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in Robocall / Phone Scam
thegazette.com
· 2025-12-08
An Iowa AARP Fraud Watch Network educator warns that artificial intelligence has made scams significantly easier and cheaper to execute, with seniors disproportionately targeted due to perceived lower technology skills, social isolation, and accumulated wealth. In 2024, over $12.5 billion was lost to scams and fraudulent activities across the nation, with people aged 70 and older reporting the largest dollar losses per incident. Key prevention strategies include never trusting unsolicited messages, verifying information through independent trusted sources, avoiding opening attachments or links from unknown senders, and recognizing that scams typically follow a three-part pattern designed to manipulate emotions before requesting personal information.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The digital arrest scam is a sophisticated fraud tactic where scammers impersonate police officers via spoofed phone numbers to accuse victims of crimes and demand immediate payment or banking information under threat of arrest. The scam exploits psychological manipulation through fear, urgency, and perceived authority, and has successfully targeted thousands of people including tech-savvy and educated individuals who fall victim due to panic and confusion created by high-pressure tactics and fake police station backdrops. Authorities recommend victims verify caller identity independently and never share personal or financial information over unsolicited calls.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Marin County Sheriff's deputies arrested Zian Hu and Balraj Singh in connection with FBI impersonation scams in which criminals posed as federal agents over the phone, convincing victims their bank accounts were under investigation and instructing them to withdraw cash for deposit in a "safe Federal bank account" via courier. One Marin County elder victim lost $25,000 in February 2024 when Hu, acting as a courier, picked up the withdrawn cash from their home; Singh was arrested attempting a similar scheme to collect $50,000 from another resident. Hu was charged with grand theft, elder abuse, and conspiracy, while Singh faced charges of attempted grand theft, attempted elder
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Benevilla hosted a free "Fraud Prevention for Seniors" workshop led by Dan Pressler of NeighborCare on June 5 in Sun City, designed to help older adults recognize and avoid common scams targeting them. The session provided practical guidance on spotting red flags in financial and phone scams, protecting personal and financial information, and taking steps if fraudulent activity is suspected.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is conducting educational outreach events throughout June 2024 to help seniors, service providers, and the general public recognize and avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. The programs include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO," "$camJam" (featuring law enforcement and state agency experts), senior expos, and sessions on common scam tactics, offered at various locations across Pennsylvania at no cost to attendees.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers targeting senior citizens on Long Island impersonated banks to convince victims their accounts were compromised, then fraudulently obtained their debit and credit cards and PINs before stealing money from ATMs. Suffolk County police advised seniors to avoid answering unknown calls, never provide personal information or PINs to callers, and to independently verify any account security claims by calling the number on the back of their card.
wsoctv.com
· 2025-12-08
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are among the top cybersecurity threats of 2025, with scammers now using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and AI automation to make deception more convincing and targeted than ever. Adults aged 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), with phishing/spoofing and tech support scams hitting this demographic hardest, while investment fraud alone caused $6.57 billion in losses and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals and organizations should employ straightforward defense strategies including
wgauradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are recognized as major cybersecurity threats in 2025, with scammers increasingly using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and automation to deceive victims at scale. Adults 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), particularly falling victim to phishing/spoofing and tech support scams, while investment fraud caused $6.57 billion and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion in total losses. The article emphasizes that while classic scam methods like phishing and business email compromise remain dominant, AI technology is making
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Fremont Police Department reported a rise in medical impersonation scams where callers pretend to be healthcare providers and demand immediate payment or sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and insurance details from residents. Scammers use tactics like spoofed phone numbers, medical terminology, threats of arrest or coverage termination, and requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to appear legitimate. Residents are advised to be cautious of unexpected medical calls and recognize red flags such as pressure to act quickly or demands for personal data.
dig.watch
· 2025-12-08
Dianne Ringstaff, a Florida woman, lost approximately $160,000 in an AI-powered romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated actor Keanu Reeves using deepfake videos and cloned voice technology. Over two and a half years, the scammer cultivated trust with Ringstaff before claiming financial legal troubles and convincing her to take out a home equity loan and sell her car to help. Her bank account was also used to funnel money from other victims, and Ringstaff is now speaking publicly to warn others about the growing threat of celebrity impersonation scams using artificial intelligence.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Docusign, a widely-used digital document signing platform with over 1 billion users, has become a target for cybercriminals who send phishing emails impersonating the service to steal login credentials and financial information. These scams typically trick victims into clicking on fake "review document" buttons or scanning QR codes that lead to spoofed login pages, with recent incidents including fake invoice schemes, refund scams, and impersonation of suppliers and government agencies. To protect against Docusign phishing, users should verify destination URLs, look for security codes in legitimate emails, avoid clicking attachments in initial emails, and watch for spelling errors and mismatched sender information.
