#onlinesafety — Public Fediverse posts

Retail Gazette: Lush launches campaign highlighting harm caused by social media. “Lush is looking to spotlight the harm caused by big social media platforms in its new campaign, which is now live across all of its stores in the UK, EU, USA and Canada. The retailer left the major social media platforms, Snapchat, X, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook almost five years ago. And since then, the […]

Reuters: UNICEF estimates 20 million children suffered online sexual abuse in one year. “About 20 million internet-using children across ​21 countries were subjected to sexual exploitation or abuse on digital platforms in a single year, with most cases occurring ‌on social media platforms, a new report by the U.N. children’s charity said on Thursday. More than one in five children aged 12 […]

Reuters: UNICEF estimates 20 million children suffered online sexual abuse in one year. “About 20 million internet-using children across ​21 countries were subjected to sexual exploitation or abuse on digital platforms in a single year, with most cases occurring ‌on social media platforms, a new report by the U.N. children’s charity said on Thursday. More than one in five children aged 12 […]

Duh.

The Register: UK's Online Safety Act has made 'absolutely no difference,' kids say
https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/09/03/uks-online-safety-act-has-made-absolutely-no-difference-kids-say/5293893

#OnlineSafetyAct #OnlineSafety #TheRegister

Duh.

The Register: UK's Online Safety Act has made 'absolutely no difference,' kids say
https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/09/03/uks-online-safety-act-has-made-absolutely-no-difference-kids-say/5293893

#OnlineSafetyAct #OnlineSafety #TheRegister

Duh.

The Register: UK's Online Safety Act has made 'absolutely no difference,' kids say
https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/09/03/uks-online-safety-act-has-made-absolutely-no-difference-kids-say/5293893

#OnlineSafetyAct #OnlineSafety #TheRegister

Duh.

The Register: UK's Online Safety Act has made 'absolutely no difference,' kids say
https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/09/03/uks-online-safety-act-has-made-absolutely-no-difference-kids-say/5293893

#OnlineSafetyAct #OnlineSafety #TheRegister

I Am Expat: TikTok housing scams hit international students in the Netherlands. “Fraudsters are increasingly using TikTok and social media to target students in the Netherlands with fake room listings amid the ongoing housing shortage. International students arriving for the new academic year are particularly vulnerable as tight deadlines leave many desperate for accommodation.”

I Am Expat: TikTok housing scams hit international students in the Netherlands. “Fraudsters are increasingly using TikTok and social media to target students in the Netherlands with fake room listings amid the ongoing housing shortage. International students arriving for the new academic year are particularly vulnerable as tight deadlines leave many desperate for accommodation.”

The Guardian: It’s time for Mark Zuckerberg to resign from Meta. “Ushering in hope for the future of technology requires changing Meta’s leadership now, so that the future is collectively imagined and built upon a new reputation and commitment. Zuckerberg does not deserve another chance simply because he can afford it. We as a society ultimately pay for his mistakes. Now is the time for […]

The Guardian: It’s time for Mark Zuckerberg to resign from Meta. “Ushering in hope for the future of technology requires changing Meta’s leadership now, so that the future is collectively imagined and built upon a new reputation and commitment. Zuckerberg does not deserve another chance simply because he can afford it. We as a society ultimately pay for his mistakes. Now is the time for […]

A question for professionals. How do you navigate toxic or obnoxious behavior in online communities?

What's the most professional way to address (or ignore) it without getting into it with anyone?

Today I tried to de-escalate a silly situation in a local queer group chat, and some folks were really rude. I put down a boundary, and then I blocked when it was violated.

I just wanna be sure I did right by myself and my profession. 💜

#ProfessionalBoundaries #OnlineSafety #QueerCommunity

A question for professionals. How do you navigate toxic or obnoxious behavior in online communities?

What's the most professional way to address (or ignore) it without getting into it with anyone?

Today I tried to de-escalate a silly situation in a local queer group chat, and some folks were really rude. I put down a boundary, and then I blocked when it was violated.

