Urgent texts from your kids & fake two-factor codes – the shocking ways scammers are targeting your phone for cash
The full list reveals TWELVE signs to watch out for
PANIC BUTTONS Urgent texts from your kids & fake two-factor codes – the shocking ways scammers are targeting your phone for cash
TROUBLED daughters in a panic, "innocent" six-digit numbers, and even mysterious texts from yourself – these are the new signs you're about lose a lot of money, and quickly.
Your bank account could be emptied in an instant, and there might be no way to get the cash back.
5
Dangerous scam attacks can come in any form – but The Sun can now reveal some of the most common threats in 2025
Credit: Getty
5
CyberSmart's Jamie Akhtar says crooks are using AI to scam you even more effectively
Credit: CyberSmart
It's not just fake prizes and dodgy bank alerts you have to worry about anymore. Scammers have levelled up, which means you must too.
The Sun has spoken to top security experts who have revealed the seemingly innocent texts and emails that can lay waste to your bank balance.
Crooks are flooding British phones with shockingly effective scam messages – and even a posh iPhone or Android with the best security settings won't keep you safe.
Worse still, they warn that AI is making these sinister scams even more effective – using them to create convincing cons and carry them out faster and more widely than ever before.
"Cybercriminals are definitely getting better at crafting them," warned security pro and CyberSmart CEO Jamie Akhtar.
"Although, they've had some help," he added.
"AI has made crafting a convincing scam much easier."
A 2024 Ofcom report warned that dodgy text messages are the most common type of "suspicious content" that British phone owners typically receive.
And Brits can lose anything from personal data to vast sums of money in the tens of even hundreds of thousands of pounds.
SURPRISING TEXT THREATS
One increasingly common type of scam in recent years is the "Hi mum, it's me" message.
Deepfakes more 'sophisticated' and dangerous than ever as AI expert warns of six upgrades that let them trick your eyes
This usually appears from a new number, and claims to be your son or daughter in trouble.
They'll say they're texting from a new number, and need some money quickly – usually to get out of a sticky situation.
It preys on your emotion, and uses urgency to make you act quickly without thinking it through.
Action Fraud revealed this scam had been reported over 1,000 times in a matter of months – with a total cost to victims of £1.5 million.
"Ask yourself: Is this expected? Does it evoke a strong emotion, like fear or excitement? Is there a sense of urgency being pushed?" said KnowBe4 security expert Javvad Malik.
5
Javvad Malik said 'emotional manipulation' is a key tactic crooks use to empty your bank
Credit: KnowBe4
"Understanding the tactics behind the phrases – the emotional manipulation and urgency – is key to staying safe," Malik told The Sun.
"It's easy to get caught up in the moment and make a quick, unsafe decision if you're not aware of these manipulation techniques."
Another strikingly simple but effective scam involves a six-digit number appearing in your inbox.
This will usually be accompanied by a text from someone saying they'd accidentally sent you their log-in code – and could you pass it back.
It's a total lie. What they're doing is trying to log in somewhere as you – and asking for your own two-factor verification code. The one that is supposed to keep your account safe.
Sometimes this scam will also appear on Facebook Marketplace, with buyers or sellings claiming they've sent you a code to pass back to them as a form of "verificiation".
But it's all a big ruse to bag your log-in codes.
This could allow them to break into your most private accounts, like your email, social media, or even online banking.
5
Scam messages can turn up via text – but also over email or social media. They might even appear to come from a friend
Credit: Getty
Or they could use the code to hijack your WhatsApp account, and then carry out scams on your friends and family while posing as you.
Then there's a strange type of scam that sees texts arrive on your phone from your own number.
This kind of "spoofing" is designed to lure you into a false sense of security.
They'll usually try to get you to click a link, which can let them steal your log-ins or install dangerous malware on your device.
Impersonation has also grown in popularity as AI makes it much easier to create a credible message
Brian Higgins
Or it might simply be a trick to get you to reply, allowing them to carry out a more complicated scam – or check that your number is active for future spam campaigns.
FULL LIST OF SCAM PHRASES
"There are many different variants on opening lines for scam texts or emails," Akhtar told us.
"Most phishing scams use urgent language, set some sort of time limit for whatever it's asking you to do, and request personal or financial information.
"That's not to say you'll never receive a legitimate email asking for those things, but it's unusual and unlikely to come out of the blue.
BECOME A PRO SCAM SPOTTER
Here's the official advice from Comparitech security specialist Brian Higgins...
