Latest news with #ScamAlert
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Yahoo Mail users must act before Aug 27
If you've had the same Yahoo email since the early 2000s, you're not alone. Many of us have been dragging that inbox along for 20+ years, stuffed with decades of old messages, forgotten subscriptions and heavy attachments that could probably sink a server. Recently, Stacy from Nashville, Tennessee, wrote in asking if a message from Yahoo about storage limits and pricing was real or just another scam. The email claimed she'd maxed out her free storage and risked losing email access unless she upgraded or cleared space. Sound familiar? If you've seen the same warning, you're in good company, and yes, it's legit. But that doesn't mean you should click and pay without thinking. Here's what's actually going on and if it might be time to consider a new provider. Multiple Us Cancer Centers Hit In Coordinated Phishing Breach Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Yahoo Mail users with overflowing inboxes are being notified that their storage has exceeded the free limit. Yahoo is making changes that kick in on Aug. 27, 2025. If your account is still over the limit by that date, you won't be able to send or receive emails. Read On The Fox News App The email Stacy received originally had incorrect pricing meant for Canadian users. Yahoo followed up with corrected U.S. pricing: 20 GB for Free with every account: Perfect for everyday use. 100 GB for $1.99/month: Suits more active users who receive newsletters, photos and attachments. 1 TB for $9.99/month: Best for longtime Yahoo users with extensive archives and large files. Yahoo Mail Plus: 200 GB of storage, plus premium features like an ad-free inbox, enhanced privacy controls, and priority customer care. You can combine Yahoo Mail Plus with a Yahoo Mail Storage plan, giving you up to 1.2 TB of total storage. This is part of Yahoo's broader push to monetize its email platform while encouraging users to either clean up their inboxes or pay for expanded storage. If you want to keep using Yahoo for free, here are the steps to reduce your storage: Access your storage dashboard in Yahoo Mail settings. Sort and delete large emails, especially those with big attachments. It's easy to keep your email inbox tidy. Here's how to delete a single email, or how to delete multiple emails at the same time, in New Yahoo Mail. Delete 1 or more emails Select a single email or multiple emails you'd like to delete using the checkbox next to each email message. Alternatively, select one email using the checkbox next to it, then click the Expand icon in the upper left to choose the emails you'd like to delete. This menu gives you the option to select all emails, read emails, unread emails, starred emails or unstarred emails. Click the Delete icon at the top of the page. By default, selecting all emails will only select 100 emails at a time. A pop-up notice will be displayed near the top of the screen that gives you the option to select all messages in your inbox. Delete all messages in a folder This option isn't available for your Inbox or system folders. Click the Folders icon. Mouse over a folder title. Click the More options icon. Select Delete all emails. (Note: This doesn't work for system folders like Inbox or Spam.) Find and delete Yahoo Mail emails with large attachments Older version of Yahoo Mail: (These steps apply to the older Yahoo Mail interface and may differ slightly depending on your browser or account settings.) Use Yahoo Mail on a desktop browser. In the search bar at the top, click the Advanced arrow. Check "Has attachment" to filter messages by attachments. Review the displayed emails, select the ones you want to remove using the checkboxes. Then click Delete. Newer version of Yahoo Mail: (These steps apply to the newer Yahoo Mail interface and features may vary by account. Yahoo may update these steps at any time.) Open Yahoo Mail (desktop browser works best). In the search bar, type the following: has:attachment larger:10MB (You can change 10MB to a different size (e.g., 5MB, 20MB) to adjust the filter.) Press Enter. Yahoo will show all emails with attachments larger than the size you specified. Review the results and delete emails with attachments you no longer need. Pro tips: In the newer version of Yahoo mail you can't sort the results by file size, unfortunately. There's also no built-in attachment manager like in Gmail or Outlook, so you'll need to scroll through and delete manually. What Is Artificial Intelligence (Ai)? They still count against your storage, even if you don't see them in your main inbox. On desktop (web browser): To empty your Trash folder: Log in to Yahoo Mail. In the left sidebar, click Trash. At the top of the Trash folder, click "Empty Trash." Confirm when prompted. This will permanently delete all emails in the Trash. To empty your Spam folder: Click Spam in the left sidebar. At the top of the Spam folder, click "Delete all spam messages." Confirm the action when asked. On the Yahoo Mail App (Mobile): To empty Trash: Open the Yahoo Mail app. