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Business Wire
14-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
McAfee's Scam Detector Added to Core Plans, Protecting People Against Text, Email, and Video Scams
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, online protection company McAfee is taking a major step forward in the fight against scams by introducing McAfee's Scam Detector, a powerful new feature that automatically identifies scams across text, email, and video. Available now in all core McAfee plans at no extra cost, it arrives at a critical moment: nearly 1 in 3 Americans say they have fallen victim to an online scam 1 in the last 12 months. To meet this growing threat, McAfee is protecting customers with advanced, in-plan, AI-powered scam detection – and driving education and awareness through its Keep it Real campaign. Working with actor Chris Carmack and supported by McAfee is elevating scam survivor voices to help end scam stigma and keep others safe. 'At McAfee, we believe everyone should be able to live their lives online with confidence,' said Craig Boundy, CEO of online protection company McAfee. 'The reality is that the volume, speed, and sophistication of today's AI-driven scams have become a drain on people's time, energy, and finances. By including text, email, and video scam detection within all core McAfee plans, we're helping to democratize scam protection and empowering people to take control over their digital lives.' As cybercriminals harness AI to craft convincing, personalized, and targeted scams at scale, it's harder than ever to tell what's real or fake. From deepfake investment videos to bogus delivery emails and fake toll text message scams, Americans face an average of 14 scams each day, according to McAfee's research. Falling for just one can cost victims an average of $1,500. Smart protection made simple As scams become more advanced, McAfee is evolving to meet the threat with Scam Detector – proactive protection that's simple, powerful, and built for the way people connect today. Between February and March 2025 alone, McAfee Labs saw scam texts nearly quadruple, with almost half of texts containing URLs using hidden links to disguise malicious intent. Scam Detector uses advanced AI to spot and stop scams across text, email, and video before they can do harm, delivering real-time protection when and where it matters most. Core capabilities include: Proven accuracy: Text scam detection exceeds 99% accuracy Smarter detection: Suspicious text messages identified solely using URLs account for less than 10% of the scams McAfee flags. We go beyond the link, analyzing the full context of each message to better identify and stop scams Custom controls: Settings (High, Balanced, Low) let people tailor their level of protection On-demand scam check: Upload a message, screenshot, or link for speedy analysis and context Deepfake detection: Identifies AI-generated videos with 96% accuracy in seconds Built for modern communication: Works across apps, browsers, and devices, including iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger, Gmail, and more Designed with a mobile-first approach, McAfee's Scam Detector meets people where scams happen most. With texts opened in just 90 seconds, compared to 90 minutes for email 2, speed is essential. On Android, SMS messages are auto-scanned, with alerts before opening, and on iPhone, suspicious messages are filtered or manually scanned via a quick check function. Scam Detector also protects email, flagging scams in Gmail, Microsoft, and Yahoo, while explaining why messages were flagged to help customers build their scam-spotting skills. For deepfake detection, McAfee identifies AI-manipulated videos on YouTube, TikTok, and other platforms, all processed on-device to protect the person's privacy. In February 2025, McAfee Labs saw 59% of deepfake detections come from YouTube, more than all other domains combined. March showed similar trends, reinforcing YouTube's role as a primary source of deepfake content and the growing need for tools that help people tell what's real and what's not. Keep it Real: Turning stories into strength, and losses into lessons While the financial damage of scams makes headlines, the emotional fallout is rarely highlighted. McAfee's Keep it Real initiative is built to drive awareness, education, and empathy around scams. It combines thought-provoking ads with Scam Stories, a movement inviting survivors to share their experiences online, on social, or with McAfee directly. Amplifying real voices reduces stigma, raises awareness of McAfee's Scam Detector, and helps people recognize red flags to stay safer online. 'Shame keeps victims silent, and that silence is exactly what scammers count on,' said Ally Armeson, Executive Director of 'Scam Stories is about making space for honesty, healing, hope, and help. We're proud to partner with McAfee to help survivors speak out and share stories that will help others stay safe, and we look forward to working with them as we continue to help people recognize, report, and recover from cybercrime.' Actor Chris Carmack and his wife, performer Erin Slaver, are helping launch the movement by sharing their own scam experiences – from Carmack ignoring a real bill he thought was fake, to Erin falling for a shopping scam, and Erin's parents clicking on a scam text disguised as a message from their internet provider. 'Scams aren't just stories, they're happening to people we love,' said Carmack. 