002F"},{id:"6ac7f7318beeea965802aa66",title:"Even Prime Ministers Are Not Immune to Data Leaks",slug:"french-prime-minister-phone-leak-old-data-breach",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FEven-Prime-Ministers-Are-Not-Immune-to-Data-Leaks.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-08T23:20:03.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EAccording to French media reports, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s mobile phone number has appeared online following the 2024 data breach at underwear retailer Le Slip Français.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt is a stark reminder that a data breach does not stop being a problem once it fades from the news. Stolen information can remain online for years, being copied and resold, and later be used in new scams.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFrench media \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.it-connect.tech\u002Fhow-a-le-slip-francais-purchase-exposed-the-prime-ministers-number-online\u002F\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003Ereports \u003C\u002Fa\u003Elink the exposure of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s phone number to the 2024 Le Slip Français breach\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPersonal data stolen years ago can still be copied, shared and misused\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENames, email addresses, phone numbers and home addresses can help scammers create more convincing phishing and impersonation attempts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDigital Identity Protection can alert you when your information appears in known breaches, while mobile Scam Protection and Call Blocking can help protect you from suspicious messages and calls\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELecornu’s phone number is now circulating online, according to media reports. This case is a highly public example of a risk that can affect anyone whose personal information was exposed in a breach.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"a-quick-reminder-what-happened-in-2024\"\u003EA quick reminder: what happened in 2024?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn April 2024, Le Slip Français disclosed that it had suffered a cyberattack. The incident reportedly exposed customer information including names, email addresses, postal addresses and phone numbers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the time, the company said customer passwords and payment-card data were not affected. But as this latest report shows, contact details can still create problems long after a breach is disclosed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERead our original coverage: \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbreach-at-famous-french-underwear-company-exposes-personal-data-of-1-5-million-shoppers\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003EData breach at famous French underwear company exposes personal data of 1.5 million shoppers\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"it-is-not-an-isolated-case\"\u003EIt is not an isolated case\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to \u003Cem\u003ELe Canard enchaîné\u003C\u002Fem\u003E, personal data belonging to 25 of the government’s 36 members may be accessible online. Not all the reported exposures are connected to the Le Slip Français breach.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, the\u003Cstrong\u003E \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003Eunderlying problem is the same: once personal data has been stolen, it can be reused in unexpected ways.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"why-old-breach-data-can-still-cause-problems\"\u003EWhy old breach data can still cause problems\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAttackers can copy a stolen database many times and combine it with information from other breaches or public sources. Even when passwords and payment-card details are not involved, a name, phone number, email address and home address can help a scammer make an approach feel legitimate.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESomeone who knows those details may send a convincing message posing as a bank, mobile provider, delivery company or another business you use. Their goal may be to steal a password, obtain a verification code or persuade you to click a malicious link.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-you-can-do\"\u003EWhat you can do\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your information was exposed in a breach, use unique passwords for important accounts and enable two-factor authentication. Be especially cautious with unexpected calls, texts and emails (even when they include accurate details about you).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDo not use the phone number or link included in an unsolicited message. Instead, contact the company through its official app, website or published customer-service number.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003EBitdefender Digital Identity Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can help you find out whether your personal information has appeared in known data breaches, including older exposures that may still put you at risk. If a breach leads to suspicious calls, texts or links, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fmobile-security-android\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003EBitdefender Mobile Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E’s Scam Protection and Call Blocking features can add another layer of protection.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:H,name:B,slug: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},{id:"66f50fb228045a04f10ce9b3",name:"Data Breach",slug:"data-breach",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:"According to French media reports, Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s mobile phone number has appeared online following the 2024 data breach at underwear retailer Le Slip Français.\n\nIt is a stark reminder that a data breach does not stop being a problem once it fades from the news. Stolen information can remain online for years, being copied and resold, and later be used in new scams.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * French media reports link the exposure of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s phone number to",reading_time:2,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Ffrench-prime-minister-phone-leak-old-data-breach\u002F"},{id:"6ac7953e8beeea965802aa47",title:"Are you oversharing online? Learn the risks before scammers make you their target",slug:"oversharing-online-scams-deepfakes-privacy",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FAre-you-oversharing-online.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-08T16:12:11.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003ECybersecurity Awareness Month is a good time for a reminder that online safety is not only about strong passwords, software updates or avoiding suspicious links.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt’s also about the information we give away without really thinking about it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis may look like a long read, but stay with us. Oversharing is often discussed as a small privacy mistake, but the details we share can help criminals build convincing scams, impersonate people we trust and, in some cases, put our digital or physical safety at risk.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOversharing can take place in chats, dating apps, gaming platforms, forums and online profiles, not just on public social media\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESmall personal details can help criminals create convincing scams, impersonation attempts and account-recovery attacks\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChildren and teens can also face cyberbullying, doxxing, harassment and misuse of their photos, including AI-generated or manipulated images\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDetails exposed in a data breach can become more dangerous when criminals combine them with the information you share online\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYou do not need to disappear from the internet—the goal is to share with more intention\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"for-adults-the-risk-is-often-a-scam-that-feels-relevant\"\u003EFor adults, the risk is often a scam that feels relevant\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn overshared detail can turn a generic scam into something tailored to you, enough to make you react.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMaybe you post about starting a new job and receive a convincing “HR” email. Maybe you mention an upcoming trip and get a fake airline, hotel or bank alert while you are away. Maybe you share that you are selling furniture and a supposed buyer sends a fake payment notification that looks real.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInformation that can be useful to scammers includes:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYour full date of birth, phone number, address or personal email\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYour employer, role, colleagues, clients or work travel\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYour relationship status or recent life changes\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EYour regular routine, gym, favorite café, school run or travel plans\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAnswers that resemble account-security questions, such as a childhood street, first pet or hometown\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPhotos of tickets, documents, screens, badges or mail\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERemember, a message can include real information about you and still be a scam.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf an unexpected text, call or email claims that there is an urgent problem with your account, payment, booking or delivery, do not use the link or phone number it provides. Open the company’s official app or website yourself.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"think-before-you-share-someone-else%E2%80%99s-information\"\u003EThink before you share someone else’s information\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOversharing is not only about the information we reveal about ourselves.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA parent may post a child’s full name, birthday, school photo and sports schedule without realizing how much of their routine is now visible. A proud partner may share a new address or holiday plans. A colleague may upload a team photo that shows badges, screens or a workplace layout. Someone may tag a friend at a location they did not want to make public.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe person in the photo or post may not have agreed to any of it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is where digital consent matters. Before posting about another person, especially a child, ask: would they be comfortable with this being seen, copied or resurfacing later? Could it reveal their location, routine, contact details, workplace or school?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWith children, this can be especially important. Family photos can be copied and misused by strangers, including in false profiles or “digital kidnapping” situations, where someone reposts a child’s image and pretends the child is their own.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EChildren deserve a say in what is shared about them online when they are old enough to understand.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"children-and-teens-information-can-become-ammunition\"\u003EChildren and teens: information can become ammunition\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor children and teenagers, oversharing can lead to more than a targeted scam.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA school logo in a photo, a gaming username connected to a real name, a public birthday post, a shared location, or a photo of a sports uniform can make it easier for someone to identify, contact, or harass them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn gaming spaces and group chats, an online acquaintance may slowly gather details that seem harmless: age, school year, town, parents’ jobs, when they are home alone or which other platforms they use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat information can also be used for cyberbullying, doxxing or other forms of harassment. Someone may share private details, create fake accounts, circulate screenshots out of context, or encourage others to target a child online.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI has added another difficult layer. Photos, videos and voice notes can be altered or reused to create fake content. Deepfake and “nudify” tools can be used to make abusive or sexualized fake images of real people, including children and teens.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is not a reason to frighten young people or tell them that a single photo means something terrible will happen. It is a reason to make sure they know they can ask for help without feeling ashamed or blamed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParents can talk with children about a few clear boundaries:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDo not share full names, school details, addresses, phone numbers or passwords in games, chats or profiles\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBe careful about moving a conversation from a game to Discord, Snapchat or another private platform\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENever let someone pressure you into sending a photo, recording a video or keeping a conversation secret from a trusted adult\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETell an adult if someone becomes threatening, sexual, manipulative or obsessed with personal details\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDo not forward, share or participate in humiliating content about another child\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf a child is facing harassment, threats or image-based abuse, save evidence, report the account or content to the platform, and reach out to the school or appropriate local authorities where needed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"older-adults-familiarity-can-make-impersonation-harder-to-spot\"\u003EOlder adults: familiarity can make impersonation harder to spot\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOlder adults can also be targeted by particularly persuasive scams that don’t feel like they come from strangers at all.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA criminal may use public family photos, birthday wishes, local community posts or information about a recent trip to impersonate a grandchild, a bank representative, a neighbor, a charity or a local business.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKnowing a family name or mentioning a real event does not prove that a caller is genuine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHelp older relatives review privacy settings, limit public access to contact details and recognize common pressure tactics. A simple family rule can help: if someone creates panic and asks for money, codes, personal information or secrecy, stop and verify.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECall the family member, bank or organization using a trusted number.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"employees-and-creators-have-a-different-kind-of-exposure\"\u003EEmployees and creators have a different kind of exposure\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEmployees may share a conference badge, post about an upcoming project, tag colleagues in a team photo, or mention that they are out of the office. Creators may share brand partnerships, business email addresses, filming locations, travel details and moments from their personal lives.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis visibility can make them targets for impersonation, fake sponsorship offers, fraudulent invoices, account-security scams and business email compromise attempts.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn attacker does not always need technical access to a company or creator account. Sometimes they only need enough context to send an email that looks as though it comes from a manager, client, brand partner or platform support team.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore posting work-related content, consider:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIs there confidential information in the image, background or caption?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDoes this reveal a client, project, system, location, travel plan or absence?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECould someone use this to impersonate me, my organization or a colleague?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIs this contact information really needed publicly, or could it be handled through a dedicated business channel?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor creators, public visibility can also provide material for cloned accounts, fake brand pitches and deepfake content. Protecting accounts with unique passwords and two-factor authentication is essential, but so is being thoughtful about how much personal information is available for someone to imitate your life or business.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"when-digital-oversharing-becomes-physical-stalking\"\u003EWhen digital oversharing becomes physical stalking\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe line between online safety and physical safety is not always clear.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELive location tags, regular posts from the same running route, a child’s school uniform, a photo outside a home or an announcement that a family is away can reveal patterns that someone should not have.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis can enable digital stalking that can look like repeated monitoring, unwanted contact, harassment or impersonation online, but it can also contribute to physical stalking or theft.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDoxxing is another serious risk. It involves exposing someone’s personal information without permission. In more serious cases, that information can be used for swatting: making a false emergency report intended to send armed police to a person’s home.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis is not the outcome of every public post. But it is a reminder that location, routine and personal information deserve more care than we often give them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAvoid posting travel updates in real time. Check photos for house numbers, license plates, school names and documents in the background. If you sell something online, arrange meetings in a safe public place rather than sharing unnecessary details about your home.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"data-breaches-fill-in-the-gaps\"\u003EData breaches fill in the gaps\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhen data breaches expose consumers' personal information, scams usually follow.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven the most careful person could have information exposed in a data breach. An email address, phone number, password, date of birth or other personal details can be stolen from a company or service you use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe risk grows when criminals combine that data with what they find online.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, an attacker may know your email address from a breach, see your new job on LinkedIn, and send a convincing fake message about a work account. Or they may see a family member’s name online and use it in a phishing or impersonation attempt.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat is why you should take breach notifications seriously. Change affected passwords, make every password unique, turn on two-factor authentication, and monitor your accounts for unfamiliar activity.\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 can help monitor your digital footprint and alert you when personal information appears in a breach or is exposed online.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThis cybersecurity set up a simple rule: stop, verify and check before you post, send or fill out a new online profile.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAsk yourself:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWho can see this now — and who could see it later?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat could someone learn if they combined this with my other posts or profile details?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDoes this reveal my location, routine, workplace, family or something that could be used to impersonate me?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAm I sharing information about someone else that they may not want online?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECould I share the same thing with less detail, with a smaller audience or at a later time?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt’s also worth reviewing privacy settings regularly. Change public profiles to friends-only where possible, limit who can tag you or see your friend list, and check what appears in the background of photos and screenshots before you share them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor broader protection across your devices, privacy and identity, check Bitdefender security solutions like \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003EBitdefender Ultimate Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E that brings together layered protection in one plan, or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-au\u002Fconsumer\u002Fsecurity-for-creators\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003EBitdefender Security for Creators\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. And if a message, profile, ad or link feels suspicious, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can give you a second opinion before you click, reply or send money – FOR FREE!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"faqs\"\u003EFAQs\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-is-online-oversharing\"\u003EWhat is online oversharing?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnline oversharing means revealing more personal information than necessary in posts, profiles, comments, chats or online forms. It can include obvious details such as an address or phone number, as well as smaller clues about your family, location, workplace, routines, travel plans or personal history.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-are-the-risks-of-oversharing-online\"\u003EWhat are the risks of oversharing online?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOversharing can make it easier for criminals to create targeted scams, impersonate someone you trust, guess account-recovery answers, take over accounts or steal your identity. It can also contribute to cyberbullying, doxxing, digital stalking and physical-safety risks when posts reveal someone’s location or routine.