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Heartless scammers are preying on people's lost pet anguish

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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Technology

Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes

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Honda’s hybrid future starts with new Accord and RDX prototypes

Honda revealed prototypes of two new hybrid models, an Accord sedan and the Acura RDX SUV, during its annual business briefing this week, built on a platform that it says will begin launching next year. The RDX was announced earlier this year as Honda’s first SUV to feature the next-gen version of its two-motor hybrid system.

In March, Honda announced it would take a writedown of up to 2.5 trillion yen ($15.7 billion) on its EV investments. Now Honda says its EV-related losses will be “resolved” by 2029, and that it will reevaluate its EV plans in 2030.

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New cancer tech sends chemo straight to tumors

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New cancer tech sends chemo straight to tumors

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Chemotherapy can save lives, but anyone who has watched a loved one go through it knows how hard it can be. The nausea. The exhaustion. The infections. The days when even getting off the couch feels like too much.

That happens because standard chemotherapy travels through the bloodstream. It attacks cancer cells but can also harm healthy cells along the way. For some pancreatic cancer patients, that approach may be changing.

A targeted drug-delivery system from RenovoRx is designed to send chemotherapy directly near the tumor instead of through the entire body. The system, called Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion, or TAMP, is being studied in a Phase III clinical trial for locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

For 83-year-old Hernando Salcedo, who had been left weak, nauseous and overwhelmed by standard chemotherapy, the trial offered something he desperately needed: a reason to hope. He enrolled at Miami Cancer Institute and soon began to feel the shift in his own body. His appetite started coming back. His energy improved. He felt more like himself. “The difference was tremendous,” Hernando said. “I completed eight sessions, one every 15 days, and I felt dramatically better than I did with the original chemotherapy.”

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HIDDEN FACTOR IN CANCER TREATMENT TIMING MAY AFFECT SURVIVAL, RESEARCHERS SAY

Cancer patient Hernando Salcedo attended a family wedding after RenovoRx’s Trans-Arterial Micro-Perfusion system delivered chemotherapy directly near his tumor, helping him feel stronger during treatment. (Hernando Salcedo)

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How the RenovoRx drug-delivery device works

RenovoRx’s platform uses the FDA-cleared RenovoCath device to deliver chemotherapy through a catheter placed in an artery near the tumor. A physician guides the catheter into position using X-ray imaging.

Shaun Bagai, CEO of RenovoRx, said the platform is designed to localize chemotherapy delivery near the tumor instead of relying on the drug to travel through the whole body.

“Once in position, two small balloons on the catheter are inflated, and the system is adjusted to isolate a targeted segment of artery adjacent to a tumor,” Bagai said. “The chemotherapy drug is then infused between the balloons, creating pressure to push the drug across the vessel wall and near the tumor, directly bathing the target tumor.”

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That setup allows doctors to focus treatment in a specific area rather than exposing more of the body to chemotherapy. “The procedure itself is minimally invasive and is typically performed in an outpatient setting without the need for patients to be put under general anesthesia,” Bagai said.

For patients already dealing with pain, fatigue and fear, that outpatient approach may feel less overwhelming than a major hospital procedure.

 

How targeted chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer works

To understand why this approach matters, it helps to start with the problem doctors are trying to solve. Dr. Ripal Gandhi, a vascular interventional radiologist and interventional oncologist at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and Miami Cancer Institute, explained why standard chemotherapy can be so hard on the body.

“With IV chemotherapy, the drug travels through the bloodstream, affecting both cancerous and healthy cells, which can lead to side effects,” Dr. Gandhi said. TAMP takes a more targeted route. A doctor places a catheter in an artery near the tumor, then delivers chemotherapy into that area instead of relying on the drug to circulate throughout the body.

Dr. Gandhi compared it to “a drip irrigation system for individual plants instead of watering an entire lawn.” For patients, that means doctors are trying to focus more of the treatment near the cancer while reducing how much chemotherapy reaches the rest of the body.

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Why pancreatic cancer is so difficult to treat

Pancreatic cancer has a reputation for being one of the hardest cancers to fight, partly because the tumor itself can block treatment from working the way doctors want it to.

Dr. Gandhi said that creates a major challenge for standard IV chemotherapy. “Studies have shown that less than 10% of chemotherapy administered intravenously actually reaches tumor cells due to the few blood vessels in the tumor as well as dense fibrous stroma, which serves as a physical barrier in the tumor microenvironment,” Dr. Gandhi said.

