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welivesecurity.com
Jury duty scams involve fraudsters impersonating government officials or court workers who contact victims by phone, email, or text claiming they missed jury service and must pay a fine immediately or face arrest. Scammers use threatening language, phishing tactics, requests for personal information (like Social Security numbers), and demand payment via untraceable methods such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, or payment apps. Legitimate courts never request payment over the phone for missed jury service, and actual summonses and notices are only sent via USPS mail with fines issued only after repeated ignored notices.
about.fb.com
Investment and payment scams exploit current events and economic anxieties through fraudulent schemes promising quick returns on cryptocurrency, real estate, or other assets, often contacted via email, social media, or calls. Common tactics include fake investment coaching groups, advance payment schemes on resale platforms, and overpayment-refund fraud where scammers reverse legitimate payments after receiving refunds. Protection strategies include verifying investment advisers through FINRA BrokerCheck or SEC tools, recognizing warning signs of suspicious accounts, and using platform safety features like payment warnings and facial recognition verification.
2news.com
The Better Business Bureau held educational classes during Older Americans Month to teach community members about fraud prevention, with imposter scams and identity theft identified as the most common threats overall, while cryptocurrency investment, romance, and employment scams pose the greatest risk to those 55 and older. The BBB emphasized that technology gives scammers an advantage, particularly against older adults less fluent with digital tools, and offered resources including a Scam Tracker for reporting incidents and a free Scam Survival Toolkit to help victims recover both financially and emotionally from fraud.
ktnv.com
Seniors in Henderson, Nevada are being targeted by scammers using calls, emails, and AI-generated voices to steal money, with one woman's mother losing a quarter of her net worth over nearly two years before intervention stopped the fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with seniors particularly vulnerable to employment offers, loan scams, tech support fraud, and AI impersonation calls. Former FBI agent Thomas Quilty recommends seniors establish secret code words with family, limit WiFi connections, use strong passwords, and report fraud without shame to help combat the growing problem.
aol.com
According to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report, Americans over 60 lost approximately $4.885 billion to cybercrimes in 2024—about 40% of all reported cybercrime losses—averaging $83,000 per victim, representing a 46% increase in complaints from the prior year. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to declining digital literacy and financial awareness, with investment scams, tech support scams, and romance scams causing the largest losses, often involving cryptocurrency. The most common cyberattacks targeting this demographic include phishing, spoofing, extortion, sextortion, and personal data breaches, with criminals exploiting loneliness and trust
aol.com
According to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report, Americans aged 60+ reported approximately 147,000 cybercrimes totaling $4.885 billion in losses, averaging $83,000 per victim—representing 40% of all cybercrime losses despite being a portion of complainants. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to phishing, tech support scams, investment fraud, and romance scams due to declining digital literacy and social isolation, with investment scams causing the largest financial losses for this age group.
aol.com
A Florida man was scammed out of $55,000 after a caller posing as a Wells Fargo employee claimed his account was under investigation and instructed him to withdraw cash and surrender it in person; the suspect, Terol Castel Lyn, also impersonated an FBI agent to pressure additional payments before being arrested in a sting operation. This case reflects a broader surge in elder fraud, with Americans over 60 reporting $4.8 billion in losses to internet crimes in 2024—a 40% increase from 2023—with impersonation scams being the most common tactic. Key protective measures include refusing cash withdrawal requests, independently ver
cbsnews.com
Chase Bank held an educational seminar in Chicago to help senior citizens protect themselves against fraud, which cost U.S. consumers over $12 billion in the previous year with a 25% increase from 2023. The seminar covered five common scams targeting seniors: impersonation, romance scams, family emergency schemes, computer virus scams, and prize/inheritance claims, with Chase advising consumers to verify suspicious communications before sharing information and recognize pressure tactics used by scammers. Attendees learned the "four Ps" framework for identifying scams—imposters pretending to be trusted sources, fake problems, pressure to act quickly, and requests for payment—and were encouraged to report any fraud to authorities.
