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Selling on the internet? Beware of sneaky tactics scammers use to trick you

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Selling on the internet? Beware of sneaky tactics scammers use to trick you

Selling stuff online can be tempting. You don’t have to go out and hunt for buyers. Instead, you can just post an ad on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace and wait for people to reach out to you. But along with the ease of online selling comes the risk of getting scammed.

One of the popular scams to watch out for is the Google Voice verification scam. This scam preys on unsuspecting sellers by exploiting their trust and the convenience of online communication. Scammers pose as potential buyers and use seemingly innocent requests to gain access to your personal information. Their ultimate goal is to hijack your phone number and use it for fraudulent activities.

Here’s how it works: A scammer will send you a text with a Google Voice verification code and ask you to share it with them. If you do, they’ll use that code to create a Google Voice number linked to your phone number. Once they’ve got that, they can use your number for all sorts of shady stuff, like identity theft.

Recently, I received an email from Allen C., a resident of Island Park, New York, explaining how he almost fell prey to the Google Voice scam. Below, I share Allen’s story, discuss the impact of such scams and provide tips on how you can protect yourself.

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A woman shopping online (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How scammers prey on innocent online sellers

Allen told me he was trying to sell an item on eBay when he received a message from someone saying they were interested in buying the item. The person asked for his number, saying she was at work and her husband would contact him. Allen gave his contact number, but then she asked him to share a code.

“At first I thought it was legit, but then she told me she needs to confirm I was real, so she sends me this code through Google Voice, it gave me a 6 digit code which I was supposed to send back,” Allen told me.

“After thinking about it, I was trying to figure out why she needed to know if I was real, when we didn’t even discuss the item I was selling! I did some checking and she started spelling words wrong, she said she didn’t get the return code, I know she did, she begged me to let her send another one. My research confirmed it was probably a scam.”

Allen realized it was a scam just in time, refused to give the scammer his cell number and deleted the message.

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A woman shopping online (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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What happens when you give the code to scammers

Once you provide scammers with your Google Voice verification code, they can create a Google Voice number that is linked to your phone number. This gives them significant control over a virtual phone number associated with your real one, which poses serious risks.

One of the main dangers is that scammers can intercept verification codes sent by banks and financial institutions. When these institutions send a verification code to authorize a transaction, it may be redirected to the scammer’s Google Voice number instead of your phone. This allows the scammer to authorize fraudulent transactions, reset passwords and gain access to your financial accounts, effectively bypassing your security measures.

Additionally, by controlling a number linked to your identity, scammers can engage in identity theft. They may open a new credit card or loan account in your name, impersonate you to access other services that rely on phone verification and exploit your phone number as a recovery option for various accounts.

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Furthermore, scammers can use the Google Voice number to conduct additional scams while appearing to have a legitimate U.S.-based number. This tactic helps them hide their true identity and makes it more challenging for authorities to trace their actions.

Ultimately, by gaining control of a number associated with your identity, scammers acquire a powerful tool that undermines common security measures that rely on phone verification. This can lead to financial losses, damage to your credit score and a complicated process of reclaiming your identity and securing your accounts.

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A woman selling stuff online (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to reclaim your Google Voice number?

If you’ve given a scammer the verification, your linked number has been claimed, and someone else is using that number with another Voice account. If you still own the linked number, you can reclaim it by following these steps:

  • On your computer, go to voice.google.com.
  • Click Settings in the upper right corner.
  • Under Linked numbers, click New linked number, then enter the phone number to link
  • To verify your number, Google will provide a six-digit code. For a mobile number, click Send Code to review the code in a text message. If it’s a landline, click verify by phone link and then Call.
  • Enter the code and click Verify, then Claim

4 other ways to protect yourself from such scams

Scammers don’t only use Google Voice to scam you. They have plenty of other tactics, such as making you install malware to steal your data and passwords. Below are some tips to avoid getting scammed.

1) Check the email address: When you’re trying to sell something online, scammers might reach out to you via email and try to get you to click on malicious links. These links may look harmless, but they can give scammers access to your device and important data. Do not click on any links or attachments in the email and do not reply to it. Remember, you don’t need to click any links to sell an item online.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware and potentially access your private information is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

2) Avoid the sense of urgency: Many online selling scams create a sense of urgency or panic to trick you. Scammers might tell you that there’s a problem with your account, claim that you owe money, suggest that there’s an issue with your listing or even offer you a prize.

