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Let's look back on the best moments (read: crashes) from the World Humanoid Robot Games
Social media algorithms can be a treacherous thing, but sometimes they just bring pure, unleaded delight, as has been the case with videos from the World Humanoid Robot Games.
My usual Instagram feed full of guitars, motorsports news, and clips from Amish softball games (which are phenomenal, by the way) was suddenly hijacked by video after video of humanoid robots hitting the track, boxing, and high-jumping at their human masters' bidding.
It's a beautiful thing... until they snap and enslave us all, but damn, until then it's hilarious.
CHINESE ROBOT BREAKS HUMAN WORLD RECORD IN BEIJING HALF-MARATHON
So, with the Games drawing to a close, I wanted to take a walk down memory lane at some of the Games' best moments.
Sure, there was the bot that beat Usain Bolt's 100-meter record, but I prefer the more light-hearted lowlights. I'm talking about any video in which the 100-meter-running bots crash into a pad because, despite the incredible tech on display, no one has figured out how to give these android athletes any kind of braking procedure.
HUMANOID ROBOTS JUST GOT A WORKPLACE SAFETY SYSTEM
Now, I don't mean to sit here and play armchair robotics expert, but how is it that not one poindexter in the robot-building bunch has worked out a sensor that tells the robot it's about to plow into a crash pad?
Think of cars with adaptive cruise control or even fully driverless cars. Yet, with that tech available, the best we can do for those robots is treat them like crash test dummies?
HUMANOID ROBOT SKIN SENSES PEOPLE BEFORE CONTACT
I'd want to enslave humanity too, if that was how I was treated.
But, hey, I still love the crashes. When they happen, the sensors that are on board go completely haywire and send the bots into some kind of Raygun Olympic breakdancing routine.
No one had a worse time, however, than this poor bot who competed in weightlifting and gave us the biggest choke job of all time.
Poor guy... probably got swirlied in the locker room too.
What an event and what a content factory the World Humanoid Robot Games proved to be.
Hopefully, we can get a second edition before all the robots start making us put together cars and deliver people's appetizers to their table.
Fans express concern over Tiger Woods' appearance in rare video since March DUI, rehab
Tiger Woods has stayed out of the public’s eye since his DUI in March which led to an arrest, but a pre-recorded video message to a fellow former pro golfer has some fans worried about him.
Woods was seen in a pre-recorded video to Notah Begay during the Payne Stewart Award ceremony on Tuesday night, where he congratulated Begay on his "unbelievable ride" in golf.
"You first came into my life when I was 11 years old, playing in the junior world and you came to watch me play. Our friendship has started there and never ended," Woods said in the video. "To see what you’ve done off the golf course – I know you’ve won four times on the tour, playing in the President’s Cup. …But to see what you’ve done off the course and for your local Native American communities, you’ve helped over 80,000 youths and their families, which is absolutely incredible. What an amazing job at the sports complex in San Felipe."
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Begay was the recipient of the prestigious Payne Stewart Award, which recognizes the character, sportsmanship and philanthropic work of a professional golfer by the PGA Tour.
"You’ve done an amazing job," Woods continued. "I just think more people need to know what you’ve done and how you’ve served, and you’ve given back to the tribal lands and what you have done. There are so many people out there who are struggling in those communities and you’re trying to raise the bar to allow them to go on and achieve a lot more in life and have the successes that I think they deserve and you feel they deserve.
TIGER WOODS BREAKS MONTHS-LONG SILENCE WITH PATRIOTIC MEMORIAL DAY MESSAGE, SALUTE TO LATE FATHER
"Again, thank you for coming to see my play. Thank you for getting our friendship started and I love you dude."
While Woods’ message was a heartwarming one to a friend, some fans reacted to the video on social media with some worry, especially with his appearance.
"Geez, Tiger doesn’t look so good," one X user wrote about the 50-year-old who was sporting some facial hair.
"Tiger looks a shell of his former self sadly," another user wrote.
Some, though, were more supportive of Woods, with one saying, "He looks normal. Off the steroids and painkillers hopefully."
Woods was involved in yet another rollover car crash, this time on Jupiter Island in Florida in March of 2026. He was arrested on charges of driving under the influence, where officers allegedly found two opioid pills in his pocket.
After his arrest video caused national headlines, Woods was granted the ability to leave the country and enter a rehabilitation center in Switzerland in April. He later returned in May, where he’s remained private before this rare appearance for Begay.
Woods previously introduced PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp at a monumental news conference for the golf organization late last month, his first appearance since returning from treatment. Woods has served as a leader on the Tour's Future Competition Committee, which he called a "privilege" during his brief introduction of Rolapp.
Woods must still make a court appearance for his DUI on Sept. 8.
Two separate mini-Bigfoot sightings reported in an area of Pennsylvania with a history of activity
Reports out of Southwest Pennsylvania indicate that people are seeing some odd creatures wandering around outside. They've been described as Bigfoot encounters, but these aren't your typical 8-foot giants.
