Stay a step ahead of AI-powered scams.

This month's biggest risk

AI agents target banks

Reuters reported on October 22 that major U.S. banks are blocking third-party AI agents from accessing customer accounts and making transactions. Some customers had given AI assistants their banking logins, and banks saw agents acting beyond what users had asked for.

Pause. Prove. Protect.™Don't share banking credentials with AI tools. Use only connections your bank supports, and know exactly what you're authorizing.

Emerging scam trend

When the company promising to rescue you is part of the problem

On October 13, the FTC sued Digital Forensics over alleged sextortion "help" services that took at least $60 million. The company allegedly charged $1,499 to $20,000 for services it often didn't deliver, posted fake reviews and pressured victims into extra purchases.

People who seek help after a scam can become the target of a second one.

Pause. Prove. Protect.™Don't pay or grant account access. Stop replying, preserve evidence and report it. Be wary of "guaranteed recovery" services that demand large upfront fees.

AI scam update

The cost of fraud keeps climbing

• Investment scams alone topped $1 billion for this group in 2025, up 42%.
• Older adults reported losing money less often than younger adults, but their losses were typically larger.
• The FTC believes the true financial toll may be higher than reported.

The takeawayFraud targets moments when judgment gets interrupted. Before any major money decision, talk with someone you trust.

Also this month

Five more to know

• New charity scam: Impersonators claim you've won a sweepstakes prize tied to past donations, then ask for payment or personal data. (October 26)
• Phone deactivation scam: Callers claim your number is linked to crimes overseas and threaten to shut it off. The FTC says it doesn't make these calls. (October 22)
• Fake government sites: The FTC sued sellers of passport services that charged for free State Department paperwork. Start passport applications at Travel.State.gov.
• Impersonator takedowns: The FTC removed 19 impostor websites and reports more than $80 million in consumer refunds since 2024. (October 29)
• AI-generated explicit images: New FTC guidance covers fabricated images, including of children, and notes that reporting and removal options exist. (October 1 and 7)

What to watch

The Microduck: a toy with a camera and microphones

NVIDIA's Jensen Huang demonstrated the robots in Berlin on October 21, and TechCrunch reported more than 20,000 preorders by October 23. The toy includes a wide-angle camera, microphones, a speaker, sensors, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Pause. Prove. Protect.™Before buying, check what it records, where the data goes, who can access it, and whether you can turn off sensors or connectivity. Review parental controls for any AI companion features.

AI tech updates

What changed this month, and what it means for you

Coming up in November

What to watch for next

1. Holiday shopping scams

   Expect convincing fake stores, delivery-message scams and fabricated endorsements. Verify retailers and be cautious of pressure to buy now.

2. AI-powered gifts

   Connected toys and devices that listen, watch and respond raise privacy decisions. Check settings and data practices before gifting or installing them.

Pause when it feels urgent. Prove before you trust. Protect before you act.

Before you move money, talk with someone you trust.

Stay safe,
Langley