Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
6,239 results
in Phishing
lfpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A Tillsonburg woman lost $5,000 in an online romance scam after sending money to someone she believed was her romantic partner to cover travel costs. Ontario Provincial Police warn that requests for money from online romantic interests—regardless of relationship duration—are a major red flag, and victims should consult trusted family or friends before sending funds. The police encourage vigilance when meeting people online and note that fraudsters are skilled manipulators, urging victims not to feel embarrassed about reporting suspected fraud.
deccanchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old resident of Hyderabad was scammed out of Rs. 1.46 lakh after responding to a YouTube advertisement falsely promising to buy an old Rs. 20 coin for Rs. 50 lakh; a fraudster posing as "Raj Gyani" extracted the money through multiple requests for payments under various pretexts before demanding an additional Rs. 1 lakh. Police advised the public to avoid transferring money to unknown individuals for extraordinary offers on social media and video platforms, and to verify all communications and preserve transaction records before engaging in online transactions.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
The IRS and Security Summit partners warn tax professionals about evolving phishing and data theft schemes, including spear phishing, clone phishing, whaling, and "new client" scams designed to steal sensitive taxpayer information. Tax pros should be alert for warning signs such as unexpected emails from trusted sources, duplicate messages with new attachments, urgent pressure tactics, and slightly misspelled email addresses or URLs. The guidance is part of the second installment of a five-part summer educational series aimed at protecting the tax system and taxpayers from identity theft and fraud.
it.ucsf.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns students, faculty, and staff about the surge in cyber scams during the back-to-school season, including scholarship fraud, fake tuition processors, IRS impersonation, phishing emails, and fake login pages. The piece provides protective measures such as skepticism toward unsolicited messages, strong password practices, multi-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious emails through institutional channels. The article emphasizes that heightened vigilance is needed during this period when hackers exploit academic community confusion, particularly around student debt relief issues.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas ranks second nationally for internet crime losses, with residents experiencing $1.35 billion in losses in 2024—a $328 million increase from the previous year, according to the FBI. People over 60 experienced the highest financial losses, while Hispanic and Black communities are particularly vulnerable to targeted scams such as family impersonation, phishing, and fraudulent investment schemes. The article provides guidance on recognizing scams (offers that seem too good to be true, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unusual payment methods) and prevention strategies (verifying identities through official channels, using strong passwords, registering with the Do Not Call Registry, and limiting personal information shared online).
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
Summer 2025 presents heightened fraud risks as scammers target vacationing individuals through fake rental listings, spoofed travel notifications, refund scams, fraudulent social media sales, and emergency impersonation schemes (including AI deepfake calls). The article advises consumers to book through official channels, verify communications directly with companies, avoid clicking suspicious links, be skeptical of unsolicited refund offers, research online sellers, and refrain from posting real-time location information on social media.
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old man from Brooklyn was charged with theft, impersonation of a federal employee, and conspiracy after stealing over $555,000 in gold bars from an elderly Lancaster County woman in April. The scammers accessed her computer, convinced her to convert investments to gold, then posed as federal employees to collect the bars under the guise of securing them in a Philadelphia Federal Reserve vault. This case reflects a national trend of gold bar scams targeting seniors, which cost Americans $219 million in 2024, with authorities advising victims to hang up immediately on any requests to buy gold or withdraw money and to verify claims directly with official sources.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 65 and older reported nearly $4.9 billion in losses to financial scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with Texas seniors alone filing over 9,473 complaints averaging $489,000 in losses each. Seniors are targeted because they control significant national wealth and often struggle to keep pace with technology, making them vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation, and investment fraud. Family members and caregivers can help protect seniors by monitoring account activity, maintaining open communication about financial matters, and encouraging consultation before large transactions, while laws like the 2017 Elder Abuse Prevention
theglobalfilipinomagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Filipino nationals are being trafficked into scam operations in Cambodia after being lured with false job promises abroad. A 24-year-old victim was rescued after being forced to operate fake romantic profiles on dating apps to defraud foreigners, enduring 15-hour shifts and physical abuse for failing to meet quotas; at least four additional Filipinos aged 27-46 were repatriated in July with similar accounts of trafficking and coercion into phishing and romance scam schemes. The Bureau of Immigration and Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking are working to dismantle the recruitment networks responsible for these human trafficking operations.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired US Army colonel pleaded guilty to conspiracy after disclosing classified national defense information to someone posing as a Ukrainian woman on a foreign dating app between February and April 2022, exploiting emotional manipulation typical of romance scams. Slater, who worked as a civilian at US Strategic Command, provided details about military targets and Russian capabilities, and faces five to seven years in prison under his plea deal. The case illustrates how romance scammers exploit loneliness and the desire for human connection to manipulate even experienced, security-cleared individuals into compromising sensitive information.
sequimgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from a county sheriff outlines common scam tactics affecting communities nationwide, including phishing, imposter scams, investment fraud, romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and payment transfer schemes. The sheriff advises residents to verify sources independently, avoid urgent pressure to act, be cautious with untraceable payment methods, and report suspected fraud to the FTC, emphasizing that scammers exploit new technologies and crises to target vulnerable victims across all demographics.
idahocountyfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and confidence fraud caused $601 million in damages to 16,504 victims across the United States in 2023, with an average loss of $36,459 per victim. Idaho was hit hardest, with 112 victims losing $6.9 million ($61,784 per person), while scammers posing as online pen pals or relatives in distress targeted victims primarily through email and social media. Elderly victims aged 60 and older comprised approximately 40% of victims and suffered $365.9 million in losses.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
Broken Bow Public Schools in Nebraska lost $1.8 million in spring 2024 when staff members were deceived by a sophisticated phishing email containing false payment instructions that appeared to come from a trusted vendor, causing a contractor payment to be redirected to a fraudulent account. Federal law enforcement agencies (FBI, Nebraska State Patrol, and U.S. Secret Service) assisted in recovering approximately $700,000, with the district pursuing recovery of the remaining $1.1 million through insurance and ongoing investigations. Since the incident, the district has implemented new financial transaction protocols and safeguards, with no plans for a tax increase to cover the shortfall.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
PPL, the company managing New York's Medicaid homecare program (CDPAP), experienced multiple security and operational failures including phishing scams affecting fewer than 100 of 225,000 caregivers, fraudulent bank account redirections by a terminated staffing agency employee, and failure to pay promised $100 bonuses to many transitioning caregivers. Affected caregivers like Lisa Robinson had personal information exposed and wages diverted, though PPL committed to full reimbursement and additional security training. The program's troubled rollout prompted the state to establish a separate help line and triggered the resignation of PPL's president.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns about gold bar and cash transfer scams targeting potential victims through unexpected contact claiming to be government agents. Scammers falsely claim the victim's bank account, computer, or identity has been compromised and pressure them to purchase gold bars, transfer funds, or withdraw cash to hand to a courier as "protection." The article advises that legitimate government agencies never request these actions and provides warning signs to recognize and report such scams to the FTC.
bpi.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud—a 25 percent increase from the prior year—with phone/text scams accounting for $1.5 billion and social media scams for $1.9 billion in losses. Criminals use AI, spoofed calls, and hijacked social media accounts to target victims, with operations often based in Southeast Asia, while telecom and tech companies have financial incentives to monetize rather than prevent fraud. Banks and regulators are calling for stricter collaboration and regulation among tech giants and telecom providers to proactively combat scams at their source.
theweeklyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, older adults aged 60 and above reported $4.9 billion in fraud losses nationally—a 43% increase from 2023—with Puerto Rico experiencing a particularly sharp 618% rise to $21.1 million. The most costly schemes targeting seniors include investment fraud ($1.8 billion), tech support scams ($982 million), and romance scams ($389 million), which are considered especially dangerous due to their psychological manipulation tactics and emotional impact on victims. Experts attribute seniors' vulnerability to a combination of factors including the digital divide, lack of technical knowledge, availability of financial resources, social isolation, and the highly sophisticated, professional nature of modern fraud operations that use
crescentavalleyweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI and FTC are warning the public about evolving scams that exploit advancing technology, including AI-generated voice impersonations of law enforcement and government officials. Elderly Americans are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and home repair scams, with millions falling victim annually. The agencies also warn against business email compromise, charity fraud (especially after disasters), cryptocurrency job scams, VA benefits overpayment scams, and card skimmers, recommending victims verify charitable organizations through trusted databases and use credit cards rather than cash, gift cards, or wire transfers for donations.
yellowhammernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with scammers increasingly exploiting technology to target older adults through fake calls, phishing emails, and data collection via smart home devices. The article identifies five red flags: unsolicited contact, pressure to act immediately, requests for untraceable payments (wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency), demands for sensitive information, and promises that seem too good to be true. Key protective measures include verifying unexpected requests with trusted contacts, using strong unique passwords for smart devices, keeping software updated, securing Wi-Fi networks, and reviewing smart device privacy settings to understand what data is being collected.
wjournalpr.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, older adults aged 60 and over suffered $4.9 billion in fraud losses nationally—a 43% increase from 2023—with Puerto Rico experiencing a dramatic 618% surge to $21.1 million in losses for the same demographic. The most financially damaging scams targeting seniors include investment fraud ($1.8 billion), tech support scams ($982 million), and romance scams ($389 million), with experts noting that perpetrators operate as sophisticated, organized call centers using psychological manipulation rather than amateur schemes. Seniors remain vulnerable due to a combination of limited digital literacy, available financial resources, social isolation, and reluctance to report crimes, particularly when perpet
anz.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian bank ANZ reports measurable improvements in scam detection through its partnership with BioCatch Trust, an inter-bank fraud intelligence network that uses behavioral biometrics and real-time risk scoring to identify sophisticated scams including impersonation, investment, romance, and business email compromise schemes. In 2024-2025, Australians lost over $2.03 billion to scams, with romance scams averaging AU$15,000 per victim and investment scams causing AU$59 million in losses; the BioCatch integration has enhanced detection of complex fraud while reducing false positives that inconvenience legitimate customers.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Online Job Fraud:** A man in Mangaluru lost Rs 4.66 lakh after downloading an app via a WhatsApp link that promised Rs 1,000 daily income; the app hacked his phone, allowing fraudsters to access his and his parents' bank accounts and siphon funds. Four suspects were identified and a case was registered at Surathkal police station.
**Investment Scam:** A 33-year-old woman in Udupi transferred Rs 1.12 lakh to unknown fraudsters between July 7-14 after receiving anonymous calls promising to double her investment. A case was filed at Hiriyadka police station under Section
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration warned residents about a text message scam falsely claiming traffic violations, suspended licenses, and demanding immediate payment under threat of legal action. The scam attempted to trick recipients into sharing personal information and making payments for bogus penalties. The MVA clarified that it never contacts drivers via text to request personal information or payment and advised recipients to delete such messages and report them to the Federal Trade Commission.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" (QR code phishing) is an emerging scam where fraudsters place fake QR codes on public surfaces like parking meters, signs, and emails to direct unsuspecting users to malicious websites that steal personal information or money. While QR code fraud remains relatively uncommon in Canada with only 10 reported cases since 2024, experts warn the threat is growing as QR code usage becomes ubiquitous and users scan them without verifying their source. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of QR codes before scanning, check URLs before entering personal information, and use security tools to scan codes safely.