These are sightings of what Penn Live reports are "mini-Bigfoots." The two separate incidents took place last Tuesday, Aug. 18, and Wednesday, Aug. 19, and involve Bigfoot-like creatures that are no taller than five feet.
The first encounter, which was reported to researcher Stan Gordon, took place on a farm in Indiana County, Pennsylvania.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE FROM OUTKICK OUTDOORS
The witness, Gordon reported, was wrapping up a chore at one of the farm buildings on the property when she heard what sounded like something being thrown around.
As she exited the building she "noticed a figure crouching behind trees approximately 60 feet away. She then saw a second, similar figure crouched near the first."
She claims the two figures jumped up and started running around as if they were playing. She watched them for several minutes, describing them as walking upright on two legs and standing about three and a half feet tall.
"Their bodies were covered with straggly, medium-length, light brown hair," Gordon noted from the witness' account.
DAD AND HIS KIDS THINK THEY'VE CAPTURED BIGFOOT ON VIDEO AFTER SPOTTING SOMETHING IN THE WOODS
"Neither appeared to have a visible neck. Their heads seemed to rest directly on their shoulders. Their faces were darker brown than the rest of their bodies, and their eyes appeared round and dark brown."
The witness, unfortunately, didn’t have her phone with her. But she went on to describe them as having slender arms reminding her of a young child's arms and making noises that sounded like a baby cooing.
The encounter came to an end when she sneezed and the two mini-Bigfoot spotted her. She ran home and told her husband about it.
The family dog was afraid to go outside after the incident, and she was awakened one night by a sound similar to the cooing she says she heard. Her husband heard loud knocks the day of the sighting, but didn’t witness anything himself.
The second of the encounters took place the following night around 8:00 p.m. in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. A driver along a rural road says she spotted a creature covered in hair running up a hill.
TWO LADIES, A DOG, A LIGHTHOUSE AND A POSSIBLE BIGFOOT ENCOUNTER ON A BEACH IN MICHIGAN
The witness only saw the creature for a few seconds, but says she got a good look at it. She estimated the height to be just five feet tall. She says it moved on two legs and was covered with charcoal-gray hair.
"Its head was somewhat dome-shaped, with no apparent neck. The arms were long and swung as it moved. Its nose appeared slightly flat with flared nostrils," Gordon noted.
"The witness did not notice any ears. Its eyes were small and dark. She saw only one hair-covered leg clearly as the creature spun around and retreated down the hillside."
This general area of Pennsylvania has had Bigfoot and UFO sightings before, according to Gordon. But there's nothing to connect these recent sightings with any of those prior reports.
The mystery of these purported mini-Bigfoot will likely remain a mystery. As is the case with a lot of sightings, this one did not come with any supporting physical evidence. Not even a blurry picture of what is probably a shadow.
If there are any further mini-Bigfoot sightings or any sightings of Bigfoot at all, for that matter, OutKick OutDoors will be on top of it.
If you have your own sighting to share or come across anything, send it my way sean.joseph@outkick.com.
Former Texas high school teacher arrested after probe into inappropriate student relationship
A former Texas schoolteacher was arrested Tuesday amid allegations of inappropriate relationships with students, nearly one year after authorities began investigating her.
Holly Adams, who taught at Angleton High School near Houston, is charged with one count of tampering with evidence and two counts of purchasing or furnishing alcohol to a minor, the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office said.
The probe began after a student told school staff that Adams was having an inappropriate relationship with a former student, KTRK-TV reported.
TEXAS SUBSTITUTE TEACHER ACCUSED OF IMPROPER RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENT, ALARMING PARENTS
The student told school officials that the victim FaceTime-called him over the summer from a bedroom in Adams' house and that the bed was covered in nude photos of her, according to the news outlet. Another image depicted Adams and the former student cuddling, the report states.
Adams reportedly invited students to her home to perform chores, and she allegedly admitted to speaking with three members of the school baseball team on Snapchat.
Many female teachers who sexually abuse male students sometimes convice themselves that the relationship is legitimate, said Gail Saltz, MD, Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medical College.
"They're more likely to be psychologically both grooming their victim, but also what's called self grooming," Saltz told Fox News Digital. "They are convincing themselves that what they are doing is having an intimate, romantic relationship that is benefiting the victim as well."
Saltz noted that the damage done to the male students is just as damaging as female victims.
"It is easily as damaging in terms of, you've been abused by an adult. And that adult took advantage of your trust," she said. "That violated boundaries that you weren't ready for."
Adams was taken to the Brazoria County Detention Center and released on a $26,000 bond the same day. She no longer works for the Angleton Independent School District, a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the sheriff's office.
