Technology

Heartless scammers are preying on people's lost pet anguish

Published

2 years ago

June 29, 2024

Heartless scammers are preying on people's lost pet anguish

Scammers prey on society’s most vulnerable members, stopping at nothing to exploit their victims’ emotions for financial gain. In a despicable new scheme, these con artists are stooping to a new low by taking advantage of distraught pet owners desperately searching for their lost companions.

The “lost pet” scam cunningly manipulates the anguish and attachment felt by loving owners to extract money through deception.

This insidious tactic tugs at heartstrings, making it imperative for pet owners to be informed and vigilant against falling prey to such callous exploitation during their time of distress. Here’s what you need to know so you don’t fall victim to this scam and can focus on finding your beloved pet.

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A man on the street with his dog. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What is the ‘lost pet’ scam?

The “lost pet” scam is a scam that specifically targets owners of lost pets. Imagine your dog runs away or your cat gets out the window. You post “lost pet” signs all over your neighborhood and also share a post on social media with the hopes of spreading the news far and wide in case someone finds your pet. You may even offer a reward (but this won’t matter to scammers who have other tactics to get money up their sleeves already).

The scammers explicitly look out for or search online for these postings (which is not hard to do) and call the number on the sign or post. Then, the owner on the other end of the line — who is already probably anxious to receive this call — is suddenly caught off guard by the scammer’s tactics. One tactic is to claim that they’ve found your pet but had to take it to the vet, and they need the money to pay the vet bill.

Another is to tell the victim they’ve found the pet, but they are asking for an exorbitant amount of money. When the owner realizes this may be more of an extortion (thinking that the scammer still very much has their pet in their possession), the scammer may start to threaten to hurt the animal until the victim hands over the money. They will even go as far as to threaten to kill the pet if the victim turns the tables and threatens to call the police.

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“Lost cat” post on tree. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to avoid falling victim to ‘lost pet’ scammers

The first thing to understand is that a scammer is not your friend. Most people who find a lost pet are going to help get it back to the owner. Chances are, if a scammer is calling you, they don’t actually have your pet. And, if they do (perhaps they have even stolen your pet), then you’ll want to call the police regardless.

1. Ask the person to describe your pet. To avoid them reading your “lost pet” posters, try to leave some information on the posters that only someone with your physical pet would know.

2. Tell them you want to “hear” your pet. Most pet owners can recognize their dog’s bark.

3. Ask them to tell you how and when they found your pet.

4. If your pet has a microchip, ask them to scan it.

5. Ask for video proof or a photo of your pet. Remember, AI is helping scammers to get away with this more easily, so if it looks fake, it probably is. If they do, in fact, have your pet, agree to give them the money in person when they hand over your pet.

6. If they claim to have to pay a vet bill, tell them you have insurance on the pet and that you’ll need to talk to the vet’s office where they took it. If you can find out the scammer’s location or get an idea of where they are calling from, then you can search for veterinary offices in that area to see if anyone has seen the pet.

Of course, aside from all of this, do your very best to keep your pet safe. Make sure you have proper fencing and an appropriate harness/leash for walks. In addition to these scammers taking advantage of people with lost pets, there are those who actually steal pets and extort the owners, too — something that’s sadly becoming more common these days. Some pet owners, for instance, will put a GPS tracker on their pet to help in these situations, but hackers can get access to that as well and use it to track down your pet (and, by default, you).

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How to use the internet to actually help find your lost pet

Too many of us know the pain of having a pet run away from home. The good news is that microchips and social media can give pet owners hope that they may actually see their pets again. But it’s important to use the internet safely so that you don’t fall victim to one of these scams while ensuring you’re focused on connecting with people who actually have your and your pet’s interests at heart.

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Research the local animal shelters and pounds in your area. They may have your pet, and by going online, you can often find the best and quickest way to get in touch with them. And, it also helps to give them a heads-up in case that pet comes in through their doors.

Look for local neighborhoods and community groups, as well as “lost/found pet” groups in your area. It’s safer to join groups that require members to be invited or answer questions to get in to limit the number of strangers who don’t belong in these groups. There, you can first browse “found pets” to see if anyone has come across yours. If you don’t see anything, then post about your pet and include a photo, but see if you can leave out one or two less important identifying details that only a person physically with the pet could see.

