GuideStone Financial Resources, along with FBI warnings, highlights the surge of ‘phantom hacker’ scams exploiting fears to steal billions, urging vigilance among vulnerable populations.
GuideStone Financial Resources is warning members and other savers to watch for a fast-moving fraud known as the “phantom hacker” scam, a scheme the FBI says has helped drive billions of dollars in losses nationwide and has hit older Americans especially hard. According to the Baptist Courier, GuideStone recently detected and stopped a sophisticated attempt against one of its members before any money was moved, prompting the organisation to issue a broader public warning. The FBI said in April 2026 that cyber-enabled crime cost Americans nearly $21 billion in 2025, with more than 1 million complaints filed through its Internet Crime Complaint Centre. People aged 60 and older reported about $7.7 billion in losses, up 37% from 2024.
The scam typically unfolds in stages. FBI field offices, including those in Little Rock, Denver and Cleveland, have warned since 2023 that fraudsters first pose as tech support staff, then as bank employees and sometimes as government officials. The aim is to convince victims that their computers or financial accounts have been compromised and that their money must be moved quickly into a so-called safe account. In reality, the funds are routed to criminals. The FBI has said these schemes often rely on pressure, fear and secrecy, leaving victims little time to think or verify what is happening.
Brandon Waldeck, GuideStone’s director of enterprise risk, said the key defence is to independently confirm who is on the other end of the line. He said people should hang up and call back using a trusted number from an official statement, account document or website if anything seems unusual. Waldeck also warned that caller identification can be spoofed and said no legitimate government agency will tell someone to move money into cryptocurrency wallets, gift cards or overseas accounts.
GuideStone advised people not to click unsolicited pop-ups, emails, texts or links claiming a device has been hacked, and not to download software or hand over remote access at the request of an unexpected caller. It also said victims should never transfer money based only on instructions received by phone, email or text, and should be sceptical of anyone who insists the matter cannot be discussed with law enforcement. Anyone who believes they may have been targeted should contact local police and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Centre.
Hance Dilbeck, GuideStone’s president and chief executive, said financial security is not only about investing and retirement planning but also about spotting threats before damage is done. GuideStone said it regularly monitors fraud trends and offers educational material to help members recognise common scams, reflecting a wider push by law enforcement to slow losses from fraud that increasingly blends impersonation, digital deception and urgency.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