I just wanna be sure I did right by myself and my profession. 💜

#ProfessionalBoundaries #OnlineSafety #QueerCommunity

A question for professionals. How do you navigate toxic or obnoxious behavior in online communities?

What's the most professional way to address (or ignore) it without getting into it with anyone?

Today I tried to de-escalate a silly situation in a local queer group chat, and some folks were really rude. I put down a boundary, and then I blocked when it was violated.

I just wanna be sure I did right by myself and my profession. 💜

#ProfessionalBoundaries #OnlineSafety #QueerCommunity

A question for professionals. How do you navigate toxic or obnoxious behavior in online communities?

What's the most professional way to address (or ignore) it without getting into it with anyone?

Today I tried to de-escalate a silly situation in a local queer group chat, and some folks were really rude. I put down a boundary, and then I blocked when it was violated.

I just wanna be sure I did right by myself and my profession. 💜

#ProfessionalBoundaries #OnlineSafety #QueerCommunity

ICYMI: Explaining age assurance: Age assurance: the umbrella term for verifying, estimating or inferring a user's age online, now a legal duty across the UK, the EU, Australia and US states. https://ppc.land/age-assurance/ #AgeAssurance #OnlineSafety #DigitalAgeVerification #PrivacyProtection #YouthSafety

ICYMI: Explaining age assurance: Age assurance: the umbrella term for verifying, estimating or inferring a user's age online, now a legal duty across the UK, the EU, Australia and US states. https://ppc.land/age-assurance/ #AgeAssurance #OnlineSafety #DigitalAgeVerification #PrivacyProtection #YouthSafety

ICYMI: Explaining age assurance: Age assurance: the umbrella term for verifying, estimating or inferring a user's age online, now a legal duty across the UK, the EU, Australia and US states. https://ppc.land/age-assurance/ #AgeAssurance #OnlineSafety #DigitalAgeVerification #PrivacyProtection #YouthSafety

https://www.europesays.com/africa/409483/ Police warn of ‘sextortion’ scam: 52 victims blackmailed over compromising images, Singapore News #blackmail #cybercrime #OnlineSafety #scams #sextortion #zimbabwe

⚠️ Your email is your digital ID and hackers know it.
One leaked password can unlock your entire online life🔓
Protect yourself: ✅ Privacy-focused email [e.g. Tuta or Proton mail] ✅ Unique, strong password ✅ Two-factor authentication [not SMS] on
✅ Don't click on suspicious links
#CyberSecurity #DigitalIdentity #OnlineSafety #email #proton #tuta #hacking #privacy #passwordmanager #2FA #password

Explaining age assurance: Age assurance: the umbrella term for verifying, estimating or inferring a user's age online, now a legal duty across the UK, the EU, Australia and US states. https://ppc.land/age-assurance/ #AgeAssurance #OnlineSafety #DigitalIdentity #UserVerification #AgeVerification

Explaining age assurance: Age assurance: the umbrella term for verifying, estimating or inferring a user's age online, now a legal duty across the UK, the EU, Australia and US states. https://ppc.land/age-assurance/ #AgeAssurance #OnlineSafety #DigitalIdentity #UserVerification #AgeVerification

Explaining age assurance: Age assurance: the umbrella term for verifying, estimating or inferring a user's age online, now a legal duty across the UK, the EU, Australia and US states. https://ppc.land/age-assurance/ #AgeAssurance #OnlineSafety #DigitalIdentity #UserVerification #AgeVerification

Elon University: Imagining the Digital Future Center reports on ‘The Rise of AI Companions’. “A new survey finds that 27% of U.S. adult internet users have social and emotional interactions with artificial intelligence systems, with a third of those users considering their AI bot as a friend.”

Elon University: Imagining the Digital Future Center reports on ‘The Rise of AI Companions’. “A new survey finds that 27% of U.S. adult internet users have social and emotional interactions with artificial intelligence systems, with a third of those users considering their AI bot as a friend.”

