New Twists In Phone And Email Fraud

Added on: 27/08/2024 In a recent update, local police have issued a fresh warning about evolving phone and email scams that have been targeting residents with alarming frequency. As scammers become more sophisticated in their methods, it’s crucial for the public to stay informed and vigilant to avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes.

The Latest Scams

According to the police advisory, scammers are now employing new tactics that combine elements of both phone and email fraud, making their operations more deceptive and harder to detect. These scams often begin with an unsolicited phone call or email, where the scammer poses as a trusted authority figure—such as a government official, bank representative, or even a law enforcement officer.

In one common scenario, the victim receives a phone call from someone claiming to be from a government agency, such as the IRS or Social Security Administration. The caller may assert that there is an urgent legal issue, such as unpaid taxes or a problem with the victim’s Social Security benefits, and that immediate action is required to avoid severe consequences. To add legitimacy, the scammer might spoof the caller ID to display a government agency’s number or use an official-sounding email address.

In some cases, these phone calls are followed up by an email, ostensibly from the same agency or representative. The email often contains official-looking logos and language, further convincing the victim that the threat is real. The email may also include links or attachments that the victim is urged to click on, which can lead to phishing websites designed to steal personal information, or download malware onto the victim’s computer.

Scammers Targeting Financial Information

A particularly worrying trend is the scammers’ increasing focus on extracting financial information from their victims. In many cases, the scammer will demand immediate payment to resolve the supposed issue, often through non-traditional means such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. They might also instruct the victim to provide sensitive financial details, such as bank account numbers or credit card information, under the guise of verifying their identity.

Another twist involves scammers posing as representatives from the victim’s bank. They may claim that the victim’s account has been compromised and that they need to confirm personal details or transfer funds to a “safe” account. This type of scam not only risks immediate financial loss but also provides scammers with the necessary information to commit further fraud, such as identity theft.

How Sentrya Can Protect

In light of these increasingly sophisticated scams, it’s essential to take proactive steps to protect your personal information and online accounts. Sentrya offers a valuable solution for personal Gmail users by providing advanced security features designed to safeguard against phishing attempts, unauthorised access, and other online threats. By utilizing Sentrya, you can add an extra layer of protection to your email account, preventing scammers from gaining access to sensitive information or exploiting your email for further fraudulent activities.

Sentrya’s real-time monitoring and threat detection features are particularly effective in identifying and blocking malicious emails before they reach the inbox, allowing you to stay one step ahead of scammers. With Sentrya, you can secure your personal information and reduce the risk of becoming victim of these sophisticated fraud schemes.

Police Recommendations for Staying Safe

To combat these increasingly sophisticated scams, police are urging residents to take several precautions:

1. Verify the Source: Always verify the authenticity of any unsolicited phone calls or emails before taking action. If someone claims to be from a government agency, hang up and contact the agency directly using an official phone number or website.

2. Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited request, whether by phone or email. Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information in this manner.

3. Beware of Payment Demands: Be wary of any demand for immediate payment, especially if it involves unconventional methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. These are red flags of a scam.

4. Look for Signs of Phishing: Be cautious of emails that contain generic greetings, misspellings, or suspicious links and attachments. Hover over links to see where they actually lead before clicking on them.

5. Report Suspicious Activity: If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it to local law enforcement and the appropriate federal agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This can help authorities track down the scammers and prevent others from being victimized.

The Importance of Community Awareness

The ongoing evolution of scam tactics underscores the importance of community awareness and education. By staying informed about the latest fraud schemes and knowing how to recognize the warning signs, residents can protect themselves and their loved ones from falling prey to these crimes.

The police continue to monitor these scams closely and are committed to providing updates as new threats emerge. In the meantime, they encourage everyone to remain vigilant and to share this information with friends and family, particularly those who may be more vulnerable to such tactics, such as the elderly.

As scammers refine their methods, it’s more important than ever to stay cautious and informed. By following the police’s advice, using tools like Sentrya to enhance personal security, and taking proactive steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of becoming victim of these increasingly sophisticated phone and email frauds.

