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How to not fall in love with AI-powered romance scammers
“Love is blind” takes on a more sinister meaning when so-called artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a tool for exploiting our deepest human emotions.

Convincing AI technologies are increasingly targeting mature online daters, turning fantasies into lucrative and dangerous criminal enterprises.

Illustration of a romance scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

AI is helping criminals create convincing personas

Romance scams have become the most common type of fraud in 2025 and have swindled would-be lovers out of over $1.3 billion in the United States alone. Just last year, the world heard the cautionary tale of a 53-year-old French woman who lost $850,000 to a convincing AI deepfake of Brad Pitt.

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The scammers had wooed her for over 8 months with realistic (yet fake) images, voice calls, videos and even multiple social media accounts. Similarly, a 67-year-old from San Diego was tricked out of her life savings when an AI impostor gang posed as Keanu Reeves, also raising awareness about romance scams impacting the elderly. The worst side of both stories is that the fraudsters haven’t been caught, and the victims’ financial institutions did little to help them recover their funds.

Illustration of a romance scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Can you really blame the victims for ‘falling for it’?

AI-powered romance scams have become far more sophisticated than “traditional” scams. Criminals use a variety of AI tools together with advanced tactics to create deeply personalized and remarkably realistic digital identities. Unlike traditional scams relying on generic scripts, these AI-powered approaches can generate nuanced, contextually appropriate conversations that adapt in real time to victims’ emotional state and personal background. In short, romance scams have become so dangerous because they use multiple advanced methods.
- They use your personal data to identify psychological vulnerabilities through conversational analysis. They might know your friends’ names, your job, interests or personal details.
- They deploy targeted emotional manipulation techniques that are unique to each person they target.
- They create dynamic, seemingly personal storylines that incrementally build trust and “remember” details about conversations.
AI-driven romance conversations are increasingly challenging for both victims and traditional anti-fraud mechanisms to detect. Spotting and preventing these scams can be tricky, but privacy experts recommend some tried-and-true ways.

Illustration of a romance scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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Here’s how you can spot the red flags of a romance scam

Spotting and preventing these sophisticated AI-driven scams can be tricky, but staying informed can help you avoid becoming a victim. By being vigilant, verifying identities and recognizing red flags, you can navigate online dating safely while protecting your finances and personal information. Here are some things to look out for:
- Too much love. They “love-bomb” too early in conversations
- They’re too perfect or too tailored to you in their background, job history or personal details. Fraudsters often present the perfect picture of what you want and avoid disagreeing with you
- They avoid in-person meetings and/or have convincing excuses for why they can’t meet or have a video call
- They lack real reactions. While AI-powered deepfakes are convincing, they still struggle to react naturally to more human interactions: jokes, surprises, exclamations, throat-clearing, coughing, etc.
- Demanding money early, especially for family emergencies, medical events or business ideas. Never send money transfers, gift cards or financial information to someone you have not met in person
Illustration of a romance scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

