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ktiv.com
A Northeast Nebraska woman was scammed out of $100 on Facebook Marketplace while attempting to purchase a Ford Mustang replacement part; she became suspicious when the seller refused PayPal and requested additional funds before revealing the listing was fraudulent. Online shopping scams rank as the second most common fraud type in Nebraska for 2024, and authorities recommend researching sellers, comparing prices, paying by credit card for dispute protection, and never sending cash or money transfers.
am1100theflag.com
Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to address a widespread text message scam targeting Minnesotans, in which fake DMV messages claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threaten arrest to coerce online payments. The scam has been reported across multiple states including Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, and Smith has requested intervention from the Department of Justice to combat the scheme's scale and sophistication.
albertleatribune.com
Thousands of Minnesotans received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, threatening legal consequences and demanding payment for fictitious traffic violations. This scam, which has also affected residents in Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, puts victims at financial risk and creates anxiety about message authenticity. Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to take action against the widespread scheme.
kitchener.citynews.ca
A woman in Guelph fell victim to a driveway paving scam where work was left incomplete, with police also encountering a group of five men going door-to-door soliciting driveway work despite having no training or experience. The men, who claimed to be hired daily at a Toronto coffee shop for cash jobs, admitted they abandoned the incomplete work because they did not expect to be paid. Police warn homeowners to obtain multiple quotes from licensed contractors, verify credentials through online reviews and the Better Business Bureau, carefully review contracts before signing, and avoid high-pressure tactics from unsolicited door-to-door solicitors.
wbrc.com
In observance of World Elder Abuse Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation Field Office in Atlanta highlighted that millions of seniors are victimized annually by financial scammers who exploit their trust, with the FBI reporting that seniors lost $8.4 billion to scams in 2024. The IRS provided information on common schemes targeting older adults, including romance scams, lottery scams, government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and tech support scams, and encouraged oversight of seniors' finances by multiple trusted individuals. Resources for fraud prevention and reporting include the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311), the FBI's Internet Crime Center, the Pass It On
thestar.co.za
Nigerian national Gabriel Okori was arrested in Cape Town in October and charged with defrauding a woman of R3 million through a romance scam, where he posed as a white man named "Mark Hermanus" on Facebook and WhatsApp, repeatedly requesting money under the pretense of paying for his sick son's medical bills. Okori was released on R5,000 bail and his case was postponed to January 16, 2025. The arrest is part of a broader pattern of romance scams targeting South African women, often leaving victims financially devastated and emotionally traumatized.
conduitstreet.mdcounties.org
Government imposter scams resulted in over $400 million in losses last year, with reported victims jumping 50 percent from 2022 to 2024, according to FBI and FTC data. Scammers pose as DMVs, tax offices, and court systems via email, phone, and text, demanding payments for fake tolls, jury duty, or taxes, increasingly using generative AI and spoofed ".gov" addresses to appear legitimate. To combat these scams, state and local agencies are urged to implement public awareness campaigns, stronger email authentication, and secure digital portals to protect residents and maintain trust in government services.
ksl.com
Scam text messages are increasingly prevalent, with the FTC reporting $470 billion stolen via text scams in the past year, up significantly from $372 million in 2023. Common scams include fake fraud alerts (like Apple Pay warnings), bogus toll notices, and phony job offers, which scammers distribute at scale using AI-powered automation and personal information harvested from the dark web. To protect yourself, avoid replying to or clicking links in unexpected texts, verify requests directly with companies using known contact information, and report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
statesmanjournal.com
The Oregon DMV warned residents of a phishing scam involving unsolicited text and email messages falsely claiming outstanding traffic violations and threatening vehicle registration suspension or credit damage unless payment is made via a provided link. The DMV emphasized it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications and advises recipients to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
kgun9.com
Arizona residents are receiving fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from ADOT, threatening suspended licenses and vehicle registration cancellations unless unpaid traffic tickets are paid immediately. This "smishing" scam uses fear-based tactics to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links; ADOT clarifies it does not collect tickets or send payment demands via text, and advises recipients to delete messages and avoid clicking links or replying.
