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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
claimsmag.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the UK recorded over 17,000 cases of telecom facility takeover fraud, a 13% increase from the previous year, with the telecom sector now accounting for two in five such cases. Criminals impersonating network operators increasingly targeted vulnerable mobile users aged 61 and over, who represented nearly 27% of all facility takeover cases. Experts recommend consumers protect themselves by refusing to divulge personal information, verifying unexpected calls directly with companies, monitoring accounts for suspicious activity, and reporting suspected fraud to Action Fraud.
desertnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Boron Seniors Center hosted a fraud prevention seminar in July presented by Alta One Federal Credit Union's branch manager Carol Hooks, who emphasized that seniors are disproportionately targeted by scammers despite fraud affecting all age groups. Hooks advised community members to trust their instincts when suspicious communications seem illegitimate, avoid following scammer instructions, and contact their financial institution or local police if they suspect fraud. The credit union has conducted multiple educational seminars across locations after members fell victim to fraud, recognizing that financial institutions cannot stop scams once they are underway and prevention through awareness is essential.
wyomingnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Banking and law enforcement officials in Wyoming warn that fraud is increasingly common and takes multiple forms, including wire fraud, romance scams, and schemes targeting the elderly by impersonating lawyers or law enforcement officers claiming a family member is in trouble. Scammers use spoofed caller IDs, AI voice cloning, and legitimate-looking websites to exploit trusting people, with victims often embarrassed to report incidents and arrests remaining rare since perpetrators frequently operate outside jurisdiction. Authorities advise residents to verify caller information independently, never provide personal details over the phone, and recognize that legitimate law enforcement will not demand payment or bonds via phone calls.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens lose approximately $3 billion annually to elder fraud, with scammers increasingly targeting seniors due to their financial security and trusting nature. The article identifies eight common scams affecting elderly individuals, including tech support/home repair fraud, grandchild impersonation schemes, government agency impersonation, fake sweepstakes, phishing emails (particularly fake Geek Squad invoices), overpayment scams, and unsubscribe email phishing attempts. Key prevention strategies include verifying caller identities independently, confirming stories with family members before sending money, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and researching companies before making purchases.
oig.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Dominican nationals, Rafael Ambiorix Rodriguez Guzman and Felix Samuel Reynoso Ventura, were extradited to the United States and charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans across multiple states out of millions of dollars. Operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic, the defendants allegedly impersonated attorneys, police officers, and court personnel, convincing elderly victims that their grandchildren needed emergency bail money or legal fees following arrests or accidents. Both men face charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison per count.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Three businesses in Guernsey fell victim to a sophisticated vishing scam in which fraudsters posing as NatWest International representatives called them and persuaded them to download malicious software that gave hackers complete control of their computers. The Office of the Data Protection Authority warned islanders to exercise extreme caution with unexpected calls, verify callers through independent means, and be particularly wary of scammers exploiting the recent worldwide IT outage as cover; fortunately, none of the targeted businesses suffered financial losses in this incident.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A 17-year-old Victorian boy, Rohan Patrick Cosgriff, died by suicide in July 2022 after being victimized by a sextortion scam originating from Nigeria, in which he was coerced into sending intimate images to someone on Snapchat who then threatened to distribute them unless he paid money. A coroner's report found that eleven other Australian young people have died by suicide over the past decade following sextortion or image-based abuse, and recommended a shift in online safety education from simply discouraging image-sharing to helping victims understand they have not done anything wrong and can recover from such situations. The coroner suggested these findings should inform a statutory review of Australia
ifamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from LV= found that 3.8 million UK adults lost money to purchase scams last year, with young adults aged 18-34 reporting higher victimization rates across all scam types (phishing, trusted organization impersonation, refund scams, and others) compared to those aged 65 and over. The disparity is attributed partly to younger adults spending significantly more time online (averaging 4 hours 35 minutes daily), making them more exposed to fraudulent schemes.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 CelcomDigi survey of 10,839 Malaysians found that 65.5% had encountered scam attempts, with phone calls being the primary method at 52.6%, and 73% reported being actual victims. Most scams involved phone impersonation where callers posing as bank or government representatives requested personal information and payments. The survey revealed low incident reporting rates, with only 6.5% contacting the National Scam Response Centre and 64% unaware the service existed, indicating a significant gap in fraud mitigation despite 87% of respondents claiming increased scam awareness.