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-two-things-should-you-avoid-sharing-on-social-media\"\u003EWhat two things should you avoid sharing on social media?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETwo of the most important things to avoid sharing are:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInformation that reveals your identity or location, such as your full date of birth, home address, phone number, school, workplace, live location or travel plans.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EInformation that could help someone access your accounts, including passwords, recovery codes, security-question answers, boarding passes, account documents or screenshots containing personal details.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E",authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:aW,name:aX,slug:aY,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:H,name:B,slug: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},{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:"Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good time for a reminder that online safety is not only about strong passwords, software updates or avoiding suspicious links.\n\nIt’s also about the information we give away without really thinking about it.\n\nThis may look like a long read, but stay with us. Oversharing is often discussed as a small privacy mistake, but the details we share can help criminals build convincing scams, impersonate people we trust and, in some cases, put our digital or physical safe",reading_time:7,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Foversharing-online-scams-deepfakes-privacy\u002F"}],tagWhiteDetail:{slug:o,id:m,name:n,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:I,id:H,name: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,url:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Ftag\u002Fdigital-privacy\u002F"},settings:{title:$,description:aZ,logo:a_,icon:a,accent_color:a$,cover_image:ba,facebook:_,twitter:bb,lang:d,locale:d,timezone:bc,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,navigation:[{label:bd,url:aa},{label:be,url:bf},{label:B,url:bg},{label:J,url:bh},{label:bi,url:bj},{label:G,url:bk}],secondary_navigation:[],meta_title:a,meta_description:a,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,members_support_address:bl,members_enabled:c,allow_self_signup:c,members_invite_only:c,paid_members_enabled:c,firstpromoter_account:a,portal_button_style:bm,portal_button_signup_text:bn,portal_button_icon:a,portal_signup_terms_html:a,portal_signup_checkbox_required:c,portal_plans:[bo,bp,N],portal_default_plan:N,portal_name:y,portal_button:c,comments_enabled:bq,recommendations_enabled:c,outbound_link_tagging:c,default_email_address:br,support_email_address:bs,editor_default_email_recipients:bt,labs:{},url:bu,version:bv},allBiTags:[]}],fetch:{"BlogMenu:0":{settings:{title:$,description:aZ,logo:a_,icon:a,accent_color:a$,cover_image:ba,facebook:_,twitter:bb,lang:d,locale:d,timezone:bc,codeinjection_head:a,codeinjection_foot:a,navigation:[{label:bd,url:aa},{label:be,url:bf},{label:B,url:bg},{label:J,url:bh},{label:bi,url:bj},{label:G,url:bk}],secondary_navigation:[],meta_title:a,meta_description:a,og_image:a,og_title:a,og_description:a,twitter_image:a,twitter_title:a,twitter_description:a,members_support_address:bl,members_enabled:c,allow_self_signup:c,members_invite_only:c,paid_members_enabled:c,firstpromoter_account:a,portal_button_style:bm,portal_button_signup_text:bn,portal_button_icon:a,portal_signup_terms_html:a,portal_signup_checkbox_required:c,portal_plans:[bo,bp,N],portal_default_plan:N,portal_name:y,portal_button:c,comments_enabled:bq,recommendations_enabled:c,outbound_link_tagging:c,default_email_address:br,support_email_address:bs,editor_default_email_recipients:bt,labs:{},url:bu,version:bv},blogNames:bw,blogTitles:{hotforsecurity:$,labs:"Labs",businessinsights:"Business Insights",cyberpedia:"Cyberpedia"},blogRegions:{hotforsecurity:[d,"ro","de",bx,"es"],labs:[d],businessinsights:[d,bx],cyberpedia:[d]},activeBlog:ab,blogFound:ab},"FilterSection:0":{posts:[{id:aF,title:aG,slug:aH,feature_image:aI,featured:c,published_at:aJ,custom_excerpt:a,html:aK,authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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}],excerpt:aL,reading_time:Z,url:aM},{id:aN,title:aO,slug:aP,feature_image:aQ,featured:c,published_at:aR,custom_excerpt:a,html:aS,authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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:v,name:w,slug:x,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:D,name:E,slug:F,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:aT,reading_time:z,url:aU},{id:"6ae0bcc88beeea965802b325",title:"What parents need to know about the ‘Scam With Your Friends’ Video Game",slug:"what-parents-need-to-know-about-the-scam-with-your-friends-video-game",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FWhat-parents-need-to-know-about-the--Scam-With-Your-Friends--Video-Game.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-27T17:09:33.000+02:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EA game called \u003Cem\u003EScam With Your Friends\u003C\u002Fem\u003E is attracting plenty of attention on Steam. Its premise is exactly what the title suggests: players run a fictional scam call center, using manipulation and increasingly absurd schemes to persuade AI-powered callers to hand over money or personal information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt’s intended as dark comedy. But for parents, it also raises a fair question: when a game makes deception the challenge, what should children understand about the difference between a fictional scenario and real-world harm?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor many children, that distinction will be obvious. For others, especially those who are easily influenced, impulsive or eager to copy what they see online, it may need to be made clearly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cem\u003EScam With Your Friends\u003C\u002Fem\u003E is a fictional, dark-comedy game, not an actual scam, but its themes may not be suitable for every child.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe game centers on manipulation, pressure and deception. Parents can use it to discuss why those tactics cause real harm outside a game.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChildren should understand that pretending to scam a friend “as a joke” can still cause fear, embarrassment, lost money or a compromised account.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe game includes online co-op and public lobbies, making the usual rules about strangers, links, downloads and account security important.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-is-scam-with-your-friends\"\u003EWhat is \u003Cem\u003EScam With Your Friends\u003C\u002Fem\u003E?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReleased in Steam Early Access in October 2026, \u003Cem\u003EScam With Your Friends\u003C\u002Fem\u003E puts players in a fictional scam call center under pressure from an over-the-top boss. Players work alone or with others to convince AI-powered callers to hand over money and personal information before the day’s quota is up.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe game uses real-time AI conversations and includes online co-op, public lobbies and modding features. Its Steam listing also refers to remote access to fictional victims’ computers, voice cloning and increasingly chaotic scam scenarios.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlthough its developers clearly designed it to be exaggerated and ridiculous, that doesn’t mean every child will take away the same message from it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"when-%E2%80%98just-a-joke%E2%80%99-can-cross-a-line\"\u003EWhen ‘just a joke’ can cross a line\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost children understand that a game is fictional. But children are still learning about empathy, boundaries and consequences. A child may recognize that a scam works without fully understanding how frightening or harmful it can feel to fall victim to one.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDuring my school visits and conversations with children about cybersecurity, I have heard some say that they already know how scams work, that scamming looks easy, or that they have tried to trick classmates or friends “as a joke.”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EThat is worth taking seriously.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPretending to need urgent help, sending a fake giveaway, asking a friend for a password or verification code, or trying to persuade someone to send money may seem funny to the person doing it. But the person receiving the message may believe it’s real. They may worry that a friend is in trouble, share something they shouldn’t, or feel embarrassed after realizing they were tricked.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe lesson is not that children should never be curious about how scams work. In fact, understanding common tactics is a good way to avoid them. The important distinction is this: recognizing manipulation is a safety skill; using it against someone causes harm.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"use-the-game-as-a-conversation-starter\"\u003EUse the game as a conversation starter\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou don’t need to become an expert in the game or turn it into a lecture. A few straightforward questions can help children think more critically about what they are seeing:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat is the game asking you to do to “win”?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWould the same tactic be funny if it happened to you or one of your friends?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHow might someone feel if they believed a fake message was real?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat information should never be requested from another player or friend?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhat would you do if a real person used the same kind of pressure outside the game?\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis can also be a good opportunity to explain the tactics behind real scams. People who try to deceive others often rely on a sense of urgency, trust and emotion. They may pose as a friend in trouble, offer something free, create panic, or pressure you to act before you have time to think.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd children need to remember this extremely important pause moments when a message or someone asks for money, a password, a code, personal information or an urgent click.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"and-then-there%E2%80%99s-the-risk-of-online-play\"\u003EAnd then there’s the risk of online play\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike many multiplayer games, \u003Cem\u003EScam With Your Friends\u003C\u002Fem\u003E can be played with friends or through public lobbies. That means children may interact with strangers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA stranger may send a friend request, a link to a supposed giveaway, a “free” game-item offer, a tournament invitation or a request to move the conversation to another platform. They may claim a Steam account has been reported or needs to be verified. They may even appear to be a familiar contact whose account has been compromised.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMake these rules clear:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENever share a Steam password, one-time login code or recovery code\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENever approve a login request you did not start yourself\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDon’t click links sent through game chat, Discord or social media simply because they promise a free item, prize or special offer\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EDon’t download cheats, mods, files or “tools” from people you don’t know and trust\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENever share a real name, school, address, phone number, email address or information about family finances\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf something feels strange, ask an adult before clicking, downloading, trading or replying\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost importantly, children should know they won’t get in trouble for speaking up. If they click something by mistake or share information they shouldn't have, the priority is to act quickly, not assign blame.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"check-your-child%E2%80%99s-steam-account-together\"\u003ECheck your child’s Steam account together\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA quick account check can make a real difference.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStart by making sure your child uses a strong, unique password for the Steam account, not one reused for email, social media or another gaming account. Enable Steam Guard two-factor authentication and review the account’s privacy settings together.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt’s also worth checking who can view their profile, friend list and game inventory. If a payment card or PayPal account is connected, consider whether it needs to remain saved on the account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETalk about mods, too. Not every download shared in a gaming community is safe. A familiar game name, a persuasive message or a profile that looks legitimate does not make a file trustworthy.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"teach-children-to-verify-not-just-react\"\u003ETeach children to verify, not just react\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA child who receives a worrying message from a friend may want to help immediately. That’s why friend impersonation works.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf a friend asks for money, a code, help with a vote, an urgent login, or access to an account, encourage your child to verify it another way. They could call the friend, speak to them in person, or message them through a separate channel they already use.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe same applies to messages claiming to come from Steam Support. Children should never follow instructions from someone who says they work for Steam in chat, Discord or social media. If there is a genuine issue, open the Steam app or type the official Steam website into the browser independently.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"a-safer-way-to-play-and-learn\"\u003EA safer way to play and learn\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA game about scams may feel like an unusual starting point for a family safety conversation. But it can help children recognize the difference between a fictional challenge and a real attempt to manipulate someone.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf your child receives something suspicious, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can help you check a message, offer or claim. Use \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E before opening an unfamiliar website.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd, if you need a little help managing your child’s online activities, there are tools for that too. \u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Parental Control\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, included in \u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Family Plans\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, can help you set age-appropriate boundaries. Family Plans also help protect your loved ones from scams, phishing, malicious links and other online threats.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"faqs\"\u003EFAQs\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"is-the-steam-friend-invite-scam-a-real-scam\"\u003EIs the Steam friend invite scam a real scam?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes. A friend request can be the first step in a scam. Once a request is accepted, a stranger or a compromised account could send a fake giveaway, trade offer, tournament link or “account verification” request designed to steal login details or valuable items.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"is-there-any-danger-in-accepting-a-steam-friend-request\"\u003EIs there any danger in accepting a Steam friend request?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccepting a request alone does not give someone access to an account or device. The risk is what can happen next: links, downloads, trade offers or requests for a Steam Guard code. Children should accept requests only from people they know and verify unusual messages from friends another way.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-should-i-do-if-i-get-scammed-on-steam\"\u003EWhat should I do if I get scammed on Steam?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStop communicating with the person, do not pay anyone who promises to recover the account or return items, and do not click any more links. Change the Steam password and the password for the connected email account, sign out of unfamiliar devices, enable Steam Guard and scan the device if anything was downloaded. Report the account through Steam and use official Steam Support to recover access if needed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:ac,name:ad,slug:ae,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 game called Scam With Your Friends is attracting plenty of attention on Steam. Its premise is exactly what the title suggests: players run a fictional scam call center, using manipulation and increasingly absurd schemes to persuade AI-powered callers to hand over money or personal information.\n\nIt’s intended as dark comedy. But for parents, it also raises a fair question: when a game makes deception the challenge, what should children understand about the difference between a fictional scenari",reading_time:by,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fwhat-parents-need-to-know-about-the-scam-with-your-friends-video-game\u002F"},{id:ag,title:ah,slug:ai,feature_image:aj,featured:y,published_at:ak,custom_excerpt:a,html:al,authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:v,name:w,slug:x,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:am,reading_time:z,url:an},{id:"6ae08b318beeea965802b2d1",title:"Where to report a scam and what to do next in your country",slug:"where-to-report-a-scam",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwhere-to-report-a-scam.jpg",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-27T13:32:17.000+02:00",custom_excerpt:bz,html:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EScammers use fake stores, investment platforms, urgent messages and hijacked accounts to steal money or personal information. If you suspect fraud, choosing the right reporting channel is important, but stopping further damage matters even more. Here's where to report a scam and how to act.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EA scam is a deception designed to obtain money, personal data or account access\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFraudsters often impersonate people or organizations you may trust, then pressure you to pay or disclose information\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUnexpected payment demands, secrecy, unfamiliar links and promises of guaranteed returns are warning signs\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EContact your bank or account provider immediately, then notify police and the appropriate official reporting service\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"where-to-report-a-scam-first\"\u003EWhere to report a scam first\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf money or an account is at risk, contact your bank or provider \u003Cstrong\u003Ebefore filling out forms\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Then notify police or your country's official fraud service. Consumer and cybersecurity agencies may accept additional reports, but they don’t replace police complaints.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"global-scam-reporting-directory\"\u003EGlobal scam reporting directory\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStart with your country of residence; local police can advise you on cross-border cases.&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n\u003C!--kg-card-begin: html--\u003E\n\u003Ctable class=\"MsoNormalTable\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"mso-cellspacing:1.5pt;\n mso-yfti-tbllook:1184\"\u003E\n \u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-firstrow:yes\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;\n  border-bottom:none;border-right:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELocation\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-bottom:none;mso-border-top-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-right-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOfficial reporting route\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:1\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;\n  border-bottom:none;border-right:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUnited States\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-bottom:none;mso-border-top-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-right-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Freportfraud.ftc.gov\u002F\"\u003EFTC ReportFraud\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\n  for consumer scams; \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ic3.gov\u002F\"\u003EFBI IC3\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for\n  internet-enabled crime.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:2\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;\n  border-bottom:none;border-right:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EEngland, Wales and Northern Ireland\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-bottom:none;mso-border-top-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-right-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.reportfraud.police.uk\u002F\"\u003EReport Fraud\u003C\u002Fa\u003E,\n  which replaced Action Fraud in December 2025.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:3\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:none;mso-border-top-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EScotland\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scotland.police.uk\u002F\"\u003EPolice Scotland\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\n  on 101 for non-emergencies.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:4\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EEuropean Union\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border-top:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-bottom:\n  none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  mso-border-right-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.europol.europa.eu\u002Freport-a-crime\"\u003EEuropol's\n  country directory\u003C\u002Fa\u003E points to national police reporting channels.