Latest news with #identityTheft
Malay Mail
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Alleged ‘Hollywood Con Queen' loses fight against extradition from UK to US
LONDON, July 29 — An Indonesian national dubbed the 'Hollywood Con Queen' by the media for allegedly impersonating top female movie industry executives in a seven-year fraud today lost his bid to block his extradition from Britain to stand trial in the US. Hargobind Tahilramani is wanted in California on charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for allegedly defrauding around 300 people out of a total of approximately US$1 million (RM4.23 million) between 2013 and 2020. The 45-year-old is accused of tricking people into travelling to Indonesia and paying exorbitant fees for non-existent film work, before he was arrested in a hotel in Manchester, England, in November 2020. Tahilramani's extradition was approved by a judge and then British ministers in 2023, but he challenged the decision to send him to the US to stand trial, arguing prison conditions would breach his human rights due to his mental health. His lawyer Edward Fitzgerald told London's High Court in April that Tahilramani, who has applied for asylum in Britain, was also at risk of being attacked in prison as a gay man. Fitzgerald said this meant Tahilramani was likely to be held in isolation while in pre-trial detention, which put him at high risk of suicide given his underlying mental health issues. But Tahilramani's appeal was dismissed by Judge Derek Sweeting, who said in a written ruling that the lower court was not wrong when it ordered his extradition to stand trial. — Reuters
Daily Mail
07-07-2025
- Daily Mail
FBI issues new warning over phone scam sweeping the US
A terrifying new scam is sweeping across the US, catching people off guard with fake threats of arrest and demands for payment. The FBI issued a warning about criminals impersonating federal officials in phone calls targeting potential victims. In some cases, callers falsely claim a victim's Social Security number is frozen or that a loved one must pay for GPS monitoring to be released from jail, creating a false sense of urgency. The scam relies on phone number spoofing technology, which falsifies caller ID to make it appear as though the call is coming from trusted government agencies. Federal agents say scammers are demanding thousands of dollars in payment via prepaid gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency ATMs. The US Marshals Service (USMS) clarified in a public alert: 'The USMS will NEVER call you to collect money or resolve a court case.' 'Hang up and report the call to your local FBI office,' the alert urged. The FBI says the scam gained traction in June 2025, spreading across multiple states including New York, Illinois, and Virginia. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reports callers demand gift cards in amounts of $500 or $1,000. 'You will not be asked to wire a 'settlement' to avoid arrest,' the ATF warned. Scammers, often using phone numbers from Martinsburg, West Virginia, tell victims they must pay to 'clear a red flag.' Cybersecurity experts fear the scam tactics could evolve further, with the use of AI voice cloning or apps to impersonate officials even more convincingly. Variations of the scam are now appearing in nearly every state. The Chesapeake Police Department in Virginia reported scammers asking to borrow cell phones to transfer money or access private information. In Waterford, Michigan, police say callers use real officer names and ranks, demanding payment for missed jury appearances. In May 2025, Prince George's County Police arrested two suspects posing as Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agents. They collected tens of thousands of dollars from a victim by falsely claiming Apple accounts had been compromised. The suspects reportedly visited the victim's home twice to retrieve cash, illustrating how far scammers will go. These arrests followed a grand jury indictment charging conspiracy to commit theft and related offenses. Officials emphasize that while scam scripts change, the tactics remain the same: spoof trusted numbers and exploit panic to pressure victims into compliance. The New York State Police also issued alerts warning that calls threatening arrest unless victims provide Social Security numbers are fraudulent. They reminded the public that legitimate law enforcement will never make such demands by phone. Some scams have shifted to text-based 'smishing.' In June, the FBI warned iPhone users about fake DMV texts demanding payment for alleged traffic violations. Reports of smishing attacks surged 773 percent, according to cybersecurity firm Guardio. Globally, Google's Global Anti-Scam Alliance reports scammers stole over $1 trillion in the past year. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission noted a 25 percent year-over-year rise in fraud-related financial losses as of March 2025. Experts warn this may be just the beginning. Cybersecurity researchers caution these scams will likely evolve further, potentially using AI voice cloning and malicious apps to impersonate officials with even greater sophistication. There is also concern criminals could soon target smartphone voice assistants, cameras, or microphones, though no direct evidence of such attacks has emerged. Officials say victims not only lose thousands of dollars but are left anxious, shaken, and hesitant to trust legitimate law enforcement contacts. Experts call for advanced anti-spoofing tools at the telecom level and say scam education should be a core part of national cybersecurity efforts. For now, law enforcement advice remains simple and clear: 'If someone calls claiming to be an agent and demands money, hang up. Don't explain. Don't engage. Just hang up,' the FTC said.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Why passkeys are the next frontier in digital security
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The traditional password that generations of computer users have come to love and hate may soon be replaced by something called a "passkey." You've likely even been prompted to create one already. While many people may not know just how easy it is to start experimenting with this new creation, there are still hurdles that must be cleared before adoption becomes widespread. Since most individuals have made at least one of several password security errors — like using the same phrase across multiple sites — there has been a rise of hacking, identity theft, scams and major data breaches. The problem is so pervasive that passwords themselves might be on the outs as a viable pillar of online security. "Passkeys" are one prominent alternative gaining popularity as a way to make our online information systems more secure. Passkeys are "generated codes" that are "stored on your device or in your password manager" and allow you to "log in to websites and apps using your fingerprint, face recognition or a PIN," said Wired. Their creators claim that they are unhackable, and they are "widely considered to be more secure" than your existing password system. When you make a passkey, you are creating a "pair of cryptography keys generated by your device" that communicate with one another via a "biometric identification tool, such as FaceID or TouchID, to authenticate your identity," said PC Mag. When did computer passwords become a thing? 5 password habits that put you at risk Data breaches increased in 2023 and with them, internet security concerns The good news is that "passkeys are very simple to use," said Dashlane, and you can create them for many accounts, including Google, Amazon, Apple and more "in just a few quick steps." After creating one, "you just approve login attempts with a PIN or biometrics," said PCWorld. For example, to create a passkey on Google you just log in to your account, open the passkeys manager, enter your password and create a passkey. They are the "way of the future for Google account verification" and doing so is "simple to do and highly secure," said ZDNET. All you need is a "mobile device or a laptop/desktop with biometrics (such as a fingerprint scanner)." And if you're already using a password management system like Bitwarden or 1Password, they can also store your passkeys. Passkeys are a "password-killing tech," said Wired, and improvements to the underlying technology are "pushing passkeys toward a tipping point." Still, one problem is that there are "definitely things that unnecessarily confuse and complicate the use of passkeys, " said Ars Technica, including the reality that "syncing across different platforms is much harder than it should be." That is a potentially devastating problem because less tech-savvy users are likely to give up on the new technology if they encounter any significant obstacles. Critics also note that "passkey implementations to date lock users into the platform they created the credential on." But developers are hard at work trying out ideas to make the process of moving to passkeys more seamless for most users. Perhaps the most important development underway is a Credential Exchange Protocol that will "make passkeys portable between digital ecosystems" and avoid "user lock-in" to any individual password management service, said Wired. Adoption of this new technology is still slow. Even though three-quarters of respondents in the U.S., U.K., China, Japan and South Korea have heard the term, fewer than a third have actually created one. Moving to passkeys also "assumes that the user has exclusive, private access to an account or device," which may not be realistic in households where family members share both, said the National Cyber Security Centre. Because of these limitations, "it's too soon to switch away from using passwords for all your online security," said Consumer Reports, which recommends trying passkeys for some accounts while the technology continues to mature.