STOP THESE V-DAY SCAMS BEFORE THEY BREAK YOUR HEART AND YOUR BANK ACCOUNT

What to do if you think it might be a scam
- Ask a friend or family member: Getting an outside perspective can help you see warning signs you might have overlooked
- Report the profile or scammer: Online dating apps and social media have built-in reporting features to warn against fraud. If the account disappears soon after your report, it’s likely that the account was fake. If you think you’re a victim of scamming, go to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) website here and report the scammer. The steps for reporting a scam are pretty straightforward, and the FTC will immediately send out alerts to law enforcement to help with investigating the scammers. You can also contact the Better Business Bureau and file a report with them 24/7
- Contact your bank: If you sent money to the scammer and want to get it back, you should immediately contact your bank or credit/debit card company and report it as fraud. The representatives will then walk you through the steps to get your money reimbursed
WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?
- Contact the gift card company: If you sent a gift card to the scammer, make sure you keep the receipt and report the scam to the gift card company. The representatives there may be able to help you, and it will also help them be aware of scammers using their gift cards for fraud
- Visit IdentityTheft.gov: If you gave out personal information like a Social Security number, follow the steps at IdentityTheft.gov. You’ll be able to make a report there, and the website will help you create a recovery plan and walk you through each step of gaining your identity back
- Use Identity theft protection: If you want a service that will walk you through every step of the reporting and recovery process, one of the best things you can do to protect yourself from this type of fraud is to subscribe to an identity theft service. Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, 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. One of the best parts of identity theft protection services, is that they have identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft
- Have strong antivirus software on all your devices: This story is also another reminder to always have good antivirus software running on your devices, as romance scams can also entail email and text communications asking the victim to click a link. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have 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 and iOS devices
Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson offers his advice to avoid romance scams. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Make it difficult for a romance scammer to target you

Your personal information is a scammer’s best tool. This includes your phone number, email and other contact details that allow them to reach you, as well as information like the celebrities you follow, your family members and even the type of content you engage with online to tailor the perfect attack. As scams become more sophisticated and reliant on loads of data, it’s more important than ever to take proactive measures to safeguard your personal information.

1. Vigilance in online dating: In the digital world, not everyone is who they claim to be. Be wary of potential romantic interests who ask for money or gifts or those who want to move the relationship along too quickly. Keep your personal and financial information private and never share it with someone you haven’t met in person.

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2. Verify the identity: Request additional information or proof to verify their identity, such as video chatting or meeting in person if possible. Exercise caution before getting emotionally invested in someone you haven’t met in real life.

3. Research and verify: Conduct an online search using the person’s name, email address or phone number to see if any suspicious or fraudulent activities are associated with them. Reverse image search their profile pictures to check if they are stolen from elsewhere on the internet. You can also reverse-search their phone number for free by following the instructions found here.

4. Privacy settings: Keep your social media profiles private so only those you trust can see what’s going on in your life.

5. Limit sharing: Adjust the privacy settings on all of your online accounts and apps to limit data collection and sharing.

6. Use reputable dating platforms: Stick to well-known and reputable dating websites or apps with security measures to help protect their users from scams. These platforms often have guidelines for safe online dating and report suspicious users.

7. Invest in personal information removal services: I highly recommend you remove your personal information that can be found on various people search sites across the web. If you give someone your email address or phone number, they could potentially reverse-search your information and get your home address. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

Kurt’s key takeaways

AI-powered romance scams have become a serious threat, exploiting our deepest emotions for financial gain. As you navigate the digital dating landscape, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and protect yourself from these sophisticated schemes. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts, take things slow and always prioritize your safety and financial well-being.

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How has the rise of AI-powered romance scams changed your approach to online dating or your views on digital relationships? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
February 12, 2025
Don’t fall for that sneaky iCloud storage alert in your inbox
iCloud scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, targeting unsuspecting users with urgent messages about their accounts. Our team recently received two suspicious iCloud emails. We want to share our experience and provide comprehensive steps on how to identify and protect yourself from these scams.

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iCloud email scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

The anatomy of iCloud scams

iCloud scams typically follow a pattern designed to create a sense of urgency and fear. Let’s break down the two emails our team received below. Here is the urgent wording that the scammers used, “Payment Failure for iCloud Storage Renewal” and “iCloud Suspended. Fix it before Mon, 13 January 2025.” Both emails share common characteristics of phishing attempts, including urgent language, threats of account suspension or data loss, requests to update payment information, links to external websites and vague or incorrect account details. These emails are crafted to look legitimate, often mimicking Apple’s branding and tone. However, they contain several red flags that indicate they are scams.

iCloud email scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to identify iCloud scams

