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ncdoj.gov
Following hurricane relief efforts in western North Carolina, scammers are exploiting donors' goodwill through charity fraud schemes including phishing emails, fake websites, and counterfeit crowdfunding campaigns. The article provides guidance on verifying legitimate organizations through resources like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator, avoiding unsolicited donation requests, and donating by credit card or check rather than gift cards. Victims of charity scams are encouraged to report fraud to the North Carolina Consumer Protection Division.
latimes.com
A woman named Jane fell victim to a phishing scam when, while emotionally distressed, she received a fraudulent email appearing to be from her bank and unknowingly granted scammers remote access to her smartphone. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, adults over 60 have lost more to tech support scams than all other age groups combined, with some victims remortgaging homes or depleting retirement accounts to cover losses. Wise & Healthy Aging offers a free support group called "Seniors Against Scammers" to help scam victims and provides educational resources and workshops on recognizing and preventing elder fraud and abuse throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
wjhg.com
The Bay County Sheriff's Office issued a scam alert after receiving multiple reports of a jury duty scam targeting residents. Victims received phone calls claiming they missed jury duty and had arrest warrants, followed by fraudulent emails with fake warrants demanding thousands of dollars to avoid arrest. The sheriff's office emphasized that law enforcement never calls about warrants or requests payment to avoid arrest, and urged residents to hang up and contact the BCSO directly at 850-747-4700 to verify any such claims.
stories.td.com
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre data shows fraud losses exceeded $554 million last year, a 40% increase from 2021, with underreporting masking the true scale of the problem. Fraudsters are increasingly using sophisticated technologies, including AI-generated deepfakes and impersonations, to deceive victims across multiple scam types including job scams, which typically involve unsolicited job offers followed by requests for upfront payment for training or uniforms. Financial institutions and individuals can reduce risk through cyber literacy training, skepticism toward offers that sound too good to be true, and verification of job opportunities through official company channels.
techradar.com
Travel booking scams have surged dramatically, with Booking.com reporting a 500-900% increase in travel scams over 18 months and Lloyds Bank noting a 7% spike in holiday purchase scams, where victims lost an average of £765. Scammers use social engineering tactics including vishing (voice phishing), smishing (SMS phishing), and AI-powered impersonation to trick travelers into revealing sensitive personal information such as payment details, passport numbers, and one-time passwords. Security experts recommend two-factor authentication and call for travel brands to prioritize mobile app security, as nearly 70% of working adults have encountered vishing attacks that exploit human psychology an
thehackernews.com
INTERPOL arrested eight individuals in Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria under Operation Contender 2.0, targeting phishing and romance cyber fraud in West Africa. A large-scale phishing scheme targeting Swiss citizens resulted in over $1.4 million in losses, with criminals using fake buyer profiles and QR codes to direct victims to fraudulent payment websites; the main suspect confessed to making $1.9 million illicitly. In a separate case, two suspects were apprehended in Nigeria for a romance scam that defrauded a Finnish victim of a substantial amount of money.
news.trendmicro.com
Contrary to the stereotype of elderly victims, research shows younger people report losing money to scams more frequently than older adults, with those under 21 experiencing the largest surge in online fraud losses and 18-24 year-olds losing a median of $200 per scam. However, older adults suffer larger individual losses, with those aged 70-79 losing a median of $800 and those 80+ losing $1,500, reflecting how scams are tailored to different generations—younger people are targeted primarily on social media (40% of cases for ages 18-29) while older adults are targeted via phone (40% for those 80+). Different age groups face distinct
foxnews.com
Americans over age 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with 101,000 complaints filed—a 14.5% increase from 2022. Tech support scams were the most common fraud type, while data brokers' sale of personal information increasingly enables criminals to target seniors. The article recommends protective measures including monitoring financial accounts, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, limiting personal information sharing, and considering data removal services.
