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6,239 results in Phishing
wgal.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of phishing scams in which fraudsters impersonate health insurance fraud investigators to solicit protected health information, medical records, and personal financial details from patients via emails and text messages. The stolen data can be used to commit fraud or medical identity theft. The FBI recommends victims remain suspicious of unsolicited contact, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails, use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and verify any communication directly with their health insurance provider.
vermontjournal.com · 2025-12-08
Black River Good Neighbor Services hosted a "Fraud Awareness" presentation by M&T Bank's senior branch manager Art Randolph on July 17 in Ludlow, Vermont, covering identity theft, common phone scams, check fraud, email impersonation, caller ID spoofing, and strategies for protecting personal information and recognizing fraudulent schemes.
wamnnews.com.au · 2025-12-08
Dr. Andrew Miller highlights the growing vulnerability of elderly people to increasingly sophisticated online and AI-powered scams, including deepfake videos and audio that can impersonate known individuals. He recommends that families establish legal protections such as enduring power of attorney, guardianship documents, and advance care directives while elderly relatives retain capacity, and maintain tight controls over financial accounts and data sharing to prevent fraud affecting both finances and healthcare services like fraudulent Medicare claims.
lincolnparishjournal.com · 2025-12-08
This article by law enforcement veteran Wesley Harris contrasts traditional in-person scams targeting seniors—such as the "found money" handkerchief scheme, driveway paving fraud, and fake bank examiner con—with modern technology-based fraud that operates remotely via text messages, phishing links, and compromised payment cards. Harris illustrates how contemporary scams are more difficult to combat because criminals operate from abroad and are largely beyond law enforcement reach, while noting that victims often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment. The article advises consumers to scrutinize suspicious messages for red flags before clicking links or providing personal financial information.
amac.us · 2025-12-08
Older Americans are increasingly targeted by fraud schemes, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion in 2023—an average of $33,915 per victim—according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Many of these scams, including impersonation schemes and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency frauds, are allegedly coordinated or tolerated by the Chinese Communist Party, with recent indictments in Ohio and California involving Chinese nationals charged with defrauding elderly victims out of thousands to millions of dollars. Experts emphasize that only 10-15 percent of senior fraud victims report their losses, suggesting the actual problem is far larger than reported figures indicate
livebitcoinnews.com · 2025-12-08
The U.S. Secret Service has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade, with much of it linked to romance scams and fake investment platforms that target victims through catfishing and promise of quick returns. Despite these enforcement successes, crypto scams are accelerating, with Americans losing $9.3 billion to such schemes in 2024 alone, representing over half of all internet fraud losses that year. The Secret Service's June 2025 seizure of $225 million in USDT marked its largest cryptocurrency confiscation to date.
ainvest.com · 2025-12-08
The U.S. Secret Service has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade, including a record $225 million from a money laundering network, with many funds traced to romance scams and fake investment schemes targeting victims through catfish tactics. Despite these enforcement successes, crypto-related crimes continue to surge, with Americans losing $9.3 billion to crypto scams in 2024 alone and wallet hacks, phishing attacks, and protocol exploits causing over $2.47 billion in losses in the first half of 2025, indicating that criminal tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
tradingview.com · 2025-12-08
The U.S. Secret Service has become a major cryptocurrency custodian after seizing nearly $400 million in digital assets from various crypto scams over the past decade, including romance scams and investment frauds that use psychological manipulation and fake websites to defraud victims. The agency employs blockchain forensics and international collaboration—training officers in over 60 countries—to trace and recover stolen funds, with notable successes including the recovery of $225 million in USDT from a romance-investment scam network. Despite these efforts, crypto crime continues to surge, with investors losing $2.2 billion in the first half of 2025, primarily through wallet hacks and phishing attacks.
