Thanks to the convenience of NFC and smartphone payments, many people no longer carry wallets or remember their bank card PINs. All their cards reside in a payment app, and using that is quicker than fumbling for a physical card. Mobile payments are also secure — the technology was developed relatively recently and includes numerous anti-fraud protections. Still, criminals have invented several ways to abuse NFC and steal your money. Fortunately, protecting your funds is straightforward: just know about these tricks and avoid risky NFC usage scenarios.

What are NFC relay and NFCGate?

NFC relay is a technique where data wirelessly transmitted between a source (like a bank card) and a receiver (like a payment terminal) is intercepted by one intermediate device, and relayed in real time to another. Imagine you have two smartphones connected via the internet, each with a relay app installed. If you tap a physical bank card against the first smartphone and hold the second smartphone near a terminal or ATM, the relay app on the first smartphone will read the card’s signal using NFC, and relay it in real time to the second smartphone, which will then transmit this signal to the terminal. From the terminal’s perspective, it all looks like a real card is tapped on it — even though the card itself might physically be in another city or country.

This technology wasn’t originally created for crime. The NFCGate app appeared in 2015 as a research tool after it was developed by students at the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany. It was intended for analyzing and debugging NFC traffic, as well as for education purposes and experiments with contactless technology. NFCGate was distributed as an open-source solution and used in academic and enthusiast circles.

Five years later, cybercriminals caught on to the potential of NFC relay and began modifying NFCGate by adding mods that allowed it to run through a malicious server, disguise itself as legitimate software, and perform social engineering scenarios.

What began as a research project morphed into the foundation for an entire class of attacks aimed at draining bank accounts without physical access to bank cards.

A history of misuse

The first documented attacks using a modified NFCGate occurred in late 2023 in the Czech Republic. By early 2025, the problem had become large scale  and noticeable: cybersecurity analysts uncovered more than 80 unique malware samples built on the NFCGate framework. The attacks evolved rapidly, with NFC relay capabilities being integrated into other malware components.

By February 2025, malware bundles combining CraxsRAT and NFCGate emerged, allowing attackers to install and configure the relay with minimal victim interaction. A new scheme, a so-called “reverse” version of NFCGate, appeared in spring 2025, fundamentally changing the attack’s execution.

Particularly noteworthy is the RatOn Trojan, first detected in the Czech Republic. It combines remote smartphone control with NFC relay capabilities, letting attackers target victims’ banking apps and cards through various technique combinations. Features like screen capture, clipboard data manipulation, SMS sending, and stealing info from crypto wallets and banking apps give criminals an extensive arsenal.

Cybercriminals have also packaged NFC relay technology into malware-as-a-service (MaaS) offerings, and reselling them to other threat actors through subscription. In early 2025, analysts uncovered a new and sophisticated Android malware campaign in Italy, dubbed SuperCard X. Attempts to deploy SuperCard X were recorded in Russia in May 2025, and in Brazil in August of the same year.

The direct NFCGate attack

The direct attack is the original criminal scheme exploiting NFCGate. In this scenario, the victim’s smartphone plays the role of the reader, while the attacker’s phone acts as the card emulator.

First, the fraudsters trick the user into installing a malicious app disguised as a banking service, a system update, an “account security” app, or even a popular app like TikTok. Once installed, the app gains access to both NFC and the internet — often without requesting dangerous permissions or root access. Some versions also ask for access to Android accessibility features.

Then, under the guise of identity verification, the victim is prompted to tap their bank card to their phone. When they do, the malware reads the card data via NFC and immediately sends it to the criminals’ server. From there, the information is relayed to a second smartphone held by a money mule, who helps extract the money. This phone then emulates the victim’s card to make payments at a terminal or withdraw cash from an ATM.

The fake app on the victim’s smartphone also asks for the card PIN — just like at a payment terminal or ATM — and sends it to the attackers.

In early versions of the attack, criminals would simply stand ready at an ATM with a phone to use the duped user’s card in real time. Later, the malware was refined so the stolen data could be used for in-store purchases in a delayed, offline mode, rather than in a live relay.

For the victim, the theft is hard to notice: the card never left their possession, they didn’t have to manually enter or recite its details, and the bank alerts about the withdrawals can be delayed or even intercepted by the malicious app itself.

Among the red flags that should make you suspect a direct NFC attack are:

• prompts to install apps not from official stores;
• requests to tap your bank card on your phone.

The reverse NFCGate attack

The reverse attack is a newer, more sophisticated scheme. The victim’s smartphone no longer reads their card — it emulates the attacker’s card. To the victim, everything appears completely safe: there’s no need to recite card details, share codes, or tap a card to the phone.

Just like with the direct scheme, it all starts with social engineering. The user gets a call or message convincing them to install an app for “contactless payments”, “card security”, or even “using central bank digital currency”. Once installed, the new app asks to be set as the default contactless payment method — and this step is critically important. Thanks to this, the malware requires no root access — just user consent.

The malicious app then silently connects to the attackers’ server in the background, and the NFC data from a card belonging to one of the criminals is transmitted to the victim’s device. This step is completely invisible to the victim.