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York State DMV is warning residents of phishing text scams where fraudsters impersonate the agency to steal personal information, often claiming victims have outstanding traffic tickets that must be paid by a deadline or face license suspension. Over 170 such phishing scams were reported across upstate New York regions in 2024, with red flags including poor grammar, threatening language, and suspicious URLs. Victims should avoid clicking links or sharing personal information and can report suspected phishing to the DMV or Federal Trade Commission.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
Recent college graduates are being targeted by multiple scams during their transition period, including unpaid tuition threats (demanding immediate payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit card), student loan forgiveness schemes (requesting upfront fees for services), job scams (offering unrealistic salaries while collecting personal information), moving scams (overcharging or holding belongings hostage), and rental scams. The Better Business Bureau advises graduates to verify all communications directly with official sources, never pay upfront fees, conduct thorough company research, and obtain all agreements in writing to protect themselves from identity theft and financial loss.
zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonate legitimate customer service for airlines, banks, retailers, and other companies by posting fake support numbers and accounts online, particularly targeting frustrated consumers posting complaints on social media platforms. Amazon reported a 33% increase in customer service impersonation scams between December 2024 and February, with criminals using fake accounts to direct victims to malicious links, request personal information, or demand payment via gift cards. Consumer watchdogs advise against posting complaints publicly online and warn that red flags include requests for upfront payment, gift card payments, or claims of fraud investigations.
blog.google
· 2025-12-08
Google's threat advisory identifies four evolving scam trends in 2024: customer support scams using fake phone numbers and social engineering, malvertising targeting sophisticated users with valuable assets like crypto wallets, fake travel websites exploiting vacation bookings with counterfeit hotel sites, and package tracking scams impersonating delivery companies to collect fraudulent fees. The advisory comes as global fraud losses reached $1 trillion in 2024 and U.S. fraud reports increased 25% year-over-year, highlighting scammers' ability to evolve tactics and exploit user vulnerabilities despite growing awareness.
prospect.org
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece argues that the rollback of federal enforcement against white-collar crime and corporate misconduct during the Trump administration creates conditions for widespread fraud and scams. With consumer protection agencies defunded or disabled, enforcement actions dropped, and corporate executives pardoned, the article warns that dishonest businesses now have a competitive advantage over honest ones, creating particular vulnerability in sectors like healthcare, higher education, and consumer lending where people are desperate for services or financing.
wgrd.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan residents are being targeted by text message scams falsely claiming they owe tolls through EZ-Pass or the DMV, with scammers directing victims to fraudulent links to steal credit card information. The Michigan Department of Transportation warns that these scams are not legitimate—MDOT operates no toll roads and never contacts residents via text or email about payments. Residents should avoid clicking links in suspicious toll-related messages and instead contact official agencies directly before making any payments.
bernama.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old company director in Perak, Malaysia lost over RM1.47 million in an online trading scam that began in April when he received a call from an unidentified woman offering him a partnership opportunity. The victim was persuaded to download an app called SHV Shop and was promised 30% commissions on purchases, but deposited funds across six different bank accounts from April to May without receiving any returns. The case is under investigation for fraud under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Oliver Wright, 23, from Warrington, died by suicide in December 2022, five years after falling victim to an online financial scam at age 18 that cost him £10,000 in three days. The scammer promised quick profits if Wright transferred £100, but instead drained his savings, causing significant emotional distress and embarrassment that his mother believes contributed to his declining mental health. Wright's death highlights the severe psychological impact financial fraud can have on victims, particularly young people.
moneyweek.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraudsters stole £144.4 million through investment fraud in the UK—a 34% increase from 2023—despite a 24% reduction in the number of cases, indicating victims are losing larger amounts per scam. Investment fraud involves criminals convincing victims to invest in fictitious funds or fake opportunities (cryptocurrencies, property, commodities, etc.), often amplified through AI deepfaking on social media. Overall UK fraud losses reached £1.17 billion across 3.31 million confirmed cases in 2024, with unauthorised fraud (particularly card fraud and remote purchase fraud) being the most prevalent type.
theage.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A financial contributor shares their experience losing over $20,000 to a scam and seeks advice on recovery and moving forward emotionally. The article emphasizes that emotional processing is crucial to healing from scam trauma—acknowledging feelings of shock, anger, and grief rather than rushing past them—and warns against developing shame or self-blame, since scammers actively employ deception tactics. Practical prevention steps like two-factor authentication and avoiding suspicious links are recommended, along with the importance of preventing past trauma from negatively shaping future financial decisions.
