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3newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Reports of AI-enabled scams surged 456 percent between May 2024 and April 2025, with predicted generative AI-driven fraud losses in the US potentially exceeding $40 billion by 2027. Dr. Victor Winter, a computer science expert at the University of Nebraska Omaha, explains that AI now enables attackers to conduct sophisticated, personalized phishing attacks at scale—including voice duplication and deepfake videos—making scams harder to detect. Key protective measures include never clicking links or responding to calls without independently confirming the sender's identity, and using "safe words" or personal information that AI cannot access to verify legitimate contacts.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams increasingly use AI voice cloning, fake bank alerts, cryptocurrency schemes, gold bar frauds, and pet emergencies to deceive victims out of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Notable cases include a man who lost $25,000 to an AI voice clone impersonating his son, another who lost $300,000 to a fake bank freeze scam, and a retiree defrauded of $3.1 million in a gold bar scheme. Protective measures include verifying caller identity through direct contact, accessing bank accounts independently rather than through provided links, avoiding investment opportunities from social media strangers, and recognizing that legitimate law enforcement does not request money transfers or asset convers
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
Trezor warned users of a phishing scam that exploited an HTML vulnerability in its support emails, allowing criminals to modify legitimate support responses with fake phishing links to compromise cryptocurrency wallets. The attack leveraged previously stolen user data and technical exploits being sold on the dark web for $10,000, though it remains unclear if any users were actually compromised. The incident highlights growing threats to hardware wallet users and the importance of vigilance against social engineering attacks in the cryptocurrency space.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A newlywed couple in Pune lost ₹1.6 lakh to a sophisticated phishing scam after the groom clicked a link in a fake SMS claiming to be from a courier service about wedding gift delivery, which redirected him to a counterfeit website designed to steal his banking credentials. The scammers exploited the couple's emotional and logistical distractions during their wedding period, using a fraudulent domain name and interface that closely mirrored legitimate courier platforms. An FIR has been filed with Pune Police Cyber Crime Cell, and authorities have issued warnings urging citizens to avoid clicking unsolicited links requesting personal or financial information.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies eight prevalent online scams in 2025, including phishing, verification malware, impersonation, fake job offers, holiday delivery fraud, donation scams, romance scams, and fake police calls. The article advises readers to watch for red flags such as urgency in messaging, requests for sensitive information (OTPs, passwords), unsolicited job offers asking for upfront payment, suspicious links, and emotional manipulation tactics. Key protection strategies include verifying sender identity through official channels, avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages, never running commands from unknown websites, and being skeptical of legitimate-seeming requests from companies or government agencies.
bisinfotech.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated, using deepfake videos, voice cloning, and emotionally intelligent chatbots to create convincing fake identities that exploit victims' psychological need for connection. India has experienced a 300% rise in online romance scams between 2022 and 2024, with victims losing an estimated ₹270 crore in 2024 alone, predominantly affecting educated urban professionals aged 25-40. These scams are particularly effective because the AI technology is now scalable, automated, and difficult to distinguish from genuine interactions, making even tech-savvy users vulnerable to emotional and financial exploitation.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Philadelphia man lost over $1 million in two consecutive scams orchestrated by a fraudster posing as "Daisy" from Apple customer support. The scam began when he called a fake Apple support number, and evolved from a customer service fraud (where he was tricked into buying gift cards) into a romance scam that built trust over months of daily communication, ultimately resulting in him handing over $780,000 in precious metals to a money mule. The article warns consumers to watch for red flags including fake customer support numbers, lookalike websites, unsolicited contact, and suspicious requests for money or assets.
tcsheriff.org
· 2025-12-08
Travis County Sheriff's Office warns residents about phone scams impersonating law enforcement and financial institutions to demand immediate payment via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and gift cards. Common scams include jury duty fines, grandchild-in-jail schemes, and fake bank fraud alerts that trick victims into withdrawing money or providing personal information. Residents should never send money over the phone to unknown callers and should independently verify requests by contacting official agencies directly rather than calling back spoofed numbers.
shreveportbossieradvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
Louisiana residents lose millions annually to identity theft, with the state ranking eighth nationally at 350 cases per 100,000 residents, costing nearly $47 million in fraud losses in 2023. Common methods include database breaches, phishing, malware, and dumpster diving, though experts recommend setting up fraud alerts, credit freezes, and responding quickly to suspicious activity to prevent theft, particularly during peak spending seasons like summer travel. AARP Louisiana and Georges Media Group are partnering on a June 26 town hall to educate residents about local scams and fraud prevention strategies.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams are increasing in sophistication and financial impact, with the Identity Theft Resource Center reporting fewer overall identity crime reports but significantly higher losses per victim. Impersonation scams rose 148% year-over-year, with criminals using AI to create convincing fake websites, emails, and messages impersonating banks and businesses, while also targeting victims through employment fraud and Google Voice scams. The positive trend is growing public awareness, with more people seeking prevention advice before becoming victims.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams surged 148% year-over-year from April 2024 to March 2025, now accounting for 34% of all identity crimes reported to the Identity Theft Resource Center, with businesses (51%) and financial institutions (21%) as primary targets. AI tools are enabling cybercriminals to scale campaigns more effectively through fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent ads, though the ITRC notes that overall reported identity crimes declined 31% while the percentage of victims reporting multiple incidents increased from 15% to 24%. The organization warns that fewer reports likely reflect underreporting rather than fewer actual crimes, and that criminals are increasingly using AI to democratize
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chinese student in London was sentenced to over a year in prison for using a portable "SMS blaster" device to send fraudulent text messages to tens of thousands of people between March 22-27, 2025. The device tricks mobile phones into connecting to a fake 2G network, allowing criminals to bypass anti-spam measures and send convincing phishing messages impersonating legitimate organizations like HMRC. Security experts recommend disabling 2G on Android devices and filtering unknown contacts on iPhones, while users can report suspicious texts to 7726 for investigation.
pa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania state agencies warned residents about a fake inheritance scam targeting older adults, in which scammers impersonated Commonwealth employees via spoofed emails claiming a distant relative had left money and demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in upfront fees to release the funds. Officials stressed that legitimate Pennsylvania agencies use @pa.gov email addresses, will not demand quick action or secrecy, and urged residents to verify requests with trusted contacts before responding.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI's annual internet crime report, seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams last year and are disproportionately targeted by scammers who view them as wealthy, not feeble-minded. The article identifies two major red flags for potential scams: feeling panicked and experiencing pressure to make fast decisions, and recommends that seniors slow down, create mental space to think, and independently verify claims before acting. Various protective services and apps have been developed to help seniors guard against financial exploitation.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource presents a chart detailing common scams targeting consumers, including AI scams (deepfake impersonations), bank text scams (phishing for account information), billing/invoice scams (fake invoices demanding payment), brushing scams (unsolicited items to boost reviews), and charity scams. The guide identifies shared scammer tactics such as impersonation, creating urgency, and pressuring victims to share personal information, while offering specific identification and prevention strategies for each scam type. The material encourages sharing this information with friends and family as a primary defense against fraud.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Over 180 Utahns attended a Scam Jam event presented by AARP Utah and the FBI to learn fraud prevention strategies, as Utah residents had lost more than $15.4 million to fraud in 2025, with $12 million of that from people aged 50 and older. The event featured FBI officials, state consumer protection leaders, and media experts who shared real victim stories, including a text scam and a romance scam that cost one woman $90,000, while emphasizing prevention tactics such as scrutinizing email addresses for typos and reporting fraud quickly to authorities.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams last year and remain prime targets due to their concentrated wealth, according to the FBI. The article identifies five red flags indicating a potential scam: feeling panicked, pressure to make fast decisions, unsolicited contact, requests for personal information, and reluctance to verify claims—noting that scammers rely on emotional manipulation and time pressure to override victims' judgment. Experts advise pausing to think critically when experiencing these warning signs, as scammers count on immediate reactions rather than careful consideration.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five red flags that warn seniors they may be targeted for scams, emphasizing that older adults lose nearly $5 billion annually and are targeted because they hold roughly half of U.S. wealth. The first two red flags discussed are feeling panicked (as in grandparent scams demanding immediate bail) and pressure to make fast decisions (such as investment opportunities or fake retail websites), with experts advising victims to slow down, create mental space, and independently verify claims rather than acting immediately.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating U.S. federal agencies (SSA, FDIC, IRS) are sending fraudulent letters, emails, texts, and pop-ups to Washington residents claiming identity theft or legal issues and demanding cash or gold payments. In early 2025 alone, scammers stole over $1 million from three Clallam County residents, with victims also identified in Jefferson County and Oregon. Red flags include unsolicited government contact via pop-ups or text, requests for cash withdrawals or gold purchases, demands to sign NDAs, and instructions to use unofficial couriers—none of which legitimate federal agencies would do.
