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finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common scams targeting Walmart shoppers, including fraudulent job offers (secret shopper schemes requiring upfront payment), gift card fraud (scammers posing as authorities or charities demanding payment via gift cards), phishing emails and fake giveaways, delivery scams using fake texts/emails about order issues, and counterfeit gift cards sold on secondary markets. The article advises consumers to verify communications directly through official Walmart channels, avoid any requests for upfront payments or gift card purchases, and purchase gift cards only from Walmart or authorized retailers.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2020 and December 2023, investment fraud in the UK resulted in £2.6 billion stolen from 98,525 victims, with an average loss of £26,773 per person. Boiler Room fraud and Ponzi schemes were the most common types, accounting for £553 million and £499 million respectively, with 2023 marking the worst year at £527 million lost across 26,740 victims. The FCA advises people to be wary of unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, and promises of unusually high returns as key warning signs of investment scams.
cbs19news.com
· 2025-12-08
Virginia experienced 491 tax scam victims in 2023 who lost over $12 million to government impersonation schemes, ranking the state 11th nationally. Scammers primarily target older adults by impersonating the IRS through fake websites (using .com or .net instead of .gov) to steal login credentials and redirect tax refunds within minutes, with potential access to accounts lasting years. The article features a reformed scammer who warns that verifying URLs and protecting IRS account information are critical defenses against these schemes.
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides educational guidance on protecting yourself from tax season scams. Common scams include identity theft (where scammers file false returns in victims' names to claim refunds) and IRS impersonation schemes that use fear, urgency, and promises of money to trick people into sharing personal information. To protect yourself, verify that communications are genuinely from the IRS (which contacts people only by mail), research tax professionals through official directories, and avoid sharing information with unknown callers.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece highlights multiple types of elder and consumer fraud affecting South Carolina residents, including gift card scams, cryptocurrency schemes, the "grandparent" impersonation scam, and account takeovers, with documented losses ranging from $30,000 to $39,000. The author provides red flags to recognize scams (requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency, unsolicited requests for personal information, phishing emails) and recommends protective measures such as using strong passwords, utilizing password managers, and paying with credit cards rather than debit cards to limit liability. The piece emphasizes that while individuals have limited recourse, large institutions continue to suffer major data breaches that put personal information into criminals' hands.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers have stolen tens of millions of dollars in SNAP benefits from EBT cardholders nationwide using card skimming devices placed on payment terminals and phishing scams. To protect themselves, users should inspect card readers for loose or mismatched faceplates, never share their PIN, and utilize the new ConnectEBT app feature that allows them to lock their cards when not in use. New York has approved nearly 12,000 stolen benefit claims and reimbursed over $6.1 million to victims through its benefit recovery program since August 2022.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2020 and December 2023, investment fraud cost UK victims more than £2.6 billion across 98,525 cases, with an average loss of £26,773 per victim. Boiler Room fraud and Ponzi schemes were the most prevalent scams, stealing £553 million and £499 million respectively, with 2023 recording the highest number of victims (26,740) losing £527 million that year alone. The FCA recommends vigilance against red flags including unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, and promises of unusually high returns.
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly homeowner in Luling, Texas received an unsolicited package of precious metals worth approximately $100,000 after being contacted by a scammer posing as customer support; police intervention prevented the fraudster from collecting the package and led to the arrest of California resident Shalin Amin on money laundering charges. The scam targeted the victim by creating urgency and manipulating them into accepting a shipment they never requested. Authorities recommend avoiding unsolicited precious metals purchases, safeguarding personal information, and reporting suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Elder Justice Hotline.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational podcast series covering consumer protection topics rather than a specific fraud or elder abuse incident. Key episodes address red flags in standard contracts, risks associated with rewards credit cards that can lead to debt, vehicle recalls affecting safety, and credit denial trends affecting consumers. The podcast provides advice on identifying problematic contract clauses, understanding credit card pitfalls, and navigating consumer financial decisions.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania is launching an educational campaign to combat Social Security fraud, which affected approximately 360,000 people through impersonation scams in 2021. The organization recommends protective measures including robocall-blocking applications, online account monitoring, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities, emphasizing that genuine unsolicited Social Security Administration contact is extremely rare. Victims of these scams face risks including identity theft, financial loss, and long-term challenges accessing credit and services.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warned of direct deposit refund scams during the 2024 tax season, in which fraudsters impersonate IRS agents and contact victims claiming a tax return error, then demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards. The IRS will never contact taxpayers by text or email about refunds, demand payment through untraceable methods, or require specific payment forms like gift cards. Victims should verify IRS communications through the official IRS website and report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common scams targeting small businesses, which are particularly vulnerable due to limited cybersecurity resources and accounting processes compared to larger organizations. Key scams include Business Email Compromise (BEC), phony invoices, directory fraud, identity theft, fraudulent charity solicitations, phishing attacks, and office supply scams. The article emphasizes that knowledge and awareness are the best defenses and recommends businesses stay informed about these threats and report incidents when targeted.