If you asked me what I’d change about the Xbox Ally X handheld — aside from fixing Windows, I mean — I’d tell you two key things.
Technology
Your senior parents are easier to impersonate than you are
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Americans 60 and older filed 201,266 complaints with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2025 and reported $7.7 billion in losses, the highest total of any age group. The average loss for older victims was nearly $38,500, almost double the figure for younger filers. The Federal Trade Commission’s December 2025 report to Congress estimated that the overall cost of fraud to older adults in 2024 ranged from $10.1 billion to $81.5 billion, depending on how underreporting is measured.
Two decades of breach dumps now sit between your parents and the systems still verifying them by date of birth, mailing address and the last four of a Social Security number. The same fields clear a bank’s call center, and they’re enough to register a Medicare account that your parents haven’t claimed online. Locking those checks down has fallen to the adult children. Most of it is an afternoon’s work.
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YOU HAVE A CREDIT FREEZE. IT STILL ISN’T ENOUGH
Older adults often have more financial, medical and government accounts for scammers to target. (Ljubaphoto/Getty Images)
Why older parents face higher identity theft risks
Older parents hold accounts at more institutions than their adult children do: banks, brokerages, Medicare, Social Security, pension administrators and mortgage holders. Each has its own verification process. A scammer who clears one of them finds a larger balance waiting on the other side.
Combined losses reported by older adults who lost more than $100,000 climbed from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024, an eightfold jump according to the FTC.
AI voice cloning has made phone calls one more verification step a scammer can clear. The FBI counted $893 million in AI-related scam losses in 2025, with victims 60 and over accounting for $352 million. A few seconds of public audio, whether from a voicemail greeting, a church livestream or a TikTok comment, is enough to recreate a grandchild’s voice on a phone call to a parent.
Before you start locking anything down, sit down with your parent and make sure they understand each step. The goal is to help them stay protected, not take control away from them.
Start with credit, tax and mail protections
All four steps below run through the credit bureaus, the IRS or USPS. Each is free and takes under fifteen minutes.
- Freeze their credit at Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Each bureau is handled separately. Freezes have been free since 2018 and can be lifted online when they apply for credit.
- Pull an IRS Identity Protection PIN for them at irs.gov/ippin. The six-digit PIN blocks fraudulent federal tax returns filed against their SSN, and a new PIN is issued each calendar year.
- Enroll them in USPS Informed Delivery before someone else does. Postal inspectors have flagged cases where criminals registered victims at usps.com to preview valuable mail, including replacement credit cards and benefit letters.
- Opt them out of pre-screened credit offers at optoutprescreen.com. A mailed form makes the opt-out permanent.
A credit freeze blocks new credit applications. An IP PIN blocks fraudulent tax returns. Neither keeps an eye on credit files after the fact, so consider adding credit monitoring for all three bureaus. Alerts can help your family spot suspicious activity faster and decide which account to lock down first.
HOSPICE FRAUD USES STOLEN IDENTITIES FOR FAKE PATIENTS
A credit freeze, IRS Identity Protection PIN and USPS Informed Delivery can help block common identity theft moves. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Claim federal accounts before scammers do
Pre-register a my Social Security account at ssa.gov in their name. Do the same at MyMedicare.gov if they qualify. Once those accounts exist, no one else can open them using their SSN. State Medicaid portals work the same way.
Also, help them turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for important accounts and store passwords in a trusted password manager. Reused passwords make it easier for scammers to move from one exposed account to another.
Medicare Summary Notices arrive quarterly when there are covered services. Read each one with your parents for charges they don’t recognize. The Senior Medicare Patrol, a federally funded program in every state, will walk through suspicious billing with families at no charge.
In a Medi-Cal hospice case charged this April in California, prosecutors said operators bought SSNs from breach dumps and enrolled non-California residents as terminally ill hospice patients, then billed the state for visits that never happened. The fraud first appeared in beneficiary statements.
Credit monitoring can also help spot signs that personal information has already surfaced online. Some services scan the dark web, data broker sites and people-search sites for Social Security numbers, addresses, driver’s license numbers and other identifiers. Alerts can show what was found and where, helping you decide which account to lock down first.
