Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,397 results
in Robocall / Phone Scam
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland officials, the FBI, and AARP launched "Protect Week" to educate seniors and families about avoiding scams, following reports that more than 3,200 Marylanders over age 60 lost a combined $80 million to fraud in 2024. The statewide initiative highlighted common scam tactics including urgency, emotional manipulation, and impersonation, with officials advising seniors to verify sources before sending money and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), the FBI Honolulu warned about elder fraud targeting seniors through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule operations, noting that victims lost $4.885 billion across 14,127 complaints nationally in 2024—a 46% increase from 2023—with Hawaii alone losing $18.9 million, of which $9.8 million came from investment scams. Criminals target seniors because they perceive them as polite, trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report fraud, which is why the FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts, resisting pressure to act quickly,
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a reinvigorated effort to combat transnational elder fraud schemes that cost billions of dollars annually, with several recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases included Troy Murray, who pleaded guilty to selling a database of over 7 million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery scammers, and his son Cutter Murray, who pleaded guilty to money laundering $1.6 million in fraudulent proceeds; other defendants were charged for operating Jamaica-based lottery fraud schemes that defrauded seniors across the country, with one victim losing over $400,
newstalkkgvo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Montana woman named Rita lost over $90,000 in an online romance scam where the perpetrator refused to meet in person, taking advantage of her vulnerability during a divorce. According to the FBI, Montana alone saw 44 romance scam victims report losses exceeding $2.2 million in 2024, making these scams particularly costly for seniors. Red flags include rushing declarations of love, isolation from family and friends, claims of inability to meet in person, and requests for money before any face-to-face meeting.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five members of a transnational organized crime syndicate were sentenced to federal prison in the Eastern District of Texas for defrauding approximately 100 victims of roughly $17 million through multiple schemes including romance scams, business email compromise, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud beginning in January 2017. The defendants, ranging from 32 to 51 years old, received sentences between 9 and 40 years, with sentences totaling nearly 160 years combined. The scheme specifically targeted elderly and vulnerable persons, and the defendants laundered stolen funds through bank accounts and businesses in Africa and Asia.
newstalkkgvo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Montana woman named Rita lost over $90,000 in an online romance scam where the perpetrator refused to meet in person and exploited her vulnerability during her divorce. According to FBI data, Montana residents reported 44 romance scam cases resulting in $2.2 million in losses during 2024, with common red flags including rushed declarations of love, isolation from friends and family, excuses to avoid meeting, and requests for money before an in-person meeting.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Jenny's 68-year-old mother, a recent widow, appears to have fallen victim to a romance scammer posing as a US military veteran named "Don" on Facebook; Jenny suspects money may have been sent but faces resistance when trying to warn her mother about the scam. Financial adviser Sarah Davidson explains that romance scammers exploit vulnerable people through emotional manipulation and gradually request money, with victims aged 61+ losing an average of £19,000 each, and emphasizes that confrontation often backfires as victims are psychologically invested in the false relationship.
dayakdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A man identified as "Kenny" rejected an online loan scam offer via WhatsApp in early June, but the scammer subsequently obtained his contact list and harassed Kenny, his wife, parents, in-laws, and siblings using multiple phone numbers, while also posting his identity card on Facebook pages with false accusations. Kenny reported the incident to police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), suspecting his phone may have been hacked during the initial scam communication.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Lawrence Hall from Columbus lost $149 after responding to a robocall scam promising a product he never received; the number became unlisted after he contacted them. Hall receives over 35 robocalls daily and is among millions of victims, with seniors identified as particularly vulnerable due to loneliness and phone-answering habits. The Ohio Attorney General's Office recommends not answering unfamiliar numbers, avoiding personal information disclosure, and reporting robocalls to authorities to prevent scammers from building profiles and selling victim data.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pamela nearly fell victim to a tech support scam after receiving a pop-up warning claiming her computer was locked and her IP was being used on pornographic sites. The scammer impersonated both a Microsoft employee and an FTC official, using fake credentials and pressure tactics to try to extract her full credit card numbers, but Pamela avoided the fraud by verifying the FTC official's identity and refusing to share sensitive information. The article warns against pop-up scams impersonating legitimate companies or government agencies and recommends contacting organizations directly through official channels, using strong unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication to protect against such schemes.
