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in Robocall / Phone Scam
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a profile of comedian Alex Falcone and his popular TikTok series "Is it a scam? Yep," which exposes various frauds and deceptive business practices to over half a million followers. Falcone, inspired by his family's carnival background and early exposure to con artists, creates fast-paced educational content that reveals how people and companies manipulate consumers. The piece reflects on society's growing awareness of scams in the digital age and people's fascination with understanding the mechanics behind fraud.
irontontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, Ohio's Department of Commerce Division of Securities and Department of Aging are addressing a significant financial exploitation crisis affecting older Ohioans, who lost over $64 million in 2024 with fraud complaints up 22% year-over-year. The state highlights common warning signs of elder financial abuse—including unexplained withdrawals, suspicious account changes, and unpaid bills—and notes that seniors are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, tech support impersonation, and grandparent scams that exploit loneliness and lack of technological familiarity. Multiple state resources are available for reporting suspected fraud and obtaining assistance, including the Division of Securities' hotline and Adult
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines common scam types affecting email and social media users, including phishing, romance scams, investment fraud, and ATM skimming, noting that scammers exploit vulnerable people in distressing situations. New Zealand's Banking Association is implementing protections by November that will require banks to reimburse fraud victims up to $500,000 under certain conditions and use new technology to detect suspicious transactions. The article emphasizes that awareness and family support are critical defenses, as even tech-savvy individuals can fall victim to fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Readers shared their experiences with robocalls, robotexts, and scams in response to a columnist's article about the problem, offering various coping strategies and expressing frustration with inadequate government regulation. One reader described a kidnapping scam targeting her family that demanded money to release her stepdaughter, which police confirmed as a common scheme, while another recommended AARP's "The Perfect Scam" podcast as an educational resource about various fraud tactics. Readers emphasized that ignoring calls from unknown numbers, not engaging with scammers, and reporting incidents to police are effective ways to protect themselves from financial loss and emotional distress.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pakistani authorities launched "Operation Grey," a major crackdown targeting a transnational cybercrime network involving individuals from over ten countries who perpetrated multibillion-rupee online fraud through illegal gambling apps, loan scams, call centres, and fake investment platforms. The investigation led to arrests including a woman and bank manager, recovery of Bitcoin and foreign currency, and exposed suspicious transactions across 36 company accounts, with the operation being monitored at the highest government levels due to its scale and complexity. The FIA plans to expand the nationwide operation post-Eid holidays to dismantle remaining illegal call centres involved in cyber fraud.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scammers use fake login alert emails impersonating legitimate companies like Google, Apple, and Facebook to create urgency and fear, tricking victims into clicking malicious links that lead to fake login pages where attackers steal credentials and personal information. The scam is effective because it mimics genuine security notifications that these companies actually send, though scammers increasingly use AI to write professional-sounding phishing emails that lack the grammar errors once considered a red flag. To protect yourself, verify alerts come from official company addresses, avoid clicking suspicious links, and check your account directly through the company's official website rather than through email links.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans receive approximately 50 billion nuisance and scam calls annually, with scammers responsible for roughly 30 billion of those calls and text messages. The article provides seven key ways to identify scam calls and texts, including checking the official organization's website, understanding what legitimate organizations will and won't do (such as the IRS never calling without sending a letter first), and recognizing common scam characteristics like pressure to act quickly and requests for personal information. While robocalls have declined somewhat since the TRACED Act gave regulators new enforcement tools, individuals remain primarily responsible for protecting themselves from these increasingly common scams.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has issued a nationwide warning about a surge in phone scams where fraudsters spoof official FBI numbers and impersonate federal agents, threatening victims with imminent arrest to pressure them into sending money via prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Scammers have expanded tactics to also impersonate bank investigators, charity workers, and court officials demanding payment, often instructing victims to stay silent and threatening legal consequences if personal information like Social Security numbers is not shared. The FBI advises hanging up immediately on suspicious calls, never sharing personal or financial details, and reporting scams at ic3.gov.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
An Indian Master's student at Indiana University Bloomington lost $5,000 in gift cards to scammers impersonating ICE and police officers who threatened her with arrest and deportation over a three-hour phone call in May. The scammers used spoofed phone numbers, detailed personal information about her, and psychological manipulation to coerce her into purchasing Apple and Target gift cards before disappearing without following through on promised bond papers. The victim emphasized that legitimate government agencies never call directly or request gift cards, and she advised international students to hang up and contact a lawyer rather than comply with such demands.
rismedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam has targeted at least 40 real estate professionals, where fraudsters pose as wealthy cash buyers, build trust with agents, and gradually convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that appear legitimate before disappearing with their money, often including victims' retirement accounts. The U.S. Secret Service warns that these scams, which originated in China around 2016, are likely to increase and recommends victims report incidents to the FBI's IC3.gov within 72 hours for the best chance of asset recovery.
english.loktej.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior citizen in Surat was defrauded of Rs 16.65 lakh in a "digital arrest" scam where criminals posing as Delhi Police officials falsely accused him of involvement in money laundering and coerced him into transferring funds via video call over two days. Police arrested three suspects, including a 22-year-old international basketball player, who had complaints filed against them across 18 states for impersonating government officials and using fear-based tactics to extort money from victims.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old woman from Mumbai fell victim to a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam in which cybercriminals impersonated TRAI officials, police officers, and a judge via WhatsApp and video calls, convincing her to transfer ₹2.89 crore over two days by claiming she was under investigation and needed to pay for "security verification." Mumbai Police's cybercrime cell responded quickly to her report, successfully recovering ₹1.29 crore through coordination with banks and payment platforms. The case highlights a growing trend where scammers use multilayered impersonation, psychological manipulation, and digital technology to exploit elderly citizens' trust in institutional authority.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
Rampulla & Newstad law firm hosted a free Senior Health and Safety Fair on June 13 at the St. George Theatre in Staten Island, featuring information from the district attorney's office on common scams targeting seniors, including the "grandparent scam" where callers falsely claim a loved one is in trouble to manipulate victims into withdrawing large sums of money from banks. The event included 24 community vendors serving seniors and provided resources on scam prevention strategies.
theprint.in
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old man in New Delhi lost Rs 20 lakh (half his life savings) to a cybercrime scheme involving unauthorized bank transfers and fixed deposit withdrawals, forcing his family to postpone a wedding. The incident reflects a broader crisis: cybercrimes targeting elderly Indians increased 86% from 2020 to 2022, with criminals exploiting seniors' digital illiteracy through fraudulent calls, links, and "digital arrest" schemes. In response, police departments and NGOs across India—including Kolkata Police, Bengaluru Police, and HelpAge India—have launched awareness campaigns and digital literacy workshops to educate seniors on cybersecurity an
bankrate.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common annuity scams and reporting options for victims. It describes four prevalent fraud types: churning (agents convincing clients to repeatedly switch annuities for commissions), unsuitable sales (pushing products that don't meet client needs), fake credentials (misleading titles without legitimate qualifications), and false claims/high-pressure seminars. The article provides real examples including a 2023 SEC case where advisor Jeffrey Cutter earned $9 million in undisclosed commissions through churning, and a FINRA case resulting in $7.3 million in damages after an advisor steered a nonprofit foundation into $47 million in high-cost variable annuities.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission estimated criminals stole $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023, with financial abuse coming from both known perpetrators like family members and strangers carrying out scams. To prevent elder financial exploitation, AARP recommends adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, freezing credit to prevent unauthorized accounts, and using robocall and text message blockers to reduce exposure to phone-based scams. Victims should report scams to local law enforcement or contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908-3360.
