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the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber criminals are increasingly using malicious links hidden in emails, PDFs, and other documents rather than attachments to steal passwords and install malware, with over 3 billion such attacks reported. Emerging threats include "ClickFix" scams (fake error messages), QR code phishing (4.2 million attempts in early 2025), and "pig butchering" romance scams where criminals build trust with victims before pressuring them into fraudulent investments—including a 2023 case where a Kansas banker lost £34.6 million and received a 24-year sentence. Security experts warn these attacks exploit human psychology by using trusted brands and familiar technology rather
ppc.land
· 2025-12-08
Match Group paid $14 million to settle FTC charges that its Match.com platform engaged in deceptive advertising and billing practices between 2013 and 2019. The company sent misleading messages from fraud-flagged users to non-subscribers to encourage paid subscriptions, with approximately 250,000 consumers subscribing within 24 hours of receiving such emails, while also failing to disclose full requirements for its "match GUARANTEE" program. Additionally, Match Group made cancellation difficult and confusing, resulting in unauthorized billing of consumers who believed they had canceled their subscriptions.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
Sheriff Eric Weisburn outlines four key warning signs of scams—impersonation of trusted organizations, creation of false problems or prizes, pressure to act immediately, and demands for untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency—to help Stark County residents protect themselves. The article emphasizes that legitimate organizations never demand money or personal information unsolicited via phone, text, or email, and advises people to pause, verify through trusted contacts, and report suspected scams to local authorities or the FTC. Residents are encouraged to share their experiences to help prevent others from becoming victims.
uk.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is Yahoo's cookie and privacy consent notice explaining how the company uses cookies and personal data for authentication, security, analytics, and advertising purposes. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.
williamsonsource.com
· 2025-12-08
Task scams (or gamified job scams) lure victims with unsolicited messages promising quick money for completing simple online tasks through apps or platforms. Scammers build false trust by paying small amounts ($5-$20) initially, then demand deposits in cryptocurrency to "unlock earnings" or withdraw fake profits that never materialize, resulting in real financial loss for victims. The FTC advises ignoring unexpected job offers via messaging apps, never paying to receive payment or employment, and reporting suspicious activity to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
people.com
· 2025-12-08
Journalist Alex Sammon investigated a job offer scam by deliberately responding to a text message recruiting for fake remote work, which led him to uncover a Philippines-based "click farm" operation that required users to perform repetitive clicks on music streaming platforms while pressuring victims to make Bitcoin purchases to access earnings they could never withdraw. According to the FTC, Americans reported $470 million in losses to text scams in 2024, more than five times the amount reported in 2020, with tens of thousands of people reporting similar fraudulent job offer texts. Sammon lost less than $100 during his investigation but documented how scammers use fake recruiters and fake earnings to manipulate victims into
tomsguide.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned about a new "brushing" scam variation where criminals send unsolicited packages containing QR codes that, when scanned, harvest personal and financial information while secretly installing malware on victims' phones. The scammers use this method to steal credit card numbers, banking credentials, and cryptocurrency account information. To protect themselves, smartphone users should avoid scanning QR codes from unknown sources, be suspicious of packages lacking sender information, and report any suspected fraud to the FBI's IC3 portal.
sundayguardianlive.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2014 to June 2025, cybercriminals in New Delhi defrauded residents of Rs 1,487.37 crore through increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting elderly pensioners, traders, and young adults via fake bank messages, bogus payment confirmations, and fraudulent investment platforms. Losses surged dramatically to a record Rs 817.65 crore in 2024 alone, with cybercriminals employing deepfakes, counterfeit websites, and AI-generated content to impersonate trusted institutions. While authorities have established response measures including dedicated cyber police stations and a national reporting portal, experts stress that public awareness and vigilance remain the most effective
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection warns that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools—including chatbots for mass messaging, deepfake videos, and voice cloning—to deceive people and steal personal information and money. Scammers leverage AI because it allows them to contact multiple targets simultaneously and maintain convincing conversations. Consumers should watch for typical scam red flags including artificial urgency, suspicious payment requests, and requests for sensitive personal information.
linkedin.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated Gmail phishing attack mimics Google's legitimate login page to trick users into entering their credentials, which are then captured by attackers instead of being sent to Google's servers. The scam is particularly effective because it avoids obvious red flags like suspicious links or file downloads, instead seamlessly integrating into users' daily routines with a nearly identical login flow that is difficult to distinguish from the real thing. Thousands of people have unknowingly compromised their passwords, giving hackers access to their Gmail accounts and the ability to infiltrate connected retail sites, social media, and online banking platforms.
cxotoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting AI-powered search summaries to conduct credit card fraud by injecting fake customer service phone numbers into Google's Gemini AI overviews and other search results. A Las Vegas realtor fell victim after calling a fraudulent number appearing in an AI summary for Royal Caribbean Cruise Company and nearly lost credit card details, though he detected suspicious charges and reversed them; cybersecurity experts warn this AI-enabled scamming technique could rapidly spread beyond the United States to less internet-savvy populations in regions like India.
onemileatatime.com
· 2025-12-08
A Denver-area man attempting to rebook a canceled United Airlines flight was scammed out of $17,328 after calling United's official customer service number and being transferred to a scammer posing as an agent named "David." The scammer convinced him that a credit card charge was necessary to rebook the flight and would be refunded, but the money was never returned; United's investigation revealed that the initial agent accidentally transferred the call to a fraudulent number obtained through a Google search.
kare11.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes common scams targeting consumers—including IRS impersonation calls, toll payment texts, and lottery email schemes—and notes that fraud losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year. Scammers typically use spoofed numbers, demand urgent payment, and attempt to steal personal information or get victims to click malicious links. The article provides five resources for victims: filing complaints with state agencies (Wisconsin's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection or Minnesota's Attorney General's Office), reporting to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, contacting AARP's Fraud Watch Helpline at 877-908-
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Wrong number phone scams are increasingly common frauds where scammers send seemingly accidental texts to build trust and eventually manipulate victims into sending money or sharing personal information. Scammers use social engineering tactics—starting with innocent messages, building rapport over weeks, and escalating to requests for funds or cryptocurrency investments, with some victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The best defense is to not respond to unknown numbers, block them immediately, and report suspicious messages to authorities, as even replying "wrong number" confirms your phone is active and marks you for future scam attempts.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reports a four-fold increase in "transfer it to protect it" scams from 2020-2024, where fraudsters impersonating banks or government agencies convince victims to move money to protect it from fabricated threats. Adults aged 60 and older reported the highest losses, with combined losses exceeding $100,000 reaching $445 million in 2024 (up from $55 million in 2020), though younger consumers are also becoming victims, including an 18-year-old in Michigan who lost $4,800 after receiving a phishing email. Scammers typically initiate contact via phone calls (41% of cases), emails, or pop
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams falsely claim recipients owe money for traffic violations, parking tickets, jury duty, toll bridges, or vehicle registration, using urgent language and fake government agency names to pressure quick payment. Red flags include non-existent government agencies, fake violation codes, grammar errors, and the use of text messaging itself—legitimate government agencies send official mail or paperwork, never unsolicited texts. Recipients should never click links in these messages, as they may steal personal information or install malware, and should report suspicious texts to the Federal Trade Commission.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams impersonating package delivery services and toll payment alerts are rapidly increasing, targeting consumers with urgent messages that trick them into clicking malicious links or providing credit card and personal information. Experts recommend ignoring unsolicited texts, verifying requests by contacting companies directly, and using official tracking apps from USPS, FedEx, and UPS to avoid falling victim to these schemes.
sc.edu
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics across multiple schemes including fake back-to-school deals and scholarship offers, counterfeit football tickets sold on unofficial platforms, and fraudulent job postings that request personal information or upfront fees. Key warning signs include requests for payment or banking information, poor grammar, pressure to act quickly, and vague job descriptions from non-official email addresses. Consumers should verify opportunities through official websites and trusted platforms, avoid sharing sensitive information, never pay for legitimate jobs, and report suspected scams to appropriate authorities including phishing email services, in-app reporting tools, or local police.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Merseyside Police reported a significant rise in winter fuel payment scams, with 45 of 75 fraud reports received since June 2024 occurring in the last two months. Criminals are impersonating the Department for Work and Pensions via emails, texts, and phone calls to solicit personal information from eligible recipients, exploiting uncertainty around recent government eligibility changes and targeting vulnerable older residents. While no reported victims had lost money after contacting police, authorities expressed concern about unreported cases and warned that clicking links or calling bogus numbers poses financial risk.
outlookmoney.com
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old woman in Mumbai lost Rs 18.5 lakh (approximately $22,000 USD) in savings through a digital fraud targeting online milk delivery, where a scammer posing as a delivery company representative manipulated her into clicking a suspicious link that granted remote phone access and enabled systematic draining of her three bank accounts over two days. The incident illustrates a pattern of sophisticated cybercrimes targeting elderly individuals, with authorities advising seniors to never share OTPs, passwords, or banking details via calls or unfamiliar links, verify caller identity through official helplines, and use only secure, legitimate payment channels for digital transactions.
