Your phone rings, and the caller says your bank account is under attack. To protect your savings, you must move the money right now. The caller sounds calm. The instructions feel official. However, the “safe account” belongs to a scammer. That pressure can turn years of savings into an irreversible transfer. Georgia now gives some banks and credit unions another chance to interrupt the payment before the money leaves.

House Bill 945 took effect July 1, 2026. The law lets financial institutions pause certain transactions when they reasonably suspect financial exploitation. It protects adults age 65 or older. It also covers adults with qualifying physical or mental incapacities, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The idea sounds simple. Yet the details matter because your bank’s power may depend on your state, your account and the institution’s own policy.

YOUR FAMILY COULD BE ONE PHONE CALL FROM A BANK SCAM

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Georgia’s new bank scam law can pause a suspicious payment

Under Georgia’s law, a financial institution may place a hold on a transaction linked to suspected exploitation. The law can cover an eligible adult’s account or an account where that adult is a beneficiary. It can also reach an account belonging to someone suspected of carrying out the exploitation. That last provision gives the law extra reach. In practice, it could help when suspicious money arrives in another customer’s account. The institution may have room to stop the payment from moving farther when the facts support concern.

However, the law gives banks discretion. It says a financial institution may place the hold, but it does not require one. Therefore, a worried teller or fraud analyst still has to notice the warning signs and act. The law also focuses on the suspicious transaction. It does not automatically shut down every payment or withdrawal connected to the account.

A possible 30-day delay comes with limits

A Georgia hold initially expires after 15 business days. The bank may add up to 15 more business days if its review still supports the exploitation concern. A court may shorten or extend that period. The bank must notify authorized account parties and any trusted contact within three business days. It can skip someone it reasonably suspects of taking part in the exploitation. The institution must also begin reviewing the facts behind its decision.

Before using this power, the institution must train the employees involved. It also needs written procedures for reviewing suspected exploitation. The law gives institutions liability protection when they act in good faith and use reasonable care.

A trusted contact can help without controlling your money

Georgia’s law also allows an eligible adult to name a trusted contact for an account. That person could be a relative, friend or another adult the account owner trusts. The bank may contact that person when it suspects exploitation. It may also ask for help confirming contact information, health status or the identity of someone holding power of attorney. In some cases, the institution may share only that it suspects exploitation.

A trusted contact does not automatically gain access to your balance. The role also does not grant authority to move your money or make decisions for you. Federal regulators describe the contact as a backup person whom the institution can alert when something looks wrong.

Which states let banks pause suspected scam payments?

Georgia is part of a much larger shift. As of today, at least 33 states have enacted laws that let banks, credit unions or other covered financial institutions delay certain transactions when they suspect financial exploitation.

The FTC’s most recent nationwide chart identified 24 states with these laws.

However, the agency warned that its chart was only a snapshot and advised readers to check current state statutes.

However, the agency warned that its chart was only a snapshot and advised readers to check current state statutes. Since that report, nine additional states have enacted protections.

These 33 states have enacted transaction-hold protections

The states are:

• Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia and Idaho
• Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Montana
• Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon and Rhode Island
• South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming

The laws do not give every bank the same power. Some let an institution pause a payment on its own. Others require a report to law enforcement or adult protective services. The protected age can also vary, while several states include younger adults with qualifying disabilities. Hold periods differ even more. A delay may last only a few business days in one state. Elsewhere, an investigation or court order can keep the payment on hold much longer.

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Nine states have joined the list since the FTC’s last review

Here is what the newer state laws do.

Colorado

Colorado’s HB 26-1110 created the Adults’ Security and Safeguards from Exploitation in Transactions Act, known as the ASSET Act. It lets a bank or credit union delay a disbursement when it reasonably believes a vulnerable adult faces financial exploitation. The institution must notify law enforcement or adult protective services. A decision generally must be made within 90 days. That period can reach 180 days when an agency investigation remains underway. The law takes effect August 12, 2026.

Georgia

Georgia’s HB 945 lets a financial institution place a hold on a suspicious transaction involving an eligible adult. The law also reaches accounts where the adult is a beneficiary. In some cases, it can cover an account belonging to the suspected perpetrator. The initial hold lasts up to 15 business days. A bank may extend it for another 15 business days when its review continues to support the concern. The law also includes trusted contacts, employee training and written notice requirements.