tech.hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old woman in Bengaluru lost ₹1.2 crore after fraudsters impersonated telecom and Mumbai crime branch officials, claiming she was involved in illegal activities and money laundering, then pressured her to transfer funds by presenting forged documents including a fake FIR and arrest warrant. The victim transferred the money believing it would be returned after an investigation, but the scammers became unreachable. The article recommends protective measures including verifying requests through official channels, avoiding unsolicited contact, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and monitoring bank accounts for suspicious activity.
kxxv.com
· 2025-12-08
A healthcare administrator in Texas highlights that seniors born before 1950 are particularly vulnerable to scams due to their trusting nature, with the most common frauds involving Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, home repairs, and grandparent impersonation schemes. The FBI reported that scams targeting people over 60 caused over $3.4 billion in losses last year, and experts recommend seniors avoid sharing personal information over the phone, resist pressure to act immediately, and consult trusted contacts before transferring money.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
Jury service phone scams are increasing in Maricopa County, with fraudsters posing as law enforcement and threatening jail time unless victims pay fines via prepaid gift cards. The Maricopa County Superior Court clarified that it never demands payment by phone—fines for missing jury service can only be ordered by a judge in court—and urged residents to verify jury status directly with the court at 602-506-5879 rather than responding to unsolicited callers.
saltwire.com
· 2025-12-08
A community member shares personal and secondhand experiences with scams targeting seniors, including a technical support scam where he was hacked after granting remote access to his computer and an investment fraud that depleted an elderly man's savings. The writer calls for increased public awareness, urges seniors to be cautious with unsolicited calls, and advocates for telecom companies to better block scam calls originating internationally, while noting that embarrassment often prevents victims from reporting incidents.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Bengaluru woman lost Rs 1.2 crore over 20 days in a scam where criminals impersonated telecom department and Mumbai Crime Branch officials, threatening her with arrest for alleged money laundering and demanding she transfer funds for "verification." The scammers used fabricated documents and intimidation tactics to manipulate the victim into sharing her bank details, then disappeared after the transfer. The article advises staying vigilant against such calls, verifying caller identities through official channels, never sharing financial information with unknown callers, and remembering that genuine officials do not threaten immediate arrest or demand money transfers.
interest.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" is a cryptocurrency investment scam originating in China where fraudsters build personal relationships with victims through fake handlers (like "Mr Glenn Hutchins" and "Sophia") to convince them to deposit cryptocurrency into bogus trading platforms and transfer funds for promised high returns and 20% commissions. The scam operates globally through WhatsApp groups and spoofed websites (such as btcs-alpha.com mimicking legitimate sites), targeting victims who are lured by fake screenshots of profits from other group members. Victims lose money when the promised trades and profits never materialize, with billions lost globally to this form of online fraud.
buzzfeed.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It is a BuzzFeed-style listicle documenting retail employee anecdotes about customer scams and return fraud schemes (such as attempting to return worn items, fraudulently claiming defective products, or shoplifting), none of which involve seniors as victims or perpetrators. It contains no information about elder abuse, elder-specific scams, or financial exploitation of older adults.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
The Pittsburg Police Department warned residents about "brushing," an e-commerce fraud scheme in which sellers send unsolicited products to people and post fake positive reviews on their behalf to artificially boost product ratings and sales. While the scam has no direct financial impact, authorities cautioned that recipients' personal information could be compromised and used in future frauds, and advised not to pay for any follow-up calls regarding unexpected packages.
dailymaverick.co.za
· 2025-12-08
This educational article distinguishes between fraud (forged documents, identity theft) and scams (convincing someone to provide money or banking details), noting that romance scams result in the highest monetary losses. The article provides guidance on protecting oneself, including using Google reverse image search to verify photos, recognizing red flags such as urgency, requests for additional payments, impersonation of legitimate companies, unrealistic returns, and unexpected phone service interruptions, and always contacting companies directly using independently sourced contact information.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI increased 14% last year, with over 100,000 people aged 60+ reporting scam victimization in 2023, compared to only 18,000 people under age 20. West Virginia is particularly vulnerable due to its aging population and residents' trusting nature. Common scams include malware schemes that lead to fake law enforcement calls demanding payment via wire transfer or gift cards, romance/online dating fraud, and insider schemes perpetrated by family members or caregivers, with law enforcement and community outreach efforts ongoing to raise awareness and prevention strategies.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A California mother lost $900 and had her Carnival cruise canceled just days before departure after a scammer posing as a company representative called her, convinced her to pay a fake "deck fee," obtained her booking number, and then logged into her account to cancel the trip. Although the charge was initially disputed and refunded by her bank, Carnival's cancellation policy meant she lost the full cabin cost until NBC 4 LA's intervention led to a refund. The incident highlights the growing sophistication of travel scams targeting cruise passengers, with similar cases reported involving booking numbers being compromised through social media posts and fraudulent account access.
