Technology

SSA impersonation scams are getting more personal

Published

6 days ago

April 2, 2026

SSA impersonation scams are getting more personal

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The Social Security Administration and its Office of Inspector General issued warnings during their March 2026 “Slam the Scam” campaign, citing the continued volume of impersonation fraud tied to Social Security. Federal data shows these scams remain widespread; more than 330,000 government impersonation complaints were reported to the FTC in 2025. That’s a 25% increase from the year before.

Losses tied to these scams reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars each year, placing them among the most relentless forms of consumer fraud.

These scam messages often resemble official SSA communication, referencing issues with a Social Security number or account records.

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TECH GIANTS UNITE TO FIGHT ONLINE SCAMS

Scammers design messages to look like official Social Security alerts, often using familiar details to gain your trust. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How do these SSA scams work?

Scammers are using bits of information that feel familiar. A message may include your name, part of your SSN, or even a reference to benefits. Caller IDs can seem to match government offices, and emails or texts may follow the same format used in official SSA communication.

Much of this information comes from data that has already been part of data breaches. When those details show up in a message, the claim sounds consistent with what you already know about your own records.

Earlier this year, there were reports of scam emails that looked like official Social Security messages, asking people to download their Social Security statement through links that led to fraudulent sites. These emails are not from the SSA and will steal your personal information and likely hack your phone or computer once you allow access.

A message that lines up with recognizable information is less likely to be ignored. It moves the conversation forward faster and brings your guard down.

What scammers want when they contact you

At the point of contact, they are trying to get one of two things:

1) Your personal identifiers

They ask for this information under the guise of verifying your identity or resolving an issue with your account.

2) Your money

Direct payments (wire transfer, gift cards, crypto)
Access to bank or retirement accounts
Instructions to “move money to protect it”

This usually comes after they earn your trust or create urgency.

FAKE GOOGLE SECURITY PAGE CAN TURN YOUR BROWSER INTO A SPYING TOOL

Once scammers have your information, they can pass identity checks and open or access financial accounts in your name. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What scammers do with the information

Once scammers have your information, they move quickly to turn it into access, money and long-term identity fraud.

They use it to get past identity checks

Your SSN, date of birth, and address are often enough to get through basic verification systems. That allows scammers to present themselves as you when applying for credit or contacting financial institutions.

They open or access financial accounts

Once through those checks, they can apply for credit in your name, leading to new accounts, hard inquiries, and balances showing up on your credit report. If login details or verification codes were shared, existing accounts can also be accessed.

They go after benefit-related accounts

The same information can be used to access or make changes to Social Security-related records. This can include attempts to redirect payments by updating direct deposit details.

They continue using the data

Any stolen information can be reused or combined with made-up details to create additional identities, which can then be used to open more accounts over time.

What the SSA will not do

The SSA does not contact individuals out of the blue to request personal information.

It does not ask for full SSNs, bank details, or login credentials over phone calls, text messages, or email.

It also does not demand payment to resolve issues tied to your SSN or benefits.

Requests to transfer money, purchase gift cards, or move funds to keep your accounts safe are not part of any SSA process.

Threats are another warning sign. The agency does not suspend SSNs or issue arrest warnings.

Legitimate communication from the SSA happens through mailed notices or through your My Social Security account.

The agency states it may send emails in limited cases, such as account notifications, but these do not ask for personal information.

SSA emails will direct you to log in through SSA.gov rather than asking you to click on links or download attachments.

PHISHING SCAM EXPLOITS APPLE MAIL ‘TRUSTED SENDER’ LABEL

Stolen data can also be used to target your Social Security benefits, including attempts to redirect payments. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What to do if you receive or respond to one of these messages

If you get a message claiming to be from the SSA, don’t respond and don’t click any links. Don’t call the number in the message.

Instead, go to SSA.gov or use a verified phone number to check if there’s actually an issue with your account.
If you have already shared information, stop contact immediately and take note of what you shared. You can report the scam to the SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report
You can also file a report at IdentityTheft.gov, which helps create a record.
To limit further misuse, place a fraud alert or credit freeze with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and check your credit reports for any unfamiliar activity.

How to protect yourself

Stolen information is not always used right away. In many cases, identity theft like this is not apparent until it shows up on a credit report or a lender flags it. Monitoring tools can track this type of activity as it happens. Alerts tied to changes in your credit file or exposed personal data can show you where your information is being used.

