[Ep. 29] Fake phone numbers on Google are scamming people right now

[Ep. 34] Is that Social Security email in your inbox real?

Candace almost clicked a button that would have handed scammers her Social Security number, bank credentials, and her entire identity. The email looked completely official, but one tiny detail didn't add up, and Candace paused just long enough to forward it to Kurt. In this episode, Kurt walks through the actual email Candace received, breaks down exactly why it almost worked, and gives you five specific things to check before you ever click another link from a government address. What You Will Learn This Episode: * Why fake SSA emails are so convincing and what makes them different from the real thing * The single red flag in Candace's email that exposed the whole scam * What actually happens to your device the moment you click that download button * How scammers use your answers on a fake form to call your bank and pretend to be you * Why you might not find out you've been scammed until weeks or months later * How to check any email address in five seconds to know if it's really from the government * The five steps Kurt uses to verify any official-looking email before taking action * What antivirus software can actually stop, even if you accidentally click Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to ⁠⁠https://cyberguy.com/podcast/⁠⁠ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

[Ep. 33] Is your insurance app tracking you right now?

Jan emailed Kurt with a question most of us have never thought to ask: why does her insurance app need her location, her health data, and her movement… all day, every day.  Turns out, modern insurance apps have quietly turned your phone into a surveillance device, using something called telematics to measure every mile you drive, every step you take, and how well you sleep at night. And in some cases, they're not just collecting that data, they're selling it. Kurt walks you through exactly what these apps are harvesting, why insurers want it, and three specific steps to keep your discount without handing over your entire digital life. What You Will Learn This Episode: * How insurance companies use your phone to silently track your driving, health, and daily routines without most people realizing it * Why tapping "allow" during a simple app setup may be the most expensive mistake you make this year * The difference between car insurer tracking apps and health insurer wellness apps and what each one can actually see * How a lawsuit revealed that one major insurance app sold 45 million Americans' driving data without their knowledge * How to change your iPhone or Android location settings right now to stop all-day background tracking * How to find and revoke the health data your insurance app is quietly pulling from Apple Health or Google Health Connect Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to https://cyberguy.com/podcast/ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

[Ep. 32] Jury Duty scam stole $10,000 from Arizona woman

What happens when you miss jury duty? Like most normal people, Gale had no idea. She had just finished up work on her 70th birthday when she discovered a voicemail from an unknown number.  The caller claimed to be an enforcement officer, informing her that if she didn’t pay the hefty $10,000 fine immediately, she was going to be in even bigger trouble.  Within hours, thousands of dollars were gone. But this story does not end there. Thanks to a new law in Arizona, Gale was able to recover her money and turn a devastating situation into a powerful lesson for others. In this episode we explore:  • How scammers can easily impersonate law enforcement • The psychological tactics used to pressure victims into acting quickly • Why cryptocurrency ATMs are a common tool in modern scams • The warning signs that indicate you’re being scammed • What to do immediately if you suspect a scam • How new legislation can help recover stolen funds • Steps you can take to protect yourself and your family Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to ⁠https://cyberguy.com/podcast/⁠ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

[Ep. 31] How facial recognition put an innocent grandmother behind bars

A 50-year-old grandmother in Tennessee was babysitting when US Marshals showed up at her door with guns drawn. The charge: bank fraud in Fargo, North Dakota, more than a thousand miles away, in a state she had never set foot in. The only evidence? A facial recognition match from Clearview AI, run against photos pulled from social media. Angela Lipps spent more than five months in jail before her defense attorney, Jay Greenwood, finally got somebody to listen. This is what happens when AI gets treated like proof instead of a clue. What You Will Learn in This Episode: - How a single facial recognition match landed an innocent grandmother in jail for over five months - Why the photos you've posted on social media may already be in a Clearview AI database - What detectives should have done before issuing an arrest warrant - How attorney Jay Greenwood proved Angela was a thousand miles away from the crime - What to say (and not say) if police ever come to your door for something you didn't do - How to remove your photos from facial recognition databases before this happens to you - Why this case is a warning for anyone who has ever shared a picture online - The simple piece of evidence that finally got Angela's case dismissed Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to https://cyberguy.com/podcast/ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.

[Ep. 30] SIM card swap scam: How hackers drain your bank account in minutes

Patricia lost service on her cell phone. The next morning, she was out thousands of dollars. In this episode, we break down a real-life example of how quick and vicious SIM-card swapping scandals can really be.  We walk through: * What SIM swap scams are and how they work * Warning signs to look out for * Why banks and carriers sometimes fail to stop fraud quickly * The timeline of how the money was stolen  * What to do immediately if you think you’re being hacked  * Practical steps to protect your accounts This episode is a must-listen for anyone who uses their phone for banking, social media, or authentication codes. Enjoying the show? Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe. Head over to ⁠https://cyberguy.com/podcast/⁠ [https://cyberguy.com/podcast/] to find the show on other platforms. Have a question for Kurt? Call 877-655-KURT and leave a voicemail.