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cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
A 27-year-old man from Flushing, NY was arrested after defrauding a Montgomery County senior of over $40,000 through a fake cryptocurrency scam involving fraudulent emails and threatening phone calls. The suspect, Zixiong Wang, was apprehended during an arranged money exchange in Amsterdam and was also found to be wanted in Delaware for similar crimes against an elderly victim. Wang was remanded to jail without bail, with authorities noting additional suspects may be involved in the ongoing investigation.
dailygazette.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Montgomery County resident lost $40,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam where the suspect posed as customer service and falsely claimed the victim's activity was being monitored. When the suspect, Zixiong Wang, 27, of Flushing, attempted to collect additional funds at a predetermined location in Amsterdam, New York State Police arrested him on charges of third-degree attempted grand larceny and criminal possession of cocaine; investigators also discovered he was wanted in Delaware for similar crimes against an elderly victim.
amny.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams surge during the holiday season as fraudsters exploit loneliness and generosity, particularly targeting vulnerable populations including older adults through online dating platforms and social media. In 2022, older Americans lost nearly $240 million to romance scams according to the FTC, and a free educational webinar on December 10 featuring Homeland Security Investigations and AARP New York will provide tools to recognize scam tactics, verify identities, and access victim support resources.
telus.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "I know where you live!": the latest sextortion scam exposed
The "Hello Pervert" sextortion scam emails intimidate victims to pay in cryptocurrency by threatening to expose compromising content and now include a new tactic—photos of recipients' homes obtained from Google Maps Street View. To protect themselves, victims should never pay or respond to such emails, report them to law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and take preventive measures including blurring their homes on Google Maps, conducting dark web scans, maintaining strong passwords, and running regular security scans on all devices.
blog.knowbe4.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued an advisory warning taxpayers of holiday-themed shopping scams, including phishing emails impersonating delivery services and the IRS itself that trick victims into disclosing personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and passwords. These scams are expected to intensify during the holiday season and tax season, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. The IRS recommends avoiding unsecured Wi-Fi, maintaining updated security software, using strong passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication to protect against these threats.
scamwatch.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource provides guidance for scam victims on immediate response steps: contact financial institutions to halt transactions, use IDCARE (Australia/New Zealand's identity support service) for recovery planning, report the fraud to relevant authorities and warn others, and remain vigilant against follow-up scams since one in three victims experience repeat fraud. The article emphasizes the importance of seeking financial counseling and mental health support, as scams can cause significant emotional and financial distress.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Rental fraud is increasing, with 5.2 million U.S. renters losing money according to 2022 research, typically involving scammers posting fake listings at drastically reduced prices on platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, collecting deposits before disappearing. To protect themselves, renters should verify listings through legitimate platforms, visit properties in person, avoid unusually low prices, obtain written agreements, never send money before meeting the landlord, and resist pressure to act quickly—red flags include refusal to meet in person, vague listing details, and requests for unconventional payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational awareness piece, not a news report of a specific fraud incident. It does not fit the Elderus database focus on elder fraud cases.
**Summary (if needed for general reference):** The FTC and IRS warn small business owners that the busy holiday shopping season creates vulnerability to scams and tax-related identity theft, and recommend implementing strong data security (encryption, multifactor authentication, employee training), learning to recognize common scams, and reporting suspicious activity to the FTC or identity theft to IdentityTheft.gov.
news.uthsc.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common red flags across multiple scam types—including romance, delivery, grandparent, and tech support scams—and provides prevention strategies. Key advice includes not responding to unexpected texts, hanging up and calling back through verified numbers, establishing family safe words, refusing suspicious payment methods (gift cards, crypto, wire transfers), and being cautious on social media and dating apps. The article recommends victims stop payment immediately, take screenshots for evidence, and report incidents to their bank, local police, or relevant authorities.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau issued a scam alert warning consumers about misleading social media ads for personalized gifts that appear on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Scammers lure shoppers with ads for customized products; when items arrive, they are often poor quality, contain errors, or differ from descriptions, with unresponsive customer service making refunds impossible. To protect themselves, consumers should research companies before purchasing, verify website security (HTTPS), check for red flags like poor grammar, read third-party reviews, and pay with credit cards rather than debit cards for easier dispute resolution.
