Rod J. Spurgeon

You see a video of a well-known financial expert explaining a new investment opportunity. The returns are remarkable. Other investors share their success stories. The platform itself looks polished and professional. Everything checks out. Except the expert never said those words. The testimonials are synthetic. The platform is a trap. AI-powered investment scams have become one of the most…

Romance scams have always preyed on one of the most powerful human needs: the desire to be loved. But AI has transformed them from a labor-intensive con into an industrial-scale operation. Where a human scammer could only manage a few fake relationships at a time, AI chatbots can manage hundreds simultaneously, responding at any hour, adapting their tone to match your mood, and remembering every…

For years, spotting a phishing email was relatively straightforward. The grammar was broken. The spelling was off. The sender address looked nothing like a real company. Experts told you: look for the mistakes, and you’ll be safe. Those days are over. Artificial intelligence has eliminated the telltale signs of a fraudulent email. Today’s AI-generated phishing messages are grammatically…

You answer the phone. The voice belongs to your son, your daughter, your grandchild. They’re crying. There’s been an accident. They’re in jail. They need money RIGHT NOW, no time to explain. The urgency is real. The emotion is real. The voice is real. Except it isn’t. It’s a machine. AI voice cloning has become one of the fastest-growing scam threats of 2026. According to the Hiya State of the…

As many are aware, the recent cyberattack on National Public Data gave criminals access to a treasure trove of personally identifiable information for a large number of consumers. Consumer names, addresses, and social security numbers were found on the dark web this summer in connection with the data breach. Your data could very well be in that collection. When news of the breach first blanketed…

Did your bank just text you about a potential fraudulent charge on your account? Chances are, that text is from a scammer who wants to put his thieving hands on your cash. Scammers are highly adaptive to new techniques that can convince targets to provide personal information. With your personal information in hand, thieves can drain your bank account of every last dollar in it. A popular way…

By Greg PierceElderimpact.org Planning for retirement and healthcare expenses is a critical aspect of financial well-being, especially as we aim to reduce dependence on Social Security and Medicare. Building a safety net involves a combination of careful strategies that can help you secure your future. In this article via Own Your Defense, we will explore key steps to create a retirement and…

By Michael Longsdon Does the idea of a recession frighten you? Perhaps you’re nervous about losing your job in Baltimore or taking a cutback in your income. If so, then take steps to recession-proof your life and find a bit of security. Read on for some tips to get you started, courtesy of Own Your Defense.   Create a Budget First, create a household budget, or update the one you have. Make…

Image Courtesy of Pexels By Michael Longsdon Becoming a homeowner is one of the biggest accomplishments of a person’s life. Indeed, according to Forbes, the majority of Americans aspire to own their home. If you’ve finally reached this goal, you don’t want the joy to be impeded by costly repairs and failing systems. Unfortunately, though, this is the reality that many new homeowners encounter.…

Cybersecurity 101 for Seniors

By Michael Longsdon As more and more of our lives move online, we must understand how to protect ourselves from cybercrime. That’s why we’ve put together this cybersecurity 101 course for seniors. In this post, Own Your Defense covers how cybersecurity works, your role in keeping your data safe, and some tips for bolstering your defenses against attacks. What is Cybersecurity? In short,…

Don’t blow the windfall – three great options for your stimulus cash

Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, the United States has sent three rounds of economic impact payments to eligible recipients through May 2021. If you’re one of the millions of beneficiaries from $271 billion in the first round, $135 billion in the second round, and $242 billion in the third round of stimulus payments, how have you used this bonus cash? When considering your options for…

Financing pitches can spell doom for your dollars

Sales pitches are everywhere. Emails, advertising mail, text messages, telephone calls and good old-fashioned knocks on the door can bombard us with offers from alternative sleep-enhancing accessories to buying a zip line adventure. Chances are, if it’s a sales pitch you didn’t ask for, the pitched thing isn’t something you need. You’re on a budget. You know how much you planned to spend this…

Preventing-the-SpreadDownload

When it comes to avoiding the spread of COVID-19, there are 3 key tips to follow at all times – wear a mask when out in public, maintain social distancing (at least 6 feet separation), and wash your hands frequently.

Here are 3 helpful graphics to share with others to encourage Coronavirus prevention measures.

Stay safe!

One and done – dialing a hang-up call can cost you big bucks

The light of a new day crests over the horizon, and your alarm wakes you from a restful slumber. You wipe the sleep out of your eyes to begin a new day filled with the hope of the unknown. When you reach for your phone to check for activity, you notice an unknown number called in the middle of the night.

Curious about the call, you dial the number to see who might have tried to reach you. When…