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in Scam Awareness
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers tamper with gift cards on retail display shelves to access PIN numbers before purchase, allowing them to steal funds once the card is activated. The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to inspect gift cards for tampering signs, use credit cards for purchases (which offer fraud protection), and keep receipts and card numbers in case of compromise so they can report theft quickly to the gift card company.
kutv.com
· 2025-12-08
As holiday shoppers complete their purchases, experts warn of increasingly sophisticated scams on social media platforms, particularly delivery package scams where attackers impersonate the postal service to steal credit card information, addresses, and Social Security numbers by creating false urgency. Common tactics also include person-to-person sales schemes on messaging platforms where sellers demand irreversible payments via Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App. Meta has launched new anti-scam tools using artificial intelligence to detect suspicious accounts and alert users on Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and WhatsApp to help prevent fraud.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service warns of three major holiday scams: "smishing" (fraudulent text messages impersonating USPS to steal personal information), counterfeit postage stamps sold online at steep discounts, and mail/package theft targeting holiday deliveries. Consumers are advised to use only official USPS tracking services, purchase stamps directly from USPS or approved retailers, and promptly collect their mail and packages.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
An elder woman successfully identified and thwarted two "grandparent scam" calls by asking the caller which grandchild they were pretending to be, causing them to hang up. The article emphasizes that while older adults are often targeted by such scams, younger generations (Gen X, millennials, Gen Z) actually lose money to fraud at 34% higher rates than those over 60, typically through online shopping, investment, and job scams. The piece advises families to discuss financial safety during holiday gatherings and recommends being caller-aware, questioning suspicious calls, and verifying directly with the person or institution allegedly contacting you.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers are increasing phishing and "smishing" (SMS phishing) attacks targeting online shoppers by impersonating delivery services like USPS through fake emails and text messages requesting personal information for allegedly delayed packages. Law enforcement and security professionals warn consumers to verify sender information, avoid clicking unknown links, and be aware of "porch pirate" theft, recommending package tracking and alternative delivery methods to prevent losses. The scams exploit holiday shopping urgency and stress when consumers are more likely to panic and click malicious links.
lbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between December 25, 2023 and January 1, 2024, nearly £2 million was lost to authorized push payment (APP) scams during the festive period, with 596 scams reported to Santander bank including investment fraud, impersonation scams, and fake marketplace listings for goods and tickets. The scams exploited holiday distractions, with individual losses ranging from hundreds to over £600,000 in investment schemes. Santander advises consumers to verify payments carefully, avoid suspicious social media purchases, confirm identities through trusted contact methods, and research companies before sending money.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides guidance on avoiding four major AI-enhanced scams targeting holiday shoppers: romance scams using deepfake video technology, fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate retailers, deepfake marketing videos featuring public figures, and time-sensitive investment schemes. The piece offers practical prevention tips for each scam type, such as using reverse image searches to verify identities, carefully checking website URLs, watching for unnatural elements in promotional videos, and consulting financial advisers before investing.
rappler.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams across Asia surged dramatically in 2023, with Singapore reporting a 47% increase to over 46,000 cases, while young people and those with higher education have become primary targets through social media platforms and fake accounts promoting fraudulent investments and schemes. Scammers exploit young people's emotions and trust through influencers and gaming platforms, while also targeting older adults with more complex psychological narratives; traditional awareness campaigns struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving scam tactics, particularly AI-generated content and deepfakes that make fraud increasingly difficult to detect.
delawareonline.com
· 2025-12-08
As financial scams increasingly use AI technology, consumers should remain vigilant against four major holiday-season fraud tactics: romance scams using AI face-swapping, fake retail websites with AI chatbots, deepfake videos of celebrities promoting fraudulent deals, and urgent investment schemes promising guaranteed returns. Key prevention strategies include using reverse image searches to verify identities, carefully checking website URLs, watching for unnatural elements in promotional videos, and consulting financial advisers before investing. Banks recommend consumers leverage security features, stay informed about emerging scams, and exercise caution with digital payments.
atg.wa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that Metropolitan Commercial Bank will pay $10 million to the state as part of a fraud recovery initiative that has collected over $52 million from financial institutions that accepted stolen COVID-19 pandemic unemployment funds. Criminals stole more than $15 million from Washington's unemployment fund in 2020 using fake identities and MovoCash, a fintech company sponsored by Metropolitan, which failed to implement adequate anti-fraud and money-laundering safeguards. This marks the second phase of Ferguson's investigation—the first to pursue fintech companies through state consumer protection laws—following an initial phase that recovered $42 million from 26 financial institutions through asset forfeiture.
parkrapidsenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
A WalletHub study ranking states on elder-abuse protections found Minnesota ranks 10th overall, excelling in financial crime legislation (1st) but lagging in abuse complaint reporting (27th). The article highlights a recent case in rural Douglas County where an elderly resident was defrauded of over $100,000 through a gold investment scam, and emphasizes that elder abuse—including physical, financial, emotional, and neglect—often goes unreported and can be perpetrated by family members or caregivers, requiring greater awareness and preventive measures.
giant.fm
· 2025-12-08
Criminal organizations are conducting imposter scams targeting older Americans by posing as representatives from legitimate companies (like PayPal) and then connecting victims to fraudsters claiming to be federal agents who convince them to drain their bank accounts for "security." An elderly couple in Williamson County, Illinois lost $121,000 in such a scam before three Chinese nationals were arrested attempting to pick up the cash; the defendants face federal wire fraud charges.
thearabtribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple senior citizens across Alabama counties received Medicare scam calls from fraudsters claiming to offer discounts on prescriptions and insurance payments while requesting Social Security numbers and bank account information to "verify." The scammers, who possessed some personal information like addresses and phone numbers, were unable to answer when victims asked them to recite the sensitive data they claimed to have, indicating the calls were part of a widespread fraud scheme targeting seniors.
mshale.com
· 2025-12-08
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is urging residents to become "scam spotters" in 2025 as the state reports an increase in fraudsters tricking people into sharing financial information and losing money. The department provides key prevention tips including verifying requests directly with the source, resisting emotional manipulation and urgency tactics, avoiding upfront payment demands, and not clicking suspicious links—and offers resources for reporting scams and checking business licenses.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Virginia woman lost tens of thousands of dollars in life savings to a bank imposter scam after receiving a fraudulent message claiming to be from Wells Fargo and providing a phone number to call. She unknowingly gave her account information to scammers posing as bank security, resulting in unauthorized withdrawals; Wells Fargo initially denied reimbursement citing that she willingly provided the information, though the bank is now investigating the case. The victim urged others to verify caller identity independently and never share account information in response to unsolicited contact.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
The New Hampshire attorney general warned of increased holiday shopping scams on social media, where hackers compromise Facebook accounts and post fake listings for cars, tickets, and other items to defraud the account owner's friends. Two women had their Facebook accounts hacked and used to scam acquaintances, including one victim who lost $400 via Venmo for a fraudulent hot tub listing. Officials recommend using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, avoiding credit card information in social media transactions, and meeting sellers in person when possible.
kgw.com
· 2025-12-08
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office received nearly daily reports during the holiday season of phone scammers impersonating law enforcement and threatening victims with fines and arrest warrants to extort money. In one incident, scammers posing as corporate management convinced young employees at a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Happy Valley to withdraw $1,000 and load it onto prepaid debit cards by falsely claiming the owner was under investigation for counterfeit money. Authorities advise residents to hang up on such calls, emphasizing that legitimate law enforcement agencies never solicit money by phone.
wchstv.com
· 2025-12-08
As holiday shoppers complete their gift purchases, experts warn of increasingly sophisticated scams targeting consumers on social media platforms, particularly delivery package scams where attackers impersonate postal services to steal credit card information and personal data. Meta has launched a new anti-scams awareness campaign with AI-powered detection tools across Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and WhatsApp to alert users to suspicious accounts and transactions, while security experts advise against person-to-person payments via third-party apps like Venmo and Zelle that cannot be reversed. These scams evolve seasonally and across multiple platforms, making collaboration between tech companies and law enforcement critical to combating fraud.
leadertelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
This overview article describes prevalent scams targeting individuals across Wisconsin and the region, including impersonation scams (fake DSPS, IRS, and Microsoft representatives), grandparent scams, and romance scams that exploit personal information and emotional manipulation to extract money from victims. Between January 2022 and June 2024, approximately $3.54 million in scam losses were reported to Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions, though law enforcement suspects the actual total is significantly higher due to underreporting. Scammers commonly target lonely individuals and elderly people, particularly widowed men, using emotional manipulation, personal details from public sources, and fabricated scenarios to convince victims to send money or gift cards
opb.org
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Zelle's operator (Early Warning Services) and three major banks—Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo—alleging they failed to implement adequate fraud safeguards and investigate customer complaints, resulting in over $870 million in losses to customers over seven years. The CFPB seeks to stop unlawful conduct, obtain consumer redress, and impose civil penalties, while the defendants denied the allegations and argued the lawsuit was meritless and politically motivated.
commercialappeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults reported $1.9 billion in fraud losses to the FTC in 2023-2024, with actual losses potentially reaching $61.5 billion, and they suffer significantly higher median losses ($1,450 for those 80+) compared to younger people ($480 for ages 20-29). Older adults are particularly vulnerable to investment scams ($538 million in losses), tech support scams (5 times more likely than younger people), and romance/impersonation scams, with payment methods ranging from gift cards to cryptocurrency and bank transfers. The FTC and Better Business Bureau are working to combat these scams through enforcement actions and prevention messaging, though challenges remain including
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A retired U.S. submarine commander lost $3.6 million to scammers in Asia despite his banks' concerns, prompting Virginia lawmakers to propose "Larry's Law" requiring banks to report suspected fraud to police; however, industry lobbyists successfully removed this clause before passage. Across the United States, elderly Americans lose an estimated $28 billion annually to fraud, yet states struggle to hold banks accountable as the industry resists legislation that would increase their liability, citing concerns about costs and customer impact, while existing reporting requirements often go unenforced.
cxotoday.com
· 2025-12-08
India faces elevated APP (Authorized Push Payment) scam vulnerability due to massive digital payment adoption (129.3 billion real-time transactions in 2023), low consumer awareness in rural areas, and cultural trust in authority figures that fraudsters exploit through impersonation. APP scam losses in India are projected to reach INR 49,626 million by 2028, with businesses of all sizes—from small companies lacking technical resources to large enterprises with fragmented systems—requiring scalable fraud detection tools, employee training, and AI/machine learning solutions to combat evolving threats.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A cybersecurity expert warned of three common holiday scams targeting consumers during the Christmas season: fake sales on social media platforms (where scammers pose as sellers and demand gift card payments before disappearing), impersonation scams (where criminals hijack accounts to pose as family members requesting money or information, increasingly using AI voice cloning and deepfakes), and fake prize giveaways (which collect personal information or processing fees). These schemes exploit the holiday shopping rush and emotional vulnerabilities to quickly extract financial information and money from victims.
peoplesdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns about "smishing" scams targeting drivers, where criminals send text messages impersonating toll road authorities like E-ZPass, requesting payment of small amounts (typically $11-$12) to avoid $50 late fees and including fraudulent payment links. The scam, which began in March according to the FBI, is increasingly state-specific and may target recent travelers. The article advises recipients to delete such messages, never click embedded links, contact toll authorities directly through official channels to verify charges, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's IC3.gov, the Better Business Bureau, or state attorneys general.
sdnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not describe a scam, fraud, or elder abuse case. It is a general news item about SANDAG (San Diego Association of Governments) requesting public input on a regional transportation plan. As this falls outside the scope of elder fraud research, it is not suitable for summarization in the Elderus database.
kttc.com
· 2025-12-08
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warns that scammers posing as immigration attorneys target immigrant populations by promising legal services, collecting upfront payments, and then disappearing while potentially damaging victims' immigration cases through incorrect forms or missed deadlines. The advisory provides protective measures including verifying attorney credentials, obtaining free immigration forms from USCIS.gov, never signing blank documents, and getting receipts and copies of all work. Victims can report scams to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, the Federal Trade Commission, or directly to social media platforms where fraudulent accounts operate.
oklahoman.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns holiday shoppers about increased scam risks during the busy shopping season, noting that scammers exploit distracted consumers and higher transaction volumes. The piece highlights that U.S. consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, and an estimated $1.03 trillion was stolen globally, while also detailing common holiday scams (fake toy listings, package notification phishing, charity fraud, job scams, gift card schemes) and providing protective measures such as verifying retailer legitimacy, researching charities, avoiding unsolicited links, and comparison shopping before purchases.
21alivenews.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece from the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Indiana warning consumers about holiday shipping and returns scams during peak shopping season. The advisory advises recipients to verify package tracking messages through official websites rather than clicking links that could steal personal information or install malware, and recommends reviewing store return policies promptly since holiday return windows are often limited.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, the IRS warned consumers about increased scam activity, particularly targeting gift card fraud and fake delivery alerts. Scammers impersonate IRS officials and government agents demanding immediate payment via gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfers—tactics the IRS stated it would never employ—while others send phishing emails claiming package delivery issues to steal personal information. Consumers are advised to avoid clicking suspicious links, verify package status directly through official shipping websites, and report suspected scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn that scammers intensify efforts during the Christmas holiday season, exploiting festive shopping and emotional vulnerability. Three prevalent scams include: fake sales where fraudsters pose as sellers on social media and demand gift card payments before disappearing; family impersonation scams that hijack accounts or use social engineering to extract money or sensitive information; and fake prize giveaways that collect personal data or processing fees. Defense strategies include maintaining skepticism toward unusual requests, verifying unexpected communications through alternative contact methods, and remembering that legitimate contests never require upfront payment.