cp24.com
· 2025-12-08
Canadians lost $638 million to scams last year, with seniors disproportionately affected across multiple fraud types including romance scams, grandparent scams, investment fraud, and door-to-door scams, with individual losses ranging from $8,000 to $750,000. Experts attribute seniors' vulnerability to their trusting nature and oversharing of personal information online, and recommend that seniors adopt protective measures such as using strong passwords, being assertive in declining requests, and consulting trusted family members before making financial decisions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to prosecute transnational elder fraud schemes that cost American seniors billions of dollars. Recent prosecutions in the District of Rhode Island include: a British national convicted in a multi-state construction fraud targeting seniors across four states for over $1 million; eight individuals indicted for orchestrating transnational tech support scams that defrauded approximately 300 seniors across 37 states of over $5 million; and two residents charged with grandparent scams that defrauded seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts of at least $230,000. The DOJ urged seniors an
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated prosecutorial efforts against transnational and domestic elder fraud schemes that cost seniors billions of dollars annually, highlighting recent cases involving romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. A notable Montana case resulted in the arrest of a man involved in an India-based scheme impersonating U.S. Marshals that defrauded an elderly victim of over $1 million. The DOJ emphasizes the importance of community vigilance, victim restitution efforts, and encourages seniors and their families to contact the free National Elder Fraud Hotline for assistance with
wgrz.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is warning about a significant rise in text message job scams targeting young adults, with fraudsters using unsolicited texts and emails to advertise remote positions with high pay and flexible hours, often impersonating legitimate companies. Employment scams resulted in average losses of $1,500 per victim among ages 18-34 last year and ranked among the top three scams reported to the BBB, with scammers increasingly using AI to create convincing fake offers and sending fraudulent checks. The BBB recommends verifying the legitimacy of job offers, avoiding sending money to unknown contacts, and watching for red flags like unsolicited contact and pressure to act quickly.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Bay City, Texas are impersonating business owners via phone calls to deceive employees into withdrawing cash from registers and depositing it into Bitcoin machines. The Bay City Police Department warns that scammers target both main office lines and personal cell phones, building trust through fabricated urgent scenarios before directing employees to empty cash registers. Authorities recommend businesses train staff to verify caller identity with managers and hang up if uncertain, as scammers continuously develop new tactics.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old Houston man lost approximately $500,000 of his life savings in a government impersonation scam after receiving a call from someone claiming to represent the Vietnamese Embassy warning him of identity theft and money laundering in his name. The scammer exploited the victim's prior receipt of an official IRS identity theft warning, then directed him over five months to transfer funds via wire transfer while communicating through encrypted messaging and using forged documents and AI-generated videos. The loss has forced him to sell his home and reconsider retirement, though his daughter has launched a GoFundMe that has raised five figures to help him recover.
magnoliareporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Five defendants in a transnational organized crime syndicate were sentenced to federal prison (109 to 480 months) for defrauding approximately 100 victims—including elderly persons, companies, and government entities—of roughly $17 million between 2017 and 2025 through online romance scams, business email compromise, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud. The defendants laundered the stolen money through networks of bank accounts in Africa and Asia before being caught by an FBI-led multi-agency investigation in the Eastern District of Texas.
etedge-insights.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams on dating apps have escalated dramatically, with reported losses topping $1 billion globally in 2024 and a projected rise through 2025. Scammers use emotional manipulation, stolen photos, and increasingly sophisticated AI tools (deepfakes, voice cloning) to build fake relationships and extract money from victims, often through fake investment schemes or fabricated emergencies. The article illustrates this trend through Jay's experience with "Alina" and notes that India has been particularly hard-hit, with 39% of daters encountering scammers and 77% seeing AI-generated photos, while crypto-hybrid romance scams grew nearly 40% year-
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In response to rising scam cases in Metro Detroit, Chase and the Detroit Police Department hosted a workshop for seniors to educate them on common fraud tactics and prevention strategies, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. According to the FBI, individuals 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with Michigan residents alone losing over $206 million to fraud last year, and the average victim losing $35,101. The workshop emphasized the motto "trust but verify" and covered common scams including impersonation, spoofing, phishing, and vishing, recommending that seniors verify contacts, avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, an
smnewsnet.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to combat transnational elder fraud schemes costing billions of dollars, with recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases include Troy Murray, who sold a database of over seven million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery fraudsters and laundered $1.6 million in proceeds, and Dennis Anderson and Frank Angelori, who brokered lead lists to Jamaica-based scammers from 2015-2020. Individual victims lost significant sums, with one Arizona victim losing over $400,000 to a lottery fraud scheme.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County law enforcement warned seniors about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters posing as federal officers contact victims via pop-up ads or phishing texts, claiming their finances are compromised and directing them to purchase gold bars and deliver them to fake "couriers" at public locations. Victims are typically deceived into withdrawing their life savings, with recent cases in Montgomery County alone involving losses of nearly $800,000 and $900,000, and authorities note that recovery of stolen funds is nearly impossible. Authorities advise seniors to avoid answering unknown numbers and clicking suspicious pop-up ads.
folsomtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Folsom Police issued a community alert about fraudsters posing as law enforcement officers in calls targeting senior citizens, claiming victims owe bail, fines, or have missed jury duty, then demanding payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never calls to demand money and urged residents to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls to the non-emergency line at 916-355-7231.
uchealth.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole $3.4 billion from older U.S. adults in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, using tactics like romance scams, fake investments, and Medicare fraud that exploit fear and greed. Beyond financial losses, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including anxiety, shame, depression, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation, requiring individualized mental health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Older adults are particularly targeted due to their assets, trust in authority, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential cognitive changes that impair fraud recognition.
onfocus.news
· 2025-12-08
A Marshfield woman lost money to a phishing scam on June 16 when she visited a fraudulent website mimicking Target's payment portal (misspelled as "TARGETT") and was tricked into purchasing gift cards by a scammer posing as customer service. After downloading a remote-access app at the scammer's direction and providing multiple gift card codes, she reported the incident to police and was advised to file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The case illustrates how scammers exploit trusted brands and small details to deceive consumers, with law enforcement urging people never to use gift cards for bill payments and to verify website URLs before entering sensitive information.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A nationwide DMV scam involves cybercriminals texting people claiming they owe fines for traffic violations or unpaid tolls, threatening license revocation or vehicle registration suspension to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or paying money. These phishing scams, reported in Indiana, Ohio, Maine, Texas, and other states, use official-sounding language, fake ordinance codes, and threats of jail time or credit score damage to create urgency, but legitimate DMVs typically only send texts that users have opted into and never request payment or personal information via text.
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on protecting older Americans from scammers, Senator Dick Durbin questioned witnesses about crypto ATM fraud, which resulted in nearly $247 million in losses to seniors in 2024, and introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to combat the scams. Witnesses from AARP, USTelecom, and the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center confirmed that criminals are funneling elderly victims to crypto ATMs by convincing them they are saving themselves from legal prosecution, with crypto transactions now common in nearly all transnational elder fraud cases. Durbin also warned seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from government agencies and urged passage of
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Dick Durbin testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on elder fraud, reporting that Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in the prior year, with average losses of $83,000, representing a 43 percent increase year-over-year. He highlighted the particular threat of cryptocurrency ATM scams, which caused nearly $247 million in losses in 2024, a 31 percent increase, with one case involving an elderly Illinois woman losing her entire $40,000 life savings. Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to require operators to register with regulators, display scam warnings, implement transaction limits, and ref
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Phone Scams: Fake DMV and Toll Road Texts**
Consumers are increasingly receiving fraudulent text messages impersonating the DMV or toll road authorities that threaten enforcement action to trick recipients into responding. The article advises those who have already fallen for these scams on steps to take and warns the public not to engage with such messages. These text-based scams capitalize on fear tactics regarding vehicle registration and toll violations to manipulate victims into providing personal information or payments.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are online confidence schemes where cybercriminals build trust with victims (often through romance or friendship) before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities, with the U.S. Attorney's Office recently seizing $225 million in cryptocurrency stolen from 400 victims worldwide. These scams, which operate at an industrial scale from compounds in countries like India, the Philippines, and Myanmar, typically target older Americans and lonely individuals, using fake identities and fabricated investment platforms from which victims cannot withdraw funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers online, especially those promoting investment opportunities, and verify the legitimacy of any investment before sending money.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Android is launching enhanced security features across Android 16 and select earlier devices to combat phone scams, fraud, and theft. Key protections include in-call blocks that prevent scammers from manipulating device settings during calls with non-contacts, AI-powered scam detection in Google Messages that identifies suspicious patterns in real-time, and Key Verifier for identity verification through encrypted keys. These features are designed to protect users from toll road scams, cryptocurrency fraud, financial impersonation, and tech support scams, with most analysis occurring on-device to maintain privacy.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research surveying 1,300 people across the US and Europe found that 78% encounter scams on their smartphones at least weekly, with 44% encountering them daily, primarily through email (65%), phone calls/voicemails (53%), text messages (50%), malicious websites (49%), and social media (47%). Despite the high frequency of scam encounters, only 15% of respondents strongly agreed they could confidently identify a scam, highlighting the need for caution when receiving messages from unknown senders or urgent requests for money or personal information.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two men—Jinrong Shi, 28, of New York, and Jiyang Zhong, 27, a Chinese national—were indicted on federal charges for running "grandparent" and "tech support" scams targeting elderly victims in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren) in May and June 2024. The defendants, working with a network of co-conspirators using "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers," defrauded victims of over $201,000 by posing as law enforcement or tech support personnel and arranging cash pickups at victims' homes or directing victims to mail money. The laundered proceeds
shreveportbossieradvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
Door-to-door solar panel scams in northwest Louisiana have victimized residents with high-pressure sales tactics, leaving some liable for over $40,000 in fraudulent loan repayments for units marketed as "free." Fraud is also evolving to include online scams such as phishing emails, impersonation of law enforcement and government agencies via phone and text, and cryptocurrency and gift card fraud, with Louisiana experiencing nearly $47 million in fraud losses in 2023. Experts recommend protective measures including posting no-soliciting signs and avoiding clicking unknown links, answering unfamiliar calls, or engaging with unrecognized communications.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pump and dump" scam impersonated economist David Rosenberg and his investment firm, defrauding investors of over $1 million through fake Facebook and Instagram ads that promoted a nonexistent "Wolfpack program." Victims were lured into WhatsApp investment groups where scammers recommended obscure stocks that initially showed dramatic gains before collapsing, with individual losses ranging from $16,000 to $450,000.
broadandliberty.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder abuse and fraud targeting seniors remains a persistent problem, with the FBI reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023. Criminals exploit elderly individuals through various schemes including investment scams, technical support fraud, romance scams, and home invasions, targeting them because they are perceived as polite, trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI emphasizes the need for public education about these scams and their devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims and their families.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are using fake Google ads and search parameter injection attacks to hijack support pages for major brands including Apple, Bank of America, Facebook, HP, Microsoft, Netflix, and PayPal, displaying fraudulent phone numbers that appear legitimate. When victims call these numbers, scammers pose as brand representatives and attempt to steal personal data, financial account credentials, or gain remote computer access. Users can protect themselves by verifying phone numbers through official brand websites, recognizing red flags like urgent language and encoded characters in URLs, and using security tools like Malwarebytes Browser Guard to detect search hijacking attempts.
cbs19news.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-generated voice scams are becoming increasingly common, where scammers use just 30 seconds of someone's voice to impersonate a trusted contact and request urgent money transfers, such as claiming a traveling relative is stranded and needs cash. Experts advise recognizing red flags like artificial signs in content, unusual urgency around money or personal information requests, and the best defense is to hang up and independently verify by calling the person back directly.
3dvf.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has alerted the public to two growing smartphone scams targeting Android and iPhone users: one falsely claiming unpaid tolls requiring immediate payment, and another impersonating government agents threatening legal action. Both scams use spoofed official numbers and fraudulent links to steal personal and banking information, with payments often routed through untraceable methods like cryptocurrency and gift cards, resulting in financial loss, identity theft, and lasting psychological damage to victims. The FBI recommends ignoring urgent payment requests, never sharing personal information over the phone, verifying requests directly with official organizations using verified contact information, and exercising caution with unexpected links.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use psychological manipulation tactics and AI technology—including deepfakes, voice disguise, and fake websites—to deceive consumers, particularly targeting vulnerable individuals seeking work-from-home opportunities or financial gains. Dr. Martina Dove, a behavioral science expert, explains that scammers exploit human traits like commitment and desperation, often using AI-generated training materials and fake job postings to build trust before defrauding victims. Consumers can protect themselves by consulting ChatGPT to verify suspicious messages, seeking input from trusted friends and family, and remembering that offers that seem too good to be true usually are.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men, Jinrong Shi (28) and Jiyang Zhong (27), were indicted on 10 counts for defrauding elderly victims in Northeast Ohio through "grandparent" and "tech support" scams in May-June 2024, stealing over $201,000 from residents in Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren. The defendants worked with a criminal network of "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers" who convinced victims to withdraw cash and used passwords to gain trust, then laundered proceeds across state lines and through cryptocurrency accounts in China. Both men face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
turnto23.com
· 2025-12-08
California seniors lost nearly $833 million to scams in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year, with romance and technology scams being the most prevalent in Bakersfield and Kern County. The FBI highlighted a case involving a retired educator who was defrauded after being contacted by a scammer posing as an attractive woman through a text message, demonstrating how emotional vulnerability can be exploited. To protect themselves, seniors should independently verify claims, check with the Better Business Bureau, resist pressure to act quickly, and never send money or gift cards to unverified individuals.