To protect yourself from falling victim to these scams, look out for these telltale signs:
- Check the sender’s email address: Legitimate Apple emails will always come from “@apple.com” or “@icloud.com” domains. The scam email address is not even close to that.
iCloud email scam showing the sender’s bogus email address (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Look for spelling and grammatical errors: Scam emails often contain mistakes that official communications wouldn’t have.
- Be wary of urgent deadlines: Scammers create arbitrary deadlines to pressure you into acting quickly without thinking.
- Verify account details: If the email mentions account information, check if it matches your actual iCloud details.
- Hover over links without clicking: This allows you to preview the URL and check if it’s legitimate, as in the example below, which, as you can see, is not from Apple.
iCloud email scam showing the URL preview being bogus (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Steps to protect yourself

If you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from Apple or iCloud, follow these steps:
- Don’t click any links or download attachments: These could lead to phishing sites or install malware on your device.
- Use strong antivirus software: Consider installing reputable antivirus software to help protect against malware. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have 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 and iOS devices.
- Check your account directly: Instead of using links in the email, go directly to appleid.apple.com or check your device settings.
- Update your Apple ID password: If you suspect your account may have been compromised, change your password immediately.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your Apple ID.
- Report the phishing attempt: Forward suspicious emails to [email protected].
iCloud email scam (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
- Invest in personal data removal services: While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.
THAT APPLE ID DISABLED MESSAGE? IT’S A DANGEROUS SCAM

What to do if you’ve been scammed

Follow these steps if you think you may have fallen for an iCloud scam.

1) Change your Apple ID password immediately: Ensure you create a strong, unique password that you haven’t used on other accounts.

2) Check for any unauthorized changes to your account settings or payment information: Go to account.apple.com and review any devices, personal information or security settings that look unfamiliar.

3) Contact Apple Support directly through official channels for assistance: Forward the suspicious email to [email protected] or [email protected] to help Apple track and block these scams.

4) Monitor your financial accounts for any suspicious activity: If you provided payment information, cancel and replace your credit card immediately and pay close attention to even small unauthorized charges.

5) Consider placing a fraud alert on your credit reports: Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and Internet Crime Complaint Center to help combat these fraudulent activities.

6) Use an identity theft protection service: Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number, 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.

FBI’S NEW WARNING ABOUT AI-DRIVEN SCAMS THAT ARE AFTER YOUR CASH

Kurt’s key takeaways

Remember, Apple will never ask you to provide personal information, passwords or security codes via email, text message or phone call. If you’re ever in doubt about the legitimacy of a communication from Apple, always err on the side of caution and contact Apple directly through their official website or support channels. By staying vigilant and following these guidelines, you can better protect yourself from iCloud scams and keep your personal information secure. Don’t let the urgency of these messages cloud your judgment. Take a moment to verify before you act, and you’ll be much safer in the long run.

Have you ever been targeted by an iCloud or Apple-related scam? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

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Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.
February 11, 2025
McConnell suffers fall in Senate, appears to be OK

Former Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., fell on a small set of stairs on Wednesday as he was exiting the Senate chamber after a confirmation vote for Housing and Urban Development secretary nominee Scott Turner.

McConnell, who is 82 years old and a survivor of childhood Polio, fell down the stairs and was quickly assisted by Sens. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla.

McConnell has suffered a series of injuries in the last few years. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

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It is not clear whether he suffered any injuries, but Fox News was told the former leader appears to be OK.

McConnell’s office did not immediately provide comment to Fox News Digital.

Julia Johnson is a politics writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business, leading coverage of the U.S. Senate. She was previously a politics reporter at the Washington Examiner.

Follow Julia’s reporting on X at @JuliaaJohnson_ and send tips to [email protected].

February 5, 2025
Don’t fall for the Elon Musk energy-saving device scam

Elon Musk, known for leading companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Neuralink and X.AI and buying and rebranding Twitter as X, often finds his name linked to innovation and futuristic ideas. But his reputation also makes him a prime target for scammers.