rappler.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercrime has evolved from isolated attacks into a sophisticated, organized industry using social engineering tactics (phishing, romance scams, identity theft) that exploit human psychology rather than technical complexity. Criminal networks operate like businesses with specialized roles and "crime-as-a-service" models, often employing lower-skilled workers—some coerced through human trafficking—while higher-tier operators profit substantially. Law enforcement faces significant challenges in tracing and prosecuting cybercriminals due to anonymity tools and cross-border operations, as demonstrated by Interpol's Operation Storm Makers II targeting Southeast Asian fraud networks in 2023.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters increasingly use AI-generated deepfakes and voice cloning to impersonate family members in scams demanding urgent money for emergencies like kidnappings or accidents. The FBI and banks now recommend families create secret passphrases to verify identity during suspicious calls or messages, using unique phrases unrelated to publicly available personal information and kept strictly private. While family passphrases offer a useful defense layer, experts caution that victims in genuine emergencies may struggle to remember them due to panic or adrenaline.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Between April and June 2024, Australia's National Anti-Scam Centre reported 1,962 Australians lost money to social media scams totaling $64.2 million, making social media the most effective scam channel despite fewer overall reports compared to email, text, and phone scams. While telephone scams affected fewer victims, they resulted in larger individual losses ($23.9 million from 588 calls), and scammers commonly used fake profiles, fake job offers, investment schemes, and too-good-to-be-true purchase offers to target people online. The centre advises Australians to verify social media profiles, research job offers and investment opportunities thoroughly, an
odt.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Anne, a 67-year-old New Zealand woman, lost at least $80,000 to an overseas-based investment scam after being referred by a friend to what appeared to be a legitimate trading company. The scam began with small investments that showed returns, escalating to a mandatory 12-month contract requiring regular payments in U.S. dollars; when Anne stopped contributing after a serious accident forced her to leave work, the scammers claimed she owed $25,000 and threatened legal action. With the provider registered overseas, Anne had little recourse to recover her funds, and she now struggles with both the financial impact on her retirement and the psychological toll of feeling she should have recognized the
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 41-year-old bank clerk in Malaysia lost ₹20.29 lakh (RM115,950) in a Macau scam between September and November when fraudsters impersonating police officers and prosecutors convinced her to open a new bank account and transfer funds under the guise of an investigation into alleged money laundering. The victim filed a police report in December 2024, and authorities are investigating. Similar digital arrest scams are rising in India, where criminals impersonate telecom and police officials to pressure victims into transferring money by falsely claiming their phone numbers are being misused for illegal activities.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
The jury duty summons scam, in which callers impersonate police officers and threaten victims with arrest for missing court summons, is becoming increasingly common and convincing, with the FTC reporting over 560,000 fraud cases in Q3 2024 alone. Victims are pressured to withdraw cash from ATMs or purchase gift cards to pay fake fines, with scammers using official-looking forged court documents and aggressive threats to coerce payment. Key warning signs include unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment and threats of arrest—legitimate law enforcement communicates via mail or in-person service, never by phone with demands for immediate payment.
gtgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
The El Dorado County Area Agency on Aging is offering a free four-part educational series in January 2025 for family caregivers of seniors aged 60 and older, covering caregiver foundations, scam prevention (including check fraud and romance scams), elder abuse recognition, and legal rights and responsibilities. The sessions will be held Wednesdays at the Placerville Senior Center and feature experts from the Alzheimer's Association, Sheriff's Office, Adult Protective Services, and Senior Legal Services.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about fraud or elder abuse. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert reminding shoppers to review store return policies before purchasing or returning holiday gifts, noting that policies vary by retailer and typically have time limits. The alert advises consumers to check return policies in-store or online before making trips, keep documentation, and escalate to managers or dispute charges with credit card companies if returns are wrongfully refused.
buckscountyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
This op-ed advocates for updated Pennsylvania legislation to better protect older adults from financial exploitation, which takes multiple forms including tech support scams, romance scams, investment fraud, and abuse by trusted individuals. The authors call for amendments to the state's Older Adults Protective Services Act to mandate reporting of elder financial abuse and allow banks to temporarily hold suspected fraudulent transactions while notifying authorities. Bank employees are identified as key defenders against elder financial exploitation, and the authors urge older Pennsylvanians to remain vigilant during the holiday season when scammers are particularly active.
birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Which? warns consumers of four scams targeting Amazon and Royal Mail customers during the holiday shopping season: fake delivery notifications claiming missed packages, "outstanding fee" cons requesting payment for postal charges, failed delivery alerts with malicious QR codes, and stolen parcel scams. Scammers impersonate legitimate delivery brands via text and email to pressure victims into clicking links or providing payment information, exploiting the high volume of expected holiday parcels. Consumers are advised to contact their banks if they've lost money, report suspicious websites to the National Cyber Security Centre, and file reports with Action Fraud.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, Mainers face increasingly sophisticated scams including phishing emails impersonating UPS or PayPal, "brushing" scams with fake QR codes on unexpected Amazon packages, and tampered gift cards that scammers drain before they're given as gifts. AARP Maine recommends checking with companies directly before clicking links, placing credit freezes if data is compromised, verifying charities through the IRS or Charity Navigator, and contacting the AARP Fraud Watch Network if targeted, noting that over 80% of Americans have experienced or been targeted by holiday-related fraud.
kxxv.com
· 2025-12-08
Robinson Police warned residents of a "brushing scam" operating in the community, where unsolicited packages of cheap items are sent to people who didn't order them. The scam inflates seller ratings and positive reviews online to boost their credibility for future fraud, and may indicate the recipient's identity information has been compromised; authorities advised victims to report it immediately, monitor credit reports, and use unique passwords changed every 30-60 days, noting such scams increase during the holiday season.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
A Taiwanese son recovered approximately US$21,000 (NT$700,000) that his father lost to online investment scammers by devising a counter-scam in which he posed as three different people to convince the criminals he would make additional investments. The father had initially fallen victim to a romance and investment scam after being flattered by a scammer posing as a woman online and was persuaded to install a suspicious app on his phone. The son's ingenious scheme successfully manipulated the scammers into returning the stolen funds.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers about personalized gift scams on social media, where buyers purchase items based on ads but receive poor-quality products with errors or items that differ significantly from descriptions, with unresponsive customer service. The BBB recommends researching companies before purchasing, checking for red flags such as poor grammar, blurry images, sponsored claims, and unrealistic discounts, and conducting Google searches to identify complaints from other customers.
wwmt.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns of immigration scams where fraudsters use fake websites and impersonation to exploit vulnerable immigrants seeking legal assistance. Scammers exploit language barriers and desperation by demanding upfront cash payments and making false promises, sometimes posing as unlicensed attorneys. To protect themselves, victims should verify attorneys through the State Bar Association, obtain referrals from trusted sources, conduct online research, and avoid paying cash or hiring practitioners they haven't met in person.
leadertelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Siverling of Cadott and Nancy Wheeler of Ladysmith both nearly fell victim to tech support scams involving fake Microsoft alerts and fraudulent bank representatives who gained remote computer access and demanded thousands of dollars in wire transfers or gift cards. While Siverling avoided loss by calling her son and hanging up, Wheeler nearly transferred money before recognizing the manipulation, though she had to compromise her bank account security. Both women's cases highlight how scammers use fear tactics—including false claims of hacking, child pornography charges, and unauthorized withdrawals—combined with pressure to act quickly to manipulate victims regardless of education level or technical literacy.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
New South Wales has the highest reported rates of dating and romance scams in Australia, with victims—predominantly aged 50-80—losing hundreds of thousands of dollars to fraudsters posing as romantic interests. One victim lost $400,000 over years of repeated scams, while a private investigator's clients have collectively lost $2.9 million, though cyber fraud remains significantly under-reported with victims often reluctant to come forward due to embarrassment and denial. Families frequently intervene on behalf of affected loved ones, and support from trusted people is crucial in encouraging victims to report scams to authorities.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A reformed Nigerian romance scammer named Chris Maxwell, who defrauded dozens of women of $70,000 between 2016 and 2021 primarily using fake military profiles, now works as a consultant educating the public on how to avoid such schemes. He advises people to be wary of social media profiles with few photos, reluctance to video call or meet in person, and to never send money or gifts to unverified online contacts. The FTC reported 42,399 romance scam complaints in 2024 with a median loss of $1,901 per victim, and Americans collectively lost $823 million to such fraudsters that year.