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Remote access scams initiated by phone, text, email, or social media cost Australians $15 million in 2023, with nearly half of 8,975 reported cases beginning via phone calls impersonating banks or service providers. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics—including spoofed numbers, fake social media profiles, and urgent requests for personal information or device access—to install malware, steal data, or make unauthorized purchases. Protection requires verification through official channels, refusing unsolicited requests, and immediately contacting your bank and reporting to Scamwatch if compromised.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security number impersonation scams are among the most common government impostor fraud, with criminals stealing over $100 million annually by pretending to be government officials and requesting personal or banking information. Scammers employ sophisticated tactics such as fake documents, fraudulent letterhead, and threatening calls claiming account suspension or benefit loss to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive data. The Federal Trade Commission recommends never trusting caller ID, never verifying personal information to unsolicited callers, and remembering that the SSA will never demand upfront payment via wire transfer, cash, or gift cards.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Employees at a fulfillment center received fraudulent calls from scammers impersonating Social Security Administration, IRS, and other government agencies demanding money or threatening arrest. According to the Social Security Administration, these sophisticated scams cost consumers over $126 million in 2023, and victims should remain calm, never send money or personal information via phone demands, and report incidents to the Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or the SSA website.
macaudailytimes.com.mo
· 2025-12-08
The Judiciary Police in Macau launched a WeChat-based anti-fraud initiative in response to a sharp 70-120% surge in fraud cases from January to February, which resulted in 69 million patacas in losses across 265 reported incidents, including a concerning 44% increase in student-targeted scams. The interactive program offers fraud risk analysis, reporting channels, and educational resources to help residents identify fraudulent schemes. Two women were victimized by phone scams impersonating public prosecutors and immigration officials, with one losing 41,700 patacas after being coerced into transferring funds based on false money laundering allegations.
pioneertribune.com
· 2025-12-08
The Manistique Senior Center announced an educational presentation by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on June 14 on senior scams and fraud prevention. The center also promotes various community programs including a grief support group, gardening activities, bake sale, movie screenings, game night, and card-making classes.
cpr.org
· 2025-12-08
While younger adults are statistically more likely to fall for fraud, people over 70 lose significantly more money overall. An 80-year-old man in Aurora lost $20,000 after scammers posed as his bank's fraud department over several weeks, convincing him to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin at a gas station ATM. Deputy Ryan Falkner of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office identifies the most prevalent current scams targeting older adults as popup virus warnings and jury duty/arrest warrant phone scams, recommending that victims turn off their computers and never pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
IRS impostor scams, which cost consumers $5.8 million in 2023, typically begin with robocalls using spoofed caller IDs and progress to demands for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency under threats of arrest, or attempts to extract sensitive personal information by falsely claiming a refund is owed. The article advises that the IRS never initiates contact via unsolicited calls and recommends verifying any such claims by contacting the IRS directly using official contact information from trusted sources.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old MBA student in Nagpur lost Rs 23 lakh in a cryptocurrency investment scam after a fraudster posing as an investment advisor contacted him via Telegram in November 2023. The scammer initially provided fake returns on a small investment to build trust, then persuaded the student to deposit the full amount, which was never recovered. Police registered a case and launched an investigation under IPC and IT Act provisions.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso Umegbo, a former New Bedford man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for operating a romance scam between 2018 and 2019, defrauding victims of over $568,000 by creating fake online personas to develop romantic relationships and extract money. Umegbo used multiple aliases and bank accounts in the Greater Boston area to receive and launder victim funds through cash withdrawals and cashier's checks, and continued the scheme even after leaving the U.S. by coordinating with co-conspirators. He was arrested in London in April 2022, extradited to the U.S. in February 2023, and ordered to pay
southcoasttoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, a 39-year-old former New Bedford man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for operating a romance scam between 2018 and 2019, defrauding victims of over $568,000 by creating fake online personas and romantic relationships to solicit money through fraudulent bank accounts. He was arrested in London in April 2022 and extradited to the U.S., where he pleaded guilty to wire fraud, money laundering, and false statements to banks, and must pay $578,954 in restitution and forfeiture.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
**Gift Card Scams Overview**
Gift card scams are increasingly prevalent, with fraudsters posing as grandchildren, IRS agents, or bank employees to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards and sharing the numbers. Scammers prefer gift cards because they are difficult to track once the card number and PIN are compromised, making them an "easy depletion method" for accessing funds. Common variants include bank investigator scams, IRS impersonation scams, grandparent scams, and lottery scams, all of which exploit urgency, authority, or emotional appeals to manipulate victims into sending money via untraceable gift cards.