Elon University: Imagining the Digital Future Center reports on ‘The Rise of AI Companions’. “A new survey finds that 27% of U.S. adult internet users have social and emotional interactions with artificial intelligence systems, with a third of those users considering their AI bot as a friend.”

Elon University: Imagining the Digital Future Center reports on ‘The Rise of AI Companions’. “A new survey finds that 27% of U.S. adult internet users have social and emotional interactions with artificial intelligence systems, with a third of those users considering their AI bot as a friend.”

Elon University: Imagining the Digital Future Center reports on ‘The Rise of AI Companions’. “A new survey finds that 27% of U.S. adult internet users have social and emotional interactions with artificial intelligence systems, with a third of those users considering their AI bot as a friend.”

The City Paper: Colombia’s armed groups turn TikTok and Facebook into recruiting grounds for children. “Human Rights Watch has warned that illegal armed groups are increasingly using TikTok, Facebook and other social-media platforms to recruit children, combining propaganda, promises of money and status, coded language and carefully chosen emojis to draw minors toward illegal armed […]

The City Paper: Colombia’s armed groups turn TikTok and Facebook into recruiting grounds for children. “Human Rights Watch has warned that illegal armed groups are increasingly using TikTok, Facebook and other social-media platforms to recruit children, combining propaganda, promises of money and status, coded language and carefully chosen emojis to draw minors toward illegal armed […]

The City Paper: Colombia’s armed groups turn TikTok and Facebook into recruiting grounds for children. “Human Rights Watch has warned that illegal armed groups are increasingly using TikTok, Facebook and other social-media platforms to recruit children, combining propaganda, promises of money and status, coded language and carefully chosen emojis to draw minors toward illegal armed […]

The City Paper: Colombia’s armed groups turn TikTok and Facebook into recruiting grounds for children. “Human Rights Watch has warned that illegal armed groups are increasingly using TikTok, Facebook and other social-media platforms to recruit children, combining propaganda, promises of money and status, coded language and carefully chosen emojis to draw minors toward illegal armed […]

The City Paper: Colombia’s armed groups turn TikTok and Facebook into recruiting grounds for children. “Human Rights Watch has warned that illegal armed groups are increasingly using TikTok, Facebook and other social-media platforms to recruit children, combining propaganda, promises of money and status, coded language and carefully chosen emojis to draw minors toward illegal armed […]

Periodic reminder to freeze your credit. It's easy and free: https://frozenpii.com/credit-freezes/#brxe-pewsyy

#freezecredit #onlinesafety #creditfreeze #fraudprotection #safetytips

Periodic reminder to freeze your credit. It's easy and free: https://frozenpii.com/credit-freezes/#brxe-pewsyy

#freezecredit #onlinesafety #creditfreeze #fraudprotection #safetytips

Periodic reminder to freeze your credit. It's easy and free: https://frozenpii.com/credit-freezes/#brxe-pewsyy

#freezecredit #onlinesafety #creditfreeze #fraudprotection #safetytips

Periodic reminder to freeze your credit. It's easy and free: https://frozenpii.com/credit-freezes/#brxe-pewsyy

#freezecredit #onlinesafety #creditfreeze #fraudprotection #safetytips

Periodic reminder to freeze your credit. It's easy and free: https://frozenpii.com/credit-freezes/#brxe-pewsyy

#freezecredit #onlinesafety #creditfreeze #fraudprotection #safetytips

Politico: Sam Altman called Gavin Newsom over kids’ chatbot safety bill. “That’s according to four people familiar with details of Altman’s behind-the-scenes maneuvering — including one person with direct knowledge and three others directly involved in talks with OpenAI over the bill, SB 1119. They told POLITICO the OpenAI CEO reached out directly to the governor during a final burst of […]

Notes from Poland: Poland asks EU to fine Meta €250m over scam Facebook ads. “Poland has formally requested that the European Commission fine Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, €250 million (1.1 billion zloty) for failing to tackle fraudulent advertising on its platforms. Its decision follows a high-profile campaign by Rafał Brzoska, the billionaire owner of Polish […]

The DoRaleigh Scam Report Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them

Scammers are becoming more convincing, using artificial intelligence, caller ID spoofing, social media, text messages, fake websites, and emotional pressure to steal money and personal information.

