Google General Counsel on Rising AI-Powered Phishing Scams

Halimah Delaine Prado, the General Counsel at Google, has highlighted the rise of AI-driven phishing scams. These scams originate from entities in China known as ‘outsider enterprises.’ Criminals are using artificial intelligence to craft realistic fake websites, impersonating well-known brands such as T-Mobile. This deceit targets hundreds of thousands of Americans and results in financial losses reaching millions.

Prado emphasizes Google’s proactive strategies to counter these evolving threats.

Home Selling Risks: Safeguarding Against Scams

Selling your home can be both thrilling and stressful, especially in retirement years. Unfortunately, scammers often exploit major life changes like this.

Those who have sold a home might possess substantial cash or a well-funded bank account, making them prime targets for fraud and identity scams. However, there are effective measures to protect yourself and your assets.

Exposure During Property Sales

When a deed or property transfer is recorded, certain details become part of the public record. Depending on state and county regulations, this can include your name, mailing address, property history, and sometimes the sale price.

Why identity theft targets repeat victims

Scammers can use publicly available records to target you, especially when you’re distracted by moving processes. They might know details about your recently sold property, and the usual communication with agents and service professionals.

Further exposure includes:

• Floor plans revealing the home’s layout
• Interior photos showing security systems and valuables
• Exterior views from listings or map services
• Images of artwork, electronics, or expensive items
• Personal data collected by brokers prior to sale

Scammers’ Information Access

Data brokers collect and sell property information to investors, marketing firms, and lead generators. For individuals aged 55-70 downsizing their homes, this adds a verified data point to broker profiles. This information can then spread through various databases, reaching questionable buyers.

Scammers don’t need to deduce each record manually. Brokers and people-search sites do the work, assembling data packages for them.

Preventing Real Estate Wire Fraud

Near property closing, be cautious of imposters posing as your real estate agent or escrow officer, sending false wiring instructions. Always verify the authenticity of communication by calling known contacts, not numbers provided in unsolicited emails or texts.

Minimizing Risks When Selling Your Home

To reduce exposure risks:

• Blur your property images on online map services.
• Contact local authorities to redact your records.
• Register for property recording alerts with your county office.
• Remove property photos that may reveal vulnerabilities.
• Request real estate agents to delete post-sale photos and plans from websites.

To control online information spread:

• Search your name and note prominent people-search sites.
• Submit removal requests where your data is sold.
• Focus on brokers dealing with property records, such as PropertyChecker.com.
• Investigate local data brokers and send removal requests.
• Consider using a data removal service to streamline removal processes.

Using Data Removal Services

Managing personal data can be time-intensive due to hundreds of data brokers with varying opt-out processes. A data removal service handles these tasks efficiently on your behalf, ensuring ongoing protection.

For further help, visit Cyberguy.com to explore data removal services and run a free exposure scan to determine where your information is public. Take proactive steps to protect your privacy and reduce identity theft risks.

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