nia.nih.gov
· 2025-12-08
An NIA-funded study of 644 older adults (average age 85) simulating government imposter scams found that a significant minority are vulnerable to fraud despite lacking cognitive impairment. When contacted about fake Social Security and Medicare account issues, 68.5% did not engage, but among those who responded, 16.4% engaged without skepticism and 12% provided personal information; vulnerability correlated with lower cognitive ability, financial literacy, and scam awareness. Researchers note that actual scam conversion rates are likely higher in real-world scenarios given participants were predominantly White, highly educated women exposed to less intensive tactics than actual scammers use.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission identifies four trending online tax season scams: fake tax preparer ads that redirect to phishing websites to steal personal and payment information, fraudsters posing as accountants offering suspiciously high refunds at low prices, scammers spoofing IRS phone numbers to threaten taxpayers about supposed debt, and phishing emails/texts claiming unclaimed funds to harvest personal data or install malware. The FTC reported $1.1 billion in losses from impersonator scams in 2023 and recommends avoiding social media tax prep links, using word-of-mouth referrals for CPAs, and remembering that the IRS only contacts via mail—never by
pressdemocrat.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season sees a surge in fraud schemes targeting taxpayers, with common scams including phishing emails/texts impersonating the IRS, "Offer in Compromise" mills falsely claiming to resolve tax debt cheaply, "ghost preparers" who steal refunds or charge excessive fees, and "new client" scams targeting tax professionals. The IRS never initiates contact by email, text, or social media, never threatens legal action, and never requests personal information like Social Security numbers or credit card details; taxpayers can verify legitimate IRS communications and check their accounts directly at irs.gov. Protection strategies include filing early, enabling two-step authentication, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and using legitimate free
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Solano County launched the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) through its Older & Disabled Adult Services division to help residents prevent financial elder abuse and report scams. The center provides resources and five key prevention tips, including verifying government communications, watching for fake social media identities, being skeptical of prize/investment offers, avoiding suspicious account compromise notices, and monitoring finances and Power of Attorney documents. Victims can call ODAS for assistance filing reports and contacting law enforcement.
menafn.com
· 2025-12-08
A hotel owner in Bengaluru lost Rs 48,000 after a man posing as a technician offered to update his Paytm scanner for one rupee; the scammer instead deducted the full amount from the victim's account and fled. The incident underscores a growing "scanner update" fraud targeting shop owners, with authorities warning the public to verify the legitimacy of strangers offering digital services and to avoid granting device access without proper verification.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating local banks sent SMS messages to at least 12 victims offering fixed deposit promotions with high interest rates, resulting in losses of at least S$650,000 since January. The fraudsters posed as bank agents, collected personal information, and instructed victims to transfer money into fake accounts created under their names, with some victims receiving forged bank statements and facing delayed discovery through claimed "activation periods." Additional phishing scams targeting bank customers through spoofed SMSes resulted in 103 victims in December and 219 DBS customers losing about S$446,000 in the first two weeks of 2024.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old businessman in Mumbai lost Rs80,000 to an AI voice cloning scam where fraudsters impersonated the Indian Embassy in Dubai, falsely claiming his son was arrested and playing a cloned voice of his son pleading for bail. A second victim, a 58-year-old professor, lost Rs1 lakh in a similar scheme where a caller impersonated a police inspector claiming her son was detained; cybercriminals used AI to gather family details from social media. Experts warn that AI voice cloning scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and advise verifying distressed calls directly with the supposed victim or authorities before transferring money.
bigfuture.collegeboard.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource advises students and families on recognizing and avoiding financial aid scams. Key recommendations include avoiding hiring consultants (since free advice is available from school counselors and aid officers, and consultants cannot increase aid amounts), protecting personal information from unsolicited phone or email contacts, and being wary of two common scams: fraudulent "grant offers" that request processing fees (which the federal government never charges) and identity theft schemes where scammers pose as government or financial representatives. The piece emphasizes that suspicious activity should be reported to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General.
