In this issue:

• "Phantom" credit card charges

• Fake invoices targeting everyone

• No personal data breaches this week

"Phantom" credit card charges

I quickly scan my credit card bills and bank accounts on the 15th of each month, sometimes to the dismay of my husband when I start to question purchases. About once a year I find something that doesn't "look right" but it usually turns out to be nothing.

Most people do not study their bank or credit card statements unless something big jumps out. Criminals know this and often start by slipping through tiny transactions that look harmless.

These small tests are called "phantom" charges. They are often the earliest sign that someone is checking whether they can use your card without your permission.

A phantom charge is a small payment you never made. Scammers send these small amounts to see if the card is active.

If the transaction succeeds and no one questions it, they often move on to larger unauthorized purchases. These test charges are usually only a few cents or a couple of dollars because small amounts are less likely to attract attention.

You can catch phantom charges by watching for transactions that do not match anything you remember buying. Look for strange amounts such as $0.38 or $1.17 and for merchant names that look unfamiliar or vague. Words like Processing, Test, or Payment Service are common red flags. Charges from places far from where you live or shop can also signal trouble.

If you find a suspicious charge, contact your bank or credit card issuer right away. They can freeze the card, issue a replacement, and start an investigation. Make sure to update any automatic payments so you do not miss upcoming bills. It also helps to report the fraud attempt to the Federal Trade Commission (https://ftc.gov).

Here are a few things to lower the chances of fraud:

• Set up alerts for every transaction.

• Check your bank and credit card activities often.

• If your credit card offers "virtual" credit card numbers, use it for online purchases.

A charge of a few cents may not seem important, but phantom charges reveal that someone has your payment details. Quick action can protect your money and your identity.

Fake invoices targeting everyone

My spam filter is doing better at identifying fake invoices, but these fakes are still showing up in mailboxes, inboxes, and text messages more than ever, and they are not only aimed at businesses. Every day people are receiving convincing bills for services they never used, products they never ordered, or subscriptions they never signed up for.

These scams work because they look like ordinary paperwork that someone might accidentally overlook and pay.

Scammers understand that most people are busy. They hope you will see a familiar logo or a professional looking document and quickly assume it is something you forgot about.

Some fake invoices pretend to be from shipping companies, software providers, utilities, or medical offices. Others use vague descriptions such as “service fee” or “account review.”

The goal is simple. They want you to pay before you notice something is not right.

One of the most common tricks is to send an invoice for a small amount. The scammer knows that many people will not question a charge under fifty dollars, especially if it seems routine.

In other cases, the invoice will claim you already owe money and your service will be interrupted if you do not act immediately. Fear and urgency are powerful tools for criminals.

The best protection starts with slowing down. Look closely at the sender name, the account number, and the itemized description. If anything looks off, contact the company using a phone number from its official website.

Never use the number listed on the invoice. Check your bank statements, credit card activity, and email receipts for any sign of that purchase. In most cases, you will find nothing to match it.

Whether you run a business or simply manage your household, treat every unexpected invoice with caution. A few extra seconds of verification can prevent money loss and protect your personal information from falling into the wrong hands.

Do you have an idea for a future newsletter? Please reply to this email and let me know.

Thank you so much!

Sincerely,
Cassie Crossley
Founder, Cyber Safe Center
https://www.cybersafecenter.com