In the past, fraudsters have used Musk’s name in cryptocurrency schemes. Now, a new scam is making the rounds. This time, scammers are promoting bogus “energy-saving” devices, falsely associating Musk with these products to gain credibility. These devices, which don’t work as advertised, are being marketed as revolutionary solutions, duping people into spending money on what is essentially a scam.

We received this email from Rick in Wilkesboro, North Carolina:

“I’ve been receiving emails offering an energy-saving device developed by Elon Musk. It claims the device can reduce energy bills by 50%. I never attempted to contact anyone associated with Elon Musk, nor have I done any internet searches for such a device. Are these emails legit or another attempt by scammers hoping I click on their links?”

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Rick, it sounds like those emails are likely scams. There have been numerous reports of scammers using Elon Musk’s name to promote fake energy-saving devices. These scams often claim that the device can drastically reduce energy bills, but there is no evidence that Elon Musk or any of his companies are involved in such products.

Let’s dive into how this scam works and share some ways you can stay safe.

Illustration of a scammer at work (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How does Elon Musk’s energy-saving scam work?

The Elon Musk energy-saving scam works by using flashy online ads, unsolicited emails and other deceptive tactics to lure victims. Scammers promote so-called “revolutionary” devices through social media, pop-ups, emails and even search engine ads, claiming the products are backed by Musk.

These ads often include fake customer reviews, exaggerated claims of slashing electricity bills by 50% or more and time-limited discounts to create urgency. Names of devices advertised in these scams include the Power Pro Save, Heunwa Power Save, Stop Watt, Miracle Watt, True Watt, Real Watt, Watt Rescue, Esaver Watt, Pro Power Save, Voltmod and more.

Clicking on these ads leads you to sales websites designed to look legitimate. They feature fake logos, doctored before-and-after photos and bogus celebrity endorsements to build trust. The sites throw around pseudo-scientific jargon like “stabilizing electrical currents” or “rebalancing loads” to sound convincing. They also use tactics like showing inflated “regular” prices crossed out to make the current offer seem like a huge bargain.

If you look closely, though, the red flags are clear. These sites lack basic details like a company address, contact number or business registration information. Instead, they push you to place an order through an online form, demanding full payment upfront via credit card or PayPal.

After paying, customers might receive a cheap, non-functional plastic device, or sometimes nothing at all. These devices don’t reduce electricity usage. They might even waste more power. But by the time you realize it, the scammers have already pocketed your money.

Elon Musk scam email ads (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

DON’T CLICK THAT LINK! HOW TO SPOT AND PREVENT PHISHING ATTACKS IN YOUR INBOX

The truth about energy-saving devices

Over the years, plenty of power-saving scams have promised to cut down or even eliminate your electricity bill by simply plugging in their devices. The reality is that there’s no device you can plug in that will actually reduce your electricity usage or lower your household bill.

These products often claim to “stabilize voltage” or “reduce power waste.” While voltage stabilization can be useful in industrial settings, it doesn’t make much difference for typical home appliances. Most household appliances are already designed to run efficiently without the issues these devices claim to fix.

If you’re serious about saving on electricity, focus on practical solutions like upgrading to energy-efficient appliances, using smart home devices or adjusting your energy usage schedule.

WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?

A person checking email on a phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

SNEAKY SCAMMERS DRAIN BANK ACCOUNT IN SINISTER PHONE PHISHING SCHEME

Red flags to watch out for

Too good to be true: Claims of reducing energy bills by 50% or more are often exaggerated and unrealistic.

Unsolicited emails: Receiving emails out of the blue, especially when you haven’t shown interest in such products, is a common tactic used by scammers.

Use of celebrity names: Scammers frequently use well-known names like Elon Musk to lend credibility to their schemes.

Suspicious links: Be cautious of clicking on links in unsolicited emails. They can lead to phishing sites designed to steal your personal information. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

10 ways to stay safe from such scams

1. Verify the email: Phishing emails are a common tool scammers use to trick people into buying fake products or giving away personal information. These emails often look like they’re from legitimate sources, but they contain links that lead to fraudulent websites or prompt you to download malicious attachments. Always check the sender’s email address and look for signs of a fake message, like poor grammar or urgent calls to action.