thezebra.org · 2025-12-08
A high school student named Wesley Driscoll, inspired by his personal experience with a phone scam, founded Silver Guard Seniors to help protect elderly citizens from fraud. The organization is hosting a free scam-prevention event on July 26 in Alexandria, Virginia, featuring former FBI agent John Schwartz and other experts who will educate seniors about recognizing common schemes like romance scams and refund fraud, while addressing the shame and secrecy that often surrounds elder financial abuse.
news9.com · 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines common cybercrime threats targeting consumers, including romance scams on social media and fraudulent text messages about unpaid tolls, and emphasizes protective measures such as installing software updates, using strong authentication methods, and avoiding personal transactions on public Wi-Fi. According to recent data, U.S. consumers received 18.9 billion robocalls in 2025 and lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with text message scams alone accounting for $470 million in losses.
staysafeonline.org · 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines five common cryptocurrency scams affecting Americans, who lose over $9 billion annually to crypto investment fraud. Key scam types include too-good-to-be-true investment promises, romance scams (often called "pig butchering"), phishing attacks, pump-and-dump schemes, and fake cryptocurrency apps, with red flags provided for each. The article advises avoiding high-pressure tactics, never sharing private wallet keys, being skeptical of online romantic interests who introduce crypto investments, and downloading apps only from official stores.
mirror.co.uk · 2025-12-08
A UK survey of 1,000 adults found that 60% have had to help elderly relatives stay safe online, with 41% believing their older loved ones could be duped by scammers. The study revealed that 26% of older Brits have encountered scams and 21% have been victims of financial fraud, with common unsafe practices including clicking dubious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), and using simple passwords (51%). Experts emphasize that digital safety education and family conversations about cyber threats are essential to protecting vulnerable seniors from evolving online scams.
express.co.uk · 2025-12-08
A UK poll of 1,000 respondents found that 41% of those with older loved ones believe they would fall for a scam if targeted, with 26% of older Brits having already experienced a scam and 21% falling victim to financial fraud. Common risky online behaviors among seniors include clicking suspicious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), oversharing personal information (55%), using weak passwords (51%), and poor password management practices such as writing them down or reusing them across accounts. Experts emphasize that online safety education and intergenerational conversations about cyber security are critical to protecting vulnerable older adults from increasingly sophisticated threats.
fox5ny.com · 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting seniors are rising and stealing billions of dollars, with scammers using impersonation, urgency tactics, and AI-generated voice cloning to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or transferring money through digital payment services. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable targets because they are often more trusting, less tech-savvy, and less likely to report fraud, while also possessing strong credit and substantial savings. The FBI recommends protecting yourself by refusing to share sensitive information with suspicious callers, verifying contact information through official company websites, and immediately ceasing communication if a scam is identified.
cnet.com · 2025-12-08
During Amazon's Prime Day sale, cybercriminals are launching coordinated phishing and impersonation scams at increased rates, with email impersonation reports up 50% compared to 2024, over 1,000 malicious websites mimicking Amazon detected, and more than 36,000 fake Amazon sites identified ahead of the event. Common scams involve fake emails claiming account problems or payment issues to steal login credentials and payment information, with 15% of American shoppers surveyed reporting prior Prime Day scam losses. AI-powered tools have made these scams more sophisticated and widespread, allowing criminals to quickly create convincing fake websites and grammatically correct phishing messages tailored to individual targets
ksat.com · 2025-12-08
This educational alert warns residents following natural disasters like the Hill Country floods to watch for common scams including fake charities, fraudulent contractors, and phony government aid calls. Key protective measures include donating only through verified charities, requesting signed contracts before paying contractors, and verifying government assistance directly through official ".gov" websites rather than responding to unsolicited calls or emails. The National Center for Disaster Fraud provides a hotline (866-720-5721) for reporting suspected fraud.