"A few opening methods to be aware of are offering prizes or discounts, these are most effective if they appear to come from a website or platform that you may already use," Higgins told The Sun.
"It's always advisable to close the message and visit the site directly to check validity.
"Urgency is a widely used method to launch a scam, telling you that your bank details have been compromised for example and demanding immediate action to avoid losing any money.
"Impersonation has also grown in popularity as AI makes it much easier to create a credible message or request purporting to be from a personal contact asking for cash.
"In all cases you should avoid any links or actionable inserts and attachments in any message; pdfs, unsubscribe links, websites etc.
"You can forward suspicious emails to the National Cyber Security Centre at report@phishing.gov.uk and likewise any text messages for free by forwarding to 7726."
Picture Credit: Getty Images
"If you receive any email with one or more of these things, it should immediately put you on guard."
Here's the official list of dangerous text scams from CyberSmart, obtained exclusively by The Sun:
Low-Interest or No-Interest Credit Card Offers: Texts promising exclusive credit card deals with suspicious links
Texts promising exclusive credit card deals with suspicious links Account Verification Requests: Messages asking to verify Apple ID or other tech accounts, often with phishing links
Messages asking to verify Apple ID or other tech accounts, often with phishing links Free Bitcoin Offers: Scams offering free cryptocurrency or threatening blackmail demanding bitcoin payments
Scams offering free cryptocurrency or threatening blackmail demanding bitcoin payments Family Emergency Scams: Texts claiming a family member is in urgent trouble and requesting money transfers immediately
Texts claiming a family member is in urgent trouble and requesting money transfers immediately Account Reactivation Alerts: Messages warning that your account has been hacked or suspended, urging you to click links or call numbers provided
Messages warning that your account has been hacked or suspended, urging you to click links or call numbers provided New Billing Statement or Payment Confirmation: Fake notifications about billing statements or payment receipts with malicious links
Fake notifications about billing statements or payment receipts with malicious links Texts from Your Own Number (Spoofing): Scam texts appearing to come from your own phone number to trick you into clicking links or responding
Scam texts appearing to come from your own phone number to trick you into clicking links or responding 2FA Code Requests: Messages asking for two-factor authentication codes to hijack your accounts; legitimate companies never ask for these codes
Messages asking for two-factor authentication codes to hijack your accounts; legitimate companies never ask for these codes Bank Suspicious Activity Alerts: Texts warning about unusual activity on your bank account, prompting you to verify details via a link or phone number
Texts warning about unusual activity on your bank account, prompting you to verify details via a link or phone number Prize or Vacation Redemption Fees: Messages claiming you won a prize but need to pay a fee to claim it
Messages claiming you won a prize but need to pay a fee to claim it Sextortion Scams: Threatening to release compromising images unless payment is made, often targeting younger victims
Threatening to release compromising images unless payment is made, often targeting younger victims Fake Customer Support on Social Media or Text: Scammers posing as support staff offering help but sending malicious links
Akhtar warned that there are "thousands upon thousands" of variations on these scams.
5
A scam text might seem innocent at first – but the conversation can quickly turn dangerous
Credit: Apple
But that in 2025, the swindles included in this list are now "all extremely common".
If you think you've been a victim of online fraud, you can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. If debit or credit cards, online banking, or cheques are involved then you should contact your bank first.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
16 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Millions of iPhone users issued urgent App Store warning
Lee Elliott, chief product officer at Compare and Recycle, said: "Before installing an app from the App Store or Google Play, always ensure it is a verified app and pay attention to its reviews." Users should ensure apps are updated regularly and remember to install any security patches when prompted, too, Lee said. Mr Elliott said: "If you suspect your device has been infected, the first port of call is to turn off your mobile data or Wi-Fi, and uninstall any suspicious apps you can identify. "You could also perform a factory reset. "On Android phones you can run a built-in scan to search for malware and resolve the issue, but due to the OS architecture out of the box, iPhones are well protected and are not generally susceptible to security breaches. "If you're experiencing any strange pop-ups as an Apple user try clearing your browsing history and cache first, and it'll likely solve the problem." He said: "While staying aware of your surroundings is the least you can do to stop your phone being snatched in the first place, there are simple steps you can take to protect yourself and prevent the worst from happening. Recommended reading: "A lesser-known trick for iPhone users is to disable Control Centre access from the lock screen. "This prevents thieves from quickly switching off Wi-Fi or turning on Airplane Mode if they grab your phone while it's locked, helping you retain the ability to track the device via Find My iPhone and making them more likely to let go of the device. "Simply navigate to 'Face ID & Passcode' in settings and toggle off the option for accessing your control centre when the phone is locked."