They may pressure you to act quickly, asking you to send money, provide personal information or buy gift cards. Don’t let them rush or pressure you. Take a moment to think carefully before you respond. If you’re unsure, consult someone you trust, such as a friend, family member or financial adviser. Remember, legitimate buyers or platforms will never ask you to pay with gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

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3) Verify buyer or seller’s identity: If you receive a message or call from someone claiming to be a buyer, a platform representative or an organization related to your online sale, don’t trust them blindly. Scammers may use fake names, phone numbers or email addresses to deceive you. They might also have some information about you, such as your name or listing details, which doesn’t mean they are legitimate. This information could be obtained from public sources or previous scams.

Do not provide any additional personal information, such as your bank details, password or Social Security number. Avoid agreeing to any unusual requests, like sending money, buying gift cards or sharing codes. Instead, verify their identity by contacting the organization or platform directly using a known, official contact method. You can also check the organization’s website for any alerts or warnings about scams.

4) Invest in personal data removal services: Removing yourself from the internet is an important step in protecting your personal information from scammers and cybercriminals. Even if you’re not selling anything online, removing your personal information from the web is crucial. This prevents scammers from obtaining your data to make fraudulent calls or create convincing scams. By limiting your online presence, you reduce the chances of scammers finding and exploiting your personal details. Additionally, deleting yourself from the internet ensures that scammers cannot access your personal information to call you or make you believe they have some of your credentials, making their scams seem legitimate.

While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

ALERT: 4.3 MILLION AMERICANS EXPOSED IN MASSIVE HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT DATA BREACH

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Kurt’s key takeaway

Selling items online can be easy, but it comes with risks, such as the Google Voice scam. If someone asks you for a verification code or personal details during a sale, be extra cautious. Always verify their legitimacy and use official channels for communication. Only use trusted platforms to sell anything online and take steps to protect yourself from identity theft, which can impact your finances for years.

Have you ever fallen victim to an online scam? What did you learn from the experience? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Technology

This Windows gaming handheld has a screen that folds in half

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This Windows gaming handheld has a screen that folds in half

Lenovo put a foldable display on a gaming handheld. The Legion Go Fold Concept is a Windows-based handheld with a flexible POLED display, detachable Joy-Con-like controllers, and a folio case to turn the whole thing into a mini laptop.

You can use it as a standard Steam Deck-esque handheld with the display folded down to 7.7 inches and controllers attached at its sides, or you can unfold it for a bigger experience. When unfolded, the controllers can be repositioned to all four sides, allowing you to play with the screen in vertical or horizontal orientations.

In vertical splitscreen mode, you can put your game on one half of the screen and a second window (like your chat or game guide) on the other half. Horizontal fullscreen mode gives your game the full 11.6 inches of real estate in a 16:10 aspect ratio. To go into laptop mode, you remove the controllers and mount the handheld into a folio case with a stand, built-in keyboard, and trackpad. The controllers can be put into a separate grip mount to unify them as one gamepad.

There are a lot of ways you can use this folding handheld, including turning one of its controllers into a vertical mouse like on other Legion Go handhelds, but there’s one thing it doesn’t do: fold down to close and protect its screen. The Go Fold only folds outwards, so don’t expect a Nintendo DS or GameBoy Advance-like clamshell that closes for portability. Instead, it’s all about getting bigger than your average gaming handheld and offering more. (Though we’ve tried bigger before.)

The Legion Go Fold has some formidable specs: an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Lunar Lake processor, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and a 48Whr battery. The plastic-covered OLED has a resolution of 2435 x 1712 and 165Hz refresh rate. And there’s even a second, circular toushscreen on the right controller, under the face buttons. It doubles as a touchpad and can be a support display, allowing you to swipe between extracted UI elements from a game (which I wouldn’t expect to be widely supported), a clock, system monitoring, or an animated GIF (just for fun).

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During my brief in-person demo I didn’t get to play any graphically-intense games — just Balatro, which can practically play on a potato. The screen looked plenty sharp, but like any foldable there’s a crease down the middle; it’s very visible, but you learn to look past it and ignore it after just a bit. The build and feel of the whole thing felt a little fragile, and detaching and reattaching the controllers was definitely janky. Build quality will hopefully be improved if this device ever actually makes it to market.