winknews.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement agencies have reported a spike in sophisticated scam calls impersonating police officers and court officials, with perpetrators now using real names, titles, and badge numbers of actual law enforcement employees to demand payment for alleged missed jury duty or bench warrants. Victims like Samantha Misener and Mary Shucart received threatening calls claiming they had outstanding legal violations, but both recognized the scams and reported them to authorities. Experts advise never answering calls from unrecognized numbers, ignoring blocked caller IDs, and remembering that legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams are prevalent, with identity theft being one of the most common, where fraudsters file tax returns in victims' names to claim refunds—the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, and victims wait an average of 19 months for resolution. Scammers typically use tactics based on fear, urgency, and financial incentives to trick people into sharing personal information or money, often impersonating the IRS or tax professionals. Experts recommend verifying IRS contact through official channels (mail or their website), researching tax professionals through reputable directories, and avoiding unsolicited phone calls to protect against tax-related fraud.
lompocrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Employees at a fulfillment center, primarily workers over 60 years old, became targets of impersonation scams after their personal data was stolen; callers falsely claiming to represent Social Security, the IRS, and other government agencies demanded cash payments under threat of arrest. Social Security Administration officials outlined common scam tactics—creating urgency through fear, impersonating trusted agencies, and demanding untraceable payments—and emphasized that legitimate government agencies never request cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and victims should report incidents to the Office of Inspector General and avoid acting on threatening calls without verification.
mcknights.com
· 2025-12-08
Healthcare providers paid nearly $2 billion to resolve False Claims Act allegations in 2023, marking a historic annual record with 543 settlements and judgments involving federal investigations. The Department of Justice is intensifying efforts to investigate elder abuse and fraud in nursing homes, particularly targeting facilities providing substandard care and engaging in fraudulent billing practices, with notable cases including a $7.1 million settlement against a New York nursing home for worthless services and safety violations. Federal agencies are expanding enforcement actions across long-term care and Medicare Advantage plans, signaling that investigations and recoveries are likely to increase significantly in coming years.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Teqare, an Indigenous-owned tech company in Manitoba, created a scam prevention workshop for elders after co-founder Zachary Flett's grandmother nearly fell victim to a phone-based gift card scam. The workshop covers common scams including romance, phishing, and text-based fraud, and addresses the shame victims often experience; participants at the first workshop in March 2024 with Sagkeeng First Nation responded positively, with one elder even deciding to purchase a cellphone after gaining confidence in digital safety.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
John Kyle Muller of Boulder, Colorado pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a prize notice scam from 2012 to February 2018 that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly victims, of over $15 million. The scheme involved mailing millions of fraudulent notices claiming recipients had won cash prizes, then charging $20-$50 fees to claim non-existent rewards, while victims received only worthless reports or trinkets. Muller and his co-conspirators were shut down in February 2018 through U.S. Postal Inspection Service search warrants and a federal court order.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
California resident Donald Franklin Huegel was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded two elderly Arizona residents of nearly $400,000 over two years. Huegel participated in the scheme by funneling victim payments to co-conspirators in Africa after victims were lured by fake online profiles ("Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and manipulated into sending money under false pretenses, including claims their identities were on the Dark Web. The first victim lost over $90,000 and the second lost over $367,000; Huegel was convicted of fraudulent schemes, money laundering, and theft, and will be required to pay
news.abplive.com
· 2025-12-08
A Delhi woman lost Rs 19.23 lakh in a work-from-home job scam after being recruited via social media in September; she was initially promised returns on small investments but was then coerced into making increasingly larger payments under threats of losing all funds, eventually borrowing Rs 7 lakh and arranging Rs 6 lakh from friends before realizing the fraud. In a related incident, a Bengaluru lawyer lost Rs 14.57 lakh in a similar scheme where scammers coerced her into recording nude videos and then used blackmail threats to extract ransom payments. Police have registered cases against unidentified accused under cheating and criminal conspiracy charges
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Cyber criminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics to disguise scams as legitimate advertisements and messages on social media and mobile platforms, including mimicking real website addresses, crafting convincing offers for jobs or modeling work, and using fake cell towers to intercept communications. Recent cases include a predator who tricked a minor into sending nude photos by posing as a modeling agent and then blackmailed the victim, and fraudsters impersonating legitimate U.S. military recruitment domains to solicit former and active Filipino soldiers. Authorities recommend vigilance when responding to unsolicited offers—verifying sources directly with companies and remembering that offers that sound too good to be true typically are scams.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