Next, the victim is directed to an ATM. Under the pretext of “transferring money to a secure account” or “sending money to themselves”, they are instructed to tap their phone on the ATM’s NFC reader. At this moment, the ATM is actually interacting with the attacker’s card. The PIN is dictated to the victim beforehand — presented as “new” or “temporary”.

The result is that all the money deposited or transferred by the victim ends up in the criminals’ account.

The hallmarks of this attack are:

• requests to change your default NFC payment method;
• a “new” PIN;
• any scenario where you’re told to go to an ATM and perform actions there under someone else’s instructions.

How to protect yourself from NFC relay attacks

NFC relay attacks rely not so much on technical vulnerabilities as on user trust. Defending against them comes down to some simple precautions.

• Make sure you keep your trusted contactless payment method (like Google Pay or Samsung Pay) as the default.
• Never tap your bank card on your phone at someone else’s request, or because an app tells you to. Legitimate apps might use your camera to scan a card number, but they’ll never ask you to use the NFC reader for your own card.
• Never follow instructions from strangers at an ATM — no matter who they claim to be.
• Avoid installing apps from unofficial sources. This includes links sent via messaging apps, social media, SMS, or recommended during a phone call — even if they come from someone claiming to be customer support or the police.
• Use comprehensive security on your Android smartphones to block scam calls, prevent visits to phishing sites, and stop malware installation.
• Stick to official app stores only. When downloading from a store, check the app’s reviews, number of downloads, publication date, and rating.
• When using an ATM, rely on your physical card instead of your smartphone for the transaction.
• Make it a habit to regularly check the “Payment default” setting in your phone’s NFC menu. If you see any suspicious apps listed, remove them immediately and run a full security scan on your device.
• Review the list of apps with accessibility permissions — this is a feature commonly abused by malware. Either revoke these permissions for any suspicious apps, or uninstall the apps completely.
• Save the official customer service numbers for your banks in your phone’s contacts. At the slightest hint of foul play, call your bank’s hotline directly without delay.
• If you suspect your card details may have been compromised, block the card immediately.

The outgoing year of 2025 has significantly transformed our access to the Web and the ways we navigate it. Radical new laws, the rise of AI assistants, and websites scrambling to block AI bots are reshaping the internet right before our eyes. So what do you need to know about these changes, and what skills and habits should you bring with you into 2026? As is our tradition, we’re framing this as eight New Year’s resolutions. What are we pledging for 2026?…

Get to know your local laws

Last year was a bumper crop for legislation that seriously changed the rules of the internet for everyday users. Lawmakers around the world have been busy:

• Banning social media for teens
• Introducing strict age verification (think scanning your ID) procedures to visit certain categories of websites
• Requiring explicit parental consent for minors to access many online services
• Applying pressure through blocks and lawsuits against platforms that wouldn’t comply with existing child protection laws — with Roblox finding itself in a particularly bright spotlight

Your best bet is to get news from sites that report calmly and without sensationalism, and to review legal experts’ commentaries. You need to understand what obligations fall on you, and, if you have underage children — what changes for them.

You might face difficult conversations with your kids about new rules for using social media or games. It’s crucial that teenage rebellion doesn’t lead to dangerous mistakes such as installing malware disguised as a “restriction-bypassing mod”, or migrating to small, unmoderated social networks. Safeguarding the younger generation requires reliable protection on their computers and smartphones, alongside parental control tools.

But it’s not just about simple compliance with laws. You’ll almost certainly encounter negative side effects that lawmakers didn’t anticipate.

Master new methods of securing access

Some websites choose to geoblock certain countries entirely to avoid the complexities of complying with regional regulations. If you’re certain your local laws allow access to the content, you can bypass these geoblocks by using a VPN. You need to select a server in a country where the site is accessible.

It’s important to choose a service that doesn’t just offer servers in the right locations, but actually enhances your privacy — as many free VPNs can effectively compromise it. We recommend Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection.

Brace for document leaks

While age verification can be implemented in different ways, it often involves websites using a third-party verification service. On your first login attempt, you’ll be redirected to a separate site to complete one of several checks: take a photo of your ID or driver’s license, use a bank card, or nod and smile for a video, and so on.

The mere idea of presenting a passport to access adult websites is deeply unpopular with many people on principle. But beyond that, there’s a serious risk of data leaks. These incidents are already a reality: data breaches have impacted a contractor used to verify Discord users, as well as service providers for TikTok and Uber. The more websites that require this verification, the higher the risk of a leak becomes.

So what can you do?

• Prioritize services that don’t require document uploads. Instead, look for those utilizing alternative age verification methods such as a micro-transaction charge to a payment card, confirmation through your bank or another trusted external provider, or behavioral/biometric analysis.
• Pick the least sensitive and easiest-to-replace document you have, and use only that one for all verifications. “Least sensitive” in this case means containing minimal personal data, and not referencing other primary identifiers like a national ID number.
• Use a separate, dedicated email address and phone number in combination with that document. For the sites and services that don’t verify your identity, use completely different contact details. This makes it much harder for your data to be easily pieced together from different leaks.