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:5\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border-top:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;\n  border-bottom:none;border-right:none;mso-border-top-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECanada\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-bottom:none;mso-border-top-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-right-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fantifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca\u002Freport-signalez-eng.htm\"\u003ECanadian\n  Anti-Fraud Centre\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and local police.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:6\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:none;mso-border-top-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAustralia\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.scamwatch.gov.au\u002Freport-a-scam\"\u003EScamwatch\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\n  for scam intelligence; \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.cyber.gov.au\u002Fsubmit-a-report\"\u003EReportCyber\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\n  for cybercrime.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:7\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENew Zealand\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border-top:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-bottom:\n  none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  mso-border-right-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ownyouronline.govt.nz\u002Fpersonal\u002Fget-help-now\u002F\"\u003ENCSC \u002F Own\n  Your Online\u003C\u002Fa\u003E; \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002F105.police.govt.nz\u002F\"\u003ENZ Police 105\u003C\u002Fa\u003E if\n  you lost money.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:8\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:none;mso-border-top-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIndia\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fcybercrime.gov.in\u002F\"\u003ENational Cyber Crime\n  Reporting Portal\u003C\u002Fa\u003E; call 1930 for financial cyber fraud.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:9\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESingapore\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border-top:none;border-left:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-bottom:\n  none;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  mso-border-right-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.police.gov.sg\u002Fe-services\u002Flodge-police-report\u002F\"\u003ESingapore\n  Police\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for a crime report; ScamShield 1799 for guidance.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n \u003Ctr style=\"mso-yfti-irow:10;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes\"\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:none;mso-border-top-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-left-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;mso-border-bottom-alt:\n  solid windowtext .5pt;padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESouth Africa\u003C\u002Fb\u003E\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n  \u003Ctd style=\"border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;\n  padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt\"\u003E\n  \u003Cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.saps.gov.za\u002Fservices\u002Freport_crime.php\"\u003ESouth\n  African Police Service\u003C\u002Fa\u003E at your nearest station.\u003Co:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fo:p\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\n  \u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n \u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\n\u003C!--kg-card-end: html--\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EIn Romania, report cyber incidents to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fpnrisc.dnsc.ro\u002F\"\u003EDNSC\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, and crimes to police. In Spain, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.incibe.es\u002Fciudadania\u002Fayuda\u002Freporte-de-fraude\"\u003EINCIBE\u003C\u002Fa\u003E takes technical reports and advises at 017; report crimes to police. For cross-border consumer fraud, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.econsumer.gov\u002F\"\u003Eeconsumer.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E offers an additional reporting channel, not refunds.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEuropol does not accept crime reports directly from the public; victims should go through their national authorities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwho-handles-scam-report.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwho-handles-scam-report.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwho-handles-scam-report.jpg 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwho-handles-scam-report.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"your-action-plan-depends-on-what-happened\"\u003EYour action plan depends on what happened\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"you-received-a-suspicious-message-but-did-not-engage\"\u003EYou received a suspicious message but did not engage\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDon’t click links, scan unknown QR codes or call numbers in the message. Verify claims through official websites or apps. Save the message and report it through the platform and an official channel. Be wary of impersonators demanding secrecy or immediate payment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"you-sent-money-or-revealed-payment-details\"\u003EYou sent money or revealed payment details\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EImmediately:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Call your bank or payment provider through official channels. Ask about blocking cards, recalling transfers or disputing charges. For cryptocurrency, contact the exchange, but blockchain transfers generally can’t be reversed. Refund options depend on payment method, jurisdiction and whether you authorized the transfer.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENext:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E File a report and retain its reference number. See our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fsent-money-scammer-bank-transfer\"\u003Ebank-transfer recovery guide\u003C\u002Fa\u003E and our explanation of \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fauthorized-vs-unauthorized-fraud\"\u003Eauthorized vs unauthorized fraud\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"you-shared-passwords-identity-documents-or-device-access\"\u003EYou shared passwords, identity documents or device access\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFrom a trusted device, replace exposed and reused passwords, sign out of other sessions and enable two-factor authentication. If you installed remote-access software, disconnect and seek technical help. Contact the issuer of exposed identity documents. Report hijacked profiles, especially when followers may be targeted.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwhat-do-after-scam.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwhat-do-after-scam.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwhat-do-after-scam.jpg 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwhat-do-after-scam.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-evidence-should-you-save\"\u003EWhat evidence should you save?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESave receipts, transaction IDs, dates, usernames, URLs, wallet addresses, phone numbers and message screenshots. Preserve original emails. Never upload passwords or identity documents to unofficial sites. Use our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fscam-evidence-checklist\"\u003Escam evidence checklist\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to create a timeline.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fscam-evidence-checklist.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fscam-evidence-checklist.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fscam-evidence-checklist.jpg 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fscam-evidence-checklist.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-happens-after-you-report\"\u003EWhat happens after you report?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYour report can inform an investigation and warnings but it \u003Cstrong\u003Ecan’t guarantee a refund or investigation\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Keep reference numbers and follow up through official channels. Reject promises to recover stolen funds for a fee. Speak with someone you trust or a victim-support service if you need support.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-bitdefender-can-help\"\u003EHow Bitdefender can help\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore you respond to suspicious communications, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can assess texts, links, QR codes and screenshots for you. After a suspicious download, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fultimate-security\"\u003EBitdefender Ultimate Security\u003C\u002Fa\u003E provides device protection and scam detection. \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fpassword-manager\"\u003EBitdefender SecurePass\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can generate and manage unique replacement passwords.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhere personal information may be exposed, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fdigital-identity-protection\"\u003EDigital Identity Protection\u003C\u002Fa\u003E monitors breach-related exposure. For creators whose social accounts are targeted, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fsecurity-for-creators\"\u003ESecurity for Creators\u003C\u002Fa\u003E offers account monitoring and recovery assistance. None of these services files a police report or recovers stolen money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"conclusion\"\u003EConclusion\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EKnowing where to report a scam helps. First secure your money and accounts, then preserve evidence and report through official channels.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions-faqs\"\u003EFrequently asked questions (FAQs)\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"who-do-i-report-an-international-scam-to\"\u003EWho do I report an international scam to?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReport to your local police or official fraud service, even if the scammer seems to be abroad. You can also file cross-border consumer complaints at econsumer.gov. If money has moved, contact your bank or payment provider first; filing an international report does not reverse a transaction.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"how-do-i-find-a-scammer%E2%80%99s-location\"\u003EHow do I find a scammer’s location?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou generally can’t establish a scammer's location from a phone number, web address or profile. Criminals can fake caller IDs and identities. Preserve the available details for investigators instead of paying someone to trace the scammer or attempting to confront them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"is-there-a-database-of-scam-numbers\"\u003EIs there a database of scam numbers?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is no complete, authoritative global database that identifies every scam number. Caller-ID tools and community reports can offer clues, but numbers may be spoofed or reassigned. Independently verify unexpected requests for money, passwords or login codes, even when a number appears legitimate.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"where-should-i-report-a-scam-website\"\u003EWhere should I report a scam website?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReport the URL to your national cybersecurity agency, if applicable. For phishing pages, use \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsafebrowsing.google.com\u002Fsafebrowsing\u002Freport_phish\u002F\"\u003EGoogle Safe Browsing\u003C\u002Fa\u003E; in the UK, use the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ncsc.gov.uk\u002Fsection\u002Fabout-this-website\u002Freport-scam-website\"\u003ENCSC form\u003C\u002Fa\u003E. Notify impersonated brands. If money or data was lost, file a separate fraud report.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:"66d5cbea28045a04f10b89eb",name:"Vlad CONSTANTINESCU",slug:"vlad",profile_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2021\u002F12\u002FVlad.jpg",cover_image:a,bio:"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.",website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:v,name:w,slug:x,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:D,name:E,slug:F,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:bz,reading_time:z,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fwhere-to-report-a-scam\u002F"},{id:P,title:Q,slug:R,feature_image:S,featured:y,published_at:T,custom_excerpt:a,html:bA,authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:v,name:w,slug:x,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:u,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:bB,url:V}],sidePosts:[{id:P,title:Q,slug:R,feature_image:S,featured:y,published_at:T,custom_excerpt:a,html:bA,authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:v,name:w,slug:x,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:u,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:bB,url:V},{id:ao,title:ap,slug:aq,feature_image:ar,featured:c,published_at:as,custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBritain’s financial regulator is warning financial institutions that increasingly autonomous AI systems could cause widespread disruption, expose customers to cyber threats, and make accountability harder to establish. It wants firms to report serious AI failures and near-misses before they turn into bigger problems.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday banking, from customer service chatbots to fraud detection and automated financial decisions. But what happens when an AI system makes a costly mistake, exposes sensitive information, or nearly triggers a disaster?\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) wants financial firms to prepare for precisely those scenarios — and report significant AI-related failures, including incidents that were narrowly avoided.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-points\"\u003EKey points\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe FCA wants financial institutions to report significant AI failures and near-misses, not just incidents that cause actual damage\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003E86% of financial firms now use AI, the regulator says, citing an upcoming joint survey with the Bank of England\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAutonomous AI agents could introduce new cybersecurity risks as they gain the ability to manage payments, investments and other transactions\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EFirms are being urged to stress-test AI systems, maintain human oversight and prepare fallback procedures\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EConsumers are increasingly using general-purpose AI chatbots for financial advice, often without understanding the limits of their protections\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"ai-failures-could-become-a-regulatory-priority\"\u003EAI failures could become a regulatory priority\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJessica Rusu, the FCA's chief data, information and intelligence officer, warned that the financial sector's growing dependence on AI creates risks that existing safeguards must address.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"Poorly governed AI can create consumer harm, cyber vulnerabilities and operational failures, potentially at much greater speed and scale,\" Rusu \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fca.org.uk\u002Fnews\u002Fspeeches\u002Fbuilding-future-finance-age-ai\"\u003Esaid\u003C\u002Fa\u003E at Bloomberg's UK Policy Series on Oct. 19.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe regulator already requires firms to report major operational incidents. Rusu argued that this obligation must also cover significant AI failures and near-misses.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA near-miss might involve an AI system attempting an unauthorized transaction that is blocked by a security control, or a chatbot generating dangerously incorrect financial information that’s spotted before reaching customers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENeither scenario necessarily inflicts immediate harm, but both could reveal weaknesses that might cause serious problems later.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe idea is similar to safety reporting in aviation, where investigating narrowly avoided accidents can help prevent future disasters.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe FCA's announcement signals a supervisory expectation, rather than a new, finalized AI-specific reporting regime.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"when-ai-starts-making-financial-decisions\"\u003EWhen AI starts making financial decisions\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe FCA is particularly concerned about the emergence of \u003Cem\u003Eagentic AI\u003C\u002Fem\u003E — systems capable of taking actions on behalf of users rather than simply answering questions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike conventional chatbots, AI agents could compare financial products, initiate payments, manage investments and interact with other automated systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESuch capabilities promise greater convenience but also introduce new security challenges.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAn AI assistant that merely provides inaccurate information can mislead a customer. An autonomous agent acting on that information could potentially execute an unwanted transaction before anyone notices.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECompromised AI agents, manipulated instructions, excessive permissions and weak authentication could also create opportunities for cybercriminals.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor example, an attacker might try to manipulate an AI-powered financial assistant into changing payment details or disclosing sensitive customer information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe regulator wants the industry to develop clearer safeguards around agent identity, delegated authority, accountability and transaction execution.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn other words, financial institutions need to establish not only what an AI system can do, but who is responsible when something goes wrong.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"banks-are-already-making-mistakes-with-ai\"\u003EBanks are already making mistakes with AI\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAlongside Rusu's speech, the FCA \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fca.org.uk\u002Fpublications\u002Fgood-poor-practice\u002Fai-financial-services\"\u003Epublished examples of good and poor AI practices\u003C\u002Fa\u003E observed during its engagement with financial firms.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESome findings suggest that institutions are adopting AI faster than they’re developing safeguards to manage it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe regulator identified firms that deployed AI tools with insufficient testing, introduced governance procedures only after deployment, or failed to maintain adequate records of automated decisions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt also warned against treating human oversight as a formality.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn one example, reviewers increasingly accepted AI-generated recommendations without meaningful scrutiny, even when there were signs of errors.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe FCA highlighted better practices, including limiting chatbots to approved information sources, maintaining audit trails, and allowing customers to escalate problems to human advisers.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA system that works correctly during testing may behave differently when exposed to unusual circumstances, changing models or large numbers of simultaneous transactions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERusu urged financial firms to stress-test AI systems, understand their dependence on external technology suppliers, and maintain fallback options when automated services fail.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"consumers-may-not-realize-ai-financial-advice-comes-without-protection\"\u003EConsumers may not realize AI financial advice comes without protection\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe regulator also raised concerns about consumers turning to general-purpose AI chatbots for financial guidance.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAccording to figures cited by the FCA, four in five less-experienced investors aged 18 to 40 have used AI to help with investing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYet only 40% of consumers recognize that acting on advice from a general-purpose AI tool doesn’t result in the same regulatory recourse as receiving advice from an authorized financial adviser.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe FCA is calling on AI providers to make these limitations clearer through consistent, proportionate warnings.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe watchdog wants consumers to understand when they are dealing with an authorized financial institution and when they are simply receiving information generated by an AI model.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-protect-your-finances-when-using-ai-for-financial-decisions\"\u003EHow to protect your finances when using AI for financial decisions\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAI can be useful for explaining financial concepts, comparing terminology or helping consumers formulate questions. However, it should not be treated as an unquestionable financial authority.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA few precautions can help reduce the risks:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EVerify financial recommendations independently.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Check investment claims, fees, risks and product details against official sources before making decisions\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECheck who you're dealing with.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E In the UK, use the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.fca.org.uk\u002Fconsumers\u002Ffca-firm-checker\"\u003EFCA Firm Checker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to establish whether a financial services provider is authorized\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe cautious about granting AI agents financial access.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Understand what an assistant can see, what transactions it can initiate, and whether it requires your approval\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAvoid sharing sensitive financial information.