Latest news with #Guardio
Forbes
a day ago
- Forbes
99 Dangerous TikTok Accounts You Must Not Follow
Do not become a TikTok victim. While most TikTok warnings focus on the perceived threat from its ownership and whether or not U.S. data is openly or secretly transmitted to China, there are other threats for its vast user base as well — these are very real and happening now. The team at Guardio has just warned that 'there's an ongoing scam on TikTok involving dozens of accounts that post emotional videos that link to websites that either collect donations (usually claiming to support animals) or sell products.' The videos (1,2) 'are highly manipulative and some have millions of views and hundreds of comments.' The products are as you'd expect, 'cow slippers, dog lamps, and more.' The researchers say these videos 'often ask viewers to 'watch for 9 seconds to help the cause' and are designed to tug at your emotions to encourage donations or purchases.' But it's all fake. 'Some likely use AI or deepfakes, while others use videos stolen from real accounts without consent.' And as is the tendency with TikTok, it's spreading like wildfire as 'new fake accounts keep appearing on the platform.' Unsurprisingly, Guardio warns that 'if you donate through these scam sites, your money won't reach any animal shelter. And if you buy something, you might receive it — but it's usually a cheap product, not the handmade item the video promised.' The warning for TikTok users is not to watch these videos as they're misleading fakes, but also more critically never to click on any links or buy any products or provide any information if asked. And even more simply — do not follow any of these accounts. These accounts also rely on casual shares and likes, spreading their dangerous viral content — do not do that either. You would be sending malicious links to your own followers, putting even more money into these scammers' pockets. Scam website preying on TikTok users While new accounts are being set up continually, below is the latest list from Guardio on those you should avoid. If you have any doubts, check the list: 1. @cozymoos 2. @injesusname7777 3. @customlovebricks 4. @milkstep5 5. @ 6. @ 7. @ 8. @thethronelight 9. @meow_slipps 10. @wonderglowlamps 11. @ 12. @happypowcollection1 13. @ 14. @maybleandclyde 15. @robersfarm7 16. @saddleslips 17. @ 18. @ 19. @mooberryslips 20. @ 21. @whiskerloafers 22. @potterbirkins 23. @cappyslippers 24. @cuddlecowslippers 25. @@purrpawshub 26. @ 27. @myfluffislippers 28. @myfluffislippers 29. @purrslippers 30. @Catslides 31. @catslidess 32. @plushpuff_ 33. @ 34. @faithrugs 35. @fluffislippersshop 36. @kittenkickss 37. @eternalembracelove 38. @pawzyco 39. @mooluxe_slippers 40. @fuzzyflips 41. @theholyblankets42. @ 43. @themooluxe 44. @davidsslippershop 45. @davidsslippersco 46. @fluffislippers2 47. @catslides2 48. @catslidesus 49. @plushypods 50. @kittykicksofficial 51. @flappybirdtoy 52. @flappyybirdyy 53. @ 54. @pawpawslippers 55. @ 56. @meowpaws_1 57. @mymeowslides 58. @pawsywawsi 59. @meowandvibes 60. @ 61. @ 62. @ 63. @cowslideslips 64. @ellyslides 65. @purrfits_ 66. @milkstep4 67. @shopdachslides 68. @purr_pads 69. @ 70. @moo_slips 71. @ 72. @meowwings_go 73. @shleepersco 74. @ 75. @pawmadeslippers 76. @moozyslipper 77. @zacapyslides 78. @pugfooty 79. @mymeowslides 80. @ 81. @doggydwellers 82. @fluffypaws327 83. @cuddlecowslipper 84. @moozies2 85. @swiftyslips86. @ 87. @ 88. @themoooves_ 89. @farmslippers_official 90. @mooluxe_slippers8 91. @ 92. @littledaisyslips 93. @stitch_timeofmygrandpa 94. @ 95. @papamooslippers 96. @snuggslipsrescue 97. @capybarakicks 98. @ 99. @shoppetwear
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
FBI Tells iPhone Users 1 Text Message to Delete Immediately
The FBI has issued a new warning for iPhone users regarding a text-message scam that has been bombarding users lately. According to Forbes, messaging attacks on iPhone and Android are up more than 700% this month. One malicious text that has been making the rounds involves bad actors posing as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and demanding money for unpaid tolls or fines at the threat of possible loss of license or jail time. These DMV texts are more dangerous than the previous unpaid toll messages that have been popping up on people's phones for more than year, according to Guardio. 'These scam texts lead to phishing websites designed to steal people's credit card information and make unauthorized charges," Guardio told Forbes. Last week, WREG reported that the FBI is investigating the scheme. FBI Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer told WREG that the DMV messages are a "copycat" of the toll scam. 'It costs next to nothing for them to use these algorithms to send these messages and calls out, but in return, they can achieve getting your personal information, putting malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information,' Palmer said. Palmer added that upon receiving one of the texts, he immediately picked up upon wording clues that gave away that it was a con. 'A couple of things that I noticed immediately, on it, is the text message I received said it was from the North Tennessee Department of Motor Vehicles. So you know, obviously, there is no north or south Tennessee, a red flag immediately and also looking at the sender, the message I received was from email address @ obviously that is not a government address,' Palmer said. The FBI added that real government agencies will not contact you in this manner. The organization also advises any users to not click on links they receive in text messages from unknown sources and to delete the texts "immediately." This crop of DMV scam messages have been reported around the country, including Tennessee, Arizona, New York, Minnesota, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, and Washington D.C. FBI Tells iPhone Users 1 Text Message to Delete Immediately first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 16, 2025
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Time of India
FBI warns Android and iPhone users to delete these text messages immediately