Phishing Scam Awareness Cryptocurrency Gift Cards Payment App
ohsers.org · 2025-12-08
Text message scams are surging, with scammers using "wrong number" texts and fake toll/parking fee alerts to build trust with victims and steal money or personal information. AI-assisted targeting tailors messages by area code and uses social media to identify vulnerable targets, with losses reaching $470 million in 2024—a five-fold increase since 2020. The best defense is not responding to texts from unknown numbers, as any response confirms the phone number is active and can lead to relationship-building tactics, investment solicitation, or account takeover attempts.
freep.com · 2025-12-08
A 56-year-old Michigan woman lost $400 after clicking on a fraudulent Geico phone number in Google search results and unknowingly calling scammers who impersonated the insurance company. The fraudsters obtained her driver's license, VIN, and Social Security number, then instructed her to make a payment via Xfinity using a fake Google Docs form. The victim discovered the scam when she contacted the real Geico and learned no legitimate policy had been created; her bank refunded the $400 pending investigation, though scammers also attempted to contact her adult sons for their personal information.
pcmag.com · 2025-12-08
Amazon warned customers of a surge in phishing scams ahead of Prime Day (July 8-11), where fraudsters send fake emails claiming Prime membership renewals or requesting purchase verification, attempting to steal login credentials and banking information through fake Amazon login pages. Scammers also use phone calls and spam emails offering fake early deals that redirect users to fraudulent sites, and Amazon emphasized it never requests payment via phone or email outside its official app, website, or stores. Customers can verify legitimate Amazon communications by checking for the Amazon smile logo in email headers and reporting suspected scams to the company.
bankingjournal.aba.com · 2025-12-08
Over one-third of Americans have experienced financial fraud since January 2024, with baby boomers and Generation X most vulnerable, and phishing scams alone costing consumers $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase from the prior year. Romance scams and relationship investment schemes are particularly prevalent, with fraudsters building trust through social media and dating platforms before exploiting victims. Banks are urged to implement multi-layered defenses including real-time transaction monitoring, staff training with clear communication, fraud playbooks, and directing victims to support resources like the BBB Scam Survival Toolkit and AARP's Fraud Support Group.
usatoday.com · 2025-12-08
Adults over 60 lost over $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with impersonation, romance, tech support, and emerging "grandparent scams" using AI voice cloning being the most common threats. The article provides six protective practices: avoid unknown calls/texts, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, recognize urgency and emotional manipulation tactics, and refrain from sending money to unknown contacts via any payment method.
Romance Scam Crypto Investment Scam Government Impersonation Law Enforcement Impersonation Bank Impersonation Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Bank Transfer Payment App
bitdefender.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers have used AI-generated deepfake videos of Jennifer Aniston to perpetrate romance fraud for over a decade, with a recent case involving a 43-year-old man from Southampton who sent £200 in Apple gift cards after being manipulated through fake videos and a forged California driver's license. The scam exploited emotional manipulation and false exclusivity claims, using only publicly available photos and free AI tools to create convincing deepfake content. This represents an evolving threat where romance scammers combine classic social engineering with deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities and exploit victims' emotional connections to famous figures.
local10.com · 2025-12-08
The U.S. State Department is investigating an impersonation scam in which someone falsely posed as Secretary of State Marco Rubio via Signal messaging to contact three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress. Cybersecurity experts warn that AI-generated voice cloning technology makes high-level impersonation increasingly sophisticated and accessible, with potential targets ranging from government officials to elderly individuals and law firms holding escrow funds. Experts recommend verifying communications through official channels and maintaining skepticism of both written and audio communications, as "seeing is no longer believing" in the age of AI-generated content.
pa.gov · 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed SB 649 into law, establishing third-degree felony charges for using artificial intelligence to create non-consensual deepfakes or voice clones to defraud or harm residents. The law specifically targets AI-generated scams affecting older adults, such as fake grandchild voice impersonations used to extort money, with Pennsylvania's Department of Aging reporting nearly 18,500 financial exploitation cases in FY 2023-24—nearly double the number since 2017. This legislation strengthens protections for Pennsylvania's fifth-largest older adult population by giving law enforcement new tools to prosecute AI-driven fraud schemes.
