Archive
Every issue of The Digital Novice — scam alerts, fraud warnings, and plain-English guidance.
September 2, 2026
153 Million Driver's Licenses Stolen and Sold on the Dark Web
The FBI is investigating a major breach at idscan.net, a service that stored digital copies of driver's licenses for...
September 2, 2026
When AI Account Hijacking, Hidden Amazon Fees, and Healthcare Breaches Hit Home
Three separate incidents this month show why account security, pricing honesty, and data protection matter. You don't...
August 31, 2026
German News Site NIUS Exposed 6,000 Customer Records
In July 2025, the German news service NIUS suffered a data breach that exposed the personal information of about 6,000...
August 29, 2026
Why Fake Listings on Real Platforms Work So Well
Scammers have learned something worth knowing: they don't need to build their own website anymore. They can create a...
August 28, 2026
Chrome Has 327 Security Holes—Update Now
Google released an emergency security update for Chrome this week that patches 327 vulnerabilities. Some of these holes...
August 27, 2026
Job Interview Apps and Fake Employer Profiles: What Job Seekers Need to Know
Scammers are now targeting people actively looking for work. They pose as employers on Indeed and other job sites, then...
August 26, 2026
Fake Login Pages and Game Demo Sites: How Scammers Use What You Want
Scammers are getting better at copying the things you already trust. They create fake login pages that look exactly...
August 26, 2026
Why the Same Download Looks Safe But Isn't
A lot of what keeps you safe online depends on small signals you've learned to trust. A padlock next to a web address....
August 23, 2026
Expired Credit Cards Still Work: Here's Why
Researchers at Malwarebytes Labs uncovered a serious vulnerability in how Visa processes card payments. Scammers can...
August 19, 2026
Why Fake Reward Sites Work (And What Makes Them Hard to Spot)
Fake reward pages are everywhere right now. TikTok-branded sites promise cash for watching videos or completing tasks....
August 18, 2026
WhatsApp and Apple Add New Protections Against Scams and Spyware
Two major technology companies just rolled out new safety features designed to catch threats before they harm you....
August 16, 2026
Android Banking Malware, Zoom Security Flaws, Grubhub Refunds
Three security stories this week: a new Android malware targeting your bank card, critical vulnerabilities in Zoom, and...
August 15, 2026
How Fake Software Sites Steal Your Passwords
When you need to clean up your computer, you search for a trusted tool like CCleaner. You find what looks like the real...
August 11, 2026
AI Bots Catfish Gamers, Brinks Home Breach Exposes 732,000 Customers
Two separate incidents this week remind us that scammers keep finding new angles to reach people where they already...
August 6, 2026
Scammers Impersonate Amazon and Apple With Fake Charge Alerts
A new scam is flooding inboxes and text messages right now. Criminals are sending fake alerts that look like they're...
August 5, 2026
Hotel Wi-Fi Trap Steals Traveler Data, Passkey Weakness Discovered
Two new threats are affecting travelers and account security this month. Neither requires panic, but both deserve your...
August 4, 2026
How These Three Scams Use What You're Already Looking For
Scammers have learned something simple but effective: you're more likely to click on something that looks exactly like...
August 1, 2026
Fake Fortnite Reward Sites Are Stealing Player Accounts
Scammers have created bogus websites promising free V-Bucks (Fortnite's in-game currency) and account upgrades. When...
July 31, 2026
Three Quick Questions About Trojans, Streaming Sticks, and Telehealth Privacy
This week brings three separate stories about how software can work against you—even when it looks legitimate. Here's...
July 23, 2026
Chick-fil-A Loyalty Accounts Are Being Hijacked—Here's What to Do
Scammers are breaking into Chick-fil-A One loyalty accounts right now using passwords stolen from other data breaches....
July 22, 2026
Student Loan Scammer Banned, Paidwork Breach Hits Millions, and Mac Users Face New Lock Threat
This month brought enforcement action against a major student loan con artist, a significant data breach at a gig work...
July 21, 2026
How Scammers Impersonate the FBI—and What to Do If You Get Contacted
The FBI recently warned that scammers are sending direct messages on social media, pretending to be FBI agents. They're...
July 21, 2026
What to Do If You Own a Shark Robot Vacuum
A security flaw was discovered in Shark robot vacuums that could let a hacker access your home cameras, maps of your...
July 16, 2026
How Companies Use Health Claims and Fake Reviews to Pressure You Into Giving Up Data
Two recent cases show us a pattern worth understanding. Companies make big promises about health, use fake customer...
July 14, 2026
Fake Crypto Gift Card Sites Now Look Almost Real
Scammers have gotten better at copying legitimate cryptocurrency gift card websites. The fake sites look so similar to...
July 11, 2026
GigaWiper Malware Can Erase Your Files—Here's What to Watch For
A new piece of malware called GigaWiper has emerged that can infect Windows computers, spy on your activity, and...
July 9, 2026
Meta's New AI Tool Turns Your Photos Into Images Without Permission
Meta just launched a new feature called Muse that generates AI images of you—using your public Instagram profile—and...
July 8, 2026
Account theft on Reddit and Discord, fake job offers, and AI flower scams
Scammers are using social platforms, trusted company names, and artificial intelligence to steal account access,...
July 7, 2026
How Scammers Target Military Families — and What to Watch For
Servicemembers and veterans have something scammers want: steady income, government benefits, and a lifetime of...
July 7, 2026
How to Spot Pet Scams Before They Cost You Money
Pet lovers are being targeted by scammers who know exactly which buttons to push. They pose as veterinarians with...
July 7, 2026
Four Major Companies Settle with FTC and Face Data Breaches This Month
July brought enforcement actions against deceptive business practices and a wave of data breaches affecting millions of...
July 7, 2026
Travel App Hopper Caught Charging Without Permission—Plus Three Major Data Breaches This Month
If you use travel apps or donate to religious organizations, this month brought some important news about who has your...
July 7, 2026
When Your Data Gets Stolen: What Actually Happens Next
If you've ever wondered what "your data was breached" actually means, you're not alone. This month, hackers hit several...
June 25, 2026
June Data Breaches Hit Retailers and Sports Organizations
June brought a cluster of significant data exposures affecting millions of people. Here's what happened, and what you...
June 24, 2026
What to Do if Your Retailer Gets Breached — and How to Spot a Fake Subscription Trap
June brought a wave of data breaches at major retailers, along with a reminder that fake subscriptions are still one of...
June 21, 2026
Imposter Scams Cost Americans $3.5 Billion Last Year—Here's What You Need to Know
The FTC just released its fraud report for 2025, and one pattern stands out above the rest: imposter scams. People lost...
June 7, 2026
FTC Cracks Down on Mortgage and Tax Scams Targeting Florida Homeowners
The Federal Trade Commission has filed multiple lawsuits against scammers who prey on homeowners and taxpayers facing...
June 2, 2026
The FTC Wins Big: Four Major Settlements Protect Consumers
When companies break the rules, the Federal Trade Commission holds them accountable. This month, regulators secured...
May 31, 2026
When Big Companies Get Caught Deceiving You
The Federal Trade Commission has been active lately. In the last few weeks, they've fined or forced settlements from...
May 28, 2026
Four Security Flaws Need Your Attention This Week
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) just flagged four separate security problems that are...
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