The laptop mode was a pleasant surprise for me though. I did not expect a gaming handheld to double as a conventional computer you could get work done on. The Legion Go Fold’s case took quite a bit of fumbling before I set it up correctly, but it shouldn’t take too long to get used to if you actually lived with it.

Then again, I don’t know if anyone is going to be able to live with this thing — ever. I’d love for the Legion Go Fold to go from concept to real product like other out-there Lenovo ideas, but I shudder to think what it might cost. The Legion Go 2 is already priced well over $1,000. And with the ongoing RAMageddon crisis we’re living through, there’s no telling how much more expensive an actual Legion Go Fold would be if it came out in a year or more.

But even if it’s not the kind of foldable I expected, and even though it may never come out, it’s certainly cool. Now somebody please make a folding PC handheld that goes from kinda-big to really small. I think that’d be the one for me.

Photography by Antonio G. Di Benedetto / The Verge

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Iran networks suffer losses amid airstrikes, showing digital evolution of conflicts

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Iran networks suffer losses amid airstrikes, showing digital evolution of conflicts

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When missiles fly, we expect explosions. We expect smoke, sirens and satellite images. What we do not expect is silence. 

On February 28, 2026, as fighter jets and cruise missiles struck Iranian Revolutionary Guard command centers during Operation Roar of the Lion, a parallel assault reportedly unfolded in cyberspace. 

Official news sites and key media platforms went offline, government digital services and local apps failed across major cities, and security communications systems reportedly stopped functioning, plunging Iran into a near-total digital blackout.

According to NetBlocks, a global internet monitoring organization that tracks connectivity disruptions, nationwide internet traffic in Iran plunged to just 4 percent of normal levels. 

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That level of collapse suggests either a deliberate state-ordered shutdown or a large-scale cyberattack designed to paralyze critical infrastructure. Western intelligence sources later indicated the digital offensive aimed to disrupt IRGC command and control systems and limit coordination of counterattacks. 

For the United States and its allies, the episode offers a stark reminder that modern conflict now blends airstrikes with digital warfare in ways that can ripple far beyond the battlefield.

In a matter of hours, modern conflict looked less like tanks and more like a blinking cursor.

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Iran’s national symbols stand in contrast to reports of a sweeping digital blackout that reportedly disrupted communications and critical systems across the country. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Iran internet shutdown: A country offline in real time

Reports described widespread outages across Iran. Official news sites stopped functioning. IRNA, Iran’s state-run news agency, went offline. 

Tasnim, a semi-official news outlet closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reportedly displayed subversive messages targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. 

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The IRGC, Iran’s powerful military and intelligence force, plays a central role in national security and regional operations. At the same time, local apps and government digital services failed in cities like Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz.

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This was not one website defaced for headlines. It appeared systemic. Electronic warfare reportedly disrupted navigation and communications systems. 

Distributed denial of service attacks, often called DDoS attacks, flooded networks with traffic to overwhelm and disable them. 

Deep intrusions targeted energy and aviation systems. Even Iran’s isolated national internet struggled under pressure. 

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For a regime that tightly controls information, losing digital command creates both operational and political risk.

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Why cyber warfare matters in the Iran conflict

Cyber operations offer something missiles cannot. They disrupt without always killing. They send a signal without immediately triggering full-scale war. That matters in a region where escalation can spiral fast. 

History shows Iran understands this logic. Between 2012 and 2014, Iranian actors targeted U.S. financial institutions in Operation Ababil. Saudi Aramco also suffered a major cyberattack. 

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After Israeli strikes in 2025, cyberattacks targeting Israel surged dramatically within days.

Cyber retaliation lets leaders respond while limiting direct military confrontation. It buys leverage in negotiations. It creates pressure without necessarily crossing a red line.

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But there is a catch. Every cyber strike risks miscalculation. And digital damage can spill into the real world fast if critical infrastructure is hit.

As military strikes targeted IRGC command centers, internet traffic inside Iran reportedly plunged to just 4 percent of normal levels.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

If the blackout and strikes mark a turning point, Tehran has options. None are simple.

1) Cyberattacks against U.S. or allied infrastructure

Cyber retaliation remains one of Iran’s most flexible tools. It can range from disruptive attacks and influence campaigns to more targeted intrusions that pressure critical services. Recent expert commentary warns that U.S. cyber defenses and the private sector could face sustained testing.

