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westfaironline.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Bengali student in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam that defrauded elderly victims of significant sums. Islam posed as a Best Buy employee, sending phishing emails to trick victims into believing they needed to renew service contracts, then directed them to fake refund links and convinced them they had overpaid, coercing them to withdraw cash; he personally served as the courier in at least two cases, collecting $35,000 from a 73-year-old Warwick man and $20,000 from an Ohio victim before being caught by police. Islam pleade
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-08
A reader was invited to join a VIP online investment club that initially showed profits through manipulated small-cap stocks to build trust, then pressured members to invest in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, ether, and dogecoin—causing most participants to lose all their money. The scam, known as "pig butchering," uses confidence tricks to gradually compromise victims' judgment through promises of returns before disappearing with funds, and commonly exploits psychological vulnerabilities through social media solicitations and fake cryptocurrency exchange websites.
tech.co
· 2025-12-08
Venmo, while convenient for peer-to-peer money transfers, poses significant fraud risks through scams such as fake payment links (phishing), online purchase fraud where sellers never deliver items, and duplicate profile scams where fraudsters create accounts mimicking legitimate users. Users can protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, verifying recipient information before sending money, using the app's native payment features for purchases, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing login credentials.
southeastiowaunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Senior Citizens Targeted by Technology Scams: How to Identify and Protect Against Fraud" by Beth Swift, Washington Evening Journal
Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by technology scams including impersonation fraud, prize/sweepstakes schemes, tech support scams, charity fraud, and IRS threats, with older adults disproportionately victimized because they typically have savings and good credit. The article identifies key warning signs—unsolicited contact, artificial urgency, requests for money or personal information, unrealistic offers, and poor communication quality—and advises seniors to verify caller identity independently, never share sensitive information, consult trusted contacts before responding to requests
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
AARP Minnesota is advocating for legislation (SF 447/HF 1392) to establish a Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund that would redirect civil penalty payments from fraud cases won by the state Attorney General's office to compensate fraud victims, particularly older adults. Minnesotans reported losses totaling $144.6 million in fraud cases in 2024, and the proposed fund would be especially crucial for cases where perpetrators are overseas or bankrupt, while incentivizing both law enforcement action and crime reporting.
drippingspringsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of Hays County experts presented on fraud tactics to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, covering telephone scams (including fake sheriff's office calls and "grandma scams" using AI voice cloning), financial fraud schemes (fake bank employee calls, cryptocurrency conversion scams, and romance scams targeting elderly people on social media), and phishing/computer threats. The experts advised listeners to hang up and verify directly with legitimate institutions, use strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links or popups, and be wary of requests for immediate payment or sensitive information.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wichita woman lost over $8,400—most of her savings—to an Apple Security scam, leaving her uncertain about her financial future. After her story was shared by local media, approximately 100 strangers donated to a GoFundMe campaign that ultimately raised more money than she had lost, restoring her faith in humanity.
wtkr.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting Navy Federal customers in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area involves criminals asking to borrow victims' phones in public locations, then using their Navy Federal app to take out loans and cash advances in their names before transferring the funds elsewhere. One 19-year-old victim, Angel Taylor, lost $4,000 in March 2023 when a man she lent her phone to in a Walmart parking lot obtained a personal loan and cash advance; despite reporting it to Navy Federal within minutes, she was held liable for repayment. Dozens of similar cases have been reported across the region, with police citing insufficient evidence to pursue charges despite having the recipient's account information.
nairametrics.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam ring responsible for up to $5 million in fraud, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seizing approximately $4.99 million from suspicious Tether wallets linked to the operation. The scammers, known as "pig butchering" schemes, built trust with at least 71 victims (including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota) before luring them into fraudulent investments on a fake exchange called Bitkanant, where victims were then blocked from withdrawing funds unless they paid additional taxes and fees. Two victims lost over $2.75 million combined, and the scam rings
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
"Scam yourself" attacks, where fraudsters use social engineering to trick people into downloading malware themselves, have increased 614% between the second and third quarters of this year, affecting millions globally. Common tactics include fake software updates, misleading tutorials, fake CAPTCHAs (with over 2 million targeted last quarter), and "click fix" schemes that prompt users to run malicious commands. To protect themselves, users should verify update sources directly through settings menus, avoid following online instructions to run command prompt text, check website URLs carefully, and take time to verify suspicious requests before acting.
villagelivingonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identified twelve holiday season scams consumers should avoid, including misleading social media ads, social media gift exchanges (pyramid schemes), fraudulent holiday apps, phishing emails offering free gift cards, fake job postings, and impostor scams. The BBB advises exercising caution with unsolicited messages and payment requests via wire transfer, third parties, or prepaid cards, and recommends verifying business legitimacy through BBB.org before making purchases or sharing personal information.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
An AARP Fraud Watch Network survey of 1,869 U.S. consumers found that 82 percent experienced or were targeted by holiday-related scams in the past year, with similar rates among adults 65 and older (80 percent), including delivery fraud notifications (up to 56 percent from 29 percent in 2022), online shopping scams, fake charity requests, and gift cards with no balance (29 percent). Only 28 percent of survey respondents answered seven or more of ten fraud-prevention knowledge questions correctly, indicating that while fraud remains rampant, consumer awareness and protective knowledge are not improving.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7), scammers impersonate Medicare representatives to steal personal information and money by falsely claiming beneficiaries need to provide Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers for new cards or medical equipment claims. Medicare never unexpectedly contacts beneficiaries by phone, email, text, or social media to request personal information, sell coverage, or collect payment for cards. Beneficiaries should hang up on suspicious calls, verify directly with Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, and report scams to the same number or their local Senior Medicare Patrol.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
San Antonio police warn residents that holiday season scams spike during the giving season, with common schemes including fake package delivery texts with malware links, fraudulent social media ads and phishing websites, fake charities, "secret shopper" job scams involving bounced checks, and impersonation scams from criminals posing as banks or law enforcement. Authorities recommend shopping from reputable sources only, researching organizations before donating, verifying suspicious communications by calling companies directly, and remaining vigilant across all communication channels including texts, emails, and social media.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that young adults aged 18-44 are particularly vulnerable to holiday employment scams, with reshipping scams being especially prevalent during this season. The BBB recommends applying directly through company websites, conducting interviews (even virtual ones), and never paying upfront fees to apply for or set up a job, as victims of these scams typically lose out on promised paychecks.
wsbt.com
· 2025-12-08
As online shopping increases during the holiday season, experts warn of a surge in phishing scams and fraudulent offers targeting shoppers through emails, texts, and fake shipping notifications designed to steal personal information and money. The Better Business Bureau reports that online scams now comprise 41% of all scams, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated communications to exploit product shortages and consumer urgency. Consumers are advised to verify offers directly on company websites, use credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection, and avoid clicking suspicious links or providing personal information to unsolicited messages.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams remain the highest risk for adults over 55, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides consumer protection guidance including: avoiding unsolicited calls (especially from spoofed numbers), recognizing red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, hiring only licensed contractors after thorough vetting, being alert to emergency scams targeting grandchildren, and avoiding Medicare fraud schemes involving "free" medical equipment.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft and fraud affect Americans at alarming rates, with the FTC estimating true losses at $137 billion in 2022 despite only $9 billion being officially reported, prompting AARP to urge stronger consumer protections before Capitol Hill lawmakers. Veterans face particular vulnerability, with one in three targeted by scammers who impersonated the VA or pitched fraudulent investments, resulting in $477 million in reported losses in 2023. The article provides practical prevention advice for common scams including holiday shopping fraud, solar panel schemes, and veteran-targeted impersonation scams, recommending consumers type website addresses directly, verify offers through trusted sources, and research companies before providing personal information or
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
National Seniors Australia's "Keep Scam SAFE" campaign, in partnership with CommBank, provides educational resources and workshops to help older Australians protect themselves from rising scams and fraud online. The campaign highlights common scam tactics including fake emails with urgent language, parcel delivery text messages (affecting 75% of scam targets), and voice cloning calls, while recommending protective strategies such as the "Stop, Check, Reject" approach, using Confirmation of Payee technology, regularly changing passwords, and accessing free digital literacy training through the Be Connected initiative.
mosselbayadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using AI and fake social media giveaways to deceive victims who may lose thousands of dollars with little chance of recovery. The article outlines three key protective measures: avoiding unsolicited links and phishing attempts, recognizing "too good to be true" offers that exploit emotions, and strengthening online accounts through strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Keletso Mpisane, head of Blink by MiWay, emphasizes that pausing before responding to suspicious messages and contacting companies directly can help people avoid falling victim to these increasingly common scams.