Create a family script for suspicious calls
None of the protections above stops a phone call. Two small habits can help.
- Set a family code word. If a grandchild calls in trouble and cannot say the word, the call ends. The code is a fact that no voice cloning model can guess from public audio.
- Write down what real federal agencies never do. The Social Security Administration, the IRS and Medicare do not place out-of-the-blue calls asking for a full SSN, demand payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency or threaten arrest. Tape that list near the phone. Any caller who breaks one of those rules is a scammer.
A family code word can help stop AI voice-cloning scams before money or personal information changes hands. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
What to do if identity fraud appears
A financial power of attorney signed in advance authorizes an adult child to handle bills, disputes and account changes on a parent’s behalf. With one in hand, the day-one fraud response can run without the parent on every call: pull all three credit reports, file at IdentityTheft.gov, place fraud alerts at each bureau and contact the affected creditor in writing.
Some identity theft protection services also include fraud resolution support. A specialist may help work with credit bureaus, creditors and collection agencies if someone misuses your information. Some plans also include identity theft insurance for eligible recovery costs and family coverage that can extend monitoring and support to parents in another household.
No service prevents every misuse of an older adult’s identity. The settings above shorten the time between when fraud happens and when someone in the family acts on it.
See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Protecting an older parent’s identity does not require a tech overhaul. It starts with a few smart moves: freeze their credit, claim key government accounts, set up an IRS IP PIN and agree on a family code word for suspicious calls. These steps can make it much harder for scammers to use stolen personal information before anyone notices. The bigger issue is that many systems still rely on information criminals may already have, such as birthdays, addresses and partial Social Security numbers. That puts more pressure on families to act early, monitor accounts and respond fast when something looks wrong. A little preparation now can save your parents from months of stress, financial damage and paperwork later.
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Have you or an older loved one dealt with identity theft, Medicare fraud or a suspicious phone call that sounded real? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
First, give me a bigger, better screen. Even a little bit bigger, so games feel less claustrophobic and with less ugly bezel. Second, get rid of the “Library” button. I am so tired of an accidental press booting me out of my game and into the Xbox library without a simple way to get back.
With the just-announced ROG Xbox Ally X20, Asus did both — and then some. It’s now a slick translucent handheld with drift-resistant GuliKit TMR joysticks, a transforming D-pad that goes from 8-way to 4-way by dropping its corners when you rotate it, button tweaks, haptic feedback tweaks, fan tweaks… and what could now be the best screen on a handheld yet.
Image: Asus
Not only does the Xbox Ally X20 upgrade from an 7-inch IPS display to a 7.4-inch 120Hz OLED at the same performance-friendly 1080p resolution, the screen sounds fantastic. It’s a 600-nit panel in SDR with HDR peaks of 1400 nits, even higher than the Lenovo Legion Go 2, though both are certified VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000. And, it supports Dolby Vision.
Image: Asus
Like the Legion Go 2, it’s also got an improved variable refresh rate (VRR) that goes down to 30Hz instead of the 48Hz on the original Ally, which could make games feel smoother when the AMD Z2 Extreme chip can’t quite make a game hit 48fps to begin with. It’s the same chips here as in the original Xbox Ally X, by the way: AMD Z2 Extreme, with 24GB of 8000MT/sec RAM and 1TB of storage.
The handheld is slightly bigger to help accommodate the changes: 9mm wider, half a millimeter thicker, and 41 grams heavier.
Not only is that “Library” button gone, it’s been replaced with a new “Action” button that sounds genuinely useful: It’ll take a screenshot with a single press or a recording with a long press, like today’s console controllers typically do.
The ABXY buttons now sit flush against the casing when you press them down, the bumper switches are relocated and have a longer, quieter throw for better feedback, and the fans have been slightly redesigned to channel more fresh air through the chassis for lower touchscreen temps, Asus spokesperson Anthony Spence tells me.
Plus, the Xbox button now lights up green, which just sounds cool — and it has a far faster microSD Express card slot, like the Nintendo Switch 2.
