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timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
An 83-year-old retired mental health consultant in Pune lost Rs 28.5 lakh in February 2024 to a digital arrest scam in which fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials convinced him he was under investigation for a foreign parcel containing drugs and contraband. The victim was kept on camera for two days under the guise of a "verification process" and transferred money to four bank accounts in Gurugram and Delhi before his family discovered the fraud months later and filed a police complaint. An FIR was registered, and cybercrime police traced the fraudulent accounts used in the scheme.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-07
Massachusetts psychologist Eric Brown, 76, allegedly defrauded a patient out of $600,000 by draining a trust fund established from a drunk driving accident settlement after falling victim to an online romance investment scam himself. Brown, who served as trustee for the patient's trust, was convinced by a con artist posing as a romantic interest to invest the funds overseas, and separately defrauded a family member of $310,000 through false claims about office building improvements. Brown has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of engaging in an unlawful money transaction, and faces potentially decades in prison.
mypolice.qld.gov.au
· 2025-12-07
A 68-year-old man was extradited from New Zealand to Queensland to face fraud charges after allegedly stealing over $1.145 million from an 83-year-old elderly woman he knew between 2014 and 2018, including unauthorized purchases and withdrawals totaling over $150,000 using her debit card. The investigation began in January 2021 following a complaint from the Public Trustee, and the man appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on charges of fraud with dishonesty causing detriment of at least $100,000.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Nigerian man, Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, was extradited from Poland to face federal charges for orchestrating an elaborate inheritance scam that defrauded over 400 elderly victims in South Florida of more than $6 million between May 2017 and December 2023. The scheme involved posing as attorneys and bank representatives who sent fake letters claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances, then demanded advance fees for delivery, taxes, and government certificates before the victims could receive the non-existent funds. Seven co-conspirators were also charged or convicted in the scheme, with two having already received sentences exceeding eight years in prison.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-07
Shane Strebly, a courier, was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a grandparent scam that defrauded eight seniors aged 73-89 of over $30,000 between January and December 2024. Strebly picked up cash and e-transfers from victims who had been called by scammers impersonating their relatives claiming emergencies, and the judge characterized the crime as "essentially elder abuse," noting most victims will never recover their losses and experienced lasting psychological harm including isolation and loss of independence.
nclc.org
· 2025-12-07
Consumers lose $158 billion annually to fraud affecting approximately 57,000 new victims daily, according to a National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention report. The report recommends that financial institutions, telecom companies, social media platforms, and tech companies implement stronger protections and accountability measures, while advocating for Congress to close consumer protection gaps, strengthen the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, and hold VoIP providers accountable for facilitating scam calls and texts on their networks.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-07
Shane Strebly, a courier in a grandparent scam operation, was sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding eight older adults (ages 73-89) out of more than $30,000. The scam involved fraudsters impersonating relatives in distress and asking for money for emergencies like car accidents or jail bail, with Strebly collecting the cash from victims living in seniors residences and assisted-living facilities. The judge described the crime as "despicable" and "essentially elder abuse," noting that most victims did not recover their losses and suffered lasting psychological harm including isolation, embarrassment, and loss of independence.
gbhackers.com
· 2025-12-07
In August 2025, Australian authorities issued scam alerts after fraudsters created fake Facebook groups promoting "active senior trips" to lure seniors into downloading the "Datzbro" Android Trojan malware, which operates as a device-takeover tool capable of stealing banking credentials, intercepting PINs, and enabling remote device control through fake credential-entry screens and overlay attacks. The scam, which operated across multiple countries including Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, targeted vulnerable seniors by using AI-generated posts about social events and requesting nominal sign-up fees that led to payment-card theft via phishing. ThreatFabric researchers discovered the
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A scammer's attempt to fraudulently obtain a reverse mortgage on an elderly Ohio homeowner's property was prevented by EquityProtect's SmartPolicy fraud prevention technology, which flagged the unauthorized loan request and alerted the homeowner's daughter who held Power of Attorney. The incident illustrates growing financial crime targeting seniors, with the FBI reporting $4.88 billion in losses from 147,127 elder fraud complaints in 2024, a 46% increase in complaints year-over-year.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-07
A scammer attempted to defraud an elderly Ohio homeowner by convincing him to take out a reverse mortgage to steal his home equity, but the scheme was foiled when EquityProtect's Property Title Lock service detected the unauthorized loan application and notified the homeowner's daughter, who held Power of Attorney over the property. The incident highlights growing financial crimes against seniors, with the FBI reporting $4.88 billion in losses from 147,127 elder fraud complaints in 2024, a 46% increase from the previous year.