2. Verify claims: If you’re curious about a product, do some research from reputable sources before taking any action.

3. Do not click links: Avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments from these emails. Instead, hover over the link to see its true destination. This can help you identify if it leads to a legitimate site or a malicious one.

4. Have strong antivirus software actively running on your devices: Ensure you have reliable antivirus software installed on your devices. Antivirus software helps protect your devices from malware, viruses and other security threats. Regularly update the software to ensure it can detect and remove the latest threats. Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.

5. Examine the website carefully: Scammers often create websites that look professional, but they’re easy to spot with a few simple checks. Look for missing or suspicious information, like the absence of a business address, phone number or business registration details. If there are fake testimonials or celebrity endorsements, that’s a red flag.

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6. Don’t fall for “too good to be true” deals: Scammers rely on offering deals that seem too good to pass up, like massive discounts or a “limited time offer.” If an ad claims you can save 50% or more on a product, be skeptical. Real, quality products usually don’t come with such extreme savings, and high-tech devices like those promoted by scammers rarely live up to the hype. If it feels like too good a deal, it probably is.

7. Watch out for unusual payment methods: One of the easiest ways to spot a scam is by how the scammers ask you to pay. If a website asks for payment upfront via credit card or PayPal with no option to verify or ship the product first, it’s a major red flag. Scammers take your money upfront and have no intention of sending you anything of value. Stick to reputable payment methods that offer buyer protection, and avoid sites that ask for payment without proper verification.

8. Mark spam email as junk or spam: Most email providers have a feature that allows you to flag spam emails and move them to a separate folder. This can help you filter out spam emails from your inbox and also improve the spam detection of your email provider.

9. Do not share your email address publicly or with unknown sources: This can reduce the chances of your email address being collected by spammers. You can also use a disposable email or email alias for signing up for online services that you do not trust or need.

10. Use a personal data removal service: Scammers can obtain your information from various online sources, including data brokers, people search sites and public records. Using a data removal service can help reduce your digital footprint, making it harder for scammers to access your personal information. This proactive step can be crucial in preventing identity theft and minimizing the chances of falling victim to scams.

While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time. Check out my top picks for data removal services here.

YOUR EMAIL DIDN’T EXPIRE, IT’S JUST ANOTHER SNEAKY SCAM

Kurt’s key takeaway

Impersonation scams are a common way scammers steal your money. They often use well-known names like Elon Musk or big companies like Microsoft and Walmart to make you trust them, then trick you into giving away your financial details. To stay safe, avoid unsolicited emails or texts that promote products or offers. If you need to buy something, stick to trusted sellers like Amazon, Best Buy or other reputable platforms. Always double-check the legitimacy of any offer before making a purchase, especially if it comes from an unfamiliar source.

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Have you ever encountered a scam using a well-known name or brand? What happened? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover

Follow Kurt on his social channels

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

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Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

February 2, 2025
Eagles fan, 18, dies after fall from light pole during celebration

A Philadelphia Eagles fan who took to the streets of the city to celebrate the team’s NFC Championship win and Super Bowl LIX clinch died after falling from a light pole.

Tyle Sabapathy, an 18-year-old Temple University student, died after falling from the pole and landing on his head, Philadelphia police told FOX 29 Philadelphia. The teen was taken to the hospital and was in very critical condition before he eventually died.

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Temple University released a statement about the incident.

“The loss of a promising 18-year-old man like Tyler is both tragic and traumatic,” the school said. “There are no words that can make sense of it, and the entire Temple community mourns his passing. Our hearts go out to Tyler’s family, friends, classmates and all who knew and loved him.