mtdemocrat.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports that elder fraud losses reached $4.885 billion across 147,127 complaints in 2024, representing a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses from 2023, with California accounting for $832.7 million of those losses. Seniors are frequently targeted through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule operations because they are perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI recommends seniors verify unsolicited contact through independent research, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement immediately.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior Scam Alerts, a free weekly newsletter, launched in June 2025 to educate older Americans about fraud prevention following a crisis year in which Americans aged 60+ lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024—a 43% increase from the prior year with average losses exceeding $83,000 per victim. The newsletter covers various scam types including health insurance fraud, pig butchering, smishing, and grandparent scams, providing prevention tips, real-life case studies, and reporting resources drawn from trusted sources like the FBI and Department of Justice.
newsfilecorp.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior Scam Alerts, a new free weekly newsletter launched in June 2025, aims to educate older Americans about fraud prevention through coverage of scam types, detection methods, and reporting procedures. According to FBI data, seniors aged 60+ lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024—a 43% increase from the previous year with an average loss of $83,000 per victim—prompting this educational initiative drawing from trusted sources like the FBI and Department of Justice.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Darlington Akporugo, 47, and Jasmin Sood, 37, from Fulshear, Texas, were sentenced to 188 and 121 months in federal prison, respectively, for operating a romance scam that defrauded over 25 elderly victims out of $3.1 million between 2015 and 2022. The couple used fake social media profiles and online dating sites to pose as widowers and military personnel, gaining victims' trust before coercing them to send money for fake business investments or personal expenses, while using the funds for luxury vehicles and mansions. Both defendants must pay full restitution and serve three years of
mansfieldnewsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber warns that phishing scams and other internet fraud schemes continue to cost Ohio taxpayers significant amounts, with fraudsters constantly developing new tactics to steal personal information. The auditor emphasizes that these scams are widespread and nearly unavoidable in modern life, urging residents not to fall victim to these evolving schemes.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target older adults by impersonating legitimate organizations or trusted contacts and directing victims to deposit cash into crypto ATMs, where funds are transferred irreversibly to the scammers' digital wallets. The fraudsters create artificial urgency through claims of emergencies or frozen accounts, often remaining on the phone to guide victims through transactions and directing them via QR codes to scan at the machines. Victims can protect themselves by verifying requests through official channels, resisting urgency, and remembering that no legitimate organization requests crypto ATM deposits.
cmadocs.org
· 2025-12-08
CMS issued a warning about fraudulent fax requests falsely claiming to be Medicare audits, in which scammers impersonate CMS to trick healthcare providers into releasing medical records. CMS clarified that it does not initiate audits via fax and advised providers to verify all audit requests through Noridian and report suspicious communications to CMS.