cornyn.senate.gov
· 2025-12-07
Senators Cornyn and Shaheen introduced the SCAM Act to counter transnational criminal organizations operating cyber scam compounds, primarily based in Southeast Asia and affiliated with China, that traffic victims and force them into committing fraud against Americans. The organizations defrauded Americans of approximately $14 billion in 2024, and the legislation proposes a comprehensive strategy including sanctions authority, an inter-agency task force, and international law enforcement cooperation to hold these criminal operations accountable.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Rajadi Rajasinghe, a 22-year-old Sri Lankan student, was sentenced to three months and two weeks in jail after selling her bank account to an unknown person for $1,100, which was subsequently used to receive over $30,000 from bulk order scam victims. The primary victim was a restaurant owner who was tricked into paying $24,000 for non-existent meals after a scammer posing as military personnel placed a large order and then requested the owner purchase additional items on his behalf. This case marks the first prosecution in a recent surge of bulk order scams in Singapore, where police have received at least 45 reports since May.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-07
Shane Strebly, a courier, was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a grandparent scam that defrauded eight seniors aged 73-89 out of more than $30,000. Strebly picked up money from victims who had been manipulated by phone scammers impersonating relatives claiming emergencies like car accidents, jail, and hospital bills, with the judge calling the crime "despicable" elder abuse that left victims feeling frightened, embarrassed, and unlikely to recover their losses.
stuttgartdailyleader.com
· 2025-12-07
Fraudsters in Arkansas and nationwide are increasingly targeting seniors by offering free medical equipment in exchange for their Medicare numbers, then billing Medicare for devices the seniors never ordered or needed. This scheme not only costs Medicare millions but can deny seniors legitimate coverage when they actually need medical care. Seniors should verify any medical orders with their doctors, return unsolicited items, contact Medicare to dispute fraudulent claims, and report suspected fraud to the Arkansas Attorney General or by calling 1-800-Medicare.
krocnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Operation Twin Shield, a 10-day multi-agency investigation in Minneapolis-St. Paul, uncovered 275 suspected cases of immigration fraud including marriage fraud, visa overstays, forged documents, and H1B/F1 visa abuse, with nearly 50% of cases involving public safety or national security concerns. The investigation resulted in Notices to Appear or ICE referrals in 42 cases, four apprehensions, and identified one case involving elder abuse and exploitation by an illegal alien who engaged in marriage fraud against an elderly U.S. citizen.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-07
Adam Jones, a Florida man, was indicted for theft and fraudulent schemes after allegedly submitting false applications between 2022 and 2024 to unlawfully obtain Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) funds for fictitious children. The Arizona Attorney General's office prosecuted the case, though no specific dollar amount was disclosed in the announcement.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Nigerian national Tochuwku Albert Nnebocha, 43, was extradited from Poland and charged in federal court in Miami for operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded American seniors over five years. The scheme involved sending letters falsely claiming recipients were entitled to multi-million-dollar inheritances from Spain, then requesting upfront fees for delivery and taxes; victims' money was routed through U.S.-based money mules and never resulted in any inheritance payments. Nnebocha faces up to 20 years in prison, and two co-conspirators previously extradited from Portugal and the United Kingdom were each sentenced to 97 months in prison.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
In 2023, scammers stole approximately $158.3 billion from Americans ($434 million daily), making fraud prevention a critical concern for older adults. AARP's Fraud Watch Network combats this epidemic through community education, a free helpline (877-908-3360), podcasts, and legislative advocacy including the cofounding of the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center and passage of state laws targeting cryptocurrency ATM and gift-card scams. The organization emphasizes that victimization is not the victim's fault and encourages public participation in fraud prevention awareness campaigns.
