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nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, the Federal Trade Commission warns that identity theft scams are evolving, with scammers increasingly using text messages and emails rather than phone calls to direct victims to fake IRS websites and steal login credentials or install malware. In 2023, the FTC received over one million identity theft reports resulting in more than $10 billion in losses combined. The FTC advises taxpayers to avoid clicking unsolicited links, visit IRS.gov directly to verify information, freeze their credit, use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, file taxes early, and obtain an IRS identity protection PIN.
cw34.com
· 2025-12-08
Computer programmers in England developed "Daisy," an AI-powered elderly woman chatbot designed to waste scammers' time by engaging them in lengthy conversations—averaging seven minutes per call, with one interaction lasting 40 minutes. The prototype, created by Virgin Media O2, uses four layers of AI technology to generate realistic voice responses based on a detailed backstory (a 78-year-old widow who enjoys baking), and developers are now working to scale the technology into thousands of personas that can be installed on personal phones to combat both voice scams and phishing attempts.
energized.edison.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 100 Southern California Edison customers fell victim to impersonation scams in just the first month of 2025, with fraudsters posing as SCE representatives to extract payments through various methods including urgency tactics, fake websites, prepaid cards, and barcode schemes. SCE advises customers to verify any calls by asking for a callback number, never provide credit card information over the phone, and report suspected scams to sce.com/scamalert, emphasizing that legitimate SCE representatives do not demand immediate payment or accept prepaid cards, Bitcoin, or Zelle transfers.
aljazeera.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore passed unprecedented anti-scam legislation in 2024 that grants authorities power to freeze bank accounts of suspected scam victims to prevent them from transferring funds to scammers. The measure was prompted by record-high scam reports—26,587 cases in the first half of 2024 with losses exceeding $284 million—where 86 percent involved willing fund transfers, despite education efforts and bank safeguards. While supporters view the law as essential protection, critics argue it reflects paternalistic governance that inappropriately restricts individual financial autonomy.
klaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are on the rise in Texas, with the state ranking third nationally for losses from this type of fraud, totaling over $114.4 million from 2022 to 2023. According to FTC data, nearly 70,000 people reported romance scams in 2022, losing an average of $4,400 each across $1.3 billion in total losses. The article outlines common red flags—such as avoiding video calls, rushing romantic declarations, and requesting money—and recommends protective measures including reverse image searching, never sending money to unmet contacts, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Over 5,000 Australian men were alerted to a romance scam operation based in the Philippines that resulted in more than $23.5 million in losses across Australia in 2024. Scammers used dating apps to build fake romantic relationships before convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency, requesting initial investments of $300-$800 before directing funds to their personal accounts. Philippine authorities dismantled the operation in November 2024, seizing over 300 computer towers and 1,000 mobile phones, with evidence shared to international law enforcement to identify victims.
afp.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian authorities warned more than 5,000 potential victims via text message about romance scammers operating from the Philippines who targeted men over 35 using fake female personas on dating apps. The scammers convinced victims to invest AUD $300-$800 in cryptocurrency before stealing their funds, with the scheme uncovered after Philippine authorities raided a scam compound in Manila in November 2024 and identified Australian phone numbers linked to the operation. The investigation, known as Operation Firestorm, has resulted in over 250 arrests in the Philippines, and authorities advised victims to report funds to their banks and police immediately.
accc.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian authorities identified over 5,000 potential victims of a romance scam operation run by Philippine-based cybercriminals who posed as Filipino or local females on dating apps to deceive mostly male victims over 35. The scammers convinced victims to invest AUD $300–$800 in cryptocurrency before transferring funds to their accounts; the investigation resulted in over 250 arrests and led authorities to send warning text messages to potential victims advising them not to send money and to report any losses to banks and police. This operation was conducted under Operation Firestorm, a global initiative by the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Collaboration Centre to disrupt offshore organized crime networks targeting
cyberdaily.au
· 2025-12-08
The National Anti-Scam Centre and Australian Federal Police alerted over 5,000 Australians via text message after Philippine authorities dismantled a romance scam operation in Manila, recovering 1,000 mobile phones and 300 desktop computers. The sophisticated scam, which primarily targeted men, resulted in reported losses of $23.6 million to dating and romance scams in Australia in 2024, with 250 suspects arrested and victims advised to avoid sending money to online contacts and to report any transfers to banks and police. The authorities warned that romance scammers often move conversations to encrypted messaging platforms and encourage victims to make large investments under false pretenses.