In 2025, consumers submitted approximately 3 million fraud reports and reported losing $15.9 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission⁠. Imposter scams alone accounted for $3.5 billion in reported losses.

Raleigh and Triangle residents can reduce their risk by learning the warning signs of today’s most common scams.

1. Government and Business Imposter Scams

A caller, email, or text may claim to come from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Federal Trade Commission, police department, bank, utility company, or another trusted organization.

Scammers often say that your account has been compromised, you owe money, or you face arrest unless you act immediately. They may even manipulate caller ID or send official-looking documents.

How to avoid imposter scams

• Do not trust caller ID alone.
• Hang up and contact the organization using its official website or published phone number.
• Never move money to “protect” it.
• Government agencies will not demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, gold, or cash delivered to a courier.
• Do not provide account passwords, PINs, verification codes, or Social Security numbers after an unexpected contact.

The FTC advises consumers never to transfer money, cryptocurrency, or gold after an unsolicited call or message. Anyone directing you to move money for its protection is attempting a scam. Read more from the FTC’s imposter scam guide⁠.

2. Phishing Emails and Text-Message Scams

Phishing messages imitate banks, delivery companies, toll agencies, streaming services, employers, and government offices. Common messages claim that a package is delayed, a toll remains unpaid, an account will be closed, or suspicious activity requires immediate attention.

The included link may lead to a fake website designed to steal login credentials, banking information, or credit-card numbers. The FBI explains that these sites can closely resemble legitimate financial or commercial websites. Learn about phishing and spoofing from the FBI⁠.

How to avoid phishing scams

• Do not click links in unexpected emails or text messages.
• Open the company’s official app or type its website address directly into your browser.
• Inspect email addresses carefully for misspellings or unusual domains.
• Never share a login verification code with someone who contacts you.
• Delete messages that demand immediate payment or personal information.

3. Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams

Investment scammers promise guaranteed returns, exclusive opportunities, or profits with little or no risk. Some build relationships through social media or dating apps before recommending a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform.

A fake account dashboard may appear to show growing profits, but victims are later told to pay additional fees or taxes before withdrawing their money.

How to avoid investment scams

• Be skeptical of guaranteed or unusually high returns.
• Research the investment professional and company independently.
• Do not invest based solely on advice from someone you met online.
• Never send cryptocurrency to “unlock” earnings or protect an account.
• Avoid opportunities that pressure you to act before conducting research.

The FBI warns that no legitimate investment can guarantee a return. Review the FBI’s investment fraud guidance⁠.

4. Romance Scams

Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, quickly building trust and emotional connections. They frequently avoid meeting in person while claiming to work overseas, serve in the military, travel extensively, or face a personal emergency.

Eventually, the scammer requests money for travel, medical care, legal problems, business expenses, or an investment.

How to avoid romance scams

• Be cautious when an online relationship develops unusually quickly.
• Conduct a reverse-image search on profile photographs.
• Discuss the relationship with a trusted friend or family member.
• Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or banking information to someone you have not met.
• Stop communicating when someone repeatedly avoids video calls or in-person meetings.

The FBI’s romance scam guidance⁠ explains how criminals use fake identities and emotional manipulation to gain trust before asking for money.

5. Job and “Task” Scams

Job scammers pose as recruiters offering remote positions with high salaries, flexible schedules, and little experience required. They may conduct interviews through text messages, send fake checks for equipment, or require applicants to pay for training.

Task scams promise commissions for completing simple online activities. Victims may initially receive a small payment before being required to deposit larger amounts or purchase cryptocurrency.