freep.com
· 2025-12-07
Criminals are impersonating banks via fake texts and calls to convince customers their debit cards have been compromised, then intercepting replacement cards sent by mail or hiring accomplices to steal them from porches. In a metro Detroit case, David Andrew Williams was arrested in September 2024 after attempting to steal a Chase Bank customer's replacement debit card from a UPS delivery, and was charged with identity theft and theft of financial transaction devices. Debit card fraud ranked as the top payment method for both attempted fraud and actual dollar losses in 2024, with criminals using various tactics including card skimming and exploiting information obtained through spoofed communications to drain bank accounts.
wkrg.com
· 2025-12-07
During government shutdowns, scammers exploit public confusion by impersonating government agencies and financial institutions to steal money and personal information, particularly targeting vulnerable populations like seniors who rely on government services. Regions Bank advises the public that essential payments like Social Security and Medicare continue uninterrupted during shutdowns, and recommends verifying contact by independently calling known phone numbers rather than responding to unsolicited communications. The bank emphasizes using their "Stop, Call, and Confirm" protocol: stop and review messages for red flags, call the requestor using a verified number, and confirm legitimacy before providing any information.
studyfinds.org
· 2025-12-07
Americans face approximately 100 scam attempts monthly—significantly more than any other surveyed country—encountering roughly 25 separate fraudulent messages weekly through calls, emails, and texts. Only 23% of people feel confident in spotting fraud, with financial scams cited as the top concern by 46% of respondents, while emerging threats like AI-driven phishing, deepfakes, and fake apps pose increasing risks. Experts attribute heightened vulnerability to weak password practices and urge adoption of stronger authentication methods like passkeys to combat the growing "trust nothing era."
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-07
Sextortion scams, primarily perpetrated by Nigerian "Yahoo Boys," have targeted young boys online by impersonating peers on social media, coercing them into sending nude images, then blackmailing them for money—with at least 5 confirmed suicides in Canada and over 40 across North America in the past four years. Scammers openly share exploitation techniques and resources on encrypted platforms and flaunt their ill-gotten wealth, while victims like 12-year-old Carson Cleland, who was blackmailed for just $25, face devastating psychological consequences that sometimes result in suicide.
ktnv.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI is warning about a sophisticated "Phantom Hacker" scam that has stolen over $1 billion nationwide since last year, targeting older Americans. The three-phase scam uses fake pop-ups or calls impersonating banks and government agencies to trick victims into voluntarily transferring their money to fraudulent accounts, with many victims losing their entire savings. Protection requires refusing unsolicited links, hanging up on unexpected calls, and remembering that legitimate institutions never ask you to move money "to protect it."
thegoan.net
· 2025-12-07
Goa's elderly population faced 40 criminal incidents in 2023, including theft, fraud, and murder, with cyber scams and "digital arrest" rackets becoming increasingly prevalent through 2024. The judicial system struggles to keep pace, with only 26 of 56 cases disposed of in 2023, a 51.8% pendency rate, and courts recording just one conviction against 14 acquittals across 227 pending cases. The combination of high crime targeting seniors aged 60+ and slow case resolution leaves Goa's growing elderly population vulnerable to continued victimization.
richmondsunsetnews.com
· 2025-12-07
This is an educational awareness piece in which California Assemblymember Catherine Stefani announces two free "Senior Scam Stopper" workshops designed to help seniors and their families recognize and prevent fraud. The events, held in partnership with the California Department of Consumer Affairs and featuring experts from state agencies and law enforcement, will cover common scams including fraudulent contractors, identity theft, Medicare fraud, lottery schemes, and mail fraud.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-07
Indian youth are being trafficked to Southeast Asia and forced to conduct cryptocurrency scams—including fake investment schemes, romance scams, and phishing attacks—while stripped of passports and subjected to brutal conditions. The criminals launder illicit proceeds through cryptocurrencies like USDT and ETH via platforms such as Binance, exploiting the speed and relative anonymity of digital assets for international transfers. This ongoing crisis, active since early 2023, has prompted increased regulatory scrutiny globally and eroded trust in the crypto ecosystem, potentially deterring institutional investors and spurring stricter AML and KYC requirements.
