When something goes wrong with your bank account or delivery, your first instinct might be to type the company name into Google and call the first customer service number you see. But that simple search has become one of the biggest traps for scammers, and it’s costing people money, privacy and even control over their phones.

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A simple Google search for a company’s customer service number can lead straight to a scam. The first result isn’t always the safest one. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

He Googled his bank’s number and lost control of his phone

Here’s how one man’s quick search for help turned into a nightmare he never expected. Gabriel wrote to us in distress, asking,

“I called my bank to check on some charges I didn’t authorize. I called the number on the bank statement, but they told me to go online. I googled the company and dialed the first number that popped up. Some foreign guy got on the phone, and I explained about the charges. Somehow, he took control of my phone, where I didn’t have any control. I tried to shut it down and hang up, but I couldn’t. He ended up sending an explicit text message to my 16-year-old daughter. How do I prove I didn’t send that message? Please help.”

Gabriel’s story is frightening, and unfortunately, it’s not rare. This type of attack is called a remote access support scam. Scammers pretend to be bank or tech support, then trick you into installing a program that gives them control of your device. Once inside, they can steal passwords, send messages or lock you out completely.

WHATSAPP BANS 6.8M SCAM ACCOUNTS, LAUNCHES SAFETY TOOL

Gabriel thought he was calling his bank, but the number was fake. Within minutes, a scammer took control of his phone and invaded his privacy. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why this scam works

Search engines reward paid ads. Scammers take advantage of this by buying ad space to appear above legitimate customer service numbers. The fake pages look professional, complete with company logos and 800 numbers that seem real.

Once you call, the fake “agent” sounds knowledgeable and polite. They build trust, then convince you to install remote access software such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer. From that point, they can control everything on your phone.

What to do if this happens to you

Gabriel, what you went through is incredibly upsetting, and you’re right to take it seriously. Here’s what to do right away:

1) Disconnect and secure your phone

Turn off your phone immediately. Restart it in Airplane Mode and don’t connect to Wi-Fi yet. Run a full antivirus scan with strong antivirus software. 

2) Change all your passwords

Use a secure device that has not been compromised to reset the passwords for your key accounts, including email, cloud storage, phone carrier and banking logins. Create strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection on all your devices and platforms.

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com

3) Contact your carrier and your bank

Let your phone provider know that your device was taken over. Ask them to check for unauthorized remote management apps or SIM-swap activity. Notify your bank’s fraud department and report the fake number you found on Google.

4) Report the explicit message

Take screenshots and save everything. Contact local police and explain that the message was sent from your number while your phone was under remote control. If a minor is involved, the case may be referred to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).

5) Factory reset your phone

Once your data is backed up, perform a factory reset on your iPhone or Android to remove any hidden software. Reinstall only apps you recognize from the official app store.

HOW TO STOP IMPOSTOR BANK SCAMS BEFORE THEY DRAIN YOUR WALLET

Scammers use fake customer service numbers to sound convincing and gain remote access to your devices, turning a simple call for help into a digital takeover. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Tips to stay safe from fake customer service scams

Falling for a fake customer service number can happen to anyone, especially when you’re in a rush or worried about your account. Here’s how to make sure you never get tricked by the same kind of scam that hijacked Gabriel’s phone.

Go directly to the company’s official website

Always type the company’s web address yourself or use the contact number printed on your card or statement. Scammers often create fake numbers that appear in search results, hoping you’ll call them instead of your real bank.

Don’t trust the first search result on Google

Search engines sell ad space to anyone, including criminals posing as real businesses. Those top “sponsored” listings can lead straight to scammers. Instead, scroll down until you find the official domain ending in .com, .org or .gov.

Never allow remote access to your phone or computer

No legitimate company needs to control your device to verify charges or fix an account issue. If someone asks you to install software like AnyDesk or TeamViewer, hang up immediately. These tools give strangers complete control of your screen and data.

Hang up if the caller pressures you to act fast

Scammers rely on panic. When someone insists you act “right now” or risk losing money, that’s a warning sign. Stay calm, hang up, and verify the problem through your bank’s official website or number.

Use strong antivirus protection

Install and regularly update a trusted antivirus app. Strong antivirus software can block remote-access tools and spyware before scammers gain access. Regular scans also detect hidden threats that may already be on your phone or computer.

