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in Tech Support Scam
cachevalleydaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints and nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. The most common schemes include tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and account-compromise scams where criminals impersonate officials and either pressure victims to transfer funds electronically or arrange in-person courier pickups of cash and precious metals. The FBI warns that families should conduct "tech check-ins" with elderly parents and implement preventive measures, as scammers increasingly use sophisticated and brazen tactics that can leave victims financially devastated.
kvnutalk.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers stole over $3.4 billion from older Americans through increasingly sophisticated schemes, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints from victims over 60, nearly 6,000 of whom lost over $100,000 each. Common tactics include tech support scams, romance fraud, investment schemes, and impersonation of officials who convince victims their accounts are compromised and direct them to move funds to secret accounts or arrange in-person courier pickups of cash or gold. The FBI warns that losses have risen sharply since the pandemic as organized criminal enterprises target vulnerable older adults, and recommends grown children conduct "tech check-ins" with aging parents to
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas ranks third in the nation for elder fraud, with 7,035 complaints from seniors over 60 resulting in losses exceeding $278 million in 2023, according to the FBI report. Scams include phishing, romance schemes, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency theft, with one couple in their 80s losing nearly $200,000 through a pop-up computer scam. Experts note that quick reporting is critical for potential fund recovery, though victims like the Shockeys have had limited success retrieving losses.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Michael O'Reilly, a Calgary senior, received a call from a scammer impersonating his nephew who claimed to be in jail and needed $6,000 for bail; O'Reilly grew suspicious and recorded the call, ultimately preventing any financial loss. According to Calgary Police Service, since January there have been approximately 32 reported incidents targeting seniors in the area, resulting in $180,250 in fraudulent losses across 21 cases, though 9 incidents were stopped before money was lost. Experts recommend verifying requests by calling the person back directly and asking specific questions that scammers cannot easily answer.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Voice cloning scams use artificial intelligence to impersonate loved ones requesting emergency money, as exemplified when fraud attorney Gary Schildhorn nearly lost $9,000 after receiving a call from what he believed was his injured son in jail. Scammers obtain voice samples from social media, voicemail, and phone recordings, making complete protection difficult despite technology companies offering verification features. To protect against such scams, experts recommend using secret code words with family members, hanging up and independently verifying caller identity through known contact information, and remaining skeptical of urgent requests for immediate payment.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
AI voice cloning scams use just a three-second voice clip from social media to impersonate victims and deceive their family and friends into sending money. Nearly a quarter of British adults have experienced or witnessed such scams, with 78 percent losing money, as criminals exploit emotional manipulation and high-pressure scenarios (like fabricated accidents or emergencies) to bypass victims' logic. The technology is readily available online through free and paid tools, making it increasingly accessible to scammers.
winonapost.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** U.S. Department of Justice - Elder Fraud Overview
Millions of elderly Americans lose over $3 billion annually to financial fraud schemes including romance, tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, and caregiver scams. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings and good credit, and are often reluctant to report fraud due to shame or concerns about losing independence. The DOJ recommends protection strategies including recognizing scam attempts, verifying contact information online, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited offers, never sharing personal information with unverified sources, maintaining updated security
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I apologize, but the content provided appears to be only a webpage header/navigation listing rather than the actual article text. The title indicates the story is about a Calgary senior who was targeted by a scammer impersonating a loved one to solicit money, but the full article content needed to write an accurate summary is not included.
To provide a proper 2-3 sentence summary for the Elderus database, please share the actual article text or transcript content.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a website access verification notice from News Group Newspapers that blocks automated traffic and explains their content usage policies. It does not contain any relevant information for the Elderus database.