Massachusetts high court blocks city from displaying Catholic saint statues honoring first responders
Massachusetts' highest court has blocked a city from installing two towering statues of Catholic saints honoring police officers and firefighters outside a new public safety headquarters, ruling the monuments could improperly signal government support for one religion.
The Aug. 20 ruling upheld an October 2025 lower court decision that temporarily blocked the city from installing two 10-foot statues of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of police officers, and St. Florian, the patron saint of firefighters.
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, which is representing the city of Quincy, told Fox News Digital the legal battle is not over.
TRUMP DOJ EXPANDS RELIGIOUS LIBERTY PROTECTIONS AFTER MAJOR SUPREME COURT RULINGS
"This ruling is disappointing but is only preliminary," Joe Davis, senior counsel at Becket and lead attorney for the city of Quincy, told Fox News Digital. "Quincy chose these statues to honor the courage and sacrifice of its firefighters and police.
"The city should not have to hide public art simply because some people may think of religion when they see it. As the court noted today, this is not the final word for these statues, and we will continue defending Quincy’s right to honor its heroes."
Critics contend that placing religious figures outside a government building would violate the Massachusetts Constitution's protections on religious neutrality.
The controversy began after The Patriot Ledger reported that Quincy planned to install the two statues outside its new public safety headquarters.
The statues were crafted by a sculptor in Italy and chosen by Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch.
AMERICA’S FIREFIGHTER SHORTAGE HITS CRISIS LEVEL AS EMERGENCY CALLS TRIPLE, PUTTING LIVES AT RISK
According to court documents, Koch said he did not pick the statues to advertise religion but to "honor, inspire and encourage our First Responders" as well as "boost morale" and "ensure [first responders’] lifesaving work would remain maximally effective."
Critics of the statues said the plan had not been publicly disclosed during the building approval process and raised constitutional concerns.
The legal battle started in May 2025, when faith groups and taxpayers sued the City of Quincy and Koch in Norfolk Superior Court, saying the intended installation of the statues outside the city's new public safety headquarters violated the Massachusetts Constitution's protections on religious neutrality.
The plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU of Massachusetts, the national ACLU, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the Freedom From Religion Foundation and Cloherty & Steinberg LLP.
GOP LAWMAKERS URGE SUPREME COURT TO STRENGTHEN FIRST AMENDMENT PROTECTIONS FOR STREET PREACHERS
The ACLU of Massachusetts wrote in its brief, "The statues, whose imagery is drawn directly from Catholic iconography, lack a predominantly secular purpose. The primary effect of permanently installing two new, oversized, overtly religious statues as the sole adornments on the City’s public safety building is to advance religion."
The National Fraternal Order of Police and Massachusetts Fraternal Order of Police, however, said in a brief that St. Michael is revered by people of various faiths, not just Christians.
CHRISTIAN LIFEGUARD WHO REFUSED PRIDE FLAG DUTIES AND WAS SUSPENDED IS NOW HEADED TOWARD TRIAL
"First responders of all stripes, religious creeds, and political affiliations — and not just Catholics or Christians — cherish both saints for their symbolic importance to the profession," the brief states.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, Koch, the mayor of Quincy, said, "Quincy’s firefighters and police put their lives on the line for this city every day, and these statues were chosen to honor their bravery, service and sacrifice.
"This decision is disappointing, but it is preliminary, and we will continue to fight for the ability to commemorate our first responders as the law permits."
In a statement, Jessie Rossman, legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts, said, "Here in Massachusetts, our state constitution is clear: The government must remain neutral in matters of religion and must not elevate one faith above others. With today's landmark ruling, the Supreme Judicial Court affirms those principles, which are the essential foundation of a pluralistic society where people of all faiths and no faith can flourish.
"As Quincy residents and taxpayers, our clients believe that installing these plainly religious statues would undermine those ideals," Rossman added. "We are proud to represent these courageous plaintiffs, and we look forward to continuing to litigate the merits of this case in Superior Court."
‘Never give up a fight’: NYC mom shows her kids 5, 7 the scars from neck-slash attack as lesson in survival
Alexis Rowan, 27, is just a week removed from a fight for her life — stitches out, a permanent scar as the nightmare’s lasting mark — yet more resolved than ever to live as an example of strength for the children she begged to come home to.
It was the fight over flight she learned from her mother, Tricia Rowan, a self-described descendant of boxing legacy.
"Get your daughter in MMA," Tricia Rowan, told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday. "That's what I'm signing my grandkids up for this fall."
NYC MOM SURVIVES NECK-SLASH ATTACK ON HIKING TRIP IN ARIZONA: 'I CAN’T DIE LIKE THIS'
Her daughter, Alexis, survived a death-defying, neck-slashing attack Wednesday, Aug. 19, in northern Arizona's Havasupai Indian Reservation, and they are using the moment to warn women, Americans, and even their kids/grandkids (5 and 7) of what "literal screaming for your life is; that is what fighting for your life" truly sounds like.
