Scam-Proofing Your Life in 2025: Real Advice from Our IT Guy

by Stacy Dinucci Kitchell

Hi Everyone! We have worked with "Computer Dave" (from Indiana!) for 10+ years. He is not only a phenomenal computer tech (hardware & software-highly recommend him!), he stays on top of tech-related trends and writes some great articles. We recently received the one below and felt it was important to share with all of you -- not only for you, but family and friends (especially the elderly-a huge target demographic for scammers). Being aware is key to avoiding bad situations. Please stay safe and take care. 😊

- Stacy Dinucci Kitchell, License Partner, Broker/Owner

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Scam-Proofing Your Life in 2025: Real Advice from Our IT Guy

by Dave Arnold, July 18th, 2025

Stay safe:

I realize I have sent several of these “don’t get scammed news blasts” over the years, but the bad guys come up with new ways to rob you 100 ways a day. Please take a minute to read this and learn about the latest scams, as well as reminders of the old ones. To begin, remember DO NOT believe ANYTHING you see or hear these days. Thanks to AI, we now have flawless emails, fake screen takeovers, phone calls, text messages and even faked videos of loved ones that seem legitimate. They look and sound so real that I have almost been fooled. Keep in mind that your best friend or relative could unknowingly send you an email requesting help if they have been hacked. Do not believe correspondence from your family or loved ones without checking with them first. Your best defense is not to believe anything you see online or on the phone without verifying it, and never respond or try to “solve” the issue instantly. Take your time and have a clear head before proceeding.

New scams 2025:

Toll booth scams:

A text message appears on your phone and seems to be 100% legitimate. They ask you to pay an overdue toll booth charge or risk immediate jail time or huge fines. No state in this country will text you about payment (how did they get your cell number anyway?). A real charge will appear in your home mailbox, not through a text message.

AI scams:

Scammers are leveraging AI to generate realistic-sounding voice recordings, videos, and images, making scams more convincing. This includes deepfakes, where scammers use AI to create fake videos of trusted individuals endorsing fraudulent investments. AI is also used to develop hyper-realistic phishing emails and text messages, making them harder to detect. What to do? Verify, call, or text your friend or relative, and do not react or take any action until you are sure you are talking to them first.

Email scams:

These are rampant; I receive over 50 a day. These people are relentless. The USPS cannot deliver my package. Norton auto-renewal is changing my payment to $423.00. I receive scams from PayPal, eBay, Amazon, and 1,000 more, all of which email me with problems that involve me sending them money, calling a fake support number, or giving them passwords and credit card information. It never ends, and I, for one, never believe a single one of them. You can rule out 99% of them by checking the email address it came from. For instance, if Amazon requests that you update your credit card number, examine the email address they used to contact you. It is often something like “Amazon-verify@yahoo.com” when they use a free throw-away email, such as Yahoo, Gmail, or any other; there is nothing else to know, it is a fake. Here is an example: a spam email I received from “Lowe’s.” Look at the address it came from, not from support@lowes.com, but from “info@m.bygghemma.se” (SE at the end indicates it came from Sweden). Also, note that it does not end with “lowes.com”, so I know instantly it is a scam.

Imposter Scams:

Scammers often pose as trusted figures, such as government officials, bank employees, or even family members, to gain access to sensitive personal information or financial resources.

Bank impersonation scams involve fraudsters contacting you about purported security breaches and requesting sensitive information, such as passwords or one-time codes. If your bank calls you for any reason, hang up and then call them back. Use the phone number that is on the back of your credit or ATM card.

Romance scams:

These scams involve fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build relationships and then manipulating victims into sending money. Scammers may initially establish trust by sending gifts or expressing affection before requesting money. Always verify the person who is interested in you and reach out to them. Do a reverse image search. Insist on a video phone call. That gorgeous Florida woman in the photo could be a 55-year-old man from India deceiving you.

Cryptocurrency and Investment Scams:

With the rise in popularity of cryptocurrencies, scammers are creating fake investment opportunities and cryptocurrency giveaways. They may also target individuals with fake investment schemes and phishing attacks to steal cryptocurrency. Again, never trust and always verify. Ask about their SEC registration and verify it; unregistered investments are either outright lies or carry extreme risk.

https://www.investor.gov/

Tech Support Scams:

Scammers often use pop-up messages claiming your computer has a virus and then offer "help" by requesting remote access and installing malware. These scams may involve impersonating tech support from companies like Microsoft or Apple. If you get a pop-up on your browser claiming the PC has locked up and requesting you to call the number (a fake Microsoft number), just reboot the computer to clear the “fake” problem, or contact me.

Package tracking scams:

Scammers send fake texts about package deliveries, asking for payment of bogus fees. This is fake 100% of the time (how did they get your phone number anyway?) Just ignore them.

Employment scams:

From phony ads on job sites to fake recruitment pitches in your inbox or a cold call from a "recruiter". Never trust, but verify. Visit the company’s website and see if they’re hiring for that particular position, if the person actually works there, and if it’s a legitimate company. To verify a genuine employment offer, scrutinize the offer letter for inconsistencies, thoroughly research the company, and confirm the offer directly with the company using its official contact information. Pay close attention to the email address, company website, and any requests for upfront payments.

Gift card scams:

Gift card scams are fake 100% of the time. It is bogus if you get calls, texts, or emails asking you to buy and send gift card numbers. The IRS, the police, a sick friend… No matter who or what tells you a gift card will resolve the issue or help with your real or imagined problem, it is a scammer. Never buy a gift card for ANY REASON and give out the numbers over the phone, text, or email… NEVER.

https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/gift-card-scams

Debt collection scams:

These scams often involve AI-generated voices, pressure to pay immediately using suspicious methods, and attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers or banking details. Legitimate debt collectors are required to provide written validation of the debt, a step scammers often skip. Don’t act hastily and verify the debt by requesting written proof from them. Check your credit report; anything legit should be listed right there.

Lastly, never react fast:

Every scam is designed to scare you into acting instantly. If a scammer can scare you enough and insist on urgency, you can get brain fog and fall for things you would never do with a clear head. Therefore, there is NEVER a need to resolve the issue right now! Take your time, investigate (call me), and decide how to proceed on your timetable, not theirs.

Please report these scammers:

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/ (save this webpage)

Dave Arnold

622 S 11th St.

Vincennes, IN 47591

813-545-2391

Dave@DaveTechPC.com

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