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines ☰) in the top left. Tap Trash. Tap the three dots (•••) in the top right. Select "Empty folder." Confirm deletion. To empty Spam: Repeat the steps above, but select Spam instead of Trash. Important: Deleting messages from Trash and Spam is required to actually free up storage. Emails in those folders still count toward your Yahoo Mail quota until they're permanently removed. Check your real-time usage under settings so you're not caught off guard. Using desktop (Web) Yahoo Mail Sign in to Yahoo Mail using a desktop browser. Click the Settings (gear icon) in the upper-right corner. Choose More Settings from the dropdown. On the bottom left of the More Settings page, you'll see your current storage usage. Using the Yahoo mobile app or mobile site Open the Yahoo Mail app (or mobile site). Tap your Profile icon (or Yahoo logo) in the upper left. Your storage usage will appear below your email address. This ensures you're up to date and never surprised by a storage cap. If you're frustrated with storage limits, privacy concerns or the uptick in paid features, you're not stuck. Option 1: Forward important emails to another email address This is the quickest, no-tech-required method. Open the email you want to back up. Click Forward. Enter a backup email address (like Gmail or another provider). Click Send. Tip: Create a separate folder in your other email account for these backups. Option 2: Download emails as files Great if you want offline access or to store them on a drive. Open the email in Yahoo Mail. Click the More menu (••• or three dots). Select "View Raw Message." Use Ctrl+S (Windows) or Cmd+S (Mac) to save it as a .txt or .eml file. You can save these files to your desktop, external hard drive, or cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Consider switching to a more modern provider that offers better value and enhanced privacy features. Many newer email services focus on user privacy, provide clutter-free inboxes and often support the use of alias addresses for added security. Free options are available that seamlessly integrate with popular productivity tools. For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit If you're not ready to cut ties completely, forward Yahoo emails to your new address so you don't miss a beat. Here's how to do it: Log in to Yahoo Mail on your desktop browser (auto-forwarding can't be set up via the mobile app). Click the Settings icon in the upper right corner. Click More Settings at the bottom of the dropdown. In the left sidebar, select Mailboxes. Under Mailbox list, click on your Yahoo email address. Scroll to the Forwarding section. Enter the email address you want your messages forwarded to. Choose whether to:Store and forward (keeps a copy in Yahoo Mail)Forward only (removes the message from Yahoo after forwarding) Store and forward (keeps a copy in Yahoo Mail) Forward only (removes the message from Yahoo after forwarding) Click Verify (Yahoo will send a confirmation email to the forwarding address). Open that verification email and click the link to complete setup. What you should know: You must verify the forwarding address before it starts working. Free Yahoo accounts allow forwarding, but features may vary slightly depending on your region or whether you use Yahoo Mail Plus. Some spam or promotional emails might not forward, check both inboxes regularly for a while. Bonus tip: If you use Yahoo Mail Plus, you can set up filters and more advanced forwarding rules for even more control. Yahoo is no longer just an old-school email provider; it's a business looking to turn free users into paying customers. If you rely on Yahoo Mail for critical communication, it's time to decide: Clean up and stay for free Pay a few bucks a month Or migrate to something better aligned with your needs Whatever you choose, the worst option is doing nothing and losing access on Aug. 27. Now, before you click anything in that email from Yahoo, take a pause. While this particular message from Yahoo above is real, scammers love to copy messages like this to trick people into clicking fake upgrade links or entering personal info. Always go directly to or open the Yahoo Mail app to manage your account. Never click links in unexpected emails, even if they look official. You'll also want to protect yourself with strong antivirus software. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Think of it as your first line of defense against email scams. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Stacy's email wasn't a scam. It was a real warning from Yahoo, but one that deserves a smart response. Whether you stick with Yahoo, trim your inbox or start fresh with another service, the key is to act now. Don't wait until your inbox locks you out. What About You? Would you pay for more Yahoo storage, or is it finally time to switch to a new inbox? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights article source: Yahoo Mail users must act before Aug 27