texasattorneygeneral.gov
· 2025-12-08
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into fraudulent charity scams where bad actors impersonated payment processors to collect flood relief donations intended for the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department under false pretenses. The scammers exploited the Texas Hill Country flooding tragedy to deceive donors, diverting money for personal gain while the fire department itself suffered significant losses. The Attorney General's office advises donors to verify charities through resources like CharityWatch and GuideStar, avoid wiring money or sharing personal information, and report suspected fraud to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
therealdeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Plano couple Sidhartha "Sammy" and Sunita Mukherjee face first-degree felony theft charges for allegedly defrauding over 100 people of more than $4 million through multiple schemes including fake real estate deals affiliated with the Dallas Housing Authority, a fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loan, and elder scams using spoofed law enforcement emails. The investigation, which began in 2023, revealed an elaborate multi-year fraud operation with one victim losing $325,000; both defendants were arrested and posted $500,000 bonds, though Sammy Mukherjee was subsequently detained by ICE. Investigators believe most of the
tillamookheadlightherald.com
· 2025-12-08
An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 in life savings to a "gold bar scam" in which scammers impersonated federal agents, claimed her accounts were at risk, and convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping"; local law enforcement prevented an additional $300,000 loss after her sister reported the scheme to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline. The scam typically involves fraudsters creating false urgency about compromised finances, instructing victims to convert assets into gold, and dispatching couriers to collect the valuables before disappearing. The Oregon DOJ warns that no legitimate government agency requests gold purchases or home visits for money collection, and urges victims to hang up
windsorstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Windsor police are investigating two contractor scams targeting senior homeowners in July, in which elderly victims were driven to banks and pressured to withdraw large sums of money under false pretenses for alleged roofing and repair work. In the first incident, a woman withdrew $13,000 and attempted to withdraw another $13,000 after being driven by a suspect claiming to be Mark Bignam; in the second, a man was lured into withdrawing $10,000 (with an attempted additional $5,000 withdrawal declined) after work allegedly began on his roof. Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the suspects and determining whether the incidents are connected.
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference to protest proposed federal budget cuts to agencies protecting seniors from fraud, noting that seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams in the previous year. Gillibrand called on the Trump administration to maintain funding for agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that investigate fraud complaints and requested the Government Accountability Office examine how staffing cuts would impact senior fraud protection efforts.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 42-year-old Chinese national, Zhigang Lian, was indicted for allegedly orchestrating an imposter scam that defrauded a 76-year-old Belleville, Illinois resident of over $70,000. The scheme began with a fake Apple text message, then escalated when scammers posing as federal agents convinced the victim their identity had been stolen and they needed to withdraw all their bank funds for protection; the victim handed over $25,000 on June 17 and $45,000 on July 1 before Lian's arrest by Illinois State Police. Lian faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, each carrying
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The DVLA warned drivers not to share photos of their V5C vehicle logbooks on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use the personal information contained in these documents (such as registered keeper addresses and reference numbers) for identity theft. The alert emphasized that drivers should avoid sharing private information online and report suspicious communications to Action Fraud or Police Scotland, with additional guidance provided for those who have already compromised their details, including notifying their banks and changing passwords. The warning was part of a broader government effort to alert the public about various online scams, including a separate bogus "Energy Support Scheme" text message scam from the Department for Work and Pensions.
97x.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting JOANN Fabric's legitimate store closures by creating fake websites advertising bankruptcy sales with discounts up to 90% off, targeting North Carolina shoppers through Facebook, Pinterest, and Nextdoor ads. Victims who purchase from these fraudulent sites receive confirmation emails from unrelated businesses and never receive their items, with unauthorized charges appearing on their bank statements. The article advises consumers to verify sales directly through JOANN's official website, be wary of unrealistic discounts, use credit cards for better fraud protection, and report scams to the FTC, noting that legitimate JOANN clearance sales only occur in physical stores.
inquisitr.com
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old Texas man, Paul Schendel, lost over $6,000 to a sophisticated bank impersonation scam involving call spoofing and an in-person card collection scheme, and died of a heart attack the following day after learning of the fraud. The scam began with a caller impersonating his bank, followed by a woman posing as Wells Fargo security who collected his debit card at his home; the bank confirmed they do not initiate contact via phone and could not reimburse him. Similar scams targeting victims through fraudulent bank employee impersonation have increased dramatically, with other victims like Scott Merovitch losing $20,000
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina officials including Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall launched a statewide initiative with AARP and local partners to prevent cryptocurrency ATM scams, after reports of victims losing their life savings. The scams typically target older adults by establishing emotional connections and directing victims to transfer money from their bank accounts to cryptocurrency ATMs, which scammers then convert to cash and steal. The campaign aims to educate the public on warning signs, such as pressure to withdraw cash immediately or claims that government officials require crypto payments, and provides resources through 211 for residents to report suspicious activity and connect with law enforcement.