Learn scammers’ new playbook

It’s highly likely that under the guise of “age verification”, scammers will begin phishing for personal and payment data, and pushing malware onto visitors. After all, it’s very tempting to simply copy and paste some text on your computer instead of uploading a photo of your passport. Currently, ClickFix attacks are mostly disguised as CAPTCHA checks, but age verification is the logical next step for these schemes. How to lower these risks?

• Carefully check any websites that require verification. Do not complete the verification if you’ve already done it for that service before, or if you landed on the verification page via a link from a messaging app, search engine, or ad.
• Never download apps or copy and paste text for verification. All legitimate services operate within the browser window, though sometimes desktop users are asked to switch to a smartphone to complete the check.
• Analyze and be suspicious of any situation that requires entering a code received via a messaging app or SMS to access a website or confirm an action. This is often a scheme to hijack your messaging account or another critical service.
• Install reliable security software on all your computers and smartphones to help block access to scam sites. We recommend Kaspersky Premium — it provides: a secure VPN, malware protection, alerts if your personal data appears in public leaks, a password manager, parental controls, and much more.

Cultivate healthy AI usage habits

Even if you’re not a fan of AI, you’ll find it hard to avoid: it’s literally being shoved into each everyday service: Android, Chrome, MS Office, Windows, iOS, Creative Cloud… the list is endless. As with fast food, television, TikTok, and other easily accessible conveniences, the key is striking a balance between the healthy use of these assistants and developing an addiction.

Identify the areas where your mental sharpness and personal growth matter most to you. A person who doesn’t run regularly lowers their fitness level. Someone who always uses GPS navigation gets worse at reading paper maps. Wherever you value the work of your mind, offloading it to AI is a path to losing your edge. Maintain a balance: regularly do that mental work yourself — even if AI can do it well — from translating text to looking up info on Wikipedia. You don’t have to do it all the time, but remember to do it at least some of the time. For a more radical approach, you can also disable AI services wherever possible.

Know where the cost of a mistake is high. Despite developers’ best efforts, AI can sometimes deliver completely wrong answers with total confidence. These so-called hallucinations are unlikely to be fully eradicated anytime soon. Therefore, for important documents and critical decisions, either avoid using AI entirely, or scrutinize its output with extreme care. Check every number, every comma.

In other areas, feel free to experiment with AI. But even for seemingly harmless uses, remember that mistakes and hallucinations are a real possibility.

How to lower the risk of leaks. The more you use AI, the more of your information goes to the service provider. Whenever possible, prioritize AI features that run entirely on your device. This category includes things like the protection against fraudulent sites in Chrome, text translation in Firefox, the rewriting assistant in iOS, and so on. You can even run a full-fledged chatbot locally on your own computer.

AI agents need close supervision. The agentic capabilities of AI — where it doesn’t just suggest but actively does work for you — are especially risky. Thoroughly research the risks in this area before trusting an agent with online shopping or booking a vacation. And use modes where the assistant asks for your confirmation before entering personal data — let alone buying anything.

Audit your subscriptions and plans

The economics of the internet is shifting right before our eyes. The AI arms race is driving up the cost of components and computing power, tariffs and geopolitical conflicts are disrupting supply chains, and baking AI features into familiar products sometimes comes with a price hike. Practically any online service can get more expensive overnight — sometimes by double-digit percentages. Some providers are taking a different route, moving away from a fixed monthly fee to a pay-per-use model for things like songs downloaded or images generated.

To avoid nasty surprises when you check your bank statement, make it a habit to review the terms of all your paid subscriptions at least three or four times a year. You might find that a service has updated its plans and that you need to downgrade to a simpler one. Or a service might have quietly signed you up for an extra feature you’re not even aware of — and you need to disable it. Some services might be better switched to a free tier or canceled altogether. Financial literacy is becoming a must-have skill for managing your digital spending.

To get a complete picture of your subscriptions and truly understand how much you’re spending on digital services each month or year, it’s best to track them all in one place. A simple Excel or Google Docs spreadsheet works, but a dedicated app like SubsCrab is more convenient. It sends reminders for upcoming payments, shows all your spending month-by-month, and can even help you find better deals on the same or similar services.

Prioritize the longevity of your tech

The allure of powerful new processors, cameras, and AI features might tempt you to buy a new smartphone or laptop in 2026, but planning for making it last for several years should be a priority. There are a few reasons…

First, the pace of meaningful new features has slowed, and the urge to upgrade frequently has diminished for many. Second, gadget prices have risen significantly due to more expensive chips, labor, and shipping — making major purchases harder to justify. Furthermore, regulations like those in the EU now require easily replaceable batteries in new devices, meaning the part that wears out the fastest in a phone will be simpler and cheaper to swap out yourself.

So, what does it take to make sure your smartphone or laptop reliably lasts several years?

• Physical protection. Use cases, screen protectors, and maybe even a waterproof pouch.
• Proper storage. Avoid extreme temperatures, don’t leave it baking in direct sun or freezing overnight in a car at -15°C.
• Battery care. Avoid regularly draining it to single-digit percentages.
• Regular software updates. This is the trickiest part. Updates are essential for security to protect your phone or laptop from new types of attacks. However, updates can sometimes cause slowdowns, overheating, or battery drain. The prudent approach is to wait about a week after a major OS update, check feedback from users of your exact model, and only install it if the coast seems clear.