A woman with her pet. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Look, I get it — losing a pet is an incredibly stressful and emotional experience. Your furry friend is part of the family, so, of course, you’ll do anything to get them back safe and sound. But please, be on high alert for these heartless scammers trying to take advantage of your vulnerability. They have no shame and will stoop to new lows to line their own pockets.

At the end of the day, use common sense. If something seems fishy about someone claiming to have your pet, trust your gut. Don’t let desperation cloud your judgment. Stay vigilant, but also try to keep a level head. Your pet is counting on you to outsmart the scammers. With some street smarts and the right precautions, you can focus on what really matters — getting your beloved companion back home where they belong, safe and sound in your arms once again.

Have you ever encountered a scam during a vulnerable time? We’d love to hear your story and any wisdom you can share to help others navigate these challenges. Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Soundcore new Space 2 promise improved ANC and sound

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Soundcore new Space 2 promise improved ANC and sound

We finally have an update to the Soundcore Space One that launched two and a half years ago. At MWC 2026, Soundcore has announced the Space 2, which will be available in the US on April 21st in three colors — linen white, jet black, and seafoam green — for $129.99. That’s $30 more than the Space One’s original price.

According to Soundcore, the Space 2 have had a full-band noise cancellation upgrade with the focus of those improvements on the low-frequency sounds we all generally use ANC headphones to block — things like airplane, train, and bus engine sounds while traveling. The Space 2 use the same number of microphones as the Space One for noise canceling, instead relying on optimized mic placement and structure and materials improvements for the boost in performance.

Redesigned 40mm drivers incorporate dual layers in their design. There’s a silk diaphragm with metal ceramic that supposedly results in faster transient response — the driver’s ability to respond to sudden sound quickly and accurately — with better balanced sound reproduction. The Space One had great sound performance for the price, but I’m all for any improvement to sound performance accuracy. Like the Space One, the Space 2 will support LDAC high-res audio.

The headphones connect wirelessly over Bluetooth 6.1, although they do not support Auracast transmissions — an unfortunate exclusion. There’s also a 3.5mm jack for a wired connection.

Battery life has been increased to up to 50 hours with ANC and 70 hours with ANC off. This is up from 40 hours with ANC and 55 hours without ANC with the Space One headphones. With a five-minute charge the Space 2 get an additional four hours of listening.

The Space 2 will include many of the features found on the Space One. You can use HearID 3.0 to go through a series of sound samples to tune the headphones’ sound to your preferences. It worked well for me on the Space One to get them closer to a sound I liked, with a bit of the edge taken off the higher frequencies. There’s also a sensor that detects when you remove the headphones and stops playback so you don’t miss any of your music or podcast. They once again come with a cloth bag that matches the color of the headphones instead of a case, which is one change I wish Soundcore had made, as the cloth bag doesn’t offer as much protection if you tend to throw your headphones into your backpack or bag.

The Soundcore Space One were among the best budget ANC headphones when they came out, and still hold up to more recent releases. But with the bump in price to over $100 for the Space 2, there’s a bit more expectation on them. ANC performance continues to improve — and products get cheaper — across manufacturers, so the Soundcore Space 2 has some competition from companies like Sony, EarFun, and JLab. If the ANC on the Space 2 stands up to current budget headphones and they still sound as good and are as comfortable as the Space One, you can expect to see the new Soundcore Space 2 on many recommendation lists.

Technology

Tired of websites blocking your VPN? A dedicated IP fixes that

Published

7 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Tired of websites blocking your VPN? A dedicated IP fixes that

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If you have ever turned on your VPN and suddenly could not log in to your bank, email, streaming service or work portal, you are not imagining things. In fact, this is one of the most common frustrations VPN users face today.

However, the issue is not that VPNs stopped working. Instead, websites have become far more aggressive about blocking traffic that looks suspicious.

As a result, the way your VPN is built now matters just as much as whether you use one at all.

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Shared VPN IPs often trigger red flags, which is why banks, email providers and streaming sites sometimes block access. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why websites block many VPN connections

Most VPNs give you a shared IP address. As a result, hundreds or even thousands of people can appear online from the same address at the same time. From a website’s perspective, that traffic pattern raises red flags. When platforms detect too many logins, rapid location changes or unusual activity tied to one IP, they step in quickly. In many cases, they respond by:

Blocking access
Triggering captchas
Requiring extra verification codes
Temporarily locking accounts

Meanwhile, you did nothing wrong. Instead, you end up dealing with restrictions caused by other users sharing that same IP address.

