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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

Welcome back to The CyberGuy Report podcast. Thanks for listening in, and if you like what you hear, come back every Wednesday for a new episode.

Romance scams are the most expensive form of online dating fraud, and this one plays out like a true crime documentary with two victims instead of one.

Gabby met a man on LinkedIn who was already connected to a former colleague of hers, so she assumed he was real.

Over two years, he asked for money, sent it back, and asked again, until the amounts got very large and the money stopped coming back. The photos used to catfish her belong to Brian Haugen, a real man in Los Angeles, and he joins Kurt in the studio to explain what a stolen face has cost him.

• A South Carolina man’s home was transferred to his caregiver for $5 after she gained power of attorney.
• Free county property alerts can warn you when a new deed or other document gets filed under a registered name.
• Bank alerts and trusted contacts can help families spot unusual transfers, account changes and possible financial exploitation.
• Broader monitoring can add another warning layer, but no service can block a deed or replace trusted human oversight.

A deed can change hands without a burglar breaking a window or a scammer hacking a computer. Sometimes the first warning signs are sitting inside county records, bank accounts and email inboxes, waiting for someone to notice.

A disturbing case out of South Carolina shows why families may want to put a few digital safeguards in place now. According to a local report, a daughter says her 75-year-old father, who had Parkinson’s disease and a brain injury, became increasingly isolated after a caregiver entered his life.

Within weeks, the caregiver was named as his power of attorney. A quitclaim deed later transferred his Conway home to her for $5. His daughter also says bank statements show money moving from his account to the caregiver, including after his death. Conway police said they were investigating.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Still, the case raises a question every family with an aging or vulnerable loved one should consider: Would you know if someone changed a deed, moved money or took control of an important account? Technology cannot prevent every form of financial exploitation. However, the right alerts can create an early-warning system that makes major changes much harder to hide.

Why this case goes beyond home-title theft

Home-title theft usually involves a criminal forging documents, impersonating an owner or recording a fraudulent deed. The allegations in this case raise a different concern. The daughter alleges that her father was vulnerable and may not have understood what he signed after the caregiver obtained power of attorney.

A forged deed can involve identity theft. When someone signs a document after alleged manipulation or coercion or when questions arise about whether that person understood what they were signing, the legal issues can involve undue influence, elder financial exploitation or abuse of legal authority.

Technology cannot determine what happened between two people. What it can do is flag events that deserve a closer look, including a new deed filing, an ownership change, a new lender, an unusual bank transfer or a change to an account’s contact information.

The FBI has warned that quitclaim deed fraud can involve forged documents as well as relatives or close associates persuading older adults to transfer property for someone else’s financial gain. The agency recommends monitoring property records and enrolling in county title alerts where available.

5 digital safeguards that can help protect your family

You do not need expensive technology to start watching for suspicious changes. Some of the strongest safeguards are free alerts already offered by county governments, banks and financial institutions. The key is setting them up before something happens and making sure the warnings reach someone who can act. Here are five digital safeguards worth putting in place.

1) Sign up for free county property alerts

Start with the government office that records deeds in the county where the property is located. Depending on the state, it may be called the county recorder, recorder of deeds, register of deeds or clerk’s office. Many of these offices offer a free notification service. Look for names such as Property Fraud Alert, Recording Notification Service, Fraud Guard or Land Record Alert. Horry County, where the South Carolina property is located, now offers a free Recording Notification Service. It monitors the county’s registry for new filings associated with a registered name and sends an alert when it finds one.

To find a service in your area:

• Search for your county’s name plus property fraud alert or recording notification service.
• Open only the official county or local government website. Check the web address carefully before entering personal information.
• Register the owner’s full legal name and any other name used on property records.
• Add a spouse’s name and the name of a trust or business if the county allows it.
• Confirm the registration through the email the county sends you.

Keep in mind that an alert does not stop a document from being recorded. Instead, it tells you something was filed so you can investigate quickly.

2) Turn on detailed bank and credit alerts

The reported deed transfer was only one warning sign in this case. The daughter also alleges that money moved from her father’s bank account. Most banks and credit card issuers let you create alerts through their apps or websites. You will usually find them under Settings, Security, Alerts or Notifications.

Turn on alerts for withdrawals and outgoing transfers, new external accounts or payees, large purchases, checks clearing, low balances, password resets, new device logins and changes to contact information. Also consider setting transaction alerts at a relatively low dollar amount. Scammers sometimes begin with smaller transactions before trying to move more money.

Whenever possible, use more than one notification method, such as push notifications, text messages and email. Then review those settings every few months. A new phone, changed email address or bank app update can sometimes interrupt notifications.

3) Add a trusted contact without giving up control

A trusted contact gives a financial institution another person to reach if it sees signs of exploitation or cannot contact the account holder. That person does not automatically become a joint owner and does not receive power of attorney simply because they were named as a trusted contact.

For brokerage accounts, FINRA rules require firms to make a reasonable effort to obtain a trusted contact. The contact may be asked about the account holder’s health, current contact information or possible financial exploitation. Being named a trusted contact does not give someone permission to trade, withdraw money or view account balances.

Some banks and credit unions offer similar protections voluntarily. Ask the fraud department or elder financial exploitation team whether it provides trusted contacts, read-only account access, extra confirmation for large transfers or additional review when money goes to a new recipient. Choose the person carefully.

If a daily caregiver already has access to finances, consider using a different relative, attorney or accountant as the trusted contact. That creates another set of eyes without handing over control of the account. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau says trusted contacts can help financial institutions respond to possible elder financial exploitation while allowing the account holder to retain control.

4) Protect the phone and email receiving the alerts

Alerts only help when they reach the right person. If someone else controls the account holder’s phone or email, they may be able to delete warnings, change contact information or reset passwords before a family member notices. Start with the email account connected to banking, investment and property notifications.

Use a password manager to create and store a strong, unique password. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA). Review recovery phone numbers and email addresses. Check for unfamiliar forwarding rules and signed-in devices. Store backup codes somewhere secure that the person legally authorized to use the account can reach. Then protect the mobile carrier account too.

Add an account PIN and enable any protection the carrier offers against unauthorized number transfers. Someone who takes over a phone number may be able to intercept security codes and account alerts. Also avoid sharing one online banking password among several relatives or caregivers. Instead, ask the financial institution about separate authorized access, a view-only login or another supported arrangement. Separate logins make it much easier to see who accessed or changed an account.

5) Add broader monitoring for property and financial activity

County and bank alerts provide a strong foundation, but they live in different places. Broader monitoring can bring additional warning signs together and provide help if identity theft becomes complicated. A service such as LifeLock (CyberGuy Deal: 24% off) can add another layer.

LifeLock Total includes Home Title Monitoring, which looks for changes involving property ownership, new lenders, financing and notices of default. It also provides alerts for suspicious activity involving connected checking, savings and credit accounts, along with 401(k) and investment activity alerts. In a situation like the South Carolina case, a recorded ownership change could potentially generate an alert. Suspicious financial activity could also surface when affected accounts are connected and the activity meets the service’s monitoring criteria.

If identity theft or home-title fraud occurs, LifeLock provides access to a U.S.-based Restoration Specialist who can help with the recovery process. However, monitoring has limits. Home Title Monitoring relies on county records, and a newly recorded document can sometimes take a few weeks to appear in the monitoring system. LifeLock cannot block a deed, determine whether someone understood a document or prevent someone from misusing power of attorney.

Reimbursement and insurance benefits also depend on plan terms, conditions and exclusions. A dispute involving alleged coercion or a deed that someone actually signed may be handled differently from a case involving forged identity theft. Think of monitoring as an alarm, not a lock. It can warn you that something changed so you can investigate. It cannot make the change impossible.

Why a credit freeze will not stop a deed transfer

A credit freeze remains one of the best tools for making it harder for criminals to open new credit accounts in someone’s name. However, freezing your credit does not lock a property title. It also cannot stop activity inside an existing bank account or prevent someone from filing a deed. Use a credit freeze alongside property alerts, financial monitoring and secure account logins.

Warning signs families should watch for

Digital alerts can flag transactions and account changes, but families should also pay attention to changes in behavior and access. Take a closer look if an older or vulnerable person suddenly stops communicating with family, becomes unusually isolated or has a new caregiver or acquaintance speaking for them.