madriverunion.com
**Title:** Online Fraud Protection for Seniors
Seniors face increasing risk from online fraud due to their trust and limited tech experience, with common scams including phishing, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. The article recommends protective measures such as verifying sender identity, confirming requests through known contacts, never granting device access to unsolicited callers, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected scams to banks, the FTC, or local authorities. The McKinleyville Senior Center offers free computer assistance and is hosting a fraud prevention seminar with Coast Central Credit Union on June 27.
states.aarp.org
AARP Illinois is offering a free two-part virtual educational series called "Fraud Watch 101" scheduled for June 23rd and 27th to help older adults recognize and avoid scams. The program covers common fraud tactics, emerging threats like cryptocurrency scams, red flags in suspicious communications, and psychological manipulation techniques used by fraudsters. This is an awareness and educational initiative designed to equip seniors and their families with knowledge to protect themselves from fraud.
ksltv.com
This educational piece highlights common scams targeting older adults, including phishing texts (such as fake toll fee notices), grandparent scams, and email fraud. Key protective measures include not clicking links from unknown senders, avoiding payment via gift cards or digital transfer apps, verifying suspicious requests with trusted contacts, and reporting scams to banks, local authorities, and the FTC. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation and the scammers' use of urgent language and emotional manipulation to bypass critical thinking.
wibqam.com
Indiana's Secretary of State Diego Morales is warning elderly residents about financial scams and exploitation, particularly around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. The Indiana Securities Division recommends protective measures including naming trusted contacts on accounts, shredding personal documents, and recognizing red flags like threats of arrest or demands for payment via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Residents seeking fraud prevention education can contact the Secretary of State's Office at 317-232-6681.
clickondetroit.com
A 78-year-old Troy woman lost $8,400 in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonated her son and claimed he was in jail, then sent someone to her house to collect cash as a fake bail bond. The victim realized the scam when she was later asked for an additional $9,200, at which point she contacted police. This incident is part of a broader wave of scams targeting Metro Detroit residents.
pymnts.com
The Alliance released educational resources, including an infographic and financial institution checklist, to combat elder financial exploitation ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. These tools aim to help banks and credit unions identify and prevent fraud targeting people aged 55 and older, particularly relevant as 101,068 seniors reported $3.4 billion in losses to elder fraud in 2023, with average individual losses of $33,915.
financialpost.com
Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in Canada, with experts warning of rising vulnerability as the country's aging population holds over $1.1 trillion in assets. While digital scams targeting seniors are increasing, the greater threat comes from trusted individuals—family members, friends, and those with power of attorney—who exploit their positions, with approximately 81 percent of reported cases perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Seniors with cognitive decline, women, and those from marginalized communities face heightened risk, and many victims remain silent to avoid disrupting family relationships.
news.yahoo.com
The NYPD warned New Yorkers about a lottery scam in which scammers convince strangers to cash winning lottery tickets in exchange for a share of the winnings. A 79-year-old woman lost approximately $27,500 in jewelry and cash after falling for the scheme, which escalated to threats and a home invasion. Authorities advise never cashing lottery tickets for unknown individuals and warn against paying fees to claim prizes or cashing checks from the lottery with processing fees listed.
cityam.com
In 2024, over £1 billion was stolen through fraud in the UK, with 3.3 million confirmed fraud cases representing a 12 percent increase from 2023, though banks prevented £1.5 billion in unauthorized fraud. Investment fraud caused the largest losses at £144 million (up 34 percent), while purchase scams were the most common type, with 70 percent of authorized push payment fraud beginning on online platforms. To avoid scams, consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited contact, pressure to decide quickly, requests for payment upfront, and promises that seem too good to be true; victims should report incidents to police, Action Fraud, and their
digit.fyi
Nearly half of mobile users (44%) encounter scams daily, with the highest rates in the US (51%) and UK (49%), yet 66% struggle to distinguish scams from legitimate communications. Over half of victims experience financial loss (52%), while Gen Z faces particularly high rates of extortion and sextortion scams (28% victimization rate), and 75% of all victims report serious emotional consequences including anxiety and depression. Despite widespread impact, only 17% of victims report scams to authorities, and the rise of AI-powered scams makes detection increasingly difficult.