coconutcreektalk.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Coconut Creek resident was defrauded through a fake loan scheme in which scammers texted him about a $10,000 loan eligibility, obtained his personal information, deposited fraudulent funds into his account, then instructed him to buy gift cards and provide the card numbers before the false deposits cleared, leaving his account overdrawn. Coconut Creek Police are warning residents to delete similar text messages and avoid sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, as this scam falls into the "too good to be true" category.
htxt.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Standard Bank has warned South African customers of an increasingly sophisticated AI-powered spoofing scam in which fraudsters use voice cloning and deepfake technology to impersonate bank officials through calls and emails appearing to come from legitimate bank numbers. After building trust by referencing personal details and mimicking authentic bank interactions, scammers pressure victims into transferring funds to fake "safe" accounts, scanning malicious QR codes, or sharing sensitive information like OTPs. As AI technology becomes more advanced and accessible, these scams are growing harder to detect and represent a critical threat to consumer security.
agenciapara.com.br
· 2025-12-08
The Government of Pará launched the "Protect+ the Elderly and Disabled Person in the Virtual Environment" project to educate seniors and disabled individuals about cyber scams and digital safety through discussion circles, lectures, and informational materials. The initiative addresses increasingly common scams on WhatsApp, social media, email, and phone calls—including extortion schemes and financial fraud—while providing information about reporting channels and victims' rights. Participants shared experiences including a successful scam avoidance and cases where prior education could have prevented financial losses, highlighting the project's focus on digital empowerment and harm prevention.
nextpit.com
· 2025-12-08
Gmail users are being targeted by a sophisticated phishing attack disguised as voicemail notifications, which uses spoofed emails routed through Microsoft's Dynamics platform to bypass security filters and direct victims to fake login pages that capture usernames, passwords, backup emails, two-factor authentication codes, and security question answers. To protect themselves, users should scrutinize voicemail alerts, use stronger passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and consider adopting passkeys that rely on biometric verification instead of traditional credentials.
moneycontrol.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The content provided is a website header and cookie/consent notice for Moneycontrol, a financial news and information platform. It contains no information relevant to the Elderus fraud research database and cannot be summarized as a fraud-related case or awareness piece.
livewirecalgary.com
· 2025-12-08
From January to June 2024, Alberta saw over 1,400 scam victims lose more than $36 million, with the financial losses already exceeding half of the previous year's $55 million total despite fewer reported victims. Calgary resident Sydnie Bourassa lost approximately $15,000 to a phone scam during the pandemic when scammers impersonated law enforcement, manipulated her through fear tactics, and instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin, with no recovery possible despite immediate reporting to authorities. The article highlights how scammers use emotional manipulation and isolation tactics while requesting harder-to-trace payment methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency, making fund recovery increasingly difficult.
regulatoryoversight.com
· 2025-12-08
On June 18, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes partnered with the Better Business Bureau to launch an educational campaign featuring four PSA videos designed to help Arizona residents—particularly seniors—recognize and avoid common scams. The campaign addresses fraudulent celebrity scams using AI deepfakes, moving company hostage loads, cryptocurrency scams (which cost Scottsdale residents over $5 million recently), and AI-based scams, with Arizona residents losing approximately $392 million to consumer fraud in 2024.
roughdraftatlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Fulton County Department of Senior Services launched Avoid Cyber Threats (A.C.T.), a free online training program in August targeting residents aged 55 and older to help them recognize and avoid cyber scams including phishing, voice cloning, and impersonation schemes. The initiative responds to a 60 percent rise in scams targeting seniors over five years, with Americans aged 60+ losing nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in 2024 and Georgia ranking seventh nationally for senior fraud losses; the program aims to train 2,000 seniors by December, with research showing trained seniors are 80 percent more likely to recognize and avoid scams.
morningjournalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting older residents across the country with sophisticated fraud schemes, including requests for payment via Bitcoin, gift cards, or other virtual currencies, often using urgent or threatening language about fines, arrests, or endangered loved ones. Ohio reported 16,741 financial exploitation referrals of older residents between July 2024 and June 2025. The key protective measures include verifying contact through official channels, researching businesses before sending money, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal information, and trusting instincts when offers seem too good to be true.