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
A former romance scammer from Nigeria revealed his methods to KSL, explaining how he targeted vulnerable American women on Facebook—particularly those appearing lonely—by posing as a soldier and building relationships over months before requesting money for emergencies. Over five years, he defrauded victims of more than $70,000, including at least one Utah resident, though he claims to have reformed after realizing the severe emotional damage caused to a 62-year-old woman who lost $20,000 and became severely depressed. The interview comes as Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with 207 Utahns losing $5.4 million that year
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are impersonating Elon Musk using fake advertisements and deepfake videos to perpetrate three main scams: selling ineffective energy-saving devices (with victims reporting losses of $152+ per unit), promoting a fraudulent Quantum AI investment platform using fabricated celebrity endorsements, and running giveaway schemes that extract fees or personal information from victims (with one person losing $6,000). These scams exploit AI deepfake technology to create convincing but entirely fictitious endorsements designed to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting targets.
substack.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scams targeting older adults resulted in approximately $3.4 billion in losses, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report. Common schemes include romance scams, tech support fraud, grandparent scams, government impersonation, lottery scams, and home repair fraud, with perpetrators typically using intimidation tactics or appeals to family relationships to pressure victims into sending money. Experts recommend maintaining awareness, being cautious of high-pressure situations, and reporting suspected fraud as the best defenses against these schemes.
finextra.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are highly sophisticated fraud schemes that exploit emotional vulnerability and loneliness, affecting victims across all age groups but particularly targeting middle-aged adults (55-64) and older adults (65-74). In 2023, romance scams resulted in approximately $1.14 billion in reported losses in the United States, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated images and fake social media accounts to build trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. A notable 2024 case involved a 53-year-old French woman who lost her entire life savings of $850,000 to scammers posing as
home.barclays
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraud and scams reached unprecedented levels, with 18 percent of consumers victimized and 34 percent knowing a scam victim, particularly targeting parents and grandparents. Investment scams emerged as the costliest threat, accounting for one-third of all scam losses with an average claim of £15,564, while 75 percent of scams originated on social media and tech platforms, including sophisticated AI voice-cloning schemes that remain underrecognized by consumers. The article emphasizes that while awareness campaigns have successfully educated the public about traditional scams like fake delivery and HMRC fraud, newer technological scams and recruitment fraud require increased education and cross-industry collaboration
notizie.it
· 2025-12-08
Telephone scams targeting elderly people have increased significantly in recent years, but seniors are becoming more empowered to fight back through training courses organized by the Carabinieri in parishes and senior centers. These courses teach pensioners to recognize scam methods through real cases and simulations, enabling them to identify suspicious situations and contact authorities—transforming them from passive victims to active protectors of themselves. Key prevention strategies include never sharing personal information with strangers, verifying caller identity, and maintaining skepticism toward overly attractive offers.
news.jrn.msu.edu
· 2025-12-08
A Michigan man and woman were charged with financially exploiting an 87-year-old Rochester Hills resident through fraudulent power of attorney, with one defendant embezzling over $400,000 and the other stealing thousands through unauthorized checks. A Michigan State University study in rural communities found that preventative training for family caregivers and seniors, combined with caseworker follow-up visits, effectively empowers people to identify and prevent financial exploitation of older adults. Michigan reports increasing financial exploitation cases, with over 4,000 referrals in fiscal year 2024, and research shows that even basic community education can raise awareness and help prevent elder fraud.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday issued a consumer alert warning residents about Super Bowl LIX ticket and merchandise scams, advising buyers to use official ticket platforms, verify URLs to avoid spoofing, avoid third-party sellers, and never pay via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. The warning recommends conducting transactions in safe locations, reviewing charges before checkout, and using credit cards for fraud protection. Victims can file complaints with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling 800-441-2555.
mininggazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan State Police are warning businesses across the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula about a fraud scheme involving stolen credit cards and lottery scratch-off tickets, with related cases also reported in Wisconsin and Nebraska. Scammers purchase large quantities of lottery tickets using stolen credit cards by requesting manual entry of card information, then quickly cash in winning tickets before the fraud is discovered. Businesses are advised to refuse manual credit card processing, limit lottery ticket purchases, and verify card legitimacy when transactions seem suspicious.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's office warned fans attending Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to be vigilant against ticket, merchandise, and credit card scams targeting eager consumers. The advisory recommends using reputable websites, avoiding purchases from strangers or sellers requesting gift cards or cryptocurrency, and contacting the state's Bureau of Consumer Protection if victimized. The guidance emphasizes common-sense precautions such as reviewing purchases carefully and trusting instincts when offers seem too good to be true.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns of scams falsely claiming the government offers free grants that require an upfront application fee to access. Both individuals and businesses have fallen victim to these schemes, which often impersonate friends and guarantee free money before requesting payment or financial information. Legitimate government grants never require processing fees, and people should never provide banking details to unsolicited callers.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A widowed pensioner fell victim to a romance scam, sending thousands of pounds to a woman he had never met in person, whose photos were stolen from social media and used across multiple scam accounts. Santander's "Break the Spell" team, a specialized fraud prevention unit, worked to convince him he was being defrauded, though he initially resisted accepting the reality despite blocked transactions and a failed in-person meeting. The article highlights the growing prevalence of scams in the UK—with £213m lost across the banking sector in the first half of 2024—and notes that Santander's Break the Spell initiative has prevented £17.6m from reaching
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece presents five foundational "set it and forget it" scam defense resolutions: establish credit freezes with the three major bureaus, use a password manager, secure your Social Security card, register with the Do Not Call list, and create strong passwords for personal Wi-Fi networks. AARP Vermont Fraud Watch volunteers additionally recommend examining email origins for suspicious countries, allowing unknown calls to voicemail, avoiding public Wi-Fi for financial transactions, being skeptical of unsolicited bank calls, and steering clear of social media shopping deals.
lichfieldlive.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Police are warning the public against romance scams following high-profile cases, including a woman who lost approximately £700,000 after being deceived by someone impersonating actor Brad Pitt. UK losses to romance scams totaled an estimated £92 million last year, with scammers typically creating fake profiles that avoid video calls, claim military or overseas employment, and request money for medical treatment or emergencies. Authorities advise never sending money, loans, gift cards, or personal documents to online contacts you have not met in person, and recommend reporting suspicious behavior to police.
wave3.com
· 2025-12-08
Experts are warning the public about romance scams, particularly ahead of Valentine's Day, where scammers impersonate celebrities or create fake personas to build relationships and request money from victims. Red flags include quick declarations of love, requests for money, reluctance to meet in person, and insistence on communication only through dating platforms. According to the Federal Trade Commission, imposter scams were Kentucky's most common fraud type in 2024, with scammers stealing $2.7 billion nationally in that year; financial experts recommend consulting trusted friends or bank representatives when uncertain about suspicious requests.
