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in Robocall / Phone Scam
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns that gift cards are exclusively for gift-giving occasions; if someone is pressuring you to buy gift cards to pay for taxes, tech support, prizes, or other non-gift purposes, it is a scam. Scammers use various tactics including impersonating government officials, tech support, family members (via AI voice cloning), or prize notifications to create urgency and extract money. The article advises victims to immediately report the scam to the gift card company and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to potentially recover funds and help protect others in their community.
akronlegalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams on social media, particularly cryptocurrency schemes, cost U.S. consumers $3.8 billion in 2023—double the 2021 amount. Troy Gochenour of Columbus, Ohio, lost $25,800 (including $15,800 in borrowed funds) to a romance-scam-turned-crypto-mining scheme that used fake wallet balances and fake contracts to pressure him into repeated payments. The article advises consumers to avoid investment offers promising quick, guaranteed, or risk-free returns; to verify endorsements and testimonials; and to contact friends directly if suspicious messages appear to come from their accounts.
honigman.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fraudulent emails, calls, and texts claiming that third parties are attempting to register clients' trademarks with the USPTO and demanding quick action to prevent loss of trademark rights. These misleading messages use scare tactics and official-sounding language to manipulate recipients into responding with company information or making unnecessary payments, and similar scams target domain names and falsely claim trademark registrations are expiring. Clients are advised to disregard unsolicited trademark protection notices and consult reputable legal counsel before taking any action, as the legitimate USPTO never requests payment and will never initiate contact in this manner.
unmc.edu
· 2025-12-08
SMiShing is a text message-based phishing scam where fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations like banks and government agencies to trick people into revealing personal or financial information or clicking malicious links, with recent attacks specifically designed to bypass multi-factor authentication like DUO. The scam is particularly dangerous because it bypasses email security filters and exploits people's trust in text messages, using urgency and familiarity to manipulate victims into responding without verification. To protect yourself, delete suspicious messages without clicking links, verify sender authenticity through official channels, change passwords for potentially affected accounts, monitor financial activity, and report the message to your carrier or the FTC.
connachttribune.ie
· 2025-12-08
Galway residents experienced a 38% increase in reports of phishing, vishing, and smishing scams to gardaí, with many victims clicking malicious links in texts and emails purporting to come from legitimate businesses. Investment fraud cases also rose significantly from fewer than 10 cases to 16 in 2023, with authorities noting substantial sums of money involved that are often difficult to trace internationally. While account takeover and card fraud cases declined, police urged the public to remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated cyber crimes affecting internet users regardless of location.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Generation Z is more than three times as likely to fall for online scams compared to baby boomers, according to a 2023 Deloitte report. Younger adults are particularly vulnerable to social media-based scams and get-rich-quick schemes because they tend to trust online information more, lack financial vetting skills, and conduct more of their finances online, making them susceptible to credential spoofing and account breaches. In 2023, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud—a 14% increase from the prior year—with experts warning that AI-enhanced scams will likely increase victimization rates among younger generations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Noel Chimezuru Agoha, age 40, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for orchestrating business email compromise (BEC) and romance scams that defrauded victims of over $1.5 million between 2015 and 2018. Operating with co-conspirators, Agoha used fraudulent emails impersonating business contacts and fake dating profiles to trick victims into transferring funds to drop accounts he controlled, personally obtaining approximately $111,242 in BEC proceeds and over $1 million in dating scam proceeds, and was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old Philadelphia tech professional lost $450,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being wooed for months on a dating app by someone posing as a French wine trader using deepfake videos and sophisticated manipulation tactics. The fraudster gained her trust through romantic attention, then convinced her to invest in cryptocurrency through a fake trading app, with initial fake gains encouraging larger investments including her retirement funds and loans. The scam, run by Southeast Asian crime syndicates, has caused billions in losses across the US with little recourse for victims to recover their money.
primepublishers.com
· 2025-12-08
The Middlebury Senior Center (located at 1172 Whittemore Rd., open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday-Friday) is hosting an Elder Fraud Prevention Lunch & Learn at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 21, presented by Brandon Ross, Financial Crimes Officer at Ion Bank. The free program will cover elder financial exploitation, common scams, identity theft safeguards, and prevention strategies, with registration required by calling 203-577-4166.
palmcoastobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ormond Beach Police Department reported 246 fraud cases in 2024, with victims losing thousands of dollars in schemes including fake investments (Belgian mine), romance scams (Gaza war), and tech support fraud using gift cards and cryptocurrency. Elderly victims over 60 are disproportionately targeted, with national data showing losses increased 84% and cryptocurrency-related losses surged 350%, with victims averaging $35,101 in losses. Police note that cryptocurrency fraud cases have grown from roughly one per month to several per week, as criminals increasingly exploit digital payment methods and cryptocurrency ATMs to evade detection.
grossepointenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement officials report that seniors and other vulnerable populations are being targeted by sophisticated overseas scammers impersonating utility companies through fake sponsored ads on search engines and phone spoofing techniques that create urgent threats of service shutoffs to extract personal information and payments. Police acknowledge limited resources to prosecute these cases due to international jurisdictions but emphasize that the most effective defense is public education—remaining skeptical of unsolicited calls, hanging up on aggressive callers, and independently verifying company contact information before providing any personal or payment details.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Vancouver Police Department is hosting free scam prevention workshops for seniors, with the first session on February 28, 2024, covering phone scams, bail money scams, distraction thefts, and cybercrime. The initiative follows recent scams in the region, including a bail money scam targeting a Vancouver senior, a $7.5 million cryptocurrency scam affecting a Burnaby senior, and an AI-enabled grandparent scam in Richmond. Monthly workshops will continue through June at various community locations, including sessions in multiple languages.
wfmz.com
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old woman in Longswamp Township, Pennsylvania was defrauded of $20,000 in February after receiving a call from someone impersonating "Agent Garcia" from the Federal Trade Commission, who falsely claimed her Amazon and bank accounts were compromised. The scammer directed her to move her money to a Bitcoin ATM, where the funds were stolen. Police warn residents not to share account numbers or sensitive information over the phone.
entergynewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumer fraud reached a record $10 billion in losses in 2023, with about 1 in 5 people losing money to imposter scammers, according to the FTC. Entergy identified four common utility scam tactics—caller ID spoofing, in-person imposters, fraudulent websites, and threats of service disconnection—and advises customers to verify caller identity independently, never share personal information with unsolicited contacts, confirm official websites directly, and ignore demands for immediate payment. Customers should report suspected scams to Entergy at 1-800-ENTERGY and to authorities like the FTC or Better Business Bureau.
wndu.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in the Michiana region are impersonating court officials, claiming targets have missed jury duty and are in contempt of court, using personal information like names, phone numbers, and addresses to appear credible. The fraudsters use urgency-based language and request payment via gift cards or prepaid cards, which makes the money irretrievable once compromised. Indiana State Police advise that legitimate law enforcement will not call about warrants and recommend contacting the actual police agency if you receive such calls to verify their authenticity.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Honolulu Zoo is warning the public about an online scam selling discounted fake tickets through fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate zoo sites, claiming tickets are valid for one year and tied to the zoo's 40th anniversary. The zoo has received multiple complaints about the scam, which first appeared on social media, and officials advise purchasing tickets only at the zoo's front entrance or through the official HonoluluZoo.org website. Similar ticket scams have been reported at zoos across the country.
fcpdnews.wordpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers contact victims by phone, email, or in person impersonating police or government officials, using intimidation tactics and false urgency to demand money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or gold by threatening arrest or claiming a family member has been arrested or injured. Legitimate law enforcement never calls to demand immediate payment, drop charges for money, or request sensitive information over the phone. Victims should verify caller identity independently, stay skeptical of pressure tactics, guard personal information, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams continue to victimize Malaysians across all education and income levels, with recent cases including a trader losing RM6.2 million to a fake investment scheme and an elderly woman losing over RM10 million to a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. Phone scammers posing as officials also defrauded senior citizens of RM3.83 million in retirement funds and savings. Between 2019 and 2023, Malaysia recorded 14,488 investment-related fraud cases totaling RM1.34 billion in losses, prompting police and the Securities Commission to increase collaboration efforts to combat such crimes.
gobankingrates.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated phone scam cost journalist Charlotte Cowles $50,000 after scammers impersonating Amazon customer service, an FTC investigator, and a CIA agent convinced her that her identity had been compromised and linked to illegal activities. The perpetrators manipulated her through fear and urgency, instructing her to withdraw cash and hand it over to an unknown individual, falsely promising it would be secured and returned as a Treasury check. The article emphasizes the importance of skepticism toward unsolicited calls, verifying caller identities through official channels, and resisting pressure tactics commonly used by scammers.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Mesa woman lost $25,000 of her life savings in a tech support scam that lasted less than five hours, in which scammers posing as Microsoft employees convinced her that her account had been hacked and created fake evidence on her computer and bank website to create urgency. The scammers isolated her from family and friends, took control of her device, and ultimately tricked her into depositing the money into a Bitcoin wallet, after which authorities indicated the funds could not be recovered. Her daughter created a GoFundMe campaign that nearly reached the $25,000 goal through community donations, and both mother and daughter are now speaking publicly to warn others that scams
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonated Honolulu Police Department officers in recent phone scams, falsely claiming victims had outstanding arrest warrants and demanding payment via Federal Deposit Box at supermarkets. The Honolulu Police Department warns that legitimate law enforcement agencies never request payment over the phone and urges anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.
entergynewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
Entergy issued consumer protection guidance recognizing that utility imposters continue scamming customers by impersonating company representatives to obtain money or personal information. The FTC reported consumer fraud losses reached a record $10 billion in 2023, with 1 in 5 people victimized by imposter scammers using phone calls, texts, emails, and in-person visits. Entergy advised customers to avoid sharing information with unsolicited callers, verify identities independently, watch for fraudulent websites, be skeptical of disconnection threats, and report suspected scams to Entergy, their bank, or authorities like the FTC and Better Business Bureau.
citizensbank.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, cybercrime losses exceeded $12.5 billion across over 800,000 FBI complaints, representing a 22% increase from the prior year. The article provides guidance on identifying common scams including impersonation calls from fake banks requesting passwords or transfers, phishing emails and texts with malicious links or requests for personal information, and fraudulent messages from fake charities or financial institutions. Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through official bank numbers, hovering over links to check URLs before clicking, and refusing to share confidential information via email or text.
mha.gov.sg
· 2025-12-08
During Singapore's 2024 budget debate, the government announced a comprehensive anti-scam strategy in response to scam cases increasing nearly 50% in 2023, driven primarily by social engineering and deception targeting money transfers. Key initiatives include the "Add, Check, Tell" public awareness campaign, targeted programs for vulnerable groups like the elderly through Silver Generation Ambassadors, a consolidated one-stop anti-scam information portal, and enhanced community partnerships to build cyber vigilance. The government is also introducing legislation to deter misuse of local SIM cards for scams, requiring online platforms to implement stronger user verification and anti-scam measures, and pursuing international cooperation through participation in the Global
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported over 2 million fraud cases in the U.S. resulting in $10 billion in losses, with the most common scams being imposter calls, online shopping fraud, prize/sweepstakes scams, investment schemes, and fake job listings. The FTC advises consumers to watch for red flags such as unsolicited requests for money, promises of guaranteed or unusually high investment returns, and notifications about winnings from contests never entered, and recommends verifying contacts by calling them directly rather than using numbers provided by callers.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Vancouver police held anti-fraud workshops for seniors after a Broadway Lodge resident lost approximately $5,000 to phone scammers, highlighting the need for fraud prevention education. The workshops cover common scams including grandparent scams (which cost victims over $10 million in 2022), bail scams, distraction theft, and cybersecurity threats, with officers noting that fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence and social media to target vulnerable seniors. Police emphasize that prevention through education is critical since recovering stolen funds—often sent overseas—is extremely difficult.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grandparent Scam, currently prevalent in Manitoba, involves criminals calling seniors pretending to be relatives who need bail money for a supposed arrest, then arranging cash pickup at the victim's home. RCMP Sergeant Joanne Ryll advises recipients to hang up, verify the story by calling other family members, never share personal information, and establish a family safety word, noting that fraudsters often make multiple calls requesting additional money once they identify a vulnerable victim. Recovery of money lost to these scams is nearly impossible once handed over to the criminals.
panow.com
· 2025-12-08
Leo Ekhaguere, president and CEO of Lions Security Incorporated in Prince Albert, conducted an educational workshop at Points West Living to teach seniors how to identify and report scams. Ekhaguere emphasized that while everyone faces scam risks, seniors are specifically targeted by cyber criminals and remain particularly vulnerable to fraud schemes.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
San Ramon police investigated multiple phone scams targeting elderly residents in which callers impersonated Publishers Clearing House representatives and claimed victims had won prizes requiring upfront tax payments via cashier's check. Police emphasized that legitimate businesses never solicit money over the phone and urged residents to avoid providing funds, financial information, or computer access to unsolicited callers.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jean Richard Audate, a 38-year-old New York City man, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a grandparent scam conspiracy that defrauded elderly victims across the United States of over $867,000. Audate traveled to multiple locations, including Rhode Island, to collect cash that victims had been tricked into sending after receiving phone calls from scammers posing as grandchildren or lawyers claiming a relative needed bail money. The scammers also falsely invoked "gag orders" to prevent victims from discussing the requests with others.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Undercover video obtained by software engineer Jim Browning reveals a "pig butchering" scam operation based in Dubai employing hundreds of people, including real models, to pose as glamorous individuals on dating apps and romance-bait victims into fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. The scammers use VPNs, multiple messaging platforms, and scripts to target victims globally across countries ranging from South America to Central Asia, with workers operating from eight-story buildings under exploitative conditions. The operation, run primarily by Chinese nationals using migrant workers from North Africa and Southeast Asia, commits romance and investment fraud to extract large sums of money from unsuspecting victims worldwide.