That helps explain why targeted delivery could play an important role. TAMP sends the drug closer to the tumor rather than depending on the bloodstream to do all the work.

“This targeted approach via TAMP does not rely on chemotherapy circulating through the body to carry the drug to the tumor via tumor feeder vessels,” Dr. Gandhi said. “Trans-arterial micro-perfusion is a drug-delivery platform that delivers chemotherapy directly near the target tumor where it is needed most.”

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Chase McCann, associate director of the cell therapy lab core, demonstrates how cancerous T-cells from a child are used to develop an autoimmune treatment to fight cancer at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 26, 2025. (Marvin Joseph/The Washington Post/Getty Images)

 

Patient says targeted chemotherapy gave him hope

Hernando’s cancer journey began after he went to the doctor with a swollen stomach and hip pain. Doctors diagnosed him with locally advanced pancreatic cancer. When he started standard chemotherapy in August 2025, the side effects hit hard. “My body was going through an incredible amount of stress,” Hernando said. “My stomach was inflamed, I had persistent pain in my head, and I had almost no energy.”

He was also receiving chemotherapy and radiation at the same time. “It was a very difficult period, both physically and emotionally,” he said. “I remember feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and unsure of what the future would look like.”

When doctors presented the targeted treatment option, Hernando saw it as more than another medical procedure. “To me, it felt like a new opportunity to live,” he said. “It gave me hope at a time when my family and I really needed it.”

He credits Dr. Gandhi and the team at Miami Cancer Institute with helping him through it all. “From the beginning, he was honest, supportive and clear with my wife, my family and me,” Hernando said. “That meant everything.” 

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Fewer chemotherapy side effects changed daily life

“Before, I was losing weight, had no appetite and felt drained,” Hernando said. “After switching treatments, things began to change. I stopped losing weight, my appetite came back, my color improved and I had more energy.”

Cancer treatment can sometimes take over everyday life. When side effects ease, patients can get pieces of their normal life back. “After about eight weeks, we could see real progress,” Hernando said. “I was eating more, moving more and feeling excited about life again.”

One moment still stands out. Hernando was able to attend a family wedding and dance the entire night. “That moment meant everything to me,” he said. “After everything I had been through, being able to celebrate with my family in that way felt like a gift.” For Hernando, it was a chance to feel like himself again. “That night at the wedding, I was not thinking only about cancer or treatment,” Hernando said. “I was living.”

 

Early trial results show survival and quality-of-life signals

The early data from RenovoRx’s Phase III TIGeR-PaC trial suggest the targeted approach may offer both survival and tolerability benefits for some patients.

Dr. Gandhi said completed clinical studies with TAMP in pancreatic cancer showed “a potential for better outcomes and less side effects for patients.”

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“In the initial interim analysis of the TIGeR-PaC clinical trial, there was a trend towards improved overall survival by 6 months and improvement in the progression free survival by 8.1 months with 65% fewer adverse events in the TAMP arm of the study,” Dr. Gandhi said.

 

Who may benefit from targeted chemotherapy delivery?

This approach isn’t for every pancreatic cancer patient. Doctors still need to look at the cancer stage, tumor location, treatment history and whether the cancer has spread.

Dr. Gandhi said Hernando was the kind of patient who could be a strong fit. “He is precisely the type of patient who would benefit best from this approach because he has a tumor which is too far advanced to be treated surgically, but it has not spread to other organs,” Dr. Gandhi said.

He also pointed to clinical trials as an important option for pancreatic cancer patients.”I discussed with him that the recommendation of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network is that the best management for pancreatic cancer patients is participation in a clinical trial whenever possible and he was an ideal candidate,” Dr. Gandhi said.

He went on to say that TAMP may be an option for patients who are not candidates for surgery, patients who have failed chemotherapy or patients who no longer want to continue IV chemotherapy because of side effects.

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“TAMP can be used at any point within the treatment landscape, before, during or after other treatment modalities such as IV chemotherapy or radiation,” he said.

