What if I told you the best defense against fraud and scams in the traditional or “offline” world might be… a rescue schnoodle with an animated alter ego, a YouTube channel, an upcoming book on Amazon… and a side hustle as a service dog for his blind Dad!
Part of my ongoing mission to “see things differently” is to envision solutions to comprehensive societal problems using easily executable, inexpensive, common-sense solutions with universal appeal, allowing CyberAI to provide global protection to countless people to help them avoid becoming victims of fraud and scams.
The reality is traditional fraud and scams remain as rampant and harmful as their online counterparts. In the rapidly evolving digital age, we often overlook threats lurking in our offline world. Though traditional scams might seem archaic, they’re as menacing as ever. At CyberAI, our commitment to protecting you extends beyond the web, ensuring protection against online AND offline fraud and scams.
Unfortunately, traditional scams are not solvable by software products, making it necessary to seek alternative solutions based on self responsibility, education, and action. We’re proud CyberAI’s approach is a major differentiator from our competitors, who mostly sell “one size fits all’ online-only security products. These companies fail to acknowledge or address offline threats, where financial losses are equivalent to the devastating losses incurred through online fraud.
The Birth of Cyber Ollie: Education through Edutainment
Last week, I introduced Cyber Ollie, Director of PAWS (Protection Against Worldwide Scams), as our solution to help people evade monetary loss to offline fraud and scams.
When you think of the sophistication of cybersecurity, and the critical need for cyber education, an animated dog isn’t the first image that comes to mind. Yet, Cyber Ollie’s creation stems from an epiphany.
Early in our market research, we were surprised to find “people don’t like listening to other people try to help save them from themselves… but they are likely to listen to a talking dog!” That’s a game-changer! We decided to incorporate a real-life and animated character to provide in-person and animated “cyber edutainment” as our offline solution.
The Human Touch: Why Cyber Ollie Uses Stories for Relatability
Knowledge is our strongest weapon. Cyber Ollie is dedicated to spreading awareness about traditional fraud and scams through various methods. He offers easy-to-digest, actionable insights. This ensures everyone, regardless of age or tech-savviness, has the tools to detect and ward off scams.
Numbers and facts, while vital, can sometimes feel distant. Cyber Ollie understands the human aspect of scams – the emotional play, the trust breach, and the tragic aftermath. His mission is crucial. By sharing stories and anecdotes, and inviting shared comments, he makes the learning process engaging and deeply relatable. This story-telling approach creates more profound connections, helping the lessons stay top of mind.
It is fitting that Cyber Ollie, a real-life rescue schnoodle, represents CyberAI as our cyberguide. For thousands of years, dogs have been loyal, protective, and 100% dedicated to their humans. Cyber Ollie feels the same about YOU! His number one priority is to teach you to protect yourself, your family, your business, and your financial assets through knowledge and empowerment. He is friendly, kind, and nonjudgmental.
Blurred lines: The Resilience of Offline Scams
You’d think in our tech-driven world, offline scams would be obsolete by now. Yet they’ve adapted, and sometimes even blend, with online elements. Cyber Ollie emphasizes this intertwined nature, ensuring we’re prepared for scams that blur the lines between the offline and online worlds.
The brainchild of CMO Suzanne M. Pledger, CBA, CICP, Cyber Ollie’s number one priority is to empathize, inform, and protect. Leveraging platforms like YouTube and live community events, along with an upcoming book titled “Cyber Ollie’s Ultimate Guide to Fraud and Scams: Save Grandma… and Maybe Grandpa, Too!”, he’s the friendly guide we’ve needed to help sort out fiction from facts as they relate to fraud and scams.
Rising Cyberthreats: Diving into the Statistics
The stakes are immense. To understand Ollie’s significance, let’s recap some cybercrime statistics to spotlight the gravity of the situation. Alarming recent stats include:
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Center (CAFC): Reports a 415% surge in fraud from 2020 to 2022, with monetary implications increasing from $130M CAD to $530M CAD.
- US-based Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Reports a 72% rise in scams during the same period, equating to a whopping $8.8 BILLION USD.
- Statistica: Reports the GLOBAL cost of cybercrimes reached $8.4 TRILLION USD in 2022.
Even more concerning is that only about 10% of losses are even reported due to fear, embarrassment, and not knowing who to contact when a fraud or scam does occur.
These figures don’t just represent numbers… they symbolize countless individuals, families, and businesses whose lives were shattered, and are left feeling vulnerable.
That’s where Cyber Ollie steps in, offering a shield against these nefarious activities.
More than Just Defense: CyberAI’s Forward Thinking Approach
CyberAI’s approach isn’t just reactive… it’s proactive. Under Cyber Ollie’s watchful eye. we’re working relentlessly to raise awareness and offer pragmatic solutions.
Our hypothesis remains intact: An animated talking dog might be just the disruptive force needed to break this cycle of financial destruction and family insecurity. Through Cyber Ollie’s teachings, we will reduce overall susceptibility to fraud and scam attempts, ensuring everyone is well-informed and prepared to become their own cyber hero.
Stepping up: Cyber AI’s Visions for a Safer Tomorrow
As CEO and co-founder of CyberAI, I recognize the immense responsibility we bear. Our vision goes beyond business metrics… it’s much deeper and more personal. We’re forging a safer ecosystem for everyone, in both online AND offline realms.
So, what can you do to help protect yourself? It’s crucial to remain informed and skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers. Always seek referrals, verify credentials, and remember if something seems overly enticing, there’s probably a catch. Protecting oneself from scams requires vigilance, knowledge, and common sense.
Building Stronger Bonds: Cyber Ollie’s Community Focus
Real change happens when communities unite. Recognizing this, Cyber Ollie fosters community engagement, organizing events where individuals can share experiences and learn from one another. This collective approach not only builds awareness but also strengthens community bonds, creating a unified front against scammers.
Conclusion
In this interconnected world, focusing solely on digital threats while ignoring traditional scams is a perilous oversight. We’re proud to have a comprehensive approach, addressing both online AND offline threats.
With Cyber Ollie on your side, we’re confident in our ability to equip and empower individuals against traditional scams. The digital era hasn’t phased out traditional scams; it has merely transformed them. However, we can ensure they find fewer victims. Join us in this mission, and together, let’s create a world where scams, whether online or offline, become stories of the past.
Next Steps
Experience for yourself Cyber Ollie’s efforts to provide the latest in scam and fraud detection and prevention through his engaging and knowledgeable YouTube videos at www.youtube.com/@scambloxcyberollie. And while on his channel, please Subscribe!
Thank you for being a part of this journey. I look forward to connecting with you every week. Together, we will redefine cybersecurity, making it accessible, comprehensive, and universal.
Regards, Jeff