kjzz.org · 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency ATM scams are increasingly targeting older adults, with scammers using phone calls, social media, and text messages to direct victims to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs via fraudulent QR codes under the pretense of protecting funds or making investments. Scammers now operate as organized criminal networks rather than isolated actors, with reported losses ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per victim—including cases of a woman losing $700,000 and another losing $200,000. A particularly sophisticated variation called "pig butchering" begins as romance scams on social media before morphing into cryptocurrency investment schemes designed to extract all available funds from victims.
nzherald.co.nz · 2025-12-08
As AI advances, traditional scam detection methods like spotting poor spelling and grammar are no longer reliable, according to cybersecurity experts. An Avast survey of 1,001 New Zealand adults found that while 74% worry about older loved ones falling victim to scams and 84% have warned them about online threats, only 53% of seniors actually change their behavior—with common vulnerabilities including writing passwords on paper (44%) and ignoring advice about suspicious links. The most prevalent scams targeting older adults are tech support scams, phishing, and fake invoices, with phone calls remaining a primary entry point for fraud.
abc7news.com · 2025-12-08
PG&E has issued a warning about a widespread impersonation scam targeting Bay Area customers, with over 2,500 reports this year in which callers threaten immediate power shutoff for unpaid bills and spoof caller ID to appear legitimate. Approximately 250 victims have lost an average of $900 by providing debit card or Zelle payments to scammers, with the highest concentrations of reports in the East Bay (971 cases) and North Bay (662 cases). PG&E advises customers to hang up on such calls, take time to verify through official channels, and report suspected scams to their tip line at 833-500-SCAM.
mcafee.com · 2025-12-08
UK concert and festival ticket fraud resulted in losses exceeding £1.6 million in 2024, more than double the previous year, with approximately 3,700 reports to Action Fraud—nearly half originating from social media platforms. Oasis Live '25 reunion tour tickets became a prime target for fraudsters, accounting for roughly 70% of reported concert ticket fraud cases from August 2024 onward, with victims losing an average of £436 (up to £1,000 in some cases). Scammers exploit high demand, limited supply, and emotional urgency by creating fake ticketing websites, posting counterfeit tickets on social media, and selling duplicate digital tickets
Government Impersonation Tech Support Scam Phishing Robocall / Phone Scam Scam Awareness Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Bank Transfer
nbcchicago.com · 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 level—according to the Federal Trade Commission. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering commission-based tasks like rating videos or liking images; victims see fake earnings accumulate in an app before being asked to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw funds they never actually earned. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the workforce, people re-entering employment, and immigrants, with only about 5% of victims reporting their losses to authorities.
Phishing Identity Theft Robocall / Phone Scam Scam Awareness Cryptocurrency Check/Cashier's Check
selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov · 2025-12-08
U.S. House lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter to Google CEO commending the company's efforts to combat scams linked to Chinese Communist Party entities that drain billions from Americans annually, particularly "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams and tech support schemes that target vulnerable seniors. The letter requests information on Google's technologies to block malicious ads, browser-based scams, and AI-driven detection capabilities, noting that these transnational criminal operations caused an estimated $10 billion in crypto fraud losses in 2024 alone.
states.aarp.org · 2025-12-08
Scammers pose as utility companies during summer months, threatening to shut off electric service due to unpaid bills and demanding immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps to exploit consumers' need for air conditioning. Legitimate utility companies do not threaten immediate shutoffs without notice or request unusual payment methods; consumers should verify any such claims by contacting their utility directly using the phone number on their bill. Those who suspect utility scams can contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 for assistance.
nbcwashington.com · 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting work-seekers, particularly through text or WhatsApp messages promising easy online tasks like "product boosting," have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020. Scammers build trust before directing victims to deposit money (often cryptocurrency) to access fake earnings that appear in apps, resulting in complete financial loss. The scams disproportionately target job-seekers new to the market, homemakers re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, exploiting economic vulnerability through offers of remote work with no interviews and immediate start dates.
