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in Scam Awareness
local.aarp.org
AARP's Fraud Watch Network is a free resource offering scam prevention education, fraud specialist guidance for targeted individuals, and advocacy for consumer protection at multiple government levels. The organization provides a helpline (877-908-3360), biweekly newsletters, community scam alerts, and a weekly podcast called "The Perfect Scam" featuring victim stories; notably, veterans and active-duty service members face nearly 40% higher risk of financial fraud than civilians.
10tv.com
Scammers have been targeting Ohio small business owners with PPP loans by impersonating bank personnel and using spoofed caller IDs to trick victims into revealing online banking credentials and security codes, allowing fraudsters to access and drain their accounts. The Ohio Department of Commerce warns consumers to independently verify any unsolicited calls claiming to be from their bank by calling their bank directly through a published number, and recommends strengthening security with strong passwords and multifactor authentication.
patch.com
Newtown Township residents were scammed out of approximately $7,000 over a three-day period in late May through two separate gift card fraud schemes: one victim lost $3,500 after receiving a fraudulent call claiming their YouTube TV account would be canceled, and another victim lost $3,500 after receiving a phishing email about a Netflix billing increase. Police also warned residents of a circulating text message scam impersonating the Pennsylvania Court system demanding payment for alleged traffic violations, and reminded the public that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment via gift cards or electronic transfers.
vertikal.net
A fraudulent email scam impersonating UK contractor Balfour Beatty circulated within the lifting and access industry, requesting suppliers register as vendors and submit profiles to a fake email address (balfourbeatty-procurements[.]com). This incident follows a similar March 2025 fraud targeting Haulotte UK involving fake company impersonation, fraudulent documentation, and equipment theft, prompting industry suppliers to implement stronger verification procedures for vendor inquiries.
lancs.live
Between 2022 and 2025, online romance scammers defrauded UK residents of over £271 million across 21,976 reported cases, with Lancashire victims losing £4 million across 554 reports at an average of £7,281 per person. Dating fraud reports increased 17% in 2024/25 to 8,122 cases, with losses reaching £102 million that year, and victims reporting individual losses ranging up to £500,000 or more. Women and transgender individuals suffered disproportionately higher average losses per case despite fewer reports, and the average victim age increased from 47 to 49 years old over the three
wgal.com
Scammers sent fraudulent text messages to Pennsylvania drivers impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), claiming recipients had outstanding traffic tickets and threatening vehicle registration suspension and driving privilege revocation for 30 days, with an added threat of a 35% service fee if charges were transferred to toll booths. The messages contained a malicious link (since disabled and flagged) designed to collect payment for fines that do not exist, and multiple recipients reported the scam to local news outlets.
fingerlakes1.com
The New York State Police warned residents about an escalating phone spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement through spoofed caller IDs, threatening legal action or arrest to coerce victims into revealing Social Security numbers and personal information. The scam exploits fear-based tactics and technology that manipulates caller ID displays; authorities emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never demands personal details or threatens arrests by phone. Residents are advised to hang up immediately on suspicious calls, verify caller identity through official agency numbers, and report incidents to the New York State Police.
komonews.com
Scammers are conducting door-to-door solar installation fraud across the U.S., promising "free" systems funded by tax credits and rebates while tricking homeowners into signing complex financing agreements worth tens of thousands of dollars—often without fully understanding the terms. Victims report losses of $30,000 to $85,000+, with many receiving poor-quality installations, defective products, or no solar equipment at all, while contracts with forced arbitration clauses prevent them from seeking legal recourse. Consumers should be wary of aggressive sales tactics, pressure to sign digital contracts quickly, and unverified claims about government programs and tax rebates.
timesfreepress.com
A phishing scam uses intimidating phone calls impersonating process servers, debt collectors, or police officers to pressure victims into immediate payment or provide personal information. The scam exploits common fears about legal consequences and debts to manipulate targets into compliance.
ny1.com
New Yorkers have reported receiving scam messages claiming they owe money for unpaid E-ZPass or tolling charges, with such scams increasing after holiday travel periods like Memorial Day weekend. Scam experts note these fraudulent messages exploit the timing of heavy travel to appear more credible to potential victims.
troopers.ny.gov
**Summary:**
The New York State Police warned of an ongoing phone spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials to extract sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers from victims, often threatening arrest or legal action. Legitimate government agencies never demand personal information or threaten consequences over the phone; recipients should hang up immediately, avoid sharing any data, and verify calls by contacting agencies directly using trusted numbers.