'It's getting harder to tell what's real, and that's especially scary when we think about our parents and kids. That's why we're proud to share our scam stories – because every story shared helps break the stigma, raise awareness, and protect more people from falling into the same traps.' As part of Scam Stories, McAfee is helping scam survivors share their stories and, in working with companies like ticket marketplace Vivid Seats, is helping to give back and deliver meaningful experiences to scam survivors. In every Scam Story, McAfee's Scam Detector would have flagged the scam before it caused harm. Brittany, a second grade teacher, had saved for months to see Taylor Swift's Eras Tour with friends – but days before the show, her tickets vanished from her account. A reused password, no two-factor authentication, and a single click on a suspicious link had let a scammer in. 'I was so excited – and then the tickets were just… gone,' she said. 'You can be careful and still get caught. I'm only human, and that's exactly what scammers count on.' Cory, a fitness coach who texts with clients daily, clicked a fake verification message during a hectic day – and within minutes, his phone number was hijacked. He couldn't call, text, or access any accounts tied to his number. 'I was in the middle of a busy day and clicked without thinking. My phone stopped working almost immediately,' he said. The experience left him shaken and determined to help others avoid the same trap: 'It was one click. That's all it took.' Bradley, a new dad running on little sleep, got a convincing call from someone posing as the IRS – complete with personal details and urgent threats. Exhausted and anxious, he clicked a follow-up link, sent $800, and unknowingly gave scammers access to his bank account. 'I wasn't thinking clearly. I just wanted to fix it fast,' he said. Nearly a year later, he still hasn't told his family. 'Scammers prey on stress. If someone demands money right away, stop and verify.' 'Scams steal more than money - they shake your confidence. That's why we're pairing powerful AI scam detection with real-world education through our Keep it Real campaign,' Boundy said. 'This call to action empowers people to spot scams, share their stories, and stay safer – and end the silence scammers count on.' 'Vivid Seats' mission has always been to remove the anxiety from buying tickets online which is why trust and safety are at the core of everything we do,' said Stan Chia, CEO of Vivid Seats. 'We're proud to provide all fans with a reliable, and safe ticketing experience, and to have the chance to partner with McAfee to help these victims recover, rebuild confidence, and get back to doing what they love – enjoying live events.' To learn more, submit your own scam story, or get protected today, visit To learn more about McAfee's Scam Detector and how to protect yourself, visit Together, we can outsmart scammers and create a safer, more informed, empowered world. About McAfee
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PayPal users given urgent warning to abide by 10 rules
PayPal users were being targeted by cyber criminals who were trying to trick them into handing over personal details. Scammers were making the majority of threats via emails, which suggest worrying changes have taken place, such as accounts being suspended. The emails urge PayPal users to update their details, but the links embedded within the message were fake and hand account data to crooks. There has been a 600 per cent increase in PayPal attacks since the start of the year, according to the security team at McAfee Labs. READ MORE: State pensioners with two-digit code to get £230 from DWP on Tuesday Popular attacks include fake PayPal gift card offers, fraudulent invoices and customer support scams about billing issues, reports the Mirror. McAfee said: "While PayPal works diligently to protect its users, scammers are constantly evolving their tactics and often capitalise on well-known companies, especially if they've been in the news recently. "The recent surge has been traced to a single, highly effective campaign where attackers send official-looking emails with 'action required' warnings, demanding users update their account details within 48 hours or face account suspension." PayPal also has dedicated a full webpage to online scams in a bid to help prevents users from falling victim. Below you'll find McAfee's 10 top tips for those with a PayPal account. • Verify all communications directly with PayPal People should never click links in emails or texts claiming to be from PayPal. Instead, open a new browser window and log in directly at Pay, Send and Save Money with PayPal, or use the official PayPal app to check for notifications. • If an email says it's from services@ be cautious Some scammers spoof email addresses or use real PayPal tools like their invoices to fool you. • Scrutinise web addresses and email senders If a PayPal email is legitimate, it will come from addresses ending in @ People should be wary of similar-looking domains like or • Never call phone numbers provided in suspicious messages When contacting PayPal support, people should only use the official contact methods listed on their website. • Use PayPal's built-in security features Familiarise yourself with PayPal's security centre and take advantage of their fraud protection tools. • Check your PayPal account regularly Frequent monitoring allows users to spot unauthorised activity quickly. Anything suspicious should be reported before significant damage occurs. • Be sceptical of urgency and threats Legitimate companies do not typically threaten immediate account closure or demand urgent action within short timeframes like 28 hours. • Turn on two-factor authentication This way, even if someone gets your password, they still can't access your account without a code sent to your phone or an authenticator. • Report suspicious activity immediately A suspicious message or notice unauthorised activity, should be reported to PayPal and password changed right away. • Skip messages that offer gift cards or say you'll get paid for filling out a survey PayPal doesn't typically send these, but scammers often do.