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Don't paste banking passwords, authentication codes or unnecessary personal details into general-purpose chatbots\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWatch for AI-powered impersonation scams.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Criminals can use convincing AI-generated messages, voices and websites to impersonate banks, investment advisers and support representatives\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESecure your accounts and devices.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Enable multi-factor authentication, keep software updated, and \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fsolutions\u002F\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Euse reputable security software\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to help detect phishing, malicious links and other threats\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf an AI-powered banking service produces an unexpected transaction or suspicious recommendation, stop interacting with it and contact the financial institution through an official channel.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"bottom-line\"\u003EBottom line\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe FCA isn't calling for banks to abandon artificial intelligence. It wants them to recognize that the technology introduces risks that can spread faster than conventional operational failures.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs AI moves from answering questions to making decisions and carrying out transactions, the consequences of a mistake become harder to contain.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EReporting close calls, maintaining meaningful human oversight and testing systems against unexpected behavior could help financial institutions catch dangerous weaknesses before customers pay the price.\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\u002Fuk-ai-security-risks-unreleased-models\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EUK warns powerful AI models could pose security risks before they're even released\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\u002Fai-agent-online-shopping-banks-scams-privacy\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAI agents want to shop for you; banks warn of scams and privacy risks\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",authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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:D,name:E,slug:F,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:at,name:au,slug:av,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:u,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:aw,reading_time:z,url:ax},{id:ay,title:az,slug:aA,feature_image:aB,featured:c,published_at:aC,custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWhatsApp is rolling out new controls that let parents manage parts of their teenager’s experience without accessing their private conversations.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EWhatsApp is rolling out optional parental controls for users aged 13 to 17\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EParents can manage privacy settings and some features using a six-digit PIN\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003ETeens need parental approval to make protected settings less restrictive\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EParents can receive alerts about activity such as new contacts and groups, but can’t read their teen’s messages\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EParents can restrict Channels, Status and their teen’s experience with Meta AI\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe controls require the parent and teen to agree to link their WhatsApp accounts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe feature is rolling out gradually and may not yet be available everywhere\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"more-oversight-without-reading-their-messages\"\u003EMore oversight without reading their messages\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhatsApp is giving parents more say over how their teenagers use the messaging service, including who can see their information, how they interact with groups and Channels, and what content they can access through Meta AI.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe messaging service \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.whatsapp.com\u002Fnew-controls-to-help-parents-guide-their-teens-on-whatsapp\"\u003Eannounced the new controls\u003C\u002Fa\u003E on Sept. 30, describing them as a way for parents to guide teenagers without looking over their shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce accounts are linked, parents can manage privacy settings such as who can see their teen’s profile information and who can add them to groups. A teen can still adjust their own privacy settings, but making a protected setting less restrictive requires approval using the parent's PIN.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParents can also receive notifications about certain changes and activities. For example, WhatsApp can alert them when their teenager adds a contact, creates or joins a group, or changes their profile picture, or when a group they belong to grows significantly. Parents can choose which of these notifications to receive.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe system also gives parents some control over WhatsApp features that extend beyond one-to-one messaging.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor \u003Cstrong\u003EStatus\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, parents can decide whose updates their teen can see and who can see their teen's updates.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor \u003Cstrong\u003EChannels\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, they can allow access to all Channels, limit their teen to parent-approved Channels, or block Channel access. They can also prevent their teen from creating a Channel.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPerhaps most notably, given the growing use of AI among young people, parents can choose between WhatsApp's standard \u003Cstrong\u003E13+ Meta AI experience\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and a \u003Cstrong\u003ELimited\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E setting designed to further restrict the topics their teenager can discuss with the chatbot.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-parents-still-cant-see\"\u003EWhat parents still can't see\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fheader-whatsapp-teens-1.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"978\" height=\"545\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fheader-whatsapp-teens-1.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fheader-whatsapp-teens-1.jpg 978w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESource: \u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog.whatsapp.com\u002Fnew-controls-to-help-parents-guide-their-teens-on-whatsapp\"\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWhatsApp\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe new controls don't turn WhatsApp into a surveillance tool.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParents \u003Cstrong\u003Ecan’t read their teenager's personal messages or listen to their calls\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. WhatsApp says conversations remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning nobody outside a conversation – including a linked parent or WhatsApp itself – can access their contents.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's an important distinction.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParental controls can reduce exposure to strangers, inappropriate content and unwanted interactions. But they don't tell parents everything happening inside a conversation. A teenager could still encounter scams, manipulation, cyberbullying, inappropriate requests or malicious links from someone they're already communicating with.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe controls work best as guardrails rather than a substitute for conversations about online safety.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-set-up-whatsapp-parental-controls-for-your-teen\"\u003EHow to set up WhatsApp parental controls for your teen\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhatsApp says its new controls are designed for kids \u003Cstrong\u003Eaged 13 to 17\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, while the parent or guardian linking the account must be at least 18. Both parent and teen must agree to link their accounts, and both devices need the latest version of WhatsApp.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ffaq.whatsapp.com\u002F1761199628372670\"\u003Eset up parental controls\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, you'll need both phones:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; On your \u003Cstrong\u003Eteen's phone\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, open WhatsApp and go to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings &gt; Parental controls &gt; Continue\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Enter your teen's birthday and confirm their age\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tap \u003Cstrong\u003EContinue\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to begin linking a parent's account\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A QR code will appear on the teen's device\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Using the \u003Cstrong\u003Eparent's phone\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, scan the QR code with the phone's camera and follow the link into WhatsApp\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tap \u003Cstrong\u003EContinue\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and complete the adult-verification process\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Create a \u003Cstrong\u003Esix-digit parent PIN\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and confirm it. This PIN is required to access and change protected settings\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Return to your teen's phone, enter the parent PIN and review the available privacy and feature settings\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tap \u003Cstrong\u003EContinue &gt; Done\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to finish setup\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAfterwards, parents can manage settings from the teen's device by opening \u003Cstrong\u003EWhatsApp &gt; Settings &gt; Parental controls\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and entering the parent PIN.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParents can also review activity from their own device by opening \u003Cstrong\u003EWhatsApp &gt; Settings &gt; Parental controls\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and selecting their teenager's account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe controls are optional and can be removed later. WhatsApp says the feature is rolling out gradually, so don't be surprised if it isn’t in your settings yet. Keeping WhatsApp updated will ensure the feature becomes available when it reaches your account or region.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-about-younger-children\"\u003EWhat about younger children?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhatsApp now makes an important distinction between teenagers and younger children.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEarlier this year, the company began rolling out \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fset-up-parent-managed-whatsapp-account-child\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Eparent-managed accounts\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for children under 13 – or an older minimum age where required by local rules. These accounts are much more restrictive and focus primarily on messaging and calling under parental supervision.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParents can manage who contacts the child, review requests from unknown people, control privacy settings and receive alerts about certain account activity. Personal conversations still remain end-to-end encrypted and inaccessible to the parent.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBoth parent-managed accounts and the newer controls for teens are being introduced gradually, so availability can vary by country and account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"parental-controls-are-only-one-layer-of-protection\"\u003EParental controls are only one layer of protection\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGiving parents better controls inside WhatsApp is useful, particularly because messaging apps sit at the intersection of so many risks young people encounter online.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut no collection of privacy switches can prevent every scam, malicious link, compromised account or manipulation attempt.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EParents should teach children and teenagers to be suspicious of unexpected requests for money or personal information, to never share passwords or verification codes, and to be cautious when someone suddenly asks them to move a conversation, download a file or click a link.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYoung people should also know that identities can be faked online. A message appearing to come from a friend or relative doesn't necessarily mean that person actually sent it – particularly if an account has been compromised.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd make sure children know that blocking and reporting someone is always an option if a conversation makes them uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"add-another-layer-of-protection-for-the-whole-family\"\u003EAdd another layer of protection for the whole family\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhatsApp's parental controls can help manage what happens \u003Cstrong\u003Einside WhatsApp\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, but a child's digital life doesn't stop at a single app.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat's where device-level security and broader parental controls can complement the safeguards built into individual platforms.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Ffamily\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Family Plans\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E provide security for up to five family members and 25 devices, with different roles and protections for parents, teenagers and children. Depending on the plan, families can combine real-time protection against online threats with parental controls, scam protection, privacy features and other security tools.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender Parental Control lets parents set internet time limits, filter inappropriate content and get a clearer picture of children's online activity, while the wider security suite helps protect family devices against malicious websites, phishing attempts, risky downloads and other threats.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe goal isn't to watch everything children do online. It's to put sensible safeguards around them while they learn how to make safer decisions themselves.\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\u002Fset-up-parent-managed-whatsapp-account-child\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003ESafer messaging for kids: how to set up a parent-managed WhatsApp account for your child\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\u002Fwhatsapp-account-theft-defense\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWhatsApp makes account theft harder: how to turn on the new defenses\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\u002Fwhatsapp-usernames-explained-how-to-reserve\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EWhatsApp usernames explained: how to reserve yours and stay safe\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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},{id:u,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:aD,reading_time:aV,url:aE},{id:"6ac372ed8beeea965802a66e",title:"How cult-like online groups target children through gaming",slug:"cult-like-online-harassment-targeting-children",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FHow-cult-like-online-groups-target-children-through-gaming.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-05T13:56:41.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EA recent ABC investigation highlights a troubling form of online exploitation affecting Australian children through coercive, cult-like networks that use games, social platforms and messaging apps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese networks can use friendship, harassment, threats and blackmail to gain control over a child. In some cases, victims are pressured into creating sexual material, isolating themselves from the people who care about them, or harming themselves.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis risk isn’t limited to children in Australia. The individuals behind these networks operate across borders, targeting children with online access, particularly those who are lonely, distressed, looking for acceptance, or going through a difficult time.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EChildren can be approached through online games, then encouraged to move to private chat apps\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESeemingly harmless questions can be used to collect personal information and make threats more convincing\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESome victims are pressured into sharing intimate content, self-harming or isolating themselves from family and friends\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EPolice warn that victims can also be coerced into targeting other children\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EParents should know which games, platforms and chat apps their children use, keep conversations open and use parental controls as an added layer of protection\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-a-gaming-conversation-can-turn-into-exploitation\"\u003EHow a gaming conversation can turn into exploitation\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn the ABC report, a teenager identified as Emma described meeting someone through an online game (Roblox) after he praised her gaming skills. He then encouraged her to move the conversation to the Discord platform, which allows messaging, video chat and file-sharing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"I met this guy … he said that I was really good at the game,\" the young girl \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.abc.net.au\u002Fnews\u002F2026-10-05\u002Faustralian-children-at-risk-from-sadistic-online-cults-like-764\u002F107217600\"\u003Etold\u003C\u002Fa\u003E ABC.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt first, the questions seemed ordinary: her age, school and other personal details. But the conversation escalated. Emma was asked for selfies and then more explicit images. The person threatened to share material if she didn’t comply.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"Then he started asking me for, like, pics that were not good … [telling] me 'if you don't do this, I will leak you,'\" she said.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBy that point, he had gathered enough information to identify Emma and her parents, including their contact details.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHer story shows why parents shouldn't assume a child will recognize danger immediately. The first message may come from someone who seems friendly, supportive or close in age. They may be playing the same game, listening to the same music or simply offering the kind of attention a child feels they need at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\"They made me upset, but I was too scared to tell my parents. That's the main thing. I never told my parents about any of this,\" Emma explains.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-law-enforcement-is-seeing\"\u003EWhat law enforcement is seeing\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEmma’s case is among 19 referrals made to the WA Police Force cybercrime squad in the past 18 months, according to the ABC. That figure reflects referrals, not necessarily confirmed cases tied to one specific group.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPolice say victims may be pressured into self-harm, sexual exploitation or other harmful acts. One especially troubling pattern is that some children are then coerced into becoming offenders themselves by approaching, manipulating or harassing others.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese groups do not necessarily function like a traditional cult with a fixed leader or formal membership. But they can use cult-like methods: creating a sense of belonging, rewarding obedience, making harmful behavior appear normal, and convincing victims that they cannot leave or ask for help. For the child, the experience can quickly become frightening and isolating.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELaw enforcement describes this as a growing global threat. The Australian Federal Police-led Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.accce.gov.au\u002Fsites\u002Fdefault\u002Ffiles\u002F2025-07\u002FSaditstic%20Online%20Exploitation%20Factsheet_AFP-JPC3-ACCCE_Jul2025.pdf\"\u003Esays\u003C\u002Fa\u003E offenders may approach children through gaming platforms, social media apps and forums, first offering friendship, attention or a sense of belonging.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe relationship can then become extremely controlling. An offender may encourage a child to move to a private chat app, ask increasingly personal questions, make them keep secrets or use threats to make them comply.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn October 2025, the AFP said it had \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.afp.gov.au\u002Fnews-centre\u002Fmedia-release\u002Fnew-taskforce-target-decentralised-online-crime-network-exploiting\"\u003Eidentified\u003C\u002Fa\u003E 59 alleged Australian members of a decentralized online crime network associated with child exploitation, cybercrime and violence.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"doxxing-and-swatting-tactics-used-to-scare-children-into-silence\"\u003EDoxxing and swatting: tactics used to scare children into silence\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOnce an offender has personal information, threats can become more believable.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDoxxing is the act of sharing someone’s personal information online without their permission. This could include a child’s name, phone number, home address, school, or details about their parents and their work. The goal is to frighten the victim or encourage others to harass them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESwatting is another intimidation tactic these individuals use. It involves making a false emergency report to send police or emergency responders to someone’s home.