ca.sports.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Los Angeles retirees, both in their late 70s/early 80s, lost approximately $79,500 and $75,000 respectively to tech support and cryptocurrency scams in early 2024. Neal was duped into allowing remote computer access after a fake software subscription email, while Mrs. K. was tricked by a pop-up virus alert into withdrawing cash and depositing it into bitcoin machines at multiple locations. The article notes that elder fraud is widespread and sophisticated, with the FBI reporting that victims over 60 lost $3.1 billion in 2022, and recommends disconnecting from the internet when encountering suspicious pop-ups and being cautious of uns
techcrunch.com
· 2025-12-08
On Tuesday, major tech companies including Match Group, Meta, and Coinbase launched "Tech Against Scams," a coalition aimed at combating online fraud across dating apps, social media, and cryptocurrency platforms. Romance scams cost users more than any other fraud type as of 2019, while social media scams caused $770 million in losses in 2021 and investment scams exceeded $3.8 billion in losses in 2022; the coalition plans to improve fraud detection, user education, and data-sharing between platforms to address these issues.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Major technology companies including Meta, Coinbase, Match Group, Ripple, Kraken, and Gemini announced the formation of "Tech Against Scams," a coalition aimed at collaborating to prevent and disrupt online fraud schemes such as romance scams, crypto scams, and "pig butchering" scams. The coalition will share threat intelligence, best practices, and consumer education strategies to identify and combat evolving financial scams that target users across multiple platforms. This cross-industry effort addresses the challenge that scammers operate across multiple services, requiring coordinated action that no single company can achieve alone.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tech and crypto companies including Meta, Match, Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, and Gemini formed a coalition called Tech Against Scams to combat romance scams and "pig butchering" schemes, where scammers gain victims' trust before stealing money through fake investment opportunities. The initiative was announced in response to a surge in fraud losses, including $700 million lost to romance scams and $2.5 billion to crypto scams in 2022, with criminal gangs primarily based in Southeast Asia using human trafficking victims to target victims via social media and dating platforms. By sharing threat information and tools across companies, the coalition aims to disrupt scam networks more quickly an
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
A coalition of major tech and crypto companies—including Match, Meta, Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, and Gemini—launched Tech Against Scams to combat romance scams and "pig butchering" schemes that have cost Americans $700 million in romance scams (2022) and $2.5 billion in crypto-related scams overall. Criminal gangs primarily based in Southeast Asia exploit social media, dating platforms, and cryptocurrency to build false relationships and trick victims into sending money, with a recent arrest of two Chinese nationals revealing a single syndicate that stole at least $73 million. The coalition aims to share threat intelligence and security tools to more rapidly identify an
itechpost.com
· 2025-12-08
**Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors have become a billion-dollar crisis, with victims over 60 losing $3.4 billion in 2023—including $1.6 billion specifically through cryptocurrency transactions—according to FBI data.** Common schemes include investment fraud, romance scams, and tech support impersonation, where scammers exploit older adults' unfamiliarity with digital assets to pressure them into sending money via crypto platforms. Companies like Lionsgate Network are developing blockchain forensics technology to trace and freeze stolen crypto assets and recover funds through legal channels.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated scam in Asheville, North Carolina defrauded two residents of $50,000 total, in which suspects posed as Microsoft employees after displaying pop-up warnings on victims' computers, then convinced them to withdraw cash and sent an in-person courier to collect it from their homes. The scam is notable for its rare in-person component, involving a suspect driving a dark silver or gray Toyota Highlander with possible front-right quarter panel damage. Police are warning residents to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent Microsoft or other companies before providing money or access to their homes.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
This segment features consumer advice on identifying and avoiding job offer text scams, a growing threat where scammers use SMS messages to impersonate employers and target job seekers. The piece, presented by Nina Pineda on a New York-based news program, aims to educate viewers on protective measures against this type of fraud.
gulflive.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida's seniors lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2023, with the state ranking second nationally for elder fraud complaints. Major schemes included investment fraud ($90 million), tech support scams ($51 million), and romance scams ($40 million), often resulting in devastating consequences such as foreclosed homes and emptied retirement accounts. Nationally, people over 60 lost approximately $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year.
vanhollen.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senators Van Hollen and Warnock introduced bipartisan legislation, the Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act, to combat financial fraud targeting seniors, who lose approximately $28 billion annually to financial exploitation. The bill would establish a $10 million annual grant program administered by the SEC to fund state regulators' investigation, prosecution, technology, training, and public awareness efforts against senior financial fraud. The legislation is supported by numerous financial industry and consumer protection organizations.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are rapidly increasing in India, with common types including phishing, fake investment schemes, social media fraud, and UPI payment fraud that trick victims into revealing personal information or transferring money. The article provides guidance for victims: immediately stop communicating with scammers, notify your bank or payment provider to block accounts, change passwords and enable two-factor authentication, and file a complaint with the Cyber Crime Cell or National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to maximize chances of money recovery.