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have surged 85-fold since 2020, with scammers using fabricated personal narratives and cryptocurrency to steal millions from vulnerable victims seeking companionship. Notable cases include an Indian software engineer losing $120,500 to a fake investment scheme on a matrimonial website and a Myanmar operation ("KK Park") linked to over $100 million in stolen funds through "pig butchering" scams that exploit victims' emotional vulnerabilities. Cryptocurrency's anonymity features make it the preferred payment method for scammers, with scam wallets accumulating at least $4.6 billion in 2023, though actual losses are likely much higher due to undetecte
inews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece from Which? highlights that fraud is the most common crime in England and Wales (40% of all crimes), with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake celebrity endorsements, "recovery" scams targeting previous victims, advert cloaking, and recurring payment traps ("scamscriptions") that victims may not notice for months or years. The author advocates for a coordinated national response including appointing a dedicated fraud minister, strengthening the Online Safety Act, and requiring banks to reimburse victims of authorized push payment fraud, while consumers can protect themselves by staying informed about emerging scam tactics.
thebamabuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Alabama college students are vulnerable to common fraud schemes including fake apartment listings, online marketplace scams, dating app fraud, and credit card loan scams that specifically target their lifestyle needs and desires. A banking fraud expert emphasizes that scammers use phishing via email and text to initiate contact, then tailor their approach based on publicly available personal information, making password management, multi-factor authentication, and privacy settings critical defensive measures.
decrypt.co
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" romance scams using cryptocurrency surged 85 times higher from 2020 to 2023, with revenue doubling between 2022-2023, according to Chainalysis research. These scams involve fraudsters building fake romantic relationships before tricking victims into cryptocurrency investments they don't understand, resulting in an average loss of $4,593 per victim in 2023—the highest financial impact of any scam type. The scammers, often organized criminal groups, frequently operate through human trafficking networks in Southeast Asia and use sophisticated money laundering techniques to hide their activity, though a December 2023 Interpol operation arrested 3,500
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore's Minister of State for Home Affairs criticized Meta for repeatedly refusing to implement government-recommended safety features on Facebook, despite the platform accounting for nearly half of the 9,783 e-commerce scams reported in 2023, which resulted in S$13.9 million (US$10.3 million) in losses—more than double the prior year. Meta has rejected recommendations including government ID verification and secured payment options for Marketplace users, causing Facebook to rank lowest (one tick) in Singapore's E-commerce Marketplace Transaction Safety Ratings for the second consecutive year, while competitors like Shopee and Carousell have cooperated and seen scam reductions of up to 71
terracestandard.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary as requested. The content provided is a website homepage/navigation menu for a news outlet, not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide an actual article or transcript that discusses a specific fraud case, scam scheme, or elder abuse incident.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece describes the widespread "scam-demic" of computer fraud, emphasizing that intelligent, trusting people fall victim to scams daily through sophisticated social engineering rather than technical hacking. Common scams include fake refund/receipt emails (impersonating companies like Amazon) and fraudulent tech support calls (posing as HP, Microsoft, or other companies), where scammers trick victims into providing financial information or remote computer access. The author stresses that scammers succeed by manipulating human psychology rather than exploiting computer security, comparing their tactics to convincing someone to unlock their front door rather than picking the lock.
chinadaily.com.cn
· 2025-12-08
Qilu Bank partnered with the Jinan Elderly University to establish 41 educational schools offering courses designed for seniors, including anti-telecommunications fraud awareness training alongside health and lifestyle classes. The bank also implemented digital monitoring systems and staff protocols to identify and prevent fraud attempts among its 1.7 million elderly customers, successfully blocking telecommunications fraud totaling 3.89 million yuan in 2023.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dodge County warned residents about social security scams delivered via text messages and phone calls, in which fraudsters impersonate Social Security offices to steal sensitive financial information. The Social Security Administration will never threaten legal action, demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers, promise benefit increases for payment, or request personal information through email or text. Residents who suspect fraud should contact their local Social Security field office or the ADRC at 920-386-3580 rather than responding to suspicious communications.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old woman in Seremban lost RM173,500 in a phone scam involving callers impersonating a courier company and police officer who falsely claimed she was involved in money laundering and had an arrest warrant issued against her. The victim transferred her savings into accounts provided by the scammers before realizing the fraud when she could no longer contact them. Police are investigating the case and remind the public to verify suspicious calls through official channels.