newsmeter.in
A 38-year-old businessman in Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad, lost nearly Rs 2 crore in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being lured through WhatsApp by a person claiming to be Satish Dubey who promised high returns. The scammer used fake profit screenshots and escalating investment requests (starting with Rs 9 lakh, then Rs 13.5 lakh, then Rs 1.35 crore for "VIP-1 status"), and later claimed the exchange platform was hacked; when the victim traveled to Delhi to meet the scammer in person, he was directed to another fraudster who convinced him to invest an additional Rs
e.vnexpress.net
Thai police arrested 27 suspects operating a sophisticated romance scam call center targeting Vietnamese nationals on the messaging app Zalo, with scammers posing as wealthy entrepreneurs to build trust before requesting money transfers. Operating from upscale properties across 27 workstations since March 2024, the organized gang generated approximately $46,000 per month per station, stealing an estimated $1.38 million total before authorities seized their equipment and arrested them in November 2024.
quickcountry.com
An Evanston, Illinois woman lost $62,000 over six months to a Kevin Costner impersonator on Telegram who claimed to be offering cryptocurrency investment returns through gift card payments. The scammer, part of an ongoing cryptocurrency fraud ring active since at least 2018, never returned any funds, and police indicated arrest is unlikely due to the crime's nature. The FTC advises potential victims to verify celebrity identities through Google searches, consult trusted contacts before sending money, and avoid gift cards, which offer minimal buyer protections and are largely irreversible.
mashable.com
In 2025, text-based scams have become the most prevalent threat, with the E-ZPass scam leading the way—fraudsters send texts falsely claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license suspension to create urgency and trick recipients into clicking malicious links. Other major scams include DMV impersonation texts using similar tactics, fake job offer texts posing as employers or Indeed itself, and fraudulent Joann Fabric advertisements on Facebook and Pinterest directing users to counterfeit websites. The FTC recommends never clicking links or engaging with suspicious messages, contacting relevant agencies directly to verify claims, and reporting scams rather than responding to them.
therecord.media
Seven law enforcement agencies across Asia, led by Singapore Police Force, conducted a month-long multinational operation in April and May that shut down dozens of scam centers, arrested over 1,800 people, and froze approximately 32,000 bank accounts linked to at least 9,200 scam cases (including investment fraud, dating app schemes, and government impersonation) that collectively stole approximately $225 million from victims. Singapore alone arrested 106 people responsible for 1,300 scams totaling about $30 million, and authorities seized $20 million globally as part of the coordinated "Operation Frontier+" effort, which officials plan to continue with real-time
news.vumc.org
Attackers are using Microsoft Teams to conduct caller ID spoofing scams by manipulating display names to impersonate trusted coworkers and supervisors, with the goal of tricking recipients into complying with malicious requests such as installing software, accessing files, or sending payments. The scam typically involves the display name changing or revealing a suspicious number after the call connects. To protect against this fraud, users should verify callers through separate channels, avoid clicking links or downloading software from unsolicited calls, and never disclose personal or financial information over the phone.
freedom.press
A Google and Morning Consult survey found that 60% or more of consumers across the U.S., U.K., and India reported experiencing increased scam exposure over the past year as of March 2025, with text messages and emails being the most common delivery methods. The report highlights that younger generations rely more on passkeys and social sign-ins for authentication, while the Freedom of the Press Foundation recommends using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and verifying requests through trusted channels to protect against scams delivered via multiple platforms including phone, social media, and physical mail.
whio.com
Scam text messages claiming recipients owe money to the "Ohio Department of Vehicles" (actually called the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles) are being sent nationwide, threatening suspension of car registration, driver's license loss, credit score damage, and legal charges to pressure victims into clicking malicious links. State Registrar Charlie Norman identified this as a phishing scam with a low cost-to-reward ratio for criminals, recommending that recipients verify claims directly with the BMV, avoid clicking links in unsolicited urgent messages, and report suspicious texts to the Federal Trade Commission.
nbcwashington.com
Scammers in Prince George's County are using fake outstanding warrant claims and the real names of sheriff's office employees to defraud residents, with some victims being told to bring cash to the sheriff's headquarters parking lot to resolve the false warrants. The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office warns that they never demand money or financial information by phone and advises residents to verify any such claims by calling 911 or contacting the sheriff's office directly.