itechpost.com
· 2025-12-08
**Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors have become a billion-dollar problem, with victims over 60 losing $3.4 billion in 2023—including $1.6 billion specifically through cryptocurrency transactions like Bitcoin and Ethereum.** Common fraud schemes include investment scams and romance/tech support impersonation scams that exploit seniors' unfamiliarity with digital assets and manipulate them into sending money via crypto platforms. Companies like Lionsgate Network are working to combat the issue through blockchain forensics and asset recovery, while emphasizing that public awareness and education in senior communities are critical to prevention.
thecyberexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Malachi Mullings, 31, from Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering and conspiracy related to a fraud network that defrauded over $4.5 million from victims through business email compromise attacks, romance scams, and healthcare benefits fraud, including $310,000 diverted from a state Medicaid program and $260,000 from romance scam victims. Mullings was part of a 10-person conspiracy that caused more than $11.1 million in total losses by targeting Medicare, Medicaid programs, private health insurers, and vulnerable individuals. FBI data shows elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Major technology companies including Coinbase, Match Group, Meta, Ripple, and Gemini formed "Tech Against Scams," a coalition addressing the surge in romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Scammers use fake identities on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before pressuring them into cryptocurrency investments and stealing their funds, with the Department of Justice recently uncovering a single romance scam involving over $73 million in laundered assets. The coalition will share threat intelligence, best practices, and consumer education to combat these increasingly prevalent scams across digital platforms.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting college students and recent graduates are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers impersonating professors and university staff through spoofed emails to pitch fake internships or remote work opportunities. A common tactic involves sending counterfeit checks to cover supposed home office setup costs, which the victim deposits but don't bounce until after they've spent or transferred money to scammers, leaving them financially responsible for losses. Universities including University of Michigan and Oakland University have reported rising incidents of these highly customized scams, particularly at the beginning and end of academic years, with scammers conducting detailed online research to make their pitches appear credible and realistic.
coindesk.com
· 2025-12-08
Major cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase and Kraken, along with Meta, Match Group, Ripple, and Gemini, formed the "Tech Against Scams" coalition to combat online fraud schemes, particularly "pig butchering" scams where fraudsters use dating apps and social media to build trust before pitching fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities. U.S. losses from crypto investment scams reached $3.94 billion in 2023, up from $2.57 billion in 2022, prompting the coalition to share threat intelligence and best practices to protect users.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Major tech companies including Meta, Match Group, Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, and Gemini launched the coalition "Tech Against Scams" to combat online fraud across dating apps, social media, and cryptocurrency platforms. Romance scams, social media fraud ($770 million in losses in 2021), investment scams ($3.8 billion in losses in 2022), and "pig butchering" crypto scams have cost consumers billions, prompting these companies to share data and collaborate on detection methods and consumer education to disrupt scammers' activities across multiple platforms.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Meta has partnered with major cryptocurrency firms (Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, Gemini) and dating apps like Match Group to launch "Tech Against Scams," a coalition aimed at combating the rising tide of online fraud including romance scams and pig butchering schemes. The initiative will work by sharing threat intelligence and best practices among tech companies to identify and disrupt scam networks, while simultaneously educating users about the risks of online interactions and financial transactions. Romance scams involve fraudsters creating fake identities to establish emotional connections and extract money, while pig butchering scams build trust over time before luring victims into fake investment opportunities.