cbc.ca
Two Ontario women were sentenced to house arrest for their roles as "money mules" in a grandparent scam that defrauded nine elderly Manitoba residents of nearly $90,000 in summer 2022. Gabriel Edith Marie Paradis received a one-year conditional sentence, while Vanessa Fatima Alves Dasilva received an 18-month conditional sentence, after they pleaded guilty to fraud charges for picking up cash from victims who were deceived by phone calls claiming their grandchildren needed bail money. While most victims recovered their funds, the court noted lasting emotional impacts including embarrassment, loss of trust, and shattered confidence among the seniors targeted.
indiatoday.in
A retired Brigadier from Panchkula, Haryana, lost Rs 4.2 crore after downloading a phishing app from a WhatsApp link promising stock market investment opportunities; he and his wife were deceived into transferring funds across multiple accounts before being asked to pay an additional Rs 65 lakh commission to withdraw their money. The investigation revealed the scam was orchestrated by an international network based in the United States and United Kingdom, which used Indian bank accounts from rural border villages to launder the stolen funds, compensating account holders with small commissions.
liteonline.com
This article warns Idaho shoppers about five common Amazon-related scams to watch out for during Prime Big Deal Days (October 8-9). Amazon is the second most impersonated brand in America, with the FTC reporting 34,000 Amazon scam complaints resulting in $19 million in losses last year. The article explains phishing tactics (via email, text, phone) and other scams scammers use to steal passwords, credit card numbers, and banking information from unsuspecting shoppers during peak shopping seasons.
sbs.com.au
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse—it is an English language learning resource from SBS Learn English that uses online scams as the topic to teach English vocabulary, grammar (passive voice), and conversational phrases to non-native speakers in Australia. While it includes educational dialogue about recognizing phishing emails and reporting scams to authorities, it is pedagogical material rather than news reporting or fraud research content suitable for the Elderus database.
metro.co.uk
Co-operative Bank experienced a widespread outage of its mobile app and online banking services beginning around 1:30pm, preventing customers from accessing their accounts and prompting complaints on social media; the bank apologized and stated it was working to resolve the issue. The article also covers unrelated banking news including proposed government measures to extend fraud investigation time for suspicious transactions to 72 hours to better protect consumers from scams like romance fraud.
bitdefender.com
**Summary:**
Global online scams resulted in $1.026 trillion in losses in 2023, affecting approximately one in four people worldwide. Bitdefender launched an AI-powered Scam Protection platform featuring real-time threat detection, a scam identification chatbot, regional scam wave alerts, and enhanced SMS protection across all devices to help users identify and defend against evolving scam tactics including phishing, malicious texts, and fraudulent websites.
wdsu.com
This educational alert warns consumers about three common online shopping scams to watch for during major retail sales events (Target Circle Week, Amazon Prime Day, and Walmart's shopping holiday). The scams include: phishing emails/texts falsely claiming account issues and requesting payment updates; fake social media ads directing users to fraudulent websites that mimic legitimate retailers; and untrustworthy third-party sellers who attempt to move transactions off official platforms. Consumers are advised to access company websites directly, verify HTTPS security in URLs, research sellers, and never make payments outside official retail sites.
elmoreautauganews.com
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to avoid fraudulent charity scams following Hurricane Helene, as scammers create fake donation websites, social media campaigns, and crowdfunding pages to exploit donors' generosity. The BBB recommends verifying charities through trusted sites like Give.org and Charity Navigator, donating directly through official websites using credit cards, and avoiding unsolicited requests via social media or payment apps. The advisory provides a list of verified national and state-specific relief organizations where donations can be made safely.
cbc.ca
Two Ontario women—Gabriel Edith Marie Paradis, 27, and Vanessa Fatima Alves Dasilva, 20—were sentenced to house arrest (one year and 18 months respectively) for their role as "money mules" in a grandparent scam that defrauded nine elderly Manitoba seniors of nearly $90,000 in summer 2022. The scheme involved unknown scammers calling victims posing as grandchildren in legal trouble and requesting bail money, which the women would pick up from victims' homes; while most victims recovered their money, the emotional impact included loss of trust and embarrassment.
pcmag.com
As Election Day approaches, scammers are impersonating political campaigns and organizations through text messages to steal personal information and money using three main tactics: fake voter registration alerts with malicious links, fraudulent polling requests, and donation solicitation scams. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, verify voter registration through official state websites only, and never respond to unsolicited political texts; additionally, enable spam filtering on your phone by using built-in settings like "Filter Unknown Senders" on iPhones or spam protection features on Android devices.
