For every memory seared into my brain, there are thousands of others I either can’t retain or trust. I spent the last eight months forgetting to fix a homeowner association (HOA) violation despite numerous reminder emails. My cousins and I have been trapped in our own version of Akira Kurosawa’s Rashomon over who said what at grandma’s funeral. Cursed with the working memory of a goldfish, I’ve apologized dozens of times to everyone for failing to do the things I said I would.
Technology
I outsourced my memory to an AI pin and all I got was fanfiction
These are the problems that Bee, a $50 AI wearable, aims to solve.
$50
The Good
- Good at broadly summarizing themes in your life
- Most helpful at summarizing meetings
- Can help you remember to do random tasks
- Good battery life
- It’s only $50
The Bad
- Fact-checking your memories is a dystopia I’m not ready for
- Struggles to reliably differentiate speakers
- It listens to all your conversations
- Several first-gen quirks
- iOS only for now
Unlike the Rabbit R1 or the Humane AI Pin, Bee isn’t a flashy gizmo designed to replace your smartphone. Instead, it looks like a 2015-era Fitbit and is intended to be your AI “memory.” You strap it onto your wrist or clip it onto your shirt. It’ll then listen to all your conversations. Those conversations get turned into transcripts, though no audio is saved in the process. Depending on your comfort level, you can permit it to scan through your emails, contacts, location, reminders, photos, and calendar events. Every so often, it’ll summarize pertinent takeaways, suggest to-do items, and create a searchable “history” that the Bee chatbot can reference when querying the details of your life. At 8PM, you’ll get a daily AI-generated diary entry. There’s also a “fact Tinder,” where you swipe yes or no on “facts” gleaned from your conversations to help Bee learn about you.
1/11
So if your HOA emails you for the 20th time about a faulty smoke alarm, it might suggest that as a to-do item. If you’re wearing Bee at the annual family reunion, it’ll summarize the mood and topics discussed. Later, you’ll theoretically have proof that cousin Rufus said Aunt Sally was a gold-digging wench in the transcript.
There’s a glimmer of a good idea here. But after a month of testing, I’ve never felt more gaslit.
I wore the Bee to a demo for the BoldHue foundation printer. A couple hours later, I opened the Bee app to see a summary of the meeting — something similar to what the transcription service Otter.ai does when I upload audio files. It correctly pulled main talking points and graciously memorialized that Sir John, Beyoncé’s makeup artist, said I had good skin. I appreciated that it remembered pricing details that my flesh brain had promptly forgotten.
It also got the name of the product completely wrong.
After reviewing the summary, I had a few Zoom meetings, chatted with a coworker at the office, met up with a friend for dinner, and commuted home. Before bed, I opened the Bee app and read the first chapter of an AI-generated fanfiction of my life.
“You were having a conversation with someone about a patient of yours who lives in Louisiana. The patient appears to be causing harm to another person.”
“Victoria and her friend were driving, reminiscing about childhood memories. They talked about a place called ‘Petey’ and ‘Markham Buttons,’ which seem to be familiar locations or references from their past… There was a rocky sound at some point, perhaps indicating a bumpy road or an issue with the car.”
None of these things happened. At least, not as written. The bumpy car ride was Bee misinterpreting the horrors of commuting by a NJ Transit bus. Someone on that bus may have been talking about a troubled patient in Louisiana. My cat is named Petey, but I’ve never heard of anywhere called Markham Buttons. Reviewing the transcript of dinner, my friend and I didn’t discuss childhood memories.
Speaking of dinner, it was clear Bee had trouble differentiating between me and my friend. It also struggled telling us apart from our waiter. I tried labeling speakers but that got old fast.
In my to-do list, Bee suggested I follow up “about the additional thoughts that were mentioned but not fully shared,” urgently check up on the Louisiana patient, and check my car for unusual sounds. Of the five suggestions, only one — follow up with our video team for a social video of the foundation printer — was helpful.