komando.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud targeting seniors age 60+ is rapidly increasing, with nearly 72% of scams initiated using personal data scraped from the internet or purchased from data brokers, enabling criminals to conduct highly personalized attacks like AI-powered grandchild impersonation and spoofed bank calls. Texas seniors lost an average of $51,700 per complaint, while Arizona experienced the highest elder fraud rate per capita at 3.5 cases per 1,000 seniors. Protection strategies include freezing credit, using call-filtering apps, employing password managers, discussing scams with family, and utilizing data removal services to scrub personal information from people-search sites and data brokers.
lufkindailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are warning of an imposter scam in which fraudsters claim to be law enforcement officials and threaten victims with arrest for alleged identity theft, jury duty violations, or false crimes, then demand payment via Bitcoin or other electronic transfers. Scammers use sophisticated tactics including spoofed government phone numbers, real law enforcement names and badge numbers, personal identifying information, and fake court documents to appear credible, often instructing victims to transfer 80% of their assets while staying on the phone. Texas residents have reported losses ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in these scams, and victims are urged to report incidents to their local FBI office and the Federal Trade
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. adults experienced an 86% year-over-year surge in phone, email, and text scams, with 82% of Americans receiving at least one scam text weekly and over half receiving three or more per week. The most common text scams involve urgent money demands (toll fees, citations, overdue bills), and U.S. consumers reported $470 million in losses to text scams in the prior year. To reduce exposure, experts recommend avoiding sharing phone numbers online when possible, reporting scam texts as spam, blocking suspicious numbers immediately, and avoiding engagement with unknown messages, as responding confirms an active number to scammers.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Teresa Rogg, a 74-year-old Massachusetts resident, lost approximately $140,000 from her retirement account after falling victim to an evolving "phantom hacker" scam that began with a fake security pop-up and escalated to in-person cash pickups over two months. The scammers convinced her that suspicious activity had been detected on her accounts and instructed her to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using code words, while also sending fraudulent letters impersonating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Tech support scams in Massachusetts have surged dramatically, with reported losses increasing from $1.2 million in 2019 to over $50 million in the most
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2025-12-08
Five men from China, the United States, and Turkey pleaded guilty to operating an international cryptocurrency investment scam ring that stole nearly $37 million from U.S. victims through fake digital asset schemes conducted from Cambodia. The perpetrators contacted victims via social media, dating services, and phone calls, falsely claiming their investments were growing while actually stealing their funds and laundering the money through shell companies, international bank accounts, and cryptocurrency conversions in the Bahamas. Eight co-conspirators have pleaded guilty so far, with charges carrying maximum penalties of 20 years for money laundering conspiracy.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office co-hosted the 3rd Annual Walk for Awareness in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 11, 2025, ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, to raise awareness about financial, physical, and emotional abuse affecting seniors. According to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crimes Report, adults over 60 suffered $4.8 billion in financial losses and filed 147,127 complaints, with investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and government impersonation being the most common schemes. The U.S. Attorney's Office has prosecuted multiple elder fraud cases involving millions of dollars and continues partnering with community organizations to
bocaratontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans over 60 reported a 46% increase in financial scams compared to 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $4.8 billion, with nearly 12,000 victims in Florida alone. Common schemes include phone and mail scams, Medicare fraud, internet scams, and power-of-attorney abuse. The article provides prevention strategies including learning to identify common scams, understanding IRS communication practices, registering on Do Not Call lists, seeking reputable financial services, and reporting suspected fraud to consumer protection agencies.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to online scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with an average loss of $83,000 per victim, according to FBI data cited by Paducah-based cybersecurity firm SOMA Cyber Inc. Investment scams were the costliest fraud type, taking nearly $2 billion from this age group, while romance scams and tech support impersonation schemes also caused significant losses. SOMA Cyber is launching awareness workshops and recommends seniors verify unexpected financial requests independently, use strong password practices, enable two-factor authentication, and immediately contact their bank if victimized.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik issued a press release for Elder Abuse Awareness Month highlighting the prevalence of financial scams targeting seniors in the Northern District of Ohio, including cryptocurrency, lottery, grandparent, romance, government impersonation, money mule, and tech support schemes. The statement emphasized that scammers use unsolicited communications and fraudulent tactics to exploit seniors' savings, with some victims losing their entire life savings, and urged vigilance and reporting through the FBI and Department of Justice resources.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
State Departments of Transportation in Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin issued warnings about phishing text scams impersonating state agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, with threats of legal action. The scams have already targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, and are becoming more sophisticated by using fear tactics to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. State agencies advise recipients to ignore urgency demands, avoid clicking links or sharing information, block senders, and report scams to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.