fox23maine.com
· 2025-12-08
A new report from the Identity Theft Resource Center reveals that AI-powered scams are becoming more sophisticated and costly, with cybercriminals using AI to create convincing fake websites, emails, and deepfakes to impersonate trusted brands and financial institutions. While the number of identity crime reports declined, victims lost significantly more money per incident, with impersonation scams rising 148% year-over-year and nearly 1 in 4 victims targeted multiple times. The report shows a positive trend: more people are seeking prevention advice, indicating growing awareness of these threats, and individuals are encouraged to use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and verify caller identity before sharing personal information.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource defines elder fraud as the exploitation of adults age 60+ for monetary gain through tactics like impersonation, romance scams, and fake investment schemes, with seniors losing over $5.9 billion annually. Common scammer tactics include using fear, false hope, romance, pressure, isolation, and threats, while phishing emails often urge account verification or threaten account closure. Protection strategies include never responding to unsolicited requests for personal information, verifying website security, avoiding suspicious links, maintaining updated security software, and consulting trusted family members before sending money.
trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a product description and educational piece about Trend Micro ScamCheck, an AI-powered anti-scam tool designed to protect users from modern identity theft and fraud. The tool offers features including scam call/text blocking, deepfake detection, suspicious content analysis, and real-time alerts to help users identify and avoid scams across multiple platforms (SMS, email, social media, video calls, and websites). The piece emphasizes that scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics and that anyone can be targeted, making dedicated anti-scam protection necessary alongside traditional antivirus software.
stocktitan.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Trend Micro launched Scam Radar, a new feature in its ScamCheck app that provides real-time detection of coordinated scam tactics across SMS, websites, and messaging apps. According to Trend Micro's study of 6,632 consumers across six countries, 30% had been scam victims, with common fraud types including online shopping scams (27%) and investment fraud (22%), often with victims not realizing they were targeted until significant financial loss occurred.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
Michael Zidell lost $20 million in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being targeted on Facebook by a scammer posing as a woman named Carolyn Parker, who lured him into fraudulent NFT investments through fake account statements. Zidell sued Citibank for negligence, alleging the bank failed to detect and act on suspicious wire transfers—including twelve transactions totaling nearly $4 million to an account held by Guju Inc. that contradicted the account holder's declared business activity and violated Know Your Customer and Anti-Money Laundering laws. Pig butchering scams resulted in $5.8 billion in investment fraud losses in 2024
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
A BBB study examining business scams across North America (2022-2024) found over 3,600 reported cases involving employee impersonation, data breaches, and business email compromise schemes, with data breaches alone costing companies an average of $4.9 million and totaling $1.4 billion in 2024. The research highlights common warning signs such as unsolicited outreach, unexpected invoices, urgent renewal demands, and payment requests via gift cards, and recommends businesses implement employee training, establish secure payment procedures, research unknown vendors, and deploy cybersecurity measures like multifactor authentication to protect against these schemes.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Prize scams trick victims with unsolicited calls or texts claiming they've won money, cars, or other valuable items, then demand upfront payment for taxes, processing fees, or shipping. Scammers impersonate legitimate companies like Publishers Clearing House and create urgency to prevent victims from thinking critically about the offer. Legitimate sweepstakes never require payment to claim prizes; any demand for money is a clear indicator of fraud.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting recent graduates have surged dramatically, with FTC reports showing losses increasing from $90 million to $501 million between 2020 and 2024. Common tactics include fake job postings impersonating trusted entities, unsolicited contact with unrealistic offers (high pay, no interview), requests for upfront payments for equipment, and phishing links designed to steal personal information. Job seekers should verify company websites, scrutinize sender email addresses, and report suspected scams to the FTC, BBB, or Ohio Attorney General.