Idaho

Idaho enacted HB 182, known as the Report and Hold law, in 2025. It covers a broad range of financial businesses, including banks, credit unions, lenders, money transmitters and investment firms. Covered professionals may temporarily pause suspicious transactions and report suspected exploitation. The law also gives them liability protection when they act in good faith.

Maine

Maine’s 2025 law covers adults age 65 or older and people protected by the state’s Adult Protective Services Act. A bank or credit union may delay a disbursement when it reasonably believes the payment could result in exploitation. The institution must notify the Maine attorney general within two business days. The hold generally ends within 15 business days unless a court extends it. Customers may also be able to designate a trusted contact.

Maryland

Maryland’s Vulnerable Adult Banking Protection Act covers residents age 65 or older and vulnerable adults who cannot provide for their daily needs. A financial institution may delay or deny a suspicious disbursement. An initial delay can last 15 business days. The institution or an investigating agency can extend it for up to 25 business days from the original request date. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

North Carolina

North Carolina’s SB 595 gives financial institutions broad authority to delay or refuse transactions involving suspected exploitation of older or disabled adults. The law covers withdrawals, transfers and some requested account changes. An initial delay can last up to 30 business days. The institution may extend it for another 30 business days if it continues to believe exploitation is occurring. Banks may also alert a trusted contact.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s SB 2067 requires financial institution employees to report suspicious activity internally and notify an appropriate agency. Banks and credit unions may place a temporary hold on a reported account. They can also contact someone previously designated by the account holder. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

South Dakota

South Dakota’s HB 1238 lets a financial institution delay or refuse certain transactions when it reasonably believes exploitation may have occurred or is being attempted. The law protects senior and vulnerable adults. It also covers a consenting adult who asks the institution to take protective action.

Vermont

Vermont’s Act 106 lets covered financial institutions delay a transaction when they reasonably believe a customer faces financial exploitation. The initial delay can last 15 business days. The institution may add another 15 days when it believes the exploitation may continue. Vermont approved the law on May 20, 2026.

Why bank scam protections vary by state

The federal Senior Safe Act encourages financial professionals to report suspected exploitation. It also offers liability protection to covered institutions and trained employees who make qualifying reports. However, the law does not create one nationwide transaction-hold rule for checking and savings accounts. Investment accounts follow a different framework. FINRA Rule 2165 lets a brokerage firm temporarily hold certain disbursements or securities transactions when it reasonably believes an eligible adult faces financial exploitation.

The rule generally covers adults age 65 or older along with some younger adults who have qualifying impairments. As a result, a brokerage firm may have national regulatory authority to pause a suspicious request. A bank handling your checking account may depend more heavily on the law in your state.

A state law still cannot guarantee your payment will stop

Most state laws give a bank permission to act rather than requiring it to block every suspicious payment. The institution still needs to recognize the warning signs and have enough information to reasonably suspect exploitation. Your protection may depend on your age, the account involved and where you live. Your bank’s internal policies and employee training also play a role. Even in a state with a transaction-hold law, a payment may go through before anyone realizes a scam is underway.

Scammers know speed works in their favor

CyberGuy has reported on grandparent scams that use urgent calls, stolen details and AI-cloned voices. We have also covered crypto kiosk scamswhere frightened victims followed a caller’s instructions while the money moved beyond easy recovery. Georgia also used HB 945 to add safeguards for virtual currency kiosks, another payment method scammers use to move money quickly.

In both cases, the scammer wants to keep you isolated. They may warn you not to call your family or bank. They might claim that an employee is part of the investigation. A transaction hold attacks that pressure tactic. It adds time, which gives someone a chance to ask a basic question: Does this story make sense? Of course, no law will catch every scam. A payment can move through a different state, another financial service or a crypto wallet. Also, a bank may miss the warning signs or choose not to place a hold.

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Do these bank scam transaction hold laws work?

An ABA Foundation survey commissioned from 158 banks offers an early view. Half of the responding banks in states with hold laws said they had used the authority to delay, refuse or hold transactions. Nearly 90% of respondents in states without such laws supported adopting them. The survey reflects the banking industry’s experience rather than a nationwide independent study. Even so, it shows that banks see value in having time to investigate.

That time can also create a difficult balance. Banks need enough authority to stop a devastating payment. Yet they must avoid blocking legitimate transactions based on age alone. Georgia tries to address that concern with a reasonable-cause standard. It also requires notice, employee training and an internal review. Whether the law succeeds will depend on how institutions use those tools.

