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📰 The Consumer Cyber Sentinel: Your Digital Defense Report 🛡️
📰 The Consumer Cyber Sentinel: Your Digital Defense Report 🛡️
Date: Thursday, February 22, 2026 Smart security for your digital life
🚨Top Cybersecurity News (For Everyone)
🚨Top Cybersecurity News (For Everyone)
📰 Two data breaches in the hospitality industry, Choice Hotels reports a data breach and Hacker Group ShinyHunters, claims to have stolen 800,000 sensitive records from Wynn Resorts (Wynn Resorts hasn't confirmed this claim). Choice Hotels breach exposes Social Security numbers and other personal data - One of the world's largest lodging franchisors, Choice Hotels International, has disclosed a data breach involving sensitive data belonging to franchisees and franchise applicants. CyberNews The Nevada Globe
📰 Two data breaches in the hospitality industry, Choice Hotels reports a data breach and Hacker Group ShinyHunters, claims to have stolen 800,000 sensitive records from Wynn Resorts (Wynn Resorts hasn't confirmed this claim). Choice Hotels breach exposes Social Security numbers and other personal data - One of the world's largest lodging franchisors, Choice Hotels International, has disclosed a data breach involving sensitive data belonging to franchisees and franchise applicants. CyberNews The Nevada Globe
🍞 Popular Restaurant Chain Confirms Customer Data Leak - Hackers Leak 5.1 Million Panera Bread Records. Data allegedly pertaining to over 5 million Panera Bread customers has emerged online after hackers failed to extort the US bakery-cafe chain. The ShinyHunters extortion group has claimed the theft of roughly 14 million records from Panera Bread, after compromising a Microsoft Entra single-sign-on (SSO) code. Security Week
🍞 Popular Restaurant Chain Confirms Customer Data Leak - Hackers Leak 5.1 Million Panera Bread Records. Data allegedly pertaining to over 5 million Panera Bread customers has emerged online after hackers failed to extort the US bakery-cafe chain. The ShinyHunters extortion group has claimed the theft of roughly 14 million records from Panera Bread, after compromising a Microsoft Entra single-sign-on (SSO) code. Security Week
📊 Nearly 1 Million Accounts Exposed in Lending Platform Breach - Recent reporting shows that close to 970,000 users of the financial services platform Figure Technology Solutions had their personal details — such as names and birth dates — released online after a data breach. That kind of information can be used by fraudsters to try to impersonate you or guess account passwords. Cyber News
📊 Nearly 1 Million Accounts Exposed in Lending Platform Breach - Recent reporting shows that close to 970,000 users of the financial services platform Figure Technology Solutions had their personal details — such as names and birth dates — released online after a data breach. That kind of information can be used by fraudsters to try to impersonate you or guess account passwords. Cyber News
⛸️ Fake Winter Olympics 2026 Stores Target Fans With Data-Theft Scams - Fake Winter Olympics 2026 stores are using lookalike domains and deep discounts to steal fans’ payment and personal data. As excitement builds at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, cybercriminals have launched convincing fake merchandise stores to steal payment details and personal data from eager fans. The campaign focuses heavily on high-demand mascot items that are sold out on the official site. In the “… past week alone, we’ve identified nearly 20 lookalike domains designed to imitate the official Olympic merchandise store,” said Malwarebytes researchers. eSecurity Planet
⛸️ Fake Winter Olympics 2026 Stores Target Fans With Data-Theft Scams - Fake Winter Olympics 2026 stores are using lookalike domains and deep discounts to steal fans’ payment and personal data. As excitement builds at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, cybercriminals have launched convincing fake merchandise stores to steal payment details and personal data from eager fans. The campaign focuses heavily on high-demand mascot items that are sold out on the official site. In the “… past week alone, we’ve identified nearly 20 lookalike domains designed to imitate the official Olympic merchandise store,” said Malwarebytes researchers. eSecurity Planet
👁️🗨️ Hackers uncover the most alarming frontend leak in Discord’s age verification data - Security researchers recently found that frontend components tied to identity vendor Persona were accessible on the open web, prompting debate over how securely the platform handles sensitive age checks. Interesting Engineering
👁️🗨️ Hackers uncover the most alarming frontend leak in Discord’s age verification data - Security researchers recently found that frontend components tied to identity vendor Persona were accessible on the open web, prompting debate over how securely the platform handles sensitive age checks. Interesting Engineering
🚨 2. Scams & Threats Now Circulating
🚨 2. Scams & Threats Now Circulating
The "Pig Butchering" Investment Scam: A growing threat on social media and dating apps where a stranger strikes up a long-term friendship or romance. How it works: After weeks of building trust, they "let you in" on a crypto investment secret. They show you a fake app where your money seems to be growing, but when you try to withdraw it, they vanish with your savings. California DFPI