Other warning signs include unexplained financial or legal decisions, missing bank statements or tax bills, unfamiliar people appearing on accounts, sudden password or address changes and property documents signed for little or no apparent value. One change may have a perfectly reasonable explanation. Several changes appearing around the same time deserve attention.

What to do if you suspect exploitation

If something feels wrong, move quickly while preserving records that could help investigators understand what happened.

• Call 911 if the person faces immediate danger. Otherwise, contact local police or the sheriff’s non-emergency line.
• Report suspected exploitation to Adult Protective Services. The national Eldercare Locator can connect you with the correct local agency at eldercare.acl.gov or 800-677-1116.
• Contact the bank, brokerage and credit card companies. Ask for the fraud department or elder financial exploitation team. Report suspicious transfers and ask the institution to preserve relevant records.
• Contact the county recorder. Obtain copies of the deed and related filings. Ask about available notification and fraud-response resources.
• Save documentation. Keep account alerts, bank statements, emails, text messages, voicemails, property filings and a written timeline.
• Speak with an elder-law or real estate attorney. A lawyer can evaluate power-of-attorney documents, questions about capacity and possible options for challenging a transfer. Laws and deadlines vary by state.

The CFPB says family members do not need every detail before reporting suspected elder financial abuse. Investigators can determine what happened.

Related Links:

• The alarming surge of home title theft and how to protect your property
• How to stop scam texts from targeting aging parents
• Why scammers are targeting grandparents harder than ever

Kurt’s key takeaways

The most unsettling part of this case goes beyond a home allegedly changing hands for $5. It is how many major changes may have happened before the family knew what was going on. No app can tell you whether a vulnerable loved one is being manipulated. A title-monitoring service also cannot replace regular conversations, careful legal planning and people you trust. Technology can still give families an important advantage: an earlier warning. Set up county property alerts. Turn on detailed financial notifications. Add a trusted contact. Secure the phone and email accounts receiving those alerts. Then consider broader monitoring if your family wants another layer of visibility across property, identity and financial accounts. The sooner you know something changed, the sooner you can start asking questions and take action.

Have you set up property or financial alerts for yourself or an aging family member? What additional safeguards have worked for your family? Let us know in the comments below.

FOR MORE OF MY TECH TIPS & SECURITY ALERTS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE

We created this article in partnership with LifeLock

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

• DoppelCart has been linked to about 119,000 domains built to impersonate legitimate online stores.
• Fake shops can copy real branding and products while advertising discounts as high as 65%.
• DoppelCart checkout pages can steal card details, personal information and one-time bank verification codes.
• Checking the web address and researching an unfamiliar retailer can help you avoid a convincing fake store.

You find a product you want for 65% off. The site looks polished, the branding feels familiar and the deal seems hard to pass up. That could be exactly the trap.

Cybersecurity company Nebty has linked about 119,000 domains to a fake shopping operation called DoppelCart. The sites impersonate legitimate businesses and can steal payment details at checkout, including one-time bank verification codes.

BleepingComputer reports that more than 105,000 DoppelCart shops were active in Nebty’s latest scans, while Nebty says the majority of the cluster remains online. So, before you jump on a huge discount from a store you do not recognize, take a closer look at who is really behind the checkout page.

What is DoppelCart?

Nebty discovered DoppelCart while investigating fake shops that targeted several of its customers. Researchers noticed that stores impersonating different companies shared technical characteristics. They began following those connections through publicly available website scans.

The investigation eventually grew to roughly 119,000 associated domains. Nebty says that, to its knowledge, DoppelCart represents the largest publicly documented fake-shop cluster when measured by associated domains.

The company also makes an important point about attribution. Shared infrastructure does not prove that one person or organization controls every DoppelCart store.

Even so, the technical overlap is striking. Nebty CEO Benedikt Scheungraber told BleepingComputer that 96% of the confirmed shops shared identical build files and resolved to 27 commerce backends.

DoppelCart has swallowed a huge piece of the .shop domain

Most of the domains connected to DoppelCart use the .shop top-level domain. Nebty’s September 2026 data included 118,787 distinct .shop domains linked to the cluster out of 4,361,908 .shop domains in the company’s snapshot. That’s 2.72%, or roughly one out of every 37 domains in that particular data set.

However, that number needs some context. Nebty says the snapshot represents domains listed in the .shop DNS zone. It does not tell us how many legitimate or fraudulent stores were operating at the same moment.

For comparison, researchers previously documented BogusBazaar, a fake-shop operation involving more than 75,000 domains. Nebty cautions that observation periods and counting methods differ between investigations, so the numbers are not perfectly comparable.

We reached out to GMO Registry, which operates the .shop domain, for comment but did not hear back before our deadline.

Why DoppelCart fake shops can look so convincing

The days when every scam website looked like somebody threw it together in five minutes are long gone. DoppelCart sites can copy product catalogs from real companies along with descriptions, branding and other material.

In some cases, researchers found fake stores loading assets directly from the legitimate company’s servers. That creates a real problem for shoppers.

You may recognize the brand. The products look right. Nothing on the page immediately screams scam because much of the material came from the real business in the first place.

Scheungraber says DoppelCart shops mimic 44,182 different brands, with a median of two clones for each brand.

Some brands received much more attention. Researchers found more than 30 shops apiece targeting companies including SodaStream, Velasca, CurrentBody, Daniel Wellington, Dreame, Horze, MOVA and SPARK PAWS.

That 65% discount can be the hook

This is where the scam can catch you. Most of us shop around before spending money online. Finding the same product at a dramatically lower price can feel like a great deal. DoppelCart stores take advantage of that reaction.

Researchers found fake shops advertising discounts as high as 65%. Of course, a steep discount does not automatically mean you’re looking at a scam. Real stores run clearance sales every day.

Still, if you’ve never heard of the retailer and its price beats everyone else by a mile, spend another minute checking who you’re buying from. CyberGuy has a full guide on the warning signs worth checking before buying from an unfamiliar website: Tips to help you tell if an online store is real or a scam.

How DoppelCart fake shops steal your card details

The real danger starts when you decide to check out. Nebty tested several checkout pages tied to the DoppelCart cluster and found code collecting:

• Card numbers
• Expiration dates
• Security codes
• Cardholder names
• Email addresses
• Phone numbers
• Physical addresses

According to the researchers, those fields can be transmitted through WebSockets to command-and-control infrastructure in real time. So, an attacker may receive the information while you’re still sitting on the checkout page.

The technique has similarities to web skimming, where malicious code captures payment information as a shopper types it into an online checkout page. We’ve previously broken down how that kind of attack works and why shoppers may see no obvious warning: Web skimming attacks target major payment networks.

Your one-time bank code can be captured too

This is the part I find especially concerning. Many of us have been trained to see a verification code from our bank as an extra layer of protection. DoppelCart can potentially turn that security step against you.

Nebty found that the checkout code can relay the one-time confirmation code issued by a victim’s bank. Attackers may then try to use the code to get past protections surrounding a fraudulent transaction.

So, don’t automatically enter a bank code simply because a checkout page asks for it. Read the bank’s message carefully. Look at the merchant and transaction details if they’re included.

If something does not match the purchase you’re making, stop the transaction and contact your bank through its official app or the number printed on your card.

The legitimate business can get dragged into the scam

DoppelCart creates another headache after the purchase. Some fake shops display the real company’s legitimate customer support address.

Now imagine you place an order and nothing arrives. You find the support information on the site and contact the business demanding to know where your purchase went.

The company you’re calling may have no idea what you’re talking about because you never bought anything from it. Nebty says legitimate businesses have received complaints from shoppers over orders those businesses never processed.

The scammer gets the payment information. Meanwhile, the legitimate company gets the angry customer and has to explain that somebody copied its store.

Nebty says it tried to contact the main hosting provider associated with DoppelCart sites but received no response. Want to see whether a brand or website appears in the DoppelCart investigation? Search Nebty’s DoppelCart database

How to spot a fake online store before you pay

A professional-looking site no longer gives you enough information to decide whether a retailer deserves your trust. Instead, slow down when you’re shopping somewhere unfamiliar.