How to protect your money from bank scams

You should not assume your bank can reverse a scam payment. You also cannot count on it pausing every suspicious transaction. The safest approach is to put protections in place before an urgent call, text or email catches you off guard.

1) Ask your bank about trusted contacts and transaction holds

Call your bank’s fraud department and ask whether you can add a trusted contact to your account. Then ask what the bank does when an employee suspects financial exploitation. You should also find out whether your state allows the bank to delay a suspicious transaction. The answer may differ between your checking account and your brokerage account.

2) Turn on instant alerts for account activity

Enable notifications for withdrawals, transfers and card purchases. Choose the lowest available dollar threshold so you hear about unusual activity quickly. Also review your bank’s daily transfer and wire limits. Lower limits can make it harder for a scammer to move a large amount of money in one transaction.

3) Make sure your trusted contact understands the role

Choose someone who will answer quickly and question an unusual request. Make sure that person knows your bank may call if something appears wrong. A trusted contact does not automatically gain access to your money. The role gives your bank another way to reach someone you trust during a possible emergency.

4) Create a family code word for emergencies

Choose a private word or phrase that family members can use to verify a real emergency. If someone calls claiming a loved one needs money, ask for the code word. Then hang up and contact your relative through a phone number you already have. Never call a number provided by the person demanding payment.

5) Never transfer money to a so-called safe account

A bank, government agency or law enforcement officer will not tell you to protect your savings by transferring them to another account. Scammers often use the phrase “safe account” to make a fraudulent transfer sound official. Do not send money through a wire transfer, cryptocurrency kiosk or payment app while someone is pressuring you to act immediately. End the conversation and call your bank using the number on the back of your card or its official website.

6) Use strong security software on your devices

Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious links, fake websites and downloads that scammers use to steal financial information. Keep the software updated on your phone and computer. Security software cannot stop every phone scam. However, it can block some of the digital tools criminals use before they reach your bank account. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

7) Reduce the personal information scammers can use

Scammers may pull your age, relatives’ names, phone number and address from data broker and people-search websites. They can use those details to make a fake emergency sound convincing. A data removal service can help reduce how much personal information appears on these sites. It cannot remove every record from the internet, but it can make it harder for criminals to build a detailed profile around you or your family. 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.

8) Act quickly if money starts moving

Call your bank’s fraud department as soon as you suspect a scam. Ask the institution to stop, recall or flag the transaction. Change your online banking password from a trusted device and review recent account activity. If you shared login details, ask the bank whether it should lock online access or issue new account numbers. Next, report the incident to local law enforcement and the appropriate fraud agency. For suspected elder financial abuse, you can also contact Adult Protective Services in your state.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Georgia’s new law gives financial institutions explicit authority to pause certain transactions when they suspect financial exploitation. However, the hold remains optional, and the protection applies only in qualifying situations. The issue reaches far beyond Georgia. At least 33 states have enacted some form of transaction-hold authority for banks or credit unions, although several newer laws have later effective dates. The protections still vary, so your state and financial institution can shape what happens during the most urgent minutes of a scam. Add a trusted contact where available. Talk with your family about how to verify an emergency and learn how your bank handles suspicious payments. A five-minute conversation today could create the pause that saves someone’s life savings later.

Should a bank have the power to delay your payment when it believes a scammer is directing you, even if you insist the transfer is legitimate? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Get ready for more AI characters in Fortnite. Developer Epic Games is going to let Fortnite creators publish experiences featuring characters with AI-powered voices starting on July 30th, and ahead of that launch, it’s created 36 characters with “consistent voices and personas” that creators can use as NPCs. The characters include Fortnite staples like Agent Jonesy, Peely (the banana), Fishstick (a walking fish), and Cuddle Team Leader (who wears a pink bear mascot head).

Epic tested the waters of AI characters with last year’s Darth Vader NPC that was powered by James Earl Jones’ voice — a collaboration that Jones’ estate signed off on. Even though players quickly got Vader to swear, something Epic fixed quickly, the company announced shortly after debuting Vader that Fortnite creators would be able to make AI-powered characters of their own.

The voices for these new personas rely on “performances captured from independent professional actors specifically for use in developer-made islands,” Epic says. “The actors agreed to have their performances used to develop voice models that create the spoken responses for these LLM-powered Fortnite characters.”

Down the line, it sounds like Epic wants to make characters featuring voices from the well-known actors that have appeared in the Fortnite universe, but it will have to secure the right approvals to do so. “Our next step is to work with the relevant guilds and character voice actors who have previously worked on Fortnite Battle Royale to explore opportunities to make their original voices available across the Fortnite ecosystem,” the company says.