Trump Administration Reverses Data Privacy Protections Exposing Americans to Increased Risks

In a significant policy reversal, the Trump administration has dismantled a Biden-era initiative aimed at limiting the sale of Americans’ personal data by data brokers. This move raises substantial concerns about consumer privacy and national security. <h2 class= "text-heading">Background: The Biden-Era Initiative</h2> Under President Biden, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed regulations to subject data brokers to oversight akin to credit bureaus. The goal was to protect consumers from the unregulated sale of sensitive personal information, which could be exploited for identity theft, scams, and even national security threats. <h2 class= "text-heading">The Reversal and Its Implications</h2> On May 14, 2025, the CFPB announced the withdrawal of the proposed regulations, stating that they no longer align with the bureau’s policy objectives. Consumer advocacy groups, such as Consumer Reports, have expressed alarm, warning that this decision leaves consumers vulnerable to scams and identity theft. The rollback also includes the withdrawal of proposals related to digital payment technologies and the prohibition of certain terms in consumer finance products. <h2 class= "text-heading">Risks to Consumer Privacy</h2> The unregulated sale of personal data poses several risks: • Identity Theft: Personal information can be used to impersonate individuals, leading to financial loss and reputational damage. • Scams and Phishing: Data brokers can sell information to malicious actors who craft targeted scams and phishing emails. • National Security Threats: Sensitive data about government officials and military personnel can be exploited by foreign adversaries for espionage. <h2 class= "text-heading">Sentrya: A Consumer-Focused Solution</h2> In light of these developments, consumers seeking to protect their personal information can turn to services like <a href= "https://sentrya.net" class= "content-link">Sentrya</a>. Sentrya offers tools to remove personal data from the web and data brokers, and to clear inboxes of scams and phishing emails. Designed specifically for individual consumers, Sentrya empowers users to take control of their digital privacy. The Trump administration’s decision to scrap proposed data privacy regulations underscores the importance of individual action in safeguarding personal information. While federal protections may be in flux, consumers can proactively protect themselves using services like <a href= "https://sentrya.net" class= "content-link">Sentrya</a> to mitigate the risks associated with data exposure. Read more

Your Airline Might Be Sharing Your Data with ICE: Here is What You Need to Know

Have you ever booked a flight thinking it was just between you, your airline, and your destination? You might want to think again. Recent reporting from Jacobin has exposed a chilling truth: airlines and travel companies are quietly sharing your personal travel data with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). And it’s happening without your consent, knowledge, or any real way to opt out. Let’s break down what’s going on—and what it means for you. <h2 class= "text-heading">Your Data Is Being Sold—Not Just Shared</h2> You probably don’t know what the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) is. That’s by design. ARC is a behind-the-scenes player that processes flight bookings between travel agencies (think Expedia, Priceline, or even a local agency) and over 200 airlines. That includes the biggest names: Delta, American, United, JetBlue, and more. When you book a ticket, your itinerary, payment information, and travel history don’t just stay with the airline. They flow into ARC’s massive system. And from there? That data is being sold directly to ICE, as part of something called the “Travel Intelligence Program.” Yes, sold. This isn’t a targeted subpoena for a specific criminal investigation. This is bulk data sharing—ICE getting access to your travel habits, international flights, layovers, and even payment methods, all neatly packaged. Whether you’re a citizen, a visa holder, or just someone trying to visit family, that data can land in a government file, without your knowledge. <h2 class= "text-heading">Why This Should Deeply Worry You</h2> This isn’t just about immigration enforcement. This is about your right to privacy—and how it’s being traded away. 1. You never consented to this. When you hit “purchase” on that ticket, did you get a notice saying your personal information might be sold to a federal law enforcement agency? Of course not. 2. You have no control over where your data goes. Even if you use third-party travel sites, ARC is the middleman. And ARC is owned by the very airlines you’re booking with—so they’re profiting off your data in multiple ways. 3. You could be flagged for future surveillance without doing anything wrong. Maybe you fly often to a country ICE is scrutinising. Maybe you paid for a ticket for someone else. Maybe you booked with cash. These perfectly legal activities can appear suspicious when viewed out of context by an algorithm or agency. <h2 class= "text-heading">Real People, Real Risks</h2> Imagine you’re visiting family abroad and come back to find you’ve been flagged for extra screening—no explanation, just delays and discomfort. Or ICE shows up at someone’s door based on flight data you unknowingly shared when you booked a ticket for them. These aren’t hypotheticals. This data is being used for real enforcement actions, with real consequences. And no, there’s no easy opt-out. <h2 class= "text-heading">What You Can Do to Protect Yourself</h2> Unfortunately, you can’t completely stop airlines from selling your data—at least, not yet. But you can take steps to limit your exposure: • Avoid big-name platforms when booking, or research which agencies work with ARC. Smaller, privacy-conscious travel services may reduce how much data is shared. • Pressure airlines and lawmakers to stop this. If enough consumers speak up, companies and legislators will take notice. <h2 class= "text-heading">This Isn’t Just a Policy Issue—It’s Personal</h2> You deserve to travel without fear that your movements are being logged, sold, and scrutinised by law enforcement. This isn’t about politics. It’s about privacy, consent, and basic digital rights. Next time you book a flight, take a moment to think about where your data is going—and who might be watching. Read more