1) Check the exact web address

Look at the domain in your browser before entering payment information. A fake site may use a recognizable company name inside a completely different domain. If you’re trying to buy directly from a well-known brand, find its official website independently. Also, don’t let the padlock or HTTPS fool you. HTTPS tells you a website encrypts the connection. It does not prove the seller behind the site is legitimate. Scammers can encrypt websites too.

2) Take another look at an extreme discount

A 65% discount can make you want to buy before the deal disappears. That’s when I would slow down. Check the product on the company’s official website or compare it with a retailer you already know. If the price difference looks unusually large, investigate the seller.

3) Research an unfamiliar retailer

Search the store’s name before buying. Look beyond reviews displayed on the website itself. Search for independent complaints or reports that connect the domain to scams. Then check the company’s contact information. A cloned website can look impressive while having very little legitimate history behind it.

4) Pay by credit card when possible

The Federal Trade Commission recommends paying by credit card when possible for online purchases because credit cards provide protections when a transaction goes wrong. Some issuers also let you use virtual card numbers for online purchases. Availability varies by issuer. A virtual number can keep your primary card number away from the merchant and may let you shut down the virtual number if something goes wrong.

5) Read bank verification messages carefully

Don’t treat a one-time verification code as a routine box to fill in. Read the message your bank sends. If the merchant or transaction looks unfamiliar, do not enter the code. Contact your card issuer through a trusted channel instead.

6) Turn on transaction alerts

Check whether your bank or card issuer lets you receive notifications when purchases hit your account. Alerts can help you spot an unfamiliar transaction quickly. Do not ignore a small charge simply because the amount looks harmless. Any transaction you don’t recognize deserves a closer look.

7) Use strong security software

Strong antivirus software such as Norton Antivirus Plus (CyberGuy Deal: 58% off) can help warn you about known malicious websites and dangerous links. However, no program catches every newly created fake shopping site. That means your own judgment still plays an important role when a store you’ve never heard of suddenly offers the deal of the year.

What to do if you already entered your card on a suspicious shop

Act quickly if you think you purchased from a DoppelCart site or another fake retailer. The FTC recommends contacting the financial institution you used to make the payment as soon as possible.

Contact your card issuer right away

Use the number on the back of your card, your bank’s official app or its official website. Tell the issuer that you entered your card information on a suspected fraudulent website. Ask whether the card should be locked or replaced with a new number. If you also entered a one-time verification code from your bank, tell them that too.

Check your account for suspicious charges

Review your recent transactions and continue watching the account. If you paid the fake retailer, tell your issuer that you believe the transaction involved a scam. Also report any other charges you do not recognize. The FTC recommends asking the card issuer or bank whether it can reverse the fraudulent transaction and return your money.

Change any password you reused

If the fake store asked you to create an account and you reused a password from somewhere else, change that password on the other accounts. Give important accounts unique passwords. A password manager can help generate and store strong passwords without forcing you to remember every one.

Watch for follow-up scams

Remember what DoppelCart checkout pages can collect. The people behind the operation may have your contact information along with payment details. Be suspicious of unexpected bank warnings, delivery messages or refund offers connected to the purchase. Scammers sometimes target people who already lost money and then pose as someone who can help recover it. Go directly to your bank or the company’s official website rather than clicking a link in an unexpected message.

Run a security scan if you downloaded something

If you downloaded a file, installed software or gave the suspicious site additional access to your device, update your security software and run a scan with strong antivirus software. If all you did was type card information into the fake checkout, focus first on protecting the payment account and watching for fraudulent transactions.

Report the fake store

Report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reports can help authorities identify fraud patterns and investigate scam operations.

Related Links:

• Tips to help you tell if an online store is real or a scam
• Web skimming attacks target major payment networks
• Thousands of imposter websites discovered mimicking top brands to steal your banking info

Kurt’s key takeaways

What bothers me most about DoppelCart is how convincing these fake stores can look. You may recognize the products and the branding because scammers copied them from a real business. For me, that changes how I look at a bargain from a store I don’t know. If the price seems unusually low, I want to know exactly who I’m buying from before I enter my card information. Take a minute to check the web address and search for the retailer on your own. That small pause could save you from having to replace your card or deal with fraudulent charges later.

Have you ever landed on an online store that looked completely legitimate but something made you suspicious, and what tipped you off? Let us know by writing to us in the comments below.

FOR MORE OF MY TECH TIPS & SECURITY ALERTS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

• Driverless racing is expanding from U.S. tracks to major circuits in Europe and Abu Dhabi.
• At Imola, autonomous race cars reached about 157 mph with nobody behind the wheel.
• AI-controlled cars are now racing head-to-head and reacting to other vehicles in real time.
• The bigger question is whether fans will keep watching when there is no human driver to root for.

Autonomous race cars are starting to show up on some very famous tracks. On Sept. 3, the Indy Autonomous Challenge brought its driverless race cars to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in California. Purdue AI Racing set a new autonomous track record and finished second in a head-to-head passing competition. Italy’s Unimore Racing took the win.

Two days later, autonomous racing took another step forward in Europe. Five teams brought fully autonomous race cars to Italy’s Imola Circuit for the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League’s first race outside Abu Dhabi. Team Kinetiz came from fourth on the grid to win the 12-lap event.

Now autonomous racing has reached major circuits in the U.S., Europe and Abu Dhabi. The technology clearly travels. The bigger question is whether the fans will follow.

Credit: Indy Autonomous Challenge

Driverless racing is becoming a global competition

The races at Laguna Seca and Imola came from two different autonomous racing programs. The Indy Autonomous Challenge brings together university teams that develop AI drivers for identical race cars. At Laguna Seca, nine university teams from North America, Europe and Asia were scheduled to compete.

The Sept. 3 event pushed the competition further by adapting the Indy Autonomous Challenge’s passing format to a road course for the first time. Instead of several cars racing as a pack, two autonomous cars take turns in attacking and defending roles. The software has to manage spacing and decide when it can safely make a move.

Purdue became the only American team to qualify for that portion of the competition. Its car also set a 1:27.731 autonomous lap record before finishing runner-up to Unimore. Then came Imola. A2RL brought autonomous racing from its home at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi to Europe for the first time. The league says Imola represents another step toward its goal of creating an international championship for fully autonomous race cars.

Five autonomous race cars headed to the grid at Imola

Imola raised the difficulty again. Kinetiz, Constructor Racing, PoliMOVE, Unimore Racing and two-time A2RL champion TUM entered the event. Each team competed with identical EAV-25 race car hardware based on the Dallara Super Formula SF23 platform. That means much of the competitive advantage came from the software each team developed.

The AI had to figure out where the car was, understand what was happening around it and decide what to do next. Then it had to turn those decisions into braking and steering inputs at racing speed.

TUM ran into a technical problem on the formation lap and returned to the pits before the rolling start. That left the remaining cars to fight for position. Unimore had started from pole and led the race. Then things went wrong.

Credit: A2RL

A crash showed how hard autonomous racing can be

Unimore set the fastest lap of the race before suffering a technical problem that caused the car to slow dramatically. PoliMOVE was close behind and hit the slowing Unimore car from the rear. The collision ended both teams’ runs. That opened the door for Kinetiz.

The Singapore-UAE team had started fourth but moved into the lead and won by 10.963 seconds over Germany’s Constructor Racing. PoliMOVE was classified third. The crash may also be one of the most revealing parts of the race.

Driving fast on an empty track is one challenge. Reacting when the car directly in front of you suddenly loses speed creates a much harder problem. That is exactly the type of unpredictability autonomous systems have to learn to handle.

These AI race cars are getting seriously fast

These cars are moving a lot faster than you might expect. At Imola, PoliMOVE hit about 157 mph with nobody behind the wheel. During testing, the fastest autonomous lap came within 0.85 seconds of a benchmark lap set by Super Formula driver Juju Noda. That is surprisingly close.

In Abu Dhabi last year, former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat still set a faster lap than the autonomous challenger, but the gap had narrowed to just 1.58 seconds. So the question has changed. We already know these cars can get around a race track at serious speeds. Now we are seeing what happens when they have to race another car and make those decisions in real time.

But who are fans supposed to root for?