katc.com
· 2025-12-08
A Nunez resident narrowly avoided a door-to-door scam when a man impersonating a DIRECT-TV employee attempted to collect personal information and bills from his home; the resident later confirmed with DIRECT-TV that no representative had been sent. The scammer, operating from an unmarked red car, claimed to be addressing customer complaints about pricing, and similar incidents were reported in the area with the suspect impersonating both DIRECT-TV and Dish employees. Sheriff officials advise residents to request valid peddler's licenses, verify caller identity directly with companies, and avoid sharing personal information or documents with unsolicited visitors.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Fourteen Indian nationals were rescued from Cambodia after being trafficked under false job promises and forced to work as "cyber slaves" in online scam call centers with their passports confiscated. The Indian embassy, working with Cambodian authorities, facilitated their rescue and is coordinating their safe return to India, having previously helped repatriate over 650 victims of similar scams. The scam was uncovered when a central government employee in India reported being defrauded of ₹67 lakh, leading to eight arrests for trafficking Indians to Cambodia.
smartphonemagazine.nl
· 2025-12-08
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nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a global IT outage, Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection warned the public that scammers exploit such disruptions by sending phishing emails and texts impersonating IT teams and software companies like CrowdStrike and Microsoft to steal sensitive information. The department advised people to be suspicious of emails with incorrect addresses, typos, unknown links, or requests for passwords, and to report suspected phishing attempts to the FTC, Anti-Phishing Working Group, or via text to SPAM (7726).
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a global IT outage caused by a CrowdStrike software update in July 2024, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warned the public of increased phishing, imposter, and scam risks as criminals exploited the situation to target vulnerable users. Officials cautioned people to watch for suspicious emails, text messages, and phone calls impersonating IT teams or tech company support, which may contain malicious links or requests for sensitive information. The department urged consumers to verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking unknown links, and report suspected phishing attempts to the FTC or Anti-Phishing Working Group.
cbia.com
· 2025-12-08
Following the July 19 global IT outage affecting Microsoft-based systems, state officials warned of increased scam activity, as fraudsters exploit the confusion by impersonating IT teams and sending phishing emails to gain access to sensitive information. Warning signs include suspicious email addresses, generic messages with typos, unknown links, and requests for passwords or personal information. Individuals should verify suspicious communications directly with known contact information and report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Following the July 2024 CrowdStrike software outage that disrupted systems worldwide, scammers launched a coordinated campaign impersonating the company through fake websites, phishing emails, and phone calls to steal sensitive information like passwords and bank details. CrowdStrike identified at least 30 fraudulent domains and warned organizations to verify communications through official channels only. Tech support scams typically involve false warnings about computer issues followed by requests for remote access to extract personal data.
pasoroblesdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office reported over $150,000 stolen in a tech support scam targeting older residents, with individual victims losing between $60,000 and $120,000 each. The scam begins with pop-up warnings claiming a computer is compromised, directing victims to call a number where scammers pose as bank fraud representatives and eventually arrange in-person cash pickups using fake security codes to appear legitimate. The sheriff's office advises residents to contact law enforcement if they receive suspicious pop-ups or money-demanding calls and to inform family and friends about the scheme.
yourdailyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Hamlet Senior Center hosted a fraud prevention symposium led by North Carolina Attorney General's Office investigator Luke Perrin to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams. Perrin addressed common misconceptions—such as the false belief that only elderly people are targeted—and provided practical advice including how to identify suspicious emails and phone calls, the importance of using credit cards over debit cards for online purchases, and warnings about social media scams that use fake surveys to steal security question answers. The event drew a standing-room-only crowd, prompting the Senior Center Director to plan additional fraud prevention programs for the broader community.
daytonatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud is rising nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with Volusia County reporting $4.6 million in losses over the past year as scammers target older adults through imposter calls, investment fraud, and tech scams. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office created a three-person financial fraud unit and used a screening of the movie "Thelma"—which depicts a grandmother falling victim to an imposter scam—to educate 140+ seniors on fraud awareness and prevention. A 90-year-old attendee avoided a fake son/lawyer scam demanding $10,000 by verifying her son's location, exemplifying the importance of
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office reports a sophisticated scam targeting older residents in which fraudsters send pop-up warnings claiming computers are compromised and direct victims to call a number for help. After gaining the victim's trust through multiple conversations and posing as bank fraud departments, the scammers arrange in-person cash pickups at victims' homes using fake "security codes" to appear legitimate. Victims have lost substantial sums, including cases exceeding $60,000 and $120,000, and authorities urge residents to report suspicious pop-ups or money-demanding calls and warn family members about this scheme.
wrrv.com
· 2025-12-08
New York State Police issued a fraud alert warning older residents about a scam in which perpetrators convince victims to withdraw money from their bank accounts for the scammers to pick up. The scam has generated multiple complaints from seniors, and police emphasized that anyone contacted by phone or computer with such requests should immediately call 911 and never withdraw or surrender funds. Scams targeting New Yorkers cost the state over $10 million last year, with other common schemes against seniors including romance, investment, and "grandparents" scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder scams cost banks over $27 billion in 2023, with victims losing an average of $33,000 per case, increasingly facilitated by AI-enabled voice cloning and impersonation fraud. Common scams targeting older adults employ two main tactics: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). The most effective prevention involves pausing when pressured, verifying identities through independent channels, and consulting trusted third parties before making financial decisions or sharing personal information.
gctelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
This article identifies six common scams targeting older Americans in an era of advancing technology. The piece emphasizes that elders and their families need to remain informed about fraud schemes to protect themselves. The specific scams and detailed advice are not fully visible in the provided excerpt.
greenwichsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security, Medicare) or businesses to steal personal information and money. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake caller IDs, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to exploit victims. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact by phone, email, or text about tax issues, and victims should hang up on unexpected calls and report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
azbigmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses totaling over $3.4 billion in 2023 and averaging $34,000 per victim, using methods like deceptive emails, phone calls, and impersonation scams. Common schemes include government impersonation, sweepstakes scams, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams targeting seniors due to isolation and limited technical knowledge. Prevention strategies include staying informed about evolving scams, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family about finances, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and pausing before responding to urgent requests for money or personal information.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder scams cost banks over $27 billion in suspicious activity in 2023, with individual losses averaging more than $33,000 per case, increasingly enabled by AI-powered voice cloning and identity masking technology. Six common scam types target older adults through two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, and grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, and lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted third parties when emotional decisions are involved.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI increased 14% last year, with over 100,000 people aged 60 and older reporting scam victimization in 2023, compared to only 18,000 people under 20. West Virginia, having one of the nation's oldest populations, is particularly vulnerable to schemes including malware scams (where scammers pose as tech support or federal agents demanding payment), romance scams, and insider fraud perpetrated by family members or caregivers. Law enforcement officials recommend elders avoid clicking unknown links, recognize that legitimate agencies never demand phone payment or gift cards, and encourage younger family members to regularly check in about their online safety.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Over a three-year period, Columbus Police Department received approximately 2,000 reports of potential elder fraud, with individual losses reaching as much as $250,000 in some cases. The majority of elder fraud in Columbus involves financial exploitation by family members (roughly 85%), though electronic scams such as tech support and phone scams are increasingly common nationally; however, cases involving international wire transfers are difficult to prosecute as they fall outside CPD's jurisdiction. The department's limited resources—with only two certified officers investigating crimes against at-risk adults—allow them to work only seven to ten cases annually, leaving most referrals (such as the five weekly referrals from Wells Fargo alone) un
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating the U.S. Postal Service through deceptive text messages claiming delivery issues or suspended accounts to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and providing personal information such as Social Security numbers, account credentials, and payment card details. The USPS warns customers that it only uses 5-digit short codes for SMS and never includes links in unsolicited texts; recipients should verify package status only through USPS.com and report suspicious messages to authorities.