Representative Image The FBI has warned Android and iPhone users to delete a specific type of dangerous text message immediately. The security agency noted that attacks related to these texts have surged by over 700% this month. These texts, identified as a threat originating directly from China, are targeting multiple cities and states across the US. The FBI's confirmation follows alerts issued by various police forces nationwide. Previously, "unpaid toll texts" had been a common issue for American smartphone users for over a year, but this issue has seen a significant decline recently, a report claims. These new "DMV texts" have now replaced them and are considered "more threatening" by attackers, suggesting that they have improved their methods. How fake DMV text messages can 'trap' Android and iPhone users According to a report by Guardio, the company has been monitoring a concerning rise in scam activity and 'spotted a 773% surge in DMV scam texts during the first week of June,' with no indication that the trend is slowing. These scam messages redirect users to phishing websites 'designed to steal people's credit card information and make unauthorised charges.' Your Money Vanished? The Truth About Online Scams & How To Fight Back! by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo In a statement to Forbes, the FBI has now confirmed an investigation into the DMV scam. FBI Tennessee's Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer said that cybercriminals responsible for the unpaid toll scam have now 'pivoted to the DMV scam.' He confirmed that these criminal operations are based overseas and warned that the texts can 'put malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information.' Palmer also advised smartphone users that 'if you don't know who [a text] is from, don't click the link.' The domains used are intentionally misleading. As Guardio notes, 'scammers generate a new domain for almost every DMV text. The format is usually the name of a state followed by a generic domain. Sometimes they include '.gov' as part of the URL to make the website appear legitimate.' Cybersecurity firm Resecurity has also warned that the volume of scam texts is expected to rise significantly in the coming weeks and months. As per the company, 'just one threat actor can send up to 2,000,000 smishing messages daily,' potentially reaching 'up to 60,000,000 victims per month, or 720,000,000 per year — enough to target every person in the U.S. at least twice annually.'
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Yahoo
FBI issues urgent warning to 150M iPhone users: Delete this text as soon as you get it
The FBI is warning millions of Americans to be wary of an innocuous-seeming text message that's making the rounds — and to delete it immediately if they get it. (Surprise! It's a scam.) Americans have been bombarded with text scams for some time now, but according to Forbes, attacks on iPhone and Android users surged more than 700% this month alone. And the latest one's a doozy, the feds say. Here's how the scammers trap unsuspecting iPhone users in their web — by posing as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of different states. The messages look like they could be legit, telling people that if they don't pay an unpaid toll or fine, they might be subjected to having their driving privileges revoked or possible jail time. The text includes a link and instructs people to reply to the message then open the link. But officials warn that all of this is just someone trying to steal your personal data — and urged users not to click the link and rather immediately delete the text. These kinds of texts can 'put malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information,' FBI Tennessee's Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer said in a statement. Palmer also noted that, in general, if you get a link from an unknown number, you should exercise caution and not click on it. 'These scam texts lead to phishing websites designed to steal people's credit card information and make unauthorized charges,' a rep for Guardio, a tool that offers protection against malware, identity theft and phishing on your browser, told Forbes. New York State DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder added, 'These scammers flood phones with texts, hoping to trick unsuspecting people into handing over their personal information. DMV will never send texts asking for sensitive details.' Those who received one of these texts are being urged to file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. States reportedly affected by these text scams include Tennessee, New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Washington, DC.
New York Post
16-06-2025
- New York Post
FBI issues urgent warning to 150M iPhone users: Delete this text as soon as you get it
The FBI is warning millions of Americans to be wary of an innocuous-seeming text message that's making the rounds — and to delete it immediately if they get it. (Surprise! It's a scam.) Americans have been bombarded with text scams for some time now, but according to Forbes, attacks on iPhone and Android users surged more than 700% this month alone. And the latest one's a doozy, the feds say. Advertisement 3 One particular text scam has caught the attention of the FBI. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images Here's how the scammers trap unsuspecting iPhone users in their web — by posing as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of different states. The messages look like they could be legit, telling people that if they don't pay an unpaid toll or fine, they might be subjected to having their driving privileges revoked or possible jail time. Advertisement The text includes a link and instructs people to reply to the message then open the link. But officials warn that all of this is just someone trying to steal your personal data — and urged users not to click the link and rather immediately delete the text. These kinds of texts can 'put malware on your phone, which then can go in and steal information from your device, or collect your payment information,' FBI Tennessee's Supervisory Special Agent David Palmer said in a statement. 3 The text includes a link and instructs people to reply to the message then open the link. via NYS DMV Advertisement Palmer also noted that in general, if you get a link from an unknown number, you should exercise caution and not click on it. 'These scam texts lead to phishing websites designed to steal people's credit card information and make unauthorized charges,' a rep for Guardio, a tool that offers protection against malware, identity theft, and phishing on your browser, told Forbes. New York State DMV Commissioner Mark J. F. Schroeder added, 'These scammers flood phones with texts, hoping to trick unsuspecting people into handing over their personal information. DMV will never send texts asking for sensitive details.' 3 People across the country are getting scam text messages from people posing as the DMV. Getty Images Advertisement Those who received one of these texts are being urged to file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. States reportedly affected by these text scams include include Tennessee, New York, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, and Washington DC.