The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com

Consider using a data removal service

Many scammers find victims through data brokers that sell phone numbers and personal details. A data removal service helps erase your information from these sites. As a result, it’s harder for criminals to target you with fake customer service scams in the first place.

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

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Monitor your identity with a trusted protection service

Even a short breach can expose your private information. Identity-monitoring tools alert you when your name, email or Social Security number appears on the dark web. That gives you time to act before scammers can use it.

Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt’s key takeaways

The internet has made getting help easier than ever, but it has also made it easier for scammers to pretend to be helpful. The top way people are being scammed today isn’t through phishing emails or suspicious links; it’s by trusting fake phone numbers that look official. Take a few minutes to save the real customer service numbers for your bank, phone provider, and credit card company. One quick call to the wrong number could give a stranger access to your entire digital life.

With fake customer service numbers flooding search results, should Google be held responsible for protecting you from these scams? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Electric vehicles are proving their worth when it comes to long-term emissions. While building an EV creates more pollution upfront because battery production demands more energy, the balance changes fast once the car is on the road. After about two years of normal driving, an electric car overtakes a gas-powered one in total CO2 savings and keeps widening the gap over time.

A peer-reviewed study published in PLOS Climate supports this finding. Researchers Pankaj Sadavarte, Drew Shindell, and Daniel Loughlin conducted the analysis titled, “Comparing the climate and air pollution footprints of Lithium-ion BEVs and ICEs in the U.S. incorporating systemic energy system responses.” Their work examined how manufacturing, fuel production and vehicle operation affect both climate and air quality over a vehicle’s lifetime.

POWER ON THE MOVE: IS PILOT PROGRAM THE FUTURE OF EV CHARGING?

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New research from PLOS Climate shows electric cars surpass gas vehicles in total CO2 savings after just two years on the road. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How the study shows EVs overtake gas cars in emissions

Using the Global Change Analysis Model (GCAM), the study simulated how U.S. transportation and energy systems interact through 2050 under different rates of EV adoption. The results show that while manufacturing EVs releases about 30% more CO2 than producing gas cars, that gap closes quickly once you drive. By the end of year two, EVs emit less carbon overall, and the advantage widens over time as the power grid shifts toward cleaner energy sources.

Each additional kilowatt-hour of battery capacity is projected to eliminate roughly 485 pounds of CO2 by 2030 and about 280 pounds by 2050. That reflects continued progress in electricity generation and efficiency gains across the EV industry. Over an estimated 18-year lifespan, gas-powered vehicles produce two to three and a half times more pollution-related damage than electric ones. Those damages include the social and economic costs of climate change and health issues linked to air pollution.

While building EV batteries creates more emissions upfront, cleaner power grids and zero tailpipe output help electric vehicles pull ahead over time. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How the GCAM model works

The GCAM model links global energy use, economic activity, and emissions across multiple sectors. In this analysis, researchers measured not only tailpipe emissions but also the upstream effects from mining, refining, and fuel processing. They also factored in how growing EV adoption changes the energy mix. As electricity demand rises, cleaner energy sources like wind, solar and nuclear expand their share, while coal steadily declines.

By 2050, electricity generation from gas, wind and solar grows while coal falls below 6% of the total mix. This cleaner grid makes charging electric cars progressively less carbon-intensive, strengthening the case for a large-scale EV transition.

The study found lifetime health and climate damages from gas cars can be up to 3.5 times higher than from EVs, underscoring the long-term benefits of going electric. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How EVs impact you and the environment

If you keep a car for more than two years, switching to an EV can meaningfully reduce your carbon footprint. The study found that EVs start paying back their manufacturing emissions faster in regions with renewable-heavy grids. In states still dependent on coal, the break-even point arrives later but still occurs well before a car’s third birthday. The cleaner your local power mix, the faster your EV moves into net-positive territory.

INHALERS PRODUCE CARBON EMISSIONS EQUAL TO 530,000 CARS ON ROAD ANNUALLY, STUDY FINDS

The findings also highlight public health benefits. Gas vehicles emit more nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide, both of which contribute to respiratory illnesses and smog. As EVs replace traditional engines, these pollutants drop, improving air quality and reducing healthcare costs.