7news.com.au
An Australian woman lost $813,000 to a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam when she transferred funds intended for a home purchase to a fraudulent account created by criminals using a fake email address nearly identical to a legitimate conveyancer's. Australian Federal Police and international partners recovered $777,000 (96%) of the stolen funds through coordinated efforts involving cryptocurrency exchange freezes and bank account recovery. The AFP advises Australians to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated BEC scams by enabling multi-factor authentication and carefully verifying email addresses, noting that such scams accounted for nearly $80 million in reported losses during 2022-2023.
lawyer-monthly.com
Wire transfer scams cost Americans $343.7 million in 2023, with fraudsters impersonating trusted contacts to redirect payments to their accounts through compromised emails, fake documents, or intercepted communications. Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once processed, making them the scammer's preferred method; one victim lost his entire $900,000 life savings intended for a home down payment when scammers hijacked his email conversation with his real estate agent. Common wire transfer scams include real estate fraud, advance-fee loan schemes, fake checks, family emergency impersonations, rental fraud, tech support scams, and business email compromise attacks.
710keel.com
The FBI has issued a warning about five rising scams affecting Texans: check washing (where criminals alter stolen checks and deposit them fraudulently), swatting (making false emergency calls to send police to victims' addresses), doxxing (stealing personal information to extort victims), phishing (fraudulent emails impersonating banks to steal credentials), and other common fraud schemes. These scams affect people of all ages, though doxxing is increasingly targeting teens, and victims are advised to verify communications directly with institutions and avoid mailing checks.
mashable.com
In the first six months of 2024, Americans lost $65 million to Bitcoin ATM scams, with losses increasing nearly 10-fold since 2023. Scammers use various tactics—such as impersonating law enforcement and threatening arrest—to manipulate victims into depositing cash at Bitcoin ATMs; one Houston man lost nearly $60,000 after being told he had an active warrant. The median loss across all ages is $10,000, though consumers over 60 are more frequently targeted, and the FTC warns that if anyone directs you to use a Bitcoin ATM, it is a scam.
wmar2news.com
Marylanders lost approximately $69 million in cryptocurrency investment scams, where fraudsters contact victims randomly, build trust, and convince them to invest savings or retirement funds into fake trading accounts showing false returns before blocking withdrawals. Scammers typically encourage victims to liquidate retirement accounts and take loans for larger investments, with some victims losing over $1 million while being charged hundreds of thousands in fees to access their funds; cryptocurrency-related fraud comprises about half of all reported fraud cases, and FBI officials warn that peer-to-peer crypto transactions cannot be reversed once completed.
ktvz.com
U.S. consumers lost $10.3 billion to fraud in 2023, with seniors (ages 60+) among the most vulnerable populations targeted through tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and credential stuffing attacks. OnPoint Credit Union released a 2024 cybersecurity eBook highlighting emerging threats including deepfake phishing, AI-enhanced scams, and smart device vulnerabilities, recommending consumers verify sender information, monitor accounts closely, and remain vigilant against unsolicited communications.
kkam.com
The FBI has issued a warning about five scams rising in Texas, including check washing (where criminals alter stolen checks and remove ink to change payee names and amounts), swatting and doxxing (making false emergency calls and stealing/threatening to publish personal information), and phishing (fraudulent emails impersonating banks to steal login credentials). The article advises Texans to avoid mailing checks, verify unexpected financial emails directly with their bank, and be cautious of unsolicited links and requests for personal information.