Image: Asus
What’s not so cool, and frankly doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, is that Asus won’t let you buy it alone. This holiday, it’ll exclusively come as part of a bundle with a pair of Asus and Xreal’s pricey R1 glasses, which (at $849) cost almost as much as a $1,000 Xbox Ally X all by themselves.
Asus isn’t pricing the bundle yet, but I suspect the bundle is more to help cushion the high price of the handheld — at a time every other handheld is getting pricier — rather than to help sell glasses at a discount.
Image: Asus
Image: Asus
Image: Asus
I actually think a set of Xreal glasses are a good way to improve on smaller, more claustrophobic handheld screens, but if I’m buying a new Ally to get a better screen, do I really need the glasses too?
I guess I’ll dream on. For what it’s worth, Spence says he still hasn’t heard of any plans to increase the price of the original Xbox Ally X. It’s still at $1,000 for now. I’ve asked whether Asus will offer a way to remap the original handheld’s Library button, too.
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But for desktop PC gamers, AMD has a different pitch. It’s relaunching three old components alongside a big new promise: you won’t need to buy a new motherboard until 2030.
Today, AMD is promising it will keep supporting its AM5 desktop motherboard socket with new Ryzen processors through 2029, which likely means you can keep upgrading to newer CPUs till the end of the decade without changing your board.
Even if you’re still on the older AM4 socket, you may have one last upgrade left: it’s relaunching a “10th Anniversary” edition of the Ryzen 7 5800X3D to celebrate the 10th anniversary of that AM4 platform. That’ll be $349 on June 25th.
And if you decide now’s the time to switch to AMD or the AM5 socket, the company’s got a new old chip for that too: a $330 Ryzen 7 7700X3D, likely a binned version of the existing 7800X3D. The beefier chip costs $380 to $450, though can occasionally be found at $320. On paper, the 7700X3D looks only slightly slower:
Meanwhile in the GPU realm, AMD’s finally bringing its formerly China-exclusive Radeon RX 9070 GRE to other countries including the US, starting June 1st for $549.
That’s not quite as friendly for PC gamers to hear, as $549 was supposed to be the starting price for the notably more powerful RX 9070, not the cut-down GRE version which trails the RTX 5070.
AMD’s making an interesting pitch at a time that everything, especially gaming, is beginning to feel too expensive. Does it convince you?
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We received an email that looks like an official HR notice about a performance review. It mentions pay updates, benefits and a deadline. There is also a QR code to access your file.
The message claims to come from an internal HR office. Instead, it pushes us to scan a QR code to access your appraisal. That setup is a classic phishing move. In many cases, these scams try to move you off your computer and onto your phone, where it is harder to verify links.
So, let’s break down what stands out and why this message should absolutely not be trusted.
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FAKE TRAFFIC VIOLATION TEXT SCAM USES QR CODES TO STEAL PAYMENT INFO
A fake HR performance review email uses a QR code to push employees toward a phishing page designed to steal login details. (Kurt “Cyberguy” Knutsson)
QR code email scam red flags you should notice
This email is built to feel routine and urgent at the same time. Take a closer look, and the red flags start to add up.
Red flag #1: The sender’s email does not match the company’s
The message shows “CyberGuy” as the sender. The actual email address is mario@toituresphenix.com. That domain has nothing to do with the brand it claims to represent. This is one of the biggest warning signs. Legitimate companies send HR notices from their own domain. If the domain looks unrelated, treat it as suspicious right away.
Red flag #2: The email creates urgency with a deadline
The email says you must act by May 15, 2026. Deadlines push people to react fast. Scammers rely on that pressure, so you skip basic checks. Real HR systems do use deadlines. The difference is how they deliver them. They do not rely on a random email with a QR code.
Red flag #3: The QR code is the main call to action
The message tells you to scan a QR code to access your file. That is a newer phishing tactic called “quishing.”
Why it matters:
Most companies will send a direct link or ask you to log in through a known portal. They do not force QR-only access for something as sensitive as compensation details.
Red flag #4: The greeting is generic instead of personal
The email starts with “Dear Techtips.” It looks like a mailing list or placeholder. Legitimate HR messages usually address you by your full name. They often include employee-specific details that scammers cannot easily fake.