Here’s where autonomous racing faces a challenge that has nothing to do with speed. Part of the fun of racing is having someone to root for. Fans follow drivers, get to know their personalities and pick favorites. Take the driver out of the car and suddenly that connection looks very different.

With autonomous racing, you are rooting for the team behind the software. For some tech fans, that may be enough. Watching engineers figure out how to make an AI-powered race car faster and smarter could become part of the appeal. But will people come back race after race?

We are already starting to get a sense of that. The Indy Autonomous Challenge returned to Laguna Seca this year and moved from solo time trials in 2025 to head-to-head passing on the road course. Just two days later, five autonomous race cars competed together at Imola in Italy.

Now the harder part may be building the kind of connection that keeps people watching after the surprise of seeing an empty cockpit wears off.

Credit: A2RL

So what is the point of racing cars without drivers?

There is another reason these competitions are worth watching. Race tracks give autonomous driving researchers a place to push software extremely hard. At Laguna Seca, Purdue’s team spent weeks practicing and used simulation to find bugs in its software before race day. At Imola, the AI had to deal with high speeds and other autonomous cars making their own decisions.

That pressure can reveal weaknesses quickly. A passenger car on a public road faces a very different environment. It has to deal with pedestrians, intersections and countless situations that do not exist on a closed race track.

So winning an autonomous race does not mean the same software is ready to drive you around town. Still, the basic challenge overlaps. An autonomous vehicle has to understand what is happening around it and decide how to respond. Racing forces researchers to test those capabilities at the edge of what the vehicle can handle. That is where this becomes relevant even if you never watch a single autonomous race.

Related Links: 

• What happens if the Waymo computer fails?
• Tesla Cybercab bars kids under 13 as scrutiny grows
• Robots take the wheel as San Francisco opens streets to driverless taxis

Kurt’s key takeaways

Here’s what gets me about autonomous racing. We have gone from asking whether AI can keep a race car on the track to watching these cars chase each other at more than 150 mph. That is pretty remarkable. But speed alone will not turn this into a sport people care about. Part of what makes racing so compelling is the person inside the car. You follow the driver, learn their personality and pick someone you want to win. When the cockpit is empty, that connection changes completely. Could fans eventually start rooting for the teams behind the technology instead? I can see Purdue students and engineers developing their own following as these competitions grow. But autonomous racing still has to prove that watching great software compete can be as exciting as watching a great driver push a car to the limit. The cars are clearly ready to race. Now we get to see whether the fans are ready to care.

Would you watch an entire race with nobody behind the wheel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. 

FOR MORE OF MY TECH TIPS & SECURITY ALERTS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

• Florida officials have confirmed a breach involving the state’s DAVID driver database.
• ShinyHunters claims it stole more than 200,000 driver records, but Florida has not confirmed that number.
• Florida says the attacker used credentials tied to a Plant City Police Department user.
• Drivers should watch for identity theft and fake DMV messages while the investigation continues.

Most of us hand over a lot of personal information to the DMV because we have no choice. Your address, birth date, driver’s license information and other identifying details can all end up in government systems. That is why a breach involving driver records deserves attention. And even if you do not live in Florida, this is worth watching because motor vehicle agencies across the country hold the same kinds of sensitive information criminals want.

Florida officials have now confirmed that the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, or FLHSMV, experienced a data breach. The agency says it learned about the incident on Sept. 4, quickly mitigated it and has seen no further breach or ongoing unauthorized access.

The confirmation follows claims from the ShinyHunters extortion group that it accessed Florida’s Driver and Vehicle Information Database, known as DAVID, and stole more than 200,000 driver records.

Florida has not confirmed that record count or publicly said exactly what information was taken. Here’s what ShinyHunters claims happened, what Florida says its investigation found and why drivers outside Florida should be paying attention too.

Credit: BleepingComputer

Florida confirms the DMV data breach

FLHSMV says its investigation traced the breach to credentials belonging to a single Plant City Police Department user. According to the agency, those credentials were improperly stored on the employee’s personal electronic device. A criminal actor was then able to take advantage of them.

That explanation gives us the first official account of how the breach occurred. It also differs from the access method ShinyHunters previously described.

FLHSMV says it notified the Florida Office of the Attorney General as required under state law. The agency is also working with the Florida Digital Service and Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The criminal investigation remains ongoing. Officials say additional information will be released at an appropriate time.

What ShinyHunters claims it stole from Florida

ShinyHunters says it stole more than 200,000 driver records from DAVID.

BleepingComputer reported that the group provided a screenshot of a DAVID record belonging to Jeffrey Epstein as evidence that it had accessed the system. The screenshot reportedly contained an address, Social Security number, birth date, driver’s license information and registered vehicle details.

DAVID can contain far more than a person’s basic driver’s license information. Government records describing the system show that authorized users may have access to driver information, photographs, signatures, vehicle history, insurance information and other identifying records.

However, FLHSMV still has not disclosed how many records were accessed or stolen. The agency also has not confirmed ShinyHunters’ claim that more than 200,000 records were taken. CyberGuy reached out to FLHSMV for additional comment, but did not hear back before our deadline.

Florida’s findings conflict with the hackers’ password-reset claim

ShinyHunters originally told BleepingComputer that it breached DAVID through a password-reset flaw. The group claimed that weakness allowed it to compromise multiple accounts, allegedly including accounts belonging to DMV employees and an FBI agent. ShinyHunters said it then moved through DAVID record IDs and downloaded associated pages and driver files beginning Sept. 3. The group later said it had lost access and believed the password-reset issue was being patched.

Florida’s investigation now points somewhere else. FLHSMV says the attacker took advantage of credentials belonging to one Plant City Police Department user that had been improperly stored on a personal electronic device. The agency has not backed ShinyHunters’ claim that a password-reset flaw allowed the group to compromise multiple accounts. So, for now, the password-reset explanation remains ShinyHunters’ version of events, while compromised police credentials are the access method Florida has publicly identified.

Credit: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Why Florida’s DAVID database holds sensitive information

DAVID serves authorized government users rather than ordinary public searches. FLHSMV says its Bureau of Records manages access to driver records through DAVID for law enforcement and other approved entities. The agency also audits users for compliance.

Florida policy treats personal information in motor vehicle records as confidential. That information can include Social Security numbers, driver identification numbers, addresses and medical or disability information. That kind of information can give criminals powerful material for identity theft.

Imagine getting a call from someone claiming to represent a government agency. The caller already knows your address, birth date and driver’s license information. Suddenly, the scam sounds far more convincing.

ShinyHunters claims other state DMV systems are being targeted

BleepingComputer previously reported that a source said the attackers were targeting DMV platforms in other states through social engineering. ShinyHunters also told the outlet it expected additional DMV breaches to surface.

There has been no confirmation from Florida that the current breach involved other state DMV systems. Still, the possibility deserves attention because state motor vehicle agencies hold information that can be extremely valuable for identity fraud and targeted scams.

If criminals find a technique that works against one government system, they often look for similar access elsewhere.

Who is ShinyHunters?

ShinyHunters is an extortion operation associated with data theft attacks against companies and online services. Threat actors using the name have been linked to attacks involving Salesforce environments and companies including Google, Cisco and Match Group.

More recently, the attackers have used voice phishing, also called vishing. In these attacks, someone impersonates IT support and tries to convince an employee to enter credentials or authentication codes into a phishing site. The attackers have also targeted single sign-on accounts connected to services such as Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and Salesforce.

FLHSMV referred to the attacker in its statement only as an “international cybercriminal organization.” The agency did not publicly identify ShinyHunters by name. So, while ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility and Florida has confirmed a breach, Florida has not publicly attributed the attack to the group.

Still, this shows why protecting trusted accounts has become so important. Once an attacker gets legitimate credentials, other connected services may become accessible too.

8 ways to stay safe if your DMV data may be exposed

You do not need to wait for a confirmed case of identity theft before protecting yourself. These steps can make stolen personal information harder for criminals to use.

1) Freeze your credit

A credit freeze can make it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name. You need to place a freeze separately with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Credit freezes are free. You can temporarily lift one when you legitimately need a lender to access your credit.