PANCREATIC CANCER PATIENT SURVIVAL DOUBLED WITH HIGH DOSE OF COMMON VITAMIN, STUDY FINDS

The RenovoCath device uses a catheter-based system to deliver chemotherapy near the tumor instead of through the whole body. (RenovoRx)

 

What comes next for RenovoRx’s cancer treatment platform

RenovoRx says the RenovoCath catheter is already FDA-cleared for general therapy and chemotherapy delivery. The company is also nearing the end of enrollment in its Phase III TIGeR-PaC trial.

That trial is evaluating intra-arterial gemcitabine (IAG) delivered through RenovoCath for locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Bagai said enrollment is expected to be completed in mid-2026, with final results expected in 2027.

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“If positive, data generated from this trial could potentially support a new drug application for this combination product to the FDA for IAG,” Bagai said. RenovoRx also sees potential beyond pancreatic cancer. “The challenge we are addressing is not unique to pancreatic cancer,” Bagai said.

He said the platform could apply to other solid tumors with limited blood supply, including bile duct cancer, certain lung cancers and sarcomas. “The platform is designed to work with different types of therapies, not just one drug,” Bagai said. “That opens the door to future combinations and potential partnerships, with the goal of expanding options for patients who have limited treatment choices.” 

 

What this means to you

If you or someone you love has pancreatic cancer, this story is worth paying attention to. Clinical trials can open up options when standard treatment feels too hard to tolerate or stops working.

Drug delivery matters, too. The medicine itself is only part of the story. Where it goes inside the body can affect side effects, energy levels and quality of life. Targeted chemotherapy delivery remains a specialized treatment approach. Some cancer centers may not offer it, and every diagnosis will not be a fit. Your care team can review imaging, staging, prior treatments and overall health to see whether it makes sense.

Start with direct questions. Ask whether a clinical trial makes sense. You can also ask about targeted delivery options or a second opinion from a pancreatic cancer specialist. Hernando’s advice to other patients is simple. “I would tell them not to lose hope and not to wait to ask questions,” he said. 

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Pancreatic cancer has a way of turning normal life upside down fast. One day, a family is making plans. The next, they are trying to understand scans, treatment choices and side effects that no one feels ready for. That is what makes Hernando’s story so powerful. The part that stays with you isn’t only the technology. It is the fact that he started eating again. He had more energy. He felt more like himself. And he got to dance at a wedding after wondering what the future would look like. The final Phase III trial results will be important. Doctors still need to see how widely this approach could help patients. But the promise is easy to understand. If chemotherapy can get closer to the tumor while taking less of a toll on the rest of the body, patients may get something that matters just as much as treatment itself: more good days.

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Use this map to find the data centers in your backyard

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Use this map to find the data centers in your backyard

When Oregon resident Isabelle Reksopuro heard Google was gobbling up public land to fuel its data centers in her home state, she didn’t initially know what to believe. “There’s a lot of misinformation about data centers,” she said. “Google has denied taking that land.”

Technically, she explains, The Dalles, a city near the Washington state border, sought to reclaim that land, “and Google is just a big, unnamed power user.” The city had in fact asked for ownership of a 150-acre portion of Mount Hood National Forest, claiming it needs access to Mount Hood’s watershed to meet municipal needs as its population — 16,010 as of the 2020 census — grows. But critics, including environmentalists, say the city is trying to secure more water for Google, which has a sprawling data center campus in The Dalles that already consumes about one-third of the city’s water supply.

This controversy made Reksopuro curious about the backlash to data centers being built in other communities. So Reksopuro, a student at the University of Washington who studies the connections between tech and public policy, decided to map it out. Using information collected by Epoch AI and data scraped from legislation on data centers, she built an interactive map tracking AI policy around the world. She designed it to be simple enough for anyone to use. “I wanted it to be something that my younger sisters could play through and explore to understand what are the data centers in the area and what’s actually being done about it,” Reksopuro said. She hoped to shift their opinions that way, “instead of like, through TikTok.”

Four times a day, the map searches for new sources and checks them against the existing database Reksopuro built out. “Once it does that, it will write a new summary, add it to the news feed, and populate it on the sidebar,” she said. “I wanted it to be self-updating, since I’m also a student.”

Reksopuro isn’t against data centers, but she thinks tech giants benefit from a lack of transparency around data center policies. “Right now, it’s this really opaque thing — and all of a sudden, there’s a facility,” she said. “I think that if people knew about data centers beforehand, it would give them leverage. They would be able to negotiate: ask for job training programs, tax revenue, environmental monitoring, things to improve their community.”

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