How to avoid job scams

• Verify openings on the employer’s official careers page.
• Research the recruiter’s name, email address, and company.
• Be suspicious of interviews conducted entirely through messaging apps.
• Never pay for a job or send money to begin working.
• Do not deposit a check and forward part of the money to another person.
• Never use your personal bank account to transfer money for an employer.

6. Tech-Support Scams

A pop-up, phone call, or email may claim that your computer has a virus or your account has been hacked. The scammer may request remote access to your device, install unwanted software, or demand payment for unnecessary repairs.

How to avoid tech-support scams

• Do not call numbers displayed in unexpected security pop-ups.
• Never give remote access to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Contact the device manufacturer or software provider directly.
• Close the browser or restart the device if a suspicious pop-up will not disappear.
• Never pay for technical support with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer.

The FTC’s tech-support scam guide⁠ notes that scammers prefer payment methods that are difficult to reverse.

7. Online Shopping, Marketplace and Rental Scams

Scammers advertise nonexistent products, pets, concert tickets, vehicles, apartments, and vacation rentals. Prices are often significantly lower than comparable listings, and the seller may demand a deposit before allowing an inspection.

How to avoid marketplace and rental scams

• Search the seller’s name, phone number, and listing photographs.
• Compare the price with similar listings.
• Inspect property or merchandise before paying whenever possible.
• Use the platform’s approved payment system and buyer protections.
• Avoid sellers demanding gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment outside the platform.
• Never pay a rental deposit before verifying the property and owner.

8. Family Emergency and Grandparent Scams

A caller may pretend to be a child, grandchild, lawyer, police officer, or hospital employee. Some scammers use artificial intelligence to imitate a loved one’s voice.

The caller claims there has been an accident, arrest, kidnapping, or medical emergency and insists that the situation remain secret.

How to avoid family emergency scams

• Hang up and call the family member directly.
• Contact another relative to verify the story.
• Create a private family verification word.
• Ask a question that a stranger could not answer from social media.
• Never send cash to a courier or pay through gift cards or cryptocurrency.

9. Prize, Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams

Scammers tell victims they have won money, a vacation, or another prize—but must first pay taxes, processing costs, or delivery fees.

How to avoid prize scams

• Remember that legitimate sweepstakes do not require payment to receive a prize.
• Do not provide banking or Social Security information.
• Be suspicious if you did not enter the contest.
• Never deposit a check and return a portion of the funds.
• Ignore demands for gift-card or cryptocurrency payments.

10. Payment-App and Gift-Card Scams

Payment apps are designed to send money quickly, which can make recovery difficult. Scammers may impersonate a bank employee, buyer, seller, friend, or relative and ask for an immediate transfer.

Gift cards are another major warning sign. No legitimate government agency or business will require gift cards as payment. The FTC’s gift-card scam guidance⁠ advises consumers never to share a gift-card number or PIN with an unexpected caller.

How to avoid payment scams

• Confirm payment requests directly with the person involved.
• Review the recipient’s name before sending money.
• Never return an alleged accidental payment by starting a new transaction.
• Do not share gift-card numbers, PINs, or photographs.
• Stop when someone dictates exactly how and where you must pay.

Major Scam Warning Signs

Stop communicating when someone:

• Creates a sudden emergency
• Pressures you to act immediately
• Demands secrecy
• Requests gift cards, cryptocurrency, gold, cash, or a wire transfer
• Promises guaranteed profits
• Asks for passwords, PINs, or verification codes
• Tells you to move money for its protection
• Refuses to let you independently verify the story

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

Act quickly, but do not feel embarrassed. Scammers are trained to manipulate emotions and create believable situations.

1. Contact your bank, credit union, card issuer, payment app, or gift-card company immediately.
2. Ask whether the transaction can be stopped, recalled, or disputed.
3. Change compromised passwords and enable multifactor authentication.
4. Save emails, text messages, receipts, usernames, phone numbers, and transaction records.
5. Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission⁠.
6. Report internet-enabled fraud to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center⁠.
7. Use IdentityTheft.gov⁠ for a personalized recovery plan if personal information was stolen.
8. File a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Justice⁠ or call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
9. Contact local law enforcement if money was stolen or you are being threatened.