smh.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A person lost over $20,000 to a scam and sought advice on recovery and moving forward emotionally. The article provides practical security measures (two-factor authentication, strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links) and emphasizes that recovery requires processing difficult emotions like shock, anger, and grief rather than rushing to "move on," while avoiding shame and ensuring the experience doesn't negatively define future financial decisions.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Toll fee smishing scams—fraudulent text messages claiming users owe payment for tolls—have surged in waves since 2024, with the FBI and FTC issuing warnings and state DMVs in New York, Florida, and California recently alerting residents to the threat. In April 2025 alone, Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts, and text-based fraud attempts generated approximately $470 million in criminal revenue according to the FTC's 2024 data. The article advises consumers to verify sender phone numbers and domain names, check official toll agency websites, avoid engaging with messages, use mobile security features, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's Internet Crime
pa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple free educational events throughout June 2024 aimed at seniors, service providers, and the general public to help them avoid scams, detect fraud, and prevent identity theft. Events include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO" and "$camJam" held at senior centers and community locations across Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvanians encouraged to report scams via 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore has developed Meralion, a locally-trained AI model capable of understanding English, Mandarin, Tamil, Malay, Thai, and Singlish, to check in on elderly patients and intercept scam calls. The AI can analyze emotional cues, medication reminders, and well-being concerns among seniors while flagging urgent cases to social workers, and can identify suspicious calls at anti-scam centers. The $70 million initiative, funded by the National Research Foundation and IMDA, addresses gaps in existing AI systems that struggle with regional languages and local communication styles.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore has developed Meralion, an AI model trained to understand English, multiple regional languages, and Singlish, which can be deployed to check on elderly seniors' well-being and intercept scam calls at anti-fraud centers. The AI can analyze emotional cues in speech, remind seniors to take medication, flag urgent health concerns to social workers, and has been funded by a $70 million national initiative to create regionally-tailored language models. Talks are underway with social service agencies to deploy the chatbot for eldercare purposes.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
Olmsted Falls Police are warning residents about an increasingly sophisticated scam targeting senior citizens in which fraudsters pose as celebrities or their family members to obtain personal information, bank details, or money. In one case, a scammer claimed to be Johnny Carson's son and told a resident they had won a large cash prize, then later called back impersonating police to pressure the victim further. Police advise residents to hang up and not respond immediately to suspicious calls, texts, or emails, and note that scammers are using spoofed phone numbers to appear as legitimate callers.
wistv.com
· 2025-12-08
A rise in phone scams impersonating law enforcement has been reported in South Carolina's Midlands region, with scammers using spoofed caller IDs, real deputy names, and personal information to convince victims they owe fines for missing court dates or jury duty. Two victims—a doctor and a homeowner—nearly lost $3,000 each before recognizing the fraud, with the scammer in the first case threatening medical board reporting to create urgency. Law enforcement advises that legitimate agencies never request payment by phone or online and urges people to verify calls independently rather than trusting caller ID or acting under pressure.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how large language models like ChatGPT can be exploited to gather personal information about individuals, since these AI tools pull from publicly available online sources including people-search sites, social media, and public databases. The article provides guidance on protecting privacy by opting out of people-search sites individually or using automated data removal services, emphasizing that personal information is already widely exposed online and requires proactive steps to limit access.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods—including AI-powered technology—to conduct online scams, with reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in the previous year, a 25% increase. Google's report identifies five trending scams: customer support impersonation, malvertising (fake ads spreading malware), fake travel websites, package-tracking phishing, and toll road scams, and emphasizes that many people remain uninformed about recognizing these fraud tactics. The report recommends verifying contact information directly with companies, downloading software only from legitimate sources, being skeptical of unrealistic deals, and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, the UK experienced £12,332 crore in reported fraud losses, with banks blocking even greater unauthorized attempts, yet emerging threats like remote access scams, social engineering, and platform-enabled fraud continue to outpace defenses. Seventy percent of authorized push payment scams originated online, while investment fraud and romance scams increasingly target victims through social media and polished digital ads, often exploiting emotional manipulation or false financial promises. Experts warn that fraud now represents 40% of all UK crime, yet the fragmented regulatory approach places disproportionate responsibility on banks rather than holding tech platforms, telcos, and other enablers accountable, necessitating a unified national strategy
ibsintelligence.com
· 2025-12-08
UK fraud losses remained at £1.17 billion in 2024, with 70% of authorised push payment fraud cases originating online through social media and messaging platforms. Investment and romance scams are surging despite fewer reported cases, with victims often losing life savings to sophisticated social engineering tactics that bypass bank warnings. Experts warn that fraudsters are evolving tactics—particularly toward remote purchase fraud—and call for a unified national strategy involving banks, law enforcement, and technology providers to address fraud, which now represents 40% of all UK crime.
