Blog
Our team of security researchers and fraud analysts shares practical advice on recognizing scams, protecting your personal information, and staying safe online. From phishing and romance scams to extortion and identity theft, we cover the threats that matter most to individuals and families today.
August 21, 2026
The Invoice Is Real. The Account Number Isn't.
Business email compromise doesn't break into your systems — it slips into a payment you were already going to make. The four shapes it takes, and the one control that stops all of them.
August 21, 2026
The QR Code Looks Official. The Destination Doesn't Exist Yet.
QR codes hide where they send you until it's too late to look. Here's how "quishing" works and the one habit that defeats it.
August 21, 2026
Beware of scammers…ruining your job search!
A recruiter's cold message ticked almost every box on the job-scam checklist, and it was genuine. What a thirty-second check found, and why getting good at being suspicious carries a cost of its own.
August 21, 2026
The Call Says Your Computer Is Infected. The Call Is the Infection.
Tech-support scams don't hack your computer — they talk you into opening it for them. How the pop-up and the phone call work, and the one move that ends every version.
August 21, 2026
Why Invoice Fraud and Business Email Compromise Still Works
BEC keeps beating Google, Microsoft, and traditional email security because it has no payload to catch. Here's why, and what actually stops it.
August 20, 2026
The Email Really Is From Your Friend. That's the Problem.
The advice to check who sent it stopped working, because the fastest way to deliver phishing now is from a real account. What to check instead.
June 30, 2026
You’re Invited… to Get Hacked: The Paperless Post Phishing Scam
A live phishing campaign disguises itself as a Paperless Post invitation from a friend, then steals your Gmail login and tries to install remote-access software. Here’s how it works and what to do.
June 7, 2026
Military Impersonations
US military personnel are among the most impersonated people online. Learn how to harden your social accounts and get impersonators removed from Upwork, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
May 13, 2026
The Shell Company Investor: A New Fraud Targeting Companies in Fundraising Mode
Scammers are using legitimate-looking special purpose vehicles, regulatory filings, and MiFID II language to extract confidential data from startups seeking capital.
May 12, 2026
Public Alert: Loom-X Is a Crypto Ponzi — And a Wallet Phisher
Loom-X (app.loom-x.io) is a Ponzi scheme with a hidden wallet-draining hook. If you’ve been pitched on this platform, here’s what the evidence shows.
April 20, 2026
Why Backgrounder, Not ChatGPT, to Protect Your Family from Scams
ChatGPT is great at describing scams. Backgrounder is built to verify them. A side-by-side look at where each tool fits and why families need more than a chatbot.
April 15, 2026
Scam Victim Tax Relief: How to Legally Reduce Your Tax Bill After Fraud
Scam losses from for-profit transactions may qualify for a theft loss deduction. Learn how to document intent, structure the situation, and reduce your tax liability.
April 13, 2026
How to Report a Facebook Impersonation in Under a Minute
A quick, tactical walkthrough for reporting Facebook impersonation profiles. The exact tap-by-tap steps, why multiple reports matter, and a 1-minute video.
April 9, 2026
Remediating Facebook Impersonation Attempts
Quick steps to remediate impersonation attempts on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Document, report through the right channel, and protect your accounts.
April 5, 2026
Homeowner Alert: Detect Contractor and Vendor Scams Before Signing Contracts and Wiring Money
Before hiring a contractor or wiring money for a home project, run these simple checks. Verify licenses, look up business registrations, and use Boolean searches to surface complaints and lawsuits.
April 2, 2026
iPhone Settings to Reduce Scam Calls and Texts
Simple iPhone settings you can enable right now to filter unknown senders, silence scam calls, and reduce unwanted messages from numbers not in your contacts.
March 26, 2026
Romance Scams: What To Do When Loved Ones Won’t Stop Interacting
When someone you love is caught in a romance scam and won’t listen to reason, here are the practical steps families can take to protect them financially and emotionally.
March 17, 2026
Scam Attempt in Meta Notifications to Harvest Credentials and Takeover Accounts
Backgrounder received a phishing attempt through Meta notifications designed to harvest credentials and personal information. We break down the attack, the infrastructure behind it, and how to protect yourself.
March 9, 2026
The Realities of Online Extortion and Sextortion and Tips to Avoid Paying Scammers
Online extortion and sextortion are on the rise. Learn how these scams work, why paying rarely helps, and practical tips to protect yourself and your loved ones.
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