6abc.com
Employment scams have surged 118% in recent years, with criminals using fake job postings and AI technology to deceive job seekers into providing personal information, making advance payments, or wiring money under false pretenses. LinkedIn has partnered with the National Cybersecurity Alliance to launch verification features and protective measures, while experts advise job seekers to verify employers independently, avoid sharing sensitive information on unverified portals, and watch for red flags including pressure to decide quickly, vague job descriptions, and requests to move conversations off official platforms.
news.iu.edu
This UITS News article is primarily an educational resource covering IT services and updates at Indiana University, with one fraud awareness component. The article includes tips for spotting scam emails and text messages that impersonate trusted sources and request personal information, alongside announcements about new Microsoft 365 AI tools, VPN upgrades, email domain changes, digital accessibility requirements, and various student and faculty programs.
channel3000.com
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection raised awareness about senior-targeting scams on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, noting that consumers aged 70 and over lost more than $1,000 per scam in 2024—double the losses of younger age groups—with investment, romance, and government imposter scams becoming increasingly sophisticated. The department recommends five preventative measures: staying informed about common scams, planning ahead to identify impersonation attempts, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities or the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.
dailydodge.com
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection is urging consumers of all ages to protect older adults from scams, noting that seniors lose significantly more money to fraud than younger consumers—a median of over $1,000 versus less than $500 for those under 60, according to 2024 FTC data. Scammers specifically target older adults who have larger savings, may lack technological familiarity, experience isolation, or have cognitive vulnerabilities. The state recommends five protective strategies: staying informed about common scams, having proactive conversations with seniors about fraud tactics, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting scams to help prevent future victimization.
wispolitics.com
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) issued a public awareness alert ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, urging consumers to recognize and report scams targeting older adults. The advisory encourages community members to educate themselves and others about senior-targeting fraud schemes in order to protect vulnerable populations.
wbbjtv.com
A workshop in Crockett County, Tennessee educated seniors about Medicare fraud schemes, which cost the program an estimated $60 billion annually. Common scams include unsolicited calls from fraudsters posing as Medicare representatives requesting personal information, offering free equipment or prescriptions, or using stolen Medicare numbers to submit false claims. The Senior Medicare Patrol supervisor advised residents to refuse unknown callers, protect personal information, monitor their Medicare statements against actual services received, and report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or local authorities.
lockhaven.com
Centre County reported over 350 cases of elder abuse in 2024, a five-fold increase over the past decade, with financial exploitation now surpassing self-neglect as the most commonly reported abuse type. Sophisticated scams using AI-generated deepfakes, voice spoofing, and impersonation have stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from local seniors, with statewide estimates between $260 million and $2.1 billion stolen from Pennsylvania residents over 60 in 2022. The Centre County Office of Aging is hosting educational initiatives and encouraging victims to report scams to local law enforcement to prevent further exploitation.
paducahsun.com
According to the FBI Internet Crime Report, individuals aged 60 and older filed 147,000 scam complaints in 2024 and lost $4.8 billion total—a 43% increase from the previous year, with 7,500 seniors losing over $100,000 each. A local cybersecurity company is raising awareness about online scams targeting older adults and promoting protective measures, with resources available at securitycenter.sonicwall.com.
postandcourier.com
Seniors age 60 and older face increasing vulnerability to financial scams facilitated by internet and smartphone technology, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to combat elder fraud through education and awareness. The article outlines four common scams targeting older adults: Social Security Administration impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to request money transferred to gift cards), tech support scams (gaining remote device access and charging fabricated fees), lottery scams (requesting upfront fees for fake foreign lottery winnings), and romance scams (conducted through dating sites and social media to solicit money). Seniors should verify caller identities independently, avoid granting remote device access, reject unsolicite
capecodchronicle.com
The Cape and Islands District Attorney's office is seeking $586,500 in state funding to establish a specialized six-person elder fraud and abuse unit after data showed a significant rise in financial exploitation cases across the region. In Barnstable alone, there were 393 calls regarding elder fraud in 2023-2024, but only 13 cases resulted in charges, indicating that current law enforcement resources are insufficient to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The proposed team would include two assistant district attorneys, two forensic investigators, and two victim advocates to address the gap between the volume of elder financial crimes and the Attorney General's limited capacity to handle such cases.