cbsnews.com
A Kentucky family is advocating for stronger protections against "sextortion" scams, in which perpetrators threaten to release intimate images unless victims pay money, after their son's death. The FBI reports that at least 20 teenagers in the U.S. have died by suicide as a result of sextortion schemes since 2021. A new law signed by President Trump aims to help combat these online scams and prevent further tragedies.
bonobology.com
This is an educational article about senior-friendly dating platforms, not a fraud case. The article reviews eight dating sites designed for people over 50, with OurTime ranked as the top choice for its age-restricted membership (50+ only), local event features, and user-friendly interface. The piece emphasizes safety features and provides pricing comparisons, encouraging seniors to explore online dating as a legitimate way to find companionship and romance.
garhwalpost.in
An investigation into a Haridwar Municipal Corporation land deal worth Rs 54 crores found significant irregularities, including illegal land use conversion from agricultural to commercial within just 20 days, bypassing mandatory committees and procedures, and price inflation from approximately Rs 15 crore to Rs 54 crore. IAS officer Ranveer Singh Chauhan's report named three senior officials—Haridwar DM Karmendra Singh, then Municipal Administrator Varun Chaudhary, and SDM Ajayveer Singh—as culpable for violating government norms and recommended disciplinary action. The government now faces pressure to act on the findings, as
limerickleader.ie
AIB has issued a warning to Irish customers about an ongoing threat of text message and phone call fraud, with reports of people being scammed through impersonation of legitimate institutions. The bank's Financial Crime Prevention team advised customers to avoid clicking suspicious links, never share login details or PINs, and to hang up and call back on trusted numbers if receiving unexpected calls. AIB encourages victims to report fraud through their website security center or contact their 24/7 fraud support line.
the420.in
A 46-year-old MBA graduate in India lost ₹11 crore (approximately $1.3 million USD) over three months in a sophisticated online job scam, reported as one of India's largest cyber frauds. Fraudsters created a fake website impersonating an international consultancy firm and convinced the victim he was hired for an executive position, then extracted money through fake onboarding fees, documentation charges, and purported investment plans before disappearing with funds transferred to crypto wallets and offshore accounts. Authorities suspect this may be part of a larger fraud operation and are urging the public to verify online job offers and avoid upfront payments.
commercialappeal.com
The "Mystery Shopper" scam is resurfacing, targeting job seekers with offers to earn hundreds of dollars weekly by evaluating retail experiences. Victims receive official-looking checks and are instructed to purchase money cards, photograph them, and send the images to scammers, who then drain the funds after the check bounces, leaving victims thousands of dollars in loss. The BBB and FTC advise avoiding job offers promising high guaranteed pay, requiring upfront payments, or involving depositing checks and sending money elsewhere, and recommend researching companies online and consulting trusted contacts before accepting any job offer.
news.yahoo.com
Pennsylvania residents are receiving scam text messages impersonating state agencies including the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, claiming outstanding traffic tickets or toll fees require immediate payment via links or gift cards. The scammers threaten fictitious penalties such as license suspension, criminal prosecution, and credit damage to pressure victims into sending money through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. State authorities advise recipients to ignore suspicious links, never provide personal information, and report such messages to local police or the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, emphasizing that legitimate state agencies never solicit payment via text message.
6abc.com
Officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are warning about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threatening license suspension or prosecution to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Both PennDOT and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission clarified they do not send unsolicited texts about driver status. Victims should report suspected scam messages to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cbsnews.com
Scammers are sending text messages falsely claiming to be from PennDOT, threatening license suspension and vehicle registration revocation unless recipients pay outstanding fines immediately. PennDOT officials clarified that the agency does not send text messages about traffic violations or fines, and advised recipients to delete the messages, avoid clicking links, and report them as spam. A key indicator of the scam is that the message falsely references the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles," a non-existent department in Pennsylvania.
