Abhishek Karnik | Source | Head of Threat Research at McAfee

Abhishek highlights AI-driven phishing emails, deepfake calls, and fake tax websites. "33% of Americans encounter fraudulent tax service messages," he notes. Men face more cryptocurrency scams, while women receive more tax debt threats. Abhishek offers strategies to safeguard against these scams, aligning with the IRS's "Dirty Dozen" list.

Abhishek warns that scammers mimic legitimate sportsbooks, luring users with bonuses and "guaranteed wins" to steal financial data. He advises verifying site legitimacy, checking for security signs, and using safe payment methods. Scams spike around major events, often spread via social media ads. Vigilance and security tools are crucial to protect your money and information.

Abhishek warns that scammers exploit WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal with phishing, fake job offers, and investment scams. "Attackers hijack accounts via social engineering," he says, accessing conversations and impersonating users. Fake apps steal data and track locations. Stay safe by being skeptical of unexpected messages, downloading apps from trusted stores, and using strong security solutions like McAfee Security.