I compared Bee’s version of my day with my diary entry. I wrote about trying Paddington Bear-themed marmalade sandwiches in our office kitchen. (Not a fan. I did, however, note that the strawberry-flavored shortbread cookie was excellent.) I wrote several paragraphs about a sensitive text conversation I had with a friend. Bee never picked up these moments because memorable things aren’t always spoken aloud.
It made me wonder: in a hypothetical future where everyone has a Bee, do unspoken memories simply not exist?
After wearing Bee for two weeks, I noticed my behavior started to change. On day three, after a workout and latte, I committed bathroom crimes. Unthinking, I cracked a joke about my digestive sin. According to the Bee transcript, I said, “Shit! This thing is listening to me!”
Later that day, I met with my editor. Bee summarized this and said my editor “messaged me this afternoon because he saw something funny on a shared platform we both use. Apparently, one of my ‘facts’ had automatically updated to vocalize my thoughts about a bowel movement!” Bee also suggested I start carrying around Lactaid again in my to-dos.
Having reviewed several Bee-generated summaries in the first two weeks, AI should learn to butt out of conversations about death, sex, and bowel movements. Life is hard enough. No one needs to be humbled by AI like this.
I started making a point of muting Bee while commuting or in the office. The last thing I needed was Bee making up more weird things. I also wasn’t keen on violating strangers’ and coworkers’ privacy. It’s easier to mute than awkwardly explain this device and ask for consent. Most of my friends didn’t mind. They’re used to my job-related shenanigans. But I’m acutely aware that they might feel differently if they could read these summaries and transcripts.
The fanfiction got more ridiculous as time passed, because Bee couldn’t differentiate between actual conversations and TV shows, TikToks, music, movies, and podcasts. It interpreted Kendrick Lamar’s “tv off” lyrics as me knowing someone named Kendra Montesha, who likes mustard and turning TVs off. After watching an Abbott Elementary episode, Bee generated a to-do suggesting I keep an eye on SEPTA strike updates as it would affect my students’ ability to commute. Obviously, I’m not a public school teacher in Philadelphia.
Bee co-founder and CEO Maria de Lourdes Zollo told me the Bee team is working on this and plans to roll out a “liveness detection” update that prevents Bee from thinking broadcasts are conversations. In the meantime, I used headphones or muted Bee during TV shows.
By the end of week two, I was Pavlov’ed. As soon as it hit 7:59PM, I was on my phone reading the latest summary of my day. Forget season eight of Love is Blind. Fact-checking Bee was my new nightly entertainment.
Sometimes the night’s episode was a comedy. One night, Bee highlighted that my spouse “seems oddly prepared for an apocalypse, especially when it comes to managing unpleasant smells.” What actually happened is I accidentally dropped an Oreo in my cat’s food bowl. We debated what I should do. I cited the three-second rule. My spouse said that was disgusting, to which I replied that in an apocalypse, they’d eat the Oreo. They retorted they’d rather disinfect the Oreo with a heat gun.
Other nights, the episode was dystopian horror. Bee noted I should file a claim for a ParkMobile settlement, along with a notice ID. I googled the lawsuit — it’s an actual thing. I’ve scoured all four of my inboxes but found no such email. Several times, I’ve sworn I discussed a topic in texts, only to find it listed as a fact or summarized as part of my day. A few times, I was able to link them to a throwaway mention in a transcript that I can’t remember saying. I grew unsettled by how much Bee could glean from an offhand comment.
I no longer spoke as freely as I used to.
This was the week where Bee sent me spiraling.
Fact-checking Bee turned into an interrogation of my memories. Didn’t I say I disliked weisswurst at a happy hour with colleagues? I muted Bee that entire time. How, then, did it generate the fact that I don’t like German sausages? Did I forget another conversation where this came up?