"She is a true example of what it means to make the noise so someone comes to your rescue," Tricia Rowan said. "Never just take anything laying down, like scream, fight and she did it. She's a warrior."
WITNESSES RECOUNT 'SCARY' NYC STABBING AFTER SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY YELLED 'ALLAHU AKBAR' DURING ATTACKS
Alexis Rowan admitted she needed nearly a week to rehear and rewatch the attack recorded on a nearby Ring camera, but she is resolute in using the moment now and not shielding her young children from the scars left by the shocking Arizona hiking-trail attack that nearly took her life.
"It's, you know, right there – and especially before like I had all the stitches in it," Alexis Rowan said. "So, of course, they look at me and it's the first thing they see."
THREE SCHOOL SAFETY STEPS EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW BEFORE CLASSES BEGIN
"I like my kids to be aware like just like I was always raised: You have to be aware of your surroundings; I'm not going to sit and lie to them because things like this does happen in life.
"You see it on the news, you see anything, 'oh my God, that can never happen.' No, it could happen, so I always tell my kids: You have to pay attention.
JO FROST CALLS OUT MODERN PARENTING MISTAKES SHE SAYS ARE ROBBING CHILDREN OF BASIC LIFE SKILLS
"Living in New York City, always be aware, like pay attention from everywhere. Just be aware.
"Even though, yes, they are little," she continued, "but they need to be aware that things like this can happen.
"You can't panic. We have to think smart, make a decision... be aware."
FBI HEADQUARTERS WELCOMES UFC FIGHTERS FOR TRAINING SESSIONS AHEAD OF HISTORIC WHITE HOUSE MMA EVENT
The 27-year-old New York City mother was hiking through the Havasupai Reservation when she said a man came up behind her and slashed her neck after she asked him for directions to a gift shop.
Her fight versus flight sensed something was "not right."
The man, following her at a distance, led her to call home because she was afraid, telling the person on the line that she was not safe when he asked if she was.
ALASKA RUNNER HOSPITALIZED AFTER USING BEAR SPRAY TO FIGHT OFF BROWN BEAR ON ALASKA TRAIL
"As soon as I said, 'No,' the man came behind me and sliced my own neck," Rowan said, sharing a photo that showed the deep gash in her neck as Ring camera footage showed the blood flowing over her and her 60 pounds of hiking gear.
The attack became a blur, she said, as she feared she was bleeding to death.
"I was like, ‘I’m going to die. Like, I can’t die like this. Like, I have my kids to go home to. Like, they need me,’" Alexis Rowan recalled. "This is not the way I’m gonna die.
"All of these thoughts are like running through my head."
SUSPECT ALLEGEDLY SPAT ON WOMAN BEFORE TACKLING HER IN LATE-NIGHT STORE ATTACK NEAR UPENN CAMPUS
A woman from the nearby gift shop came outside after hearing the commotion, Ring camera footage obtained by Fox News Digital showed, frightening off the attacker and ushering her into the home to wait for help.
The Rowans called the woman who saved her life a hero. That woman in the gift shop wanted to remain anonymous. She personally knew the reservation member, and knew he was a dangerous man with an alleged history of preying on women in the reservation, perhaps why she initially came out of the door before briefly retreating.
Tricia Rowan said the instinct to fight had long been a central lesson in their family.
"It’s always about self-protection, self-awareness and never go down without a fight — whatever it takes — and always scream," she said. "I was so proud of the warrior that she was for screaming for her life."
‘HERO' MOM DIES AFTER USING LAST STRENGTH TO SAVE 4-YEAR-OLD SON FROM FLORIDA RIVER
The family said the scream that drew the woman outside was the difference between life and death. Tricia Rowan initially hesitated to release Ring camera footage with sound that captured her daughter’s cries, concerned about the trauma it could cause Alexis and her grandchildren. But she said she now believes the public needs to hear it.
"People got so numb to violence," Tricia Rowan said. "Until you hear that video of my daughter, that is what literal screaming for your life is. That is what fighting for your life is."
She said, Alexis, despite carrying heavy camping bags and suffering the sudden attack, "is a true example" of why people in danger should "make the noise so someone comes to your rescue."
The Rowans said their family has a history of resilience, including a line of strong women who raised children through adversity. Tricia Rowan said she also learned that a distant relative, John L. Sullivan, was a famed boxer — a fitting connection, she said, for a family now focused on teaching the next generation to defend themselves.
"Never give up a fight," Tricia Rowan said. "Just fight for everything that you think is right."
Wounded Marines relive the harrowing Kabul airport attack in explosive new Fox Nation documentary
Five years after the deadly explosion at Kabul International Airport in Afghanistan, Fox Nation takes an exclusive look at the harrowing incident and the ramifications it had on the U.S. military and American foreign policy.