futurescot.com
Research in Scotland revealed that 400,000 older people have been targeted by online scams, prompting the Cyber and Fraud Centre to relaunch a safety guide addressing cryptocurrency scams, fake calls/emails, and text message fraud. The Cyber and Fraud Hub has handled approximately £250,000 in cryptocurrency fraud cases across all age groups while preventing around £60,000 from reaching scammers, with older adults identified as particularly vulnerable due to lower technology familiarity and greater trust in unsolicited contacts. The guide recommends that seniors remain cautious of unexpected communications, protect personal information, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and discuss finances with trusted individuals.
bet.com
A CBS investigation uncovered a network of Ghanaian romance scammers operating from "boiler rooms" in Accra who target lonely Americans through online dating sites, with victims losing over $10 billion according to the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers, like an operative named Abdullah, are supplied by syndicate bosses who take 60% of profits, and they deliberately study American culture and time zones to impersonate potential romantic partners and extract money from victims. These schemes represent an evolution from earlier Nigerian Prince emails, employing more sophisticated tactics that are difficult to detect.
icrt.com.tw
A survey of nearly 25,000 Asian respondents found that approximately 30% of Taiwanese scam victims fell for scams within one hour of encountering them, with over 50% reporting weekly scam encounters. Identity theft was the most prevalent scam type in Taiwan at 24%, followed by shopping, investment, and business impersonation schemes, with Facebook (63% of users) and LINE (47% of users) being the primary platforms for fake investment ads and phishing links. Nearly 40% of Taiwanese respondents reported receiving AI-generated scam messages, reflecting a regional trend across Asia.
newpittsburghcourier.com
This educational article provides guidance on protecting oneself from common scams and fraud. Key advice includes recognizing red flags (urgency, unrealistic offers, suspicious communications), safeguarding personal and account information, and taking preventive steps such as ignoring unrecognized contacts, calling banks directly using verified numbers, avoiding suspicious links, and verifying legitimacy before financial transactions. The article covers major scam types including impersonation of financial institutions, fake retailer accounts, rental fraud, fraudulent tech support, malvertising, and AI-generated "deepfake" impersonations.
news.chubb.com
A global survey of 2,600 respondents across eight countries found that 61% have reduced their use of digital payment platforms due to cyber scam fears, while 46% mistakenly believe their payments are already protected. The survey revealed that 63% have experienced or know victims of cyber scams, with phishing, impersonation, and fake purchase scams being the most common concerns; 75% of respondents indicated that transaction insurance would increase their trust and adoption of digital payments.
prnewswire.com
A global survey by Chubb found that 61% of respondents have reduced their use of digital payment platforms due to cyber scam concerns, despite 46% mistakenly believing their payments are already protected. The study across eight countries revealed that 63% have been cyber scam victims or know someone who has, with phishing, impersonation, and fake purchase scams being the most common threats. Results show that 75% of respondents would increase their trust and adoption of digital payments if transaction insurance were available.
insurancejournal.com
**Summary:**
Hackers conducted an extensive phishing campaign in July and August impersonating the progressive group MoveOn, using partisan political messaging to trick Americans into clicking malicious links that deployed the SocGholish malware. Researchers also discovered over 500 fraudulent duplicate websites mimicking political campaign pages, some soliciting cryptocurrency from victims, with the notorious Russian cybercrime group Evil Corp. linked to the malware distribution. While no customer accounts were compromised, the campaign demonstrates hackers' ongoing exploitation of election-related partisan tensions to deceive voters.
wired.com
Over 200,000 people in Southeast Asia have been forced into operating online "pig butchering" scams by Chinese organized crime groups, generating billions in stolen funds through a scheme that builds false relationships with victims before directing them to fraudulent investment platforms. The FBI reported nearly $4 billion in losses from these scams in 2023 alone, with total global losses estimated at $75 billion or more, and similar operations have now expanded to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and West Africa. Despite crackdowns by Beijing and international law enforcement efforts, experts warn that the scam continues to proliferate globally as criminal groups replicate the model in regions with weak governance and enforcement.