I swore I disconnected Bee before handing it to our photographer for these review photos. And yet, I have transcripts of a private conversation she had while shooting. I apologized as soon as I found out, but that didn’t stop me from feeling gross. This wasn’t the first or the last time I had this disconnection issue. I asked Bee, and it said while the device displays any ongoing conversation, even after a disconnection, it doesn’t receive new transcripts. I have no reason to believe Bee is lying. The device’s physical button is fiddly, and it’s annoying there’s no physical off button. Regardless, I felt like I couldn’t trust myself.
This was also the week where I started engaging with Bee’s chatbot. You can ask things like, “How is my work-life balance this week?” or “Tell me about my relationship with my spouse over the past month.” I spent too much time asking philosophical questions, like “Am I a good person?” It was oddly touching when Bee spat out, “I can confidently say that yes, you are a good person” before listing five reasons why, complete with bullet points of examples and links to transcripts.
1/5
More sobering was asking it about my moods over the past month. Bee said I’ve experienced a period of “significant stress balanced with moments of accomplishment and joy.” When asked to summarize the themes of my life, it detailed how I’ve been mediating a tense family dispute. That’s when I remembered this device heard me cry on the phone while fighting with a cousin. Reading Bee’s analysis, my vulnerable moments no longer felt fully mine.
Zollo assured me that Bee takes privacy seriously. Audio is processed in real time on the cloud but not saved. Data is encrypted in transfer and at rest. Conversations can be deleted at any time. Zollo also explicitly said that Bee “never sells user data, never uses it for AI training, and never shares it with third parties other than model providers (under no training agreements) to provide the service.” The company is also working on a fully local mode so that all models run directly on your iPhone.
Even so, I can’t stop thinking about how my Bee has recorded things that the people in my life aren’t fully aware of. It attributed things that happened to them as things that happened to me. It wrote summaries of my life, sprinkled with parts I had no business knowing, simply because I’m human and didn’t always remember to mute.
Bee isn’t a unique idea. The Plaud NotePin, Friend, and Omi all promise to do similar tasks. Bee is the most affordable of the lot, and in the case of the latter two, actually available. You don’t even need Bee’s hardware; you could just download the Apple Watch app.
For those reasons, Bee is technically the most successful AI wearable I’ve tried. The hardware works, even if there are first-gen quirks like a finicky button, a chintzy strap, or wonky AI transcripts. (I mean, it’s AI.) Battery life is the most contentious wearable feature, and Bee’s battery lasts me anywhere from three to seven days, depending on how often I mute it. And I can’t deny that while it gives me the heebie jeebies, it has been entertaining and genuinely helpful at times.
But having lived with Bee, I’m not sold on AI doubling as your memory. Sure, it was convenient to get summaries of work meetings. That felt appropriate. But it’s the other moments in life — the sensitive and fraught ones — where using Bee felt more like voyeurism.
Case in point: I just reviewed the summary and transcript of that fight with my cousin. Did it help me remember why I was angry? Yes. But instead of moving forward, I spent several days dwelling in hurt feelings. In the end, I had to delete the conversation so I could forgive. Sometimes, being human means knowing when to forget. I don’t trust an AI to do that yet.
Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them, since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate.
To use Bee, you must pair it with an iPhone. That includes the phone’s Terms of Service, privacy policy, and any other permissions you grant. Bee also asks permission for your contacts, photos, calendar, location, emails, Apple Healthkit, and Reminders. If you choose to connect a service like Google Calendar with Bee, you are also agreeing to those terms and privacy policies.
By setting up Bee, you’re agreeing to:
Final tally: two mandatory agreements and several optional permissions.
Food delivery drones launch in NJ
FOX Business correspondent Madison Alworth reports on drone food delivery services launching in New Jersey on ‘America Reports.’
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You’re hungry, and your stomach’s already growling. Normally, you’d grab your phone, open your favorite delivery app and start scrolling through endless restaurant lists. Tap a few menus, pick a few items and before you know it, you’ve built your order piece by piece.
But with Amazon Alexa+, you can skip all that tapping and scrolling. Just tell Alexa what you’re in the mood for, change your mind halfway or add something extra as you go, like you’re chatting with someone taking your order.