fintech.global
· 2025-12-08
Federal financial regulators and FinCEN issued guidance to combat elder financial exploitation, citing FinCEN analysis showing $27 billion in suspicious activities linked to financial abuse of older adults in the year ending June 2023. The statement recommends that banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions implement risk management strategies including employee training, transaction monitoring, trusted contact processes, and prompt reporting to authorities and law enforcement. These measures aim to protect elderly account holders from financial exploitation while helping institutions strengthen their defenses against this form of abuse.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal financial regulators (FRB, CFPB, FDIC, FinCEN, NCUA, OCC, and state regulators) issued a joint statement providing guidance to financial institutions on identifying, preventing, and responding to elder financial exploitation, which causes an estimated $28.3 billion in annual losses in the U.S. The agencies recommend practices including enhanced governance and monitoring, employee training on red flags, transaction holds, designated trusted contacts, and filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) when exploitation is suspected.
lexology.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal financial regulators (FRB, CFPB, FDIC, FinCEN, NCUA, OCC, and state authorities) issued a joint guidance statement providing strategies for financial institutions to identify, prevent, and respond to elder financial exploitation, citing annual losses of $28.3 billion nationally. The guidance recommends practices including enhanced risk management policies, employee training on red flags, transaction holds, designated trusted contacts, and filing Suspicious Activity Reports, while clarifying these are recommended practices rather than new regulatory requirements.
consumerfinancialserviceslawmonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple federal financial regulators (FRB, CFPB, FDIC, FinCEN, NCUA, OCC, and state agencies) issued a joint statement providing guidance to financial institutions on identifying, preventing, and responding to elder financial exploitation, noting the practice does not create new regulatory requirements. The statement highlights that elder financial exploitation causes an estimated $28.3 billion in annual losses in the U.S., with recommended strategies including enhanced governance, employee training, transaction holds, trusted contact designations, and Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filing.
dailysentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2019 Financial Advisor article by Karen DeMasters, citing Comparitech research, reveals that elder financial abuse in the United States is vastly underreported—with actual cases potentially reaching 5 billion annually costing $27.4 billion, compared to the previously reported 200,000 cases and $1.7 billion. One in ten Americans over 65 experience financial abuse, with an average loss of $2,415, perpetrated primarily by trusted family members or acquaintances who exploit victims' reluctance to report due to shame, fear, or lack of awareness, though telephone scams are expected to increase significantly.
13wmaz.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chinese national, Xiao Kun Cheung, was arrested and charged for his role in a scam that defrauded elderly people across the U.S. of $1.2 million through fake pop-ups and phone calls claiming computer or financial account compromises. Cheung and his co-conspirators convinced victims to withdraw money to purchase gift cards and gold bars, which were then collected by conspirators posing as government agents; victims in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee were affected. Cheung faces up to 20 years in prison and was charged with wire fraud, extortion conspiracy, wire fraud conspiracy, and drug possession charges.
daily-tribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Chatsworth Police Chief Josh Etheridge warned residents of an uptick in international scams targeting elderly victims through robocalls and fraudulent emails, noting that once victims purchase gift cards and provide the card numbers, the money cannot be recovered. The scammers often impersonate government agencies or trusted organizations to pressure victims into immediate payment, exploiting the elderly population who are viewed as trusting and less aware of modern fraud tactics. Police urge residents to report suspected scams and provided warning signs including requests to pay via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, as well as pressure to act immediately without verification.
citizensvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old woman from Mocanaqua was scammed on Facebook after developing a romantic relationship with an unknown person who claimed to be in the military and needed money for overseas deployment. The victim sent a large sum of money before reporting the incident to state police in May. Police warn residents to be cautious of fake social media profiles and to avoid sending money to unknown online contacts.
wvua23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns holiday shoppers to watch for common scams including misleading ads, fake gift cards, phishing emails and texts, and fraudulent online marketplaces. The BBB recommends slowing down before purchases, price-checking items, using credit cards for fraud protection, verifying return policies, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts. Victims of holiday fraud should dispute charges with their credit card company, cancel compromised cards, change passwords, and report incidents to local police and state attorneys general.
digitalinformationworld.com
· 2025-12-08
"Malvertising" (malicious digital advertisements) is rapidly increasing as a scam vector, with a 42% month-over-month increase in US cases in 2023 and 41% growth from July-September 2024, primarily originating from Vietnam and Pakistan. Scammers use these deceptive ads in search results to distribute malware, conduct investment scams, credit card fraud, phishing attacks, and romance scams, with ads disguised as legitimate businesses that steal victim information when clicked. Internet users across all websites are at risk, as malvertising is difficult to detect and remove; Google blocked 5.5 billion ads in 2023 but sc
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers deploy sophisticated phishing emails impersonating trusted companies like Apple, Target, Temu, and delivery services to trick recipients into revealing personal and financial information. Common tactics include fake giveaway offers, free product promotions, package delivery alerts with artificial urgency, and deceptive survey requests that use official logos, capital letters, and urgent language to appear legitimate. Users are advised to verify tracking numbers and sender addresses before clicking links, and to be skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications and requests for personal information.
taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warns that scammers are using social media to mislead taxpayers into claiming ineligible tax credits—including the Fuel Tax Credit, sick and family leave credits, and overstated withholding—promising "free money" refunds. Thousands of false refund claims have resulted in significant delays, with the IRS freezing questionable returns and requiring taxpayers to provide documentation or face penalties; taxpayers must promptly amend their returns to remove fraudulent credits to resolve the issue.
kfyrtv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides seven tips for protecting against holiday scams and identity theft during the busy shopping season. Key advice includes practicing caution with online marketplaces and using traceable payment methods, avoiding fake delivery notification scams (particularly impersonating USPS), safeguarding passwords with unique credentials and multifactor authentication, and checking for card-skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals. The article emphasizes that online shopping scams affected 82% of targeted victims in 2023, and card skimming costs over $1 billion annually, making holiday vigilance essential.
carleton.edu
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers target shoppers and donors through fraudulent shipping notifications, fake charities, bogus order confirmations, and counterfeit online stores. Common tactics include phishing emails and texts impersonating delivery services (UPS, FedEx, USDA) to steal personal information, fake charity websites that exploit generosity, and fraudulent retailers offering steep discounts that deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all. To protect yourself, verify communications directly with organizations, avoid clicking unexpected links, use two-factor authentication, monitor financial accounts, and report suspicious activity to ic3.gov or relevant authorities.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides seven tips for protecting against holiday season scams and identity theft, including practicing caution with online shopping, avoiding phony delivery scams (particularly those impersonating the USPS), using strong password security practices, checking for card-skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals, verifying charity legitimacy, being skeptical of unsolicited contacts, and monitoring financial accounts. The article notes that online shopping scams affected 82% of victims with financial losses in 2023, and that card skimming costs consumers and financial institutions over $1 billion annually.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Unsolicited text messages offering job positions are a common scam targeting job seekers, wherein fraudsters impersonate recruiters and request personal or financial information or prompt recipients to click malicious links to steal money or identity. To protect yourself, use legitimate job search sources like Career OneStop, avoid clicking links or responding to unexpected texts, research companies online before engaging, and report suspicious messages to the FTC and your phone carrier.
tnsi.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams increased 118% in 2023, exploiting the rise of remote work opportunities by targeting job seekers through unsolicited texts and calls offering unrealistic positions. Key red flags include missing company names, generic free email addresses (Gmail/Outlook), promises of high pay with no restrictions, requests to purchase equipment or provide bank information, and offers that sound too good to be true. Job seekers should research companies and recruiters independently, verify email domains, trust their instincts, and report suspected scams to local police, state Attorney General offices, or the FTC.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
A McAfee study found that nearly 40% of Indians' online dating contacts are scammers, with 77% encountering AI-generated fake profiles on dating platforms. Cybercriminals exploit vulnerable daters by using AI tools to create realistic profile pictures and craft messages, while a 25-300% surge in Valentine's Day-related malware, phishing URLs, and romance scams was reported. To protect themselves, users are advised to scrutinize messages for generic content, perform reverse image searches on profile pictures, avoid clicking suspicious links, never send money to online contacts, and seek friends' opinions on new romantic interests.
theroanokestar.com
· 2025-12-08
As holiday shopping season approaches with record-breaking online sales predicted, scammers are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics to defraud consumers. Virginia Tech cybercrime expert Katalin Parti outlines key warning signs and prevention strategies, including: avoiding unsolicited requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, being skeptical of high-return investment ads, verifying company contact information through official websites rather than provided links, and remaining cautious of romance scams, job scams, and fake charitable solicitations. Consumers should also monitor financial statements for fraud, keep software updated, verify website URLs, and be aware that scammers can now spoof voices and area codes to impersonate trusted contacts.
atg.wa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is warning small businesses of scam letters impersonating the Secretary of State's Office that demand excessive payments (over $200) for business filings while threatening fines or business dissolution; similar telephone scams targeting Latino businesses have also been reported, with at least 40 complaints received since early November. The fraudulent letters, which include the state seal and publicly available business information to appear legitimate, contain telltale signs of fraud such as Sacramento, California addresses and .org website links instead of official .gov sites. Business owners are advised to verify filing status directly with the Secretary of State and to report suspected scams to the Attorney General's Office.
