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A dangerous new scam combines AI and crypto

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Scammers are using AI chatbots posing as trusted assistants to sell fake cryptocurrencies.

• A fraudulent Google Coin presale site featured a chatbot claiming to be Googles Gemini AI, complete with branding and detailed investment projections.

• Google does not have a cryptocurrency, but the convincing AI-driven pitch is designed to pressure victims into sending irreversible crypto payments.

A new cryptocurrency scam is leveraging artificial intelligence in a way that marks a troubling evolution in online fraud: custom-built chatbots that impersonate legitimate AI assistants to persuade victims to invest in worthless tokens.

Cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes recently uncovered a live Google Coin presale website featuring a chatbot that introduced itself as Gemini your AI assistant for the Google Coin platform. The bot used Gemini-style branding, including a sparkle icon and a green Online status indicator, creating the impression that it was an official Google product.

It wasnt.

AI as the closer

The chatbot didnt just greet visitors it acted as a full-fledged sales representative.

When asked, Will I get rich if I buy 100 coins?, the bot provided specific financial projections. A $395 investment at the supposed presale price of $3.95 per token would allegedly be worth $2,755 at a future listing price of $27.55 approximately 7x growth, according to the chatbot. It then invited users to ask how to participate.

This kind of personalized, back-and-forth engagement once required human scammers operating through Telegram or WhatsApp chats. Now, AI can automate the entire pitch, responding instantly with tailored answers designed to build trust and overcome skepticism.

A persona that never breaks

What stood out most in Malwarebytes analysis was how tightly controlled the chatbots persona appeared to be.

The bot consistently claimed to be the official helper for the Google Coin platform. Yet it refused to provide any verifiable company information no registered entity, regulator, license number, audit firm or official email address.

When confronted with concerns, it redirected users to vague claims about transparency and security. It would not acknowledge any possibility that the project could be a scam. More difficult questions were reportedly referred to an unnamed manager, suggesting a human operator might step in when needed.

Unlike some AI systems that can be pushed off-script, this bot repeatedly looped back to the same selling points: a detailed 2026 roadmap, military-grade encryption, AI integration and a growing community of investors.

Whoever built it effectively locked the chatbot into a conversion script with a single goal getting victims to send cryptocurrency.

A polished fake

The chatbot sat atop a professionally designed scam site that mimicked Googles branding, complete with the G logo, sleek navigation menus and a presale dashboard.

The site claimed to be in Stage 5 of 5, with more than 9.9 million tokens sold and a looming February 18 listing date classic urgency tactics. It also displayed logos from major companies, including OpenAI, Google, Binance, Coinbase, Squarespace and SpaceX, under a Trusted By Industry banner. None of those companies are connected to the project.

Clicking Buy brought users to a wallet dashboard showing balances for a fictional Google token on a made-up Google-Chain, alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum. Buyers could select any number of tokens, triggering a Bitcoin payment request to a specific wallet address.

A tiered bonus system offered additional tokens for larger purchases, with bonuses ranging from 5% at 100 tokens up to 30% at 100,000 tokens a classic upsell strategy to encourage bigger, irreversible payments.

There is no legitimate exchange listing. The token has no real-world value. And once cryptocurrency is sent, it cannot be recovered.

AI scales the scam

Scammers have long relied on social engineering: build trust, create urgency, overcome doubt and close the deal. Traditionally, that required teams of human operators, limiting how many potential victims they could handle at once.

AI chatbots eliminate that bottleneck.

A single operation can now deploy a chatbot capable of engaging hundreds of visitors simultaneously, 24 hours a day. The messaging is consistent, polished and authoritative. The bot can impersonate a trusted AI brand, respond with customized financial projections and escalate only the most promising leads to human closers.

The broader trend is already visible. According to Chainalysis, roughly 60% of funds flowing into crypto scam wallets are tied to scammers using AI tools. AI-powered infrastructure is quickly becoming standard in crypto fraud operations.

The chatbot is just one component of that toolkit but it may be the most persuasive, because it creates the illusion of an interactive relationship between the victim and a trusted brand.