dcsheriff.net
· 2025-12-08
Douglas County law enforcement agencies announced the arrest of 26-year-old Sagar Patel for scamming a 79-year-old Highlands Ranch resident out of over $120,000 in gold bars through a months-long investigation involving cell phone and credit card records. Multiple police departments partnered to launch a public awareness campaign promoting the SCAM acronym (Stop, Call, Ask, Make informed decisions) and provided education on common scam tactics, emphasizing that victims should watch for pressure to act quickly, requests for unusual payment methods, and demands for secrecy.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Philadelphia tech professional named Shreya Datta lost $450,000 in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency romance scam after being targeted on a dating app by a scammer posing as a French wine trader named "Ancel," who used deepfake videos and sophisticated manipulation tactics to build trust over months before convincing her to invest in a fake crypto trading app. The scam, orchestrated by crime syndicates operating out of Southeast Asia, drained Datta's savings, retirement funds, and left her with debt, with victims collectively losing billions of dollars in the United States and having little recourse for recovery. The fraud works by using romantic manipulation and false investment promises to gradually
1079ishot.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning Louisiana residents about a surge in scams targeting people receiving tax refunds, particularly phishing attacks via unsolicited text messages and calls impersonating legitimate companies like UPS and Amazon. Residents are advised never to click links from unknown senders and to verify suspicious messages by searching them online, as most are attempts to steal sensitive personal information.
coloradocommunitymedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Highlands Ranch woman lost approximately $120,000 after clicking a popup on her computer and calling the provided number, where she was deceived into purchasing gold bars in a scam. Law enforcement officials from Douglas County and surrounding areas reported widespread scam activity targeting elderly residents, including over $800,000 in cryptocurrency-related fraud losses in Parker alone over six months, and emphasized that victims should contact authorities immediately as time is critical for potential recovery.
colorado.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide advises international students on recognizing and protecting themselves from five common scam types: threatening calls impersonating government officials, employment scams with suspicious job offers, requests for gift card payments, phishing emails/texts, and caller ID spoofing. The resource recommends reporting any scams to local police and federal agencies like the FTC or Colorado Attorney General, and directs victims who shared personal information to on-campus support services including victim assistance and counseling.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A San Francisco woman lost $3,500 through a Zelle imposter scam where fraudsters, using spoofed Wells Fargo caller ID and a real employee name, convinced her to make eight transfers under the guise of protecting her account from unauthorized charges. Zelle acknowledged that half a billion dollars in fraud occurred on its platform last year but has pledged only vague reimbursement for "certain imposter scams," with banks arguing victims technically authorized the transfers even though they were deceived.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a scam where callers impersonated deputies, claiming victims had missed jury duty and faced arrest warrants requiring immediate payment via bitcoin or gift cards. Multiple Rochester Hills residents received these calls in late February 2024, but none were defrauded; the scammers used fake names and badge numbers to appear legitimate. Sheriff Michael Bouchard emphasized that the department never demands phone payments and advised residents to simply hang up, noting that actual jury duty delinquencies are handled by mail.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Since January, at least 334 people in Singapore fell victim to Taylor Swift concert ticket scams, losing a combined S$213,000 after being directed to pay via PayNow, bank transfers, or virtual credits on platforms like Telegram and Facebook. Scammers either failed to deliver tickets or provided invalid ones that were rejected at venue entry. Police advised the public to purchase only from authorized sellers like Ticketmaster, pay only after receiving tickets, and avoid payment methods like gift cards.
thetimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Lauren McEwen, a 70-year-old Missouri woman, fell victim to a romance scam using stolen photographs of Dr. Christian Boving, a Danish doctor and television personality, who was impersonated by scammers on Facebook under the alias "Ace Swift." The article reveals that an estimated 140,000 people lose money annually on Meta platforms, with romance scams causing £18.5 million in losses in the first half of the prior year, and notes that Meta has failed to remove numerous fake profiles using Boving's images despite repeated reporting and complaints about inadequate identity verification measures.