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Yahoo Mail users must act before Aug 27
If you've had the same Yahoo email since the early 2000s, you're not alone. Many of us have been dragging that inbox along for 20+ years, stuffed with decades of old messages, forgotten subscriptions and heavy attachments that could probably sink a server. Recently, Stacy from Nashville, Tennessee, wrote in asking if a message from Yahoo about storage limits and pricing was real or just another scam. The email claimed she'd maxed out her free storage and risked losing email access unless she upgraded or cleared space. Sound familiar? If you've seen the same warning, you're in good company, and yes, it's legit. But that doesn't mean you should click and pay without thinking. Here's what's actually going on and if it might be time to consider a new provider. Multiple Us Cancer Centers Hit In Coordinated Phishing Breach Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Yahoo Mail users with overflowing inboxes are being notified that their storage has exceeded the free limit. Yahoo is making changes that kick in on Aug. 27, 2025. If your account is still over the limit by that date, you won't be able to send or receive emails. Read On The Fox News App The email Stacy received originally had incorrect pricing meant for Canadian users. Yahoo followed up with corrected U.S. pricing: 20 GB for Free with every account: Perfect for everyday use. 100 GB for $1.99/month: Suits more active users who receive newsletters, photos and attachments. 1 TB for $9.99/month: Best for longtime Yahoo users with extensive archives and large files. Yahoo Mail Plus: 200 GB of storage, plus premium features like an ad-free inbox, enhanced privacy controls, and priority customer care. You can combine Yahoo Mail Plus with a Yahoo Mail Storage plan, giving you up to 1.2 TB of total storage. This is part of Yahoo's broader push to monetize its email platform while encouraging users to either clean up their inboxes or pay for expanded storage. If you want to keep using Yahoo for free, here are the steps to reduce your storage: Access your storage dashboard in Yahoo Mail settings. Sort and delete large emails, especially those with big attachments. It's easy to keep your email inbox tidy. Here's how to delete a single email, or how to delete multiple emails at the same time, in New Yahoo Mail. Delete 1 or more emails Select a single email or multiple emails you'd like to delete using the checkbox next to each email message. Alternatively, select one email using the checkbox next to it, then click the Expand icon in the upper left to choose the emails you'd like to delete. This menu gives you the option to select all emails, read emails, unread emails, starred emails or unstarred emails. Click the Delete icon at the top of the page. By default, selecting all emails will only select 100 emails at a time. A pop-up notice will be displayed near the top of the screen that gives you the option to select all messages in your inbox. Delete all messages in a folder This option isn't available for your Inbox or system folders. Click the Folders icon. Mouse over a folder title. Click the More options icon. Select Delete all emails. (Note: This doesn't work for system folders like Inbox or Spam.) Find and delete Yahoo Mail emails with large attachments Older version of Yahoo Mail: (These steps apply to the older Yahoo Mail interface and may differ slightly depending on your browser or account settings.) Use Yahoo Mail on a desktop browser. In the search bar at the top, click the Advanced arrow. Check "Has attachment" to filter messages by attachments. Review the displayed emails, select the ones you want to remove using the checkboxes. Then click Delete. Newer version of Yahoo Mail: (These steps apply to the newer Yahoo Mail interface and features may vary by account. Yahoo may update these steps at any time.) Open Yahoo Mail (desktop browser works best). In the search bar, type the following: has:attachment larger:10MB (You can change 10MB to a different size (e.g., 5MB, 20MB) to adjust the filter.) Press Enter. Yahoo will show all emails with attachments larger than the size you specified. Review the results and delete emails with attachments you no longer need. Pro tips: In the newer version of Yahoo mail you can't sort the results by file size, unfortunately. There's also no built-in attachment manager like in Gmail or Outlook, so you'll need to scroll through and delete manually. What Is Artificial Intelligence (Ai)? They still count against your storage, even if you don't see them in your main inbox. On desktop (web browser): To empty your Trash folder: Log in to Yahoo Mail. In the left sidebar, click Trash. At the top of the Trash folder, click "Empty Trash." Confirm when prompted. This will permanently delete all emails in the Trash. To empty your Spam folder: Click Spam in the left sidebar. At the top of the Spam folder, click "Delete all spam messages." Confirm the action when asked. On the Yahoo Mail App (Mobile): To empty Trash: Open the Yahoo Mail app. Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines ☰) in the top left. Tap Trash. Tap the three dots (•••) in the top right. Select "Empty folder." Confirm deletion. To empty Spam: Repeat the steps above, but select Spam instead of Trash. Important: Deleting messages from Trash and Spam is required to actually free up storage. Emails in those folders still count toward your Yahoo Mail quota until they're permanently removed. Check your real-time usage under settings so you're not caught off guard. Using desktop (Web) Yahoo Mail Sign in to Yahoo Mail using a desktop browser. Click the Settings (gear icon) in the upper-right corner. Choose More Settings from the dropdown. On the bottom left of the More Settings page, you'll see your current storage usage. Using the Yahoo mobile app or mobile site Open the Yahoo Mail app (or mobile site). Tap your Profile icon (or Yahoo logo) in the upper left. Your storage usage will appear below your email address. This ensures you're up to date and never surprised by a storage cap. If you're frustrated with storage limits, privacy concerns or the uptick in paid features, you're not stuck. Option 1: Forward important emails to another email address This is the quickest, no-tech-required method. Open the email you want to back up. Click Forward. Enter a backup email address (like Gmail or another provider). Click Send. Tip: Create a separate folder in your other email account for these backups. Option 2: Download emails as files Great if you want offline access or to store them on a drive. Open the email in Yahoo Mail. Click the More menu (••• or three dots). Select "View Raw Message." Use Ctrl+S (Windows) or Cmd+S (Mac) to save it as a .txt or .eml file. You can save these files to your desktop, external hard drive, or cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Consider switching to a more modern provider that offers better value and enhanced privacy features. Many newer email services focus on user privacy, provide clutter-free inboxes and often support the use of alias addresses for added security. Free options are available that seamlessly integrate with popular productivity tools. For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit If you're not ready to cut ties completely, forward Yahoo emails to your new address so you don't miss a beat. Here's how to do it: Log in to Yahoo Mail on your desktop browser (auto-forwarding can't be set up via the mobile app). Click the Settings icon in the upper right corner. Click More Settings at the bottom of the dropdown. In the left sidebar, select Mailboxes. Under Mailbox list, click on your Yahoo email address. Scroll to the Forwarding section. Enter the email address you want your messages forwarded to. Choose whether to:Store and forward (keeps a copy in Yahoo Mail)Forward only (removes the message from Yahoo after forwarding) Store and forward (keeps a copy in Yahoo Mail) Forward only (removes the message from Yahoo after forwarding) Click Verify (Yahoo will send a confirmation email to the forwarding address). Open that verification email and click the link to complete setup. What you should know: You must verify the forwarding address before it starts working. Free Yahoo accounts allow forwarding, but features may vary slightly depending on your region or whether you use Yahoo Mail Plus. Some spam or promotional emails might not forward, check both inboxes regularly for a while. Bonus tip: If you use Yahoo Mail Plus, you can set up filters and more advanced forwarding rules for even more control. Yahoo is no longer just an old-school email provider; it's a business looking to turn free users into paying customers. If you rely on Yahoo Mail for critical communication, it's time to decide: Clean up and stay for free Pay a few bucks a month Or migrate to something better aligned with your needs Whatever you choose, the worst option is doing nothing and losing access on Aug. 27. Now, before you click anything in that email from Yahoo, take a pause. While this particular message from Yahoo above is real, scammers love to copy messages like this to trick people into clicking fake upgrade links or entering personal info. Always go directly to or open the Yahoo Mail app to manage your account. Never click links in unexpected emails, even if they look official. You'll also want to protect yourself with strong antivirus software. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Think of it as your first line of defense against email scams. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Stacy's email wasn't a scam. It was a real warning from Yahoo, but one that deserves a smart response. Whether you stick with Yahoo, trim your inbox or start fresh with another service, the key is to act now. Don't wait until your inbox locks you out. What About You? Would you pay for more Yahoo storage, or is it finally time to switch to a new inbox? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights article source: Yahoo Mail users must act before Aug 27
Fox News
