local
CAPTCHA, fake texts and QR code schemes on the rise. The warning signs to watch for
By Justin Gray at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 9, 2026
· 3 min read
Crooks are becoming even better at tricking people out of their money. Many times they are taking advantage of websites you use every day.Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray dug into some of the most concerning new schemes. So many stories Gray covers involve people losing money to these ...
Key takeaway Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray dug into some of the most concerning new schemes.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
For Atlanta residents, the rise of CAPTCHA scams and other sophisticated schemes is a stark reminder to be vigilant when interacting with websites and messages. As a major city with a thriving online community, Atlanta is likely a prime target for these types of scams. The fact that even a seasoned consumer investigator like Justin Gray was nearly caught off guard by a fake CAPTCHA prompt on a trusted local news website is a warning sign that no one is immune. With the city's residents increasingly relying on online services for everything from banking to government transactions, it's crucial to be aware of the warning signs, such as prompts asking to run commands on your device. By slowing down and verifying the authenticity of messages and websites, Atlantans can protect themselves from falling victim to these scams and safeguard their personal and financial information.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Crooks are becoming even better at tricking people out of their money. Many times they are taking advantage of websites you use every day.Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray dug into some of the most concerning new schemes. So many stories Gray covers involve people losing money to these ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Justin Gray at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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