corporate.vanguard.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, driven by increasingly sophisticated "crossover scams" that combine multiple fraud techniques over extended periods. These scams employ social engineering, impersonation of trusted entities (banks, government agencies), and multi-channel contact methods to manipulate victims into transferring funds through untraceable means, with common variations including tech support/account security scams and fake investment schemes with emotional manipulation. Beyond financial losses, victims experience significant emotional and psychological harm, including depression, relationship problems, and diminished financial confidence.
news.uthsc.edu
· 2025-12-08
Smishing—fraudulent text messages—is increasing as criminals use SMS to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. The article illustrates a common example where someone received a fake Tennessee DMV text claiming an unpaid traffic ticket with a 24-hour payment deadline and threatened license suspension. The key red flags include artificial urgency, unofficial sender information, and the fact that government agencies contact citizens through official mail, not text messages; protection involves verifying sources, avoiding suspicious links, blocking numbers, and reporting incidents to carriers.
sjcda.org
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams in San Joaquin County have escalated to include in-person cash collection at victims' homes, with scammers impersonating grandchildren in distress and sometimes posing as lawyers. To protect yourself, resist pressure to pay, verify the caller's identity through independent contact with family members, never share personal information or cash with unsolicited callers, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
apnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting AI chatbots and online college enrollment systems to commit large-scale financial aid fraud, with crime rings creating "ghost students" who enroll in courses just long enough to collect federal aid checks using stolen identities. California community colleges alone reported 1.2 million fraudulent applications in 2024 resulting in at least $11.1 million in unrecovered losses, with victims like Heather Brady discovering loans for over $9,000 fraudulently taken out in their names. The U.S. Education Department has implemented temporary ID verification requirements for first-time aid applicants and is developing more advanced screening measures to combat the fraud that now imperils the
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and social engineering tactics to defraud people online, but victims can limit damage by acting quickly. The article provides ten recommended steps for scam victims: stop communicating with the scammer, secure all online accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, monitor financial statements for fraud, avoid sponsored search results when seeking help, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, attempt fund recovery through chargebacks or bank recalls, gather evidence of the scam, scan devices for malware, report to authorities and relevant platforms, and implement ongoing security protections.
kktv.com
· 2025-12-08
A voicemail scam targeting El Paso County residents impersonated a real sheriff's sergeant, claiming a victim had missed a court appearance and including a local callback number to increase credibility. A Colorado Springs couple nearly fell for the scam but avoided it by researching the sergeant's name; authorities warn that such impersonation scams are evolving and often use threats of arrest or legal action to pressure victims into paying fines or providing financial information. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office advises never calling back suspicious numbers and instead verifying calls directly through official agency phone numbers.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors age 60 and older face increasing vulnerability to financial scams facilitated by internet and smartphone technology, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to combat elder fraud through education and awareness. The article outlines four common scams targeting older adults: Social Security Administration impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to request money transferred to gift cards), tech support scams (gaining remote device access and charging fabricated fees), lottery scams (requesting upfront fees for fake foreign lottery winnings), and romance scams (conducted through dating sites and social media to solicit money). Seniors should verify caller identities independently, avoid granting remote device access, reject unsolicite
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik announced that the Northern District of Ohio is committed to combating financial fraud targeting seniors during Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June, noting that scammers use unsolicited communications and impersonation tactics to steal victims' life savings. The office highlighted common scams affecting older adults, including cryptocurrency schemes, lottery scams, grandparent scams, romance scams, government impersonation schemes, money mule operations, and tech support frauds, and urged seniors to remain vigilant while offering FBI and Department of Justice resources for reporting elder financial abuse.