California resident Donald Franklin Huegel was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in romance scams targeting two elderly Arizona victims, stealing nearly $400,000. Huegel posed as a romantic interest online (using aliases like "Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and funneled victims' money to co-conspirators in Africa, with one victim sending over $90,000 and another sending over $367,000. He was convicted of fraudulent schemes, money laundering, and theft, with a restitution hearing to be scheduled for the victims.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old civil engineer discovered that fraudsters had stolen his identity and opened two unauthorized HSBC accounts in his name—a credit card with £12,000+ in charges and a current account with a £5,000 overdraft—despite never banking with HSBC. He suspects the thieves accessed his personal information by breaking into his letterbox to intercept account opening documents and cards, resulting in his credit score dropping over 300 points; after 14 weeks of poor resolution efforts from HSBC, he remained liable for approximately £17,000 in fraudulent debt.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Offshore scammers stole approximately $6.7 million from 25 New Zealand victims who shared their stories with the Herald, with only $700,000 recovered, representing part of hundreds of millions stolen annually from Kiwis. The scams involved sophisticated fraudsters posing as investment advisers from major banks (Citibank, HSBC, Macquarie) using fake prospectuses and call-routing software to appear legitimate, while directing victims to deposit money into local "holding accounts" controlled by money mules. Victims—including business owners, retirees, health workers, and a politician—experienced significant emotional trauma and shame, with most complaints to the Banking
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, cybersecurity experts warn that tax-related scams are spiking, including identity theft, phone scams, tax preparer fraud, and "helper" scams where fraudsters pose as IRS assistants to steal personal information. Experts advise being suspicious of urgent requests for clicks, links, or personal information, and to only enter sensitive data on the official IRS.gov website, avoiding so-called "ghost preparers" who disappear after obtaining information.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 51-year-old advocate in New Delhi lost Rs 70,000 to scammers who posed as police officers on WhatsApp, claiming his son was in custody and demanding payment for his release; the scammers even provided a voice mimicking his son to increase credibility. Police investigation led to the arrest of Vishwajeet Giri in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, who operated a network receiving fraudulent money through multiple bank accounts, along with four additional accomplices; authorities seized 40 mobile phones, 41 SIM cards, and multiple financial documents used in the scheme.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office is warning the public about scammers impersonating the AG's Office and claiming victims have won money, then demanding fees to collect the supposed winnings. Callers have used 918 area codes, spoofed the official AG phone number, and displayed "unknown" caller IDs, though no financial losses have been reported yet. The AG advises Oklahomans to never wire money or share personal information with unsolicited callers claiming to be government officials, to verify caller identity independently, and to disregard caller ID information as it can be faked.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identifies the top 10 scams targeting small businesses, which are attractive to scammers because business owners are often distracted and lack robust cybersecurity support. Common schemes include phony invoices for unordered supplies, stolen identity/brand hijacking through fake websites, directory listing scams, phishing emails, office supply fraud, and vanity award scams (which charge fees for worthless honors). Small business owners should be aware of these tactics to protect themselves from financial losses.
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orillia OPP has launched a new podcast called "Couchiching Cops in Conversation" in partnership with OrilliaMatters to raise public awareness about local policing issues, crime trends, and support resources, with episodes published twice monthly. The inaugural episode focuses on senior fraud and abuse, with future episodes planned to address mental health crises, impaired driving, and boating safety, while accepting listener questions to foster community engagement on policing matters.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned that imposter scams were the top fraud category in 2023, with scammers increasingly posing as IRS agents via phone calls, emails, and social media to demand immediate payment for alleged tax debts and threaten arrest. The IRS clarified that it will never call demanding immediate payment or contact about taxes owed without first mailing a bill, and provided guidance for reporting such scams to the Treasury Inspector General, IRS, and Federal Trade Commission.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
This article examines cryptocurrency fraud threats, particularly as Bitcoin's value surges and a halving event approaches, attracting both legitimate interest and malicious actors. The main threats include malware like Lumma Stealer and crypto drainers (which stole $59 million and $47 million respectively), phishing scams using spoofed social media accounts and fake investment platforms, and social engineering attacks such as celebrity impersonation schemes. The article advises cryptocurrency users to protect themselves against these unregulated market threats through awareness and digital security practices.