Apple AirDrop and Android Quick Share are the kind of phone features you probably use without thinking much about them. You want to send a photo across the room. You want to move a file from your phone to your laptop. So you tap share, pick a nearby device and move on.

Now, new security research shows those handy nearby-sharing tools can also create a wireless opening around your phone.

Researchers at the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security examined Apple AirDrop and Android Quick Share. They found six vulnerabilities across Apple, Samsung and Google implementations. The flaws include AirDrop crash bugs, Samsung Quick Share protocol issues and a Google Quick Share for Windows bug that could potentially lead to remote code execution.

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That can affect you in a very everyday way. Your phone may be sitting in your pocket at an airport gate, in a coffee shop or inside a packed conference room while it listens for nearby sharing requests. If a bad actor gets close enough, they could try to take advantage of that open wireless doorway before you even realize anything happened. So, before you leave AirDrop or Quick Share open again, here is what the research found and the settings worth checking now.

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AirDrop Quick Share security flaws explained

The researchers call this a proximity problem. AirDrop and Quick Share are built to find nearby devices without the usual setup of pairing first. That convenience is the whole point. It also means the sharing software has to listen before it fully trusts the other device.

According to the research, the affected protocols are used by more than five billion devices. Apple reports more than 2.2 billion active devices running the sharing service tied to AirDrop. Google reports more than 3 billion Android devices with Quick Share available system-wide or used as a default sharing tool on many phones.

The study found three AirDrop issues that could be triggered before authentication. It also found two Samsung Quick Share protocol flaws. In addition, researchers found one Google Quick Share for Windows use-after-free bug. Apple, Samsung and Google acknowledged the reports, according to the researchers.

Why AirDrop and Quick Share can expose your phone

Most phone attacks we talk about involve bad links, fake login pages or shady apps. This research points to a different kind of risk because it starts with physical proximity. A nearby attacker may not need your password. They may not need you to open a website either. In some cases, the target device only needs to be discoverable or in a sharing mode that listens for nearby devices.

That does not mean someone can grab every photo on your phone by standing next to you. The known flaws are narrower than that. Still, the research shows that file-sharing features sit closer to sensitive parts of the system than many of us realize. AirDrop interacts with Apple’s sharing service, which supports features beyond file transfers. Quick Share also moves through low-level networking and device-to-device connection steps. That is why bugs in this area deserve your attention.

How nearby hackers could abuse AirDrop and Quick Share

The most immediate risk is disruption. Researchers found AirDrop bugs that could crash Apple’s sharing service. That service supports AirDrop and other continuity features.

On Samsung Quick Share, researchers found protocol weaknesses that could let an attacker manipulate connection behavior before full authentication. Another issue could allow certain control messages to be injected during an active transfer.

The Google Quick Share for Windows bug is more serious on paper. Researchers described it as a heap use-after-free issue and said Google awarded a bug bounty for it. The paper says this type of bug could potentially be developed into a full remote code-execution exploit.

Google told CyberGuy it has addressed the Windows issue. “We’ve patched the flaw identified for Quick Share for Windows. As a best security practice, users should always ensure they apply the latest security updates available for their device,” a Google spokesperson said.

For most phone owners, the daily takeaway is clear. Nearby sharing is useful, but you should avoid leaving your device open to everyone when you do not need it.

Who faces the biggest AirDrop and Quick Share risk

You should be extra careful with AirDrop or Quick Share when you are around a lot of strangers. That includes airports, trains, hotels and large events. These are places where a nearby attacker could sit close enough to reach many devices at once.

The risk goes up when your phone is set to receive from everyone. On iPhone, Apple says the “Everyone for 10 Minutes” setting reverts after 10 minutes if you are signed in to your Apple Account. If you are not signed in, it reverts to Receiving Off. That time limit helps. Even so, you should treat “Everyone” as a temporary setting. Turn it on only when you need it.

Ways to stay safe from AirDrop and Quick Share risks

The good news is that a few quick settings checks can make your phone much harder for nearby strangers to reach. You can also review these iPhone and Android security settings for more ways to lock down your device.