That’s the new idea behind Alexa+. Amazon has rolled out a voice-powered food ordering feature that lets you get delivery from Uber Eats and Grubhub without ever opening an app. Just say what you want, and Alexa handles the rest.
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ALEXA.COM BRINGS ALEXA+ TO YOUR BROWSER
Amazon Alexa+ now lets users order food from Uber Eats and Grubhub by voice, turning delivery into a back-and-forth conversation instead of a series of taps. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
What you need to use Alexa+
Now, before you start ordering with your voice, there are a few quick setup steps.
- You need an Alexa+ compatible device, like an Echo Show
- You must link your Uber Eats or Grubhub account in the Alexa app
- Your past orders can sync automatically for quick reordering
Once that’s done, it becomes a hands-free experience.
How to set up Alexa+ for food ordering (step by step)
We set this up using the Amazon Alexa app on a phone, and these are the exact steps we followed. The menus may look slightly different depending on your device.
- Open the Alexa app on your phone
- Tap “More” (it usually has three horizontal lines)
- Tap “Alexa+ Store”
- Use the search bar and type in Uber or Grubhub.
- Tap the service you want
- When it appears, tap to open it.
- Tap “Connect” or “Enable” (You may see a page from “pitangui.amazon.com” during setup. That’s part of Amazon’s system and is safe if you open it from the Alexa app. )
- Next, sign in to your account on your phone
- Tap “Grant access”
- Tap “Continue”
- Tap “Close” to return to the app
After we linked our Grubhub account, we got a confirmation email saying everything was successfully connected. Once that’s all done, it becomes a hands-free experience.
To actually place an order, go to your Echo device and say, “Alexa, I want to order food,” then follow the prompts on the screen. Note: the feature is still rolling out and works best on newer Echo Show devices.
You can also manage or remove the connection anytime in the Alexa app by going to: Alexa App > Menu > Settings > Manage Alexa+ Services Unlink & Revoke Permissions
How Alexa+ actually builds your order
After you’re set up, this is where things start to change. For years, voice assistants followed a simple pattern. You ask something. It answers. That’s it.
With Amazon Alexa+, that model shifts. Instead of giving one command at a time, you can carry on a back-and-forth conversation.
You might start with:
- “Show me Mexican food”
- “Actually, let’s do pizza”
- “Add a large pepperoni with extra cheese”
- “Wait, make that two”
The system updates your order in real time. If you change your mind, it adjusts instantly on screen. Even better, it only jumps in when you need help. That means fewer interruptions and a smoother flow.
GRUBHUB CONFIRMS DATA BREACH AMID EXTORTION CLAIMS
With Alexa+, Amazon is pushing voice ordering beyond basic commands, letting users browse restaurants, customize meals and check delivery status through natural conversation. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
How Alexa+ lets you customize your order
This is where things start to feel different from anything we’ve seen before.
You can explore like you’re talking to a person
You don’t need exact menu names. Say something like “meat lovers pizza,” and Alexa+ finds the closest match. Want dessert? Just ask. Curious what’s popular? Ask that too.
You can change your mind mid-order
Most apps make you backtrack. Alexa+ lets you pivot on the fly. Add items. Remove them. Adjust quantities. Switch restaurants entirely. Everything updates live on your screen.
You see the full breakdown before you pay
Before checkout, you’ll get a clear summary:
- Item names
- Quantities
- Individual prices
- Total cost
That transparency matters, especially when small add-ons can quickly add up.
You can track your delivery with your voice
Once your order is placed, you can simply ask:
“Alexa, where’s my food?”
No need to dig through notifications or open another app.
Why Amazon is pushing Alexa+ now
This isn’t just about food delivery. Amazon is testing a bigger idea. It wants Alexa+ to adapt based on what you’re trying to do. Ordering food needs flexibility. Checking the weather doesn’t. So instead of one rigid interaction style, Alexa+ shifts its behavior depending on the task. Food ordering is just the beginning. Amazon is already hinting at future uses like grocery shopping and travel planning.