lsj.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Transnational organized crime groups operating "scam factories" in Southeast Asian countries (Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia) force trafficked workers into sophisticated multilingual fraud operations targeting international victims. Between January 2024 and February 2025, Australia lost $384.2 million to scams, with investment scams causing the largest losses ($225.7 million), while over 300,000 people are estimated to be forced laborers in scam operations across the Mekong region, generating approximately $43.8 billion annually for criminal enterprises. These operations employ advanced technologies including deepfakes and AI language models to impersonate authority figures and craft convincing fraud scripts.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted in cryptocurrency scams because scammers view them as wealthy, trusting, and less technologically savvy, exploiting the irreversible nature of crypto transactions and victims' reluctance to report fraud. The FTC reports growing losses from crypto investment fraud, romance scams, and government impersonation, with seniors in Beaufort County, South Carolina alone losing over $3.1 million in 2024, while sophisticated schemes using AI voice cloning and fake websites are becoming more prevalent. Examples include British pensioners losing hundreds of thousands to romance fraud operations in Cambodia, Minnesota crypto ATM scams that cost over $189 million in 2023, and government impersonation
columbiamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers operating on dating apps and social media platforms defrauded Americans of over $1 billion in 2023 and at least that much in 2024, with one notable victim being a 72-year-old widower named Gary who lost $50,000 to a scammer posing as a woman named Nasha. Scammers use tactics including requests for money for travel or investments, pressure for gift cards, and AI-generated photos to impersonate real people and celebrities. The U.S. Secret Service recommends avoiding financial transactions with people you've never met in person and being wary of red flags such as urgent money requests, pressure for gifts, an
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio's older adults face significant financial exploitation risk, with projected losses exceeding $60 million in 2025 and complaints to the Division of Securities increasing 22% year-over-year (302 complaints in 2024 versus 247 in 2023). Common scams targeting seniors include romance schemes, tech support impersonations, and grandparent scams, with warning signs including unexplained withdrawals, changes in banking practices, and unpaid bills. The Ohio Department of Commerce and Department of Aging are partnering during Elder Abuse Awareness Month to educate the public on recognizing exploitation and providing resources for reporting, including hotlines for securities fraud, adult protective services, an
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
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
okcfox.com
· 2025-12-08
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
etnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines ten common fraud schemes targeting Indian consumers, including phishing impersonations of banks and government agencies, Ponzi schemes promising unrealistic returns, fake law enforcement extortion, fraudulent work-from-home jobs, UPI PIN theft, ATM skimming, predatory loan apps, pump-and-dump stock schemes, romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, and fake parcel delivery scams. The piece emphasizes that fraudsters exploit trust through multiple channels (email, SMS, calls, apps) and advises victims to verify legitimacy through official channels, avoid sharing sensitive information like OTPs and UPI PINs, use only RBI-registered financial services, and report suspicious
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
A Ghanaian man identified as Dada Joe (Nana Kojo Boateng) was arrested by Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) in collaboration with the FBI on allegations of romance fraud and cybercrime. The suspect faces potential extradition to the United States for prosecution in what represents part of an international effort to combat transnational romance scams that target vulnerable individuals for financial exploitation.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
A Ghanaian man known as Dada Joe (Nana Kojo Boateng) was arrested by Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office in collaboration with the FBI for alleged involvement in romance fraud and cybercrime. The suspect may face extradition to the U.S. for prosecution, marking part of an international effort to combat transnational romance scams that target vulnerable individuals by building fake online relationships to extract money from victims.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
oprahdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
A Morgan County woman lost $813,000 to a phone scam between January and May in which a caller impersonated law enforcement and claimed she had an arrest warrant, demanding payment to resolve the matter. The scammer continued calling and extracting money after the victim's initial payment, making this the largest fraud case Morgan County Sheriff's Office has ever documented. Officials advise that legitimate law enforcement never calls about warrants or missed jury duty and recommend treating all unsolicited calls with suspicion and hanging up if fraud is suspected.
theledger.com
· 2025-12-08
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
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
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
moneysense.ca
· 2025-12-08
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.