2) Review your credit reports

Check your credit reports for new accounts or inquiries you do not recognize. You can request your reports through AnnualCreditReport.com, the federally authorized source for free credit reports. Also keep an eye on your financial accounts. Small unfamiliar transactions can sometimes be an early warning sign.

3) Be suspicious of Florida DMV messages

A confirmed breach creates a ready-made lure for scammers.  You could receive a text, email or phone call claiming your Florida driver information was exposed. Be especially careful if the sender pressures you to verify personal information or click a link. Instead, visit FLHSMV through its official website yourself.

4) Use strong antivirus software

Scammers may use news of a DMV breach to send fake alerts containing malicious links or attachments. Strong antivirus software such as Norton Antivirus Plus (CyberGuy Deal: 58% off) can help detect malware, phishing sites and other threats before they compromise your device or personal information. Keep your antivirus software running and updated on your computers and mobile devices.

5) Protect your email account

Your primary email account deserves extra attention because criminals can use it to reset passwords for other services. Give it a strong, unique password and use a password manager to create and securely store it. Then turn on multifactor authentication. Whenever possible, consider an authenticator app or passkey rather than relying only on codes sent by text message.

6) Watch for identity theft

Review bank accounts, credit cards and other important services for activity you do not recognize. Also pay attention to unexpected government correspondence. A strange tax notice or benefits letter could signal that someone has used your identity.

You may also want to consider an identity theft protection service like LifeLock (CyberGuy Deal: 24% off) that monitors for suspicious use of your personal information and can help with recovery if your identity is stolen.

Even with good security habits, identity theft can still happen. Your Social Security number, financial information or other personal data may already be exposed without you knowing it. That’s why we recommend LifeLock as an added layer of protection. It monitors for signs of identity theft and, if something goes wrong, provides access to a U.S.-based Restoration Specialist who can help with the recovery process. Depending on your plan, protection can also include credit and financial account monitoring, scam reimbursement and coverage for eligible identity theft losses.

If you discover identity theft, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and follow the recovery steps provided by the Federal Trade Commission.

7) Reduce the personal information available about you

Data brokers and people-search websites can provide scammers with even more information about you. Removing that data cannot erase records stolen during a breach. However, reducing the information available elsewhere can make it harder for criminals to build a detailed profile and create convincing scams.

Consider using a personal data removal service such as Incogni (CyberGuy Deal: 60% off) to help find your information on data broker sites and submit removal requests on your behalf. These services can also keep checking for information that reappears over time.

8) Verify any future breach notification

Now that FLHSMV has confirmed the breach, scammers could imitate any future notices sent to affected drivers. FLHSMV has not yet publicly disclosed how many people were affected or exactly what information was taken. Do not automatically trust an email simply because it mentions DAVID or the Florida DMV. Avoid using links in unexpected messages. Go directly to the agency’s official website to verify any notice.

Related Links:

• Insurance breach exposes 7M driver’s licenses
• You have a credit freeze. It still isn’t enough
• Identity restoration: What to do after identity theft

Kurt’s key takeaways

Florida has now confirmed the breach, but some of the biggest questions remain unanswered. ShinyHunters claims it stole more than 200,000 driver records, while Florida says the attacker got in using credentials belonging to a Plant City Police Department user that were improperly stored on a personal device. What we still do not know is exactly how much information was taken or whose records were exposed. Until Florida releases more details, I would take this seriously. Check your credit, lock down your important accounts and be especially suspicious of unexpected DMV texts, emails or calls asking you to verify personal information.

If hackers stole your driver’s license record, Social Security number and address from a government database, how quickly would you expect the state to tell you? Let us know in the comments below. 

FOR MORE OF MY TECH TIPS & SECURITY ALERTS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

• iOS 27 arrives September 14 with new tools across Photos, Safari, Find My and Shortcuts.
• New AI photo tools can reframe, extend and clean up shots after you take them.
• Safari can watch webpages for changes, while Find My adds more flexible location sharing.
• Siri AI also begins rolling out in beta on supported iPhones set to English.

Your iPhone is getting a major update today. Apple releases iOS 27 to the public Monday, September 14, bringing a wave of new features along with the long-awaited Siri AI beta.

However, there is much more happening under the hood. Safari can now watch websites for changes. The Photos app gets powerful new editing tools. Apple also says it has made iOS faster across compatible iPhones.

Some of these changes could save you from digging through apps or hunting for information yourself. Others give you more control over how your iPhone looks and works. Here are the iOS 27 features I think are worth trying first, along with how to find them.

Will your iPhone get iOS 27?

The good news is that Apple kept support fairly broad. iOS 27 works with the iPhone 11 family and newer models. It also supports the second-generation iPhone SE and later. That means plenty of people can upgrade without buying a new phone. However, the biggest AI features have tougher hardware requirements. Apple Intelligence and Siri AI require an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, or an iPhone 16 model or later. So, an iPhone 11 can run iOS 27, but it will miss Siri AI and other Apple Intelligence features.

Keep in mind that many of the features below, including the new AI photo tools, Safari Notify Me and Call Context, also require an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone. Siri AI is rolling out in beta in English on supported devices. Apple says support for additional languages will follow later. Availability can also vary by region.

iOS 27 should also feel faster

Apple says iOS 27 brings performance improvements across the system. In Apple’s testing, apps can launch up to 30% faster, new photos can load in the Photos app up to 70% faster and AirDrop transfers can be up to 80% faster. Apple also says iOS 27 improves transitions between Wi-Fi and cellular connections and makes Mail search more relevant. Those are Apple’s own figures, so your results will vary depending on your iPhone and how you use it.

How to install iOS 27 on your iPhone

Before installing a major update, I recommend backing up your iPhone. Also, connect to Wi-Fi and make sure you have enough battery life or plug your phone into power.

Then follow these steps:

• Open Settings.
• Tap General.
• Tap Software Update.
• When iOS 27 appears, tap Update Now or Update Tonight.
• Enter your passcode if prompted.
• Agree to Apple’s terms.
• Let the update download and install.
• Your iPhone will restart when the installation finishes.

If iOS 27 does not appear immediately, check again later. Apple software releases can take some time to appear on every compatible iPhone.

1) Reframe a photo after you take it

Apple Intelligence moves deeper into the Photos app with Spatial Reframing. It lets you change the composition and perspective of a photo after you took it. Apple Intelligence can generate additional parts of the scene when your new framing exposes areas that were outside the original shot.

How to use Spatial Reframing

• Open the Photos app.
• Choose a photo.
• Tap the three-slider Edit icon at the bottom of the screen.
• Tap Tools in the bottom-right corner.
• Tap Reframe.
• Drag the photo to change the perspective or framing.
• Zoom as needed.
• Review the AI-generated result.
• Tap Done when you like it.

Because AI may create new portions of the scene, I would zoom in and inspect the result before sharing an edited photo. Generative tools can still produce odd details.

Credit: Apple

2) Extend a photo beyond its original edges

Maybe you took a photo too close to your subject. The new Extend tool lets you expand beyond the original edges while Apple Intelligence generates the missing surroundings.

How to use Extend in Photos

• Open Photos and select your photo.
• Tap the three-slider Edit icon.
• Tap Tools in the bottom-right corner.
• Tap Extend.
• Pinch inward with two fingers or drag the edges of the frame.
• Tap Extend again.
• Review the generated result before saving it.

The feature will not work with every photo. Apple also says its intelligent photo-editing tools can be subject to daily usage limits.

3) Clean Up can remove bigger distractions

Apple has also upgraded Clean Up in Photos. The tool can now tackle larger unwanted objects and distractions while using AI to fill in the space left behind.

How to use Clean Up

• Open the Photos app.
• Select the photo you want to edit.
• Tap the three-slider Edit icon.
• Tap Tools in the bottom-right corner.
• Select Clean Up.
• Tap, brush or circle the object you want to remove.
• Tap Clean Up
• Review the result and tap Done when you are satisfied.

This could be especially handy for removing a person in the background or another distraction that pulls attention away from the subject.

Image Playground gets much more realistic

Apple is also giving Image Playground a major upgrade in iOS 27. You can now generate images in many more styles, including photorealistic ones. You can also start with an existing image and describe how you want Apple Intelligence to change it.