kjct8.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grand Junction Police Department warned residents of a text scam impersonating UPS that requests payment of delivery fees or confirmation of delivery details through suspicious links. Red flags include unknown sender numbers, urgent language, unexpected payment requests, mismatched tracking numbers, and poor spelling/grammar. According to the Federal Trade Commission, similar scams caused losses of nearly $470 million in 2024.
blog.knowbe4.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC issued an advisory warning about job scams in which fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies and use phony job offers to steal personal and financial information from victims. Scammers typically contact targets via email or text with remote job opportunities, rush them through a fake interview process, and request sensitive information like Social Security numbers or bank account details under the guise of employment paperwork before any actual hiring occurs. The FTC recommends verifying recruiter legitimacy by checking email domains (legitimate recruiters use corporate accounts, not personal ones), being wary of requests for personal information before interviews, and searching online for the recruiter's name combined with terms like "scam" or "complaint."
tribuneindia.com
· 2025-12-08
The Second Innings Association, in collaboration with Chandigarh Police and the Reserve Bank of India, organized a cyber fraud awareness program for over 150 senior citizens to educate them on rising digital threats. Experts presented information on phishing, UPI frauds, OTP misuse, and other cybercrime tactics, using real-life case studies and live demonstrations to teach attendees how to identify red flags and secure their online transactions. Participants learned to report cybercrime through helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
ttrweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk warn of rising fake visa websites and phishing scams targeting holidaymakers as countries digitize visa applications. Scammers create convincing copycat government portals, charge inflated fees for fake or unnecessary documents, and use phishing emails impersonating immigration authorities to steal personal information and payment details. The article provides guidance on avoiding these scams, including using only official government websites, verifying HTTPS security, avoiding pressure tactics, and paying with credit cards for fraud protection.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple scams are currently targeting Oklahomans, including fake bank fraud calls where scammers impersonate financial institutions to obtain personal information and conduct unauthorized wire transfers, as well as grandparent scams where callers impersonate relatives claiming to be in emergencies. To protect themselves, Oklahomans are advised to hang up on unsolicited calls, avoid sharing personal information like passwords or account numbers, independently verify emergencies by directly contacting the person or institution involved, and report suspected scams to police, banks, and the state attorney general's office.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office issued a public alert about a surge in fraud targeting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors and small business owners, including romance scams, bank impersonation, fake government texts (DMV, law enforcement), and business invoice schemes that pressure victims to pay via Bitcoin, gift cards, or money apps. Common red flags include unsolicited requests for personal information, urgent threats, and payment demands via untraceable methods, with victims urged to verify requests directly with official sources and report fraud to law enforcement and agencies like the FTC and IdentityTheft.gov.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A seminar in Chandigarh organized by the Second Inning Association addressed the growing threat of digital fraud targeting senior citizens, with officials from Chandigarh Police, the Reserve Bank of India, and Bombay Stock Exchange highlighting that cybercriminals exploit ignorance, fear, and greed through phishing scams, fake investment offers, and fraudulent calls—even affecting highly educated and retired professionals. The experts recommended that financial institutions increase cyber safety education for elderly clients, staff train to detect suspicious activity, victims report crimes immediately to police (dial 112) or the cybercrime helpline (1930), and individuals practice "digital isolation" by verifying messages before responding. In one
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A seminar in Chandigarh organized by the Second Inning Association highlighted digital fraud as an escalating threat to senior citizens, with police, Reserve Bank of India, and Bombay Stock Exchange officials warning that cybercriminals use psychological manipulation, fake rewards, and impersonation to target vulnerable elderly individuals—even highly educated retirees and former bureaucrats. Experts emphasized that victims should immediately report crimes to police (dial 112) or the cybercrime helpline (1930), practice "digital isolation" by verifying messages before responding, and that financial institutions must enhance staff training and client education on cyber safety. In Chandigarh alone, cybercrimes
siasat.com
· 2025-12-08
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau warned of fraudulent "RTO Traffic Challan" APK files being circulated via WhatsApp that impersonate official traffic department communications and contain malware designed to steal banking and personal information from victims. Cybercriminals target random users, particularly in evenings, with convincing-looking messages containing malicious links that, when installed, enable unauthorized access to financial accounts and can result in significant financial losses. Authorities recommend downloading apps only from official sources like Google Play Store or Apple App Store and advise victims to report incidents immediately to the cybercrime helpline at 1930.
gbnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Television personality Ore Oduba, a former Strictly Come Dancing champion and host of BBC's Claimed and Shamed fraud awareness program, fell victim to an elaborate online scam in which fraudsters impersonated self-help expert Mel Robbins using AI-generated correspondence. After publicly endorsing Robbins on ITV's Loose Women, Oduba received fake emails from a Gmail account posing as Robbins' podcast team, which he initially believed before noticing red flags like misspelled email addresses and inconsistencies that he confirmed with Robbins' official PR team. Oduba publicly shared his experience in an emotional video to raise awareness about how scams can deceive
people.com
· 2025-12-08
Sharon Brightwell of Florida lost $15,000 to scammers who used AI-cloned audio of her daughter's voice in a fake emergency scheme. On July 9, Brightwell received a call mimicking her daughter's number where she heard AI-generated crying claiming a car crash occurred; a fake attorney then demanded $15,000 bail, which she paid, and scammers attempted to extort an additional $30,000 by claiming the daughter had caused a miscarriage. The daughter's son intervened and confirmed via a three-way call that she was safe at work, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Toll road scams have proliferated across the US over the last 18 months, with fraudsters sending phishing emails and text messages impersonating legitimate toll agencies like E-ZPass and FasTrak to trick drivers into paying fake fees through fraudulent websites that harvest personal and financial information. These schemes exploit urgency and fear of fines to prompt immediate action, and victims' compromised data may be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web. The best defense is to avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify toll charges through official channels, and report suspicious messages to authorities.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Banking phone scams are increasing in sophistication, with criminals impersonating bank representatives and even FBI agents to steal sensitive information and money from victims, resulting in millions of dollars lost in 2024 according to FBI and FTC data. The article provides protective practices including never sharing personal information or MFA codes, letting unknown calls go to voicemail, contacting your bank directly using verified numbers, and monitoring accounts for unauthorized activity. Victims should immediately contact their bank, report fraud to law enforcement and the FTC, change passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Yes, scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging artificial intelligence to create convincing text messages and scam schemes that exploit financial hardship and emotional vulnerabilities. One Baltimore resident lost over $230 after being lured by a fake work-from-home opportunity that initially paid small amounts before demanding Bitcoin transfers, illustrating how modern scams use gradual trust-building tactics. In 2024, over $1 trillion was lost globally to fraud, with U.S. losses from scam texts alone jumping from $86 million in 2020 to $470 million by 2024, prompting experts to urge greater vigilance as AI technology enables scammers to eliminate traditional re
wfmynews2.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using text messages impersonating coworkers or acquaintances with personalized details to trick recipients into responding, which can lead to requests for money, sensitive information, or confirmation that a phone number is active for future scams. The FBI warns that while traditional scams focused on stealing money, newer variants increasingly target personal information. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited texts from unfamiliar numbers, delete the message, and block the sender.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Westpac's analysis of customer transaction data revealed that Tuesday at 4pm is the most frequent time for scams to occur in Australia, with 80% of scams happening from lunchtime onwards during work weeks. Remote access scams are the most common type at this peak time (29%), followed by investment scams (20%) and buying/selling scams (13%), with remote access scam victims losing an average of $17,943 in early 2024. The research suggests scammers exploit late-afternoon timing when people are multitasking and less vigilant about suspicious messages and requests.