Geeky Gadgets
4 hours ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Stop AI Hallucinations : Transform Your n8n Agent into a Precision Powerhouse
What if your AI agent could stop making things up? Imagine asking it for critical data or a precise task, only to receive a response riddled with inaccuracies or irrelevant details. These so-called 'hallucinations' are more than just a nuisance—they can derail workflows, undermine trust, and even lead to costly mistakes. But here's the good news: by fine-tuning your n8n AI agent settings, you can dramatically reduce these errors and unlock a level of performance that's both reliable and context-aware. From selecting the right chat model to configuring memory for seamless context retention, the right adjustments can transform your AI from unpredictable to indispensable. In this comprehensive guide, FuturMinds take you through the best practices and critical settings to optimize your n8n AI agents for accuracy and efficiency. Learn how to choose the perfect chat model for your needs, fine-tune parameters like sampling temperature and frequency penalties, and use tools like output parsers to ensure structured, reliable responses. Whether you're aiming for professional-grade results in technical workflows or simply want to minimize hallucinations in everyday tasks, this report will equip you with actionable insights to achieve your goals. Because when your AI agent performs at its best, so do you. n8n AI Agent Configuration Choosing the Right Chat Model The foundation of a reliable AI agent begins with selecting the most suitable chat model. Each model offers unique capabilities, and aligning your choice with your specific use case is crucial for optimal performance. Consider the following options: Advanced Reasoning: Models like Anthropic or OpenAI GPT-4 are designed for complex problem-solving and excel in tasks requiring nuanced understanding. Models like Anthropic or OpenAI GPT-4 are designed for complex problem-solving and excel in tasks requiring nuanced understanding. Cost Efficiency: Lightweight models such as Mistral are ideal for applications where budget constraints are a priority without compromising too much on functionality. Lightweight models such as Mistral are ideal for applications where budget constraints are a priority without compromising too much on functionality. Privacy Needs: Self-hosted options like Olama provide enhanced data control, making them suitable for sensitive or proprietary information. Self-hosted options like Olama provide enhanced data control, making them suitable for sensitive or proprietary information. Multimodal Tasks: For tasks involving both text and images, models like Google Gemini or OpenAI's multimodal models are highly effective. To improve efficiency, consider implementing dynamic model selection. This approach routes tasks to the most appropriate model based on the complexity and requirements of the task, making sure both cost-effectiveness and performance. Fine-Tuning AI Agent Parameters Fine-tuning parameters is a critical step in shaping your AI agent's behavior and output. Adjusting these settings can significantly enhance the agent's performance and reliability: Frequency Penalty: Increase this value to discourage repetitive responses, making sure more diverse and meaningful outputs. Increase this value to discourage repetitive responses, making sure more diverse and meaningful outputs. Sampling Temperature: Use lower values (e.g., 0.2) for factual and precise outputs, while higher values (e.g., 0.8) encourage creative and exploratory responses. Use lower values (e.g., 0.2) for factual and precise outputs, while higher values (e.g., 0.8) encourage creative and exploratory responses. Top P: Control the diversity of responses by limiting the probability distribution, which helps in generating more focused outputs. Control the diversity of responses by limiting the probability distribution, which helps in generating more focused outputs. Maximum Tokens: Set appropriate limits to balance response length and token usage, avoiding unnecessarily long or truncated outputs. For structured outputs such as JSON, combining a low sampling temperature with a well-defined system prompt ensures accuracy and consistency. This approach is particularly useful for technical applications requiring predictable and machine-readable results. Best n8n AI Agent Settings Explained Watch this video on YouTube. Stay informed about the latest in n8n AI agent configuration by exploring our other resources and articles. Configuring Memory for Context Retention Memory configuration plays a vital role in maintaining context during multi-turn conversations. Proper memory management ensures that responses remain coherent and relevant throughout the interaction. Key recommendations include: Context Window Length: Adjust this setting to retain essential information while staying within token limits, making sure the agent can reference prior exchanges effectively. Adjust this setting to retain essential information while staying within token limits, making sure the agent can reference prior exchanges effectively. Robust Memory Nodes: For production environments, use reliable options like PostgreSQL chat memory via Supabase to handle extended interactions without risking data loss or crashes. Avoid using simple memory nodes in production, as they may not provide the stability and scalability required for complex or long-running conversations. Enhancing Functionality with Tool Integration Integrating tools expands your AI agent's capabilities by allowing it to perform