"Ambush at Abbey Gate: The Afghanistan Withdrawal," a new 40-minute documentary, aims to uncover the mistakes made that led to the suicide bombing at Abbey Gate, a major entrance to Hamid Karzai International Airport.
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Tyler Vargas-Andrews, who lost his right and left leg in the explosion, spoke out about the terrifying experience with the show's host, Joey Jones.
"Staff Sergeant Darren 'Taylor' Hoover was killed next to me," he said. "My whole abdomen, you know, had been ripped open. I took 150 ball bearings into my body, lost my left kidney. I lost 157 centimeters, large and small intestine."
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Kelsee Lainhart was also hurt in the surprise attack, describing the ordeal as damaging several different parts of her body.
DOLLY PARTON'S ‘ALL-AMERICAN HEART’: HOW COUNTRY ICON FORGED SPECIAL BOND WITH US MILITARY
"Different shrapnel and ball bearings hit me in the blast," she said. "I have a ball bearing in my skull, a few other parts of my body, and then the shrapnel hit my vertebrae."
The incident killed 11 Marines, one sailor and one soldier on that fateful day in August 2021. Among the dead were 45 injured American service members, many with severe injuries. More than 160 Afghan civilians were also killed in the blast.
Vargas-Andrews vowed he and his fellow soldiers impacted by the Kabul attack would never let the memory of the day fade away.
"We'll never be forgotten," he said. "[This] mentally wounded the entirety of the 'GWOT' [Global War on Terrorism] generation."
The documentary traces not only the Kabul attack itself, but also the injured soldiers' inspirations for joining the U.S. military, despite many criticizing the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan as an "absolute disaster," Jones said.
DAKOTA MEYER TALKS SERVICE, BLASTS CONTROVERSIAL DESIGN FOR GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR MEMORIAL
"I remember going up to my mom's room, and I was, like, 'Hey, I'm going to join the Marine Corps.'" Vargas-Andrews said. "I knew it was a place that I could hopefully go and become a man and help those less fortunate. And still to this day, enlisting in the Marine Corps is the best decision I've ever made in my life."
Former Army aviator Rep. Matt Van Epps, R-Tenn., recently blasted the Biden administration over the controversial U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
"The Biden-Harris administration absolutely failed to withdraw from Afghanistan, and it didn't have to be that way," Van Epps told Fox News Digital. "And it's important for the American people to remember what the Biden-Harris administration did in that abject failure, withdrawing from Afghanistan."
The congressman also introduced a resolution marking the fifth anniversary of the shocking bombing at Hamid Karzai International Airport.
To uncover more about the somber legacy of the Kabul bombing and America's tumultuous exit from Afghanistan, tune into "Ambush at Abbey Gate: The Afghanistan Withdrawal," now streaming on Fox Nation.
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Fox News politics reporter Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.
Commanders' Jayden Daniels deflects question on LSU cease-and-desist letter after social media trolling wave
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels’ cease-and-desist letter to LSU earlier this month over the use of his name, image and likeness completely backfired – at least in the eyes of football fans.
Daniels was taking a stand after what he viewed as a "disrespectful" move allowing current Tigers cornerback DJ Pickett to wear his No. 5, the number he wore at LSU, heading into the 2026 college season.
What transpired after releasing a statement on Instagram about why he filed the cease-and-desist letter against LSU ultimately backfired into a tsunami of social media trolling.
The New York Mets, StubHub, Columbia’s football social page, and many more trolled Daniels with their own version of "respect" for the dual-threat quarterback. The Mets posted a final score of a victory against the Washington Nationals, which finished 4-1, saying, "Stopped at 4 out of respect for Jayden Daniels."
For StubHub, the ticket marketplace jokingly posted "we will no longer offer tickets in groups of 5. Out of respect for Jayden Daniels…"
Thousands of other social media users did the same, and Daniels himself hadn’t spoken to the media to give his reaction. At the end of his press conference on Wednesday following a joint practice against the Baltimore Ravens, Daniels’ final question was about the cease-and-desist letter and whether he had anything else to say.
"I posted the statement on Instagram and said everything I needed to say. So, appreciate y’all," Daniels replied, deflecting any sort of additional comment on the matter.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON'T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
The move has simply blown up in his face and created a whirlwind of finger-pointing and trolling on social media. But while it’s not ideal heading into a season with that sort of distraction on the outside, Daniels has appeared calm and collected as he prepares for a new year.
Daniels noted being "locked in on training camp" in his statement regarding the cease-and-desist letter to LSU. But he still feels slighted by his former team that he won a Heisman Trophy with before heading to the NFL.
"I have been locked in on training camp and that's been my number one focus. I have a lot of gratitude for my time at LSU and I'm proud of what my teammates and I accomplished there," Daniels posted. "Obviously there are issues to be worked out between my team and LSU and my hope is that it will get done privately.