For example, you could ask it to change the setting or adjust the overall look without starting from scratch. As with Apple’s other generative image tools, usage limits may apply. I would also look closely at the results before sharing them, especially when people or detailed objects appear in the scene.

4) Safari can watch a website for you

This may end up being one of my favorite iOS 27 features because it solves a very common frustration. Safari’s new Notify Me feature can monitor a webpage for a change you care about. For example, you could ask Safari to watch for a product coming back in stock. It can also monitor a page for a price change. Instead of reopening the same page over and over, Safari can alert you when something changes.

How to use Safari Notify Me

• Open Safari.
• Visit the webpage you want to monitor.
• Tap the puzzle piece icon in the search bar.
• Tap Notify Me.
• Choose a suggested request or type what you want Safari to watch.
• Adjust how often Safari should check the page if you want.
• Tap the blue check mark.
• Tap Allow to receive notifications.

You can choose hourly, daily, weekly or monthly checks. However, Notify Me does not yet work on every website. Safari can also automatically organize open tabs by topic, which could help anyone whose browser looks like a digital junk drawer by the end of the week.

5) Your iPhone can surface information while you are on a call

Apple Intelligence is also getting involved when you call businesses. A new feature called Call Context can surface useful information from other apps while you are on a call.

Say you call an airline about a reservation. Call Context can pull up a confirmation code from Mail rather than forcing you to leave the Phone app and search for it while someone waits on the other end.

There is no complicated workflow to learn. When you place a supported business call and Apple Intelligence identifies relevant information, it can surface that information during the call.

Apple says its system determines what could be useful based on who you are calling. It can do that without analyzing the audio from your call. That is the kind of AI feature I want to see more of because you do not have to change your behavior to benefit from it.

6) Liquid Glass gets a much-needed adjustment

Last year, Apple introduced the transparent Liquid Glass design across iOS. Some people liked the new look. Others found certain screens harder to read. With iOS 27, Apple says it has improved contrast and readability. More importantly, you now have greater control over how transparent the interface appears. Apple added a slider that lets you move the look from ultraclear toward fully tinted.

How to adjust Liquid Glass

• Open Settings.
• Tap Appearance.
• Tap Liquid Glass.
• Drag the slider left for a clearer, more transparent look or right for a more tinted, opaque look.
• Stop when the interface looks easiest for you to read.

The changes appear in real time as you move the slider. The setting applies across iOS, including places such as Control Center, notifications and app overlays. This is a small change, but I like that Apple is giving people a choice rather than assuming one visual treatment works for everyone.

7) Put your favorite Camera controls within easy reach

If you are always digging around for the timer, exposure or another Camera setting, iOS 27 lets you keep the controls you use most right above the camera frame. Apple starts you with Flash and Live Photo there, but you can customize the row with other tools you use regularly.

How to customize your Camera controls

• Open the Camera app.
• Tap the Camera Controls button. It looks like six small dots inside a circle near the camera controls area.
• Tap Edit.
• Tap a tool you want to keep above the camera frame.
• Tap the minus button next to a tool if you want to remove it.
• Tap Done when you are finished.
• Swipe down on the tools menu to return to the Camera.

Depending on your iPhone and camera mode, available controls can include Flash, Live Photo, Timer, Exposure, Styles and Aspect. Apple also gives you a Reset to Essentials option if you want to return to the default setup.

8) Parents get more control over what kids can open

Apple has put a lot of work into parental controls in iOS 27. The new Ask to Browse feature lets a child request access to a website that has been restricted. The parent receives that request through Messages and can approve or decline it.

How to set up Ask to Browse

You first need Family Sharing set up with your child in the family group.

• Open Settings.
• Tap Family.
• Select your child.
• Tap Screen Time.
• Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
• Tap App Store, Media, Web & Games.
• Configure the web restrictions you want for your child.

When your child tries to visit restricted web content, they can send an Ask to Browse request for your approval. Apple has also expanded Communication Safety. It already helps protect children from nudity in supported Apple services. With iOS 27, Apple says the system can intervene when it detects gore or violent content in shared photos and videos.

9) Find My gives you more control over location sharing

Find My gets a useful privacy upgrade in iOS 27, especially if you only want someone to see your location for a limited amount of time. You can now choose a custom duration for location sharing or set an exact date and time for it to stop. That could come in handy on a trip, during an event or anytime you want temporary location sharing without having to remember to turn it off later. You can also pause location sharing until the end of the day for specific people. Apple says this can be useful when you want to keep something like a surprise party or gift-shopping trip private.

How to use the new Find My location options

• Open the Find My app.
• Tap People.
• Tap the contact you want to share your location with.
• Scroll down and tap Share My Location.
• Choose Indefinitely, Until End of Day, For One Hour or Custom.
• If you choose Custom, set the duration or exact date and time when you want sharing to end.

If you already share your location with someone, you can also pause sharing with that person until the end of the day from their location-sharing options. I like having more control here because location sharing often makes sense for a specific situation. You may want someone to know where you are during a weekend trip without giving them indefinite access afterward.

10) You can describe a Shortcut and let AI build it

Shortcuts can be incredibly powerful, but building one manually can get complicated fast. iOS 27 makes the process much easier with Describe a Shortcut. You can tell Apple Intelligence what you want your iPhone to automate in plain English. Shortcuts then connects the actions needed to build it. For example, Apple says you could ask your iPhone to message someone with your ETA when you leave work. You could also build automations that work across supported apps.

How to create a Shortcut with a description

• Open the Shortcuts app.
• Tap the + icon.
• Tap Describe a Shortcut.
• Type what you want the Shortcut to do.
• Tap the send arrow.
• Answer any follow-up questions if prompted.
• Review the Shortcut Apple Intelligence creates.
• Describe any changes you want if you need to refine it.

This could make Shortcuts much more approachable for people who have always liked the idea of automating their iPhone but never wanted to figure out how all the individual actions fit together. Some Shortcuts that rely on Apple’s cloud-based AI models may be subject to daily usage limits.

Bonus: Siri AI is here, but it is still in beta

This is the feature many iPhone owners have been waiting for, but I would treat it differently from the 10 features above. Siri AI begins rolling out today as a beta in English on supported devices, so expect some rough edges while Apple continues to improve it.

Siri AI can hold more natural conversations and handle follow-up questions. It can also use personal context from information on your device.

For example, you could ask Siri to find an old photo without remembering when you took it. You can also ask it to locate something buried in an email or note. Siri can take more actions inside apps, too. Apple says it can work across messages, emails, photos and other supported apps. Siri can also pull information from the web when you ask broader questions.

Why you should care

The real test will be whether Siri can save you from bouncing between apps. I have always found voice assistants most useful when they remove a few steps from something I already wanted to do. If Siri AI can reliably find a buried email or pull up a photo from years ago based on a vague description, that could change how often people use it. Because this is still a beta, I would double-check important answers or actions before relying on them.

How to try the new Siri AI app

Apple has also given Siri its own app, which makes it feel more like the AI assistants people have grown used to using.

• Open the new Siri app.
• Tap the new conversation icon.
• Type or speak what you want to ask.
• Continue with follow-up questions.
• Return to previous conversations from the main Siri screen.

You can also pin conversations you want to keep handy. Apple says you can invoke Siri AI by saying “Hey Siri,” pressing the side button or swiping down from the Dynamic Island on supported iPhones.

Related Links

• 8 biggest things we learned from Apple’s 2026 event
• Siri’s AI tricks, photo magic & writing help: unlock Apple Intelligence features
• Is Apple Intelligence on your iPhone really secure?

Kurt’s key takeaways

What I like most about iOS 27 is that some of its best features solve problems you actually run into. Safari can keep an eye on a webpage so you do not have to. The new photo tools could rescue a shot you thought was unusable. Find My also gives you better control over how long someone can see your location. I am especially interested in what Apple Intelligence can do with Shortcuts. Describing an automation instead of building it action by action could finally make Shortcuts approachable for people who have always found it too complicated. Siri AI is still the feature I will be watching most closely. Apple is asking us to trust Siri with more personal context and more complicated requests, so getting the answers right will be critical. The fact that Siri AI launches as a beta tells me we should expect some bumps along the way. What I want from AI on my iPhone is pretty simple. Save me time without making me think about the technology doing the work. If iOS 27 can consistently do that, these features could become the ones you use every day without even thinking about them.