businessday.ng
Nigerians lost N911.45 billion to Ponzi and related fraud schemes over 23 years, with recent victims falling prey to illegal schemes like Crypto Bridge Exchange that promised 100% returns in 30 days. The Securities and Exchange Commission released a 30-point scam advisory warning of red flags including pressure to act quickly, promises of guaranteed profits with no risk, and requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, emphasizing that investors should verify company registration and never yield to high-pressure tactics.
theedgemalaysia.com
Two major fraud incidents in Malaysia highlight the growing threat of AI-enabled scams targeting even sophisticated financial institutions. A Maybank CFO nearly fell victim to a deepfake scheme involving an AI-generated Zoom call impersonating a colleague, which attempted to facilitate an unauthorized US$985,426 transfer, while a subsequent breach of the Malaysian stock trading system resulted in unauthorized trades potentially totaling RM10 million, with at least one investor losing RM500,000 in an earlier, initially overlooked hack.
wpsdlocal6.com
In 2024, over 859,000 Americans filed complaints with the FBI about internet scams, resulting in $16.6 billion in losses—a 33% increase from the previous year. Investment scams caused the largest losses at $6.5 billion, while seniors aged 60+ were disproportionately targeted, losing $2.5 billion to various schemes including tech support scams ($1 billion among seniors alone), business email compromise ($2.7 billion), call center scams ($1.9 billion), and grandparent scams. The FBI advises vigilance against suspicious links, unsolicited remote access requests, and urgent money transfer requests, recomm
northpennnow.com
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman narrowly avoided losing money to a sophisticated tech support scam that impersonated Norton antivirus, Microsoft, and her bank to pressure her into purchasing cryptocurrency, claiming she faced arrest due to child pornography on her computer. The Federal Trade Commission reported Americans lost between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to financial scams in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with experts citing artificial intelligence, dark web data access, and lack of federal oversight as enabling factors that make scams increasingly convincing and difficult to report or recover from.
aarp.org
Older Americans reported nearly $4.9 billion stolen through fraud in 2024, a 43 percent increase from the previous year, with victims 60 and older averaging losses of $83,000—significantly higher than the overall fraud average of $19,000 across all ages. Investment scams were the leading category affecting seniors, accounting for over $1.8 billion in losses, followed by tech support scams ($982 million) and romance/confidence scams ($389 million), with cryptocurrency investment fraud emerging as a rapidly growing threat often involving "pig butchering" schemes and fraudulent cryptocurrency ATMs. The actual financial impact likely exceeds reported figures due to underreporting,
pensions-expert.com
A joint regulatory awareness campaign by the Financial Conduct Authority and Pensions Regulator significantly increased public engagement, with ScamSmart website visits rising 462% to over 173,000 people following the campaign launch, and more than 370 pension holders warned about unauthorized companies. However, over half of UK adults aged 45-65 with pensions still believe they are unlikely to be targeted, with many underestimating scam sophistication or overestimating their own ability to detect fraud. Experts warn that pension scams continue to evolve with increasingly sophisticated techniques, and while a planned 2019 cold-calling ban may help, sustained public education and awareness campaigns remain critical to
azag.gov
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes launched a new webpage to publicly document cases where social media companies (Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram) are named in connection with enabling illegal activities, including drug trafficking, fraud, scams, gang violence, and human trafficking. The initiative highlights research showing that up to 13% of social media posts promote illicit drug sales and 80% of teen fentanyl deaths can be traced to social media contact, while noting that Section 230 legal protections currently shield these platforms from direct liability. Since 2022, Mayes' office has seized over 25 million fentanyl pills and 405 pounds of fentanyl powder
aarp.org
Older Americans (60+) lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in 2024—a 43% increase from the previous year—with an average loss of $83,000 per victim, according to the FBI's annual report. Investment scams were the costliest fraud type affecting seniors ($1.8 billion), followed by tech support scams ($982 million) and romance scams ($389 million), with cryptocurrency investment fraud and pig butchering schemes emerging as rapidly growing threats. The significantly higher average loss for older adults compared to the national average of $19,000 demonstrates that while fraud affects all ages, its impact on seniors is often financially catastrophic.
