Latest news with #SiphosethuFanti
New York Post
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Relentless' scammers are trying to rip off people by asking to use their pictures for fake ‘art project' — here's how
It's the art of the steal. The internet is flooded with inventive schemes, from AI-fueled romance scams to cybercriminals who pose as kidnapped loved ones to receive 'ransom' payments. Now, a woman is warning of a sneaky 'new scam' in which bad actors masquerade as artists so they can hijack people's personal information. 'Heads up guys, be careful,' warned TikTok user Jen — who goes by @jend961 — of the digital Trojan Horse. Advertisement She explained that she'd received a message from 'some girl' who asked if she could use one of the TikTok user's pictures for an 'art project' she was working on. 3 'She says, 'All I need from you is your full name and your email so my client can send over an e-check,'' Jen recalled. TikTok/jend961 Suspicious, Jen went to the sender's page to make sure the sender wasn't a scam artist. The profile surprisingly had 'tons of paintings and drawings,' which initially put her mind at ease. Advertisement 'I thought 'ok, maybe it is legit,'' recalled the recipient. 'So I wrote her back and I asked her what picture she was interested in. And she said my profile picture, and I said, 'Ok, that should be fine.'' Jen reportedly became further intrigued after the sender promised her a copy of the finished project, as well as a commission, per the clip. 3 Commenters also claimed they'd been targeted by the same scam. ARAMYAN – However, Jen realized something was awry when the woman requested some personal details. 'She says 'all I need from you is your full name and your email so my client can send over an e-check,'' she recalled. Advertisement Despite not asking for her bank info, Jen said she knew it was 'phishy,' and accused the woman of trying to pull the wool over her eyes. Her suspicions appeared to be confirmed when she checked the fraudster's profile again and saw that it had vanished. This wasn't an isolated incident, either. 'Today I got two more messages from different people asking the same thing,' Jen said. Advertisement The PSA created a stir among the TikTok commenters, who also claimed they'd been targeted by these wolves in artists' clothing. 'Same thing happened to me,' declared one viewer, while another wrote, 'I went through the exact same thing. These ppl are relentless.' 3 The sender claimed they needed Jen's profile pic for an art project they were working on. Siphosethu Fanti/ – 'Same thing happened to me, and they sent me a copy of a check for my photo,' said a third. 'I took the check to the bank and had them check the check, and it was fraudulent. I immediately reported it.' The Federal Trade Commission warns that fake check scams are exceedingly common. The way it works is that fraudsters will message the mark promising them a work-from-home job, commission on a project like in the aforementioned scheme, or the cash prize from a sweepstakes they just 'won.' But when they send the dupe a check, they'll include 'more than the amount owed to you and instruct you to wire the excess funds back to them before receiving your lump sum payment,' per the FTC. Advertisement It's only after the person sends the money that they discover that the check is bogus. Plus, now the scammer has the recipient's info and can use it for future fraud. The FTC advised people to report these ploys to the Federal Trade Commission or the Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker. Advertisement This is one of many inventive online scams being used to hoodwink unsuspecting people. In May, Long Island police warned that scammers are swindling elderly people out of millions of dollars by using AI to find their grandchildren's voices on TikTok and then utilizing the sound bytes to make phony phone calls designed to trick the seniors into sending them money.
New York Post
24-04-2025
- New York Post
Married Americans are more romantic on vacation: survey
Married Americans are 65% more romantic on vacation, according to new research. A survey examining the romantic rituals of 2,000 married Americans found that 82% believe going on a romantic vacation with their partner can re-ignite the spark.' Advertisement And another 56% claimed a trip with their significant other rekindled their relationship. 8 'Vacation provides the perfect setting for couples to reconnect, rediscover passions, and create unforgettable memories,' said Dana Studebaker (not pictured), Vice President of Marketing, BeachBound Vacations. Siphosethu Fanti/ – Over half (57%) said they feel more connected to their partner while on vacation than at home, going as far as to say their partners are 50% more affectionate overall on a trip versus everyday life. From increased handholding (53%) to cuddling more often (37%), the survey also revealed a notable rise in PDA — a 45% increase — as compared to participants' day-to-day routine. Advertisement Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of BeachBound Vacations, the survey also found that 60% of couples said they usually return from a trip feeling even more in love. 8 Married Americans are 65% more romantic on vacation, according to new research. SWNS / BeachBound Vacations 8 A survey examining the romantic rituals of 2,000 married Americans found that 82% believe going on a romantic vacation with their partner can re-ignite the spark.' SWNS / BeachBound Vacations When asked what their top 20 most romantic activities were as a couple, watching the sunset together topped the list (47%). That was followed closely by exploring a new place (44%) and holding hands while going on a long walk (38%). Advertisement 'Vacation provides the perfect setting for couples to reconnect, rediscover passions, and create unforgettable memories,' said Dana Studebaker, Vice President of Marketing, BeachBound Vacations. 'The shared experiences and new surroundings create the perfect backdrop for deepening connections and making memories that last. Many couples find that a getaway helps them rediscover the joy and excitement in their relationship, returning feeling even more in love.' About a third of respondents said vacations make them appreciate their partner more (35%), with others describing traveling together as 'bringing out the best in their relationship' (30%) and a reminder of why they fell in love with their partner in the first place (28%). 8 57% of respondents said they feel more connected to their partner while on vacation than at home. SWNS / BeachBound Vacations Interestingly, 21% of participants said they feel significantly more attracted to their partner when on a vacation. Advertisement But after the trip ends, the affection starts to wane. The survey shows the romance fades back into normalcy about a week after returning from paradise (6.5 days). Interestingly, women reported the spark fizzling out quicker than men, after 5.6 days of returning home, with men reportedly feeling the love as long as a week after a vacation (7.9 days). 8 Some respondents said their partners are 50% more affectionate overall on a trip versus in everyday life. SWNS / BeachBound Vacations The trick to getting the spark back? Having another trip on the books. Forty-eight percent of respondents said the thing they wish they'd do more as a couple is experiencing a new place together (48%). 'Vacations give couples the chance to step away from their daily lives and focus on one another,' said Michael Lowery, Head of Global Consumer Business, BeachBound Vacations. 'Whether it involves a fancy dinner or a long walk on the beach at a tropical resort, getting away from domestic worries can be key to a happy relationship.' 8 From increased handholding to cuddling more often, the survey also revealed a notable rise in PDA. SWNS / BeachBound Vacations TOP ROMANTIC ACTIVITIES ACCORDING TO COUPLES Advertisement Watching the sunset together (47%) Exploring a new place together (44%) Taking a long walk while holding hands (38%) Trying a new restaurant or cuisine (37%) Sharing a slow breakfast or coffee on a balcony (33%) Watching the sunrise together (32%) Going on a scenic excursion (31%) Staying in bed all morning with no agenda (27%) 8 The top romantic activity, according to the couples surveyed, is watching the sunset together. SWNS / BeachBound Vacations Stargazing (23%) Dancing together (22%) Napping together (20%) Taking silly or romantic photos together in a picturesque spot (19%) Cooking a meal together in a rental or over a campfire (13%) Getting a couple's massage or spa treatment (13%) Making a toast to each other over wine or cocktails (13%) Making a wish together at a fountain or special landmark (11%) 8 48% of respondents said the thing they wish they'd do more as a couple is experiencing a new place together Song_about_summer – Advertisement Riding bikes or scooters together through a scenic area (8%) Reenacting your first date or a special memory (8%) Trying an adrenaline-filled adventure together, like zip-lining or a hot air balloon ride (8%) Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 married Americans; the survey was commissioned by BeachBound and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 24 – March 31, 2025.