aol.com
This editorial contrasts traditional scams like Long Leaf Trading Group's $1.2 million commodity fraud scheme with modern consumer fraud that leverages artificial intelligence, voice cloning, and personal data harvesting to create highly convincing imposter scams. Consumer fraud reached a record $10 billion in losses last year according to the FTC, with imposter scams representing the fastest-growing category as criminals exploit social isolation, political divisiveness, and technological sophistication to target vulnerable Americans. Law enforcement efforts have increased but remain outpaced by evolving fraud tactics, though a new generation of tech-savvy anti-scammers on platforms like YouTube are gaining traction in exposing these criminals.
chicagotribune.com
Long Leaf Trading Group, a Chicago-based boiler-room operation, cold-called victims to pitch a fraudulent commodity-trading scheme between 2020 and its prosecution, resulting in customer losses while company traders collected $1.2 million in commissions. The article uses this case to illustrate how consumer fraud has evolved dramatically, with modern scammers now employing AI voice cloning, personal data harvesting, and impersonation tactics that make scams increasingly difficult to detect, contributing to record losses of $10 billion in U.S. consumer fraud in the previous year.
premier.sa.gov.au
South Australia reported 13,183 scams totaling over $15 million in 2023, with romance, investment, classified, and selling scams being most prevalent. A fraudulent Seniors Card website (www.seniorscardportal.au) was also identified, charging $29 for a service that should be free. Authorities urged residents to watch for red flags including pressure to act quickly, requests for unusual payment methods, and suspicious links or attachments.
parisstaronline.com
Three Sarnia seniors lost over $1 million in separate online scams, including a 67-year-old woman defrauded of $350,000 by a man posing as a physician who claimed to need money to evacuate a war zone, a 63-year-old man scammed of $52,500 through a romance and extortion scheme involving fake intimate photos, and a 70-year-old man who lost $710,000 to both a lottery prize scam and a romance fraud by the same perpetrator. Police emphasized that such large losses are common among vulnerable seniors and warned residents to avoid risky online behavior and educate elderly relatives about these schemes.
seehafernews.com
The Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee successfully conducted a four-session educational series on common scams and frauds targeting seniors, drawing nearly 70 attendees who received preventative strategies and insights. The program, organized through the DATCP with support from local law enforcement agencies, was praised for its timeliness given rising fraud incidents in the community. Organizations interested in hosting similar fraud prevention educational sessions are encouraged to contact the Public Safety Committee Chairman.
forbes.com
The U.S. Senate's Special Committee On Aging held a hearing on elder financial fraud, featuring testimony from AARP's Kathy Stokes revealing that organized transnational crime rings operate like corporations, using emotional manipulation to bypass victims' logical thinking, and that identity fraud alone cost Americans $43 billion in 2023. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing fake communications, emails, and deepfakes, making tech support scams and bank impostor scams harder to detect, though awareness of common tactics and red flags can help protect vulnerable adults.
bankingjournal.aba.com
This is an opinion piece by the American Bankers Association chair discussing cybersecurity strategy in the banking industry, not a summary of a specific scam or fraud incident. The article emphasizes that generative AI is increasing cybersecurity complexity for banks and advocates for public-private partnerships to combat AI-related fraud and phishing threats. Key initiatives mentioned include a Treasury Department partnership to address AI fraud and the #BanksNeverAskThat customer awareness campaign launching in October to educate people about phishing scams.
boston.com
Scammers are sending emails claiming to have hacked victims' computers and cameras, threatening to release "compromising photos" and demanding Bitcoin payments as ransom. The emails include photos of victims' homes or streets obtained from public sources to add credibility to the threats. According to Wakefield police, no victims have experienced further problems after ignoring these extortion emails.
ktar.com
A Komando staff member describes four active email scams currently circulating: a $40,000 fake invoice scheme that impersonates business contacts and uses social engineering to trick finance staff into payment; fake subscription receipt emails designed to extract credit card information or phone calls; sextortion scams threatening to share fabricated embarrassing footage unless victims pay Bitcoin; and direct deposit phishing emails attempting to steal banking information and business data. The article advises recipients to verify requests through established channels, be suspicious when normal approval procedures are bypassed, and recognize that scammers often lack the information they claim to possess.