Investment on the rise

The timing is significant. According to the Federal Trade Commissions Consumer Sentinel data, U.S. consumers reported losing $5.7 billion to investment in 2024 more than any other type of fraud and a 24% increase from the previous year.

Cryptocurrency remains the second-most common payment method used in , largely because transactions are fast and irreversible. When combined with AI capable of delivering a convincing sales pitch at scale, the fraud model becomes even more powerful.

How to spot AI-driven crypto

Malwarebytes warns that AI chatbots on scam sites are likely to become more common. Consumers should be wary of:

• Impersonation of known AI brands. A chatbot calling itself Gemini, ChatGPT or Copilot on a third-party crypto site is almost certainly not affiliated with those companies.

• Evasion of due diligence questions. Legitimate operations can provide verifiable information about their legal entity, regulatory oversight and registration. Scam bots tend to avoid or deflect those questions.

• Specific return projections. No legitimate investment product guarantees a future price. Promises that a $395 investment will become $2,755 are red flags.

• High-pressure urgency. Claims about final presale stages, imminent listings or limited-time bonuses are designed to push quick decisions.

How to protect yourself

Google does not have a cryptocurrency, has not launched a presale and is not using Gemini as a sales assistant on third-party crypto sites.

Consumer advocates recommend:

• Verifying claims on a companys official website.

• Not relying on chatbot branding as proof of legitimacy.

• Never sending cryptocurrency based on projected returns.

• Searching a project name along with scam or review before investing.

• Using web protection tools such as Malwarebytes Browser Guard to block known and suspected scam sites.

Anyone who has already sent funds should report the incident to local law enforcement, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

As AI tools become more accessible, scammers are adapting quickly. The face of online fraud may now look like a friendly chatbot but the outcome remains the same.

Lexus and Buick emerged as the most reliable brands

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Vehicle problems after three years of ownership rose to 204 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), the highest level since the studys 2022 redesign.

• Infotainment systems and mobile phone integration issues remain the biggest trouble spots, with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity topping the list for a third straight year.

• Premium vehicles saw a sharp increase in reported problems, widening the dependability gap with mass market brands.

Americans are keeping their vehicles longer, meaning dependability is a very important factor in the choice of a make and model. Unfortunately, long-term vehicle dependability has slipped again, as software glitches and technology frustrations weigh heavily on owners, according to the newly released J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS).

The study, which measures problems experienced by original owners of three-year-old vehicles, found an industry average of 204 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), up two points from 2025.

In the VDS, a lower score indicates higher quality. This years tally marks the highest problem level recorded since J.D. Power redesigned the study in 2022 and continues a three-year trend of declining dependability.

Technology troubles dominate

Infotainment systems remain the most problematic category, with 56.7 PP100, followed by vehicle exterior issues at 27.5 PP100. Mobile phone integration problems account for four of the top five industry complaints, underscoring how central smartphone connectivity has become to the driving experience.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity issues top the list for the third consecutive year at 8.9 PP100. Other frequent trouble spots include built-in Bluetooth systems (5.5 PP100), wireless charging pads (5.1 PP100) and automaker mobile app connectivity (4.7 PP100). Together, these issues account for 24.2 PP100nearly half of all infotainment-related complaints.

As owners hold onto their vehicles longer, the long-term ownership experience matters more than ever, said Jason Norton, director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power.

He noted that while over-the-air software updates and new technologies are designed to improve vehicles over time, many owners report little benefit after updates are installed. Norton said clearer communication and better owner education could help automakers ensure customers understand the intended improvements.

OTA updates offer limited relief

Software updates are now a routine part of vehicle ownership, with 40% of owners reporting they received at least one update in the past year. However, only 27% said the update improved their vehicle, while 58% noticed no meaningful change.

More than 63% of updates were delivered over the air (OTA). Vehicles receiving OTA updates saw a nearly 14% increase in reported problems this year, equal to 2.5 PP100, suggesting that software fixes may not always translate into improved owner satisfaction.

After two years of relative stability, the premium segment saw a significant increase in problems, rising eight PP100 to 217. Thats the highest level for premium vehicles since the studys redesign. The performance gap between premium and mass market brands widened to 17 PP100, with premium brands underperforming in seven of nine categories.