newamerica.org
· 2025-12-08
Chicago residents identified online fraud as a major concern, with 90 percent of survey respondents rating protection from it as "important" or "very important." The Federal Trade Commission received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, with Illinois accounting for over 186,000 fraud reports, and the article provides expert guidance on identifying, avoiding, and responding to various types of fraud including account fraud, non-delivery scams, and impersonation schemes.
trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Task scams are fraudulent employment schemes advertised through social media and text messages that promise easy remote work (like liking videos or writing reviews) with attractive compensation and benefits. Scammers use social engineering and psychological manipulation—including fake professional websites and initial small payouts—to build trust before escalating financial demands, ultimately trapping victims in a cycle of deposits to access their claimed earnings. The Federal Trade Commission reported increased task and employment scam complaints in 2024, with victims targeting a range of demographics but most commonly those seeking easy online income from home.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
**Real Estate Wire Fraud Alert:** Scammers increasingly impersonate real estate agents, lenders, and title companies to deceive homebuyers into wiring money to fraudulent accounts, with first-time homebuyers being three times more likely to fall victim and 1 in 20 consumers expected to be scammed according to a 2025 CertifID report. Experts recommend verifying all wire instructions directly with verified phone numbers, remaining skeptical of urgent requests, and avoiding clicking unknown links in purchase-related communications.
it-online.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Luno's data shows that while crypto scams affect less than 1% of its 14 million customers, scams and fraudulent misrepresentation remain prevalent in digital currency, with the platform handling 516 scam-related queries over three months. Common fraud schemes include romance scams (one South African man lost R4 million over 4.5 years), phishing, impersonation of staff, money laundering schemes, and password compromises, with males aged 20-40 and females aged 20-30 most susceptible. Luno recommends security measures such as unique passwords, two-factor authentication, and passkeys, while noting that cryptocurrency's dec
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
Labubu collectible figures from POP MART have become a global phenomenon, with blind-box toys selling for $27.99 retail but commanding much higher resale prices for rare variants. The popularity has spawned counterfeit products and online scams where buyers lose money to fake sellers, receive poor-quality knockoffs, or have personal information compromised through fraudulent Marketplace listings and phishing tactics. Consumers should verify sellers carefully and be cautious of suspicious links, giveaways, and "you won" messages claiming free Labubu prizes.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole $16.6 billion using increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated deepfakes, romance schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud. AI-powered voice clones enable criminals to impersonate trusted individuals and request urgent wire transfers, while romance scammers target vulnerable people on dating platforms, building emotional connections before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investments. Cryptocurrency and investment scams remain particularly damaging, using social media ads and fake investment advisors to promise unrealistic returns and create urgency around missing opportunities.
kfvs12.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines red flags for identifying phishing scams and cyber attacks, using a real example of an AI-generated voicemail threatening tax delinquency and potential asset seizure. Key warning signs include threats, artificial urgency, robotic voices, unsolicited contact from purported government or mediation services, and requests for immediate payment or callback. The Better Business Bureau advises people to verify contact through official channels and recognize that legitimate agencies typically contact via mail first, not unsolicited phone calls.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered bank impersonation scams are surging, with cyber fraud losses reaching a record $16.6 billion in 2024 (up 33% from 2023). Scammers now use artificial intelligence to create legitimate-looking emails, texts, and calls with perfect grammar and spoofed phone numbers, exploiting consumers' trained panic responses to fraud alerts. Key red flags include urgent requests for immediate action, unusual payment methods (cash withdrawals, bitcoin transfers, new accounts), and the article advises consumers to hang up and call the number on their debit card to verify any bank communication.