"My sole personal focus is on Commanders' football. I realize the business of football is unique and I trust this can all be resolved."
Daniels is hoping that him and his No. 5 Commanders jersey is on the field for the entirety of the 2026 NFL season after injuries took a toll in his sophomore campaign.
Daniels was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2024, leading the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game in shocking fashion after defeating the Detroit Lions on the road in the Divisional Round. But he only participated in seven games last year as the Commanders were unable to make it back to the playoffs.
Tap-to-pay charity scam can cost you thousands
Tap to pay has become one of my favorite modern conveniences. I use it all the time. In fact, I rarely need to pull out a physical wallet anymore because contactless payments are accepted in so many places.
There's a security advantage, too. Mobile wallets can use tokenization or virtual card numbers, so your actual card number does not need to pass directly to a merchant during a transaction.
That makes what's happening with a tap-to-pay charity scam especially frustrating. Criminals are taking a technology designed to make paying easier and using a moment of distraction to turn a small donation into a potentially massive charge.
You may think you're giving $5 or $20 to a good cause. Then you check your account and discover hundreds or even thousands of dollars are gone. Here's how the scam works and what you can do to protect your money.
APPLE PAY TEXT SCAM THREATENS $8,250 LOSS IN 35 MINUTES
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The setup can feel completely ordinary. You're leaving a store, walking through a busy shopping area or heading through a public event. Someone approaches you and claims to be raising money for a youth group, school fundraiser or another cause. They ask for a small donation. Maybe you agree to $5. Maybe you offer $20. Then they tell you they can accept tap to pay. That's when you need to pay very close attention.
One version of the scam involves the solicitor entering a much larger amount into a smartphone or payment reader before you tap your phone or card. You think you're approving $20. The payment screen may actually say $2,000. If you tap without carefully checking that amount, you could authorize the larger transaction. Brentwood police warned in January 2026 about a version involving people approaching shoppers outside stores for small donations. Police said victims could be charged significantly more than expected after using tap to pay, Square or Cash App.
The numbers can get ugly fast. The Washington state attorney general issued a warning after receiving reports involving solicitors near the Seattle waterfront. In one case, a person agreed to donate $15 and later discovered a $4,800 charge. Another person agreed to give $20 and later found a charge of nearly $5,000. Those examples show why you should never treat the final tap as a formality.
There's another risk worth keeping in mind. If someone claims the transaction failed and asks to take your phone to help, end the transaction. A scammer does not need to take your phone for the inflated-payment scheme to work. However, handing over an unlocked phone creates a much bigger security problem. Depending on your settings, that person may be able to reach email, messages, payment apps or financial information. I would never hand an unlocked phone to a stranger during any financial transaction.
Tap to pay itself remains a secure way to make legitimate purchases. The weakness here involves what you approve. If a scammer puts $2,000 on the payment screen and you authenticate that transaction, the payment system sees an approved purchase.
The criminal is counting on you to skip one very important step: reading the amount before tapping. We use contactless payments so frequently that the gesture can become automatic. Pull out the phone. Authenticate. Tap. Walk away. That routine gives a scammer an opening.
CyberGuy has previously covered how quickly mobile payment scams can turn into serious financial losses through services such as Venmo, Zelle and Cash App.
You do not need to stop using tap-to-pay. I certainly don't plan to. Instead, change how you handle unexpected payment requests.
Never give a stranger your unlocked phone to complete or troubleshoot a payment. If something supposedly went wrong with a transaction, cancel it and move on. When your financial information is involved, you should stay in control of your device from beginning to end.
This may be the single most important habit. Stop for a second and look at the amount displayed on the merchant's phone or payment terminal. Do this before your phone or card goes anywhere near the reader. If you agreed to donate $10, make sure the screen says $10. The FTC also recommends reviewing your financial statements after making donations to confirm you were charged only the amount you intended.
NEW BANK SCAM LAWS COULD STOP SUSPICIOUS PAYMENTS
A legitimate cause will still exist five minutes from now. If someone tells you that you need to donate immediately, I would walk away. Scammers often rely on pressure because they do not want you thinking too carefully about the request. The FTC specifically advises people against letting fundraisers rush them into making a donation.
Ask for the organization's name, then look it up independently. Do not rely on a website, QR code or social media account the solicitor hands you. Search for the charity yourself and check whether it is registered. Look for independent reviews and see how the organization says donations should be made. The FTC recommends researching unfamiliar charities before sending money.
If the cause sounds worthwhile, you can still donate. Go directly to the organization's official website after you have verified it. That gives you time to confirm who will receive your money without someone standing over you waiting for a tap.
I'm a big fan of account alerts because they can tell you the moment something happens with your money. Turn on notifications for card purchases and withdrawals. Also, consider alerts for transfers or other significant account activity. If you intended to donate $20 and immediately get an alert showing $2,000, you can contact your financial institution right away.