97x.com
Scammers on Facebook Marketplace are posing as eager buyers and requesting sellers' email addresses or login credentials for payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App under the guise of technical errors, with the goal of stealing personal information and accessing financial accounts. The scam, exemplified by a case involving a scammer named "Angela," targets sellers nationwide by building trust before requesting sensitive information that legitimate payment apps do not require. Users are advised to never share email or login information, complete transactions in person with cash when possible, and be wary of urgent buyer tactics or suspicious payment error screenshots.
coastaldigest.com
A man in Mangaluru lost Rs 24.2 lakh between April 2024 and May 2025 to an online investment scam involving fraudulent trading schemes advertised on Instagram and promoted via WhatsApp by individuals posing as investment advisors (Sharon Trivedi and Ishita Paul). The scammers used fake trading apps and websites, initially returning small amounts to build trust, then demanded taxes, commissions, and security deposits before allowing withdrawals. The victim filed a complaint with police after realizing the fraud, and authorities recommend verifying investment platforms, avoiding unfamiliar apps, and consulting financial experts before investing.
malwarebytes.com
Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and social engineering tactics to defraud people online, but victims can limit damage by acting quickly. The article provides ten recommended steps for scam victims: stop communicating with the scammer, secure all online accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, monitor financial statements for fraud, avoid sponsored search results when seeking help, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, attempt fund recovery through chargebacks or bank recalls, gather evidence of the scam, scan devices for malware, report to authorities and relevant platforms, and implement ongoing security protections.
sjcda.org
Grandparent scams in San Joaquin County have escalated to include in-person cash collection at victims' homes, with scammers impersonating grandchildren in distress and sometimes posing as lawyers. To protect yourself, resist pressure to pay, verify the caller's identity through independent contact with family members, never share personal information or cash with unsolicited callers, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
news.uthsc.edu
Smishing—fraudulent text messages—is increasing as criminals use SMS to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. The article illustrates a common example where someone received a fake Tennessee DMV text claiming an unpaid traffic ticket with a 24-hour payment deadline and threatened license suspension. The key red flags include artificial urgency, unofficial sender information, and the fact that government agencies contact citizens through official mail, not text messages; protection involves verifying sources, avoiding suspicious links, blocking numbers, and reporting incidents to carriers.
malwarebytes.com
**Summary:**
Reporting scams to both authorities and platforms is essential for preventing future victims and enabling law enforcement to apprehend criminals. The U.S., Canada, and U.K. have dedicated reporting centers (FBI's IC3, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and Action Fraud respectively), and victims should also notify local police, financial institutions, and credit bureaus to freeze accounts and reverse charges. Additionally, reporting scam accounts directly on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and X through built-in reporting tools helps remove fraudulent accounts and prevent further exploitation.
wlwt.com
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles warned residents of a phishing text scam in which scammers impersonate the BMV and claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets, demanding immediate payment to avoid license suspension. The scam, reported by drivers nationwide, is designed to steal personal or financial information, and the BMV emphasized it never sends text messages demanding payment or requesting personal data. Victims are advised to report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and contact local law enforcement if they believe they've been compromised.
ohio.gov
Scammers in Ohio are sending fraudulent text messages impersonating state agencies, including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Ohio Turnpike, and Department of Taxation. Ohio residents are advised that legitimate state agencies never contact citizens via unsolicited text messages and should report suspected scams to the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
wbbjtv.com
The Better Business Bureau warns of a scam on TikTok and other social media platforms where users are solicited to donate money through emotionally manipulative videos that are often AI-generated or use stolen content. Victims lose money when donations do not reach legitimate organizations or when fraudulent influencers fail to deliver promised merchandise. The BBB recommends only donating to organizations you know and trust, researching companies before giving, and contacting local providers directly to verify legitimacy.
corporate.vanguard.com
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, driven by increasingly sophisticated "crossover scams" that combine multiple fraud techniques over extended periods. These scams employ social engineering, impersonation of trusted entities (banks, government agencies), and multi-channel contact methods to manipulate victims into transferring funds through untraceable means, with common variations including tech support/account security scams and fake investment schemes with emotional manipulation. Beyond financial losses, victims experience significant emotional and psychological harm, including depression, relationship problems, and diminished financial confidence.
landline.media
State Departments of Transportation in Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin issued warnings about phishing text scams impersonating state agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, with threats of legal action. The scams have already targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, and are becoming more sophisticated by using fear tactics to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. State agencies advise recipients to ignore urgency demands, avoid clicking links or sharing information, block senders, and report scams to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.