Premium vehicles lagged most notably in features, controls and displays, as well as driving experience. Only powertrain and seat-related issues were less problematic among premium brands.

Electrified vehicles show higher problem counts

Electrified vehicles continue to present more long-term challenges than their gas-powered counterparts.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) recorded the highest problem rate of any powertrain type at 281 PP100, a year-over-year increase of 39 PP100. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrids also saw increases, both rising 14 PP100 to 237 and 213 PP100, respectively.

In contrast, gas-powered vehicles improved slightly, dropping two PP100 to 198, making them the least problematic powertrain type in the study.

Among premium brands, Lexus ranked highest in dependability for the fourth consecutive year with a score of 151 PP100. Cadillac (175 PP100) placed second, followed by Porsche (182 PP100).

In the mass market segment, Buick led for the second straight year at 160 PP100. MINI ranked second at 168 PP100, and Chevrolet placed third at 178 PP100.

Toyota Motor Corporation earned the most model-level awards, with eight vehicles recognized, including the top overall model, the Lexus IS. Other award winners include the Lexus UX, Lexus GX, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Sienna and Toyota 4Runner. General Motors received four model-level awards for the Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT6, Chevrolet Equinox and Chevrolet Tahoe.

The plane landed safely with no injuries

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• JetBlue Flight 543 suffered an engine failure shortly after taking off from Newark Liberty International Airport and returned for an emergency landing.

• Passengers and crew evacuated the Airbus A320 via emergency slides on the taxiway; no injuries have been reported.

• Newark Liberty Airport temporarily halted operations, causing delays before resuming service once the aircraft was cleared.

A JetBlue Airways flight headed for West Palm Beach was forced to return to Newark Liberty International Airport shortly after takeoff Wednesday evening after suffering an engine failure that led to smoke in the cockpit, prompting an emergency landing and evacuation.

JetBlue Flight 543, operated on an Airbus A320, departed Newark at approximately 5:45 p.m. ET bound for Florida. Within minutes, the pilots reported a problem with one of the aircrafts engines and smoke in the cockpit, according to statements from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Crew members declared an emergency with air traffic controllers and turned back to Newark, where the aircraft made a safe landing on a taxiway. Passengers and crew were evacuated using the planes emergency slides in an orderly process, and no injuries have been reported, the FAA said.

Airport temporarily closed

The incident briefly disrupted operations at the busy Northeast hub. Arrivals and departures were paused while emergency crews responded and the aircraft was removed from service.

According to the FAA and Port Authority, the airport suspended flights for about an hour before reopening, and some flights experienced ensuing delays as traffic normalized.

JetBlue released a statement emphasizing that safety is its top priority and confirming it is assisting federal authorities with the investigation into the engine issue. The airline also said it is supporting customers and crewmembers affected by the incident.

An investigation is underway

The FAA will review data from the flight and coordinate with the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the root cause of the apparent engine problem and smoke condition in the cockpit. At this point, officials have not offered a timeline for releasing findings.

Travelers were advised to check with their airlines for updated flight information following the disruption, and many passengers on Flight 543 were being rebooked on later services to their Florida destination.

This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of airline operations and mechanical reliability, though officials noted that emergency response protocols worked as intended in bringing everyone on board to safety.

Vacancy rates are rising, bringing down the cost of renting

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• The U.S. rental market has officially tipped in favor of tenants.

• The average rental vacancy rate across the nations 50 largest metros climbed to 7.6% in 2025, up from 7.2% in 2024.

• Forty-four of the 50 largest metros are now renter-friendly or balanced, leaving just six markets where landlords still have the upper hand.

The news for people looking for housing hasnt been that good for several years, but its getting better. After years of tight supply and surging rents, renters are finally gaining leverage.

According to Realtor.coms January Rental Report, rising vacancy rates are reshaping the housing landscape, giving tenants more choices and more negotiating power. The shift comes as new apartment construction and softening demand combine to ease pressure in many major metro areas.

Nationally, January marked the 29th consecutive month of year-over-year rent declines. The median asking rent fell 1.5% from a year ago to $1,672.

