Staff writer

Ethan Cruz

Writes mostly about identity theft & fraud prevention.

Articles by Ethan Cruz

Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Phishing and Smishing Warning Signs: Check Before You Tap
Attackers rely on urgency, convincing bait, and lookalike links rather than hacking tools, so knowing the warning signs and verifying independently is your strongest defense.
Ethan CruzAug 11, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Clicked a Fake Login Link? Triage by What You Entered
Your next steps depend on whether you only viewed a page, entered credentials, downloaded a file, or shared financial details, so match your response to what you actually gave away.
Ethan CruzAug 4, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Fake Bank Alerts: How Impersonation Scams Work and How to Spot Them
Scammers copy the look and urgency of real bank security messages to steal login details, so pausing to verify before clicking is the most reliable defense.
Ethan CruzJul 28, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Fake Officials, Real Pressure: Warning Signs of a Government Impostor Call
Scammers posing as courts, police, and federal agencies rely on spoofed numbers and manufactured urgency, but a few reliable warning signs can help you stop before sending money.
Ethan CruzJul 20, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Gift Card, Wire, or Crypto Demands: Spot the Red Flags and Act Before the Money Leaves
Payment methods that work like cash let fraudsters take money before victims can react, so recognizing these demands and acting fast gives you the best chance of limiting the loss.
Ethan CruzJul 13, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
How to Report a Scam and Where to Send the Report
Different frauds go to different offices. Here is how to sort yours, who takes it, and which recovery offers to ignore.
Ethan CruzJul 6, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
What to Do in the First Hours After a Scam Payment
Report fast, keep a written log, and treat any offer to recover your money with suspicion.
Ethan CruzJun 28, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
Spotted a Charge You Don't Recognize? Start With These Three Checks
Federal guidance says your loss on a lost or stolen card is capped at $50, and often zero if you report before it is used. Here is how to act fast.
Ethan CruzJun 21, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
How to Tell a Spoofed Bank Text From a Real One Sitting in Your Thread
Scammers can slip fake security warnings into the same conversation as genuine bank alerts, so checking the sender, the urgency, and the requested action matters more than where the message appears.
Ethan CruzJun 14, 2026
Identity Theft & Fraud Prevention
If You Read a One-Time Code Aloud to a Caller, Act Now
Hanging up fast, contacting your institution through a verified number, and locking down your login can keep a scammer from taking over your account.
Ethan CruzJun 7, 2026

Ethan Cruz

Articles by Ethan Cruz

Phishing and Smishing Warning Signs: Check Before You Tap

Clicked a Fake Login Link? Triage by What You Entered

Fake Bank Alerts: How Impersonation Scams Work and How to Spot Them

Fake Officials, Real Pressure: Warning Signs of a Government Impostor Call

Gift Card, Wire, or Crypto Demands: Spot the Red Flags and Act Before the Money Leaves

How to Report a Scam and Where to Send the Report

What to Do in the First Hours After a Scam Payment

Spotted a Charge You Don't Recognize? Start With These Three Checks

How to Tell a Spoofed Bank Text From a Real One Sitting in Your Thread

If You Read a One-Time Code Aloud to a Caller, Act Now