GRUBHUB LAUNCHES FIRST-EVER COMMERCIAL DRONE FOOD DELIVERY SERVICE IN NEW JERSEY
Amazon’s new Alexa+ food-ordering feature connects with Uber Eats and Grubhub, allowing users to build, change and track delivery orders without opening an app.
What this means to you
This feature sounds convenient, and in many ways it is. Still, there are a few things worth thinking about before you start ordering dinner out loud. First, it makes ordering easier. That’s great for speed, but it can also make spending feel effortless. When ordering becomes a conversation, it’s easy to keep adding items without paying attention to the total. Second, your data matters. Linking accounts means Amazon can connect your voice activity with your food habits. That includes what you order, when you order and how often. Third, it changes how you interact with technology. Instead of tapping and scrolling, you’re relying on AI to interpret what you mean. That saves time, but it also means trusting the system to get things right. Finally, it may reshape your habits. If this becomes second nature, opening apps could start to feel old-fashioned before long.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Ordering food has always been simple. Now it’s becoming conversational. That shift might sound small, but it signals something bigger. Technology is moving away from commands and toward natural interaction. The goal is to make devices feel less like tools and more like assistants. The real question is how far that goes. If your device can handle dinner tonight, what else will it manage tomorrow?
And here’s something to think about: At what point does convenience start making decisions for you instead of helping you make them? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Though Tim Cook is shedding his CEO title for the role of Apple’s executive chairman, it appears he’ll keep one of his most important duties: that of the company’s Trump whisperer.
“As executive chairman, Cook will assist with certain aspects of the company, including engaging with policymakers around the world,” Apple writes in a press release. Translation: he’s sticking around to deal with thorny political relationships — in particular the one with President Donald Trump.
Throughout his tenure, Cook has navigated Apple through tricky political terrain. He’s had to balance the company’s massive business interest in China with US policymakers’ concerns, and he’s worked to appease Trump for favorable regulatory decisions, without alienating too many Apple employees and customers in the process.
Cook has navigated Apple through tricky political terrain
The task of wooing Trump has repeatedly placed Cook in embarrassing situations: Cook showed the president around a factory in Texas in 2019, where Trump wrongly boasted that because of his policies, Apple was building a new manufacturing plant in the US. Last year, he presented Trump with a symbolic gift of “Made in the USA” glass from Apple supplier Corning set in 24-karat gold.
Recently, Cook took criticism from Trump critics for attending a movie night at the White House, for a screening of the documentary Melania, the same day that Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents on the streets of Minneapolis during a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Cook later vaguely referred to the “events in Minneapolis,” and referenced a “good conversation with the president.”
As Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering John Ternus takes over as CEO, the company will need to overcome significant policy challenges, including global efforts to regulate AI, and a push for app stores to verify user ages. Lucky for Ternus, Cook will still be there to take on that job.
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Just about every day, we receive emails from readers who have encountered new scams. Many involve cryptocurrency. The pattern keeps repeating. Someone receives a message that feels urgent, emotional or exciting. The person on the other end sounds confident and persuasive. Before long, the victim is being asked to send money through cryptocurrency. Once the money is sent, it often disappears forever.
Cryptocurrency appeals to scammers for a simple reason. Transactions move quickly, often cross international borders and usually cannot be reversed once completed. That combination makes crypto payments especially attractive to criminals.
Kate recently wrote to us with a great question.
“Could you do an article that illustrates the scripts used by scammers to lure people to send money using cryptocurrency. Those scripts must be very convincing to get so many reasonably intelligent people to send money. Maybe five or six examples of the scripts, so people, especially seniors, will know what to watch out for.”
Kate is absolutely right. These scripts are convincing because scammers practice them constantly. They use psychology, urgency and emotion to push people toward quick decisions.