Protect Your Accounts Before a Scam Happens

Use a unique password for every important account, turn on automatic software updates, and enable multifactor authentication for email, banking, social media, and payment accounts. CISA recommends MFA because it adds another identity check beyond a password and makes unauthorized access more difficult. Learn more from CISA⁠.

Most importantly, pause before responding. A few minutes spent verifying a message can prevent significant financial loss. If you need help in Raleigh contact BTDesigns.pro

Follow DoRaleigh.com for more Triangle consumer alerts, public-safety information, community resources, and local news.

Connect With Us: Instagram | Facebook | BSky | Linkedin

Share With Us: Post your community News, Events, on our Submissions Page.

Advertise With Us: Interested in Advertising click here.

Published by Bryan Tomlinson | BTDesigns.pro |

Lifehacker: Hundreds of Fake VPNs Are Flooding the Chrome Web Store. “Many of these extensions are free, some are paid, and some even pretend to be from trusted cybersecurity providers to lure users into handing over unrestricted access to their network and browser. This weekend, I dug through Socket’s report to find out exactly what was going on with these apps and how they managed to clear […]

Buy Verified Nsave Account - SmmPaidService https://smmpaidservice.com/product/buy-verified-nsave-account/

#BuyVerifiedNsaveAccount #Nsave #VerifiedAccounts #SocialMediaTips #AccountSecurity #OnlineSafety #DigitalMarketing #VerifiedProfiles #FinanceTips #SaveMoney #Investment #FinancialFreedom #SecureYourAccount #SmartShopping #LegitimateDeals #Trustworthy #OnlineAccount #AccountManagement #FinancialSuccess #CustomerTrust

Bloomberg: Phoebe Gates knew Phia shopping app took credit for sales it didn’t drive. “Phia co-founders Phoebe Gates and Sophia Kianni pushed for features in the e-commerce startup’s software that took credit for sales it didn’t drive, according to internal communications and people with knowledge of the matter.”

‘You’re a 4 out of 10’: the troubling rise of AI appearance ratings
#AI #Youth #Tech #BodyImage #MentalHealth #Looksmaxxing #SocialMedia #OnlineSafety #EatingDisorders #DigitalHealth #BodyDysmorphia #MuscleDysmorphia
https://the-14.com/youre-a-4-out-of-10-the-troubling-rise-of-ai-appearance-ratings/

TechSpot: Meta is bragging about how its AI keeps people on Instagram, while facing lawsuits over addiction. “Social media addiction has been a subject of public debate for years, but time spent on apps like TikTok and Instagram keeps climbing. Meta has now confirmed it’s using AI to personalize the Instagram feed, and that shift is driving a sharp increase in the amount of time users spend on […]

Ofcom drops legal action against suicide forum linked to death of over 160 Brits

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/ofcom-drops-legal-action-against-37455514

ZDNet: Is that QR code a trap? How to spot quishing scams before it’s too late. “Quishing, or QR code-based phishing, embeds malicious links in QR codes to bypass traditional phishing filters and slip through security nets. The lure is the same: create a sense of urgency, appeal to our greed, instill fear and panic, or promise rewards for scanning the QR code with our phones and clicking the […]

Bloomberg: Gates Heir’s Shopping App Claimed Sales It Didn’t Drive. “Bloomberg tested the Phia mobile browser extension across more than 50 websites and found that during the checkout process, Phia opened a background tab without user interaction and injected its own referral code that overrode legitimate referrals from other publishers.”

EL PAÍS: Frances Haugen: ‘We are worse off today than when I leaked the Facebook documents’. “Haugen now lives in Puerto Rico (she understands Spanish but doesn’t speak it). Her years at Google, Pinterest, and Facebook are behind her: she has founded an NGO, Beyond the Screen, aimed at making social media more transparent. She spoke exclusively to EL PAÍS in Barcelona after taking part […]