specific actions via APIs. This functionality is particularly useful for automating tasks and improving efficiency. Examples include: Email Management: Integrate Gmail to send, organize, and manage emails directly through the AI agent. Integrate Gmail to send, organize, and manage emails directly through the AI agent. Custom APIs: Add domain-specific tools for specialized tasks, such as retrieving financial data, generating reports, or managing inventory. To minimize hallucinations, clearly define the parameters and scope of each tool. This ensures the agent understands its limitations and uses the tools appropriately within the defined context. Optimizing System Prompts A well-crafted system prompt is essential for defining the AI agent's role, goals, and behavior. Effective prompts should include the following elements: Domain Knowledge: Specify the agent's expertise and focus areas to ensure it provides relevant and accurate responses. Specify the agent's expertise and focus areas to ensure it provides relevant and accurate responses. Formatting Rules: Provide clear instructions for structured outputs, such as JSON, tables, or bullet points, to maintain consistency. Provide clear instructions for structured outputs, such as JSON, tables, or bullet points, to maintain consistency. Safety Instructions: Include guidelines to prevent inappropriate, harmful, or biased responses, making sure ethical and responsible AI usage. Using templates for system prompts can streamline the configuration process and reduce errors, especially when deploying multiple agents across different use cases. Using Output Parsers Output parsers are invaluable for enforcing structured and predictable responses. They are particularly useful in applications requiring machine-readable outputs, such as data pipelines and automated workflows. Common types include: Structured Output Parser: Ensures responses adhere to predefined formats, such as JSON or XML, for seamless integration with other systems. Ensures responses adhere to predefined formats, such as JSON or XML, for seamless integration with other systems. Item List Output Parser: Generates clear and organized lists with specified separators, improving readability and usability. Generates clear and organized lists with specified separators, improving readability and usability. Autofixing Output Parser: Automatically corrects improperly formatted outputs, reducing the need for manual intervention. Incorporating these tools enhances the reliability and usability of your AI agent, particularly in technical and data-driven environments. Additional Settings for Enhanced Performance Fine-tuning additional settings can further improve your AI agent's reliability and adaptability. Consider the following adjustments: Iteration Limits: Set a maximum number of iterations for tool usage loops to prevent infinite cycles and optimize resource usage. Set a maximum number of iterations for tool usage loops to prevent infinite cycles and optimize resource usage. Intermediate Steps: Enable this feature to debug and audit the agent's decision-making process, providing greater transparency and control. Enable this feature to debug and audit the agent's decision-making process, providing greater transparency and control. Multimodal Configuration: Ensure the agent can handle binary image inputs for tasks involving visual data, expanding its range of applications. These settings provide greater control over the agent's behavior, making it more versatile and effective in handling diverse scenarios. Best Practices for Continuous Improvement Building and maintaining a high-performing AI agent requires ongoing monitoring, testing, and refinement. Follow these best practices to ensure optimal performance: Regularly review and adjust settings to enhance response quality, reduce token usage, and address emerging requirements. Test the agent in real-world scenarios to identify potential issues and implement necessary improvements. Align tools, configurations, and prompts with your specific use case and objectives to maximize the agent's utility and effectiveness. Consistent evaluation and optimization are essential for making sure your AI agent remains reliable, efficient, and aligned with your goals. Media Credit: FuturMinds Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
Telegraph
5 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘I'm the world's youngest self-made female billionaire'
A 30-year-old US tech entrepreneur born to immigrant parents has unseated Taylor Swift as the world's youngest self-made female billionaire. Lucy Guo, who is worth an estimated $1.3bn (£1bn) according to Forbes, told The Telegraph that her new title 'doesn't really feel like much'. 'I think that maybe reality hasn't hit yet, right? Because most of my money is still on paper,' she said. Ms Guo's wealth stems from her 5pc stake in Scale AI, a company she co-founded in 2016. The artificial intelligence (AI) business is currently raising money in a deal likely to value it at $25bn. That valuation – and the billionaire status it has bestowed upon Ms Guo – underlines the current AI boom, which has reinvigorated Silicon Valley and is now reshaping the world. Everyone from Mark Zuckerberg to Sir Keir Starmer have praised the potential of the technology, which is forecast to save billions but may also destroy scores of jobs. The AI craze has caused the founders and chief executives of companies in the space to climb the world's rich list as they cash in on soaring valuations and increasing demand for their companies' technologies. Ms Guo is also an exemplar of the American dream. Born to Chinese immigrant parents, she dropped out of Carnegie Mellon University to find her fortune. Like Mr Zuckerberg before her, the decision to ditch traditional education in favour of entrepreneurship has now paid off handsomely. Still, it was not a decision her parents approved of at the time. 