FAKE GOOGLE GEMINI AI PUSHES ‘GOOGLE COIN’ CRYPTO SCAM
Crypto scammers use polished scripts built on urgency, trust and emotion to pressure victims into sending irreversible payments. (gpointstudio/Getty Images)
Let’s break down some of the most common crypto scam scripts, so you know what they sound like before they reach your inbox or phone.
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The investment opportunity script
This script often begins with a friendly introduction through social media, email or even a text message.
Example script:
“Hi, I work with a private investment group that trades cryptocurrency. We’ve helped many people earn steady returns. If you invest $500 today, you could earn $5,000 within weeks. I can show you proof of other investors’ success.”
The scammer may send fake screenshots of profits. Some will even allow a small withdrawal early on to build trust. Eventually, they push the victim to send larger deposits. Once the larger transfer is sent, the account suddenly stops responding.
The romance crypto script
This scam often starts with a simple message on a dating app, Facebook or Instagram. The first contact is friendly and low-pressure.
Example initial script:
“Hi, insert name here, I hope you don’t mind me saying hello. Your profile caught my attention, and you seem like a very kind person. How has your day been?”
After a few days of conversation, the scammer begins sharing details about their life. They often claim to work overseas as an engineer, doctor or business owner. Eventually, they mention cryptocurrency trading as something they do on the side.
Later message in the script:
“I have been doing some short-term crypto trading after work. It has helped me save a lot faster. If you are interested, I can show you the platform I use. It is very easy to start with a small amount.”
From there, the scammer guides the victim to a fake trading site or asks them to transfer cryptocurrency to a wallet they control. At first, the account may show fake profits. The victim believes the investment is working and sends more money. Eventually, the victim cannot withdraw any money.
MALICIOUS MAC EXTENSIONS STEAL CRYPTO WALLETS AND PASSWORDS
From romance schemes to fake government threats, scammers often follow repeatable crypto scripts designed to sound convincing. Knowing the pattern can help you stop the fraud early. (Nhac NGUYEN / AFP via Getty Images)
The government impersonation script
Scammers often pretend to represent government agencies or law enforcement.
Example script:
“This is an urgent notice regarding your tax account. Your Social Security number has been linked to suspicious activity. To prevent legal action, you must verify your identity and pay the outstanding balance today using cryptocurrency.”
Government agencies do not demand payment through cryptocurrency. The goal is to scare you into acting quickly without checking the facts.
The tech support emergency script
This scam often begins with a pop-up warning or an unexpected phone call.
Example script:
“Your computer has been compromised by hackers. Your bank information may be at risk. To secure your system, we need you to transfer funds temporarily into a protected cryptocurrency wallet.“
The scammer claims the funds will be returned once the system is secure. In reality, the transfer moves the money directly to the criminal.
The crypto giveaway script
This scam frequently appears on social media or video platforms.
Example script:
“We are celebrating a new crypto launch. Send 0.1 Bitcoin to this wallet, and we will immediately send back double the amount.”
The message may appear to come from a well-known company or public figure. The wallet address belongs to the scammer. Anyone who sends funds receives nothing in return.
The fake recovery service script
This scam targets people who have already lost money.
Example script:
“We specialize in recovering stolen cryptocurrency. Our investigators located the wallet that received your funds. To begin the recovery process, we require a small crypto payment to unlock the legal tracing tools.”
The victim believes they are hiring professionals to recover their money. Instead, they are being scammed again.
Why these scripts work so well
These scams succeed because they exploit human behavior. First, they create urgency. Victims feel pressured to act quickly.
Second, they create trust. The scammer may sound friendly or sympathetic.
Third, they promise rewards. Investment scams offer profits that feel life-changing.
Finally, cryptocurrency adds confusion. Many people are still learning how it works. Criminals take advantage of that uncertainty.
Understanding these scripts is the first step to protecting yourself. Once you recognize the patterns scammers use, it becomes much easier to stop the conversation before money is involved.
How to protect yourself from crypto scams
Crypto scammers rely on urgency, trust and confusion to pressure victims into sending money. These practical steps can help you recognize warning signs and avoid costly mistakes.