2 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Yahoo Mail users must act before Aug 27
If you've had the same Yahoo email since the early 2000s, you're not alone. Many of us have been dragging that inbox along for 20+ years, stuffed with decades of old messages, forgotten subscriptions and heavy attachments that could probably sink a server. Recently, Stacy from Nashville, Tennessee, wrote in asking if a message from Yahoo about storage limits and pricing was real or just another scam. The email claimed she'd maxed out her free storage and risked losing email access unless she upgraded or cleared space. Sound familiar? If you've seen the same warning, you're in good company, and yes, it's legit. But that doesn't mean you should click and pay without thinking. Here's what's actually going on and if it might be time to consider a new provider. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Yahoo Mail users with overflowing inboxes are being notified that their storage has exceeded the free limit. Yahoo is making changes that kick in on Aug. 27, 2025. If your account is still over the limit by that date, you won't be able to send or receive emails. The email Stacy received originally had incorrect pricing meant for Canadian users. Yahoo followed up with corrected U.S. pricing: This is part of Yahoo's broader push to monetize its email platform while encouraging users to either clean up their inboxes or pay for expanded storage. If you want to keep using Yahoo for free, here are the steps to reduce your storage: Access your storage dashboard in Yahoo Mail settings. Sort and delete large emails, especially those with big attachments. It's easy to keep your email inbox tidy. Here's how to delete a single email, or how to delete multiple emails at the same time, in New Yahoo Mail. Delete 1 or more emails By default, selecting all emails will only select 100 emails at a time. A pop-up notice will be displayed near the top of the screen that gives you the option to select all messages in your inbox. Delete all messages in a folder This option isn't available for your Inbox or system folders. (Note: This doesn't work for system folders like Inbox or Spam.) Find and delete Yahoo Mail emails with large attachments Older version of Yahoo Mail: (These steps apply to the older Yahoo Mail interface and may differ slightly depending on your browser or account settings.) Newer version of Yahoo Mail: (These steps apply to the newer Yahoo Mail interface and features may vary by account. Yahoo may update these steps at any time.) Pro tips: They still count against your storage, even if you don't see them in your main inbox. On desktop (web browser): To empty your Trash folder: To empty your Spam folder: On the Yahoo Mail App (Mobile): To empty Trash: To empty Spam: Important: Deleting messages from Trash and Spam is required to actually free up storage. Emails in those folders still count toward your Yahoo Mail quota until they're permanently removed. Check your real-time usage under settings so you're not caught off guard. Using desktop (Web) Yahoo Mail Using the Yahoo mobile app or mobile site This ensures you're up to date and never surprised by a storage cap. If you're frustrated with storage limits, privacy concerns or the uptick in paid features, you're not stuck. Option 1: Forward important emails to another email address This is the quickest, no-tech-required method. Tip: Create a separate folder in your other email account for these backups. Option 2: Download emails as files Great if you want offline access or to store them on a drive. You can save these files to your desktop, external hard drive, or cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox. Consider switching to a more modern provider that offers better value and enhanced privacy features. Many newer email services focus on user privacy, provide clutter-free inboxes and often support the use of alias addresses for added security. Free options are available that seamlessly integrate with popular productivity tools. For recommendations on private and secure email providers that offer alias addresses, visit If you're not ready to cut ties completely, forward Yahoo emails to your new address so you don't miss a beat. Here's how to do it: What you should know: Bonus tip: If you use Yahoo Mail Plus, you can set up filters and more advanced forwarding rules for even more control. Yahoo is no longer just an old-school email provider; it's a business looking to turn free users into paying customers. If you rely on Yahoo Mail for critical communication, it's time to decide: Whatever you choose, the worst option is doing nothing and losing access on Aug. 27. Now, before you click anything in that email from Yahoo, take a pause. While this particular message from Yahoo above is real, scammers love to copy messages like this to trick people into clicking fake upgrade links or entering personal info. Always go directly to or open the Yahoo Mail app to manage your account. Never click links in unexpected emails, even if they look official. You'll also want to protect yourself with strong antivirus software. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Think of it as your first line of defense against email scams. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Stacy's email wasn't a scam. It was a real warning from Yahoo, but one that deserves a smart response. Whether you stick with Yahoo, trim your inbox or start fresh with another service, the key is to act now. Don't wait until your inbox locks you out. What About You? Would you pay for more Yahoo storage, or is it finally time to switch to a new inbox? Let us know by writing to us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Experts issue urgent warning to Amazon shoppers over Airbnb gift card scam