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence technologies, particularly generative AI, to create convincing fake content used in various fraud schemes targeting the public. Common AI-enabled scams include deepfake payment redirection scams impersonating company executives, social media investment scams featuring fake celebrity videos, voice-cloning "Hi Mum" scams, sophisticated phishing emails with realistic logos, job scams with fake websites, and romance scams using AI-generated profile pictures and chatbots. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals should verify information independently, maintain strong online security practices, and educate themselves about AI-based scam techniques.
katv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating law enforcement officers are calling Arkansas residents and demanding payment via wire transfer, prepaid cards, or gift cards to resolve alleged criminal matters or enroll in fake rehabilitation programs, using caller ID spoofing and pre-recorded messages to deceive victims. Attorney General Tim Griffin advises people never to send money to callers claiming to be law enforcement, to verify caller identity by independently calling the agency, and to never share personal information over the phone. Victims should report fraudulent calls to the Attorney General's Office with details of the call time, number, and message.
newsmirror.net
· 2025-12-08
Seniors lost over $3 billion to scams in 2023, with losses reaching $1.6 billion in just the first five months of 2024, representing a significant increase year-over-year. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and good credit, making them attractive to con artists. Common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (where scammers pose as romantic partners to extract money) and tech support scams (where fake pop-ups trick victims into calling numbers and granting remote computer access).
registerguard.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is warning job seekers about a fraudulent Idaho-based reshipping company called Intelligent Post, which contacts people through career websites like Indeed with fake remote job offers and requests personal information including government-issued ID photos to commit identity fraud and open fraudulent credit accounts. The dissolved company, operating under multiple aliases, has generated 47 scam tracker reports and eight complaints in the past 12 months, with at least two victims in Oregon under age 35. The BBB advises job seekers to verify employment offers through official company websites and avoid sharing sensitive personal information with unknown entities.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a global tech outage, scammers exploited the disruption by sending fraudulent emails, texts, and robocalls requesting personal information such as passwords, account numbers, and social security numbers. Security experts warned the public to be vigilant against spoofed caller IDs and phishing attempts, noting that Americans lost $2.7 billion to imposter scams in 2023 and fraud is projected to worsen in 2024. Recommended precautions include hanging up on suspicious calls, calling back official numbers from statements or cards, and never surrendering card information to unsolicited callers.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kansas resident was scammed by a caller impersonating a Kansas State Treasurer employee who claimed the victim had won a lottery jackpot and needed to wire funds and load money onto a gift card to collect the winnings. The scammer promised the treasurer would deliver the winnings to the victim's home. The Kansas State Treasurer's office warned that imposter scams are rising in the state and reminded residents that legitimate government entities never request payment via gift cards or wire transfers to release funds.
q985online.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing text scam impersonating USPS has been circulating in Illinois, luring recipients with messages about delivery issues and malicious links designed to steal personal information like Social Security numbers and credit card details. The scam exploits people who are actively expecting packages, making the fraudulent texts appear legitimate at first glance. The article advises recipients to never click links in unsolicited delivery texts, instead tracking packages directly through usps.com, and to remember that USPS does not send text messages about deliveries.
leaderadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023. Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonation, sweepstakes, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Prevention strategies include staying educated on evolving fraud tactics, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family members, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and avoiding pressure to send money quickly by hanging up and calling back to verify.
ncoa.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how online scams target older adults, using a real case example where 80-year-old Alice Lin lost over $700,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam on WeChat. According to the FBI IC3, people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses in 2023 (up 11% from 2022), with an average loss of nearly $34,000 per victim. The article details five psychological manipulation tactics scammers use against seniors—including targeting social isolation, impersonating authority figures, and exploiting trust—and provides specific protective measures such as consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious requests and verifying organizations through official channels.
austindailyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The Austin Police Department is warning residents about a rising trend of rental listing scams conducted primarily online through platforms like Facebook Marketplace, where scammers post artificially low-priced listings, collect upfront payments for deposits or security fees via wire transfer or reloadable cards, and then disappear with the funds. One documented Austin case involved a victim losing $1,500 across multiple payments, while Captain Clennon referenced an investigation into an $85,000 scam traced to perpetrators operating out of Tijuana, Mexico. Police advise renters to verify property addresses, conduct face-to-face transactions only, research listings thoroughly, and never send money to unknown parties online.