Context and limitations

The authors acknowledge that their analysis does not include emissions from recycling or disposing of vehicle parts at the end of life. Nor does it count emissions from building charging networks or new power infrastructure. Despite those exclusions, the study provides one of the most comprehensive long-term looks at how EV adoption affects both the economy and the environment.

Because the study uses projections through 2050, results depend on future technology and energy trends. Even so, the consistent pattern across all scenarios is that EVs deliver large reductions in CO2 and air pollutants once on the road.

What this means for you

If you drive often and plan to own your car for several years, the data shows an EV can save both emissions and money over time. Charging on a renewable or low-carbon plan speeds the payoff even more. Choosing a vehicle that matches your driving needs helps minimize unnecessary battery production and further reduces your footprint.

For communities, broader EV adoption means cleaner local air, fewer health-related costs and lower long-term damage from climate change.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

This PLOS Climate study reinforces that after the first two years, EVs deliver real and lasting climate benefits. As the U.S. grid shifts toward cleaner energy, its impact grows even stronger. The authors note that the analysis does not include emissions from recycling or charging infrastructure, yet it remains one of the most thorough long-term views of EV adoption and its effects on the economy and environment.

Would a cleaner grid in your state make you more likely to trade in your gas car for an EV? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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When thieves stole $100 million in jewels from the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris, France, they shocked the art world and revealed a serious digital weakness. French media reports say the museum once used its own name, Louvre, as a password for its surveillance system.

That detail may sound unbelievable, yet it highlights how often people still rely on weak passwords even in high-security places that should know better.

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Thieves reportedly stole more than $100 million in jewels from the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris, exposing surprising gaps in security. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Louvre password security flaws revealed in investigator’s audit

A decade-old French cybersecurity audit reportedly showed troubling gaps in the museum’s defenses. The Louvre is said to have once run outdated Windows Server 2003 software and had unguarded rooftop access, something eerily similar to how the recent thieves used an electric ladder to reach a balcony.

The biggest mistake? Using “Louvre” and “Thales” as passwords. One of them was even said to be visible on the login screen. That was like leaving the keys under the doormat of the world’s most famous museum.

CyberGuy reached out to the Louvre for comment, but did not receive a response before our deadline.

LOUVRE DIRECTOR GRILLED ON SPECTACULAR SECURITY FAILURES, INCLUDING CAMERA POINTING AWAY FROM KEY BALCONY

And while the Louvre may have tightened security since then, experts warn that password habits like these are still widespread among businesses and individuals.

Why Louvre’s weak passwords matter for your online security

You might not have priceless jewels to protect, but your personal data, financial info and digital identity are just as valuable to hackers. With the holiday shopping season here, cybercriminals ramp up their attacks, knowing millions of you are logging in, buying online and often reusing old passwords.

How to create stronger passwords

Reports revealed the museum once used simple passwords like “Louvre” and “Thales,” raising serious cybersecurity concerns. (AP Photo/Thomas Padilla)

REPORTER’S NOTEBOOK: A PARIS JEWEL HEIST STRAIGHT OUT OF THE MOVIES

Protecting yourself online doesn’t have to be complicated. Follow these tips to boost your defenses:

• Avoid using your name or anything easily guessed.
• Mix uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
• Change passwords if a company you use reports a data breach.
• Skip sticky notes or digital files with unencrypted passwords.

LOUVRE HEIST IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AMID APPARENT SECURITY LAPSES PUTS GLOBAL MUSEUMS ON ALERT

Think beyond your phone or laptop. Your Wi-Fi router, smart home devices and even security cameras all have passwords that need attention.

Stay safe with a password manager

If keeping up with dozens of unique passwords sounds overwhelming, a password manager can help. These tools generate strong, unique, complex passwords for every account and store them securely in one encrypted vault. This reduces the risk of password reuse. Many password managers also alert you to compromised passwords or sites hit by data leaks.

LOUVRE HEIST ADDS TO HISTORY OF HIGH-PROFILE MUSEUM BREACHES, LEAVES OTHER GALLERIES ON EDGE

Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2025 at Cyberguy.com

Cybersecurity experts say everyone should strengthen passwords and consider using a password manager to stay protected online. (Neil Godwin/Future via Getty Images)

Kurt’s key takeaways

The Louvre’s massive heist shows that even the most respected institutions can make simple cybersecurity mistakes. You can learn from their example by strengthening your own passwords and taking digital safety seriously. Start by creating unique, complex passwords for every account and consider using a password manager to keep them secure and organized. A few minutes of effort today can protect you from financial loss, identity theft or worse.