theguardian.com
A sophisticated scam targets older adults through WhatsApp and text messages, with fraudsters impersonating family members or close friends claiming to have lost their phone and urgently needing money for various reasons. According to Santander data, scammers posing as sons are most successful, with schemes evolving to include AI voice impersonation technology to increase credibility. Victims are advised to verify requests by contacting the person directly on their known number, establish family passwords, and report suspicious messages through their bank, the messaging app, or Action Fraud.
independent.co.uk
The "hi mum" WhatsApp scam, where fraudsters impersonate children or close relatives to request emergency money transfers, is rapidly evolving with the use of AI voice impersonation technology to make deceptions more convincing. Between 2023 and 2025, UK victims lost £226,744 to this scam, with sons being the most successfully impersonated relatives according to Santander UK data. Experts recommend verifying unexpected money requests by calling the person directly, asking security questions only they would know, or waiting to see them in person.
pulse2.com
Scamnetic, a digital fraud prevention company, secured $13 million in Series A funding led by Roo Capital to expand its AI-powered scam detection and intervention services, bringing total investment to $16 million. The funding will support growth in marketing, sales, and customer support, as well as accelerate product development for services including email/message scanning, identity verification, victim assistance hotlines, and scam education resources. The company aims to address the growing global scam problem as fraudsters increasingly use AI-enhanced tactics to target consumers and businesses.
aol.com
The "Hi Mum" WhatsApp scam, which targets parents by impersonating their children to solicit money for emergencies, has caused £226,744 in losses to UK victims between 2023-2025 and is evolving rapidly, including the use of AI voice impersonation technology to increase authenticity. Fraudsters typically claim to have lost their phone or need money urgently for bills or rent, and request transfers to unfamiliar bank accounts. Experts recommend verifying requests by calling the person directly on their known number, asking security questions only they would know, or establishing family passwords, and advise reporting suspected scams immediately to banks and relevant authorities.
signalsaz.com
Fraud affects all age groups but scammers tailor tactics to exploit generation-specific vulnerabilities: Gen Z faces employment and crypto scams via social media, Millennials encounter investment fraud through spoofed communications, Gen X targets investment schemes, and Seniors are most susceptible to romance, investment, and home improvement scams resulting in losses of $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Desert Financial Credit Union advises recognizing red flags such as unsolicited contact, requests for money or wire transfers, urgency, and coaching about what to tell financial institutions, recommending victims pause to research claims and consult trusted contacts before authorizing any transactions.
hometownnewsbrevard.com
Helping Seniors of Brevard partnered with AARP Florida to present a free educational event called "Scam Jam" on May 16 in Melbourne designed to help seniors recognize and protect themselves from common fraud schemes. The event features workshops on prevalent scams including Nigerian lottery schemes, romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, grandparent scams, and identity theft, with experts emphasizing warning signs such as pressure tactics, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, and poor grammar. The organization stresses that seniors should slow down, verify requests with others, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement to help prevent victimization.
dispatch.com
Seniors are frequently targeted by scammers through multiple channels including impersonation, tech support fraud, romance scams, and AI deepfakes, often resulting in significant financial losses including entire life savings. Columbus police and banking experts identify seniors as especially vulnerable due to lower tech literacy and greater trust in communications, and recommend protective measures such as verifying unexpected contacts independently, avoiding unsolicited links, and using video calls to confirm romantic connections. Families should discuss specific scam examples with seniors to help them recognize and prevent fraud.
koco.com
Oklahoma seniors lost approximately $50 million to scams in 2024, more than doubling the $22 million lost in 2023, according to FBI data. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support, investment, romance, and phishing schemes, often delivered via cellphone. The FBI advises seniors to stop and walk away from any situation involving pressure for financial transactions, and to contact trusted loved ones or institutions through independently verified channels.
nujournal.com
Six New Ulm financial institutions have formed a collaboration to combat the growing problem of financial fraud and scams in their area, which local law enforcement reports receive daily. The banks plan to share information about detected scams and educate the public through initiatives like a free "Let's Talk About Fraud" seminar scheduled for May 28, designed to help victims understand common schemes and encourage them to report fraud without shame or fear of judgment.
unionleader.com
Elder fraud has become a significant threat to adults age 60 and older in the digital age, with the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative working to educate seniors about common scams. The article outlines five major fraud schemes targeting seniors: Social Security impostor scams (falsely claiming account suspension and requesting funds via gift cards), tech support scams (claiming virus detection and requesting remote device access), lottery scams (falsely informing victims of foreign lottery winnings and demanding fees), and romance scams (exploiting victims through dating platforms to solicit money).
pcmag.com
**Article Type:** Educational/Awareness piece on elder fraud prevention
Kerry Tomlinson, a cybersecurity expert and former TV reporter, presented research at RSAC 2025 on why older adults (60+) are vulnerable to online scams and fraud. Older adults lost an average of $83,000 per scam in the past year, primarily through social engineering attacks that exploit stress, fear, and urgency by impersonating authority figures. Tomlinson emphasizes that retirement, cognitive changes, physical limitations (vision and hearing loss), and loss of self-efficacy contribute to vulnerability, and recommends approaching elder protection with empathy rather than frustration or removing
newsbreak.com
A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen in a cryptocurrency investment scam when friends congratulated her on launching a crypto business; the fraudulent Facebook post falsely claimed she was a certified "Expert Crypto Trader" and garnered 160+ responses, though the actual number of victims who sent money remains unknown. California's Department of Social Services received over 190,000 reports of financial abuse against seniors between January 2022 and February 2025, with experts noting that older adults are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency, phishing, impersonation, and romance fraud, especially as AI technology makes these schemes more convincing.
foxnews.com
Scammers are using advanced tools like generative AI to defraud mobile consumers, with annual losses exceeding $1 trillion globally according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. Google is rolling out AI-powered scam detection features for Android users, including real-time warnings in Google Messages and phone call analysis, while experts recommend supplementing these tools with additional security measures like strong antivirus software to stay ahead of evolving fraud tactics.
futurism.com
Scammers are increasingly using AI-powered "realtime deepfakes" to commit fraud against elderly and younger users alike, altering their appearance and voices in live videos to impersonate trusted individuals or create convincing false identities. Common schemes include romance scams, Medicare fraud, and the "grandparent scam," in which criminals impersonate a loved one's voice to coerce money or sensitive information; one Canadian grandmother lost $9,000 CAD to such a scam. While elderly users are traditionally vulnerable, research shows younger generations (Gen Z, millennials, Gen X) are 34 percent more likely to lose money to fraud overall, though the growing sophist
koaa.com
In 2024, scammers stole $243.5 million from Colorado victims and over $16 billion nationwide, according to FBI data—a $56 million increase in Colorado compared to 2023. Seniors aged 60 and older reported 3,125 complaints involving $74.5 million in losses, with the most costly schemes being investment fraud ($90 million), business email compromise ($48 million), and personal data breaches ($23 million). The FBI warns that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using social media, dating sites, and text messages to build trust before pitching fraudulent cryptocurrency and other investment schemes, with recovery of stolen funds typically
local.aarp.org
Georgia has implemented new fraud training requirements for police officers to identify fraud, abuse, and neglect of older adults and people with disabilities, with legislation requiring specialized dementia training for first responders. Georgia residents age 60 and over reported losing more than $92 million to fraud in 2023, up from $33.5 million in 2021, with over one-third of the state's 28,546 abuse reports in 2024 involving financial exploitation. These initiatives represent increased collaboration among law enforcement, advocates, and government agencies to protect Georgia's growing elderly population, which is projected to comprise more than 1 in 5 residents by 2030.
keyt.com
A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen for a cryptocurrency investment scam on Facebook, where scammers posed as her offering "Expert Crypto Trader" services with falsified certificates. California has reported over 190,000 cases of alleged financial abuse against seniors from January 2022 to February 2025, with cryptocurrency, phishing, romance, and government impersonation scams being prevalent, particularly in Fresno and Madera counties. Experts recommend seniors avoid sending money to unknown individuals, verify claims through official sources, and report suspected fraud to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
fhtimes.com
Scammers tailor their fraud tactics by age group, targeting Gen Z with employment and crypto scams on social media, millennials with investment fraud via text and email, Gen X with retirement-focused investment schemes, and seniors with romance, home improvement, and crypto scams that often result in losses of $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Seven key warning signs of scams include unsolicited contact from strangers, requests for money or wire transfers, artificial urgency, coaching about what to tell financial institutions, and discouragement from trusting banks. The article advises verifying suspicious offers through Google searches, consulting trusted contacts and financial institutions, and recognizing that fraudsters use
hawaiibusiness.com
Hawai'i residents lost $61.6 million to fraud in 2024, with scams ranging from romance and cryptocurrency schemes to employment and ticket fraud. While younger people now fall victim to scams as frequently as older adults due to increased online activity and confidence with technology, older adults typically lose larger amounts of money per incident, with romance scams having the highest median loss at $6,099. Experts advise victims and potential targets to pause and step away from high-pressure situations to recognize scams, as fraudsters rely on creating urgency and emotional manipulation to bypass critical thinking.
foxnews.com
The FBI warns of sophisticated scams where fraudsters impersonate doctors, police, and bank officials using spoofed numbers and "smishing" texts, often targeting previous fraud victims through social media with promises of fund recovery. These schemes employ AI and deepfakes to appear legitimate, with scammers posing as recovery experts or FBI officials to steal personal information and money a second time. The article recommends staying calm when contacted by suspected scammers, avoiding unknown contact numbers, refusing remote access or software downloads, using strong antivirus protection, and considering personal information removal services as defensive measures.
10tv.com
Ohio seniors lost an average of $18,000 each to scammers in the past year, totaling $54 million statewide, with artificial intelligence making fraud increasingly sophisticated. Rising threats include fraudulent text messages mimicking legitimate banks and federal agencies, as well as data breaches at senior care facilities, such as a breach affecting over 50,000 people at HCF Management. Authorities recommend seniors monitor credit regularly, file fraud reports to help track criminal trends, and consider credit freezes or free credit monitoring to protect themselves.
newsbreak.com
The Palm Springs Police Department is warning senior residents in the Coachella Valley about increasingly sophisticated online scams that target older adults through phone calls, emails, text messages, and QR codes to steal personal and financial information. The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert is combating the problem by offering weekly "Teach Tech" classes that educate seniors about common scams and how to identify warning signs, with the center seeking additional volunteers to expand the program and address a waiting list of interested seniors.
techtimes.com
Pernilla Sjöholm, a victim of the "Tinder Swindler" romance scam documented in a Netflix film, co-founded IDfier, a mobile identity verification platform designed to prevent online fraud and identity impersonation. IDfier uses biometric scanning and official document verification to authenticate users with 99.9% accuracy and allows selective sharing of personal information across dating apps, social media, and other platforms. With backing from Swedish investors and pricing starting at $2/month, the platform aims to combat the estimated $1 trillion in annual consumer losses to scams globally.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
A criminal ring operating from Cambodia used deepfake technology to create fake personas of attractive women and men to conduct romance and investment scams, defrauding over 100 victims of approximately $8.39 million since March 2024. Police arrested 10 suspects and booked 35 others involved in the operation, which targeted vulnerable populations including people with disabilities, the elderly, and homemakers, with individual losses ranging from approximately $1,400 to $560,000. The scammers built elaborate fake identities with detailed backstories and video call capabilities to gain trust before requesting money for living expenses or directing victims to fraudulent investment platforms.
mondaq.com
Online scams using remote access software (such as AnyDesk and TeamViewer) have become increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters posing as financial advisers or IT technicians to trick victims into granting device access, allowing them to steal funds, personal data, and banking credentials. These scams cause significant financial losses and serious long-term psychological consequences, including damage to credit ratings and erosion of trust. Criminals typically initiate contact via phone, email, or social media, impersonate trusted institutions, and once granted access, transfer funds to untraceable accounts, purchase cryptocurrencies, or manipulate online banking systems.
