Check It Out, Lock It Down

It's been one of those days where the weight of the world's chaos feels overwhelming. I find myself just sitting with a deep sadness for everything that's happening. In moments like these, it's a good reminder to be kind to ourselves and to those around us. This feeling of helplessness can be so isolating, but we're not alone in it.

Thank you Tim Miller and the Bulwark for this reporting #Bulwark 

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095539592400197X

Bloomberg has recently highlighted the efforts of " scambaiters ," online vigilantes who counter internet fraudsters by wasting their time and exposing their operations. In December 2024, Bloomberg published an article titled "YouTube Scambaiters Turn the Tables — and the Police — on Internet Fraudsters," detailing how these individuals devise elaborate schemes to disrupt scammers' activities. Additionally, Bloomberg's investigative series featured a segment called "Scambaiters," which delves deeper into this phenomenon. This episode is part of the "Bloomberg Investigates" series and is available for streaming on Bloomberg Originals. For a visual exploration, Bloomberg also released a video titled "Scambaiter Exposes Massive Dubai Crypto Scam," where a scambaiter uncovers a significant cryptocurrency fraud based in Dubai.

As criminal methodologies grow increasingly sophisticated, the responsibility for financial security becomes a shared burden between individuals, institutions, and policymakers.  The five pillars of  verification,  confidentiality,  secure transactions,  authentication,  and reporting  These form an interdependent defense ecosystem requiring constant vigilance and adaptation. Emerging technologies promise enhanced protection mechanisms, but human judgment remains the critical factor in recognizing and resisting social engineering tactics.  By institutionalizing the practices outlined through both personal habits and structural reform, society can cultivate a digital environment where trust is earned through transparency rather than exploited through deception.

W e need to talk about a serious issue affecting our beloved seniors. Scammers are getting craftier and targeting our older loved ones with alarming success. It breaks my heart to share these stories, but we must be aware to protect ourselves and those we care about. In Midland, Texas, a trusting elderly woman fell victim to a cruel scheme. A con artist, pretending to be from the "American Sweepstakes Network," promised her over $1 million. Sadly, this lie cost her $100,000 of her hard-earned savings 2 .  It's devastating to think how this loss might impact her golden years. Even more troubling, a woman in South Florida lost her entire life savings of $39,000. The scammer tricked her with a fake text about her Apple account and convinced her to move her money into what she thought was a safe cryptocurrency account. In reality, the scammer took everything. These stories are heartbreaking, but they're also a wake-up call. We must be extra careful, especially when unexpe...