the-sun.com
O2, the UK's largest phone network, has issued a scam alert warning customers about fraudulent activity targeting both iPhone and Android users, particularly during the busy pre-Christmas tech launch season. The scams involve criminals posing as O2 representatives to steal personal data, passwords, and bank details by offering too-good-to-be-true deals like steep discounts or free devices, then using the stolen information to fraudulently order phones in victims' names. O2 advises customers to never share sensitive information over phone or text, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report unexpected package deliveries or account changes directly to O2 rather than engaging with the scammers.
fox61.com
A 31-year-old New York man was arrested in Branford, Connecticut after operating as a courier in a text message scam scheme that initiates contact with unsuspecting victims through unsolicited "Hello" messages to build fake relationships and extract money. The suspect, Wenije He, was apprehended while attempting to collect a large cash sum believed destined for criminal enterprise and faces larceny and phone fraud charges with a $200,000 bond. Police warn residents to ignore unsolicited texts from unknown numbers, never send money or personal information to unknown contacts, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
newstopicnews.com
Senior citizens are frequently targeted by scammers using untraceable payment methods like prepaid cards and wire transfers, with law enforcement noting these scams are largely preventable through awareness. Documented cases in Sanford included a 77-year-old man defrauded of $3,000 in iTunes cards by someone impersonating his granddaughter claiming to need bail money, and various lottery and inheritance scams sent to residents. Law enforcement agencies advise that any unsolicited request to pay money to receive money is a scam, recommend never sharing personal information over the phone, and note that legitimate government agencies would never demand payment via gift cards or money orders.
indeonline.com
Scammers are using fake "card declined" messages on fraudulent websites and in phishing emails to trick consumers into entering payment information and personal details, then charging their accounts without authorization. The BBB and AAA have received multiple reports of consumers being charged unexpectedly despite receiving error messages suggesting their transactions failed. To protect yourself, verify website URLs and security features, research businesses before purchasing, avoid unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true, use credit cards for added fraud protection, and monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges.
technologyforyou.org
Malwarebytes research found that over 66% of survey respondents were targeted by romance scams, with 10% of victims losing more than $10,000 and 3% losing $100,000 or more, while 94% were unable to recover their losses. The scams predominantly target individuals over 55 (74%) and males (56%), though younger demographics are also affected, with 26% of victims engaging with scammers for extended periods—some relationships lasting a year or longer. Key protective measures include verifying identities, keeping personal information private, consulting trusted third parties before financial transactions, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
siliconeer.com
Imposter scams—where criminals impersonate trusted businesses or government agencies—are the most common type of fraud reported to the FTC, with 360,000 cases in the first half of 2024 alone resulting in $1.3 billion in losses (median $800 per victim). Losses from government and business impersonation scams have surged dramatically, from $370 million combined in 2020 to over $1.3 billion by 2023, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake urgency, unusual payment methods like Bitcoin ATMs, and threats of arrest or deportation. The FTC's new Impersonation Rule
shorenewsnetwork.com
A West Orange, NJ resident lost nearly $400,000 to a "Norton Scam" that began with a fraudulent email claiming they owed money to Norton Antivirus. The scammers gained remote access to the victim's computer, manipulated the screen to change a $300 payment to $300,000, then directed them to call a fake bank number where additional funds were extracted through wire transfers and gold coin purchases. Detective Ryan Funk identified 33-year-old Jaynesh Patel as a suspect in the investigation.
cardanofeed.com
A fraudulent wallet app impersonating WalletConnect was available on Google Play Store for four months, stealing over $70,000 in cryptocurrency through phishing scams that duped approximately 150 of its 10,000 users into approving unauthorized transactions. The scam highlights ongoing threats in the cryptocurrency space, though overall crypto fraud losses declined 40% in Q3 2024 compared to the prior year.