Many identity protection services monitor credit across the three major bureaus and scan for exposed personal data, including Social Security numbers. They can alert you to new inquiries or accounts and offer support if something looks suspicious.

Some services also scan dark web marketplaces and data leaks to see if your information is being shared or sold. Starting with a free identity breach scan can help you understand your risk and take action early.

If identity theft does happen, these services often provide fraud resolution support. This can include help to contact creditors, placing fraud alerts, disputing unauthorized accounts and preparing documentation to recover your identity. Some plans also include identity theft insurance to help cover eligible recovery costs.

No service can prevent every type of identity theft. However, early alerts and guided support can make a major difference in how quickly you catch and recover from fraud.

How to check if your personal information was exposed

If you are unsure whether your information has already been exposed, take action now. Start with a free identity breach scan to see if your data appears in known leaks. Catching it early gives you more control and helps limit the damage before it spreads.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s key takeaways

SSA impersonation scams are not new, but they are getting more convincing. When a message includes details that match your life, it feels legitimate. That is exactly what scammers are counting on. The key is to slow down and verify everything through official channels. The SSA is not going to text you out of the blue, demand money or ask for sensitive details. If a message pushes you to act quickly, that is your signal to pause. Staying ahead of these scams comes down to awareness and simple habits. Verify first. Protect your data. And assume that any unexpected message about your Social Security number deserves a second look.

Have you ever received a message that looked like it came from Social Security, and what made you trust it or question it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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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.

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Technology

Space travel tickets are back, but prices keep rising

Published

2 minutes ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Space travel tickets are back, but prices keep rising

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After nearly two years on pause, Virgin Galactic is selling tickets again. The catch is the price. A seat now costs $750,000. That number is not a typo. It is also a sharp increase from the company’s earlier pricing, which was $600,000. Now the company is reopening sales with 50 new spots available.

The company says flight testing is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with commercial service starting in the fourth quarter of 2026.

If you are thinking about booking, you are not alone. More than 675 customers are currently waiting for their turn to experience space travel.

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AIR TAXIS IN THE U.S. COULD LAUNCH THIS SUMMER

Virgin Galactic’s spaceplane fires its rocket engine as it climbs toward the edge of space during a suborbital flight. (Virgin Galactic)

What a Virgin Galactic $750,000 ticket actually includes

Buying a ticket does not mean moving to space. These are short suborbital trips that last about 90 minutes. Here is how it works. Virgin Galactic uses a spaceship that launches from a carrier aircraft at high altitude. After release, the spaceplane fires its rocket engine and climbs to the edge of space. Passengers experience a few minutes of weightlessness before gliding back to Earth. It is closer to a thrill ride than a long mission. Still, for many, the appeal is simple. You get to see Earth from above the atmosphere.

Why space travel ticket prices keep rising

Going to space sounds incredible, but paying for it is a very different story. Building reusable spacecraft is expensive. Testing takes years. Safety requirements are intense. When something goes wrong, the entire program can slow down.

Virgin Galactic knows this firsthand. The company has faced delays, technical challenges and even tragedy. In 2014, a test flight operated by Scaled Composites, the company that designed and built the spaceplane, crashed and killed co-pilot Michael Alsbury. Since then, progress has been careful and at times slow. That helps explain the high ticket price. With only a limited number of flights and passengers, companies rely on premium pricing to stay afloat.

The company’s latest financials highlight that reality. Virgin Galactic reported a net loss of $279 million in 2025 and negative free cash flow of $438 million, underscoring how expensive it is to build and scale commercial spaceflight. CEO Michael Colglazier signaled that pricing could continue to climb as the company ramps up production and testing.

A new generation of spacecraft is driving the timeline

This latest ticket release is tied to a new development phase. Virgin Galactic says it expects its next-generation SpaceShip to enter ground testing in April 2026, with flight testing expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. Commercial flights with this new vehicle are still on track for the fourth quarter of 2026.

A second SpaceShip is already in progress and is expected to enter service between late 2026 and early 2027, which is expected to increase flight frequency even more.