lockhaven.com
· 2025-12-08
Centre County reported over 350 cases of elder abuse in 2024, a five-fold increase over the past decade, with financial exploitation now surpassing self-neglect as the most commonly reported abuse type. Sophisticated scams using AI-generated deepfakes, voice spoofing, and impersonation have stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from local seniors, with statewide estimates between $260 million and $2.1 billion stolen from Pennsylvania residents over 60 in 2022. The Centre County Office of Aging is hosting educational initiatives and encouraging victims to report scams to local law enforcement to prevent further exploitation.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection is urging consumers of all ages to protect older adults from scams, noting that seniors lose significantly more money to fraud than younger consumers—a median of over $1,000 versus less than $500 for those under 60, according to 2024 FTC data. Scammers specifically target older adults who have larger savings, may lack technological familiarity, experience isolation, or have cognitive vulnerabilities. The state recommends five protective strategies: staying informed about common scams, having proactive conversations with seniors about fraud tactics, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting scams to help prevent future victimization.
positivelynaperville.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly through phishing and spear phishing techniques where fraudsters impersonate legitimate businesses via email, phone, or text to create urgency and pressure victims into sending money via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Crime Prevention Specialist Julie Smith recommends pausing when receiving suspicious communications, independently verifying through official channels, avoiding clicking links, and not hesitating to end the conversation with potential scammers. Common impersonated organizations include Microsoft, Amazon, Social Security, PayPal, and Illinois Tollway/IPASS.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik highlighted Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June and emphasized the U.S. Attorney's Office commitment to combating financial fraud targeting seniors, noting that scammers use unsolicited communications and impersonation tactics to exploit older adults' savings. The office outlined common scams affecting seniors including cryptocurrency schemes, lottery fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, government impersonation, money mule recruitment, and tech support fraud, and recommends vigilance and reporting suspected elder financial abuse to the FBI or Department of Justice.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Prince George's County are using fake outstanding warrant claims and the real names of sheriff's office employees to defraud residents, with some victims being told to bring cash to the sheriff's headquarters parking lot to resolve the false warrants. The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office warns that they never demand money or financial information by phone and advises residents to verify any such claims by calling 911 or contacting the sheriff's office directly.
kwqc.com
· 2025-12-08
Text scams impersonating law enforcement and government agencies are increasing in sophistication, with fraudsters sending threatening messages about unpaid traffic tickets or offering fake government grants to pressure victims into quick payments. Sheriff Tim Lane advises never clicking links in suspicious texts and verifying any claims directly with agencies using official phone numbers, emphasizing that real government agencies do not conduct business via unsolicited text messages. Victims should immediately contact their bank and file a police report if they fall prey to these scams.
freedom.press
· 2025-12-08
A Google and Morning Consult survey found that 60% or more of consumers across the U.S., U.K., and India reported experiencing increased scam exposure over the past year as of March 2025, with text messages and emails being the most common delivery methods. The report highlights that younger generations rely more on passkeys and social sign-ins for authentication, while the Freedom of the Press Foundation recommends using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and verifying requests through trusted channels to protect against scams delivered via multiple platforms including phone, social media, and physical mail.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Forty-two state attorneys general, led by New York AG Letitia James, are calling on Meta to combat investment scams on Facebook that use fraudulent images of celebrities like Warren Buffett and Elon Musk to lure users into pump-and-dump schemes on WhatsApp, with thousands of users losing hundreds of millions of dollars. The attorneys general report that criminals are repeatedly evading Meta's review systems, and the scams persist months after being reported to the company. Meta responded by stating it is investing in technology, facial recognition, and cross-industry partnerships to combat scams, while the AGs urged the company to increase human review of ads or stop running investment ads altogether.