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
Sylvia Camarillo lost $2,000 to scammers impersonating CPS Energy who called threatening to disconnect her utilities before Thanksgiving and instructed her to purchase gift cards for payment. The scammers obtained her personal information including her account number and social security number, demonstrating the sophistication of holiday season fraud targeting utilities. CPS Energy clarified they never demand immediate payment by phone, threaten same-day disconnection, or request gift card payments, and advised victims to hang up and report such calls to law enforcement immediately.
queanbeyanage.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Gen Z is the most vulnerable to holiday shopping scams in Australia, with nearly one in three experiencing scam victimization compared to one in five Australians overall, particularly through fraudulent websites impersonating platforms like "TikTok Mall" and fake celebrity endorsements for brands such as Adidas, Louis Vuitton, and Apple. Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes and imitation brand messages to deceive shoppers, with some victims losing over $10,000, though 74 percent of Australians report they will modify their online shopping behavior due to concerns about digital fraud. Experts recommend verifying deals that seem too good to be true, avoiding distracted shopping
gilavalleycentral.net
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes addressed seniors in Safford about the rising scam epidemic affecting older adults, noting that Arizona had the nation's highest senior fraud victimization rate at 289 per 100,000 population in 2023. She warned about emerging threats including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams on social media, and AI voice-cloning schemes that impersonate family members to solicit money, recommending families establish secret passwords and watch for warning signs like unexplained financial secrecy, unusual withdrawals, and changed spending patterns. The Attorney General's Office can be reached at 602-542-5763 to report suspected fraud.
rocklanddaily.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to scammers, according to FBI data. To address this crisis, the Rockland County District Attorney's Office hosted a scam prevention event at a senior center in Suffern, where officials educated attendees about various fraud schemes and advised victims to contact family members or law enforcement if targeted. The office plans to continue holding prevention events across multiple neighborhoods to help protect seniors from fraud.
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
Six federal banking agencies issued guidance to banks and credit unions outlining nine strategies to identify, prevent, and respond to elder financial exploitation, including establishing trusted contact procedures, implementing transaction holds, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement and adult protective services. Elder financial exploitation comprises elder scams (approximately 80% of cases), where elderly persons are tricked into transferring money to strangers, and elder theft (20% of cases), involving theft by trusted individuals. The guidance represents the latest federal regulatory effort to combat elder financial exploitation, a concern that has attracted interagency attention for over a decade.
92moose.fm
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Type:** Phishing/SMS fraud targeting Camden National Bank customers in Maine.
**What Happened:** Belfast Maine Police Department reported a scam involving fraudulent text messages claiming to be from Camden National Bank, stating the recipient's account has been placed on hold due to a security threat and requesting they click a link to restore access. The messages and links are entirely fraudulent and designed to steal personal information.
**Advice:** Financial institutions never request sensitive information via text message; customers should contact their bank directly by phone or in-person if they receive such messages and report them to local police.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported consumers lost $4.6 billion to investment scams in 2023, with median losses increasing from $1,000 in 2021 to $6,000 in 2024. Fraudsters commonly impersonate friends or romantic interests on social media to build trust before pitching fake investment opportunities, often displaying false returns to encourage larger contributions. The BBB advises consumers to educate themselves about investments and work only with accredited, licensed professionals rather than individuals met through social media or dating apps.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
A job seam targeting remote work seekers lured victims into purchasing expensive equipment (iPhones and computers) under the pretense of employment with the legitimate company Northzone, using encrypted messaging to communicate with applicants. The scam affected multiple job seekers, including a college student who lost over $2,000, and has spread through fake job listings on online boards and LinkedIn, with fraudsters also requesting personal information or recruiting fees from recently laid-off workers.
gizmodo.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pig butchering" romance scam targeting elderly people involves fraudsters impersonating actor Johnny Depp on Facebook, then moving conversations to messaging apps to convince victims to send money via cryptocurrency, gift cards, and other payment methods. The FTC received 197 complaints over one year from victims across the country, many in their 60s who lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars from retirement accounts, with one Minnesota woman losing $1,700 before her bank intervened. The scammers exploit emotional vulnerability and loneliness by posing as Depp or associates like his fictional "manager Jack Wingham," using flattery and false promises of romance or investment returns.