unionprogress.com
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania residents are on track to lose more money to fraud in the current year than in the previous year, with Pennsylvanians having lost approximately $400 million to scams last year and ranking eighth nationally in total fraud losses. Artificial intelligence is enabling increasingly sophisticated scams—including the "grandparent scam" where criminals use AI voice technology to impersonate family members—making traditional detection methods like spotting typos ineffective, and most scams originate from organized networks outside the U.S., making investigation and prosecution difficult. The National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, launched this year with analysts based in Pittsburgh, is working to address this growing epidemic through coordination between private and public sector partners.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-07
Event planner Juan Martin Gaspar of "VIP Eventss" in San Jose, California faces felony grand theft charges after scamming at least seven families out of tens of thousands of dollars between 2023 and 2024 for quinceañera planning services. Families paid upfront fees ranging up to $4,500 for vendors and venue reservations, but Gaspar failed to make the bookings or pay vendors, leaving families with ruined events and unreturned money. The District Attorney's office suspects additional victims beyond the seven reported cases and has ordered Gaspar to cease operations while his criminal case proceeds.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are selling fake "energy-saving plugs" or "eco plugs" online and through cold calls, claiming they can reduce household energy bills by 30% or more, particularly targeting consumers worried about rising winter heating costs. Victims either receive nothing after payment, lose their card details to fraudsters, or receive unsafe electrical devices with poor construction that may overheat or cause fires. Experts advise consumers to be skeptical of miraculous energy-saving claims on social media, report suspicious listings to platforms and trading standards, and instead invest in proven efficiency measures like insulation or smart thermostats.
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
A 37-year-old IT professional from Gurugram lost ₹73.42 lakh in a romance scam in which fraudsters posed as a romantic partner on a dating app and convinced him to invest in a fake online trading platform that initially showed returns before becoming inaccessible. The scam was part of a larger network operating across Indian cities, with investigators tracing transactions to crypto wallets and shell accounts in Southeast Asia, revealing a growing trend of sophisticated emotional manipulation and financial exploitation targeting financially stable individuals online. Experts advise verifying investment platforms through official channels, avoiding sharing personal financial details with online contacts, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities as dating app frauds represent one of India's fastest-
gazettenet.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly Massachusetts residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 victims (98% over age 60) losing $18.6 million collectively. The scams typically impersonated family members, government officials, or tech support to convince victims to withdraw cash or gold bars for couriers to collect, with similar schemes causing approximately $186.2 million in losses nationwide during the same period. The FBI recommends victims report fraud immediately to ic3.gov or the DOJ Elder Justice hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 and advises
nextgov.com
· 2025-12-07
A coalition of over 80 public, private, and nonprofit organizations released a strategy calling for the U.S. government to treat scams as a national security crisis, noting that transnational criminal organizations use fraud proceeds to fund human trafficking and other crimes. With Americans losing an estimated $158 billion annually to fraud and no single federal agency coordinating anti-scam efforts, the task force recommends modernizing law enforcement databases, strengthening identity verification systems, and establishing cross-sector collaboration to make scams less profitable. The report highlights cases like a Mexican cartel-run timeshare fraud scheme that defrauded 6,000 U.S. victims of nearly $300 million between 2019
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-07
Chase Bank warns customers of escalating scams where fraudsters impersonate bank staff and law enforcement to pressure victims into withdrawing cash or transferring funds to fake "safe accounts" or couriers, with caller ID spoofing making these schemes increasingly convincing. Nearly half of Chase-reported scams originate on social media platforms through fake listings, phony job/rental offers, and romance schemes, with scammers exploiting irreversible payment methods like Zelle and wire transfers. Chase advises customers to verify callers independently, avoid sharing banking credentials, use secure payment channels, and report suspicious activity to the FTC and the bank immediately.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-07
Jack Watkin, a 26-year-old Instagram influencer from Cheshire, was jailed for six years after defrauding victims of over £200,000 through a fake designer handbag investment scheme. Watkin claimed to have exclusive access to luxury Hermès handbags and convinced victims they could profit from resale, but delivered no bags or returns while using their money to fund a lavish lifestyle including hotel stays and luxury goods. The scheme unraveled when one victim contacted police in 2022, leading to the discovery of multiple victims; Watkin was also convicted of possessing and creating indecent images of children.