Phishing Identity Theft Robocall / Phone Scam Scam Awareness Cryptocurrency Check/Cashier's Check
floridarealtors.org · 2025-12-08
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hollywoodreporter.com · 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old woman in the rural South lost approximately $100,000 in bitcoin to scammers impersonating actor Kevin Costner over several months, luring her with romantic messages and promises of a production company job before standing her up at a hotel meeting. The scam is part of a larger billion-dollar celebrity impersonation scheme that exploits lonely victims through AI-generated deepfakes, fake messaging accounts, and social media, prompting Hollywood to pursue legislation like the "No Fakes Act" to protect artists' likenesses and voices from unauthorized use.
itweb.africa · 2025-12-08
This article examines how artificial intelligence is transforming romantic relationships and creating new vulnerabilities to scams. According to Norton Cyber Safety Insights, 48% of people use dating apps, with one in four daters targeted by romance scams powered by AI-generated deepfakes, bots, and fake avatars designed for emotional manipulation. The article warns that while AI offers convenience in relationships and family connections, it risks eroding genuine human bonds and making it increasingly difficult for vulnerable users to distinguish between authentic and fraudulent interactions.
nwestiowa.com · 2025-12-08
Romance scams involve criminals creating fake personas on dating sites and social media to build false relationships and extract money from victims through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. The Federal Trade Commission estimates approximately 64,000 Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with seniors—particularly widowed and divorced individuals—being frequent targets. Red flags include refusal to meet in person or video call, rapid escalation of romantic declarations, requests to move to private messaging platforms, and endless excuses for financial assistance, with some victims also being coerced into becoming "money mules" for money laundering schemes.
capeargus.co.za · 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals deliberately target adults 65 and older through socio-economic crimes like romance fraud, fake investments, and phishing, exploiting age-based stereotypes and vulnerabilities such as memory issues, social isolation, and limited digital confidence. A research study by Dr. Suleman Lazarus and colleagues emphasizes that recognizing "ageism in cybercrime"—where older adults are purposefully targeted because they are perceived as easier to deceive—is essential to building effective defenses. Better awareness, clearer guidance, and stronger support systems are needed to protect older adults online, as the issue stems not from lack of money but from lack of confidence navigating digital financial systems.
amityvillerecord.com · 2025-12-08
Consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with the percentage of victims who lost money jumping from 27% to 38% according to FTC data. While seniors are frequently targeted through "elder fraud," financial scams affect consumers of all ages across the internet and smartphone platforms. The FTC recommends verifying requests before sharing money or personal information, avoiding wire transfers and unsolicited payments, using credit cards for stronger fraud protection, and never trusting unverified caller IDs or sharing sensitive information in response to unexpected contact.
jec.senate.gov · 2025-12-08
Senator Maggie Hassan announced a major Joint Economic Committee initiative to combat financial scams, which cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2024—surpassing the drug trade. The effort includes an issue brief and public survey to document scam experiences, with particular focus on protecting seniors aged 60+, who lose an average of $80,000 per victim, four times the national average. Upcoming investigations will examine vulnerabilities in payment platforms, spam communications, and the emerging threat of AI-enabled fraud.
ksl.com · 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 total—according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers typically contact victims via text or WhatsApp, build trust, and eventually ask for cryptocurrency deposits to complete fake "tasks" like rating videos or liking products, after which victims lose their real money while the promised earnings never materialize. The scams primarily target vulnerable populations including new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, and the FTC advises ignoring unsolicited job messages and never paying money upfront to secure employment.
fdic.gov · 2025-12-08
Financial exploitation costs seniors an estimated $27 billion annually and can occur through theft by family members, caregivers, or scammers. Key prevention strategies include monitoring bank and credit accounts regularly, protecting personal financial information, carefully selecting powers of attorney, reviewing credit reports, taking time with major financial decisions, and remaining alert to common scams like grandparent fraud and fake check schemes. Additional protections include registering with the Do Not Call Registry, avoiding unsolicited deposit requests, and limiting personal information shared on social media.