Secure your smart home

The smart home is giving way to a new concept: the intelligent home. The idea is that neural networks will help your home make its own decisions about what to do and when, all for your convenience — without needing pre-programmed routines. Thanks to the Matter 1.3 standard, a smart home can now manage not just lights, TVs, and locks, but also kitchen appliances, dryers, and even EV chargers! Even more importantly, we’re seeing a rise in devices where Matter over Thread is the native, primary communication protocol, like the new IKEA KAJPLATS lineup. Matter-powered devices from different vendors can see and communicate with each other. This means you can, say, buy an Apple HomePod as your smart home central hub and connect Philips Hue bulbs, Eve Energy plugs, and IKEA BILRESA switches to it.

All of this means that smart and intelligent homes will become more common — and so will the ways to attack them. We have a detailed article on smart home security, but here are a few key tips relevant in light of the transition to Matter.

• Consolidate your devices into a single Matter fabric. Use the minimum number of controllers, for example, one Apple TV + one smartphone. If a TV or another device accessible to many household members acts as a controller, be sure to use password security and other available restrictions for critical functions.
• Choose a hub and controller from major manufacturers with a serious commitment to security.
• Minimize the number of devices connecting your Matter fabric to the internet. These devices — referred to as Border Routers — must be well-protected from external cyberattacks, for example, by restricting their access at the level of your home internet router.
• Regularly audit your home network for any suspicious, unknown devices. In your Matter fabric, this is done via your controller or hub, and in your home network — via your primary router or a feature like Smart Home Monitor in Kaspersky Premium.

Admit it: you’ve been meaning to jump on the latest NFT reincarnation — Telegram Gifts — but just haven’t gotten around to it. It’s the hottest trend right now. Developers are churning out collectible images in partnership with celebs like Snoop Dogg. All your friends’ profiles are already decked out with these modish pictures, and you’re dying to hop on this hype train — but pay as little as possible for it.

And then it happens — a stranger messages you privately with a generous offer: a chance to snag a couple of these digital gifts — with no investment required. A bot that looks completely legit is running an airdrop. In the world of NFTs, an airdrop is a promotional stunt where a small number of new crypto assets are given away for free. The buzzword has been adopted on Telegram, thanks to the crypto nature of these gifts and the NFT mechanics running under the hood.

They’re offering you these gift images for free — or so they say. You could later attach them to your profile or sell them for Telegram’s native currency, Toncoin. You don’t even have to tap an external link. Just hit a button in the message, launch a Mini App right inside Telegram itself, and enter your login credentials. And then… your account immediately gets hijacked. You won’t get any gifts, and overall, you’ll be left with anything but a celebratory feeling.

Today, we break down a phishing scheme that exploits Telegram’s built-in Mini Apps, and share tips to help you avoid falling for these attacks.

How the new phishing scheme works

The principle of classic phishing is straightforward: the user gets a link to a fake website that mimics a legitimate sign-in form. When the victim enters their credentials, this data goes straight to the scammer. However, phishing tactics are constantly evolving, and this new attack method is far more insidious.

The bad actors create phishing Mini Apps directly inside Telegram. These appear as standard web pages but are embedded within the messaging app’s interface instead of opening in an external browser. To the user, these apps look completely legitimate. After all, they run within the official Telegram app itself.

This leads the victim to think, “If this app runs inside Telegram, there must be some kind of vetting process for these apps. Surely they wouldn’t let an obvious scam through?” In practice, it turns out that’s not the case at all.

How is this scheme even a thing?

A core security issue with Telegram Mini Apps is that the platform does almost no vetting before an app goes live. This is a world apart from the strict review processes used by Google Play and the App Store — although even there, obvious malware occasionally slips through.

On Telegram, it’s far easier for bad actors. Essentially, anyone who wishes to create and launch a Mini App can do so. Telegram does not review the code, functionality, or the developer’s intent. This turns a security flaw within a messaging service boasting nearly a billion global users into a global-scale problem. To make matters worse, moderation of these Mini Apps within Telegram is entirely reactive — meaning action is only taken after users start complaining or law enforcement gets involved.

In this case, the bait was “gifts” from UFC fighters: a giveaway of “papakhas” — digital gift images of the traditional Dagestani hat released by Telegram in partnership with Khabib Nurmagomedov. An auction for these items did take place, with Pavel Durov even posting about it on his X and Telegram (Khabib reposted these announcements but later deleted them after the auction ended). However, there were only 29 000 of these “papakhas” released, which wasn’t enough to satisfy all the eager fans. Scammers seized on the opportunity, assuring fans they could get the exclusive items for free. The phishing campaign was a targeted one — focusing on users who’d been active on the athlete’s channel.

How the scammers lull their victims

The criminals leveraged the name of the popular Portals platform — a legitimate service for games, apps, and entertainment within Telegram. They created a series of Mini Apps that were visually almost indistinguishable from the real ones, and promoted them as free giveaways — airdrops.

That said, the scam campaigns themselves show signs of being rushed and cutting design and copywriting costs — with obvious signs of AI involvement. Some of the messages contain leftover text fragments clearly generated by a neural network, which the scammers either forgot or couldn’t be bothered to edit.