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
A Coinbase user lost 110 cbBTC (valued at $11.5 million) after falling victim to a social engineering scam on Base network, with the stolen cryptocurrency quickly laundered across multiple exchanges. Blockchain investigator ZachXBT estimates that similar scams targeting Coinbase users have resulted in at least $150 million in losses over the past year, involving fraudsters impersonating support staff through phishing emails and spoofed calls to steal private keys and login credentials. Coinbase has not publicly addressed the issue, though the pattern of unreimbursed losses raises concerns about the exchange's fraud detection and customer protection measures.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Poppy, an 84-year-old widow from Manchester, lost £20,000 to three separate romance scams over two and a half years after becoming isolated following her husband's death and during the Covid lockdown. The scammers posed as American men and exploited her loneliness and declining memory by building emotional connections before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. Romance scams in the UK increased 6% in 2024 with victims losing £99.4 million, and criminologists note that previous victims are particularly vulnerable to repeat victimization due to the grooming tactics used.
brainerddispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
As tax season approaches, fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics—including artificial intelligence—to target taxpayers, with the FBI reporting 880,418 cybercrime complaints in 2023 resulting in losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Common tax scams include phishing emails impersonating IRS officials, unqualified tax preparers misusing client information, tax identity theft, and AI-enabled fraud schemes. Taxpayers should protect themselves by verifying preparer credentials, recognizing that the IRS initiates contact via mail rather than unsolicited phone calls or emails, avoiding suspicious links, and safeguarding personal information.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting Elon Musk's reputation by promoting fake "energy-saving" devices through unsolicited emails, social media ads, and pop-ups, claiming the products can reduce electricity bills by 50% or more. These fraudulent websites use fake celebrity endorsements, doctored photos, pseudo-scientific language, and fake customer reviews to appear legitimate, but deliver either non-functional plastic devices or nothing at all after collecting upfront payment via credit card or PayPal. No legitimate plug-in device can actually reduce home electricity usage, and consumers should be wary of unsolicited offers making exaggerated claims about bill reduction.
townandcountrymag.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, multiple high-profile fraud cases emerged involving sophisticated impersonation schemes: a Hermès heir reported a $13 billion fortune missing, Elvis Presley's estate discovered Graceland nearly sold at auction after a woman forged loan documents and signatures, and an Arup engineering employee wired $25 million to fraudsters using deepfake technology to impersonate company executives. The article highlights how modern scammers exploit advancing technology—including AI-generated voices and deepfakes—to impersonate authority figures, family members, and trusted individuals, with experts predicting AI-generated fraud could reach $40 billion by 2027. Recommended protections include establishing family
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP article provides educational guidance on protecting oneself from common fraud schemes affecting adults. It recommends three key protective steps: placing security freezes on credit accounts, monitoring financial accounts regularly, and using strong unique passwords. The article also warns about three specific scams—romance scams involving cryptocurrency, fake gift card balance-checking websites, and identity fraud from data breaches—and advises checking official sources like the SEC's investor.gov before making investments and using phone numbers or addresses on the back of gift cards rather than search results. For victims, AARP offers the Fraud Watch Network Helpline (1-877-908-3360) available weekdays 8 a.m.–
theschoharienews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Sharon Springs Silver & Gold Senior Club held an educational presentation on January 10th where a Social Security Administration official informed approximately twenty seniors about identity theft, consumer scams, and emerging fraud threats including AI-enhanced scams such as phishing, family emergency, and romance schemes. Attendees learned protective measures and were provided resources including IdentityTheft.gov for reporting identity theft, the Senate Special Committee on Aging's Fraud Hotline (1-855-303-9470), and the "Fighting Fraud" booklet available at www.aging.senate.gov.