post-gazette.com · 2025-12-08
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foxnews.com · 2025-12-08
Fake agent phone scams are sweeping across the United States, with scammers impersonating federal agencies like the FBI and US Marshals using caller ID spoofing to demand immediate payment via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, claiming victims have frozen Social Security numbers, jailed relatives, or missed jury duty summons. Victims across numerous states have lost thousands of dollars, with some scammers even appearing in person, and the threat is escalating as text-based "smishing" attacks surge and experts warn of potential AI voice cloning tactics. To protect yourself, hang up immediately on such calls, never pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and remember that legitimate government agencies never demand payment
nbcnews.com · 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 losses—according to the FTC. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering "product boosting" or task-based work that displays fake earnings until victims are pressured to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw non-existent profits. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the market, re-entering workers, and immigrants, and the FTC advises never paying upfront for work and ignoring unsolicited job offers via text.
oswegocountytoday.com · 2025-12-08
Senators Gillibrand and Warren demanded that the Trump administration explain how federal budget cuts to agencies like the CFPB, FBI, FTC, and Federal Reserve will impact elder fraud protection, following a GAO report recommending enhanced inter-agency coordination against scams. American consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with older adults alone losing a record $4.8 billion, yet the administration fired approximately 1,500 CFPB employees (90% of staff) and reduced personnel at other protective agencies.
ca.news.yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
Richmond RCMP warns the public about a growing threat of investment scams that have cost residents millions of dollars, highlighting three common tactics: promises of high returns with little risk, offers of exclusive "insider information," and high-pressure time-limited offers. Scammers use various channels including social media, dating apps, and phone calls to build trust before presenting fraudulent schemes, and a recent variation involves imposters posing as bank employees to steal debit cards. Victims are urged to report suspected fraud to police immediately and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 to help track scam patterns.
pulsetasmania.com.au · 2025-12-08
Victims of romance and investment scams deposited over $2.5 million into cryptocurrency ATMs across Tasmania, with individual losses averaging $165,000 and one victim losing more than $750,000. The majority of victims were around 65 years old and were targeted through fake relationships or schemes promising 30-40% returns, with scammers using phone calls, social media, and encrypted messaging to manipulate, threaten, and intimidate victims into making deposits. Police warn that crypto ATM deposits are nearly impossible to recover once sent, and the Australian government is implementing deposit limits of $5,000 per transaction to help prevent such scams.
dnronline.com · 2025-12-08
Modern scams exploit trust and fear through phishing, vishing, quishing, and tech support schemes, increasingly using AI to create realistic fraudulent communications that pressure victims into quick decisions. Phishing scams trick users into revealing passwords and financial data through fake emails and websites, while tech support scams use scare tactics and remote access requests to steal information and install malware. Protection requires skepticism toward unsolicited contact, verification of sender identities through official channels, multi-factor authentication, and awareness that legitimate companies never request sensitive information via email or unsolicited calls.
oregonlive.com · 2025-12-08
A "smishing" scam impersonating Oregon's DMV has targeted residents with text messages claiming outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension unless immediate payment is made. For those who clicked malicious links, authorities recommend immediately checking financial accounts for fraudulent charges, scanning devices for malware, freezing credit with reporting agencies, and reporting the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to local law enforcement. The Oregon DMV clarifies it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications.
yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 amount. Scammers use personalized texts or WhatsApp messages to build trust with job-seekers before directing them to fake platforms where they display fake earnings and demand deposits in cryptocurrency to withdraw non-existent pay. Vulnerable targets include new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, and the FTC advises ignoring unsolicited job offers, never paying to get paid, and being skeptical of positions that promise payment for rating or liking content online.