“We completed pivotal milestones during the first quarter of 2026, and with assembly of our first SpaceShip nearly complete and ground testing set to begin in April, we have released a limited number of Virgin Galactic Spaceflight Expeditions, each priced at $750,000,” said CEO Michael Colglazier.

That production ramp is key. The company is trying to move from monthly flights to a twice-weekly schedule per ship.

NEW PERSONAL EVTOL PROMISES PERSONAL FLIGHT UNDER $40K

Richard Branson floats in zero gravity during a flight, demonstrating the experience passengers can expect. (Virgin Galactic)

Who is competing in space tourism right now?

The timing of this relaunch is not random. Blue Origin has paused its tourist flights for at least two years. Meanwhile, SpaceX is focused on satellites, cargo missions and government contracts. That leaves Virgin Galactic as the only active option for private individuals who want a ticket to space right now. It is a small market, but for now, it is theirs.

Can space travel ever become affordable?

This is the big question hanging over the industry. Space tourism has been around for more than two decades, yet only a handful of people have actually gone. The dream has always been to make it more accessible. Right now, that dream still feels far away. Companies are trying to scale up. Virgin Galactic plans to increase flights from about four per month to as many as 10. If that happens, prices could eventually come down. But for now, the math is simple. Limited supply plus high costs equals very expensive tickets.

FLYING CAR NOW FOR SALE FOR $190,000

The view from the edge of space shows Earth’s curvature, one of the main draws of space tourism. (Virgin Galactic)

What this means for you

Even if you are not planning to spend $750,000 on a 90-minute trip, this still matters. First, it shows how close space travel is to becoming a real consumer experience. Not for everyone yet, but no longer something that feels out of reach. Second, the technology being developed for these flights often trickles down. Advances in materials, safety systems and aviation design can influence other industries over time. Finally, it is a reminder of how early we still are. Space tourism exists, but it is not mainstream. It is still in the phase where wealthy early adopters help fund the future.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Virgin Galactic reopening ticket sales is a signal. The industry is not fading away. It is evolving and trying to enter a new phase. At the same time, the higher price tag tells a different story. Space is still hard. It is still risky. It is still expensive. For now, the view from above remains one of the most exclusive experiences money can buy.

Would you ever pay for a trip to space if prices dropped enough, or does the risk still outweigh the thrill? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Technology

Why Microsoft’s war on Windows’ Control Panel is taking so long

Published

12 hours ago

April 8, 2026

Press Room

Why Microsoft’s war on Windows’ Control Panel is taking so long

Microsoft first started trying to get rid of the Control Panel in 2012, with the launch of Windows 8. More than a decade later, it’s still working on migrating all the old Control Panel items into the modern Settings app in Windows 11. While there have been hints that the Control Panel might finally go away, the reality is a lot more complicated for Microsoft.

“We’re doing it carefully because there are a lot of different network and printer devices & drivers we need to make sure we don’t break in the process,” explains March Rogers, partner director of design at Microsoft. I could be wrong, but I think this is the first full explanation we’ve had from Microsoft about why it’s taken so long to get rid of the Control Panel.

It looked like Microsoft was about to finally cut the Control Panel in 2024, after years of Microsoft pushing aside the Control Panel in its latest Windows 11 updates. But a support note hinting at the imminent removal of the Control Panel was quickly updated to confirm Microsoft was still in the process of migrating the Control Panel to the Settings app.

Last year Microsoft also migrated clock settings, keyboard character repeat delay, mouse cursor blink rate, and formatting for time, number, and currency into the Settings app. There are also plenty of other mouse settings in the main Settings app that let you avoid the Control Panel these days.

I can’t remember the last time I used the Control Panel thanks to Microsoft’s recent mouse and keyboard improvements to the main Settings app, but a lot of Windows users used to prefer the legacy interface simply because you don’t have to dig into multiple levels to find different controls.

Microsoft is “focusing on design craft in Windows at the moment,” according to Rogers. The Settings interface is being “redesigned for clarity” this month, alongside other improvements to Windows 11 that are part of a broader effort to fix the OS.

Technology

Home robot cooks, cleans and organizes your life

Published

12 hours ago

April 8, 2026

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Home robot cooks, cleans and organizes your life

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Ready for a home robot that wakes you up, makes breakfast and even cleans the house afterward? It may sound far-fetched. However, the Chinese robotics company UniX AI says it is closer than most people think.