investopedia.com
This article outlines six common scams targeting users of peer-to-peer payment platforms like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle, including impersonation of trusted contacts, fake "accidental" payments designed to exploit goodwill, fraudulent sellers and buyers using stolen payment methods, fake contest winnings, and impersonation of customer support teams. According to Pew Research, 13% of P2P payment app users have sent money to scammers, affecting millions of users across platforms with 92 million active users on Venmo alone. The key prevention strategies are to verify recipient identity before sending money, report unexpected payments from strangers immediately without cashing out
whio.com
This article explores the legal landscape of scams and fraud, explaining that while scamming is generally illegal, some deceptive practices exist in legal gray areas by technically offering a service or relying on consumer awareness. The article discusses how scammers exploit loopholes—such as with carnival games and deceptive solicitations (like fake domain renewal notices)—by staying vague about their offerings and not explicitly making false promises, allowing them to operate despite feeling fraudulent to consumers. The key takeaway is that scamming tactics are increasingly sophisticated and difficult to distinguish from legitimate services, making consumer vigilance essential.
midislandtimes.com
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly and the Town of Oyster Bay partnered to host an educational seminar on June 9 aimed at protecting seniors from increasingly prevalent scams by teaching them to identify common fraud tactics, safeguard personal information, and report suspicious activities. The initiative recognizes that seniors face heightened vulnerability to scams due to limited familiarity with technology, loneliness, and other risk factors, and encourages attendees to share the information with family and friends.
newtondailynews.com
Jasper County RSVP is offering a free scam prevention presentation for seniors on June 24, delivered by Aging Resources, to help participants stay informed about evolving fraud tactics. The event is open to RSVP members and all seniors in Jasper County, with registration available by calling 641-792-6433 or emailing Sarah Patterson.
law.georgia.gov
During May 2025's Older Americans Month, Georgia's Attorney General Consumer Protection Division reached over 1,300 seniors to educate them on recognizing, preventing, and reporting financial abuse and exploitation. The division highlighted common scams targeting older adults—including government imposter schemes, investment/cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams—and provided resources such as their free "Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults" (available in English, Spanish, and Korean) along with reporting contacts for suspected financial abuse.
patch.com
**Event Type:** Educational Webinar
Melissa Negrin-Wiener and Ken Kern, Senior Partners at Cona Elder Law, are hosting a webinar for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to educate seniors, caregivers, and families about protecting older adults from scams and financial exploitation. The session covers common scams targeting seniors (phishing, fake charities, grandparent schemes), warning signs of fraud, strategies to protect identity and assets, and steps to take if scammed, including reporting and accessing legal support.
halifax.ca
Police responded to five reports in one week from seniors targeted by an advanced "grandparent scam" where fraudsters used artificial intelligence to clone family members' voices, claiming the victim's loved one was arrested and demanding bail payment via courier pickup. Authorities warn that law enforcement never collects bail money in person and advise victims to hang up immediately and not confirm personal or financial information when receiving such calls.
tucson.com
Financial scams targeting seniors (age 60+) have increased significantly in the digital age, leading the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to educate older adults about common fraud schemes. The article describes four prevalent scams targeting seniors: Social Security Administration impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to demand money be moved to gift cards), tech support scams (falsely claiming viruses exist and requesting remote device access to steal information), lottery scams (claiming winners owe fees until funds are depleted), and romance scams (using dating sites to manipulate victims into sending money).
govinfosecurity.com
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Philippine-based Funnull Technology and its administrator Liu Lizhi for operating as a content delivery network that powered romance scam websites, using trafficked workers to deceive victims into fake investments. The FBI identified over 332,000 domains linked to Funnull infrastructure, which caused an estimated $200 million in losses to U.S. victims (averaging $150,000 per person), with global romance scam losses reaching $4.4 billion. The company supplied bulk IP addresses, website templates, and algorithmically-generated domain names to scammers, enabling them to rapidly create resilient scam networks difficult to take down.
moneysense.ca
Relationship fraud and romance scams are increasing in Canada, typically beginning when scammers contact victims on social media, dating apps, or email, then gradually build trust over months before requesting money or promoting fraudulent investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency. Victims suffer not only financial losses but also emotional trauma from the betrayal, and scammers may use harvested personal information for identity theft. Key warning signs include pressure and urgency in requests, and protection strategies include verifying requests with trusted individuals and being cautious of AI-generated personas.
