October 2026 

Hi everyone!

Banks are blocking AI assistants from accessing customer accounts. A little AI-powered robot duck is becoming this year's holiday sensation. Reported fraud loss among adults ages 60 and older climbs from approximately $600 million in 2020 to $3 billion in 2025.

Grab a cup of coffee and let's dig in.

This Month's Biggest Risk: AI Agents Target Banks

  • On October 22, Reuters reported that major U.S. banks are blocking third-party AI agents from accessing customer accounts and making transactions.

  • According to the reporting, some customers had shared their banking usernames and passwords with AI assistants. Banks also encountered agents attempting actions that appeared to go beyond their users' instructions.

  • How to protect yourself: Do not share your banking login credentials with an AI assistant. Use only connections supported by your financial institution, and understand exactly what information and permissions you're granting.

Emerging Scam Trend: When the Company Promising to Rescue You Is Part of the Problem

  • On October 13, the FTC announced legal action against Digital Forensics, a company accused of taking at least $60 million from people seeking help with sextortion.  Sextortion occurs when someone threatens to distribute intimate images unless the victim pays money.

  • According to the FTC, Digital Forensics promised to identify criminals, stop threats and prevent images from spreading.   The company allegedly charged victims between $1,499 and $20,000 for services it often failed to deliver.

  • The FTC also accused the company of generating fake positive reviews and pressuring already frightened consumers into purchasing additional services.

  • Here's why this matters: people experiencing a scam may become targets for a second scam when they seek help. 

  • Protect yourself: If someone threatens to share intimate images, don't pay or give them access to your accounts. Stop communicating, preserve evidence and report the incident.  Be especially cautious of companies promising guaranteed recovery or removal services for large upfront fees. Free reporting and support resources are available.

AI Scam Update: The Cost of Fraud Keeps Climbing

  • On October 19, the FTC released its latest report on fraud affecting older Americans.  Reported fraud losses among adults ages 60 and older climbed from approximately $600 million in 2020 to $3 billion in 2025.

  • Investment scams alone accounted for more than $1 billion in reported losses among this age group during 2025, an increase of 42% from the previous year.

  • Older adults actually reported losing money to fraud at lower rates than younger adults. The difference is that when older adults did lose money, their individual losses were often substantially larger.

  • The FTC also estimated that the total financial impact of fraud on older Americans could be much higher than reported losses.

  • What this means: Fraud prevention isn't about age or technical ability. It's about recognizing the moments when someone is trying to interrupt our judgment.  For significant financial decisions, especially unexpected investment opportunities or requests to move money, build in a second conversation with someone you trust.

Also This Month:

  • A new charity scam to watch. On October 26, the FTC warned that scammers are impersonating well-known charities and telling people they've won sweepstakes prizes because of previous donations. The catch? Victims are asked to pay money or provide sensitive information to collect. Real prizes don't require an unexpected payment.

  • The FTC isn't calling to deactivate your phone. On October 22, the agency warned about callers claiming a phone number registered in your name is being used to commit crimes overseas. The caller may provide a fake badge number, transfer you to a supposed police officer and threaten to disconnect your service. It's a scam. The FTC will not threaten to deactivate your phone number.

  • Fake government websites remain a problem. On October 22, the FTC sued businesses accused of using misleading advertisements, fake reviews and government-looking websites to sell passport services. Some consumers allegedly paid for paperwork available free from the State Department. For passport applications and renewals, begin at Travel.State.gov.

  • Regulators are taking action against online impersonators. On October 29, the FTC reported that its efforts had helped remove 19 websites impersonating the agency. It also reported more than $80 million in consumer redress from enforcement actions since its Impersonation Rule took effect in 2024. That's encouraging progress, although consumers still need to verify unfamiliar websites and requests.

  • AI-generated intimate images are creating new safety concerns. On October 1 and 7, the FTC published guidance about AI-generated explicit imagery, including fabricated images of children. Even when a photograph isn't real, the harm can be. Families should understand that reporting and removal options exist and that victims deserve support, not blame.

What to Watch: The Microduck (A Cute Little Robot That Plays With Kids & Can See Inside Your Home)

  • On October 21, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang delighted an audience in Berlin by playing with a flock of tiny, waddling AI-powered robots called Microducks.

  • The demonstration went viral. By October 23, TechCrunch reported that preorders had surpassed 20,000 units, with deliveries expected before Christmas.

  • The Microduck isn't just an adorable toy. Developed by Pollen Robotics using NVIDIA technology, it includes a wide-angle camera, microphones, a speaker, sensors, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

  • It's designed to move, respond to commands and learn new behaviors. Owners can even program it to do new tricks. Pretty amazing. Yes, I want one.