“A native of Toronto, Canada, Tyler was already a thriving student within Temple University’s College of Public Health, where he was majoring in exercise and sport science. As an accomplished gymnast with more than 120 medals in provincial, regional and international competitions, Tyler was fascinated with injury prevention, and this ultimately led him to pursue the major that he did. He no doubt had a bright future ahead of him, and it is so tragic that we will not be able to see how he would have made his mark on the world.

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A Philadelphia Eagles flag is waved after the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Championship game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Jan. 21, 2018. (Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports)

“As a member of the university’s club gymnastics team, Tyler displayed exceptional self-discipline and work ethic, spending countless hours a week training and honing his craft. He was loved by his teammates, friends and coaches here in Philadelphia.”

The hours of jubilation for the Eagles’ win was marred by several incidents.

At least three people were injured when a driver struck a crowd of pedestrians who had left Lincoln Financial Field to celebrate the win. The driver was in custody and the victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

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Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

Several other incidents of fans climbing poles, shooting fireworks or conducting celebratory gunfire were also caught on camera.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

January 29, 2025
Czech Olympic skier in medically induced coma following brain surgery after downhill fall in Germany

Czech skier Tereza Nova, who competed for her country in four Olympic races in 2022, was placed in a medically induced coma after she needed brain surgery on Saturday following a downhill crash in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Nova was in her final training session on Friday when she crashed on the Kandahar course.

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The Czech ski federation said that Nova required surgery to reduce brain swelling, and she “will remain in the medically induced coma as long as deemed necessary by the medical team.”

Tereza Nova (CZE) competes in the women’s alpine downhill combined during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Yanqing Alpine Skiing Centre. (Andrew P. Scott-USA Today Sports)

“We are all thinking of Tereza and wish her a speedy recovery and lots of strength,” the ski federation said on Saturday.

Nova, 26, participated in four races during the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Her best finish was 14th place during the women’s alpine combined event. She also competed in mixed team parallel, where she finished 14th as well, women’s downhill (28th) and women’s Super-G (33rd).

Nova has also competed in World Cup races since 2019, where she made her debut in November, though she didn’t qualify for the second round of the slalom event in Levi.

Tereza Nova (CZE) competes in the alpine skiing-womens alpine combined event during the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at Yanqing Alpine Skiing Centre. (Harrison Hill-USA Today Sports)

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Nova’s international debut came in December 2014, and she would compete in the Junior World Championships in Val di Fassa five years later.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 25, 2025
Existing home sales fall to lowest level in nearly 30 years

The Connor Group founder and managing partner discusses what needs to happen to unleash the housing market and the impact of regulations on rebuilding California following the wildfires.

Existing home sales in the U.S. in 2024 were the lowest in nearly 30 years, as home prices hit an all-time high.

The National Association of Realtors released data that showed existing home sales declined to the lowest level since 1995 last year, with 4.06 million homes sold on an annual basis.

Meanwhile, the median home price rose to a record high of $407,500 in 2024.

“With mortgage rates close to 7% and generally soft homebuying sentiment, strength in existing home sales is unlikely to be sustained,” said Alice Zheng, an economist at Citigroup. “We do not expect much further upside for housing demand near-term.”

HOW EXTREME WEATHER, HIGH HOME PRICES COULD AFFECT THE 2025 HOUSING MARKET

Existing home sales fell to the lowest level in nearly 30 years in 2024. (iStock / iStock)

Existing home sales did show signs of rising in the closing months of 2024, rising 2.2% from November to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.24 million in December. Year-over-year, sales were up 9.3% from an annual rate of 3.88 million in December 2023.

“Home sales in the final months of the year showed solid recovery despite elevated mortgage rates,” said NAR chief economist Lawrence Yun.

“Home sales during the winter are typically softer than the spring and summer, but momentum is rising with sales climbing year-over-year for three straight months,” Yun said. “Consumers clearly understand the long-term benefits of homeownership. Job and wage gains, along with increased inventory, are positively impacting the market.”