connectradio.fm
· 2025-12-07
An 81-year-old Young Township resident lost nearly $35,000 in a wire fraud scam involving multiple unauthorized bank transactions between September 3-22. Police are continuing their investigation into the incident.
lilifepolitics.com
· 2025-12-07
A 74-year-old East Rockaway woman lost $117,000 in a tech support scam between October 1-3, 2024, after receiving a fraudulent computer warning message and being instructed to withdraw funds to "safeguard" her money. Brooklyn resident Jinqin Jiang, 46, was arrested and charged with Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Resisting Arrest; he was subsequently turned over to ICE for removal proceedings.
newsday.com
· 2025-12-07
A 74-year-old East Rockaway woman lost $117,000 in a computer fraud scam after receiving a deceptive message claiming her computer was compromised and being instructed to withdraw cash to "safeguard" her funds. Jinqin Jiang, 46, of Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with third-degree attempted grand larceny and resisting arrest; he was subsequently turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement after being identified as a Chinese national who entered the country illegally. Police are continuing to investigate and seek additional co-conspirators involved in the scam.
nbcmontana.com
· 2025-12-07
Shawn Cutting, an Idaho man, was charged with operating a Ponzi scheme through a company called "CryptoTraders Management" that defrauded dozens of elderly investors of over $1 million in cryptocurrency investment funds. Cutting faces multiple charges including securities fraud, operating without a license, elder exploitation, and conspiracy, with two unidentified co-conspirators also involved in the scheme. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and protecting Montana's elderly population from financial exploitation.
longisland.news12.com
· 2025-12-07
A 74-year-old East Rockaway woman lost $117,000 in a tech support scam after receiving a computer warning message directing her to call a number, where scammers convinced her to withdraw cash from her bank for "safeguarding." Brooklyn resident Jinqin Jiang, 46, was arrested and charged with attempted grand larceny and resisting arrest in connection with the scheme, though he was subsequently transferred to ICE custody for being in the country illegally.
cutoday.info
· 2025-12-07
Criminals stole a record $1.03 trillion worldwide in 2024, prompting fintech company Velera to launch a new Risk Mitigation Ecosystem designed to help credit unions combat increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics including card-not-present scams, synthetic ID fraud, account takeovers, and authorized push payment (APP) scams. The cloud-based solution uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze multi-channel consumer data and detect fraudulent patterns in real time, addressing both traditional fraud and emerging threats like consumer-engaged fraud that exploit social engineering.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-07
The CBI arrested eight individuals and identified 45 suspects during Operation HAECHI-VI, an Interpol-led international operation targeting transnational cyber-enabled financial crimes including voice phishing, romance scams, sextortion, and investment fraud. The operation, conducted in coordination with the FBI and German authorities, dismantled illegal call centers in Delhi, Amritsar, and Siliguri that targeted U.S. and German nationals, resulting in the seizure of $66,340 in cash and the blocking of 30 bank accounts.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
Bitdefender's October 2025 "They Wear Our Faces" campaign highlights a surge in AI-driven fraud targeting Americans, who reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024. The campaign exposes how scammers use deepfake technology, voice cloning, and personalized impersonation across email, SMS, and social media, with the U.S. receiving 37% of global spam between March-September 2025. Top threats include phishing impersonating Microsoft, Amazon, and Costco, along with increasingly sophisticated SMS scams and AI-powered deepfake videos promoting fake cryptocurrency investments.