19 Billion Passwords Leaked in 2025: What You Need to Know and How to Protect Yourself

In what cybersecurity experts are calling one of the largest password leaks in internet history, over 19 billion compromised credentials have surfaced in a massive data dump dubbed “RockYou2024.” This trove of exposed data is not from a single breach but a massive aggregation of credentials from more than 200 past incidents, spanning over a decade. First revealed by Forbes, this leak is now widely circulating on hacker forums and underground markets—posing a serious threat to personal and corporate cybersecurity. <h2 class="text-heading">What Is the RockYou2024 Password Leak?</h2> The RockYou2024 leak, analysed by cybersecurity researchers at Cybernews, is a 19-billion-entry compilation of previously stolen passwords, many of which are still actively used. The passwords are in plaintext format, which means hackers don’t need to decrypt anything—they can use them immediately. Key stats from the leak include: • 19,030,305,929 passwords compiled from global breaches • 94% of passwords are reused across multiple sites • Popular entries include “123456”, “password”, and “admin” • Most passwords are between 8–10 characters and lack complexity This dataset isn’t just big—it’s weaponisable, giving cybercriminals an enormous arsenal for launching attacks on personal, business, and government systems. <h2 class="text-heading">Why This Password Leak Is So Dangerous</h2> 1. Credential Stuffing Attacks Using automated tools, hackers test these passwords on thousands of sites. If you reuse passwords, they’ll likely gain access to your email, bank account, social profiles, or worse. 2. Phishing and Scams Once attackers have partial information, they can launch targeted phishing campaigns—often using fake emails, phone calls, or messages to extract more sensitive data. 3. Business Security Risks Employees using compromised credentials for workplace accounts can expose entire organisations to ransomware, data loss, or financial fraud. 4. Brute Force Optimisation This leak acts as fuel for brute force tools. Because the passwords are real and common, these tools become more efficient and successful. <h2 class="text-heading">How to Protect Yourself Right Now</h2> With 19 billion passwords out in the wild, now is the time to act. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your information: 1. Scan the Web for Your Exposed Data <a href= "https://sentrya.net" class="content-link">Sentrya</a> scans data broker networks and breach databases to identify where your personal data is exposed—and helps you remove it. This drastically reduces your risk of identity theft, targeted scams, and phishing attacks. • Remove personal data from the web • Block scam and phishing emails • Monitor the dark web for emerging threats tied to your identity You can protect yourself or your entire family with a few clicks at <a href= "https://sentrya.net" class="content-link">sentrya.net</a>. 2. Stop Reusing Passwords Still using the same password for multiple accounts? That’s how 94% of the passwords in this leak were exposed. Instead, use Sentrya’s <a href= "https://sentrya.net/generate-random-password" class="content-link">secure password generator</a> to instantly create: • Strong, randomised, unique passwords • Passwords up to 50 characters in length • Passphrases using complex symbols, upper/lowercase, and numbers It’s completely free and requires no signup: <a href= "https://sentrya.net/generate-random-password" class="content-link">Generate a password now</a> 3. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Even if a password is leaked, MFA provides an extra layer of protection. Use authenticator apps (like Google Authenticator or Authy) instead of SMS whenever possible. 4. Check If Your Accounts Are Affected Use breach alert services like: • <a href= "https://haveibeenpwned.com" class="content-link">Have I Been Pwned</a> • <a href= "https://cybernews.com/password-leak-check" class="content-link">Cybernews Password Checker</a> If any of your emails or passwords appear in those tools, update them immediately using Sentrya’s <a href= "https://sentrya.net/generate-random-password" class="content-link">password generator</a>. 5. Watch for Phishing and Scams After major leaks, phishing campaigns spike. Stay alert for: • Fake account recovery emails • Messages pretending to be from banks or tech companies • Unusual login alerts If in doubt, don’t click. Visit the service’s official website instead. The RockYou2024 password leak proves that password reuse is no longer just risky—it’s reckless. With more than 19 billion credentials circulating in the cybercriminal underground, every reused or weak password becomes a liability. Fortunately, with proactive tools like <a href= "https://sentrya.net" class="content-link">Sentrya</a>, you can reclaim control of your digital footprint: • Remove your personal info from data brokers • Block phishing scams • Generate ironclad passwords for every account The internet is more dangerous than ever—but with the right tools, you don’t have to be the next victim. Read more