The "Pig Butchering" Investment Scam: A growing threat on social media and dating apps where a stranger strikes up a long-term friendship or romance. How it works: After weeks of building trust, they "let you in" on a crypto investment secret. They show you a fake app where your money seems to be growing, but when you try to withdraw it, they vanish with your savings. California DFPI
Got a letter about unemployment benefits you didn’t file? That’s identity theft : Unemployment benefits can be a life saver if you’re between jobs. But what happens if a scammer misuses your personal information, like your Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent unemployment claim? That’s identity theft. US Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Got a letter about unemployment benefits you didn’t file? That’s identity theft : Unemployment benefits can be a life saver if you’re between jobs. But what happens if a scammer misuses your personal information, like your Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent unemployment claim? That’s identity theft. US Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
That text or email about your “tax refund” is a scam: Tax season is approaching, and if you’re getting a refund, scammers are looking to steal it before you’ve had a chance to claim it. So, before you respond to a text or email about a “tax refund” — especially one that asks you to click a link — know that this could be a scam designed to get your personal information and steal your tax refund. US Federal Trade Commission
That text or email about your “tax refund” is a scam: Tax season is approaching, and if you’re getting a refund, scammers are looking to steal it before you’ve had a chance to claim it. So, before you respond to a text or email about a “tax refund” — especially one that asks you to click a link — know that this could be a scam designed to get your personal information and steal your tax refund. US Federal Trade Commission
✅ 3. What You Should Do Today
✅ 3. What You Should Do Today
Don’t click links in unexpected messages. If a text or email claims there’s a problem with your account or delivery, don’t tap suspicious links — open the official app or website directly.
Don’t click links in unexpected messages. If a text or email claims there’s a problem with your account or delivery, don’t tap suspicious links — open the official app or website directly.
Check your accounts for unusual activity. Look at your bank and shopping accounts for charges you don’t recognize, and report anything suspicious right away.
Check your accounts for unusual activity. Look at your bank and shopping accounts for charges you don’t recognize, and report anything suspicious right away.
Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid using the same password on multiple sites; consider a password manager to keep track of different ones securely.
Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid using the same password on multiple sites; consider a password manager to keep track of different ones securely.
Trust but verify before buying online deals. Before purchasing from a site offering steep discounts, search for the store name and look for customer reviews or official confirmation of authenticity.
Trust but verify before buying online deals. Before purchasing from a site offering steep discounts, search for the store name and look for customer reviews or official confirmation of authenticity.
Report scams you encounter. If you see a scam or fraud attempt, report it to your local consumer protection agency or fraud reporting website.
Report scams you encounter. If you see a scam or fraud attempt, report it to your local consumer protection agency or fraud reporting website.
💡 Quick Cyber Tip Widget
💡 Quick Cyber Tip Widget
Before clicking any link in a message about bills, deliveries, or account issues, hover or press and hold to preview the real web address and make sure it matches the official company’s site.
Before clicking any link in a message about bills, deliveries, or account issues, hover or press and hold to preview the real web address and make sure it matches the official company’s site.
🧑🏫Did You Know
🧑🏫Did You Know
Passkeys are digital credentials that let you sign into apps and websites using your device’s fingerprint, face scan, or screen lock instead of a typed password. They are significantly more secure because they are unique to every site and impossible to guess, which effectively blocks common hacking methods like phishing. Most importantly, since the private part of the "key" never leaves your device, your accounts remain safe even if the company you're logging into suffers a major data breach.
Check for Data Breaches: HaveIBeenPwned.com
Report Scams: ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IC3.gov
Free Credit Reports: AnnualCreditReport.com
California Data Deletion: privacy.ca.gov
Our mission is to help you stay one step ahead of internet scammers and protect your digital life. We provide real-world examples of scam emails, text messages, social media posts, and phone calls, showing you how to spot the red flags and identify the telltale signs of a threat. By educating you on these common tactics and explaining how legitimate government agencies and organizations communicate, we empower you to confidently recognize and avoid scams.
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