themtnear.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman was scammed on Facebook when she sent a $200 deposit for a household item being sold by someone her sister had referred her to; the seller changed the terms after the deposit was made and refused to return the money. The article emphasizes that trusting a referral from someone you know does not guarantee the transaction is legitimate, and recommends conducting independent due diligence, asking detailed questions about transactions, and remaining vigilant about verifying identities online.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer impersonated a woman's real boss through email and text messages, claiming to need her to purchase gift cards (Apple, eBay, and Visa cards totaling hundreds of dollars) for a supposed business meeting, with instructions to send card images and receipts for "reimbursement." The victim's bank ultimately blocked the fraudulent transactions, but the Better Business Bureau warns this "boss scam" is increasingly common and advises employees to verify unusual money-related requests directly with their actual boss, especially if the request involves purchasing gift cards or if the sender's email address is not from a legitimate company domain.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Northern Ireland takeaway businesses lost over £200,000 since December 2022 to phishing scams targeting their Just Eat partner accounts, with 15 businesses reporting concerns to the platform by last month. Criminals impersonated Just Eat to trick restaurant owners into sharing banking information and manipulate account details, though Just Eat disputes the total loss amount and says its security systems were not breached. Ards and North Down Borough Council passed a motion calling on Just Eat to urgently engage with affected businesses to resolve the issue and prevent further incidents.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Dipika Maurya, a woman from Lucknow, lost Rs 1.75 lakh in a work-from-home scam that began in September when she received an unsolicited call offering easy money for liking and commenting on social media posts. After initially seeing returns, she was persuaded to invest Rs 1.75 lakh with promises of significant profits, but the scammers refused to allow withdrawals and demanded additional deposits. The case highlights common red flags: legitimate employers do not require upfront investments, offer jobs via cold calls, or promise high returns for minimal effort.
entergynewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies ten common impostor utility scams, including disconnection threats demanding prepaid card payments, fake billing routing numbers, bogus equipment fees, overpayment refund requests, and post-disaster power restoration charges. The article notes that the Better Business Bureau reported a median loss of $463 per victim in 2023 and advises customers that legitimate utilities send written disconnection notices, offer multiple payment methods, handle equipment upgrades proactively, process refunds via mail or account credits, and do not charge for disaster-related power restoration.
25newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with 41% of all scams reported to the Better Business Bureau in 2023 originating from online purchases, affecting people of all ages through fake websites, deepfake influencer endorsements, and phishing tactics on social media. To protect themselves, consumers should verify website addresses, read reviews, avoid clicking suspicious links, never share private information via email or text, use credit cards instead of gift cards or cryptocurrency, enable multifactor authentication, and be cautious with peer-to-peer payment apps that lack consumer protections.
kens5.com
· 2025-12-08
Holiday and travel scams spike during the final quarter of the year, with travel scam losses reaching $43 million in Q4 2023—nearly double the previous year. Common scams include fraudulent travel deals, suspicious charities, QR code phishing schemes, and counterfeit gift cards; consumers should verify websites directly, avoid public Wi-Fi for transactions, purchase gift cards from authorized registers, and be cautious of unsolicited packages with QR codes that may direct them to phishing sites.
coned.com
· 2025-12-08
Con Edison, joining over 150 energy and water companies for Fraud Awareness Week, warns customers to recognize and avoid utility scams that use pressure tactics and fake payment methods like prepaid cards, Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle. Scammers impersonate company employees, manipulate caller IDs, and use digital tactics including fake payment websites and QR codes to steal personal information and money, with some victims losing thousands of dollars after being told transactions failed and paying repeatedly.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Phone scams exploiting voice calls remain highly effective because scammers leverage human psychology and social engineering techniques, with callers having less time to verify legitimacy compared to written communication. In 2023, approximately 28% of unknown calls globally were fraud or spam, affecting 16% of consumers who lost an average of $2,257—a 527% increase from the previous year—while scammers obtain phone numbers through data breaches, social media scraping, and data brokers. Common phone scams include impersonation of authorities (vishing), remote access/tech support fraud, investment schemes, and prize draw scams, with consumers advised to heed "scam likely" warnings from their
electricireland.ie
· 2025-12-08
Phishing is a scam using fraudulent emails, texts, and phone calls to trick people into revealing personal or financial information by directing them to fake websites or requesting details directly. These scams may impersonate legitimate companies like Electric Ireland using realistic logos and branding, though the contact information has typically been sourced from public databases or generated randomly. To protect yourself, verify sender email addresses rather than display names, hover over links before clicking, avoid providing personal information via unsolicited communications, and contact your bank immediately if you've already compromised your information.
