This week, our hosts Dave Bittner , Joe Carrigan, and Maria Varmazis (also host of the T-Minus Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Listener Chad wrote in after hearing an episode to share that he received a suspicious call that sounded like a prison-related scam. Maria’s story is on a new Consumer Reports study revealing a surge in texting and messaging scams, with young adults hit hardest and major disparities in who loses money. Joe covers the story on YouTuber Tai Lopez — famous for his “here in my garage” videos — being charged by the SEC for running a $112 million Ponzi-like investment scheme. Dave’s got the story on a new Android trojan called Datzbro that targets seniors with AI-generated Facebook travel events, leading to device takeovers and financial fraud. Our catch of the day comes from listener Cameron, who shares an "urgent message from Union Bank."
Resources and links to stories:
- Consumer Reports study finds surge in texting and messaging scams
- SEC Says ‘Here in My Garage’ YouTuber Tai Lopez Ran a Ponzi Scheme
- New Android Trojan "Datzbro" Tricking Elderly with AI-Generated Facebook Travel Events
Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.