slguardian.org
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam Victimization - Poppy's Case (UK)**
An 84-year-old woman from Manchester named Poppy fell victim to three separate romance scams between 2021 and 2023, losing approximately £20,000 total. The scams involved fraudsters posing as an American oil worker, a wealthy businessman, and a NATO medic, each requesting financial help through various pretexts; her brother discovered the full extent of the fraud when managing her finances due to her declining memory. While NatWest refunded £16,000 of her losses, the case highlights a growing epidemic of romance scams in the UK, with
themonroesun.com
· 2025-12-08
Common scams targeting victims include fake attorney calls claiming a loved one needs bail money, utility shutoff warnings, lottery schemes, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Law enforcement advises that when unsolicited callers request personal information or money, recipients should hang up and independently verify the claim by contacting the supposed organization or person directly. Scammers use tactics such as keeping victims on the phone to prevent critical thinking, leveraging personal information like Social Security numbers, and coaching victims on how to send money discreetly to avoid detection by store employees.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
In the Philippines, over 8,000 people lost more than PHP 155 million to online scams in the first eight months of 2023, prompting Senator Mark Villar to champion the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act—legislation designed to address emerging digital fraud threats including phishing, smishing, vishing, and quishing. The proposed law creates specific penalties for financial account fraud and money muling schemes while empowering the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to investigate suspicious transactions more swiftly and without traditional banking secrecy constraints.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 42-year-old man in Bengaluru lost ₹70,000 after downloading a malicious APK file disguised as the "Vahan Parivahan" app, which he accessed through a WhatsApp message falsely claiming he had a traffic violation. The malware compromised his phone, enabling unauthorized credit card transactions, though his wife's linked accounts were protected before fraudsters could access them. Police registered charges under the Information Technology Act and cheating statutes, and authorities advised the public to avoid downloading APK files from unknown sources.
thesfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
On January 30, the San Francisco Police Department released an educational video to raise awareness about blessing scams, which primarily target elderly members of the Chinese community in the San Francisco Bay Area. The scam involves Cantonese-speaking suspects who pose as fortune tellers, convincing victims they are cursed and must surrender valuables (cash and jewelry) to be "blessed," after which victims receive a bag of worthless items and are told not to open it for days or weeks. The video was produced in collaboration with local organizations and features a woman who narrowly escaped such a scam in January, emphasizing the importance of learning to refuse strangers and report these crimes to police.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Stonington Police Department issued a warning about increasingly sophisticated scam attempts affecting both residents and businesses in the area, which involve callers or emailers requesting personal information, remote computer access, or threatening to shut off services. The scams often impersonate family members in distress or claim urgent situations, demanding payment via money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, and typically involve scammers building rapport with victims before making requests. Police advise residents to verify phone numbers independently online, remain skeptical of unsolicited contacts, and consult family members or law enforcement if situations seem suspicious.
lexch.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot summarize this content as requested. This appears to be a list of countries and territories rather than an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
Please provide an actual news article, transcript, or report about elder fraud, scams, or abuse for me to summarize according to the Elderus database guidelines.
kclyradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and Kansas Legal Services launched a free "Scam Scan" seminar series beginning January 24th to educate older Kansans about recognizing and avoiding common scams involving theft, fraud, and financial exploitation. The educational seminars, presented by managing attorney Corinne Petrik, provide prevention tips to help attendees protect themselves, their money, and personal information from email, phone, and text-based scams, with sessions continuing through April due to high demand.
cbs58.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau warned of a phone scam in which callers impersonate loan processing company representatives and request personal information such as income by claiming they need to verify details to finalize a loan application, often using fake application IDs to appear credible. The BBB received more than 100 reports of this scam in January 2025, and officials advised consumers to verify a company's legitimacy before sharing personal information and to report suspicious calls to BBB Scam Tracker.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security Administration official Rebecca Rose identified four key warning signs of scams: impersonation of trusted organizations, claims of problems or prizes, pressure for immediate action, and requests for payment via gift cards. Scam survivor Kate Kleinert shared her experience losing $39,000 to a romance scam, while SSA resources provide guidance on recognizing scams and reporting them to the Office of the Inspector General.
coinbase.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting cryptocurrency owners through social engineering scams, with scams causing $4.6 billion in losses across the crypto industry in 2023. Threat actors impersonate legitimate companies like Coinbase via unsolicited texts and phone calls, using publicly available personal information to appear credible while tricking victims into transferring funds to fraudulent self-custody wallets. The article advises users to ignore unsolicited communications, never share seed phrases or personal information with callers, and recognize that legitimate financial institutions will never request fund transfers or sensitive information via phone.