'They stopped talking to me for a while – which is fine,' she said. 'I get it, because, you know, the immigrant mentality was like, 'we sacrificed everything, we came to a new country, left all our relatives behind, to try to give our kids a better future'. 'I think they viewed it as a sign of disrespect. They're like, 'wow, you don't appreciate all the sacrifices we did for you, and you don't love us'. So they were extremely hurt.' They have since reconciled. In her first year of college, Ms Guo took part in hackathons and coding competitions, helping her to realise that 'you can just create a startup out of like, nothing'. She was awarded a Thiel Fellowship, which provides recipients with $200,000 over two years to support them to drop out of university and pursue other work, such as launching a startup. The fellowship is funded by Peter Thiel, the former PayPal chief executive. Mr Thiel, who donated $1.25m to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, has been an enthusiastic supporter of entrepreneurship, and also co-founded Palantir, the data analytics and AI software firm now worth billions. Ms Guo initially tried to found a company based around people selling their home cooking to others. While the business did well financially, it faced food safety problems and ultimately failed. After stints at Quora, the question-and-answer website, and Snapchat, Ms Guo launched Scale AI with co-founder Alexandr Wang in 2016. The company labels the data used to develop applications for AI. The timing was perfect: OpenAI had been founded a year earlier and uses Scale AI's technology to help train ChatGPT, the generative AI chatbot. OpenAI is one of the leading lights of the new AI boom and has a valuation of $300bn. Like Ms Guo, its founder and boss Sam Altman is now a billionaire. Ms Guo left Scale AI only two years after helping to found it – 'ultimately there was a lot of friction between me and my co-founder' – but retained her stake, a decision that helped propel her into the ranks of the world's top 1pc. 'It's not like I'm flying PJs [private jets] everywhere. Just occasionally, just when other people pay for them. I'm kidding – sometimes I pay for them,' Ms Guo said, laughing. After leaving Scale AI, Ms Guo went on to set up her own venture capital fund, Backend Capital, which has so far invested in more than 100 startups. She has also run HF0, an AI business accelerator. Ms Guo is particularly passionate about supporting female entrepreneurs: 'If you take two people that are exactly the same, male and female, they come out of MIT as engineers, I think that subconsciously every investor thinks the male is going to do better, which sucks.' However, she is demanding of companies she backs. 'If you care about work-life balance, go work at Google, you'll get paid a high salary and you'll have that work-life balance,' she said. 'If you're someone that wants to build a startup, I think it's pretty unrealistic to build a venture-funded startup with work-life balance.' 'Number one party girl' Ms Guo's work-life balance has itself been the subject of tabloid attention. After leaving Scale AI she was dubbed 'Miami's number one party girl' by the New York Post for raucous celebrations held at her multimillion-dollar flat in the city's One Thousand Museum tower, which counts David Beckham among its residents. One 2022 party involved a lemur and snake rented from the Zoological Wildlife Foundation, and led to the building's homeowners' association sending a warning letter. While she still owns her residence in Miami, Ms Guo lives in Los Angeles. Alongside investing, Ms Guo has started a new business, Passes, which lets users sell access to themselves online through paid direct messages, livestreaming and subscriptions. Creators on the platform include TikTok influencer Emma Norton, actor Bella Thorne and the music producer Kygo. It is pitched as a competitor to Patreon, a platform that lets musicians and artists sell products and services directly to fans. However, the business also occupies the same space as OnlyFans, the platform known for hosting adult videos and images, and Passes has faced claims that it knowingly distributed sexually explicit material featuring minors. A legal complaint filed by OnlyFans model Alice Rosenblum claimed the platform produced, possessed and sold sexually explicit content featuring her when she was underage. The claims are strongly denied by the company. A spokesman for Passes said: 'This lawsuit is part of an orchestrated attempt to defame Passes and Ms Guo, and these claims have no basis in reality. As explained in the motion to dismiss filed on April 28, Ms Guo and Passes categorically reject the baseless allegations made against them in the lawsuit.' Scrutiny of Passes and Ms Guo herself is only likely to intensify following her crowning by Forbes. However, she is sceptical that she will hold on to the title of youngest self-made female billionaire for long. 'I have almost no doubt this title can be taken in three to six months,' she said, adding: 'Every single time it was taken, it's like, OK, there's more innovation happening – women are crushing it. 'I think I'm personally excited for someone else to take that title, because that's a sign entrepreneurship is growing.'
