5 Tips from Kim Komando’s newsletter, October 5th newsletter, The Current. It’s free
Every crime has a setup. In five recent cases, scammers turned online breadcrumbs into jackpots. I want you to know how to make sure you’re not their next payday.
Your relationships
Scammers stalk grief like predators. A Pennsylvania widow was conned out of her entire life savings, over $200,000 plus her home, by a romance scammer she met on Facebook. A 63-year-old widower sold his condo and wired $80,000 to a “friend” who convinced him to invest in a sure crypto thing.
Pro tip: Don’t list “widowed” on dating or social apps. To criminals, it’s a dollar sign.
Your vacations
One woman proudly shared a pic of her cruise tickets on Facebook. Scammers used her booking code to hijack the account and cancel the trip to get the refund. She lost $15,000, a vacation and her family’s respect in one click.
Pro tip: Post vacation pics after the trip. Announcing you’re away makes you a target for hackers and burglars.
Your videos
AI deepfakes are a booming business. One TikTok user found her face and voice cloned to sell knockoff diet pills. Thieves raked in tens of thousands using her identity.
Pro tip: Set your videos to private or limit followers. The better the footage, the easier you are to clone.
Your sales
In South Carolina, a man listed a limited-edition PlayStation online. When he met the “buyer,” instead of cash, he got a gun in his face. The robber made off with the console plus his phone, watch and wallet for a $3,000+ haul.
Pro tip: Meet in a police station parking lot. If a buyer balks, they aren't legit.
Your miles
GPS walking, hiking and biking routes can be a jackpot for burglars. Secret Service agents accidentally exposed patrol patterns for the president and others on Strava. Home break-ins have been tied to thieves tracking when residents aren’t home.
Pro tip: Lock down your fitness app privacy settings. Hide the start and end points near your house.
Your relationships
Your vacations
Your videos
Your sales
Your miles
