Browse the latest Savvy Silver Tech guides for phones, computers, online safety, and everyday technology questions.
A July 22 Justice Department case is a fresh reminder of an old scam: criminals call older adults claiming they won a lottery, then demand taxes or fees before the prize can be released. Real prizes do not work that way.
The FBI says scammers are pretending to be the IC3 and FBI personnel to trick past victims into losing even more money. Some are using AI-made videos and fake websites that look official.
The FTC says the fastest way to spot many scams is to notice how someone demands payment. If they push gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or bank transfers, stop right there.
The IRS said on July 16 that taxpayers can request a free Identity Protection PIN to help stop someone else from filing a federal tax return in their name. It is a simple extra step that can matter long before next spring.
A new South Carolina consumer warning says more than 1.1 million residents were affected by reported security breaches in the first half of 2026. The message is broader than one state: if a breach notice shows up in your mailbox or inbox, move quickly instead of setting it aside.
VA says scammers are mailing fake "Veterans Savings Program" postcards that promise extra benefits or payments, then pushing people to call and hand over private information. If you or your spouse receives one, treat it like a phishing attack on paper.
Apple said this week it is moving some security fixes out faster instead of waiting for larger planned releases. For iPhone, iPad, and Mac users, that makes automatic updates more important, not less.
Federal prosecutors described a fresh elder-fraud case on June 30 involving scammers who posed as tech support, government workers, or bank employees and then told victims to mail large amounts of cash. If anyone tells you to hide cash in a package and send it, treat that as a scam.
The FTC warned in June that paid search ads can send people to lookalike health insurance and Medicare sites that are not official government pages. Before you type in personal information, check for the small "Ad" label and make sure the address ends in .gov.
The FTC says scammers are copying familiar "prove you're human" screens and tricking people into pasting hidden commands into their own computers. If a pop-up asks you to press Windows + R, paste something, or "verify" by running commands, it is not a real CAPTCHA.
Google's latest scam advisory warns about more sophisticated phishing, fake government messages, and high-pressure calls that try to steal money or login information. The safest response is still simple: pause, verify, and do not move money under pressure.
The FBI is warning that some Medicare recipients are being signed up for hospice care they do not need, sometimes without fully understanding what they agreed to. Be cautious of anyone offering free home services in exchange for signing forms.