Check the security settings inside apps such as Venmo, Cash App, PayPal and your bank's mobile app. Enable Face ID, fingerprint authentication or a separate PIN when the app offers those protections. That creates another barrier if someone ever gets access to your unlocked phone.
If you spot an inflated charge or realize you approved far more than you intended, move quickly. The sooner you respond, the sooner your bank can tell you what options are available.
Call the bank or card issuer connected to the transaction. Explain exactly what happened. Tell them how much you agreed to pay and how much was actually charged. Ask whether the transaction can be stopped, disputed or reversed. If your banking app allows it, consider locking the affected card while you investigate. Brentwood police specifically advise suspected victims of this scam to contact their bank or card issuer immediately.
Take screenshots of the transaction and save any payment confirmations. Write down where the encounter happened and approximately what time it occurred. Also record the merchant name shown with the charge. Those details can help your bank or law enforcement investigate.
If the scammer ever handled your unlocked phone, review the financial apps installed on it. Look for unfamiliar transfers or purchases. Then check whether anyone changed your email address, phone number or other account information. Continue watching those accounts over the following days because suspicious activity may appear later.
If a stranger had access to your unlocked device, change passwords for sensitive accounts that may have been exposed. I would start with your primary email account because criminals can use email to reset passwords elsewhere. Then secure banking and payment accounts. Use a password manager to create and store strong, unique passwords for each account, and turn on multifactor authentication wherever it is available.
HOW FLORIDA RETIREE LOST $200K IN FAKE PAYPAL REFUND SCAM
Make sure your phone requires Face ID, fingerprint authentication or a strong passcode. Also protect sensitive apps when your device offers that option. The goal is to keep someone from turning a few seconds with your unlocked phone into access to your financial life.
Antivirus software will not reverse an inflated tap-to-pay transaction. However, it becomes much more relevant if the scammer convinced you to click a link, visit a website or download something. Strong antivirus protection can help detect malicious software and warn you about dangerous links used in follow-up scams. I recommend running trusted security protection across your devices and keeping it updated. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at CyberGuy.com.
Fraudsters often come back for a second attempt. If they learn your name, phone number or other personal details, they can combine that information with data already available online to make the next scam more convincing. Data brokers and people-search sites can expose personal information about you. You can remove much of this information yourself. However, the process can take time and information may reappear. A data removal service can automate many of those removal requests and continue checking for your information. It cannot erase information a criminal already obtained. Still, reducing your online footprint gives scammers less material to work with. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting CyberGuy.com.
If someone gained access to sensitive information on your phone, you may want an additional set of eyes watching for signs of fraud. Identity theft protection services can monitor for suspicious activity and alert you when certain personal information appears in places it should not. Some services also provide recovery assistance if your identity gets misused. That can be especially useful if you believe the incident exposed more than a payment card. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at CyberGuy.com.
A fraudulent tap-to-pay charge by itself does not automatically mean someone can open credit in your name. However, the situation changes if a scammer also obtained sensitive personal information that could be used for identity theft. In that case, consider placing a credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A freeze can make it harder for a criminal to open a new credit account in your name.
If you lost money, report what happened. Contact local law enforcement when appropriate, especially if the amount is significant or the same solicitors appear to be targeting other people. You can also report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If the person claimed to represent a charity, consider contacting your state attorney general or charity regulator as well.
I still like mobile wallets and I still plan to use tap to pay. The technology gives us convenience along with useful payment protections.
What changes for me is how I handle a stranger asking for a quick donation. I want to know exactly who is getting my money before I approve anything.
If I decide the cause deserves support, I can look up the organization later and donate directly through its verified website. That approach removes the pressure and gives me time to make sure my money reaches the people I intended to help.
Tap to pay remains one of my favorite ways to check out. I like the speed and I like the added security mobile wallets can provide. Still, technology cannot protect you from every number you personally approve. That's what makes this scam effective. Most of us have become so comfortable tapping that we barely think about the final transaction screen. I want that habit to change. Before you tap, look at the amount. If a stranger is asking for a donation, give yourself time to verify the organization first. And if anyone asks to take your unlocked phone during the process, my answer would be an immediate no. Your generosity should reach the cause you chose, rather than a scammer counting on a few distracted seconds.
Would you still tap your phone to donate to someone who approached you in public after seeing how easily a small gift can become a four-figure charge? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.
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Female Little Leaguer is smashing records, CBS's new college football reporter & heartbreaking sports moments!
'Nightcaps' is a daily column that catches you up on the biggest sports, news and culture stories you may have missed while pretending to do work at your desk. It runs Monday–Friday on OutKick.com.
Final Hump Day of August. Seriously. Weren't we just doing this in July? And now, we're six days away from September.
Lordy. Be careful. You blink, and it'll be Halloween. Blink again, and we'll be rocking around the Christmas tree. Summer goes by faster and faster each year, doesn't it?