How to protect your Telegram account from being hacked

The golden security rules are simple: stay vigilant, and learn the key hallmarks of these attacks:

• Verify the source. If you receive a link promising a giveaway from a celebrity or even Telegram itself but sent from an unfamiliar account or a dubious group, don’t click. Cross-check through the celebrity or company’s official channel to see if they’re actually running a promo like that.
• Inspect the account verification badge. Ascertain that the blue checkmark is real and not just an emoji status or part of the profile name. You can verify this by simply tapping that checkmark icon in the profile. If it’s a Premium emoji status, Telegram will explicitly tell you so. If a checkmark emoji is simply added to the profile name, tapping it doesn’t do anything. But if the account is genuinely verified, tapping the blue checkmark will bring up an official confirmation message from Telegram.
• Don’t be in a rush to authenticate in Mini Apps. Legitimate Telegram apps typically don’t require you to sign in again through a form inside the Mini App. If you’re prompted to enter your phone number or a verification code, it’s likely a phishing attempt.
• Look for signs of AI-generated text or design. Weird grammar, unnatural phrasing, or leftover neural network prompts within a message are a red flag. Scammers frequently use AI-powered generation to churn out text quickly and cheaply.
• Turn on two-step verification (your Telegram password). Do this right now in Settings → Privacy and Security → Two-Step Verification. Even if a scammer manages to get your phone number and SMS code, they won’t be able to access your account without this password. Obviously, never share your password with anyone — it’s meant only for you to sign in to your Telegram account.
• Use a passkey to secure your account. A recent Telegram update added the ability to securely sign in with a passkey. We’ve covered using passkeys with popular services and the associated caveats in detail. A passkey makes it nearly impossible for a malicious actor to steal your account. You can set one up in Settings → Privacy and Security → Passkeys.
• Store your password and passkey in a password manager. If you’ve secured your account with both a password and a passkey, remember that a weak, reused, or compromised password can still be the proverbial “spare key under the mat” for attackers — even if the “front door” is locked with a passkey. Therefore, we recommend creating a strong, unique password for Telegram and storing it — along with your passkey — in Kaspersky Password Manager. This keeps your credentials and keys available across all your devices.
• Install Kaspersky for Android on your smartphone. Its new anti-phishing technology protects you from phishing links embedded in notifications from any app.

What to do if your Telegram account was already stolen

The key is keeping calm and acting swiftly. You have just 24 hours to reclaim your account, or you risk losing it permanently. Follow the step-by-step guide to restoring access in our post What to do if your Telegram account is hacked.

Finally, a reminder that has become our classic mantra: if an offer looks too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Always verify information through official channels, and never enter your passwords or passkeys into unofficial apps or forms — even if they look legit. Stay vigilant and stay safe.

Want more tips on securing your messenger accounts and chats? Check out our related posts:

• Messengers 101: safety and privacy advice
• Messaging other platforms via WhatsApp: the pros and cons
• WhatsApp and Telegram account hijacking: How to protect yourself against scams
• What to do if your WhatsApp account gets hacked
• What to do if your Telegram account is hacked

Imagine: a user lands on a scam site, decides to make a purchase, and enters their bank card details, name, and address. Guess what happens next? If you think the attackers simply grab the cash and disappear — think again. Unfortunately, it’s much more complicated. In reality, the information enters a massive shadow-market pipeline, where victims’ data circulates for years, changing hands and being reused in new attacks.

At Kaspersky, we’ve studied the journey data takes after a phishing attack: who gets it, how it’s sorted, resold, and used on the shadow market. In this article, we map the route of stolen data, and explain how to protect yourself if you’ve already encountered phishing, or if you want to avoid it in the future. You can read the detailed report complete with technical insights on Securelist.

Harvesting data

Phishing sites are carefully disguised to look legitimate — sometimes the visual design, user interface, and even the domain name are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. To steal data, attackers typically employ HTML forms prompting users to enter their login credentials, payment card details, or other sensitive information.

As soon as the user hits Sign In or Pay, the information is instantly dispatched to the cybercrooks. Some malicious campaigns don’t harvest data directly through a phishing site but instead abuse legitimate services like Google Forms to hide the final destination server.

The stolen data is typically transmitted in one of three ways — or a combination of them:

• Email. This method is less common today due to possible delays or bans.
• Telegram bots. The attackers receive the information instantly. Most of these bots are disposable, which makes them hard to track.
• Admin panels. Cybercriminals can use specialized software to harvest and sort data, view statistics, and even automatically verify the stolen information.

What kind of data are phishers after?

The range of data sought by cybercriminals is quite extensive.

• Personal data: phone numbers, full names, email, registration and residential addresses. This information can be used to craft targeted attacks. People often fall for scams precisely because the attackers possess a large amount of personal information — addressing them by name, knowing where they live, and which services they use.
• Documents: data and scans of social security cards, driver licenses, insurance and tax IDs, and so on. Criminals use these for identity theft, applying for loans, and verifying identity when logging into banks or e-government portals.
• Credentials: logins, passwords, and one-time 2FA codes.
• Biometrics: face scans, fingerprints, and voice samples used to generate deepfakes or bypass two-factor authentication.
• Payment details: bank card and cryptocurrency wallet details.
• And much more.