CTV News
02-07-2025
- CTV News
Waterloo Regional Police charge three people in ongoing fraud investigation
A man holds a phone and a banking card in this undated stock image. (Mikhail Nilov/ Three people from Kitchener are facing fraud charges as part of an ongoing Waterloo Regional Police Service investigation. Investigators said an unknown suspect or suspects contacted people between May 8 and June 20 and claimed to work for Bell Canada. The suspect was able to obtain personal information from their unsuspecting victims and that information was used to buy $100,000 worth of new cell phones, which were delivered to a Kitchener address. On June 24, Bell Canada told the Waterloo Regional Police Service about the fraud and an investigation was launched. Six days later, two search warrants were completed at homes in Kitchener. Officers seized more than $40,000 of fraudulently obtained property and three people were arrested. A 37-year-old man, a 26-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman were charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of stolen property over $5,000.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Yahoo
The USPS warns Americans of new ‘brushing' scam, says to treat personal info 'like cash' — here's what to know
If a mystery package shows up on your doorstep, don't assume it's a lucky break. It could mean your personal information has been exposed. The U.S. Postal Service is warning Americans about a fast-growing scheme known as a 'brushing' scam. It may look like a harmless delivery, like a keychain, some socks, a random kitchen gadget, but it's often a red flag that cybercriminals have gotten hold of your name and address. Worse, experts say these schemes can be just the beginning of a broader attempt to exploit your identity or financial accounts. Here's how the scam works, what it means for your data and what to do if you've been targeted. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Brushing scams involve unsolicited deliveries from third-party online sellers looking to boost their product ratings and visibility. These sellers send cheap, low-value items to real names and addresses, then leave fake 'verified' reviews, often posing as the recipient. 'These scams occur when a customer receives unsolicited packages containing low-cost items like household goods,' U.S. Postal Inspector Kelly McNulty told KOB 4 News in Albuquerque. 'These packages are often sent by online retailers or third parties who use compromised personal information to create fake transactions.' In other words: if you get a package you didn't order, someone may already have your data, and they're using it for profit. At first glance, a free item might not raise alarms. But it should. Brushing scams don't just manipulate e-commerce platforms. They suggest that your personal details, including your full name, phone number, home address and possibly even payment info, have been scraped, sold or stolen. That's information that can be used in identity theft, credit fraud, phishing scams or even attempts to bypass two-factor authentication. 'This is about more than just a package,' McNulty warned. 'Treat your personal information like cash.' The brushing scam warning comes as part of a broader initiative by the USPS called 'Project Safe Delivery,' launched in 2023 to combat mail-related crime. Since its rollout, the program has led to 2,800 arrests, including over 1,200 this year alone, tied to mail theft and attacks on postal workers. Now, the USPS is working to raise awareness about fraud tactics targeting consumers directly, especially as scams become more personalized and harder to detect. Read more: You don't have to be a millionaire to gain access to . In fact, you can get started with as little as $10 — here's how If you receive a mystery box in the mail, don't panic, but do take action. Here's what the Postal Service and cybersecurity experts recommend: Report it: Go to and file a report with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Reporting these scams helps federal investigators trace the origin and stop future incidents. Audit your accounts: Check your online shopping, banking and credit card accounts for any unusual charges. It's also smart to request a free credit report from Equifax, Experian or TransUnion to spot any suspicious activity. Update your passwords: Even if you don't see fraud, it's a good idea to change your passwords, especially for your email, Amazon, bank and any accounts where financial or personal data is stored. Use a password manager: Password managers generate and store complex, unique passwords for every account, making it harder for hackers to break in if your data has already been exposed. Don't engage: You are not obligated to return or review the item. In fact, doing so may validate your address to scammers and lead to more unwanted deliveries. Most importantly, don't scan any QR codes on the package. These codes can lead to malicious websites that steal personal data, install malware or phish for sensitive information, postal workers say. While brushing scams are grabbing attention, USPS is also flagging another fraud risk: counterfeit postage. 'If you see large discounts on stamps, like 40 to 50% off, it's probably too good to be true,' McNulty said. These fakes often pop up on social media or discount sites and can result in your mail being rejected or you facing penalties. To stay safe, always buy stamps directly from USPS or licensed retailers. Scams like brushing or counterfeit postage don't just waste your time, they can open the door to financial and identity theft. So, if something feels off, a strange delivery, a fishy discount, or a request for personal info, don't ignore it. Protect yourself by treating your personal data the same way you'd treat your debit card or Social Security number: carefully, and with skepticism. As McNulty puts it: 'Think before you send it.' This tiny hot Costco item has skyrocketed 74% in price in under 2 years — but now the retail giant is restricting purchases. Here's how to buy the coveted asset in bulk Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