cmu.edu
· 2025-12-08
This guidance document provides travel and scam prevention advice for international students and scholars. It covers domestic and international travel documentation requirements and recommends monitoring official government websites for policy changes. A scam alert warns of IRS impersonators targeting people during tax season through unsolicited communications, along with alerts about fake delivery, SSN, and pyramid scheme scams, emphasizing that legitimate U.S. government agencies never request gift cards, checks, or wire transfers by phone.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud scammers exploit emotional connections to steal money through tactics like "love bombing" (building trust before requesting funds), "catfishing" (using fake profiles on dating sites), and inheritance schemes (claiming victims will receive money if they pay upfront expenses). The scams affect people of all genders and can cost victims tens of thousands of dollars, with emotional devastation accompanying financial losses; victims should be wary of matches who avoid video calls and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Christopher Maxwell, a former romance scammer operating from Nigeria, earned over $70,000 over five years by targeting lonely American women on Facebook while posing as a U.S. soldier, before claiming to have reformed after realizing the emotional harm he caused victims like a 62-year-old woman who lost $20,000. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023—double the losses from 2021—with Utah residents losing $5.4 million in 2023 alone. Maxwell now works to expose romance scamming tactics, warning that scammers typically target women appearing lonely in photos and spen
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that romance scams are increasingly dangerous, with 532 reports in 2024 showing a median loss of $6,125, and seniors over 65 particularly at risk. Scammers are now using AI tools to create more realistic fake profiles and chatbots that eliminate grammatical errors, while also targeting victims through cryptocurrency investment schemes. The BBB recommends online daters watch for red flags such as excuses to avoid meeting, moving conversations to other apps, requests for money, and suspicious photos—and to verify profiles through reverse image searches and consult trusted friends and family before sending any money.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania widow Kate Kleinert lost nearly $40,000 to a romance scam perpetrated by a man posing as "Tony," a surgeon working in Iraq, whom she met via Facebook. The financial devastation left her unable to afford home repairs, which led to a fire that destroyed her house and killed six foster dogs. According to the FBI and FTC, romance scams affected tens of thousands of people in 2023, costing consumers $1.14 billion that year, with scammers exploiting social media information and stolen photos to build trust before requesting money under various pretexts.
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly widow lost approximately $8.4 million over four years when her son, Brett Thomas Graham—a securities industry-barred individual—moved money from her accounts at multiple financial firms (JPMorgan Securities, Schwab, and Francis Financial) without proper detection or intervention. The woman, who had memory loss and was living in assisted care, had invested nearly $9 million from the sale of her Upper East Side townhouse, but the financial institutions failed to implement adequate safeguards such as flagging suspicious large withdrawals, conducting proper due diligence, or contacting trusted family members to verify the transactions. Her family only discovered the fraud after she was evicted from her assiste
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Card-not-present (CNP) fraud and transaction disputes have surged dramatically, with CNP fraud increasing 35% in 2021 alone, and chargebacks projected to reach $37 billion in lost revenue between 2023-2026. Friendly fraud—where customers intentionally dispute legitimate charges—accounts for approximately 28% of global eCommerce fraud losses. To combat these issues, merchants and banks can implement AI-powered fraud prevention systems, real-time transaction verification alerts, enhanced transaction transparency, and third-party dispute resolution services to reduce chargebacks by up to 15%.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona banking customers are experiencing a surge in sophisticated tech scams, with victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars to fraudsters who use alarming text messages about account fraud to trick people into revealing account credentials. The Better Business Bureau also reports a spike in romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, with victims averaging $126,000 in losses per person in early 2024, typically initiated through social media or dating websites with warning signs including rapid friendships, quick money discussions, and reluctance to video chat. Banks emphasize that contacting financial institutions within 24 hours of suspected fraud is critical, as scammers typically transfer funds overseas quickly, making recovery difficult after that window closes.