According to our research, the vast majority (88.5%) of phishing attacks conducted from January through September 2025 targeted online account credentials, and 9.5% were attempts to obtain users’ personal data, such as names, addresses, and dates. Finally, 2% of phishing attacks were focused on stealing bank card details.

What happens to the stolen data next?

Not all stolen data is directly used by the attackers to transfer money to their own accounts. In fact, the data is seldom used instantly; more commonly, it finds its way onto the shadow market, reaching analysts and data brokers. A typical journey looks something like this.

1. Bulk sale of data

Raw data sets are bundled into massive archives and offered in bulk on dark web forums. These dumps often contain junk or outdated information, which is why they’re relatively cheap — starting at around US$50.

2. Data sorting and verification

These archives are purchased by hackers who act as analysts. They categorize datasets and verify the validity of the data by checking if the login credentials work for the specified services, if they are reused on other sites, and if they match any data from past breaches. For targeted attacks, cybercriminals compile a digital dossier. It stores information gathered from both recent and older attacks — essentially a spreadsheet of data ready to be used in hacks.

3. Resale of verified data

The sorted datasets are offered for sale again, now at a higher price — and not only on the dark web but also on the more familiar Telegram.

According to Kaspersky Digital Footprint Intelligence, account prices are driven by a large number of factors: account age, 2FA authentication, linked bank cards, and service userbase. It’s no surprise that the most expensive and in-demand commodity on this market is access to bank accounts and crypto wallets.

Category	Price, US$	Average price, US$
Crypto platforms	60–400	105
Banks	70–2000	350
E-government portals	15–2000	82.5
Social media	0.4–279	3
Messaging apps	0.065–150	2.5
Online stores	10–50	20
Games and gaming platforms	1–50	6
Global internet portals	0.2–2	0.9
Personal documents	0.5–125	15

4. Repeat attacks

Once a cybercriminal purchases a victim’s digital dossier, they can plan their next attack. They might use open-source intelligence to find out where the person works, and then craft a convincing email impersonating their boss. Alternatively, they could hack a social media profile, extract compromising photos, and demand a ransom for their return. However, rest assured that nearly all threatening or extortion emails are just a scare tactic by scammers.

Cybercriminals also use compromised accounts to send further phishing emails and malicious links to the victim’s contacts. So, if you receive a message asking you to vote for a niece in a contest, lend money, or click on a suspicious link, you have every reason to be wary.

What to do if your data has been stolen

1. First, recall what information you entered on the phishing site. If you provided payment card details, call your bank immediately and have the cards blocked. If you entered a login and password that you use for other accounts, change those passwords right away. A password manager can help you create and store strong, unique passwords.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. For more details on what 2FA is and how to use it, read our guide. When choosing a 2FA method, it’s best to avoid SMS, as one-time codes sent via a text can be intercepted. Ideally, use an authenticator app, such as Kaspersky Password Manager, to generate one-time codes.
3. Check the active sessions (the list of logged-in devices) in your important accounts. If you see a device or IP address you don’t recognize, terminate that session immediately. Then change your password and set up two-factor authentication.

How to guard against phishing

• Don’t click on links in emails or messages without first scanning them with a security solution.
• If you receive a suspicious email, always check the sender’s address to see if you’ve had any contact with that person before. If someone claims to represent a government authority or company, be sure to compare the domain the email was sent from with the domain of the organization’s official website. No official correspondence should ever come from a free email service.
• Use an authenticator app for two-factor authentication.
• Create hack-resistant passwords. Our research shows that hackers can crack almost 60% of all passwords in the world in less than an hour. Alternatively, consider switching to passkeys, which offer much stronger account protection, but keep in mind that they come with their own caveats.
• Remember: using the same password for multiple services is a critical mistake. This is exactly what malicious actors exploit. Even if you’ve never fallen for a phishing scam, your passwords and data can still end up in data breaches, as cyberattackers target not just individuals but entire companies. This year, the Identity Theft Resource Center has already recorded over two thousand data breaches. To minimize the risks, create a unique and strong password for every account. You don’t have to — and actually can’t — memorize them all. It’s better to use a password manager, which generates and securely stores complex passwords, syncs them across all your devices, auto-fills them on websites and in apps, and alerts you if any of your credentials appear in a known data breach.

More on phishing and scams:

• How phishers and scammers use AI
• Phishing 101: what to do if you get a phishing email
• Email extortion: how scammers use blackmail
• Telegram scams with bots, gifts, and crypto
• Et cetera

Americans aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion in 2024 to scammers, according to a report released by the FBI. These figures represent real people, real families, and life-changing financial devastation.

The impact extends beyond just the numbers. The average loss among people over the age of 60 was $83,000, more than four times the average overall loss in 2024. This disparity highlights why seniors have become prime targets for sophisticated scam operations.

Why seniors are targeted

Cybercriminals specifically target older adults for several reasons. Many seniors have accumulated substantial savings over their lifetimes, own their homes outright, and maintain good credit scores. Additionally, some may be less familiar with modern technology and digital security practices, making them more vulnerable to online deception.