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Have you ever spotted a weak password or security risk that made you shake your head? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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A new bipartisan push in Washington is shining a spotlight on AI’s impact on jobs. Senators Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Mark Warner, D-Va., introduced the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act, which would require major companies and federal agencies to report AI-related job impacts to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

The legislation is designed to shed light on how artificial intelligence is affecting the U.S. workforce.

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Key requirements of the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act

The AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act sets out several core obligations:

• Covered entities must quarterly disclose job effects tied to AI. This includes layoffs, hires and positions left open because tasks were automated.
• The DOL must compile those disclosures and publish a public report, including to Congress.
• Non-publicly traded companies may be included under certain thresholds.

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The goal is to create a clear, consistent data source on how AI changes employment.

Why the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act matters

AI is already reshaping the American workforce, and lawmakers from both parties say the country needs a clear view of what that means for jobs.

Sens. Josh Hawley and Mark Warner join forces on a new bipartisan bill to track how AI is changing American jobs. (Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Hawley warned that the trend is accelerating. 

“Artificial intelligence is already replacing American workers, and experts project AI could drive unemployment up to 10 to 20% in the next five years,” Hawley said. “The American people need to have an accurate understanding of how AI is affecting our workforce, so we can ensure that AI works for the people, not the other way around.”

Warner agreed, saying good data is key to good policy 

“This bipartisan legislation will finally give us a clear picture of AI’s impact on the workforce, what jobs are being eliminated, which workers are being retrained, and where new opportunities are emerging,” he said. “Armed with this information, we can make sure AI drives opportunity instead of leaving workers behind.”

PROTECTING KIDS FROM AI CHATBOTS: WHAT THE GUARD ACT MEANS

Their shared goal is simple. The AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act would make AI’s workforce impact visible and accountable. It gives you and policymakers the hard data needed to guide smarter decisions about automation and employment.

Challenges in tracking AI-related job impacts

While the bill sounds promising, several hurdles remain. The biggest challenge is consistency. Each company decides what counts as an AI-related job impact, which could lead to uneven or incomplete reporting.

Smaller businesses might also escape the rules altogether if they fall outside the reporting thresholds. That could leave big gaps in understanding how automation affects local or niche industries.

Data quality is another concern. Even with reporting requirements, the system relies on companies to share accurate information. The Department of Labor will need strong verification to make sure the reports reflect reality.

LIZ PEEK: AI LAYOFFS COULD SPARK A SOCIALIST SURGE IF AMERICA IGNORES THE WARNING SIGNS

And while transparency is valuable, it doesn’t automatically protect jobs. The law can expose the problem, but real progress will depend on what policymakers and employers do with that data.

The AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act would make companies report when automation replaces, adds or reshapes jobs. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What this means for you

If you work in an industry where AI tools are becoming common, this bill could directly affect you. It would make it easier to see how automation changes jobs across the country. You’ll be able to find out which roles are being replaced and which ones are being created.

This new level of visibility could also pressure employers to be more transparent about layoffs. Companies may start explaining whether job cuts are truly due to AI or part of broader business shifts. That accountability could help workers plan smarter for the future.

With clearer data, policymakers and training programs can step in faster. If large numbers of people in a certain field lose work because of automation, the government could push for retraining or job placement efforts. It may even help workers prepare earlier by learning new digital or technical skills before AI impacts their roles.

SEN SANDERS: AI MUST BENEFIT EVERYONE, NOT JUST A HANDFUL OF BILLIONAIRES

Overall, this bill puts information in the public’s hands so workers can understand what’s happening to their jobs instead of being left in the dark.

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Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com

Kurt’s key takeaways

The AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act marks a major step toward tracking how automation changes the American workforce. It doesn’t stop AI from transforming industries, but it gives workers and policymakers the facts they need to respond. Transparency can’t stop every job loss, but it can help guide smarter policies, retraining programs and career planning.

The Department of Labor would publish regular reports showing where AI is creating challenges and new opportunities for workers. (Getty)

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If this new data shows your field is being reshaped by AI, would you start retraining now or wait to see how it plays out? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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