uk.news.yahoo.com
Between April 2022 and March 2025, online dating scams defrauded UK victims of over £271 million across 21,976 reported cases, with Lancashire residents losing £4 million across 554 incidents (average £7,281 per victim). Women and transgender individuals suffered disproportionately higher average losses (£16,370 and £27,234 respectively), and some victims lost as much as £500,000 or more to scammers posing as romantic interests. Reports to Action Fraud increased 17% in 2024/25 to 8,122 cases, reflecting a concerning rise in this type of fraud targeting increasingly older
thebridgechronicle.com
Deepfake technology is increasingly being used in online dating scams to create fake profiles with AI-generated faces and manipulate videos and voice messages to deceive victims emotionally before requesting money or sensitive information. Victims experience significant psychological harm including trust issues, anxiety, shame, and trauma from the emotional manipulation. To protect themselves, users should reverse image search photos, request real-time video calls early, avoid sharing personal information, and watch for red flags like overly polished photos, declined video calls, and generic or rehearsed responses.
whio.com
This educational article explains how to identify fake social media profiles used by scammers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tinder. Key warning signs include fake or AI-generated profile pictures (verify with reverse image search), brand-new accounts with unusual activity patterns, generic or automated posting behavior, and follower lists consisting of random unconnected accounts. The article advises online users to maintain skepticism about profiles they encounter and check for these indicators before engaging with unfamiliar accounts.
abc10.com
A Sacramento man received an unsolicited $1,700 check with instructions to deposit it, purchase gift cards, and email the card numbers to the sender in exchange for a bonus—a classic check scam he wisely rejected after recognizing the red flags. Law enforcement confirmed the scheme, warning that victims who deposit fraudulent checks face serious consequences including financial liability and potential account closure, even if unaware of the fraud; the FTC reported Americans lost over $217 million to gift card scams in 2023 alone. Authorities recommend investigating any unsolicited checks through the Better Business Bureau and reporting suspicious checks to police and banks immediately.
theledger.com
A Palm Beach County couple based in Westlake was arrested in May for operating a "SIM swap" scam that targeted at least 50+ victims across the United States. The scheme involved tricking victims into transferring their phone numbers to different carriers, which allowed the scammers to bypass two-factor authentication and gain unauthorized access to bank accounts and email—in the documented case, they stole $1,500 in cash and attempted to wire transfer over $200,000 from a single victim. SIM swapping complaints have decreased from a peak of 2,026 cases in 2022 (with $72.6 million in losses) to 982
10news.com
Seniors in San Diego County lost at least $108 million to elder fraud scams in 2024, with over 1,300 victims over age 60 reporting an average loss of $80,000 each. The FBI reports sophisticated scams—often originating from overseas criminals in India—typically involve fake tech support or overpayment schemes where couriers are dispatched to collect cash from victims' homes, with the money laundered internationally. In response, San Diego created the Elder Justice Task Force, a first-of-its-kind multi-agency collaboration combining local law enforcement, the FBI, social workers, and Adult Protective Services to combat the crime.
oprahdaily.com
Scams targeting consumers are rising dramatically, with phishing, deepfakes, tech-support scams, and spoofing becoming increasingly common. Readers shared varied experiences including fraudulent tax and loan collection calls, fake rental listings, phishing texts posing as delivery services and financial institutions, and sextortion emails with personal information. The advice emphasized by victims includes not answering unknown numbers, immediately deleting suspicious messages, verifying requests independently, and never providing personal information or upfront payments to unverified sources.
home.treasury.gov
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a Philippines-based company that provided computer infrastructure supporting hundreds of thousands of "pig butchering" virtual currency investment scam websites, resulting in over $200 million in reported U.S. losses. These sophisticated scams, often perpetrated by Southeast Asian criminal organizations using trafficked workers, deceive victims into fake investment platforms through elaborate romantic or trust-based schemes, with average individual losses exceeding $150,000. The FBI is publishing a cybersecurity advisory with technical details to help the private sector identify and dismantle Funnull-associated websites.
wxii12.com
Government impersonation scams stole $789 million in 2024, with scammers now using fake FTC agent credentials and badges to target victims through urgent alerts about viruses, compromised accounts, or identity theft, then pressuring them to transfer money. The FTC warns it has no agents and never requests money transfers, advising victims to verify claims by contacting their banks directly using official numbers and to report suspected scams at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
bankingjournal.aba.com
According to a Federal Reserve survey on U.S. household economic well-being, more than one in five adults experienced financial fraud or scams in 2024, with older adults (ages 45+) significantly more vulnerable than younger individuals. Credit card fraud was the most common type of fraud at 17% of respondents, while non-credit-card fraud affected 8% of adults and resulted in an estimated $84 billion in losses, with roughly one-third of victims unable to recover their money.