The 5 scams draining senior bank accounts

1. Tech support fraud

Tech support scams happen when scammers pose as representatives of legitimate businesses like banks and utility companies. They reach out in various ways, including phone calls, texts and pop-up windows. They claim there’s an issue with a device or account and ask to send a fee to fix it. These fake alerts provide phone numbers that connect victims to scammers who then request remote access to computers and payment for unnecessary “repairs.”

2. Romance scams

Lonely seniors looking for love and companionship can easily fall victim to romance fraud. Criminals create fake profiles on dating sites and social media. These scammers build emotional relationships over weeks or months before requesting money to be wired or transferred to them for emergencies or travel expenses. Romance scams cost seniors $277 million (up 16% from 2022) according to the FTC’s latest report.

3. Grandparent scams

One of the most disturbing trends is the grandparent emergency scam. Fraudsters use AI to clone the voice of a grandchild in distress. Grandma or Grandpa gets a fake call from someone who sounds just like their grandchild saying need of money for bail, medical emergencies, or another crisis. They often request that the victim keep the call secret and send money immediately through wire transfers or gift cards. These scams work because they create emotional urgency.

4. Investment fraud

Older adults report losing more money, $538 million—a 34% increase over 2022, to investment scams than any other type of fraud. These scams often originate from phone calls, emails, social media, or events where fraudsters promise “guaranteed” high returns with little to no risk. Many schemes use urgency (“act now before it’s too late”), pose as financial advisors, or an affinity group related to their community or church. Seniors may fall for them because they sound safe and tailored to their situation, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate opportunities and fraudulent ones until it’s too late.

5. Government impersonation scams

Scammers pose as representatives from Medicare, Social Security, or the IRS, claiming there are problems with benefits or threatening legal action unless immediate payment is made. For example, a call, text or social media message from someone who says they work at the Social Security Administration. They threaten to suspend the senior’s Social Security number or stop their Social Security payments unless they send them money owed. This type of claim is a scheme to steal both identity and money.  Social Security numbers can’t be suspended, and government agencies will never ask to be paid via wire transfer, cryptocurrency or payment apps.

Signs that it might be a scam

• Unexpected phone calls or pop-ups claiming a computer is infected
• Requests for immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
• High-pressure tactics demanding quick decisions
• Unsolicited romantic interest from strangers online
• Claims of emergency situations involving family members
• Promises of unrealistic investment returns

How Webroot can help protect seniors

Modern cybersecurity solutions are essential for protecting seniors online. Webroot’s Total Protection offers multiple layers of protection specifically designed to combat the threats seniors face most.

Antivirus protection: Webroot’s advanced threat detection identifies and blocks malicious websites, phishing attempts, and dangerous downloads before they can cause harm.

Identity protection: Identity, credit, and financial accounts monitoring for fraud, with up $1M in fraud expense and stolen funds reimbursement.

Dark Web monitoring: This feature monitors personal information and alerts users if their data appears on the dark web or in data breaches.

Secure browsing: Webroot automatically warns users about suspicious websites and blocks access to known scam sites.

Password management: Strong, unique passwords are crucial for online safety, and Webroot’s password manager makes it easy to maintain secure accounts across all devices.

The importance of community awareness

The epidemic of attacks on seniors requires community-wide awareness and action.

Family members should regularly discuss online safety with senior relatives, helping them understand current scam tactics without creating fear or limiting their digital independence. Community organizations, libraries, and senior centers host educational workshops about cybersecurity and scam prevention. Seniors should check local events to learn more.

Moving forward safely

The digital world offers tremendous benefits for seniors, from staying connected with family to accessing healthcare and financial services online. The goal The goal for seniors isn’t to avoid technology but to use it safely and confidently.

By combining awareness, education, and robust cybersecurity tools like Webroot, seniors can enjoy the advantages of modern technology while staying protected from those who would exploit their trust and generosity. When something seems too good to be true or creates a sense of urgency, seniors should take time to verify information and consult with trusted family members or friends.

The fight against elder fraud requires vigilance from entire communities, but with the right tools and knowledge, families and communities can help protect their most vulnerable members from these devastating crimes.

Additional resources:

The cost of romance fraud

Spotting grandparent scams

AARP 2025 fraud and scams survey

Webroot solutions

The post Senior scams topped $4.8 billion in 2024: What to watch out for appeared first on Webroot Blog.

It all starts so innocently. You get a text saying “Your package couldn’t be delivered. Click here to reschedule.”  Little do you know, clicking that link could open the door for scammers to steal your identity, empty your bank account, or even plant malicious software (malware) on your device. Unless you know what to look out for, one little tap on the wrong text could cost you money and peace of mind.

Text scams, also known as smishing (SMS + phishing), are on the rise. These fraudulent  messages are sent by cybercriminals and are showing up more often and getting harder to spot. The goal is to get you to give up sensitive personal details that can be used to hack into your accounts, and they are alarmingly successful. The Federal Trade Commission reports that in 2024, consumers lost $470 million to scams that started with text messages.