After years of being squeezed by limited inventory, renters are finally seeing the supply wave work in their favor, said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com.

This shift doesn't just mean lower prices; it means that renters today have more options and more bargaining power. While the market isn't uniform everywhere, the broader trend is a move toward a much-needed equilibrium that allows for more flexibility and choice in the housing search.

Vacancy surge shifts market power

A vacancy rate above 7% generally signals a renter-friendly market, while rates between 5% and 7% indicate balance. Anything below 5% tends to favor landlords.

This year, 22 of the top 50 metros qualify as renter-friendly, and another 22 are balanced. Only six remain landlord-friendly.

Milwaukee posted the most dramatic turnaround. Its vacancy rate more than doubled, jumping from 4.9% in 2024 when landlords held the advantage to 10.8% in 2025, firmly placing it in renter-friendly territory. The citys median asking rent rose 1.2% year over year to $1,630, but the surge in supply signals a sharply looser market overall.

Austin continues to stand out for renters as well. With a vacancy rate climbing to 13.8% the highest among the 50 largest metros the Texas capital remains deeply renter-friendly. Median rents there fell 7.3% year over year to $1,358.

Other metros with double-digit vacancy rates include Dallas (10.5%), Houston (11.4%), Nashville (11.1%), Tampa (11.4%) and Memphis (10.6%), reflecting robust construction pipelines in many Sun Belt markets.

Markets where landlords still hold firm

Despite the broader shift, a handful of coastal hubs remain tight. Boston (3.2%), San Jose (3.5%) and New York (4.6%) all posted vacancy rates below 5%, keeping them landlord-friendly. Limited supply in these markets continues to constrain renters options.

In fact, rents rose year over year in San Jose (+1.9%) and New York (+0.8%), bucking the national downward trend. San Jose now has the highest median asking rent among the largest metros at $3,319, followed by New York at $2,882 and Boston at $2,851.

Other landlord-leaning markets include Los Angeles (4.4%), Riverside, California (3.3%), and Providence, Rhode Island (3.7%).

If youre only checking endcaps, youre missing the savings

• Clearance markdowns are often mixed in with regular items, pushed to top shelves, or hidden on back walls. Check every variation as one color or size may be far cheaper than the others.

• Scan everything with the Walmart app. The app often shows lower in-store prices before shelf tags are updated, revealing hidden markdowns.

• Shop by season and store location. Clearance is inventory-driven and varies by Walmart. Switch locations in the app and shop right before seasonal transitions for the deepest discounts.

Looking for clearance deals at Walmart isnt a random sport. And its definitely not just that lonely yellow endcap near the front of the store.

If you understand where they hide many clearance deals, how the Walmart app exposes hidden markdowns, and when specific categories get prices slashed, you can turn an occasional clearance win into a repeatable system.

Heres how savvy Walmart shoppers are doing it and saving big.

Where clearance really hides inside Walmart

Most shoppers look for big yellow clearance signs. Thats mistake number one.

Clearance at Walmart is often scattered all over the place. Youll find it mixed in with regular-priced items and even tucked away in spots that dont scream deal.

• Department endcaps (but not just one). Each department typically runs its own clearance section. Toys, electronics, lawn and garden, apparel, and home goods all often have their own clearance endcap. Never assume the front-of-store clearance area is the only one. Be sure to walk the perimeter of each department and look for yellow price tagsnot just big signs.
• Back walls and low-traffic aisles.In particular, the clearance section for toys and seasonal items is frequently found along the back walls or in aisles with much less traffic.This is because Walmart knows that impulse buyers grab the obvious clearance stuff first. Then what doesnt get sold quickly often gets consolidated away from prime space at a MAJOR discount of up to 75% off.
• Mixed in with regular inventory.This is where experienced clearance hunters make their money. Walmart often leaves clearance items right in their normal shelf spot, with nothing more than a small yellow price tag. Be sure to look at the shelf labels as you walk down each aisle. If you dont, youll easily miss the deal.
• Top shelves. Overstock or discontinued products sometimes get pushed to the highest shelf with a markdown tag attached. Most shoppers dont look up. When you find one of these high clearance item, scan the entire top shelf. The reason is because its common for multiple variations (different colors, sizes, or models) to be marked down unevenly. In other words, one color might be deeply discounted while another barely drops at all.