2) Targeting U.S. drones and unmanned systems

Iran has used drones and electronic interference as signals before. Analysts continue to flag jamming, spoofing and harassment of unmanned systems as a way to raise costs without immediately striking large numbers of personnel.

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3) Maritime attacks in the Strait of Hormuz

This risk is rising fast. An EU naval mission official reportedly said IRGC radio transmissions warned ships that passage through Hormuz was “not allowed”. Greece has also urged ships to avoid high-risk routes and warned about electronic interference that can disrupt navigation. Insurers are already repricing the danger, with reports of war-risk policies being canceled or sharply increased.

4) Support for allied or informal armed groups

Iran has long worked with allied forces and militias in the region, and some of those groups could step up attacks on U.S. interests or allied partners in retaliation, widening the clash without direct state-to-state engagement.

5) Limited ballistic missile strikes

Missile strikes remain a high-impact option, but they raise the odds of rapid escalation. Recent expert analysis continues to frame them as a tool Iran may use for signaling, especially if leadership feels cornered.

Tehran’s skyline, including the Azadi Tower, became the backdrop to a crisis shaped as much by cyber disruption as by missiles in the sky.  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The escalation risk between the U.S. and Iran

Here is the uncomfortable truth. Neither Washington nor Tehran likely wants a full-scale regional war. In moments like this, military strikes rarely stand alone. 

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They often move alongside diplomacy. Leaders send signals. They apply pressure. At the same time, they try to leave room for talks.

But escalation has momentum. Each missile changes the equation. Each casualty raises the stakes. The more damage done, the harder it becomes to step back. 

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Fear plays a role. So does pride. Domestic audiences demand strength. Leaders feel pressure to respond in kind. That is how limited strikes can spiral into something much larger.

What the Iran cyberattack blackout means for global cybersecurity

This episode highlights something bigger than regional tension. Nation-states now pair kinetic strikes with digital offensives. 

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Cyberattacks can blind communications, freeze infrastructure and disrupt financial systems before the world even processes the first explosion.

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For businesses and individuals, that reality matters. Modern conflict no longer stays confined to battlefields. 

Supply chains, energy grids and online platforms can feel the ripple effects. The blackout in Iran serves as a reminder that digital resilience is now a national security issue. 

How to stay safe during rising cyber tensions

When a country’s internet can plunge to just 4 percent of normal traffic in hours, it is a reminder that cyber conflict can escalate quickly. 

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Even if the disruption happens overseas, global networks are interconnected. Financial systems, supply chains and online platforms can feel the ripple effects.

You cannot control geopolitics. You can control your digital hygiene. Here are practical steps to reduce your personal risk during periods of heightened cyber activity:

Install strong antivirus software to guard against state-linked phishing and malware campaigns that often spike during geopolitical conflicts. 

Nation-state actors frequently exploit breaking news and global instability to spread malicious links and ransomware. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

Keep devices updated so security patches close vulnerabilities that attackers often exploit during global cyber spikes.

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Use strong, unique passwords stored in a reputable password manager to protect your accounts if cyber retaliation campaigns expand beyond government targets. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on financial, email and social accounts to safeguard access in case stolen credentials circulate during heightened cyber conflict.

Be cautious with urgent headlines or alerts about international conflict, since attackers frequently mimic breaking news.

Monitor financial accounts for unusual activity in case broader disruptions spill into banking systems.

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When tensions rise, phishing campaigns often rise with them. Threat actors exploit fear and confusion. Staying disciplined with basic security habits makes you a harder target if malicious traffic increases.

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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com        

Kurt’s key takeaways

The reported cyber blackout inside Iran may signal a new chapter in modern conflict. Jets and missiles still matter. But so do servers, satellites and code. Leaders may try to contain the damage while showing strength. 

Still, history shows how quickly careful plans can unravel once pressure builds. War today runs on electricity and bandwidth as much as fuel and ammunition. 

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When networks go dark, the impact does not stay on a battlefield. It spills into banking systems, airports, hospitals and the phones in our pockets. That is what makes this moment different.

If an entire nation’s digital systems can be disrupted in hours, how prepared is your community if something similar ever hits closer to home?  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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Soundcore new Space 2 promise improved ANC and sound

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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.

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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.

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