  • But here's the deal: You're not just bringing home a toy that walks and plays. You're introducing a connected device with a camera and microphones into your family's living space.  That doesn't mean the robot is secretly recording or sharing your conversations. But it does mean you should understand what it can collect, how that information is processed and what safeguards are in place.

  • Protect yourself: Before buying an AI-powered toy, ask whether it has a camera or microphone, whether information is stored or transmitted, who can access it and whether you can disable its sensors or network connection. And if a toy allows children to interact with an AI companion, understand what those conversations involve and what parental controls are available. The cutest technology in the room may also be the technology we think least about protecting.

AI Tech Updates This Month | What They Mean 

AI May Be Changing the Prices We Pay. On October 28, the FTC launched an investigation into personalized pricing.

  • The agency ordered nine major companies (including Walmart, Target, Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, Instacart and three airlines) to provide information about whether and how they use personal data to determine prices.

  • The concern is that companies could potentially use information such as browsing behavior, location or shopping habits to calculate what an individual consumer might be willing to pay.

  • To be clear, the investigation does not establish that every company named is using these practices. The FTC is seeking evidence about how pricing decisions are made.

  • But the question is fascinating. Could two people looking at the same product eventually see different prices because an algorithm knows more about one of them?

  • What this means: Pay attention to the personal information shopping apps collect. Compare prices across retailers and understand that loyalty programs, browsing behavior and personalization can affect your digital shopping experience.

Apple Is Bringing More Personal AI Into Our Homes.

  • On October 13, Apple unveiled HomeView, a smart-home hub designed to make Siri more personalized.

  • In demonstrations, the device recognized different household members and used information from their personal accounts to help with everyday tasks.

  • Imagine walking into your kitchen and asking about a friend's arrival. Your AI assistant checks relevant messages, works out when your guest will arrive and prepares the connected coffee maker. Convenient? Absolutely. 

  • But it raises some interesting privacy questions.  Apple has emphasized privacy safeguards, but consumers should still understand how household profiles, cameras and connected accounts work.

  • Before bringing personalized AI into your home: Review privacy settings, connected services and what information each household member can access.

Apple Is Adding New Warnings About AI Access to Your Computer.

  • On October 2, Reuters reported that Apple plans to introduce clearer warnings when AI agents request broad access to information stored on Mac computers.

  • The announcement followed privacy concerns involving Meta's Muse AI assistant. A technology columnist alleged that Muse accessed private Messages content without the expected permission. Meta disputed the allegation and said the relevant permissions must be explicitly enabled.

  • The broader issue is important.

  • AI assistants increasingly need access to files, messages and applications to complete tasks for us. But giving an application broad computer access can expose information far beyond the task we originally wanted it to perform.

  • What this means: When an AI application requests permission to read your files, messages or entire computer, understand what you're approving. Give access only when necessary, and review permissions periodically.

Smart-Home Cameras Are Getting More Capable.

  • On October 9, Ring announced an expanded lineup of connected home-security products, including a new indoor camera that can pan and tilt. More capable cameras can help people monitor their homes, but they also increase the importance of deciding where cameras are placed, who can view footage and how recordings are managed.

  • What this means: Before installing connected cameras inside your home, review account security, sharing permissions, recording settings and access for other household members. The goal isn't to avoid useful technology. It's to make deliberate choices about where and how we use it.

What to Watch for in November: Two developments deserve particular attention as the holiday season approaches.

1. Holiday shopping scams are likely to become more convincing. As Black Friday, Cyber Monday and holiday shopping approach, expect more fake stores, misleading advertisements, delivery-message scams and offers that appear too good to pass up. AI makes it easier to create professional-looking websites, convincing product descriptions and fabricated endorsements. Don't rely on how polished a website looks. Verify unfamiliar retailers, review payment protections and be especially cautious when a seller creates pressure to buy immediately.

2. AI-powered gifts will create new privacy decisions for families.  Microduck is one example of a broader holiday trend: AI-powered toys, smart-home devices and connected assistants are moving into everyday consumer products. Expect more gifts that can listen, see, remember and respond. Before wrapping one for a child or bringing one into your home, take a few minutes to understand its privacy settings, connectivity and data practices. 

Remember: Change your behavior, change the outcome.

  • Pause: Take a moment to evaluate the request.

  • Prove: Verify the organization through a trusted source.

  • Protect: Proactively protect your personal and financial information.

Always talk to someone you trust before moving money.

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Stay safe, 
Langley