alaskasnewssource.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams caused consumers to lose $4.6 billion in 2023, with median losses increasing from $1,000 in 2021 to $6,000 in 2024. Fraudsters typically build trust by impersonating friends or romantic interests on social media before pitching fake investment opportunities and displaying fraudulent returns to encourage larger payments. To protect themselves, consumers should educate themselves about investments and work only with accredited, licensed professionals rather than individuals met through social media or dating apps.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, fraudsters are targeting consumers with "Puppy Scams," where fake online pet advertisements lure buyers into sending money for dogs that never arrive; the Better Business Bureau reports that approximately 80% of sponsored pet advertisements online are fraudulent. To avoid being victimized, consumers should research sellers through BBB.org, conduct reverse image searches, avoid suspiciously low prices, never wire money or use non-refundable payment methods, and insist on seeing pets in person before purchase. Those who suspect they've been scammed can report to local police, the Federal Trade Commission, or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
consumerfinance.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five federal financial regulatory agencies and FinCEN issued guidance to help supervised financial institutions combat elder financial exploitation, noting that older adults can lose their life savings through these crimes. A FinCEN analysis identified approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity linked to elder financial exploitation over a one-year period ending in June 2023. The statement recommends practices including employee training on recognizing exploitation, establishing trusted contact designations, filing timely suspicious activity reports, and coordinating with law enforcement and elder protection services.
fdic.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five federal financial regulatory agencies and FinCEN issued guidance to help financial institutions combat elder financial exploitation, which a FinCEN analysis found was linked to approximately $27 billion in reported suspicious activity over a one-year period ending in June 2023. The statement recommends practices including employee training, transaction monitoring, trusted contact designations, timely reporting to authorities, and consumer outreach to help identify and prevent exploitation that can devastate older adults' financial security.
ncua.gov
· 2025-12-08
On December 4, 2024, five federal financial regulatory agencies, FinCEN, and state regulators issued guidance to financial institutions on combatting elder financial exploitation, which a FinCEN analysis found was linked to approximately $27 billion in reported suspicious activity over a one-year period ending June 2023. The statement recommends practices such as staff training on recognizing exploitation, establishing trusted contact processes, implementing transaction holds, and timely reporting to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services to help identify and prevent financial crimes against older adults.
fdic.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Agencies Issue Interagency Statement on Elder Financial Exploitation
**Summary:**
Seven federal financial regulatory agencies (FRB, CFPB, FDIC, NCUA, OCC, FinCEN, and state regulators) issued a joint statement providing supervised financial institutions with best practices for identifying, preventing, and responding to elder financial exploitation—the illegal or improper use of older adults' funds by unauthorized recipients. The statement recommends strategies including enhanced risk-based monitoring, employee training, designated trusted contacts, transaction holds when appropriate, and coordination with Adult Protective Services and law enforcement, without imposing new regulatory requirements.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 40-year-old New York man and Social Security Administration employee, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for serving as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly American victims by falsely claiming their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez and other couriers collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his April 2025 sentencing.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal financial regulatory agencies released guidance recommending that banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions implement risk management practices to combat elder financial exploitation, which cost older adults over $27 billion in suspicious activity during a 12-month period ending June 2023. The recommended practices include employee training, transaction monitoring, establishing trusted contact processes, and timely reporting to FinCEN. The guidance comes as elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023 with associated losses rising 11%, driven partly by increased online banking among seniors and baby boomers.
finextra.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple U.S. financial regulators issued a joint statement highlighting that approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity reported to FinCEN over one year (ending June 2023) was linked to elder financial exploitation. The statement emphasizes that financial institutions must implement risk management practices including employee training, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, and coordination with law enforcement to protect vulnerable older adults from losing their life savings and financial security. Recommended protective measures include establishing trusted contact designations, using transaction holds when appropriate, and increasing consumer awareness through outreach.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
The "sad announcement" phishing scam tricks recipients with fake messages claiming a loved one has died, using legitimate names and emotional quotes with suspicious links to steal personal and financial information. To protect yourself, delete and block such emails, and contact the person mentioned to verify their safety; if you've already fallen victim, immediately notify your payment provider to cancel cards, dispute any unauthorized charges, and scan your device for malware.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Online shopping fraud is a significant risk during the holiday season, with Americans across all age groups losing hundreds of millions of dollars to scams in 2023, particularly through fake websites and credit card theft. Experts advise consumers to watch for red flags such as prices significantly below market value and artificially created urgency, as scammers exploit the hectic holiday season to encourage rushed purchases without proper research.