1 CLICK COST A FATHER $4 MILLION IN BITCOIN TO VISHING SCAMMERS
Criminals favor cryptocurrency because transactions move fast, cross borders easily and usually cannot be reversed. That makes crypto a powerful tool for scammers. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
1) Slow down when money is involved
Scammers depend on urgency to push victims into fast decisions. If someone pressures you to send money immediately, treat it as a warning sign. Pause the conversation and verify the situation independently. Contact the company, agency or person through a known phone number or official website. Taking even a few minutes to step back can stop a scam before money leaves your account.
2) Never send cryptocurrency to someone you do not know
Cryptocurrency transactions work very differently from credit cards or bank transfers. Once funds are sent, they usually cannot be reversed. Scammers prefer crypto because it moves quickly and often crosses international borders. If someone asks for payment through Bitcoin, Ethereum or another digital currency, assume the request is suspicious until proven otherwise.
3) Verify investment opportunities independently
Many crypto scams promise fast profits or guaranteed returns. Legitimate investments never guarantee profits. Before investing, search the company name, website and contact information online. Look for warnings from regulators or consumer protection agencies. If you cannot find reliable information about the company, that is a major red flag.
4) Use strong antivirus software on your devices
Scammers frequently use phishing links, fake websites and malicious downloads to trick victims. Strong antivirus software can help detect these threats before they cause damage. Strong antivirus software can warn you about suspicious websites, block malicious downloads and help stop phishing attempts that try to steal your financial information. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
5) Reduce the personal information scammers can find online
Scammers often research their targets before sending messages. They may gather details from public records, social media or data broker websites. Limiting the amount of personal information available online can make it harder for criminals to craft convincing messages. Removing your data from people search sites with a data removal service can reduce the chances of becoming a target. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
6) Be cautious with online relationships
Romance scams often begin with friendly messages on dating apps or social media. Over time, the scammer builds trust and eventually introduces a crypto investment opportunity. If someone you have never met begins discussing cryptocurrency investments or asks you to move money, take a step back. Real relationships do not require financial transfers to strangers.
7) Never trust screenshots or profit dashboards
Crypto scammers often show screenshots of trading accounts that appear to generate large profits. These images are easy to fake or are displayed on fraudulent websites controlled by the scammer. Even if a platform shows profits, it does not mean the money exists. If you cannot withdraw funds easily through a verified exchange, the investment may be fake.
8) Watch for requests to move conversations off the platform
Many scams begin on social media, dating apps or messaging platforms. After the first contact, scammers often ask victims to continue the conversation on WhatsApp, Telegram or another private messaging app. Moving the conversation helps them avoid detection by the original platform. If someone quickly asks you to switch apps, treat it as a warning sign.
9) Talk to someone you trust before sending money
Scammers often isolate their victims and discourage them from discussing the situation with friends or family. Before sending cryptocurrency or making a large investment, pause and talk to someone you trust. A second opinion can often spot warning signs that are easy to miss when emotions are involved.
What to do if you already sent cryptocurrency to a scammer
If you believe you sent cryptocurrency to a scammer, act quickly. Contact the exchange or platform you used to send the funds and report the transaction immediately. Some exchanges may be able to flag the receiving wallet and help investigators track suspicious activity.
You should also report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and notify your local law enforcement agency. If the scam began on a social media site, dating app or messaging platform, report the account there as well so it can be investigated and removed.
While recovering funds can be difficult, reporting the incident can help authorities identify larger fraud networks and potentially prevent others from becoming victims.
Kurt’s key takeaways
Cryptocurrency scams continue to grow because the scripts are polished and carefully tested. The criminals behind them understand human psychology. They know when to apply pressure, when to build trust and when to promise rewards. Recognizing these patterns is one of the most powerful ways to stop them. When you know the script, the scam becomes much easier to spot.
Have you ever received a message that tried to convince you to send cryptocurrency, and did the script almost sound believable? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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