Hindustan Times
29-04-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
PayPal issues red alert for all users amid 600% rise in cybercrime, introduces 10 new rules
Security experts have issued a red alert warning to everyone who has a PayPal account. This year, there has been an increase in cybercriminals attempting to use the site to defraud individuals, and users are being cautioned to exercise vigilance. In 2025, PayPal attacks have increased by an astounding 600%, according to the McAfee Labs team. Meanwhile, the Express reported that the majority of scams start as alarming emails, claiming that accounts have been terminated and advising customers to change their information to restore functionality. Some of the techniques that scammers employ include fraudulent invoices, phony PayPal gift card offers, and customer service scams involving billing concerns. 'While PayPal works diligently to protect its users, scammers are constantly evolving their tactics and often capitalise on well-known companies, especially if they've been in the news recently,' McAfee stated. 'The recent surge has been traced to a single, highly effective campaign where attackers send official-looking emails with 'action required' warnings, demanding users update their account details within 48 hours or face account suspension.' Users should now exercise caution when opening messages purporting to be from PayPal and be on the lookout for links to websites that are not legitimate PayPal domains, according to McAfee. In addition, ten additional guidelines that are important to know if you use or want to use a PayPal account have been released, along with some helpful advice. Also Read: PayPal-backed startup Mintoak makes India's first e-rupee deal worth $3.5 million: Report Never open links in messages or emails purporting to be from PayPal. Examine email senders and web addresses. Never call numbers that appear in dubious messages. Be cautious if an email appears to be from services@ Regularly check your PayPal account. Be wary of threats and urgency. Make use of PayPal's integrated security features. Report any questionable activities right away. Activate two-factor authentication. Don't respond to mails offering gift cards or promising payment for completing a survey.
Daily Record
28-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
PayPal red alert for all users as 10 new rules are introduced
A red alert warning has been issued by security experts to anyone with a PayPal account. An influx of cyber crooks trying to use the platform to scam people has been seen this year, and users are being warned to stay vigilant. The team at McAfee Labs says there has been a staggering 600% increase in PayPal attacks since the start of the year. Most scams arrive as worrying emails that suggest accounts have been suspended, with users urged to update their details to get things back up and running, reports the Express. Other methods used by scammers include fake PayPal gift card offers, fraudulent invoices and customer support scams about billing issues. 'While PayPal works diligently to protect its users, scammers are constantly evolving their tactics and often capitalise on well-known companies, especially if they've been in the news recently,' McAfee explained. "The recent surge has been traced to a single, highly effective campaign where attackers send official-looking emails with 'action required' warnings, demanding users update their account details within 48 hours or face account suspension." McAfee says it is now vital users take care when opening messages claiming to be from PayPal and watch out for links to websites that are not official PayPal domains. Some useful advice has also been issued, along with 10 new rules worth knowing if you use or are planning to use a PayPal account. Never click links in emails or texts claiming to be from PayPal. Instead, open a new browser window and log in directly at Pay, Send and Save Money with PayPal, or use the official PayPal app to check for notifications. Legitimate PayPal emails will come from addresses ending in @ Be wary of similar-looking domains like or If you need to contact PayPal support, use only the official contact methods listed on their website: PayPal Contact Us | PayPal US Some scammers spoof email addresses or use real PayPal tools like their invoices to trick you. Frequent monitoring allows you to spot unauthorised activity quickly and report it before significant damage occurs. Legitimate companies do not typically threaten immediate account closure or demand urgent action within short timeframes like 24 hours. Familiarise yourself with PayPal's security centre and take advantage of their fraud protection tools. If you receive a suspicious message or notice unauthorised activity, report it to PayPal and change your password right away. If you activate two-factor authentication, someone who gets hold of your password still can't access your account without a code sent directly to your phone or an authenticator. PayPal doesn't typically send these, but scammers often do.