HOUSING SUPPLY JUMPS TO 4-YEAR HIGH – BUT IT’S NOT ALL GREAT NEWS

Existing home sales increased on an annual basis in all four regions analyzed by the NAR, while prices also increased in each of the four regions.

Sales were up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis – the largest gain since June 2021, which was mostly driven by transactions for housing valued at over $500,000.

TOP HOUSING MARKETS FOR 2025 REVEALED IN NEW FORECAST

Elevated mortgage rates have chilled the housing market. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images / Getty Images)

The median home price for existing homes was $404,400 – an increase of 6% from $381,400 a year ago.

“The median home price was elevated partly due to the upper-end market’s relative better performance,” Yun said. “Sales rose by 35% from a year ago for homes priced above $1 million, while sales fell for homes priced under $250,000.”

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First-time homebuyers accounted for 31% of home sales in December, up from 30% in November and 29% in December 2023.

NAR’s “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers” that was released in November found that the annual share of first-time home buyers was 24%, the lowest ever recorded.

Reuters contributed to this report.

January 24, 2025
Mortgage rates fall for first time in over a month

Romer Debbas managing partner Pierre Debbas says the economic consequences from the California wildfires will continue to be an unfortunate story.

Mortgage rates finally broke a six-week streak of increases, but the decline will not provide much relief, as long-term rates dipped just below 7%.

Freddie Mac’s latest Primary Mortgage Market Survey, released Thursday, showed that the average rate on the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage dropped to 6.96%, down from last week’s reading of 7.04%. The average rate on a 30-year loan was 6.69% a year ago.

Mortgage rates fell back below 7% this week, but remain elevated. (Getty Images / Getty Images)

“After crossing the 7%-mark last week, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage saw its first decline in six weeks,” said Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “While affordability challenges remain, this is welcome news for potential homebuyers, as reflected in a corresponding uptick in purchase applications.”

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The average rate on the 15-year fixed mortgage fell to 6.16% from 6.27% last week. One year ago, the rate on the 15-year fixed note averaged 5.96%.

January 23, 2025
Scam alert! Don’t fall for tempting offers on New Year 2025 e-cards, here’s why

With just hours remaining for people to welcome the New Year 2025 and begin the celebrations, cybercriminals are ready with their stunt. They are new methods to exploit unsuspecting users in the name of New Year greetings.

Experts are suggesting people exercise caution while opening an e-card on WhatsApp wishing you a happy New Year or responding to an automated call promising tempting offers, citing these may be part of a well-crafted scam and can compromise personal information and drain the bank account, reported News18 on Tuesday.

According to the report, the hackers are using APK files, which are unauthorised applications that give them control over your device. They can monitor activities, steal sensitive information, and even manipulate financial transactions.

Experts also state that once the malicious APK is downloaded, hackers can access contact list, photo galleries, banking details, and more.

Not only this, these hackers can gain control over WhatsApp account and steal crucial data like OTPs, credit/debit card details, and banking credentials.

Jodhpur IGP Vikas Kumar warned people about the dangers lurking in New Year e-cards. He said, as News18 quoted Local 18, “You might receive a link for a New Year greeting message, but clicking on it could be disastrous.”

He added, “If the message is from someone you know and trust, you may click the link after ensuring it’s safe. However, if there’s any doubt, refrain from clicking..”

Among other things, he advised include immediately call the toll-free helpline 1930 or visiting the nearest police station to report the incident.

How to stay protected from these scams:

1) Avoid downloading or opening APK files from unknown numbers or sources.

2) Avoid falling for mobile auto-call schemes which ask you to dial any number.

3) Be very suspicious of call which ask for personal or financial details.

4) Don’t fall for false offer as no offers are distributed via calls, OTPs, or through dialing unknown numbers.

5) Download apps only from trusted sources.

6) Try checking rating and reviews before installing any app.

7) Install reputable antivirus software.

These small and vital precautions can help people protect their personal and financial data, and have a safer digital experience in the new year.

December 31, 2024