lethbridgeherald.com
· 2025-12-08
**Seniors and Financial Fraud - Overview and Rising Threats**
People age 60 and over lost $3.4 billion combined to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through evolving methods including phone impersonation, online platforms like Facebook, and cryptocurrency schemes. Common scams include the grandparent scam, tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes that exploit seniors' trust and lower technological proficiency. Law enforcement notes that fraudsters now use sophisticated tools and AI to appear more credible, making it essential for seniors to remain vigilant about unsolicited contact and requests for personal or financial information.
boernestar.com
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI highlighted the growing threat of elder fraud, reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023. Seniors are targeted for various scams including investment schemes, technical support fraud, romance scams, and money mule operations because they are often perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts online, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information or money with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud immediately to local law enforcement
theprescotttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Since January 1, 2025, the Prescott area has experienced over $2 million in reported scam losses, with seniors particularly vulnerable to romance scams, bank impersonation schemes, warrant scams, and gift card fraud. Notable cases include a $632,000 romance scam and gift card losses exceeding $33,000, with scammers using emotional manipulation and pressure tactics to request untraceable payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic platforms. The Prescott Police Department urges residents to remain vigilant, hang up on suspicious callers, and contact their 24/7 dispatch line at (928) 445-3131 if they suspect fraud.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to create fake romantic identities on dating apps, establishing emotional connections with victims before requesting money for emergencies or investments. Incidents have risen from dozens to hundreds per month globally in 2024, with reported losses ranging from ₹3.6 lakh to over ₹20 lakhs in India and £93 million in the UK in 2023, including a notable case where a French woman lost €830,000 to someone posing as Brad Pitt. Detection relies on identifying technical inconsistencies (fuzzy edges, unnatural eye movements, poor lip-syncing) and behavioral red flags (pressure to move
mobileidworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Two California brothers-in-law, Ayman Alaaraj and Ahmad Nassar, were indicted on 17 counts of bank fraud and identity theft for stealing $794,000 from elderly victims through phone number porting schemes that bypassed two-factor authentication security measures. The defendants allegedly took control of victims' phone numbers to intercept security codes and gain unauthorized access to financial accounts, transferring funds without permission. The case highlights growing vulnerabilities in SMS-based authentication systems and carries potential sentences of up to 30 years in prison for each defendant.
news.outsourceaccelerator.com
· 2025-12-08
Pranav Patel, a 33-year-old Indian national, was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in federal prison for operating as a money collector in a $1.79 million government impersonation scam that targeted elderly Americans, with co-conspirators posing as government agents and threatening victims with arrest to extort cash and gold. Patel traveled along the East Coast collecting packages from vulnerable seniors, including one victim who was forced to sell his home after losing his life savings. Law enforcement recovered most of the funds after arresting Patel during a planned collection operation, though overseas call center operators remain under investigation.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau and ComEd warn that con artists intensify scams during summer months, exploiting busy vacationers through fake vacation rental listings, fraudulent ticket sales, impostor utility worker calls threatening service disconnection, and door-to-door home repair schemes. Both organizations advise consumers to research companies before engaging with them, never send cash or personal information to unsolicited contacts, verify utility worker identities through official ID badges, and contact companies directly rather than responding to suspicious calls or visits.
virginmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing is a phishing scam using fake text messages (SMS and messaging apps) to trick recipients into sharing personal or financial information by clicking malicious links that lead to fake websites. Common tactics include messages impersonating banks or service providers claiming account problems, payment issues, free rewards, suspicious activity alerts, or malicious app updates. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like vague greetings ("Dear customer"), spelling/grammar errors, urgent language, suspicious shortened links, and always verify through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Remote Job Scam" is resurfacing in metro Detroit with increased frequency, targeting residents through unsolicited text messages offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (such as $800/week for 1-2 hours of work). One victim, Dina Berry, fell for a pharmaceutical company job offer and received a fraudulent $1,700 check before realizing the scam. The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a fresh alert warning of imposters claiming SSA affiliation, advising that legitimate job opportunities come only through USA Jobs, and urging people to watch for red flags including unsolicited contact, requests for personal information, and pressure to