wrex.com
· 2025-12-08
Since 2022, businesses across North America have experienced a surge in sophisticated scams—including impersonations, data theft, and fraudulent services—resulting in billions of dollars in losses, according to Better Business Bureau data showing over 3,600 BBB reports and 74,489 FBI reports between 2022-2024. Experts warn that AI-generated fake videos and emails are increasingly used in scams, and the true scale of incidents is likely much higher due to underreporting. Businesses are advised to implement security measures such as employee training, secure payment procedures, firewalls, multifactor authentication, and verification of requests through alternate channels to protect against these threats.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in Jensen Beach, Florida, lost $800 to a Facebook scam in which a fraudster impersonating Elon Musk promised her a Tesla and $250,000 in cash, then repeatedly requested Apple Gift Card payments for supposed delivery fees. The scammer used a fake profile with copied images and AI-generated content, moved the conversation to WhatsApp, and exploited urgency and flattery to manipulate the victim into sending multiple payments before she recognized the pattern. Gift cards are favored by scammers because they are untraceable, fast, and nearly impossible to recover once redeemed.
www2.ljworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers have been impersonating Senior Resource Center employees and attempting to sell burial plots to Douglas County residents, prompting the center's director to warn the public that the organization does not sell anything. The FBI reports that cybercriminals stole over $16 billion from Americans in 2024, with people over 60 losing nearly $5 billion; experts recommend the "Stop, Verify and Report" approach—stopping the conversation, verifying legitimacy through trusted sources, and reporting suspected scams to the Kansas Protection Report Center at 1-800-922-5330.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to impersonate senior government officials and business executives via phone calls and text messages to Canadian and American targets, requesting urgent money transfers or prompting victims to open malicious links that install malware or steal sensitive information. In the first three months of 2025 alone, Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre received nearly 13,000 fraud reports resulting in over $165 million in losses across 9,092 victims. Security experts advise recipients of suspicious urgent requests from authority figures to verify the caller's identity by hanging up and calling back using a known contact method, as AI-generated voices and spoofed numbers make these impersonations increasingly difficult to detect.
coastalbreezenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Lunch with Friends hosted over 100 seniors on June 18th at Marco Lutheran Church, where Lieutenant Joseph Belardo from the Marco Island Police Department presented on elder fraud prevention. Lt. Belardo warned that scammers stole $3.4-$6.1 billion from older Americans last year, with tech support scams, government impostor scams, and AI-powered voice cloning being among the most common threats; he advised seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited calls/texts/emails, avoid clicking suspicious links, and verify requests by calling trusted phone numbers directly. The presentation also covered ransomware, malware, and deepfakes, with recommendations to update security software, use V
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted for operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded millions of Americans, predominantly elderly victims, by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and threatening arrest to pressure victims into transferring funds to bank accounts they controlled. Victims testified to losing significant sums, including a 70-year-old who transferred over $600,000 and a widowed mother of eight who lost more than $300,000, with the defendants retaining thousands for themselves before laundering the remaining funds. Both were convicted of money laundering and conspiracy charges, with Patel also convicted of wire fraud conspiracy
vietnam.vn
· 2025-12-08
Gen Z individuals in Hanoi fell victim to sophisticated impersonation scams despite growing up with digital literacy. Multiple cases involved fraudsters posing as police officers or bank employees, using psychological pressure and panic tactics to convince victims to transfer money; a 20-year-old lost 1.6 billion VND, another lost nearly 1 billion VND to fake police calls, and a 30-year-old lost 145 million VND total to a fake bank employee scam. The article highlights that scammers succeed not just through deceiving awareness but by exploiting psychological vulnerabilities and crisis-response confusion with constantly evolving scenarios and impersonation tactics.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old widow, Laura Kowal, was defrauded of approximately $1.5 million by two Nigerian scammers (Anthony Ibekie and Samuel Aniukwu) operating a romance scam using the fake persona "Frank Borg," a Swedish investment adviser they met on Match.com over a two-year period. The scammers coerced Laura into establishing fraudulent companies and bank accounts for money laundering, and her daughter Kelly discovered a suicide note before Laura's body was found in the Mississippi River in August 2020; the case was part of a larger criminal scheme responsible for at least $3.5 million