What would Siri AI have to prove before you let it handle more of your day? Write to us in the comments below and tell us which iOS 27 feature you’ll use first and which one you’d rather leave turned off.

FOR MORE OF MY TECH TIPS & SECURITY ALERTS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

• Prime Video expands the Reacher universe with Neagley on September 16.
• Slow Horses returns to Apple TV+ for season 6 on September 16.
• Netflix brings Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story and Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 season 2 on September 17.
• MobLand returns to Paramount+ for season 2 on September 18.

From Tuesday, September 15 through Tuesday, September 22, the streaming calendar jumps from hard-hitting crime and espionage to animation, music, dance comedy and a blockbuster musical. This week brings a Reacher spinoff, the return of Slow Horses and MobLand, a new Monster story on Netflix and Wicked joining Hulu.

Prime Video

Neagley

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Apple TV+

Slow Horses season 6

Slow Horses returns Wednesday, September 16, with the first episode of season 6, followed by one new episode each week through October 21. Gary Oldman is back as Jackson Lamb, with Jack Lowden, Kristin Scott Thomas and a returning Olivia Cooke in the ensemble. The six-episode season draws from Mick Herron’s Joe Country and Slough House novels, so spy-thriller fans have another tightly wound mission waiting.

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JAŸ-Z In 8 debuts Friday, September 18, with its first two episodes on HBO and HBO Max. The eight-part documentary series puts JAŸ-Z in an extended conversation with producer Rick Rubin about his music, lyrics, life and creative process, with two new episodes arriving each Friday through October 9. It is a more reflective option this week for viewers who would rather hear an artist unpack the work than watch another scripted drama.

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Netflix

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story arrives Thursday, September 17, as the fourth installment of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan’s true-crime anthology. Ella Beatty plays Lizzie Borden, with Vicky Krieps, Charlie Hunnam, Rebecca Hall, Billie Lourd and Sarah Paulson also in the cast. The new season revisits the infamous 1892 axe-murder case through the series’ dramatized lens, giving true-crime viewers one of the week’s highest-profile premieres.

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Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 season 2

Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 returns Thursday, September 17, for season 2. The animated spinoff sends the Hawkins Investigators Club after ghostly apparitions and strange creatures as Valentine’s Day approaches, bringing another supernatural mystery to the winter of 1985. It is the lighter, animated way back into Hawkins if you want more Stranger Things without starting another live-action rewatch.

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Best of the Best

Best of the Best arrives Friday, September 18. Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Priyanka Kedia play childhood best friends who join UCLA’s competitive Bollywood-fusion dance team and discover how intense the road to a national championship can get. Directed by Lena Khan, the movie gives Netflix a bright coming-of-age comedy to balance the darker releases landing earlier in the week.

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Golden Axe

Golden Axe premieres Wednesday, September 16, with all 10 episodes available at once. The animated fantasy action-comedy turns Sega’s classic arcade game into a series from creators Mike McMahan and Joe Chandler, with Matthew Rhys, Danny Pudi, Lisa Gilroy, Liam McIntyre and Carl Tart leading the voice cast. Expect familiar warriors, monsters and a deliberately funny take on the game’s sword-and-sorcery world.

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MobLand season 2

MobLand returns Friday, September 18, for season 2, with new episodes rolling out weekly on Fridays. Tom Hardy, Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren are back as the Harrigans face new rivals and deeper fractures inside their criminal empire, while Harry Da Souza tries to keep the family from coming apart. The 10-episode season is the week’s choice for viewers who want a glossy crime drama with a big-name cast.

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• 8 new movies and shows to stream this week (September 8 – 15)
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Kurt’s key takeaways

This week gives you several easy ways to choose by mood. Neagley and MobLand bring action and crime, Slow Horses covers espionage, while Netflix moves from the dark history of Lizzie Borden to animated Hawkins and a feel-good dance comedy. Add Wicked on Hulu, Golden Axe on Paramount+ and JAŸ-Z In 8 on HBO Max, and the week has enough range to keep your watchlist busy without forcing in filler.

Comment below and tell us which movies or TV shows are your favorite to binge.

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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.

• Gaby says a romance scam that began on LinkedIn cost her close to $1 million over roughly two years.
• The scammer used photos of real person Brian Haugen to create a convincing fake identity.
• Returning some early payments helped build trust before the scammer began asking for much larger sums.
• Reverse image searches, independent verification and refusing money requests can help expose romance scams sooner.

A message from a stranger on LinkedIn probably would not set off alarms for most of us. Especially when that person appears connected to someone you already know. That is how Gaby’s story began. Gaby recently joined me on The CyberGuy Report podcast to explain how an online relationship that began in 2019 grew into a devastating romance scam. Over roughly two years, she says she sent close to $1 million to a man she never met. The person Gaby thought she had fallen for was using the photos and likeness of a real man named Brian Haugen, who also joined us to explain what it has been like watching scammers use his photos to target women around the world.

Gaby described how quickly the attention pulled her in. “The words that he spoke, it was like a drug,” she told me. The compliments kept coming, the relationship grew more intense and eventually the requests for money began. Her experience is also part of Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam, the three-part Hulu docuseries about women who believed they were communicating with the same man. What makes Gaby’s story so revealing is how slowly the deception took hold. The scammer built trust over time, returned some of the money she initially sent and always seemed to have another explanation when they could not meet. By the time the biggest requests arrived, the relationship already felt very real.

A LinkedIn message felt safer than a dating app

Gaby says the first contact came through LinkedIn in March 2019. That detail helped lower her guard. She primarily used LinkedIn to connect with business contacts. More importantly, the stranger appeared connected to one of her former colleagues. “So I thought, oh yes, she knows him. Okay. That’s fine. So let’s contact,” Gaby recalled. That small connection gave the profile credibility it had not actually earned. Scammers can take advantage of exactly that type of information. The FTC says criminals may study what people post on social media and use those details to shape a more convincing approach. The FBI also advises people to be careful about what they make public online because romance scammers can use that information when targeting potential victims. Gaby’s experience shows why a mutual connection on a social platform should never replace independent verification.

The money requests started small

The fake Brian did not open the relationship by demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars. Gaby says they spent weeks talking about his supposed business activities. He claimed he worked in the gemstone trade and told her he had traveled to Vietnam. Then came a problem. He said his bank account had been blocked. Gaby remembers sending about $10,000 at first. Then something happened that dramatically changed how she viewed him. He gave the money back. That repayment helped convince Gaby that she was dealing with someone she could trust. As she explained, “I started to trust him because he sent me back money.” That move is especially revealing. If someone takes your first payment and disappears, you know you have a problem. Returning money can create the opposite reaction. It makes the next request feel less risky because you have already seen what appears to be proof that the person keeps a promise. The requests continued. Gaby recalls amounts of $10,000, $20,000 and $40,000 adding up over time. Eventually, she says the man told her he needed about $200,000 to deal with taxes and customs fees. He promised he would repay her once the supposed financial roadblock disappeared.

Every attempt to meet came with an excuse

At some point, an online relationship has to enter the real world. Gaby thought about traveling to Vietnam to see him. The man pushed back. According to Gaby, he said he was under stress and did not want her seeing him when he did not look his best. They continued talking about meeting. Then the COVID pandemic made international travel far more difficult. I asked Gaby whether the fake Brian always seemed to come up with another reason they could not see each other. She agreed that he did. The FBI identifies that pattern as a major romance scam warning sign. Scammers may promise to meet and then repeatedly cancel because of an emergency or another obstacle. The agency advises people to become suspicious when months pass without an in-person meeting.

Then a medical emergency raised the stakes

Eventually, the story shifted from business trouble to a supposed health crisis. Gaby says the man claimed he needed surgery. She recalled how quickly the request became tied to the relationship itself: “Suddenly he told me he needs surgery to prove my love. I sent 500,000.” That is a staggering amount of money. Yet by this point, Gaby was dealing with someone she had communicated with for a long time. He had become part of her daily life. He had also returned money before. The financial emergency came after the emotional groundwork. Federal authorities repeatedly warn about that progression. Romance scammers can spend weeks or months building trust before introducing an emergency and asking for money. The FBI warns consumers never to send money to someone they have only communicated with online or by phone.