enlacelatinonc.org
· 2025-12-07
A Privacy Journal study ranks North Carolina 35th out of 50 states for online dating safety, citing high rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, violent crime, STDs, and registered sex offenders. Romance scammers typically use fake identities on dating platforms, requesting money for emergencies or travel while avoiding in-person meetings, and the North Carolina Department of Justice warns vulnerable individuals to never send money to online contacts they haven't met and to report suspected scams to 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
insidernj.com
· 2025-12-07
Patricia Linda-Ahono, nursing director at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in New Jersey, was indicted in July 2025 on charges including aggravated assault, neglect of an elderly or disabled adult, and falsifying records for physically assaulting a resident with a broom on June 24, 2023. The assault was captured on video, and Ahono allegedly attempted to cover up the incident by filing a false incident report claiming the resident had a weapon and by instructing staff not to contact authorities or notify state agencies as required.
thecabin.net
· 2025-12-07
Arvest Bank and the Federal Trade Commission highlight that older adults aged 60+ lost nearly $2.4 million to scammers in 2024, making them the most vulnerable demographic to financial fraud. The article outlines three common scams targeting seniors: imposter scams (where fraudsters pose as banks or government agencies), romance scams (creating fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money), and prize scams (promising winnings that require payment or personal information to claim). Protection strategies include never clicking unsolicited links, never sending money to unknown contacts, verifying company legitimacy through official channels, and immediately reporting suspected fraud to financial institutions and law enforcement.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-07
A Louisville nonprofit called ElderServe held a community workshop to educate seniors on recognizing and preventing scams, as the organization responds to a rise in local fraud targeting older adults, including cases involving home theft, grandparent scams, and credit card fraud. The workshop taught seniors practical defense strategies such as avoiding unknown callers, never saying "yes" on recorded lines, and being cautious of in-person approaches, with participants reporting increased awareness and intention to change their behaviors. ElderServe plans to continue its educational series, emphasizing that awareness is the primary defense against scammers who specifically target seniors.
halifaxexaminer.ca
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, Canadians lost $310.5 million to investment fraud, with Nova Scotia seniors accounting for approximately $1.56 million of reported cases in the province. Financial elder abuse—the unauthorized or coercive use of an older person's money—is most commonly perpetrated by family members, caregivers, and financial advisors, with social isolation, cognitive decline, and financial dependence identified as key vulnerability factors. Warning signs include unpaid bills, behavioral changes, requests to sign blank documents, and avoidance of account statements, and experts recommend careful communication with suspected victims and immediate reporting of suspicious activity.
travelandleisure.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
Scammers are stealing baggage tags from checked luggage at airports to file fraudulent "lost luggage" claims with airlines using passengers' personal information including names and itinerary confirmation numbers. An airline baggage employee warned on Reddit that this scheme is creating delays for legitimate claims, and recommended travelers discard or shred their tags rather than leaving them at baggage claim areas. While this specific targeting method recently went viral, luggage fraud is not new—in 2021, two people were charged with filing over 180 false baggage claims, and a London man pleaded guilty to £75,000 in fraudulent travel insurance claims in 2024.
wsaw.com
· 2025-12-07
A "brushing scam" involves scammers sending unsolicited inexpensive items to your address, then requesting that you call a number, scan a QR code, or leave a review—steps designed to collect your personal information. Scammers use this information to make fraudulent purchases and post fake positive reviews on online marketplaces, potentially exposing victims to identity theft and financial fraud. Experts recommend not responding to requests, not scanning QR codes, reporting the package to the retailer and FTC, and monitoring financial accounts for suspicious activity.
taxlawcenter.org
· 2025-12-07
The IRS has assessed over $160 million in penalties related to fraudulent tax scams promoted on social media, with the problem expected to worsen due to new tax law complexities that create opportunities for scammers. Misleading claims by government officials about the new law's provisions—particularly regarding tax elimination on tips, overtime, Social Security benefits, and auto loan interest—are fueling confusion and making vulnerable populations including older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income workers susceptible to illegitimate tax-saving schemes. The IRS's reduced capacity to combat scams through guidance, education, and prosecution enforcement compounds the risk.