As you get older, you really do understand what your grandparents meant when they said "it goes by faster each year." My grandma used to say that all the time. I rolled my eyes. Not anymore.
We're 72 hours away from kickoff in Dublin. Red Sox-Yanks this weekend in the Bronx for what is essentially a playoff series to decide who hosts who in October. I'll be in Daytona for the Firecracker 400.
Summer is certainly going out with a bang. Let's finish strong.
Welcome to a Hump Day Nightcaps — the one where little leaguer Kinley Rasmus throws her hat in the ring for greatest LLWS player of all time.
LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM GETS ABSOLUTELY SCREWED ON FINAL PITCH OF NO-HITTER, FANS STUNNED BY CALL
Seriously. This girl is insane. Wait till you see her bloodline, too.
What else? I've got a beaten and battered Caitlin Clark, new CBS college football sideline reporter Jordan Giorgio reporting for duty ahead of Week 1, and this sports question is getting a lot of traction over on Elon's X today. Feels right in our wheelhouse. You'll see.
OK, grab you a drink, pour it out for Tim Curry, and then settle in for a Hump Day 'Cap!
Goodness, what a week. First Dolly, now Tim. Brutal. And how about the year for Home Alone II cast members?
We lost Catherine O'Hara in January. We lost Brenda Fricker — AKA the Pigeon Lady — last month. And now we lose Tim Curry.
Obviously, Tim is most well-known (I think?) for his work in "Rocky Horror Picture Show," but, for me, he's the hotel manager in Home Alone II. Other notable roles for Tim?
How about the original IT? Terrifying movie for us '90s kids to walk past in the horror section at Blockbuster Video. It gave me nightmares for WEEKS. And how about this for a real deep cut?
He was also the voice of Ben Ravencroft in the cult classic, "Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost." If you knew that, you get a gold star for today's class. Extra credit!
Anyway, we lost a good one in Tim. We lost a good one in Dolly. We're losing too many good ones right now. Not great.
OK, let's get this class started with Little League World Series star, Kinley Rasmus, who last night became the record-holder for most hits in the LLWS (5) for a girl, and also tied the all-time LLWS record for strikeouts by a girl (14), set by Mo’ne Davis.
What a phenom:
Amazing. I can't get enough of this story. I'm a sucker for a good LLWS story, and Kinley checks all the right boxes.
And how about this family tree:
Not a bad little family tree! Kinley, 12, is currently 5 for 8 in four LLWS games, and has 14 Ks in two starts.
There's a lot of talk right now about girls and guys (and ... others ...) playing in sports, and the fairness of it all. It's well documented. Sophie Cunningham. Ever heard of her?! Of course you have.
This is a nice way to veer off that path and cleanse the palette with something genuine. We all need it. Trust me.
I'm so tired of the WNBA stuff. It's why I led with Kinley today. She deserves it. Phenix City Little League (Alabama) plays again tonight at 7 p.m., for those looking to kill time before college football returns on Saturday.
OK, let's keep this class moving ... with the WNBA! Yes, that league.
I know it's exhausting, but when Caitlin Clark emerges from a game looking like she just got clawed to death, I have to report on it:
Lordy. Look at her! Just beaten and battered, and she still managed to put up 37 points.
Look, it's basketball. I get it. I'm not here trying to sound soft or whiny. Sports are violent. They're physical. I'd imagine the '80s and '90s Bulls and Pistons looked a lot like this after games. I assume a lot of players who went up against the Pistons back then did. I get it.
Now, replace the Bad Boy Pistons with the Mean Girls in the WNBA, and give them all fingernails and enough hate in their hearts to fill an ocean. That's what Caitlin is going up against every night.
They really do hate her. It's amazing.
OK, let's rapid-fire this Hump Day class into a big Hump Day night. First up? This sports question has gone mega-viral on Elon's X today, and it's perfect for this group:
"oh yeah you like sports? name five times your team has made you want to ...." You know the rest. I'm not going to finish the post here for legal reasons.
But you get the question.
It's a great topic because everyone has answers that immediately come to mind. For me?
It's a weird list, admittedly, but it's a solid one in terms of heartbreak. I'd also throw in Tim Tebow getting absolutely boat-raced by Alabama in his final SEC championship game in 2009. That one hurt, too.
OK, shoot me yours. I know we're all sickos here, so I'm expecting a full mailbox tomorrow morning.
STAY "FEARLESS" ON THE GO! TAKE TOMI LAHREN WITH YOU. DOWNLOAD THE TLIF PODCAST NOW!
On the way out, here's new Big Ten on CBS sideline reporter Jordan Giorgio celebrating getting called up to the big leagues before Week 1. Congrats, Jordan!
See you tomorrow.
Top five heartbreaking moments in sports for you? Email me at Zach.Dean@OutKick.com.