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested nearly 30 members of a criminal organization that used AI-generated deepfake profiles of attractive women to defraud approximately 400 middle-aged men across Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India in a romance scam totaling $46 million. Victims were lured into fake romantic relationships, manipulated into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, and unable to withdraw their funds. The article advises victims to watch for red flags such as investment solicitation from new online contacts and signs of manipulated media including unnatural body postures, flat-toned audio, and mismatched facial features.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Bronx man, Bashiru Ganiyu, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for his role in an international fraud and money laundering scheme that targeted elderly victims through romance scams between 2020 and 2022. Ganiyu received nearly $12 million from over 40 victims into bank accounts he controlled, deceiving them into sending money under the false pretense of romantic relationships, then laundering the proceeds to co-conspirators based in Ghana. He was ordered to forfeit over $11.7 million and pay restitution of approximately $7.7 million.
countryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting online daters are increasing across Illinois, with scammers employing tactics such as rapid relationship escalation, requests for money via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and avoidance of in-person meetings. The Illinois State Police warned residents to watch for red flags including suspicious links, isolation from loved ones, and pressure to communicate on private apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact their financial institutions if they have suffered monetary losses.
everythingzoomer.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with scammers increasingly using advanced technology like voice simulation, AI, and fake profiles to perpetrate sophisticated schemes. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent fraud (2,494 Canadian victims lost $9.4 million), romance scams (Canadians lost $59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks (approximately $58 million in losses in 2022). Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel very confident with technology despite 67% using the internet), and accessible savings, making protection strategies essential as emotional manipulation often overrides caution.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three New York residents—Rohan Lyttle (97 months), Caron Pitter (66 months), and Charlene Marshall (34 months)—were sentenced to prison for their roles in a Jamaican lottery scam targeting elderly Americans between 2017 and 2020. The defendants received and laundered funds from victims who were falsely told they had won Publisher's Clearing House prizes and needed to prepay taxes, with victims losing over $1.1 million collectively through cash packages, wire transfers, and fraudulent credit card and ATM withdrawals in Jamaica; each defendant was ordered to pay $245,147.98 in restitution.
dailystar.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A UK carer named Mary lost £20,000 to a sophisticated romance scam involving a fake AI-generated US Army colonel named "Mike Murdy" on Tinder who used deepfake videos, audio messages, and physical items to build trust over several months. The scammer convinced Mary to pay fees under the guise of unlocking a military briefcase allegedly containing £607,000, but she ultimately received only blank sheets of paper. Halifax bank is reviewing her case for reimbursement under Payment Systems Regulator fraud protection rules, as fraud experts warn of increasing AI-enabled romance scams.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Former Love Island star Amy Hart lost £5,000 in a 2022 phone scam when criminals impersonating her bank used pressure tactics and personal information to trick her into authorizing fraudulent transactions. Hart recovered her money after her bank's investigation and has since partnered with O2 to raise awareness about phone scams, emphasizing that victims should not feel embarrassed as scammers use sophisticated methods and are professionals at exploitation.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
An educational video game called "Dodgy or Not?" is teaching Australian primary school students to identify online scams and deepfake fraud by analyzing real-world messages and social media posts in real time. The game addresses the growing sophistication of cyber criminals using AI-generated deepfakes, with Australia losing $3-4 billion annually to reported online fraud, and educators warning that emerging threats like sextortion targeting young people are increasing globally.