Watch out for these common scams

Package delivery alerts

Package delivery alerts are the most common text scam. They often impersonate trusted delivery services like UPS, FedEx, and USPS. They claim there’s a delivery problem, then try to trick you into acting quickly by creating a sense of urgency. Because so many of us shop online and have packages delivered regularly, this is a scam that’s easy to fall for. Instead of clicking a link in a suspicious text, go directly to the delivery service’s website and enter your tracking number manually.

Tip: Messages like “Click now to avoid fees” are a red flag that you should make you think twice.

Unpaid toll alerts

These scams claim you have an overdue toll charge and demand that you click a link to make a payment or you’ll be hit with late charges. Don’t do it! These scammers are trying to gather personal data like your driver’s license number and credit card information so they can steal from you. Remember, fake texts are often sent from phone numbers or email addresses you do not recognize, so never click on a link sent from an unknown number.

Bank account alerts

These scams look like they’re from your bank and claim there’s an issue with your funds.  You’re asked for sensitive information like bank logins and passwords, which can be used to drain your bank account. They direct you to click a fake link or call a phony number to resolve it.

Tip: Most major banks, including Chase, Wells Fargo and Bank of America, will never ask for personal or account information via text.

Wrong number texts

Wrong number texts are designed to seem like a legitimate accident. They start with a simple text like “Hi Mary, are we still on for Thursday?” and you respond “Sorry, wrong number.” The unknown person then tries to start up a friendly conversation, with the goal of establishing a connection and sometimes even cultivating a romantic relationship. It’s common for these cybercriminals to try and con you into a fraudulent investment like a cryptocurrency scam.

Task scams

Task scams are fake job opportunities. You get a text promising online work with lucrative pay and flexibility. The offer may entail fun tasks like getting paid to shop, but the purpose is to lure you into sharing personal information like your social security number, which can be used to steal your identity. As always, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Prize or gift card scams

It’s easy to feel lucky if you get a text claiming you’ve won a prize, a gift card or other type of reward. Sadly, many people fall for this type of fraud. These messages appear to be from legitimate retailers like Amazon, Walmart or Target. They say things like “You’ve been selected for a $100 gift card!” and tell you to click a link to claim your prize. These scams often work because they generate a sense of excitement and urgency, but they’re just another way to trick you into clicking and entering personal or payment information. In reality, there’s no prize – just a phishing site or malware ready to steal your data.

Mobile security checklist

Most of us use our phones for everything – banking, shopping, messaging, and storing personal information. That makes them a treasure trove of sensitive data and a high-value target for cyberthieves. Here are some tips to help you strengthen your mobile security against text scams and other types of fraud.

• Don’t click: If you get a text from an unknown sender, do not click on any links. Reach out to the company using a confirmed phone number or website to check if it’s a legitimate message.
• Don’t share: Never share any of your personal or financial information via text. Remember that if someone is asking you to do this, they’re most likely a scammer.
• Fight the fear: Be wary about responding to a text that sounds urgent or threatening. Scammers love to take advantage by creating a sense of fear.
• Stay updated: By keeping your phone’s software up to date, you’ll always have the latest security patches. This is an important tool for protecting against viruses and other malware.
• Stay vigilant: If something seems too good to be true, it likely is. You probably haven’t won that latest iPhone, especially if you don’t remember entering a contest. Always take a moment to think critically before acting.
• Use strong passwords: Long, complex and unique passwords are a cornerstone of mobile security. Webroot solutions include password managers that help you stay safe while simplifying your life.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Use two-factor authentication on your accounts, especially for banking and email.
• Scan regularly: Scan your device on a regular basis with trusted security software. Whether you’re using Android or iOS, Webroot Mobile Security offers automatic scanning of apps and updates, as well as real-time protection against phishing and malicious websites.
• Use a VPN: Consider usinga VPN (Virtual Private Network) to protect your personal information when you’re on public Wi-Fi. Webroot Secure VPN provides safe browsing and online transactions for enhanced privacy and data security.

Text scams are a sneaky way for hackers to get access on your private data, but you don’t have to fall prey to them. By staying alert to the subtle signs of text scams and arming yourself with the security of Webroot, you can stay safe from the latest mobile threats. Browse, shop, and bank with confidence, knowing that your phone — and everything on it — is protected.

Introducing Text Scams Detection on Webroot Mobile Security for Android!

Stay one step ahead of scammers with Webroot’s latest feature: Text Scams Detection. Our advanced technology scans incoming text messages for suspicious links and fraudulent content, protecting you from phishing attempts and malicious schemes like fake delivery tracking links or fraudulent bank notifications. With real-time alerts and flagging, you can confidently navigate your digital world without the fear of falling victim to text scams. Download Webroot Mobile Security for Android today and experience peace of mind like never before!

Explore Webroot plans or Download Mobile Security for Android now from My Account.

Looking for more information and solutions?

Top Text Scams

The Strategy Behind Phishing Texts

How to Spot and Report Text Scams

Putting a Stop to Spam Texts

Protect Yourself from Text Scams

The Value of a VPN

Protecting Your Digital Life

The post Mobile security matters: Protecting your phone from text scams appeared first on Webroot Blog.