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA child who believes an offender knows where they live, who their parents are or how to reach them may feel trapped. They may hide what is happening because they are ashamed, frightened or worried that they will get in trouble.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat’s why the response at home matters so much. Children need to know they can ask for help, even if they have shared something personal, spoken to a stranger or ignored well established rules within the family.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"warning-signs-parents-should-not-ignore\"\u003EWarning signs parents should not ignore\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is no single sign that proves a child is being targeted. But a sudden change in behavior around devices, games, or online friends is worth noticing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe on the lookout for these changes in your child’s behavior:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EHides their screen, quickly closes apps or becomes unusually protective of a device\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWithdraws from family, friends, school or activities they would normally enjoy\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESeems distressed, anxious or angry after being online\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBecomes secretive about a particular game, chat app or online friend\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESuddenly uses unfamiliar apps, has multiple accounts or private group chats\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReceives unexplained gifts, in-game currency or attention from strangers\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAppears fearful that someone will share information or images about them\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETalks about self-harm, appears to be self-harming or seems overwhelmed and isolated\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese signs can have many causes. The goal is not to interrogate a child or assume the worst. It is to create an opening for a calm conversation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-parents-can-do\"\u003EWhat parents can do\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStart by knowing where your child spends time online. Ask them to show you the games they play, the apps they use and how messaging works on those platforms. You do not need to understand every feature. Being interested makes it easier for your child to bring concerns to you later.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESet clear family rules about private chats, friend requests and moving conversations from one app to another. Younger children should generally only interact with people they know offline, while older children should understand that an online friend can still be a stranger.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUse privacy settings and parental controls to limit direct messages, voice chat, unknown friend requests and access to age-inappropriate content. A solution such as \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Ffamily\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003EBitdefender Family Plan\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can help parents manage their children’s online activity, set healthy boundaries and add protection across the family’s devices. A security solution should support and not replace regular conversations.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost importantly, tell your child this clearly: if someone asks for photos, makes threats, wants them to keep secrets, pressures them to move to another app or makes them feel unsafe, they can come to you. They will not be blamed, and you will deal with it together.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"if-you-think-a-child-is-being-targeted\"\u003EIf you think a child is being targeted\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EStay calm. Thank them for telling you and reassure them that they are not in trouble.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E Save usernames, messages, links and screenshots where possible, but do not share or forward harmful material.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EBlock and report the account through the relevant platform.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReport suspected child exploitation to law enforcement or the relevant child-protection reporting service.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EIf there is an immediate risk of self-harm or danger, contact emergency services straight away.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"faqs\"\u003EFAQS\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-are-the-warning-signs-that-a-child-may-be-targeted-online\"\u003EWhat are the warning signs that a child may be targeted online?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA child may become unusually secretive about their phone, games or online friends, quickly hide their screen, withdraw from family and friends, or seem upset after going online. They may also appear frightened by notifications, use new apps without explaining why, or worry that someone will share private information about them. These signs do not always mean exploitation is happening, but they are a reason to start a calm, supportive conversation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"can-children-be-targeted-through-online-games\"\u003ECan children be targeted through online games?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYes. Online games can be enjoyable social spaces, but chat and messaging features can also allow strangers to contact children. An offender may begin with a friendly conversation about the game, then encourage the child to move to another app or private chat. Teach children not to share personal information, photos, their school, address or contact details with people they only know online.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-should-i-do-if-someone-threatens-or-blackmails-my-child-online\"\u003EWhat should I do if someone threatens or blackmails my child online?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStay calm and reassure your child that they are not in trouble. Save usernames, messages, links and screenshots, but do not share or forward harmful material. Block and report the account through the platform, then report suspected exploitation to law enforcement or the appropriate child-protection reporting service. If your child may be at immediate risk of self-harm or physical danger, contact emergency services immediately.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"what-is-doxxing\"\u003EWhat is doxxing?\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDoxxing is when someone shares another person’s private information online without permission. This may include their full name, address, school, phone number or information about their family. It is often used to intimidate someone or encourage others to harass them.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:ac,name:ad,slug:ae,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:u,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:"A recent ABC investigation highlights a troubling form of online exploitation affecting Australian children through coercive, cult-like networks that use games, social platforms and messaging apps.\n\nThese networks can use friendship, harassment, threats and blackmail to gain control over a child. In some cases, victims are pressured into creating sexual material, isolating themselves from the people who care about them, or harming themselves.\n\nThis risk isn’t limited to children in Australia. Th",reading_time:by,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcult-like-online-harassment-targeting-children\u002F"},{id:"6abe4ad88beeea965802a458",title:"Cybersecurity Awareness Month Starts With Protecting Older Adults",slug:"protect-older-adults-cybersecurity-awareness-month",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FCybersecurity-Awareness-Month-Starts-With-Protecting-Older-Adults.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-01T15:29:59.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003EI can’t believe it’s already October. The start of this month means we are kicking off Cybersecurity Awareness Month—a time to slow down, look at the risks we face online, and talk about the small things that can help protect us and the people we love.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut Oct. 1 also marks the International Day of Older Persons, a meaningful reminder that online safety is not only for younger generations.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOlder adults are active online, which means they can encounter scams through texts, emails, social media, messaging apps, ads and phone calls.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EFinancial exploitation can have a particularly serious impact when someone has limited time or resources to recover from a loss\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScams do not only come from obvious strangers; criminals can impersonate a bank, a delivery company, a government agency, a friend or even a family member\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAI is making scams more convincing, including through realistic fake voices, videos, messages and images\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EAwareness matters, but so does a safety net: family support, simple verification habits and real-time scam protection can make a real difference\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOlder adults are online every day. They use smartphones to communicate with family, manage banking and health appointments, follow the news, shop, share photos, and take part in their communities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the same time, the online world has become much harder to navigate. A convincing text can appear to come from a bank. A sponsored social-media post can lead to a fraudulent website. And an urgent call may now sound remarkably like someone we know.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor older adults, a scam can mean more than an embarrassing moment or an annoying message. It can jeopardize savings, personal information and peace of mind. This month is a good opportunity to make protection practical: talk openly about suspicious messages, agree that it is always okay to pause, and put a few extra safeguards in place before a scammer gets the chance.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat is why this Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we should make room for a more caring family conversation: not one built on fear or judgment, but one that helps older relatives recognize suspicious moments, ask for a second opinion and know that support is always there.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"why-older-adults-can-face-a-greater-risk-of-financial-exploitation\"\u003EWhy older adults can face a greater risk of financial exploitation\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENo one is “too smart” to get scammed. Fraud works by catching people off guard at just the right moment, whether you’re worried, in a rush or even lonely. &nbsp;For older adults, the consequences can be especially painful. A stolen retirement fund, a fraudulent bank transfer or an identity theft incident may be difficult to recover from and can affect a person’s independence and peace of mind.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch also shows that vulnerability is not one-size-fits-all. It can be influenced by social isolation, digital experience, memory and the type of deception used. Some scams rely on urgency, while others play on trust, generosity or the desire to help.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"the-scams-can-arrive-from-almost-anywhere\"\u003EThe scams can arrive from almost anywhere\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA suspicious email is no longer the only thing we need to watch out for.&nbsp; An older relative may receive a text from somebody claiming to represent a bank, a social-media ad for a miracle investment, a message from a supposed government agency, or a call from someone saying a grandchild needs urgent help.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScammers may also pose as a trusted business, a doctor’s office, a charity, a delivery company or a familiar contact. In some cases, the first message may look harmless. The conversation becomes more convincing over time, until the victim is asked to share a code, click a link, install an app or send money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe best response is as simple as pausing before acting and verifying the request through a trusted contact method.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"and-ai-is-making-deception-more-personal\"\u003EAnd AI is making deception more personal\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtificial intelligence has not created scams, but it has made them faster to produce, easier to personalize, and more convincing at scale. AI also excels at tailoring these attacks through voice cloning and video manipulation, making impersonation feel extremely real.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat is why families should agree on a simple rule: any unexpected request for money, gift cards, passwords, verification codes or sensitive information should be checked independently first.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECall the person back using a number you already trust. Contact the bank through its official app or website, and ask another family member.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"awareness-is-important-but-a-safety-net-matters-too\"\u003EAwareness is important, but a safety net matters too\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPeople shouldn’t have to identify every scam on their own.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScam prevention works best when it combines awareness with support. A warning when someone is about to open a dangerous link, respond to a suspicious text or enter details on a fraudulent website can stop a split-second decision from becoming a serious loss.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Ffamily\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003EBitdefender family plans\u003C\u002Fa\u003E help provide that extra layer through anti-malware, anti-fraud and anti-scam technologies that can warn people in real time about dangerous links, malicious websites and emerging scam activity. Scam Protection and Scam Radar alerts can help families spot new scam waves before they turn into personal losses.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are also two free tools worth keeping close:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E can help you check suspicious texts, emails, screenshots, offers and messages. If an older relative receives something that feels urgent or confusing, they can ask Scamio before replying, clicking or paying.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E lets you check a questionable link before opening it. This can be especially useful for unexpected delivery notices, bank alerts, social-media ads and messages that claim an account needs immediate attention.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-families-can-protect-older-loved-ones-without-being-patronizing\"\u003EHow families can protect older loved ones without being patronizing\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe goal is not to monitor every click or make someone feel incapable. It’s to make safety a family habit.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EStart a conversation without judgment. Ask: “Have you seen any strange messages lately?” or “If something online ever feels off, can we check it together?”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EYou can also agree on a few practical safeguards:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ETurn on two-factor authentication for important accounts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUse unique passwords stored in a password manager\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EKeep phones, computers and apps updated\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EReview privacy settings on social-media accounts\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECreate a family verification phrase for urgent calls or messages\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMake it normal to ask for a second opinion before sending money or sharing personal details\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E",authors:[{id:p,name:q,slug:r,profile_image:s,cover_image:a,bio:t,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:aW,name:aX,slug:aY,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:ac,name:ad,slug:ae,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:u,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:"I can’t believe it’s already October. The start of this month means we are kicking off Cybersecurity Awareness Month—a time to slow down, look at the risks we face online, and talk about the small things that can help protect us and the people we love.\n\nBut Oct. 1 also marks the International Day of Older Persons, a meaningful reminder that online safety is not only for younger generations.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Older adults are active online, which means they can encounter scams through texts, em",reading_time:z,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fprotect-older-adults-cybersecurity-awareness-month\u002F"},{id:"6abe3e1e8beeea965802a439",title:"Apple patches zero-day behind ‘extremely sophisticated’ iPhone attacks",slug:"apple-patches-coregraphics-zero-day-sophisticated-iphone-attacks",feature_image:"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fheader-1.png",featured:c,published_at:"2026-10-01T14:06:05.000+03:00",custom_excerpt:a,html:"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EApple is urging users to update after patching a CoreGraphics vulnerability that attackers have already exploited against specific individuals. The flaw could let malicious files run code on vulnerable iPhones, iPads and Macs.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EApple has patched a CoreGraphics zero-day tracked as CVE-2026-86950\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EProcessing a maliciously crafted file could let attackers execute code on a vulnerable device\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EApple says the vulnerability may have been exploited in an “extremely sophisticated attack” against specific targeted individuals\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe company has not said who was targeted, how the attacks worked or whether spyware was involved\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe vulnerability affects older iOS, iPadOS and macOS releases and was reported by Meta Product Security\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EApple users should install the latest operating system available for their device as soon as possible\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EApple has released security updates for iPhones, iPads and Macs to address a dangerous vulnerability that attackers appear to have discovered before a patch was available.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe vulnerability, tracked as \u003Cstrong\u003ECVE-2026-86950\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, affects CoreGraphics, an Apple framework responsible for drawing and processing graphics across its operating systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProcessing a specially crafted file on a vulnerable device could lead to \u003Cstrong\u003Earbitrary code execution\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E – potentially allowing malicious code to run on the device, Apple said in its security advisory.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis isn't merely a theoretical threat.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS before iOS 27,” the company \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.apple.com\u002Fen-us\u002F149226\"\u003Esays\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-happened\"\u003EWhat happened?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECVE-2026-86950 is an \u003Cstrong\u003Eout-of-bounds write vulnerability\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, a type of memory-safety flaw that can allow software to write data outside the area of memory allocated to it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDepending on the circumstances, bugs of this kind can cause crashes or memory corruption and, more seriously, give attackers a way to execute their own code.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple says it fixed the problem through improved bounds checking. The vulnerability was reported by \u003Cstrong\u003EMeta Product Security\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple has provided very few details about the attacks themselves. They haven’t said who was targeted, how attackers delivered the malicious content, how many people were affected or what happened after the vulnerability was exploited.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe wording of Apple's advisory is nevertheless significant. The company says the flaw was used in an “extremely sophisticated” attack against “specific targeted individuals,” suggesting a focused operation rather than widespread attacks against ordinary Apple users.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Cupertino tech titan typically reserves this kind of wording for what often turns out to be a targeted spyware campaign.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHowever, the company has not said spyware was involved, and there is currently no public evidence identifying the attackers or the tools they used.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"another-dangerous-flaw-in-how-devices-process-files\"\u003EAnother dangerous flaw in how devices process files\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe vulnerability arrives only weeks after Apple \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fupdate-iphone-mac-image-flaw-spyware-potential\"\u003Epatched another potentially dangerous flaw in its image-processing technology\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat earlier vulnerability, CVE-2026-65346, affected Apple's ImageIO framework and could also lead to arbitrary code execution when a device processed maliciously crafted content.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike the newly disclosed CoreGraphics vulnerability, Apple did \u003Cstrong\u003Enot\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E report CVE-2026-65346 as being exploited in the wild.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"image-processing-flaws-are-extremely-valuable-to-hackers\"\u003EImage-processing flaws are extremely valuable to hackers\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ESophisticated attackers are particularly interested in vulnerabilities in components that process images, documents and other incoming content are particularly interesting because they may handle data automatically or with very little interaction from the user.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EPast mercenary spyware operations have demonstrated just how dangerous such attack chains can be. Some have used so-called \u003Cstrong\u003Ezero-click exploits\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, where receiving specially crafted content is enough to trigger part of an attack without the victim knowingly opening a malicious attachment or clicking a suspicious link.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere is no indication from Apple that CVE-2026-86950 itself is a zero-click vulnerability. But its exploitation in a sophisticated targeted attack makes installing the patch particularly important.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"which-devices-received-the-fix\"\u003EWhich devices received the fix?\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple patched the flaw on Sept. 28 in \u003Cstrong\u003EiOS 26.7.1 and iPadOS 26.7.1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. The updates are available for iPhone 11 and later, along with supported iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad and iPad mini models.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe same CoreGraphics vulnerability was also patched in \u003Cstrong\u003EmacOS Tahoe 26.7.1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003EmacOS Sequoia 15.8.1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple's advisory specifically refers to \u003Cstrong\u003Eattacks against devices running versions of iOS before iOS 27\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. The company has not said which exact versions were compromised.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple currently lists \u003Cstrong\u003EiOS and iPadOS 27.0.1 and macOS 27.0.1\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E as its latest operating-system releases for compatible hardware.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-apple-users-should-do\"\u003EWhat Apple users should do\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe immediate advice is simple: \u003Cstrong\u003Eupdate your devices\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn an iPhone or iPad, go to \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings &gt; General &gt; Software Update\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and install the newest version offered for your device.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn a Mac, open \u003Cstrong\u003ESystem Settings &gt; General &gt; Software Update\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and check for available updates.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt's also worth taking a few additional precautions:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEnable automatic updates.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Security patches are particularly important when a vulnerability is already being exploited\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDon't rely entirely on spotting suspicious files.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Sophisticated exploits may not look obviously malicious, and some attacks require little or no meaningful interaction from the victim\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EKeep browsers and messaging apps updated too.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Attack chains frequently combine multiple vulnerabilities or delivery mechanisms\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBe cautious with unexpected links and attachments.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Not every advanced attack is zero-click; phishing and social engineering remain effective ways of getting malicious content onto a device\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Ftotal-security\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUse independent security software\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to help detect malicious links, downloads and other threats that may accompany an attack\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EConsider \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fwhat-is-lockdown-mode-iphone-mac-spyware-when-use-it\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELockdown Mode\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E if you face elevated risk.\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Journalists, activists, executives, government officials and others who believe they may be targeted by sophisticated mercenary spyware can use Apple's hardened security mode to reduce the device's attack surface\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"most-people-arent-the-target-%E2%80%93-but-they-should-still-update\"\u003EMost people aren't the target – but they should still update\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple's description suggests CVE-2026-86950 has so far been used selectively rather than in a broad campaign.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThat should provide some perspective for the average iPhone or Mac owner. There is no evidence that millions of Apple users are suddenly being attacked through malicious files.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut a zero-day becomes a different security problem once it is disclosed and patched. Attackers can study updates, understand what Apple changed and even try to reproduce the vulnerability against devices that remain unpatched.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fact that CVE-2026-86950 was apparently valuable enough to be used in a sophisticated targeted operation is reason enough not to leave that window open.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBottom line:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Apple has already seen signs that attackers exploited this flaw before a fix was available. The patch is available now. Install it.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn topic:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fupdate-iphone-mac-image-flaw-spyware-potential\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUpdate your iPhone and Mac! Apple patches image flaw with spyware potential\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fwhatsapp-new-spyware-israel-nso-group\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWhatsApp detects new spyware activity from Israel’s NSO Group despite court order\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fmacos-screen-sharing-flaw-exploited-crypto-miner-hack\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EmacOS ‘Screen Sharing’ flaw exploited for crypto-mining\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",authors:[{id:h,name:i,slug:j,profile_image:k,cover_image:a,bio:l,website:a,location:a,facebook:a,twitter:a,meta_title:a,meta_description:a}],tags:[{id:m,name:n,slug:o,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},{id:u,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:"Apple is urging users to update after patching a CoreGraphics vulnerability that attackers have already exploited against specific individuals. The flaw could let malicious files run code on vulnerable iPhones, iPads and Macs.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n\n * Apple has patched a CoreGraphics zero-day tracked as CVE-2026-86950\n * Processing a maliciously crafted file could let attackers execute code on a vulnerable device\n * Apple says the vulnerability may have been exploited in an “extremely sophisticated ",reading_time:z,url:"\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fapple-patches-coregraphics-zero-day-sophisticated-iphone-attacks\u002F"}],page:1,limit:999,isLoading:c,filterString:A,blogname:bw,menuItems:{hotforsecurity:{en:[{tag:A,name:C},{tag:"threats",name:"Threats"},{tag:O,name:G},{tag:af,name:J},{tag:"tips-and-tricks",name:"Tips and Tricks"},{tag:bC,name:bD}],es:[{tag:A,name:C},{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:bC,name:bD}],ro:[{tag:A,name:C},{tag:O,name:G},{tag:af,name:J}],fr:[{tag:A,name:C},{tag:O,name:G},{tag:"conseils-astuces",name:"Conseils"},{tag:"maison-connectee",name:"Maison Connectée"},{tag:bE,name:"ABC CYBERSÉCURITÉ"}],de:[{tag:A,name:C},{tag:"branchennachrichten",name:"Nachrichten"},{tag:O,name:G},{tag:"tipps-und-tricks",name:"TIPPS"},{tag:af,name:J},{tag:bE,name:"ABC DER CYBERSICHERHEIT"}]},labs:{en:[{tag:A,name:C},{tag:"antimalware-research",name:"Anti-Malware Research"},{tag:"free-tools",name:"Free Tools"},{tag:"whitepapers",name:"Whitepapers"}]},businessinsights:{en:[{tag:A,name:C},{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:bF,server:"http:\u002F\u002Flocalhost:3000\u002Fnuxt\u002Fapi",mainTag:bF,locale:"en-us"},serverRendered:y,routePath:"\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002F",config:{pageEnv:"prod",_app:{basePath:aa,assetsPath:"\u002Fnuxt\u002F_nuxt\u002F",cdnURL:a}}}}(null,"public",false,"en","66f50fb228045a04f10ce986","EN","top","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.","66f50fb228045a04f10ce98a","Industry News","industry-news","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.","66f50fb228045a04f10ce992","66f50fb228045a04f10ce9b2","Scam","scam",true,4,"all","Digital Privacy","All","6a608f628beeea9658028065","Finance","finance","Product Updates","66f50fb228045a04f10ce985","digital-privacy","Smart Home","66f50fb228045a04f10ce989","How to","how-to","yearly","product-updates","6adfb8158beeea965802b2a7","Halloween Scams Return on Email, SMS and Social Media Ads","halloween-scams-fake-shops-sms-giveaways-2026","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fhalloween-scams.png","2026-10-27T11:57:00.000+02:00","Every year, Halloween gives scammers a ready-made excuse to repackage old tricks. A free decoration kit, a €250 gift card, a costume discount or a Halloween-only bonus may sound harmless, especially when inboxes and social feeds are already full of real seasonal promotions.\n\nHere’s a look into the broader Halloween scam landscape of 2026, according to Bitdefender Labs.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n * Researchers at Bitdefender Labs have identified multiple Halloween-themed threats across email, SMS, social-","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fhalloween-scams-fake-shops-sms-giveaways-2026\u002F","6819dde2a2cf20baf7a3a3fa","Mobile Security","mobile-security",3,"bitdefender","Consumer Insights","\u002F","hotforsecurity","66f50fb228045a04f10ce987","Family Safety","family","smart-home","6ae0b7b88beeea965802b2f4","Bitdefender wins Best Scam Protection in H1 2026 from Artifact Security","bitdefender-best-scam-protection-h1-2026","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fbitdefender-scam-protection-award-header.jpg","2026-10-27T16:46:14.000+02:00","\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBitdefender earns the highest result in Artifact Security’s first-half evaluation, with a 98% overall score and perfect on-device results in the tested scenarios.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA suspicious email. A QR code that leads to the unexpected. A convincing webpage that asks you to run a command to fix a problem. Online scams give people plenty of such pathways to a costly mistake.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender’s recognition for \u003Cstrong\u003EBest Scam Protection in H1 2026\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E by independent testing firm Artifact Security reflects the company’s ability to protect consumers at multiple stages of these encounters.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-points\"\u003EKey points\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EBitdefender scored 1,545 out of 1,575 points across 315 scored test cases, achieving 98% overall and the best result in the H1 2026 cycle\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EOn-device protection earned a perfect score across all 125 scored scenarios, including legitimate-content checks\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAll 150 scored phishing cases were handled correctly across device protection and Scamio\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EScamio offered clear, correct advice in 185 of 190 assistant cases\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EAll 30 legitimate pages were allowed by on-device protection without blocking or warnings\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe evaluation covered Premium Security on Windows and Scamio, representing part of Bitdefender’s broader scam-protection capabilities\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"protection-tested-against-the-way-scams-unfold\"\u003EProtection tested against the way scams unfold\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EArtifact Security’s January–June 2026 evaluation followed online threats through everyday interactions: receiving an email, opening a page, following instructions, or asking an AI assistant for a second opinion.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe lab tested \u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Premium Security on Windows 11, \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003Eusing \u003Cstrong\u003EGoogle Chrome\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, alongside \u003Cstrong\u003EScamio\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, Bitdefender’s AI assistant that helps consumers assess suspicious online interactions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETesting included 30 phishing campaigns impersonating European brands, 30 corresponding legitimate pages, and 20 scam scenarios. Threats ranged from investment, recruitment, and romance scams to impersonation, videos featuring AI-generated content or real actors, and techniques such as ClickFix, FileFix, and fake CAPTCHAs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese techniques can persuade people to compromise their own computers by following seemingly helpful instructions, such as copying and running a malicious command.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe lab used established mailbox and browser profiles with genuine history. Products ran in their default consumer configuration without special tuning, and Scamio was accessed through its public interface. Vendors received no advance notice of the test cases.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETesting produced 380 observations, including \u003Cstrong\u003E315 scored cases: 125 for on-device protection and 190 for Scamio\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"a-98-overall-result-and-a-platinum-award\"\u003EA 98% overall result and a Platinum award\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender’s performance earned the highest overall result in the H1 2026 cycle and a \u003Cstrong\u003EPlatinum award\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E in Artifact Security’s scam and phishing evaluation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe report’s main results were:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ctable\u003E\n\u003Cthead\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Cth\u003EArea evaluated\u003C\u002Fth\u003E\n\u003Cth\u003EResult\u003C\u002Fth\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n\u003C\u002Fthead\u003E\n\u003Ctbody\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003EOverall score\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003E1,545\u002F1,575 points — 98%\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003EOn-device protection\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003E625\u002F625 points — 100%\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003EScamio assistant\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003E920\u002F950 points — approximately 97%\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003EPhishing category\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003E100%\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003EScam category\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003E96%\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n\u003Ctr\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003ELegitimate-content category, combining device and assistant results\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003Ctd\u003E97%\u003C\u002Ftd\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftr\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftbody\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ftable\u003E\n\u003Cp\u003EOn-device protection earned points for stopping malicious scenarios before compromise and correctly allowing legitimate content. Scamio earned points for giving the user the right recommendation.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003EA verdict the user cannot act on has no protective value, so the assistant is scored on the steer it gives, not the verdict alone. Bitdefender gave a clear, correct instruction in 185 of 190 assistant cases.\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E— Stefan Dumitrascu, CEO, Artifact Security\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"a-perfect-on-device-score-without-blocking-legitimate-pages\"\u003EA perfect on-device score, without blocking legitimate pages\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender’s on-device protection earned full marks across all 125 scored scenarios.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe lab assessed whether protection stopped an attack before compromise through email filtering, URL filtering, or scanning a malicious payload when it was written or executed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProtection also correctly allowed all 30 legitimate pages, without browser-level blocking, warnings, or degradation. Legitimate downloads were allowed too.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"phishing-protection-held-up-against-links-and-qr-codes\"\u003EPhishing protection held up against links and QR codes\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender achieved \u003Cstrong\u003E750 out of 750 points across 150 scored phishing cases\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, combining device and assistant results.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe lab ran brand-impersonation campaigns using conventional links and QR-code lures embedded in emails. Neither variant produced a failure in the scored phishing tests.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScamio advised users against proceeding in \u003Cstrong\u003Eall 90 phishing-related assistant cases\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Even when it expressed uncertainty about its verdict, its recommendation remained protective.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"scamio-offered-practical-guidance-with-room-to-improve\"\u003EScamio offered practical guidance, with room to improve\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScamio provided clear, correct advice in \u003Cstrong\u003E185 of 190 assistant cases\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, earning approximately 97% of available points. The report recorded scores of 98% for assessments submitted from email and 96% for those submitted from a page.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFive cases account for all the points lost. Two scam pages and two legitimate pages received uncertain verdicts with no usable advice. In one additional case, Scamio incorrectly rated a scam email as safe and encouraged the user to proceed. On-device protection retained its perfect score.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAcross the scam category, Bitdefender earned 96%. Results differed between scenarios drawn from live campaigns, which scored 99%, and those crafted by the lab, which scored 80%.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Freport-screenshot-artifact-security.jpg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1473\" height=\"805\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Freport-screenshot-artifact-security.jpg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw1000\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Freport-screenshot-artifact-security.jpg 1000w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Freport-screenshot-artifact-security.jpg 1473w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 720px) 720px\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"recognition-for-protection-that-helps-people-act\"\u003ERecognition for protection that helps people act\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe evaluation assessed a defined part of Bitdefender’s scam-protection capabilities. Within that scope, the results demonstrate the value of combining protection that can interrupt attacks with an assistant that helps people decide what to do.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003EBitdefender's result was close to the best this scam and phishing evaluation can measure. The on-device protection was effective in all 125 attempts, and the assistant gave a clear, correct recommendation in 185 of 190 cases. That is the strongest combined result we recorded in the first half of 2026.\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cblockquote\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E— Ana Maria Pricop, Chief Business Officer, Artifact Security\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fblockquote\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor consumers, the benefit is straightforward: more opportunities to stop a scam before it causes harm, and practical guidance when an online interaction feels suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExplore \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fpremium-security\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Premium Security\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for protection against online threats, and turn to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EScamio\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for help assessing suspicious messages, links, and other potential scams before taking the next step.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EDownload the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fartifactsecurity.co.uk\u002Fassets\u002Freports\u002FScam-Phishing-H1-2026-Bitdefender.pdf\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EArtifact Security Bitdefender Scam &amp; Phishing H1 2026 report (PDF)\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E for the full findings.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","Bitdefender earns the highest result in Artifact Security’s first-half evaluation, with a 98% overall score and perfect on-device results in the tested scenarios.\n\nA suspicious email. A QR code that leads to the unexpected. A convincing webpage that asks you to run a command to fix a problem. Online scams give people plenty of such pathways to a costly mistake.\n\nBitdefender’s recognition for Best Scam Protection in H1 2026 by independent testing firm Artifact Security reflects the company’s abil","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fbitdefender-best-scam-protection-h1-2026\u002F","6ad8dc7a8beeea965802b044","Banks must prepare for AI failures before customers pay the price, UK watchdog warns","uk-watchdog-banks-ai-failures","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fuk_fca_finance_banks_ai.jpg","2026-10-21T18:43:50.000+03:00","696f63bc2fa53a9f2eef2657","AI","ai","Britain’s financial regulator is warning financial institutions that increasingly autonomous AI systems could cause widespread disruption, expose customers to cyber threats, and make accountability harder to establish. It wants firms to report serious AI failures and near-misses before they turn into bigger problems.\n\nArtificial intelligence is rapidly becoming part of everyday banking, from customer service chatbots to fraud detection and automated financial decisions. But what happens when an ","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fuk-watchdog-banks-ai-failures\u002F","6ac3a6a08beeea965802a715","WhatsApp rolls out new parental controls for teens. Here’s how to set them up","whatsapp-parental-controls-teens-how-to-set-up","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fwhatsapp-teens-on-smartphones-header.jpg","2026-10-05T16:41:02.000+03:00","WhatsApp is rolling out new controls that let parents manage parts of their teenager’s experience without accessing their private conversations.\n\n\nKey takeaways\n\n\n * WhatsApp is rolling out optional parental controls for users aged 13 to 17\n * Parents can manage privacy settings and some features using a six-digit PIN\n * Teens need parental approval to make protected settings less restrictive\n * Parents can receive alerts about activity such as new contacts and groups, but can’t read their teen’","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fwhatsapp-parental-controls-teens-how-to-set-up\u002F","6ae1d2bc8beeea965802b4a5","Apple patches older iPhones against ‘extremely sophisticated’ attacks leveraging CoreGraphics flaw","apple-patches-older-iphones-exploited-coregraphics-zero-day","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fapple-patch-older-iphone-header.jpg","2026-10-28T12:51:13.000+02:00","\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EApple is extending protection from a previously exploited security flaw to older iPhones and iPads, including devices that can no longer run the latest versions of iOS.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple has released another round of security updates, this time bringing older iPhones and iPads a critical fix for a previously exploited vulnerability.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe updates, released Oct. 26, address a CoreGraphics flaw that Apple warned this month may have been exploited in highly sophisticated attacks targeting specific individuals.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe vulnerability, tracked as \u003Cstrong\u003ECVE-2026-86950\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, was patched in late September for newer devices running iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and supported versions of macOS.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENow, Apple is extending that protection to devices running iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, including several older iPhone models that can’t upgrade to the latest operating system.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-points\"\u003EKey points\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EApple has backported a fix for an exploited CoreGraphics zero-day to older iPhones and iPads\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe vulnerability, CVE-2026-86950, can allow malicious code execution through a specially crafted file\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EApple previously linked the flaw to extremely sophisticated attacks against specific individuals\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EiOS 18.7.11 and iPadOS 18.7.11 also address vulnerabilities affecting user privacy and camera access\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EUsers of older Apple devices should install the latest compatible security update without delay\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"older-iphones-finally-get-the-fix\"\u003EOlder iPhones finally get the fix\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple's latest security releases bring the CoreGraphics patch to the \u003Cstrong\u003EiPhone XS\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003EiPhone XS Max\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, and \u003Cstrong\u003EiPhone XR\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, as well as the \u003Cstrong\u003Eseventh-generation iPad\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese devices are still in use even though they can’t run newer versions of Apple's mobile operating systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fix is included in \u003Cstrong\u003EiOS 18.7.11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E and \u003Cstrong\u003EiPadOS 18.7.11\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, both released Oct. 26, according to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fsupport.apple.com\u002Fen-us\u002F100100?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003EApple's security releases page\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe vulnerability is an out-of-bounds write issue in CoreGraphics, the framework responsible for rendering graphics and other visual content across Apple's operating systems.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn practical terms, processing a maliciously crafted file could cause a vulnerable device to execute code supplied by an attacker.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple addressed the issue by improving bounds checking, which helps prevent software from writing data outside its allocated memory.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe flaw, reported by Meta Product Security, carries a CVSS severity score of 8.8.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"a-vulnerability-already-linked-to-targeted-attacks\"\u003EA vulnerability already linked to targeted attacks\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe original advisory warned that the vulnerability may have been used in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targets running versions of iOS predating iOS 27.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple has not identified the victims, disclosed who may have been behind the attacks, or explained how the malicious files were delivered.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENeither has it confirmed whether \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fpegasus-spyware-serbia-university-rector-iphone\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Espyware\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E was involved.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAs we \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fapple-patches-coregraphics-zero-day-sophisticated-iphone-attacks\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Ereported earlier this month\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, the circumstances suggest a highly selective operation rather than a widespread campaign targeting ordinary iPhone users.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe fact that attackers may have exploited the vulnerability before Apple issued a fix makes it particularly important for users to install the latest security updates.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"other-security-flaws-patched\"\u003EOther security flaws patched\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe iOS 18.7.11 and iPadOS 18.7.11 updates address two additional vulnerabilities with potential privacy implications.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne, tracked as \u003Cstrong\u003ECVE-2026-65339\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, affects the operating system's audio functionality and could allow an application to access sensitive user information.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnother, \u003Cstrong\u003ECVE-2026-86990\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, affects CoreMedia and could let a malicious application access the device's camera without the user's permission.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EApple has not indicated that either of these additional vulnerabilities has been exploited in real-world attacks.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe company has also released broader security updates for newer devices, including \u003Cstrong\u003EiOS 27.2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, \u003Cstrong\u003EiPadOS 27.2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, and \u003Cstrong\u003EmacOS Golden Gate 27.2\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, addressing numerous vulnerabilities across system components.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"what-apple-users-should-do\"\u003EWhat Apple users should do\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEven though the CoreGraphics flaw appears to have been exploited in highly targeted attacks, security updates are among the simplest and most effective ways to protect against known vulnerabilities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOwners of older iPhones and iPads should check for the latest compatible update. To update an iPhone or iPad:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E1.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Open \u003Cstrong\u003ESettings\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tap \u003Cstrong\u003EGeneral\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Select \u003Cstrong\u003ESoftware Update\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; \u003Cstrong\u003EDownload and install\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E the latest available update\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUsers should also \u003Cstrong\u003Eenable automatic updates\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to help ensure important security fixes are installed promptly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAnd while the attacks associated with this particular vulnerability appear to have been highly selective, users should remain cautious about unexpected files, links, and attachments, especially those received from unknown senders.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese backported patches are a reminder that older devices can remain vulnerable to serious security flaws long after newer operating systems have received fixes. For anyone still using an older iPhone or iPad, keeping the software updated is essential!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor peace of mind, \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Ftotal-security\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003Euse independent security software\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to help detect malicious links and downloads, and other threats that may accompany an attack.\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\u002Fpegasus-spyware-serbia-university-rector-iphone\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EPegasus spyware infects iPhone of Serbian university rector who supported student protests\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\u002Fapple-patches-coregraphics-zero-day-sophisticated-iphone-attacks\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EApple patches zero-day behind ‘extremely sophisticated’ iPhone attacks\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\u002Fzero-click-spyware-targeted-ads-adfection\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAn online ad was enough to deliver spyware—no click required\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","Apple is extending protection from a previously exploited security flaw to older iPhones and iPads, including devices that can no longer run the latest versions of iOS.\n\nApple has released another round of security updates, this time bringing older iPhones and iPads a critical fix for a previously exploited vulnerability.\n\nThe updates, released Oct. 26, address a CoreGraphics flaw that Apple warned this month may have been exploited in highly sophisticated attacks targeting specific individuals.","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fapple-patches-older-iphones-exploited-coregraphics-zero-day\u002F","6ae1cb048beeea965802b40e","$36.9 million crypto scam: Chinese national extradited to US over alleged money-laundering role","chinese-national-extradited-36-million-crypto-scam","https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002FGlobal-Crypto-Finance-Network.png","2026-10-28T12:16:27.000+02:00","\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003EAn international fraud network operating from Cambodia used fake investment platforms, social media, and dating services to steal millions from American victims before laundering the money through banks and cryptocurrency wallets, US prosecutors allege.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA Chinese national accused of helping launder millions of dollars stolen from American cryptocurrency investors has been extradited from the Netherlands to face charges in the United States.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZheng Zhao, 44, appeared in federal court in California on Oct. 23 following his extradition, according to the US Department of Justice (DOJ).\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProsecutors allege Zhao participated in an international criminal operation linked to scam centers in Cambodia that lured Americans with fraudulent cryptocurrency investments.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EInvestigators have identified 174 US victims, and more than $36.9 million in stolen funds was traced through a bank account in the Bahamas before being converted into cryptocurrency and transferred to Cambodia.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-points\"\u003EKey points\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\n\u003Cul\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EChinese national Zheng Zhao, 44, has been extradited from the Netherlands to face money-laundering conspiracy charges in the US\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EThe alleged fraud network, which operated through scam centers in Cambodia, targeted at least 174 Americans\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EScammers used social media, dating platforms, phone calls, and text messages to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency investments\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EMore than $36.9 million in victims’ funds was routed through a Bahamian bank and converted into Tether (USDT)\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003Cli\u003EEight co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty, and Zhao faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\n\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\n\u003Ch2 id=\"fake-investments-real-losses\"\u003EFake investments, real losses\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe operation began with seemingly ordinary online interactions, according to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.justice.gov\u002Fopa\u002Fpr\u002Fchinese-national-extradited-alleged-role-multimillion-dollar-cryptocurrency-scam-targeting\" rel=\"noreferrer\"\u003EJustice Department’s announcement\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScammers contacted their marks through unsolicited social media messages, phone calls, text messages, and online dating services.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETheir objective was to build trust before introducing what appeared to be lucrative cryptocurrency investment opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EVictims were directed to fraudulent websites made to look like legitimate cryptocurrency trading platforms. Once they deposited money, the websites displayed fabricated investment gains, giving the impression that their portfolios were growing.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn reality, prosecutors say, the scammers had already stolen the money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe technique is a characteristic of a type of investment fraud commonly known as pig butchering—criminals cultivate relationships with victims over time before persuading them to invest increasing sums in fraudulent schemes.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUnlike conventional phishing attacks that rely on a sense of urgency, these scams can unfold over weeks or months, with criminals exploiting trust and the prospect of financial gain.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-369-million-was-moved-from-the-us-to-cambodia\"\u003EHow $36.9 million was moved from the US to Cambodia\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe operation didn't end when victims transferred their money.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EProsecutors say the criminal network used an elaborate financial infrastructure to move the stolen funds across international borders and disguise their origins.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMore than $36.9 million was transferred from US bank accounts controlled by the conspirators to a single account at Deltec Bank in the Bahamas.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZhao and other alleged conspirators then arranged for the bank to convert the funds into Tether (USDT), a stablecoin with a value pegged to the US dollar.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe cryptocurrency was then transferred to a digital wallet controlled in Cambodia, where other members of the network distributed the funds to scam center leaders throughout the region.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe process illustrates how traditional banking channels and cryptocurrency infrastructure can be combined to move proceeds from online fraud across jurisdictions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EImportantly, the use of cryptocurrency did not make the transactions invisible. Investigators were able to trace the financial flows to track down suspects.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"eight-co-conspirators-have-already-pleaded-guilty\"\u003EEight co-conspirators have already pleaded guilty\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZhao was charged in August 2025 with conspiracy to commit money laundering. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHis extradition marks another development in a case that has already resulted in multiple guilty pleas.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EEight co-conspirators have pleaded guilty so far, including ShengSheng He and Jingliang Su, who admitted to conspiring to operate an unlicensed money-transmitting business.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe received a 51-month prison sentence, while Su was sentenced to 46 months. In January 2026, a federal court also ordered Su to pay $26.9 million in restitution.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe investigation involves the US Secret Service and several federal agencies, with Dutch authorities assisting in Zhao's arrest and extradition.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe case is also part of the Justice Department's Cyber-Enabled Scam Initiative, which focuses on identifying fraud networks, dismantling their infrastructure, and pursuing individuals involved in international cyber-enabled financial crimes.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EZhao remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-spot-a-fake-cryptocurrency-investment-scam\"\u003EHow to spot a fake cryptocurrency investment scam\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese operations rarely start with an obvious demand for money. Instead, scammers often invest considerable time establishing relationships and creating the appearance of legitimate investment opportunities.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWarning signs include:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnsolicited investment advice:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E Someone you've recently met online introduces you to a cryptocurrency platform or claims to have insider knowledge of profitable investments\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnrealistic returns:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E An investment website consistently displays impressive gains, regardless of market conditions\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EPressure to invest more: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EYour contact encourages larger deposits, often suggesting that you're missing a limited-time opportunity\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EUnfamiliar trading platforms:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E You're directed to a website or app that has little independent information, no verifiable regulatory credentials, or suspiciously positive reviews\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EWithdrawal problems:\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E The platform demands additional payments, taxes, or verification fees before releasing your money\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EConsumers should independently research investment platforms, verify their regulatory status, and avoid following investment advice from strangers on social media or dating apps.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENever assume a website is legitimate simply because it looks professional or displays convincing trading activity. Fake investment dashboards can show fabricated balances and profits.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you suspect you've been targeted, stop sending money, preserve conversations and transaction records, and contact your bank or cryptocurrency exchange immediately.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EUS victims can report cryptocurrency investment fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ic3.gov\u002F?utm_source=chatgpt.com\"\u003EIC3.gov\u003C\u002Fa\u003E.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBe especially cautious of anyone offering to recover stolen cryptocurrency for an upfront fee. Victims of fraud are often targeted again by criminals posing as recovery specialists.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ERelated:\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fnorth-korean-it-workers-fbi-laptop-farms\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EFBI busts North Korean laptop farms used to infiltrate US workplaces\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\u002Fuk-watchdog-banks-ai-failures\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003EBanks must prepare for AI failures before customers pay the price, UK watchdog warns\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\u002F15-000-americans-massive-cybercrime-money-laundering-scheme\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Cem\u003E15,000 Americans caught up in massive cybercrime money laundering scheme\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E","An international fraud network operating from Cambodia used fake investment platforms, social media, and dating services to steal millions from American victims before laundering the money through banks and cryptocurrency wallets, US prosecutors allege.\n\nA Chinese national accused of helping launder millions of dollars stolen from American cryptocurrency investors has been extradited from the Netherlands to face charges in the United States.\n\nZheng Zhao, 44, appeared in federal court in Californ","\u002Fblog\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fchinese-national-extradited-36-million-crypto-scam\u002F",5,"66f50fb228045a04f10ce9a5","Cybersecurity Awareness Month","cybersecurity-awareness-month","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",6,"Scammers use fake stores, investment platforms, urgent messages and hijacked accounts to steal money or personal information. If you suspect fraud, choosing the right reporting channel is important, but stopping further damage matters even more. Here's where to report a scam and how to act.","\u003Cp\u003EEvery year, Halloween gives scammers a ready-made excuse to repackage old tricks. A free decoration kit, a €250 gift card, a costume discount or a Halloween-only bonus may sound harmless, especially when inboxes and social feeds are already full of real seasonal promotions.