echo-pilot.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday scams are expected to proliferate, with five main types to watch for: counterfeit products from third-party sellers, fake delivery failure notifications that lead to phishing sites, impersonation of customer service representatives seeking personal information, false winning notifications, and email/text phishing schemes. Consumers should avoid unusually low prices from unknown sellers, only click delivery links from official retailers, never provide personal details to unsolicited contacts claiming to be from companies like Amazon, and remain skeptical of prize claims requiring upfront payments.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A cybersecurity expert warns against scam-baiting and revenge pranks targeting fraudsters, cautioning that engaging with scammers can provoke retaliation including threats, identity theft, or cyberattacks, and increases exposure to malware and phishing attempts. Instead of interaction, victims are advised to ignore scammers entirely and report suspicious tactics to authorities. The article also provides guidance on identifying scam emails and protecting oneself from fraud.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Google has identified "cloaking" and AI-enhanced scams as the most damaging threats to users. Cloaking uses tools to show different content to search engines versus real users, often redirecting victims to fake customer support sites mimicking legitimate businesses to steal sensitive information. Scammers are also leveraging AI to rapidly exploit major events (elections, disasters, sports) and create fake charity appeals designed to overwhelm users into clicking malicious links.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Greg Hancell, a fraud expert at Lynx Tech, warns that QR code scams are rapidly growing and now account for over 20% of online scams, making them harder to identify than traditional phishing because victims cannot see the destination link before scanning. Fraudsters typically replace legitimate QR codes with counterfeit ones in public spaces like parking lots and restaurants to trick people into sharing sensitive data and payment information. To protect themselves, consumers should look for physical tampering signs (like stickers or damage), verify QR code sources, check URLs before proceeding, and use verification tools, while banks can provide financial protection through AI-powered fraud detection systems.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania's Attorney General Michelle Henry warned residents of phishing scams in which fraudsters contact people claiming fraudulent activity on their bank accounts, then request sensitive information such as login credentials, account numbers, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth via phone, email, or text. The advisory emphasizes that legitimate financial institutions never solicit account information through these channels and advises victims to contact their bank directly using the number on their card or visit their local branch to verify contact, and to report scams to the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
popsci.com
· 2025-12-08
US consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud in the past year (a 14% increase), with scammers increasingly targeting older adults via phone—over two-thirds of UK residents over 75 surveyed reported experiencing at least one fraud attempt in six months. In response, UK mobile operator Virgin Media O2 created "Daisy," an AI-powered grandmother chatbot that wastes scammers' time by providing false information and engaging in lengthy, meandering conversations, with some interactions lasting over 40 minutes. While Daisy aims to reduce real victim targeting, scammers are simultaneously deploying AI voice-cloning technology to perpetrate new frauds including imp
kmyu.tv
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Experts warn that artificial intelligence is enabling a new wave of sophisticated cyber scams that are increasingly difficult to detect, with scammers now able to create convincing fraudulent emails, texts, and even voice recordings mimicking legitimate sources or loved ones. Utah residents are particularly vulnerable, with cybercrime losses in the state nearly quadrupling over the past five years and victims losing significantly more money than the national average. While some suggest AI-based security solutions could help combat the threat, cybersecurity experts emphasize that individual vigilance remains essential, as scammers' fundamental goals—extracting money or manipulating people—remain unchanged regardless of the technology used.
techcrunch.com
· 2025-12-08
O2, the UK's largest mobile network operator, launched "dAIsy," an AI chatbot designed to waste scammers' time by mimicking an elderly woman who engages them in prolonged conversations about personal topics while refusing to provide bank details. The technology, developed with scambait expert Jim Browning, uses voice transcription and text-to-speech AI to respond naturally, addressing the growing threat of phone scams targeting seniors—a population that lost $3.4 billion to telephone fraud in 2023 alone.
verifythis.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for this request. The content provided is a corporate website for TEGNA (a media company) listing their broadcast stations, advertising services, and organizational structure. This does not contain any information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related incidents that would be relevant to the Elderus fraud research database. Please provide an article or transcript that discusses an actual fraud case or elder abuse incident.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP ElderWatch, a joint program between AARP and the Colorado Attorney General, surveyed 907 Colorado residents in June 2024 and found that fraud and scam concerns have reached crisis levels, with 75% of adults viewing these issues as a critical problem. Identity theft incidents among Coloradans increased from 15% in 2020 to 21% in 2024, with financial losses nearly doubling from 12% to 23%, though younger adults using online accounts and P2P payment platforms (89% usage) are less vigilant about account monitoring compared to older adults. The survey recommends continued education and awareness, noting that residents prefer phone contact with specialists
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old internet fraudster named Patrick Akpoguma was arrested in Lagos after defrauding multiple victims through romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and identity theft, earning over $500,000 in three years by impersonating prominent figures like a U.S. Army Colonel and cryptocurrency expert using fake social media accounts and masks. During his arrest on November 7, 2024, Akpoguma attempted to bribe police with $100,000 to secure his release, but officers rejected the bribe, documented it as evidence, and proceeded with prosecution.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
The Rocklin Police Department warned of increasing financial scams targeting seniors that use computers and phones to deceive victims. The department advised seniors to avoid responding to urgent emails, pop-ups, or phone calls requesting immediate action; never provide login credentials via email; enable two-factor authentication; and recognize red flags such as requests to withdraw money, lie about transactions, or pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency.