It’s not just hackers and scammers … though, yeah, they are there. Let’s take a closer look.
This crime shot up 400% – watch out
To keep you and your money safe, I make it a point to always let you know about the spreading scams, from crypto catfishing to AI deepfakes. I bet you’re going to be surprised by this news: The crime that shot up 400% last year is old-school check fraud.
It’s not high-tech, but it is highly effective. In 2023, check scammers stole $26.2 billion from Americans like you and me, right out of our mailboxes.
How crooks write themselves a blank check
Scammers coordinate in private groups on Telegram, Facebook or TikTok to share tips and sell tools that make it easy for scams to spread. One of their tricks? Buying universal keys that can open any USPS drop box or snapping up books of blank checks from the Dark Web.
But plenty of crooks just swipe checks right from your mailbox. Then, they use simple household chemicals like acetone to dissolve the ink and write themselves (or their alias) some spending money.
Fraudsters deposit their haul at an ATM or right from their couch through a banking app, then they withdraw the cash in chunks so it doesn’t trigger alerts. Before you or your bank know it, they’re on their way to the casino, buying designer goods or investing in real estate — you name it.
What are banks doing about it?
Banks are cracking down on fraud with stricter deposit policies and extended hold times on deposits. So, if you’ve noticed your funds aren’t clearing as fast as they used to, it’s because banks are taking extra time to verify deposits for potential fraud.
A recent viral TikTok glitch exploited J.P. Morgan’s instant access feature for deposits from bad checks. Scammers flooded in, and many ended up being sued — proof crime doesn’t pay.
5 ways to protect yourself and your money
- Use a USPS-approved locking mailbox. This one ($99, 9% off) has an extra layer of security that keeps casual thieves from easily grabbing your mail.
- Set up notifications for suspicious activity. Check your bank account regularly for anything unusual. I have alerts set up for withdrawals over a certain dollar amount, as well as fraud alerts.
- Skip the mailbox. For recurring bills or one-time payments, apps like Zelle, Venmo or PayPal, or even ACH transfers, are secure and eliminate the risk of stolen checks. If you really need to send something sensitive, like birthday money, drop it off inside a post office instead of using an outdoor mailbox.
- Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery. This free service lets you see and track your incoming mail online, so you’ll know if something goes missing before it arrives (or doesn’t).
- Only use fraud-resistant pens. My favorite low-tech solution is to write checks with a pen specifically designed to prevent ink from being altered. This 4-pack is my go-to ($7.06, 50% off).
If any of your checks go missing or you suspect fraud, file a report immediately — not just with your bank, but also with USPS and your local police department. Be sure to ask for a case number so you can track the progress of your claim.
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Bad news: Here's how much your social media logins cost on the Dark Web
What if I told you for just $12, someone could buy your Instagram login. They could read all your messages, look through everything you’ve “liked” and even post as you.
Whizcase gathered prices from Dark Web marketplaces to see how much your online identity is worth, and it’s grim.
Peeping Tom caught in the act
Target shoppers saw him slip a phone under a woman’s dress (ew). Plus, get updates on the TikTok ban, dark web blackmail, and a major ground beef recall. We also talk with popular YouTuber Kitboga about taking on scammers by wasting their time.
Sea ya later: Royal Caribbean is facing a class-action lawsuit after nearly 1,000 passengers were filmed secretly in a bathroom. It happened this past February on the Symphony of the Seas. This sicko uploaded images to the Dark Web and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. I hope he drops the soap.
69,370 bitcoins
Headed for the U.S. Treasury. It’s the stolen proceeds from the Dark Web drug marketplace Silk Road, valued at $4.6 billion at current prices. It took four years for the government to establish ownership. Crazy twist: The agent who secured the money is sitting in jail.
Do this with your router before selling it or throwing it away
You know to wipe your devices before tossing them or giving them away. Your phone and computer contain lots of data that can be used against you. But what if you don’t have a chance to reset them? Here’s how to remotely wipe the data from your phone and computer.
90% of workers
Use their company-issued laptops for non-work surfing. That includes (brace yourself) viewing adult content, gambling, accessing the Dark Web and streaming sports illegally. Beyond the fact your IT gal or guy sees everything you do on a work machine, it’s a major security risk. Don’t be that person.
⚠️ 2.9 billion records leaked: Background-check company National Public Data may be responsible for one of the biggest data breaches in history. A lawsuit claims their negligence exposed 2.9 billion Social Security numbers, full names, addresses and so much more on the Dark Web. We all need to freeze our credit. Steps here.
You, on the dark web: Google’s dark web report service will soon be free for anyone with a Google account. On the Results about you page, you’ll see any personal info that may have been stolen or found in a data breach. Look for it later this month.
“Needless Markup” hacked: Hackers stole info from at least 64,472 Neiman Marcus customers and employees, including names, contact details and birth dates. The data is for sale on the dark web for $150,000.
Scammers’ newest trick: They’ve racked up a whopping 850,000 fake orders across 10,000 sketchy retail websites, and they’re using PayPal and Stripe for payments. The twist: They don’t charge you for the phony order. Instead, they capture your credit card info to sell it on the dark web. These are probably the crappy bogus products hawked on social media feeds. Don’t fall for ‘em.
Everything but your autograph: Ticketmaster was hacked, with cyber thieves snagging 500 million customer details. That includes names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, financial details and full order histories, now up for sale on a sketchy dark web forum for a cool $500,000. Get ready for a spam influx, and be extra cautious of what links you click from an email or text.
$100 million
In narcotics trafficked on the dark web by a 23-year-old. Authorities finally bagged the Taiwanese kingpin, Rui-Siang Lin. Over four years, he sold up to $5 million in illegal drugs every month on his site, Incognito Market. For reference, the guy who created the Silk Road was 29 when the feds caught him. He’s serving two lifetimes in prison.
Dead man walking: On the dark web, Incognito Market sold illegal drugs, firearms and more. Its owner said everything was anonymous. Nope. He closed it down and is threatening to hand over all buyers’ and sellers’ names to law enforcement — unless they pay him a ransom. His biggest customers? Drug cartels.
What's really on the dark web?
It’s one place online you’ve heard about, but probably never crossed into. Here’s the scoop.
What to do if your credit card is on the dark web
Not sure of the steps to take next? Hear these tips.
Gaza deepfake horror, Mac malware alert & IG small biz tricks
Plus, too much phone time could be bad for your marriage. Bad news: Here’s how much your social media logins cost on the Dark Web. Also, how selfies could be a health risk and what’s up with AI hallucinations.
Here's what your digital life is worth
What could your credentials fetch on the dark web? Here’s why they’re worth a lot.
Airbnb nightmare guest, deepfake Tom Hanks & retailers tracking you
Plus, caller Debra is in trouble: following an affair, her husband hired someone from the dark web to find nude pics of her — now he’s plotting revenge. I offer her guidance. Also, how Peeping Toms are using smartphones, and the scoop on last week’s emergency alert test.