Pixel Phones Can Warn You About Scam Messages Before You Open Them
Google's September Pixel update adds more visible scam warnings and makes trusted contacts easier to reach. Here's what the new tools do—and what they cannot do.
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Keep Your Devices Updated: A Simple Guide to Automatic Updates
Updates help protect your devices and fix everyday problems. Follow these simple steps to turn on automatic system and app updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows.
PAUSE Before You Act: The Warning Signs of a Scam
Scams change, but their warning signs are often the same. Learn the five PAUSE signs that tell you to stop and verify before you act.
How to Put a Trusted Website on Your Phone’s Home Screen
Put your pharmacy, patient portal, bank, or another trusted website on your phone’s Home Screen so you can open the right page without searching for it each time.
Paying a Bill Online? The First Search Result May Be an Impostor
The FTC warns that paid search ads can look like a company's official payment page while sending you to an unrelated service that may charge surprise fees. Use a trusted bill, statement, bookmark, or typed web address instead.
If a Caller Says You Won a Lottery But Must Pay Fees First, Hang Up
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.
A Free IRS IP PIN Can Help Block Tax Identity Theft Before Filing Season
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.
If You Get a Data Breach Notice This Week, Do These Three Things First
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.
If a Postcard Promises "Extra VA Benefits," Do Not Call the Number on It
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.
If a Caller Tells You To Withdraw Cash and Mail It, Stop There
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.
When Looking for Medicare or Health Insurance Online, Do Not Trust the Top Result
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.
If a Website "CAPTCHA" Tells You to Press Windows + R, Close It Immediately
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.