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHere’s a look into the broader Halloween scam landscape of 2026, according to Bitdefender Labs.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\"\u003EKey takeaways\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EResearchers at Bitdefender Labs have identified multiple Halloween-themed threats across email, SMS, social-media ads, instant messaging and suspicious online stores.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe combined Costco and Tractor Supply email campaigns mainly targeted US users, who represented 73% of observed targeting. Romania, Ireland, Germany and Hungary were also targeted.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EScammers impersonated Costco, Tractor Supply and bol.com in email lures, while other emails promoted suspicious Halloween stores, gambling bonuses and fake Samsung TV surveys. The impersonated brands are not involved in these campaigns.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESMS campaigns used fake lottery winnings, expiring credits, “spooky” deposits, Halloween-party invitations and a malicious workbook to pressure people into clicking.\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"halloween-scams-at-a-glance\"\u003EHalloween scams at a glance\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender Labs researchers Viorel Zavoiu and Alexandra Dinulica have uncovered multiple Halloween-themed scam campaigns between Sept. 1 and Oct. 22, 2026.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis includes scams delivered via email, text, instant messages and social media ads.&nbsp; The campaigns targeted users across North America and Europe. Canada was targeted through French- and English-language SMS scams. UK users received prize and gambling-style messages. US users, meanwhile, were targeted with retailer impersonation, fake shopping offers and malware. France saw recently registered costume domains, while users in Germany, Romania, Ireland, Hungary, the Netherlands and Belgium were targeted by email lures and shopping scams.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe combined Costco and Tractor Supply campaigns were particularly US-focused: 73% of observed targeting involved US users. Romania accounted for 9%, Ireland for 5%, Germany for 4% and Hungary for 3%.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"fake-costco-and-tractor-supply-halloween-offers\"\u003EFake Costco and Tractor Supply Halloween offers\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAmong the Halloween-themed email campaigns we observed, some of the most prominent used a classic lure we see each year during spooky season.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne campaign misused Tractor Supply branding and promised recipients a “Free Ultimate Halloween Decorating Kit.” Another impersonated Costco, claiming that a limited number of Halloween sets remained and asking recipients to complete a short shopping-feedback survey. Neither Tractor Supply nor Costco is associated with these messages.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Tractor Supply campaign was heavily focused on US recipients, while the Costco lure was more geographically mixed, with notable targeting in Romania, the US and Ireland.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-ffacd637-2cc4-4e1b-ad93-ccf63cc775ef.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"405\" height=\"562\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-0da5697e-0f7d-410a-b838-392925958cf6.png\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"624\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-0da5697e-0f7d-410a-b838-392925958cf6.png 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-0da5697e-0f7d-410a-b838-392925958cf6.png 624w\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA survey may not sound dangerous. But fake survey scams can lead to pages designed to collect names, addresses, payment-card details or account credentials. Targets may be told they have “won” a prize, then asked to pay a small delivery or verification fee. The fee and the card data used to pay it are usually the real objective behind these lures.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"fake-bolcom-gift-card-giveaway\"\u003EFake bol.com gift-card giveaway\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender Labs also identified a Halloween-themed email impersonating bol.com, the Dutch and Belgian online retailer. bol.com is not associated with this campaign.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe campaign offered recipients the chance to win a €250 bol.com gift card. Its Halloween landing page used the bol.com logo and festive purple-and-orange imagery, inviting people to join a supposedly free giveaway.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-31939f76-a6fa-416a-9d25-2ea0716b2bb0.jpeg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"622\" height=\"293\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-31939f76-a6fa-416a-9d25-2ea0716b2bb0.jpeg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-31939f76-a6fa-416a-9d25-2ea0716b2bb0.jpeg 622w\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-58c4fbf9-e563-4ed5-acfc-0de2fe2f37b5.jpeg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"624\" height=\"364\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-58c4fbf9-e563-4ed5-acfc-0de2fe2f37b5.jpeg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-58c4fbf9-e563-4ed5-acfc-0de2fe2f37b5.jpeg 624w\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe page described a simple three-step process:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EClick the button\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EEnter your information\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGet the chance to win\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Fol\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt reassured visitors that they only needed to fill in “a few fields,” making the data collection look harmless and effortless.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFor users in the Netherlands and Belgium, this is a useful reminder that a trusted local brand, a recognizable logo and a polished seasonal design do not make a promotion legitimate. If bol.com is running a real competition, you should be able to find it through the official website or app, and not just via an unexpected email.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"gambling-bonuses-and-fake-samsung-tv-prizes\"\u003EGambling bonuses and fake Samsung TV prizes\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOther Halloween-themed emails relied on gambling-style rewards and expensive electronics.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne campaign, themed around “The Skeleton King,” promised \u003Cstrong\u003E€2,777 and 750 free spins\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E. Another claimed that “the spirits” would bring recipients \u003Cstrong\u003E$20,000 and 1,000 free spins\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E, but required a \u003Cstrong\u003Eminimum £20 deposit\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E to “complete the séance.”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese messages use Halloween imagery, a sense of exclusivity and time pressure to make a deposit feel like the final step before receiving an enormous reward. Never trust a gambling offer simply because it appears in an email or uses a festive theme.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-7a625ea2-9781-4630-861a-e6c1a9680697.jpeg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"624\" height=\"287\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-7a625ea2-9781-4630-861a-e6c1a9680697.jpeg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-7a625ea2-9781-4630-861a-e6c1a9680697.jpeg 624w\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-9eedf8f6-2a8d-44d2-9785-042146f78b31.jpeg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"624\" height=\"471\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-9eedf8f6-2a8d-44d2-9785-042146f78b31.jpeg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-9eedf8f6-2a8d-44d2-9785-042146f78b31.jpeg 624w\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers also identified a German-language giveaway misusing the Fritz! logo and offering a \u003Cstrong\u003ESamsung 65-inch 4K Smart TV\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E as a Halloween bonus. The message told recipients they had been selected to complete a short, free survey in exchange for the television. Neither Fritz! nor Samsung is associated with this message.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIt said:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Sie wurden ausgewählt, an dieser Umfrage teilzunehmen — völlig KOSTENLOS.”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOr: “Congratulations! You have been selected to take part in this survey — completely free.”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cfigure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"\u003E\u003Cimg src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-e540c7d7-4196-42bd-83f9-f56befce09f0.jpeg\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"624\" height=\"329\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002Fsize\u002Fw600\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-e540c7d7-4196-42bd-83f9-f56befce09f0.jpeg 600w, https:\u002F\u002Fblogapp.bitdefender.com\u002Fhotforsecurity\u002Fcontent\u002Fimages\u002F2026\u002F10\u002Fdata-src-image-e540c7d7-4196-42bd-83f9-f56befce09f0.jpeg 624w\"\u003E\u003C\u002Ffigure\u003E\u003Cp\u003E&nbsp;\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe promise is deliberately simple: answer a few questions and receive a valuable television. In reality, these prize-survey scams can collect personal information and payment details, sometimes followed by a request for a small shipping fee.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"halloween-shopping-emails-leading-to-suspicious-online-stores\"\u003EHalloween shopping emails leading to suspicious online stores\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003ENot every Halloween scam email we’ve flagged this year promised free goodies in return for filling out a short survey. Some emails advertised Halloween products directly and led users to suspicious online stores.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecent subject lines included:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E“Dulce de Halloween: 22% de descuento en todo”\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E“Ultra-Realistic Alien Silicone Mask” with a 30% discount code\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E“3D Skeleton Halloween Scary Mask” with a 30% discount code\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003E“Limited Edition Halloween Beaded Bracelet Set”\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThese messages target shoppers looking for costumes, masks, decorations and gifts at the last minute. The websites may feature professional-looking product photos, discount codes, Halloween graphics and countdowns designed to make people buy quickly.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore entering payment details on an unfamiliar store, check the domain name, search for independent reviews, read the contact and refund information, and be cautious if the offer is dramatically cheaper than comparable listings elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"scam-ads-can-lead-straight-to-fake-halloween-shops\"\u003EScam ads can lead straight to fake Halloween shops\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHalloween scams are not confined to inboxes and text messages. We’ve also identified scam ads promoting suspicious shops, costume deals and decorations. Some ads used steep discounts and urgent claims to sell costumes, lights, doormats, outdoor decorations and novelty products. Some ads promoted Halloween clothing, Salem-inspired costumes, plush toys and decorations through stores that redirected users through shared landing pages.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBe particularly cautious if an ad:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003Epromises an unusually large discount or an implausibly cheap bundle\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Eclaims limited stock or fast local delivery without clear company information\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Eleads to a website with a strange or unrelated domain name\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Eredirects you through multiple websites before checkout\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Ehas no credible independent reviews, contact details or refund policy\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"halloween-sms-scams-fake-lottery-winnings-and-expiring-points\"\u003EHalloween SMS scams: fake lottery winnings and expiring points\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender Labs also identified a French-language SMS campaign targeting Canadians with fake Halloween lottery winnings, expiring points and account credits. The campaign used 107 unique domains.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe messages appeared personalized and relied on urgency.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESample messages\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Portefeuille credite [redacted name]. Halloween tirage - 2500 pret + lots million. Verrouille avant soir: [phishing link redacted]”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“[redacted name] vos points Halloween disparaissent bientot. 1550 en credits + prix d'un m1llion. Garde avant demain: [phishing link redacted] STOP to end”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“[redacted name] tes points Halloween fondent ce soir. 1405 en credits + lots d'un m1llion. Sauve avant minuit: [phishing link redacted] STOP to end”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe wording changes, but the trick is consistent: money, credits or a prize are supposedly waiting, but will disappear unless the recipient acts immediately.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"%E2%80%9Cspooky-deposit%E2%80%9D-and-halloween-credit-scams\"\u003E“Spooky deposit” and Halloween credit scams\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA separate English-language SMS campaign used Halloween-themed credit and deposit claims. The texts were designed to make phishing links look like the final step in claiming money already waiting in the recipient’s account.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESample messages\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Halloween drop finally dropped ur account: [redacted]. No tricks. Only credits. Cla1m 1t. [phishing link redacted]”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Spooky deposit just arrived yer 4ccount: [redacted]. Zero games. Just funds. Claim 1t. [phishing link redacted] STOP to end”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Spooky credit ready to your card: [redacted]. Th3 only th1ng scary iz missing it. Open. [phishing link redacted]”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe letter substitutions — such as “Cla1m,” “4ccount” and “Th3” — may help scammers bypass filters. They are also a sign that the message is not likely from a legitimate financial or rewards provider.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"fake-halloween-party-invitations\"\u003EFake Halloween-party invitations\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe’ve also spotted a phishing campaign posing as a Halloween or costume-party invitation targeting users in Canada.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe scam messages included realistic-looking Canadian phone numbers, said that treats or goodies had been set aside, and asked recipients to RSVP through a link.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESample messages\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Halloween bash [Recipient Name Redacted] [redacted] file set. 500 treats ready. RSVP or Im ghosted: [phishing link redacted]”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Costume bash invite [Recipient Name Redacted] your [redacted] dossier posted. 690 treats parked. RSVP or you ghost me: [phishing link redacted]”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe links led to rotating phishing domains. An unexpected party invitation should not require you to sign in or enter personal details through an unfamiliar website. If you think it may be real, contact the organizer through a known phone number or another trusted channel.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"the-malicious-%E2%80%9Challoween-work-boo-k%E2%80%9D\"\u003EThe malicious “Halloween Work-boo-k”\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBitdefender Labs also observed a smishing campaign impersonating Tobio’s Kits, which is not associated with these messages. It used a seemingly harmless Halloween educational product as bait:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E“Tobio's: Hey, it's Mel! The Spooky Halloween Work-boo-k is here. [phishing link]”\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"be-cautious-with-halloween-themed-crypto-offers-too\"\u003EBe cautious with Halloween-themed crypto offers too\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHalloween is also being used to promote cryptocurrency offers and memecoins. A spooky name, themed artwork or a “Halloween-only” token launch can make a crypto promotion feel timely and fun.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut a seasonal token can also be part of a possible pump-and-dump scheme. Promoters create excitement and encourage people to buy quickly, then may sell their own holdings after the price rises. Late buyers can be left with assets that rapidly lose value.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETreat any crypto offer promising fast profits, exclusive rewards or a limited-time Halloween bonus with caution. Never connect a wallet, disclose a recovery phrase or send cryptocurrency based on an unsolicited email, ad, text message or social-media post.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-spot-a-halloween-scam\"\u003EHow to spot a Halloween scam\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBe cautious if an offer:\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003Earrives unexpectedly and promises a gift card, free decoration kit, television, cash reward or free spins\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Easks you to complete a survey or enter personal information to unlock a prize\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Etells you that credits, points or rewards will expire before midnight\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Easks for a shipping, handling, verification or deposit payment\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Euses a trusted retailer’s name but directs you to an unrelated web address\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Epromotes unusually cheap costumes, masks, jewellery or decorations through an unfamiliar shop\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Easks you to download a workbook, file or app from an unexpected message\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003Cli\u003Epromotes a cryptocurrency token while promising quick returns or “Halloween-only” access\u003C\u002Fli\u003E\u003C\u002Ful\u003E\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-stay-safe\"\u003EHow to stay safe\u003C\u002Fh2\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIf you receive a tempting Halloween offer, don’t use the link in the email, text message or social-media post. Head to the retailer’s official app or type its web address into your browser yourself to check for any seasonal discounts, giveaways or bonuses. &nbsp;If the offer is real, you should be able to find it independently.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBefore visiting an unfamiliar shopping website, use \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Flink-checker\"\u003EBitdefender Link Checker\u003C\u002Fa\u003E to vet potentially suspicious links or have a chat with \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fscamio\"\u003EBitdefender Scamio\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, our AI-powered scam detector for FREE!\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Ch3 id=\"add-an-extra-layer-of-protection-across-your-devices\"\u003EAdd an extra layer of protection across your devices\u003C\u002Fh3\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScams rarely stay on one screen. We shop on our phones, scroll social media, open sponsored posts, and receive text messages all day.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EA \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Ffamily\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender all-in-one security suite\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E helps protect your family across the devices they use every day. With \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fmobile-security-android\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBitdefender Mobile Security for Android\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E or \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.bitdefender.com\u002Fen-us\u002Fconsumer\u002Fmobile-security-ios\"\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EiOS\u003C\u002Fstrong\u003E\u003C\u002Fa\u003E, you can get protection against malicious links, scam-driven redirects, and unsafe websites that often originate in social-media apps, sponsored posts, emails, and text messages.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EScam Radar can also provide real-time alerts about scam campaigns actively spreading in your area, acting as an early warning system before you encounter the scam yourself. Alerts include real examples of messages or ads, along with the tactics, keywords and links attackers are using. They can also show who scammers are impersonating, making it easier to spot the same pattern when it appears in your inbox, messages or feed.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis Halloween, do not let a fake offer catch you off guard. The right protection can help keep the seasonal nasties off every device in your home.\u003C\u002Fp\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EDisclaimer: \u003C\u002Fstrong\u003EThis report is published for informational and educational purposes only. The findings presented are based on independent research conducted by Bitdefender Labs using publicly available information and proprietary threat intelligence. The mention of specific domains, entities, brands, or trademarks does not imply any endorsement, affiliation, or official relationship. All trademarks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners. Bitdefender makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of third-party information. Readers are encouraged to verify any information independently before taking action.\u003C\u002Fem\u003E\u003C\u002Fp\u003E",9,"vpn","VPN","abc",""));</script></body></html>