news.vumc.org
· 2025-12-08
Attackers are using Microsoft Teams to conduct caller ID spoofing scams by manipulating display names to impersonate trusted coworkers and supervisors, with the goal of tricking recipients into complying with malicious requests such as installing software, accessing files, or sending payments. The scam typically involves the display name changing or revealing a suspicious number after the call connects. To protect against this fraud, users should verify callers through separate channels, avoid clicking links or downloading software from unsolicited calls, and never disclose personal or financial information over the phone.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, text-based scams have become the most prevalent threat, with the E-ZPass scam leading the way—fraudsters send texts falsely claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license suspension to create urgency and trick recipients into clicking malicious links. Other major scams include DMV impersonation texts using similar tactics, fake job offer texts posing as employers or Indeed itself, and fraudulent Joann Fabric advertisements on Facebook and Pinterest directing users to counterfeit websites. The FTC recommends never clicking links or engaging with suspicious messages, contacting relevant agencies directly to verify claims, and reporting scams rather than responding to them.
trt.global
· 2025-12-08
Nine Chinese nationals were convicted in Lagos, Nigeria and sentenced to one year in prison plus fines of approximately $630 each for their involvement in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams targeting international victims. The arrests were part of a December raid on a fraud operation in Victoria Island that netted 792 suspects total, with authorities seizing computers, mobile phones, and other equipment used in the scheme. The gang recruited Nigerian accomplices to conduct phishing scams primarily targeting Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and Europeans.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Thai police dismantled a major romance scam call centre operation run by 27 Vietnamese nationals operating from luxury villas near Bangkok, who defrauded victims of an estimated 39 million Thai baht monthly by creating fake online profiles and manipulating victims into transferring money under false pretenses. The gang primarily targeted Vietnamese victims through the Zalo chat application, with each of the 27 workstations capable of generating approximately 1.2 billion Vietnamese Dong in fraudulent transfers per month. Police apprehended all 27 suspects and seized 116 mobile phones, 45 computers, and other evidence during the raid in January 2025.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The NYPD warned New Yorkers about a lottery scam in which scammers convince strangers to cash winning lottery tickets in exchange for a share of the winnings. A 79-year-old woman lost approximately $27,500 in jewelry and cash after falling for the scheme, which escalated to threats and a home invasion. Authorities advise never cashing lottery tickets for unknown individuals and warn against paying fees to claim prizes or cashing checks from the lottery with processing fees listed.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Actor Chris Carmack and his wife Erin partnered with McAfee to raise awareness about AI-powered scams after both were recently targeted by fraudsters; Erin lost approximately $2,000 to a fake online furniture vendor, while Chris nearly fell victim to a tollway phishing scam. McAfee launched a free Scam Detector tool that uses AI to analyze URLs, text messages, and emails to identify scams, with similar tools now offered by Norton 360, Bitdefender, and Google. Experts advise people to verify website URLs (checking for "https" and ".gov" endings), pause before clicking links or sending money, and contact trusted sources before responding to financial
financialpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in Canada, with experts warning of rising vulnerability as the country's aging population holds over $1.1 trillion in assets. While digital scams targeting seniors are increasing, the greater threat comes from trusted individuals—family members, friends, and those with power of attorney—who exploit their positions, with approximately 81 percent of reported cases perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Seniors with cognitive decline, women, and those from marginalized communities face heightened risk, and many victims remain silent to avoid disrupting family relationships.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old Troy woman lost $8,400 in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonated her son and claimed he was in jail, then sent someone to her house to collect cash as a fake bail bond. The victim realized the scam when she was later asked for an additional $9,200, at which point she contacted police. This incident is part of a broader wave of scams targeting Metro Detroit residents.