etvbharat.com
Truecaller announced Scamfeed, a new in-app community feature that allows users to anonymously report and discuss scams in real-time, creating a crowdsourced early warning system against fraud. The platform enables users to share experiences with various scam types—including phishing, impersonation, dating scams, and financial fraud—and check if others have reported similar suspicious activity, helping users identify red flags and protect themselves and their networks.
finance.yahoo.com
In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $9.3 billion in losses from cryptocurrency-related scams across 149,686 complaints, a 66% increase from the previous year and the highest figure in IC3 history. Individuals aged 60 and older were the most affected demographic, accounting for over 33,000 complaints and $2.8 billion in losses—nearly one-third of total losses—with younger age groups also significantly impacted. Scammers employed tactics including investment fraud, social engineering, phishing, and impersonation of legitimate platforms, with victims often manipulated via social media and dating apps into transferring funds
intelligentciso.com
VIPRE Security Group's analysis of 1.45 billion emails in Q1 2025 found that 92% were spam (67% malicious), with cybercriminals increasingly shifting toward "low-tech" human-focused attacks like callback phishing scams (now 16% of phishing attempts) and malicious SVG image file attachments (34% of phishing attachments) to bypass traditional defenses. The US was the primary target and source of spam, with the manufacturing sector most frequently targeted, highlighting the need for stronger awareness of social engineering tactics alongside technological security measures.
psychologytoday.com
Scammers in California's Bay Area are impersonating FasTrak, the state's electronic toll collection system, sending text messages claiming users owe small amounts (such as $3.95) with urgent warnings to pay or face penalties and links to fraudulent websites. The scams have become increasingly sophisticated, now featuring correct spelling, official logos, and convincing websites that mimic legitimate sites, making them difficult for consumers to identify. To protect themselves, recipients should verify messages directly through official FasTrak websites or customer service rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
mashable.com
Scammers are sending text messages impersonating toll service agencies like E-ZPass, FasTrak, and regional DMV offices, claiming recipients have unpaid tolls and threatening consequences to create urgency and pressure them to click malicious links. The scam has spread across the U.S., prompting warnings from multiple state governors and agencies, with messages originating from suspicious phone numbers or email addresses and redirecting to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information. Recipients should never click links in these messages, report them as junk, and contact their local tolling agency directly if they have concerns about legitimate unpaid tolls.
wiscassetnewspaper.com
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses of $452,356 to local residents, with romance and family emergency scams accounting for the highest losses at $222,780, followed by technical support scams at $94,300 and cryptocurrency fraud at $55,000. Detective Jared Mitkus reported a recent spike in grandparent/bail scams (March 2025), including two cases where victims lost $63,000 total to couriers collecting cash at their homes, and emphasized that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement never collect bail payments in person. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency calls by directly contacting the family member
boothbayregister.com
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses totaling $452,356 for local residents, with romance and family emergency scams causing the highest losses ($222,780), followed by technical support scams ($94,300) and cryptocurrency fraud ($55,000). The office is seeing a recent spike in grandparent and bail scams, including cases where scammers sent couriers to victims' homes to collect cash in person, with two separate victims losing $63,000 combined in the first quarter of 2025. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency claims by calling the person directly and to be aware that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement will never
kesq.com
The Palm Springs Police Department is warning seniors in the Coachella Valley about increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting older adults through phone calls, emails, text messages, and QR codes to steal personal and financial information. The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert is combating these scams by offering weekly "Teach Tech" classes that educate seniors on how to identify and avoid common fraud tactics, and is seeking volunteers to expand these educational programs to meet growing demand.
azcentral.com
Smishing is a scam tactic in which fraudsters send unsolicited text messages claiming to know the recipient or stating they found their number in an address book, designed to trick victims into responding and potentially compromising personal information. These vague messages are intentional social engineering attempts rather than random mistakes, and awareness of this technique is crucial for protecting oneself from text-based phishing attacks.