floridarealtors.org
· 2025-12-08
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6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers of a phishing scam where fraudsters impersonate Amazon via text messages, claiming purchases failed quality inspections or are being recalled and offering refunds if victims provide personal information. Scammers use this method to steal money and sensitive data; consumers should verify any issues directly through Amazon's official website or app and report suspicious texts as spam rather than clicking links or responding to messages.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about a phishing scam in which fraudsters impersonate Amazon via text messages claiming purchases failed quality inspections or are being recalled, requesting personal information for refunds. Victims who click malicious links risk having their money or personal data stolen. Consumers should verify issues directly through Amazon's official website or app and report suspicious texts to 7726 as spam rather than responding to or clicking links in unsolicited messages.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams have become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, with the FBI reporting $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses in the past year—a 33% increase over the prior year with an average loss of $19,372 per victim. The FTC documented a more-than-four-fold increase between 2020 and 2024 in reports of older Americans (age 60+) losing $10,000 or more to scams, with some victims emptying entire bank accounts and retirement funds. Common schemes include imposter scams masquerading as government agencies or businesses, tech support scams, and prize/sweepstakes frauds, with red flags
woay.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in West Virginia are frequently targeted by scammers using robocalls, texts, and social media schemes that exploit personal information to build false credibility. Common tactics include impersonating legitimate businesses, the IRS, or family members in distress, then pressuring victims to purchase Green Dot cards, Bitcoin, or other untraceable payment methods. Police advise seniors to question callers without disclosing personal information and recognize that legitimate businesses never operate through unsolicited contact demanding immediate payment.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Fulton County, Georgia launched the Avoid Cyber Threats (A.C.T) Training campaign, a free self-paced program for residents 55 and older to help recognize and prevent online scams. The initiative responds to a surge in senior fraud cases—seniors account for nearly 40% of all fraud-related losses, and Americans 60+ lost $4.9 billion to scammers in 2024, with the average victim losing $83,000. The program covers phishing scams, personal information safeguarding, and emerging threats like AI voice cloning, with a county goal of training 2,000 seniors and caregivers by year's end.
brobible.com
· 2025-12-08
A Tennessee woman and multiple passengers were scammed at Knoxville airport when an American Airlines worker handed them a Post-it note with a fraudulent phone number claiming they needed to rebook their flights due to late bag check-in; when they called the number, scammers posing as airline representatives collected their credit card information. The incident affected at least several passengers, with victims advised to cancel their payment cards, and a similar scam was reported on Reddit involving a fake airline rebooking service charging $160.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over £106 million in 2024 in the UK alone, with fraudsters increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic identities to impersonate celebrities and trusted individuals, as demonstrated by a case where a French woman lost €830,000 to fake Brad Pitt impersonators. Beyond romance fraud, these same tactics are being deployed in investment scams, phishing attacks, and social engineering schemes, with investment scam losses reaching £144.4 million in 2024 and one Georgian network defrauding victims across multiple countries of $35 million using deepfake videos of money expert Martin Lewis.
students.wvu.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational advisory warns students, faculty, and staff to remain vigilant against cybercriminal scams targeting universities at the start of the semester, including fake job and scholarship offers, AI-powered phishing emails and voice calls impersonating authority figures, and malicious QR codes ("quishing"). The article advises verifying unexpected or urgent requests through trusted channels, never sharing sensitive credentials or personal information in unsolicited messages, and reporting suspicious emails to the university's security team.
army.mil
· 2025-12-08
Military service members and their families face elevated fraud risks during high-stress periods like deployment transitions, with the Better Business Bureau reporting 273,937 complaints from military consumers between 2019-2024 and higher median losses compared to nonmilitary consumers. Common scams targeting this population include fake rental listings requiring advance payments, phishing emails impersonating military financial officials, and investment fraud promising unrealistic returns. To protect themselves, service members should use credit cards over cryptocurrency or wire transfers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, and communicate openly with family members about finances.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece explains how criminals target retirees' retirement accounts and personal data, noting that elder fraud caused over $4.9 billion in losses in 2024, with 72% of cases involving personal data found online. The article advises retirees to remove their information from data broker websites and databases—either manually or through automated removal services—to reduce their vulnerability to identity theft, phishing attacks, and social engineering scams. Taking these protective steps helps secure hard-earned retirement savings by limiting the personal information scammers can use to craft convincing fraud attempts.
pasadenanow.com
· 2025-12-08
California seniors lose an average of $46,000 daily to scammers, ranking the state third-worst nationally for elder fraud losses. In 2024, investment scams caused $1.8 billion in losses to older adults, while phishing and spoofing attacks surged 700% year-over-year, with 72% of cybercrimes enabled by exposed personal data. In response to rising elder abuse cases in LA County, the La Pintoresca Branch Library in Pasadena is hosting a free bilingual "Financial Exploitation Prevention Workshop" to educate seniors on recognizing and preventing fraud.
republicanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
David P. Shallcross, director of the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Senior Protection Unit, conducted a fraud awareness seminar for approximately 25 seniors in Friedensburg, highlighting common scams targeting older adults including the "Sweetheart Swindle" (where scammers pose as romantic interests to extract money), lottery/investment schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud. Shallcross provided protective strategies such as verifying information sources, recognizing red flags like unsolicited requests for gift card payments, and using verification tools like the SEC's EDGAR database and FINRA.org; he noted that the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office returned $1.2 million to scam victims in