Cyber security experts have issued a warning to Amazon users about a rising scam involving Airbnb gift cards, expected to increase over the summer. Criminals are impersonating friends and family using email 'spoofing' techniques to trick victims into buying gift cards on Amazon and sending them to scammers. Victims believe they're helping a loved one, only to later discover that the request was fake. Louise Hogood recently lost £350 in the scam after receiving what appeared to be an email from her elderly uncle. She said: 'I received an email which appeared to be from my elderly uncle, and it was his correct email address, so I didn't question whether it was him or not.' 'In the email, he asked for help with buying an Airbnb gift voucher on Amazon for his friend's daughter's birthday - which was that day - but he couldn't speak over the phone as he had laryngitis. He is so thoughtful, so it seemed like a legitimate email.' Louise didn't notice that during the back-and-forth, the scammer had changed the reply email address, and though it still contained her uncle's name, the domain was different. After sending the gift card, Louise received another message asking for a second round of funds, claiming the first wasn't enough for the accommodation her uncle's friend had decided on. To reassure her, the scammer sent a fake screenshot of a Lloyds Bank transfer that was supposed to show her uncle sending the money back to her. Louise said: 'That's when I knew it was a scam, it was a really bad Photoshop job with different fonts on it and weird colours.' Despite acting quickly and contacting Amazon, Airbnb and her bank, Louise was told there was nothing they could do. Amazon said the gift card had already been redeemed, and Airbnb said they had no record of the email it was sent to. She said: 'Amazon told me they couldn't do anything about it because the gift card had been sent to the receiver, and that I had to speak to Airbnb with it being a third-party supplier. 'When I phoned Airbnb, they looked for the user under the email address the gift card had been sent to. But as they couldn't find anyone on the platform, they said they couldn't do anything more. 'They did say if I could get a PIN number for the gift card, they could try and cancel it. So, I requested this from Amazon and spoke to Airbnb again.' When Louise tried again with more information, including the card's PIN, she was told Airbnb could not track it, as their gift cards are managed by a third party. She said: 'They told me that regardless of the PIN number, ID or any other information I provided, they couldn't do anything because their gift cards are handled by another company and therefore, they had no way of tracking it. 'As a final port of call I phoned Amazon again. They tried to resend a gift card to my email address, as it would then cancel the original one, but the scammer had already redeemed it.' Louise added: 'I couldn't believe that two of the biggest tech companies in the world, couldn't trace a gift card that had been acquired under a scam.' Cyber expert Sarah Knowles from Shift Key Cyber said scammers are getting more advanced, using AI to mimic writing styles, making it harder to spot fake messages. She said: 'Fraudsters are now taking advantage of the website's third-party suppliers and targeting their customers too. 'In this instance, a scammer is likely to have used an AI programme to replicate how Louise's elderly uncle tends to write his emails, so it sounds even more convincing.' 'It is not a coincidence that there is no way to track the Airbnb gift cards through Amazon or Airbnb, that is one of the main reasons for the scammers to carry out the attack. With summer holidays approaching, she advised Amazon shoppers and account holders on similar platforms to be extra cautious. Experts urge people never to buy gift cards based on email or text requests without confirming directly with the person. Suspected scams should be reported to your bank and Action Fraud immediately. It comes as tourists have been urged to be on their guard for a scam that preys on users – and could see them lose thousands. With the school holidays just around the corner, many Brits will have booked a summer getaway. But experts have warned that scammers using the platform are targeting holidaymakers by sending false messages and emails from hotel accounts.