The company’s new Panther series robot is designed to handle full daily routines rather than just one task at a time. It can move through a home, interact with objects and complete multistep actions without constant input.

UniX AI is already testing the system in real homes and service environments. That shift from the lab to everyday use is what makes this worth paying attention to.

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AI ROBOT NOW HELPS TRAVELERS AT SAN JOSÉ AIRPORT

A new home robot from UniX AI is being tested on chores like laundry, kitchen work and picking up household items. The company says the goal is a machine that can finish full routines with limited input. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

The tech behind this AI home robot

The robot stands about 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighs roughly 170 pounds based on reported specs. Instead of walking like a humanoid, it moves on wheels. That choice improves stability and helps it run longer on a single charge. This robot can run roughly 6 to 12 hours, depending on use.

A six-microphone array lets it hear and respond to voice commands. That gives it a more natural way to interact with people. Its robotic arms are another key piece. They have multiple joints and can lift up to about 26 pounds. That allows for precise movements like picking up items or placing them exactly where they belong.

Under the hood, the robot is packed with sensors and hardware that help it understand and move through your home. It uses cameras and depth sensors to see objects and spaces. It can also rely on LiDAR to map its surroundings and avoid obstacles.

What this AI home robot can actually do

This robot is designed to follow through on tasks from start to finish. Instead of stopping after one action, it can continue working through a routine without needing constant input.

In recent demonstrations, UniX AI shows the robot preparing food, organizing items and interacting with home appliances inside real residential settings.

That matters because real homes are messy and unpredictable. The robot has to recognize objects, adjust to different layouts and handle tasks in sequence.

Here are a few examples of what it is being tested to do:

Prepare simple meals and handle kitchen tasks
Assist with basic routines like morning prep
Clean rooms and surfaces
Pick up and organize everyday items
Move objects from one place to another
Handle laundry tasks like moving clothes and hanging them to dry

Some of these tasks may sound simple, but they are difficult for machines. Handling objects, moving through tight spaces and working around everyday clutter are still major challenges in robotics.

This is what makes the system stand out. It is not just completing one action. It is working through a series of steps in real environments.

US TARGETS CHINESE ROBOTS OVER SECURITY FEARS

UniX AI says its new Panther robot can handle daily household routines, from meal prep to cleaning, in real homes. The company is positioning it as a general-purpose home assistant, not a single-task machine. (REUTERS/Steve Marcus)

Why this AI home robot is different

Most home robots you see today are built for one job. Think robot vacuums or lawn mowers. This system brings those functions into one platform. It works more like a general-purpose helper.

The difference comes down to how it handles tasks. It can plan and complete a sequence instead of waiting for step-by-step instructions. That is where embodied AI comes in.

It connects software intelligence with physical movement in the real world. Instead of only answering questions, the robot can take action.

What is holding AI home robots back

Even with all this progress, there are real hurdles. Homes are unpredictable. Lighting changes throughout the day. Objects come in all shapes and textures. Spaces get cluttered fast. Tasks that seem simple to humans can be difficult for machines. Folding clothes, handling soft materials or moving through tight spaces are still major challenges. Cost and safety matter too. Most people will not bring a robot into their home unless it can handle all of that and work reliably every single day.

What this means to you

You are not replacing your morning routine with a robot tomorrow. But this shows where things are heading. The idea of a home assistant that handles chores is moving closer to reality. That could mean less time spent cleaning and more time for everything else.

At the same time, it raises questions about trust, privacy and cost. A robot that sees your home and hears your voice needs strong safeguards.

For now, think of this as an early glimpse. It is not about buying one today. It is about understanding what could become normal sooner than expected.

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HUMANOID ROBOT SHOWS SPEED AND REAL SKILL

UniX AI’s robot is designed to cook, clean, organize and assist with daily routines in residential settings. The early tests offer a glimpse at how embodied AI could reshape life at home. (REUTERS/Tingshu Wang)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The idea of a robot that cooks, cleans and organizes your life has been around for decades. What feels different now is how close the pieces are coming together. This robot shows real progress in combining movement, perception and decision-making. It is still early, but it is already being tested in real homes. The next few years will show whether it becomes something more of us rely on every day.

If a robot could handle your daily chores, would you trust it inside your home? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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