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
McAfee's 2025 Safer Summer Travel Report found that one in five Americans has fallen victim to travel scams while booking trips, with 23% of victims losing money—including 13% who lost over $500 and 5% who lost more than $1,000. Younger adults (ages 18-34) are more vulnerable to these scams than older generations, with common tactics including fake booking sites, malicious confirmation links, and AI-manipulated travel photos designed to exploit budget-conscious travelers seeking deals.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Sen. Jon Husted introduced bipartisan legislation called "The Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act" to establish a task force that will examine how financial institutions can use AI to protect against fraud, particularly deep fake scams where fraudsters impersonate family members to steal money. According to Federal Trade Commission data, fraudsters stole over $12.5 billion from consumers in 2024—a 25% increase from 2023—with an AARP study finding that 77% of older adults worry they may become targets of AI-related fraud. The bill, endorsed by AARP and co-sponsored by Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock, would require the
citizensvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania officials warned of an email scam targeting older residents, in which fraudsters impersonate state employees and claim recipients have inherited large sums from distant foreign relatives, then request hundreds of thousands of dollars in upfront fees to release the funds. The scammers use spoofed email addresses resembling official state accounts and create false urgency to pressure victims into quick payments. Officials advise recipients to verify sender email addresses (legitimate PA state emails end in @pa.gov), avoid responding to unsolicited money offers, and contact trusted family members or local Area Agencies on Aging before engaging with unknown individuals making financial offers.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
American seniors aged 60 and older reported $4.8 billion in losses to scammers in 2024, making them the primary targets for cybercriminals operating globally, with fraudulent wire transfers often routing through Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Mexico. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to cultural tendencies to trust, limited technological sophistication, and the fact that they control over 70% of American wealth. The FBI advises that education and awareness are the best defenses, recommending seniors verify unsolicited contacts independently, avoid sending money or gift cards in response to urgent requests, and stay informed about common scam tactics.
chronline.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first quarter of 2025, Washington fraud victims lost $38.2 million, with people ages 80 and over suffering the highest median loss of $1,286; "government imposters" remain the most prevalent scam type. Regional law enforcement agencies warned residents about evolving fraud schemes including fake DMV text messages demanding payment, cryptocurrency kiosk scams (which cost Washington $142 million in 2023), and romance scams that defrauded seniors 60+ of $389 million nationally in 2024. Authorities advise residents to verify claims directly with agencies using official contact information and avoid unusual payment methods like cryptocurrency, Venmo, or Pay
northyorks.gov.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational advisory warns that fraudsters increasingly impersonate enforcement officers to target council tax and business rate payers. The guidance advises verifying the identity of anyone claiming to be an official, avoiding disclosure of sensitive information in unsolicited calls, and not clicking links in suspicious emails or texts, with instructions to report suspected scams to local authorities.
spokesman.com
· 2025-12-08
Government agencies across Washington and Idaho are warning residents about multiple active scams, including government imposter schemes, fake DMV text messages demanding payment for traffic violations, romance scams, and cryptocurrency kiosk fraud. In early 2025, Washington fraud victims lost $38.2 million with people ages 80 and older experiencing median losses of $1,286, while Idaho residents lost over $63 million to cybercrimes in 2024, with seniors being predominately targeted. Authorities advise residents never to respond to unsolicited demands for payment and to independently verify any claims by contacting the legitimate agency using official phone numbers rather than information provided by the scammer.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using stolen identities and AI-generated deepfakes to create "ghost students" who fraudulently obtain federal student aid before disappearing, leaving victims with damaged credit scores and fraudulent debt. Criminals obtain personal information through data breaches and phishing, then use AI bots to enroll in classes and trigger financial aid disbursements, while also impersonating FAFSA representatives to steal login credentials and Social Security numbers. To protect against this fraud, students should monitor credit regularly, enable two-factor authentication, and guard sensitive personal information closely.