What a dedicated IP does differently

With a dedicated IP, you get an address that belongs only to you. Unlike shared VPN connections, no one else uses it.

Each time you connect, you use the same IP address. As a result, you avoid sharing traffic, rotating locations or competing with random users whose activity could trigger blocks.

Because of that consistency, your connection looks much more like a typical home or office internet setup. And that simple difference can dramatically reduce website suspicion and login headaches.

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A dedicated IP gives you a consistent address that looks more like a normal home connection, reducing captchas and login alerts. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What a dedicated IP can do that shared VPN IPs usually can’t

That consistency does more than reduce suspicion; it improves how smoothly you access the sites and services you use every day.

Access more websites without blocks

Banks, government portals, healthcare sites, and streaming services are far less likely to block a dedicated IP because it does not show heavy or erratic traffic patterns.

Reduce captchas and security challenges

Those endless “prove you’re human” messages are usually triggered by shared IP abuse. A dedicated IP dramatically reduces them.

Make banking and email logins smoother

Financial institutions and email providers often flag constantly changing IP addresses as suspicious. A dedicated IP stays consistent, so login alerts and lockouts happen far less often.

Support remote work and secure systems

Some employers only allow access from approved IP addresses. Shared VPN IPs cannot be approved. Dedicated IPs can.

Improve streaming reliability

Shared VPN IPs are often the first to get blocked when streaming services crack down. Dedicated IPs are less likely to be flagged because traffic looks normal and predictable.

What a dedicated IP does not do

A dedicated IP:

Does not remove encryption
Does not expose your identity
Does not weaken your privacy

Your traffic remains encrypted, and your real location stays hidden. You simply get a connection that websites trust more.

Who benefits most from a dedicated IP

A dedicated IP is especially helpful if you:

Use online banking regularly
Travel and access sites from different locations
Work remotely
Stream often
Get tired of captchas and blocked pages
Want a VPN that feels normal to use

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With fewer blocks and smoother logins, a dedicated IP helps your VPN work quietly in the background instead of getting in your way. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How to choose a VPN that offers a dedicated IP

If you want these benefits, look for a VPN provider that offers a dedicated IP option built directly into its service. Some providers include it in premium plans, while others offer it as an add-on. Either way, the process should be simple. You should be able to select your dedicated IP inside the app without advanced setup or manual configuration. Before signing up, check that the provider also offers strong speeds, reliable uptime and clear privacy policies. A dedicated IP improves access, but overall performance still matters.

What to look for beyond a dedicated IP

A dedicated IP reduces blocks. However, a quality VPN should also deliver strong security and smooth performance.

Fast, stable connections: Speed matters for streaming, video calls and everyday browsing. Look for providers known for consistent performance.

Wide server coverage: More server locations give you flexibility when traveling and help reduce location errors.

Clear privacy practices: Choose a VPN with a strict no-logs policy and independent audits when possible.

Secure server technology: Modern VPNs often use RAM-based servers that automatically wipe data on reboot.

Easy-to-use apps: Protection should feel simple, not technical. Clean apps across major devices make daily use effortless.

For the best VPN software, see my expert review of the best VPNs for browsing the web privately on your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s key takeaway

If your VPN keeps getting blocked, the problem may not be the VPN itself. It may be the shared IP address behind it. Websites are increasingly aggressive about suspicious traffic. When hundreds of users share the same IP, banks, email providers and streaming platforms take notice. That is when the captchas, verification codes and account lockouts start. A dedicated IP changes that experience. You still get encryption. You still protect your real location. But your connection looks stable and predictable, which helps you avoid constant interruptions.

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Should protecting your privacy really mean fighting with your bank, email, and streaming apps? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Technology

Polymarket defends its decision to allow betting on war as ‘invaluable’

Published

19 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Polymarket defends its decision to allow betting on war as ‘invaluable’

It might be World War III, but at least I won $20. | Image: Polymarket / The Verge

Polymarket has been allowing people to bet on when the US would strike Iran next. Obviously, now that it’s actually happened and people have died, the prediction betting market is feeling some pressure. The site has been at the center of controversy before, including suspicions of insider trading on the Super Bowl halftime show and the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

In a statement posted on its site, Polymarket defended its decision to allow betting on the potential start of a war, saying that it was an “invaluable” source of news and answers, before taking shots at traditional media and Elon Musk’s X. The statement reads:

…

Read the full story at The Verge.