The real Brian had no idea his face was being used

The person in the photographs was real. The identity behind the messages was another story. Brian Haugen joined me in the studio to explain what had happened to his images. “They steal my photo off of a social media account,” Brian said. He explained that scammers then used those photos on accounts with different names to approach women and ask for money. That makes Brian another victim of the scheme. He also described how far the identity abuse had spread. Brian said he had become nervous about traveling because “there’s multiple passports that have my photo on it in people’s different names.” Imagine seeing your face attached to conversations you never had with people you have never met. The FBI says romance scammers frequently use photographs stolen from someone else rather than images of themselves.

What Hey Beautiful reveals about romance scams

Brian’s experience became part of Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam. The Hulu docuseries follows women from around the world who fall for an online boyfriend who turns out to be someone else. The series has three episodes and originally debuted in 2025. What makes the story useful for anyone watching is the playbook behind the deception. Romance fraud can rely on stolen identities, information collected online and carefully timed emotional manipulation. Some criminal operations also involve multiple people rather than a single scammer working alone.

Brian described the people who used his identity as “Yahoo boys,” a term often associated with certain online fraud groups. That should not be taken to mean that every romance scam comes from one group or one country. Romance fraud can originate in many places and take many forms. The consumer lesson remains the same: do not assume you know who is behind an online profile simply because the pictures look convincing or the person’s story feels personal.

Romance scams thrive on social media

Social platforms have become a major starting point for these schemes. According to FTC data released in April 2026, nearly 60% of people who reported losing money to a romance scam in 2025 said it started on social media. Reported losses from romance scams that began on social media reached about $298 million during the year. That makes sense when you consider how much information many of us put online. A scammer may see your photographs or learn about your job. Posts may reveal that you recently traveled, moved or went through a major change in your life.

The FTC says scammers can use information from profiles to tailor their approach before inventing a crisis that requires money. For another example of how personal information can give criminals an opening, see our CyberGuy report on what a scammer can learn by Googling your name.

The email request that finally exposed the lie

Gaby eventually began questioning the person she had been talking to. She had followed the real Brian Haugen and booked an online session connected to him. That gave her a chance to communicate with the actual man whose face appeared in the photos. The fake Brian tried to explain away what she had discovered, but Gaby wanted stronger proof. She asked him to send her a message from the same email account connected with the legitimate Zoom meeting invitation. He stalled. Gaby says one week passed, then another. She kept pushing for the verification. Finally, she told him, “Otherwise I don’t believe you anymore.” He never produced the email she requested. For Gaby, that was the moment the deception finally fell apart. Her experience also offers an important lesson. When you have doubts about someone’s identity, find an independent way to check their story. Do not let the person you suspect control all the evidence.

Tips to protect yourself from a romance scam

Gaby’s story shows how difficult these scams can be to recognize once trust takes hold. These steps can help you spot warning signs earlier and make it harder for a scammer to manipulate you.

1) Reduce what scammers can learn about you

Your social media profile can give a stranger plenty of material to work with. Review who can see your posts and photographs. Consider hiding your friends list and avoid publicly sharing details about your routine or upcoming travel. The FTC recommends limiting who can see your social media posts and contacts, so scammers have less information they can use to approach you. People-search websites and data brokers can expose additional information, including old addresses and contact details. You can remove information from many of those sites yourself. If you would rather automate some of that work, a personal data removal service such as Incogni (CyberGuy Deal: 60% off) can submit removal requests and continue checking participating sites.

2) Check the profile before you trust the person

A familiar photograph or mutual connection does not prove an account belongs to the person it claims to represent. Look at how long the account has existed and review its activity. Check whether another profile uses the same name or photographs. If the person claims to know one of your friends or colleagues, contact that person separately and ask about the connection. Also run a reverse image search on the profile picture. The FBI recommends this when you suspect romance fraud. If the image appears under another person’s name, take that warning seriously. Keep in mind that a clean search does not guarantee the person is legitimate. A scammer may use a newly stolen photograph or an AI-generated image that has never appeared online before.

3) Do not treat a video call as proof of identity

A video call can still be useful. Someone who repeatedly refuses to appear on camera should raise your suspicions. However, seeing a face on your screen no longer proves who is really behind an account. The FBI warns that scammers can use deepfake technology or involve other people in video conversations. Compare what the person tells you with information you find independently. Look for an online history that makes sense, and never send money because a video call convinced you the person must be real.

4) Slow the relationship down and bring someone else in

Be cautious when someone you recently met online becomes intensely romantic very quickly. The FBI advises people to go slowly and ask plenty of questions. It also helps to tell someone you trust about the relationship, especially before sending money. A friend or family member may notice contradictions that are much harder to see when you are emotionally involved.

5) Never send or move money for an online love interest

A sudden request could involve surgery, a frozen bank account or another supposed emergency. Whatever the story, stop before sending money to someone you have never met. Also refuse any request to receive money in your account and forward it somewhere else. The FBI warns that romance scam victims can become unwitting money mules when scammers convince them to move stolen funds.

6) Protect your identity too

Money may not be the only thing a romance scammer wants. They may also ask for account credentials, copies of identification or other sensitive information that can lead to identity theft. Identity theft protection like LifeLock (CyberGuy Deal: 24% off)can alert you to certain types of suspicious activity and provide help if someone misuses your information.

Even with good security habits, identity theft can still happen. Your Social Security number, financial information or other personal data may already be exposed without you knowing it. That’s why we recommend LifeLock as an added layer of protection. It monitors for signs of identity theft and, if something goes wrong, provides access to a U.S.-based Restoration Specialist who can help with the recovery process. Depending on your plan, protection can also include credit and financial account monitoring, scam reimbursement and coverage for eligible identity theft losses. Start by seeing what may already be exposed. LifeLock offers a free exposure scan that can help identify personal information connected to your email found in known breaches or risky sites.

7) Save the evidence and act quickly

If you discover a scam, do not immediately delete the conversation. Save messages, emails, screenshots and payment records. Keep links to the scammer’s profiles as well. If you already sent money, contact your bank or payment provider immediately and report the fraud. The FTC says acting quickly may improve your chances of stopping or reversing certain transactions. You should also report the scam to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and the FTC.

8) Watch for a recovery scam afterward

A previous scam victim can become a target all over again. The FTC warned in August 2026 that recovery scammers may contact people who have already lost money and promise to get it back. They may claim to represent a government agency, law firm or recovery service. Then they demand an upfront fee or ask for financial information. Do not pay someone who unexpectedly contacts you and promises to recover money you lost to a scam.

Related Links:

• 2026 Valentine’s romance scams and how to avoid them
• AI deepfake romance scam stole her home and life savings
• How to avoid falling for AI-powered romance scammers

Kurt’s key takeaways

What stays with me about Gaby’s story is how normal the beginning sounded. She was on LinkedIn. The profile seemed to share a professional connection with her. He talked about business. Later, he borrowed money and actually returned it. Each interaction gave the next one more credibility. As I said during our conversation, “Here’s what I know about romance scams. They are highly involved. They take weeks if not months of time to evolve.” That time gives scammers a chance to become part of someone’s routine before the biggest financial request ever arrives. It is also why we need to watch out for people we care about.

During the podcast, I pointed to another warning sign: “If any of the people that you love and your family or really good friends suddenly go quiet and claim that they’re in love with someone from far away, or that they’re dating a celebrity, it happens. Really. It’s time for a reality check.” That reality check does not have to start with an accusation. Ask questions. Listen to the story. Find out whether the person has actually met their new partner and whether money has entered the relationship. Sometimes an outside voice can spot the pattern before another transfer goes through.

Hear Gaby’s full story and my conversation with the real Brian Haugen on The CyberGuy Report podcast.

Have you ever connected with someone online who seemed completely genuine at first, only to discover something about their story did not add up? What tipped you off? Let us know in the comments below. 

FOR MORE OF MY TECH TIPS & SECURITY ALERTS, SUBSCRIBE TO MY FREE CYBERGUY REPORT NEWSLETTER HERE

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.  CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.