LG Smart TVs Now Use Emotionally Intelligent Ads with Zenapse AI Technology

In a bold move shaping the future of connected TV advertising, LG Electronics has partnered with artificial intelligence company Zenapse to introduce emotionally intelligent advertising to its smart TVs. This AI-driven innovation uses advanced emotional analytics to deliver personalised ads based on viewers’ psychological and emotional profiles. <h2 class= "text-heading">What Is Emotionally Intelligent Advertising?</h2> Emotionally intelligent advertising is the next evolution in personalised marketing. Rather than just targeting users based on demographics, browsing behaviour, or viewing history, this method leverages emotion-based data to tailor content more precisely. At the center of this technology is Zenapse’s Large Emotion Model (LEM), a proprietary AI system that maps out psychological patterns and emotional states across various audiences. When integrated into LG’s Smart TV platform, this model works in tandem with the TVs’ first-party viewership data to identify how users feel while watching content—and delivers ads that resonate on a deeper level. <h2 class= "text-heading">How LG’s Smart TV AI Works with Zenapse</h2> LG’s smart TVs already employ Automatic Content Recognition (ACR), a tool that gathers data about the content viewers consume, including shows and apps accessed through external devices. This gives LG valuable insight into a household’s viewing preferences. By combining ACR data with Zenapse’s emotion-detection AI, advertisers can now deliver highly relevant, emotionally-tuned ad experiences that reflect the viewer’s mindset. For example: • A user showing patterns of stress may see wellness or mindfulness ads. • A family engaging in uplifting content might receive vacation or family-focused brand messages. This is far beyond traditional contextual advertising—it’s what experts are calling emotionally-aware targeting. <h2 class= "text-heading">Data Privacy and Ethical Considerations</h2> As with all AI-powered personalisation, privacy is a major concern. LG’s smart TVs collect data through ACR, and while users can opt out, this type of emotionally aware targeting requires even more granular behavioural data. Consumer advocacy groups warn that technologies which infer mental or emotional states could cross ethical boundaries if not regulated properly. Transparency, consent, and data control will be key for LG and Zenapse to maintain user trust. LG has stated that all data used is anonymised and consent-based, but the introduction of emotion-based ads will likely renew calls for updated privacy legislation in the smart home and streaming ecosystem. <h2 class= "text-heading">What’s Next for Smart TV Advertising?</h2> This partnership signals a major shift in how ads are delivered on smart TVs. With emotionally intelligent AI models now in play, we can expect: • More platforms to adopt emotion-based personalisation • Expanded use of machine learning for real-time emotional detection • Regulatory scrutiny over AI and mental-state inference For now, LG and Zenapse are pioneering a new frontier in AI-driven, emotion-aware media experiences—one that could redefine the relationship between brands and consumers in the living room. Read more

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