Windows update message installs ransomware on victims’ PCs: Internet Scambusters #894 Microsoft never sends out email notifications of a Windows update so, if you get one, you can be sure it’s a fake. So is a certain type of text notification of an upcoming package delivery. We’ll explain both of these scams in this week’s […]

Experts challenge claims that memorial diamonds can be made from remains: Internet Scambusters #893 The ability to create gems in a laboratory has led to a surge in companies offering to use cremated ashes to create memorial diamonds. The firms are adamant it can be and is being done, but jewelry experts say it can’t, […]

What is formjacking and how can you prevent it?: Internet Scambusters #892 Formjacking — the hijacking of online forms with malicious code — is the latest scam technique for stealing people’s personal information. The incidence of this newer crime is more than doubling every year and it’s not easy to spot, as we explain in […]

One simple step will help you avoid bank fraud: Internet Scambusters #891 Bank fraud costs the financial industry billions of dollars every year, but it also impacts consumers’ wallets as well as their credit record. In simple terms, bank fraud involves crooks stealing your money either by finding out your account details or by tricking […]

How to lower your Internet visibility for better ID protection: Internet Scambusters #890 Can you delete yourself from the Internet and increase your online privacy to strengthen your ID protection? Yes. But it can be a long-winded process — or you can pay someone else to do it. But you can start by following our […]

Dating cheats and money wiring top scams list for 2019: Internet Scambusters #889 Fake dating and romance tricks, as well as money wiring and gift card fraud, are among the top scams of 2019. It looks like more of the same in the coming year — but there’s an important change, as we report in […]

Why smart locks are no safer than traditional key entry systems: Internet Scambusters #888 They’re high-tech gizmos that look like they’re more than up to the job of protecting our homes, but are smart locks, or keyless entry systems, really safe? Sometimes, they can be hacked, but even without that, crooks have other ways to […]

Virtual assistant jobs conceal work-from-home scams: Internet Scambusters #887 Work-from-home gigs are all the rage these days, with opportunities for virtual assistants offering up to $5,000 a month. But many of these supposed jobs don’t really exist. They’re a cover for scammers who are after your money and personal information. We’ll give you the details […]

Simple rules that will help you spot a Census scam: Internet Scambusters #886 Scammers have a new and perfect opportunity to knock at your door or phone you to ask for confidential information. They pretend to be Census data collectors — and since 2020 is a census year, expect them to be out in force. […]

False emergency alerts can make people vacate homes or ignore genuine alarms: Internet Scambusters #885 Emergency alerts by phone or text are supposed to warn us of impending troubles or even disasters. But it’s easy to fake these alerts to make people behave in a particular way, like vacating their homes or running from wherever […]