1) Update your phone and computer

Start with regular software updates. The researchers responsibly disclosed the findings, and fixes are underway across vendors. Install iOS, iPadOS, macOS, Android, Samsung updates, Google Play system updates and Quick Share for Windows updates as soon as they become available. Also check the apps or utilities tied to sharing on your computer. Quick Share for Windows was part of this research, so remember the PC side if you use Android-to-Windows transfers.

2) Lock down AirDrop on iPhone

On iPhone, keep AirDrop limited unless you are actively using it. The safest everyday choice is Receiving Off or Contacts Only.

• To check AirDrop from Control Center on most newer iPhones, wake up your iPhone and unlock it. Look at the top-right corner of the screen where you see the battery icon. Place your finger near that corner and swipe down toward the middle of the screen. If Notification Center opens instead, try again from farther to the right.
• Next, look for the box in the top-left area with the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and airplane icons. Touch and hold that box until it expands.
• Then tap AirDrop. Choose Receiving Off if you do not want anyone nearby to send you files. Choose Contacts Only if you only want people saved in your contacts to reach you.
• You can also use the Settings app. Tap Settings, then General, then AirDrop. From there, choose Receiving Off, Contacts Only or Everyone for 10 Minutes.
• Use Everyone for 10 Minutes only when you are expecting a file from someone nearby. After that, go back to AirDrop and switch it to Contacts Only or Receiving Off.

3) Limit Quick Share on Samsung

On a Samsung phone, Quick Share controls who can see your device and send you files nearby. The safest everyday choice is No one or Contacts only.

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• To check it from the Quick panel, wake up your phone and unlock it. Place two fingers at the very top-right area of the screen and swipe down. This opens the full Quick panel. If that feels tricky, swipe down once from the top of the screen, then swipe down again to see more buttons.
• Look for the Quick Share button. If you do not see it, swipe left across the Quick panel to see more buttons. Tap Quick Share.
• A menu should appear that says Who can share with you. Choose No one if you do not want nearby people to find your phone. Choose Contacts only if you only want saved contacts to share with you. Avoid Everyone or Anyone nearby unless you are expecting a file from someone you trust.
• You can also use the Settings app. Tap Settings, then tap the search bar at the top. Type Quick Share. Tap Quick Share, then tap Who can share with you. Choose No one or Contacts only.
• Use Everyone or Anyone nearby only when you are actively receiving a file. After that, go back into Quick Share and switch it to No one or Contacts only.

4) Decline random file requests

A file request from a stranger should be a red flag. Even if the file name looks harmless, decline it. Attackers often rely on curiosity. They may use a funny photo name or something that looks like it came from a nearby event. If you did not ask for the file, decline the request.

5) Turn off nearby sharing in crowded places

If you are traveling or sitting in a packed public place, turn receiving off. This is especially helpful at airports, train stations and large events. You can still turn AirDrop or Quick Share back on when you actually need it. That small habit gives you more control over when your phone is visible.

6) Be careful with personal files

If you use AirDrop or Quick Share to send personal files, slow down before you tap send. Check the recipient name carefully. When possible, confirm the device in person before sharing. Be extra careful with photos, tax documents, travel confirmations, medical forms, school paperwork or anything that includes your address, phone number or financial details. Avoid sending private files to devices with generic names like “iPhone,” “Galaxy” or “Laptop.” For sensitive documents, use a trusted cloud storage or file-sharing service where you can confirm the recipient, manage access and add password protection when available.

7) Keep Bluetooth and Wi-Fi under control

Nearby sharing often relies on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to discover and transfer between devices. You do not need to turn both off all day. However, it is smart to disable sharing features when you are done. Also, skip random public Wi-Fi networks just because they look familiar. Your phone can do a lot in the background. Give it fewer chances to talk to strangers.

8) Use strong security software

Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious files if you accidentally accept something you should not have. This is especially important on computers, since Quick Share for Windows was part of the research. Keep your security software updated and scan any file that looks suspicious before opening it. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

AirDrop and Quick Share are useful, and most of us will keep using them. I know I will. But this research is a good reminder that nearby sharing should not stay wide open by default. The issue comes down to convenience. Phone makers made file sharing feel effortless. That is great when you are sending vacation photos to family or moving a file to your laptop. It feels different when the same feature is listening in a packed airport, coffee shop or hotel lobby. What stands out to me is the range. A bad actor may only need to be close by. So, my advice is straightforward. Update your devices. Keep AirDrop and Quick Share limited to people you trust. Turn off receiving when you are in a crowd. And never accept a file request you were not expecting.

Should phones make nearby sharing harder to leave open in public places? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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