Fox News
16-07-2025
- Fox News
Landline identity theft leads to major bank fraud
Landline identity theft is an emerging threat that gives scammers backdoor access to your accounts. An outdated phone number, especially a forgotten landline, can help them bypass security and drain your savings. Here's how it happens and how to stop it. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Richard from Reno, Nevada, shared a troubling story. His friend lost money to scammers because their old landline number was still linked to a bank account. It started with a credit alert asking whether the friend had opened a new card. They said no and thought the issue was resolved. But soon after, they couldn't access their bank or investment accounts. Despite having transaction alerts enabled, the money was already gone. The scammer didn't hack a password. Instead, they used a security loophole, an outdated landline still listed on file. "My friend had an old but active landline linked to their bank account," Richard said. "The thief convinced the phone company to port the number to a mobile device. Then they used it to intercept security codes and drain the account." The scammer requested a password reset. The bank sent a verification code to the old number, now controlled by the scammer. That code let them change the login, lock the victim out, and move the funds. Credit monitoring caught the new credit inquiry but failed to detect the fraud inside the existing accounts. By the time access was restored, the money had disappeared. This scam highlights how identity thieves evolve. They don't always need advanced tools. Sometimes, they just use the details you've forgotten. The attacker used number porting, a process meant to help people keep their number when switching carriers. It's legitimate, until scammers exploit it. In this case, the thief pretended to be the victim and asked the phone company to transfer the landline number to a mobile device. Once the number was active, they received calls and texts, including two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. Many people forget to update recovery settings after creating an account. But an outdated phone number or email can still receive security codes. If a scammer gains control of those recovery tools, your accounts are wide open. Even small gaps in your security settings can lead to big problems. These were the key vulnerabilities in this case: Scammers can hijack even inactive numbers through porting. If those numbers still connect to your bank or email, they become an easy target. Tools that monitor new credit accounts won't always detect unauthorized transactions in your existing bank or investment accounts. 2FA is helpful, but only when the linked phone number or email is secure. If a scammer controls that method, they can bypass your protections. You can't stop scammers from trying, but you can make it much harder for them to succeed. Use these steps to reduce your risk. 1. Audit your account recovery options: Check your recovery settings on every important account. Delete old phone numbers or backup emails. Keep only active, secure options on file. 2. Use an authenticator app: Authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, Authy, or Microsoft Authenticator generate one-time login codes on your device. This is safer than relying on text messages, which scammers can intercept. 3. Freeze number porting with your carrier: Contact your phone provider and ask about port-out protection. This feature blocks scammers from transferring your number without extra identity verification like a PIN or in-person request. 4. Remove your info from data broker sites: Scammers gather personal details like old numbers from public broker listings. Use a data removal service to erase this info from the web. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: 5. Monitor your bank activity directly: Set up alerts through your bank for every transaction. Log in regularly, even if you haven't received any warnings, to catch fraud faster. 6. Use a password manager: A strong, unique password protects each account. A tool like a password manager creates and stores complex passwords for you. It also tracks password health and alerts you to possible breaches. Get more details about my best expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 at 7. Consider full identity theft protection: Even with strong passwords and 2FA, your personal info can still be exposed. An identity theft protection service offers dark web monitoring, account alerts, and some offer up to $1 million in identity theft insurance. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Landline identity theft shows that forgotten account settings can turn into serious threats. Take a few minutes to review your recovery options. Switch to authenticator apps. Set up port-out protection. And don't rely on credit monitoring alone, it can't catch everything. These simple steps can help you stay ahead of evolving scams and protect your most important accounts. Have you experienced a similar scam or spotted a new tactic? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