Red flag #5: The email uses vague HR system language
The email mentions a “secure HR access system” but never names it. There is no recognizable platform like Workday or ADP. That vagueness is intentional. It avoids giving you something you can verify.
Red flag #6: The branding looks real yet feels off
There is a Microsoft logo in the message. That does not mean Microsoft sent it. Logos are easy to copy. The layout tries to mimic a corporate notice. Still, the formatting feels generic. Real internal emails usually follow a consistent company template you have seen before.
Red flag #7: The high-importance flag adds pressure
The message is marked as high importance. That visual cue pushes urgency again. Scammers stack these signals so you feel like you cannot ignore the message.
Red flag #8: The instructions bypass normal login habits
Instead of telling you to log into your HR portal, the email asks you to scan and access a file directly. That isn’t how sensitive employee data is handled. Companies want you inside a secure login system, not opening a file from a QR code.
FBI WARNS OF QR CODE SCAM DISGUISED IN MYSTERY PACKAGES
QR code phishing scams can hide suspicious links, making it harder for users to verify the destination before opening it. (Hispanolistic/Getty Images)
Why QR code phishing scams are growing fast
QR codes feel safe because we see them everywhere. Restaurants use them. Airlines use them. That familiarity lowers your guard. Scammers take advantage of that trust.
They embed malicious links inside codes so you cannot preview them easily. Once you scan, you may land on a fake login page that looks real. From there, it is a quick path to stolen credentials.
What happens if you scan a malicious QR code
If the QR code leads to a phishing page, a few things can happen:
- You enter your login details and hand them over
- Malware downloads silently to your device
- The page asks for more personal information
In some cases, attackers use the stolen login to access company systems or your email account. That can lead to more attacks against your contacts.
Ways to stay safe from QR code email scams
These scams rely on speed and distraction. Slow things down, and a few simple checks can protect your data.
1) Do not scan unexpected QR codes
If an email pushes you to scan a code, pause. Go to the official website yourself instead of using the code.
2) Check the sender’s domain carefully
Look past the display name. Verify the full email address. If it does not match the company, do not trust it.
3) Use your normal login path
Access HR systems by typing the URL you already know or using a saved bookmark. Avoid links and codes in emails.
4) Watch for generic greetings
Messages that avoid your real name should raise suspicion. That is often a sign of mass phishing.
BE AWARE OF EXTORTION SCAM EMAILS CLAIMING YOUR DATA IS STOLEN
Employees should access HR systems through official portals instead of scanning QR codes or clicking links in unexpected emails. (gpointstudio via Getty Images)
5) Confirm with your company
If something feels off, ask your HR team directly. Use a known contact method, not the one in the email.
6) Use strong antivirus software
Strong antivirus software can block malicious links, flag phishing pages and stop malware before it installs. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com
7) Consider a data removal service
Scammers often use personal data found online to make emails feel more convincing. A data removal service can reduce your exposure by removing your information from broker sites. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com
8) Keep your devices and apps updated
Security updates patch known vulnerabilities. Turn on automatic updates so you are always protected.
9) Enable two-factor authentication
Even if your login gets stolen, a second verification step like two-factor authentication (2FA) can stop attackers from getting into your account.
Join CyberGuy Live: Lock Down Your Phone in 30 Minutes (Saturday, June 13, 10 am ET)
Your phone holds your email, passwords, photos, banking apps and personal data. In this free, live online class, Kurt the CyberGuy will walk you step by step through simple phone security fixes you can do in real time. You’ll learn how to improve your privacy settings, spot the latest phone scams, use trusted security tools and walk away with a simple checklist to stay protected. Register here: CyberGuyLive.com
Kurt’s key takeaways
Phishing emails keep evolving. Today, it is a QR code tied to a fake HR notice. Tomorrow, it could be something else that feels just as routine. The safest thing to do is simple. Do not trust the path an email gives you when sensitive information is involved. Use your own path instead.
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If a message asks you to act fast with a QR code, would you stop and verify it first or trust it because it looks familiar? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com
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- Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
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- Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.
Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
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