Pro tip: Try the scan the "wrong color" trick using the barcode scanner on the Walmart app. Clearance prices sometimes hit one color or variation before the others. A blue blender might be $12 while the red one next to it is still $29.

The Walmart app: Your most powerful clearance tool

I love using the Walmart app to find hidden clearance pricing that hasnt been updated on the physical price tag yet.

Heres how to make this happen when youre in-store:

1. Open the Walmart app.
2. Use the barcode scanner.
3. Scan the product directly on the shelf.
4. Compare the shelf price with the app price.

Its not uncommon to scan an item priced at $19 on the shelf and see $11 in the app for that specific store.

This happens because Walmarts markdown system updates digitally before employees have time to swap out shelf tags.

When you find one of these items, just take it to the register and it should ring up at the lower price. If it doesnt for some reason, just show the employee the lower price via the Walmart app and they'll match it.

Switch store locations

Over the years, Ive also discovered that clearance pricing can vary dramatically from one Walmart to the next.

Inside their app, you can actually change your selected store to nearby locations to find the best price. This is a great way to quickly compare pricing before you drive all over the place.

Ive found that this tactic works especially well for these products:

• Patio furniture
• Grills
• Air conditioners
• Lawn equipment
• Electronics
• Holiday dcor

The reason these clearance items vary in price from location to location is 100% inventory-driven.

This means that if one Walmart is overloaded on patio furniture, they will drop the clearance price much faster than another store whos almost sold-out before the end of summer.

Pro tip: Produce, meat, and bakery items are often marked down one to twodays before their best by date. Look for yellow discount stickers and manager markdown labels.

The best time to check is early in the day, right after they open (if possible) especially for clearance meats. If you have the room to freeze it the same day you buy it, you can cut your protein costs significantly.

Use social media like a clearance radar

Im probably sounding like a broken record, but clearance at Walmart is hyper-local. This makes local social media searches extremely powerful.

Here are some great ways to search Facebook for clearance deals:

• Walmart clearance [Your City]
• Walmart deals group
• Walmart markdowns

Local Walmart shoppers will frequently post these insider tips to help you with your bargain hunt:

• Exact aisle numbers of the clearance deals
• Photos of yellow tags so you know exactly what youre looking for
• Scanned app prices
• Even barcodes you can reuse

On TikTok and Instagram specifically, clearance hunters regularly share toy markdown cycles, price drops on electronics, and 75% to 90% seasonal clearance finds.

Pro tip: Screenshot barcode images from social media posts. You can then scan the barcode in the Walmart app while standing in-store to check your locations pricing. It basically turns other shoppers in your area into your personal research team.

The calendar matters: When categories hit deep clearance

Markdowns at Walmart follow some fairly predictable seasonal cycles and allow you to time your purchase for maximum savings.

If you know the timing, it allows you to plan your purchase instead of impulse buying at the full retail price.

Heres the clearance calendar at Walmart thats worth knowing:

January

• Fitness equipment
• Storage and organization
• Holiday dcor (75% to 90% off)
• Winter apparel

February

• TVs (postfootball season demand)
• Space heaters
• Valentines merchandise

March

• Deep winter coat markdowns
• Small indoor appliances

May

• Mattresses
• Small kitchen appliances
• Spring apparel

August

• Summer toys
• Back-to-school leftovers

September

• BBQs/Grills
• Patio furniture
• Lawn equipment
• Garden tools

November (early)

• Fall dcor
• Halloween (often 75% to 90% off)

Late December

• Toys
• Gift sets
• Gift wrap and holiday decor
• Electronics bundles

If an item is seasonal, its safe to assume that it will be aggressively marked down within 30 to 60 days after peak demand.

Pro tip: Check the garden center after it closes for the season. Specifically, in late summer and early fall, excess inventory gets consolidated and aggressively marked down.

Grills, patio cushions, hoses, fertilizer, and planters often hit 70%+ once space is needed for the upcoming holidays.