fox13memphis.com
A "reshipping scam" targets job seekers by recruiting them as "shipping coordinators" to receive packages at their homes and forward them elsewhere, but perpetrators never pay the promised wages while victims front shipping costs and unwittingly handle merchandise purchased with stolen credit cards. The Better Business Bureau warns that this organized crime scheme is particularly deceptive because it appears legitimate, with at least one Tipton County woman losing $1,500 and her personal information, including her social security number, over the course of a month. Job seekers should avoid positions offering unusually high pay with no interview process, those requiring upfront payment, or any that involve shipping received goods.
investopedia.com
This educational article outlines common cryptocurrency scams and protection strategies. According to the FBI, crypto fraud losses surged 45% year-over-year to $5.6 billion in 2023 based on 69,000 complaints, with scams ranging from phishing attacks to fake ICOs and rug pulls. The article advises crypto investors to verify website URLs, enable two-factor authentication, and remain vigilant about suspicious links and messages to protect their digital assets.
finance.yahoo.com
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Funnull, a Philippines-based company run by Chinese national Liu Lizhi, for providing infrastructure to cybercriminals operating "pig butchering" crypto investment scams that defrauded American victims of approximately $200 million, with an average loss of $150,000 per victim. Funnull generated fraudulent domain names and website templates to help scammers impersonate legitimate brands, and also conducted the Polyfill supply chain attack to redirect website visitors to malicious gambling and scam sites. These services enabled criminals to quickly evade detection by switching domains and IP addresses when legitimate providers attempted to shut down their operations.
freep.com
Beginning in June, the federal government will resume aggressive collection of defaulted student loans, offsetting up to 15% of Social Security benefits (with $750 monthly protected) and garnishing up to 15% of wages for approximately 5.3 million borrowers. This financial crackdown is expected to trigger a surge in student loan scams, with fraudsters using unsolicited calls, texts, and emails to target vulnerable borrowers with offers of fake debt relief in exchange for upfront fees or to charge them for free services like income-driven repayment plans available directly through StudentAid.gov.
nbcchicago.com
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias warned residents about phishing text messages falsely claiming to be from the state's DMV, which threaten to suspend vehicle registration and driving privileges while attempting to extract personal or financial information. The official clarified that legitimate DMV communications via text are limited to appointment reminders, and urged residents to report suspicious messages to the Federal Trade Commission.
okcfox.com
This editorial discusses the evolution and pervasiveness of fraud from ancient times to 2024, noting that the FBI received 859,532 online crime complaints in 2024 with losses exceeding $16 billion—a 33% increase from the prior year. The article highlights emerging threats including cryptocurrency fraud ($24.2 billion in illicit transfers in 2023), AI-powered deepfakes (which surged 1,740% in North America between 2022-2023, with one incident targeting a Hong Kong firm for $25 million), and voice-cloning scams targeting individuals through fake calls from loved ones. Williams emphasizes that fraud affects all demographics—not just the
cbc.ca
North Vancouver RCMP reported a spike in fraud targeting seniors, including an incident on May 15, 2025, where an older woman lost $23,000 after being contacted by someone impersonating a bank fraud investigator who later visited her home to collect her cards; eight similar frauds have been reported in the area, with suspects potentially operating throughout the Lower Mainland. The RCMP advises seniors to avoid sharing personal information, verify the legitimacy of organizations before engaging with them, recognize spoofing tactics, and report suspicious contacts to police immediately.
states.aarp.org
Nearly 7,500 AARP members and New Yorkers delivered letters to state legislative leaders urging support for bills (S.6379 and A.7019) to protect older adults from financial exploitation, following an FBI report showing scams targeting New Yorkers age 60+ resulted in over $257 million in losses from more than 6,200 victims in 2024—a significant increase from $203 million in 2023. The proposed legislation would require bank employees to identify signs of financial exploitation, place holds on suspicious transactions, and refer cases to law enforcement. AARP is calling on lawmakers to pass this measure before the 2025 legislative session ends in June
plansponsor.com
This article presents resources and statistics on financial fraud affecting retirement plan participants. In 2023, nationwide financial fraud losses exceeded $10 billion (up 14% from 2022), with investment scams accounting for over $4.6 billion of those losses—the largest category. The piece curates tools and educational resources from government agencies and medical institutions to help plan sponsors and participants identify fraud vulnerabilities, recognize signs of cognitive decline, and report fraudulent activity.