forkast.news
· 2025-12-08
Major technology companies including Coinbase, Meta, Match Group, and others formed "Tech Against Scams," a coalition addressing the rising threat of romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Scammers use fake identities on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before pressuring them into cryptocurrency investments and stealing their funds. The Department of Justice recently exposed a romance scam involving at least $73 million in stolen funds converted to cryptocurrency, prompting the coalition to share threat intelligence, best practices, and consumer education across digital platforms.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
UK Finance warned that fake Taylor Swift and Olympics tickets are the top online scams consumers face in 2024, with purchase scams overall increasing 28% to £86 million and affecting over 156,000 victims in 2023. Romance fraud hit record levels with losses jumping 17% to £36 million, while overall fraud theft declined 4% to £1.17 billion across 2.97 million cases. The report highlights how criminals exploit urgency around high-demand events and urges tech companies to strengthen platform security ahead of new October 2024 payment fraud reimbursement regulations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Malachi Mullings was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million obtained through romance fraud scams and business email compromise schemes that targeted elderly victims and companies from 2019 to July 2021. Operating under the fake company name "The Mullings Group LLC," Mullings opened 20 bank accounts to conceal fraud proceeds, including $310,000 diverted from a state Medicaid program and $260,000 obtained from an elderly romance scam victim, which he used to purchase luxury items including a Ferrari. The case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice's Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force and involved investigation by
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains that modern scams are sophisticated operations run by international fraud gangs targeting victims across all ages and education levels, with common types including investment, romance, banking, cryptocurrency, and identity theft scams. The Australian Financial Complaints Authority recommends the "Stop, Think, Check" approach to protect yourself, advising people to question suspicious messages, think critically, and act quickly if something feels wrong. AFCA, along with other organizations, offers resources and free webinars to help consumers understand scams and learn protective measures.
witl.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Michigan seniors aged 60 and older lost $52.5 million to fraud, with 2,243 victims averaging $23,416 in losses per person—a rate of 87.2 victims per 100,000 residents. Tech support scams disproportionately affected seniors, who are 517% more likely to fall victim to these schemes than younger people. Online scams were the primary method of fraud targeting Michigan's elderly, with investment scams, business impostor schemes, and romance scams representing the largest fraud categories nationally.
columbiacommunityconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2022 to 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation, with 80% of all suspicious activity reported by banks involving elder scams. Elder financial exploitation—the unauthorized or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or assets—can be perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends, neighbors, or caregivers using tactics such as government impersonation, fake prizes, tech support scams, and the grandparent scam. The article emphasizes preventive measures including protecting sensitive documents, reviewing credit reports, verifying credentials, and trusting instincts when suspicious activity occurs.
pressherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Senators Collins and Sinema introduced a bipartisan resolution designating May 15 as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day," which passed unanimously, highlighting that seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023—an 11% increase from 2022. A new phone scam targeting Maine residents involves fraudsters impersonating U.S. Marshals through spoofed phone numbers, demanding immediate payment of fines or promising money transfers, using publicly available personal information to appear credible. Federal officials advise seniors never to provide financial information to unknown callers and to report suspected scams to the FBI and FTC.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested and charged in federal court for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old Poway man who lost $28,000 in a layered tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation scam. Evidence from Liu's seized cellphone revealed he had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Threat actors are exploiting legitimate cloud storage services (Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Backblaze B2, and IBM Cloud Object Storage) to host malicious websites and distribute spam SMS messages that appear trustworthy, bypassing network firewalls and redirecting users to scam sites that steal personal and financial information. The attackers use HTML meta-refresh techniques and mimic legitimate offers like gift card promotions to deceive users into clicking malicious links. Security researchers recommend users monitor traffic behavior, inspect URLs carefully, and remain suspicious of unexpected messages containing links.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Google is testing new AI-powered security features for Android devices that warn users about common scams, such as fraudulent calls from people impersonating banks asking users to transfer money to secure accounts. The initiative addresses a global problem where people lost over $1 trillion to fraud last year, with U.S. consumers reporting $10 billion in scam losses in 2023; older adults are frequently targeted by phishing and impersonation scams. The new features will roll out through Google Play services updates and Android 15, though iPhones remain more popular among seniors despite Android's lower cost.
buzzfeed.com
· 2025-12-08
This BuzzFeed Community article compiles firsthand accounts of various scams, illustrating the diverse tactics scammers use to defraud victims. Reported scams include romance fraud (fake overseas suitors), fake payment schemes (overpaid money orders), contractor fraud, tech support scams, phishing for address changes, phone company impersonation, and credit card skimming, with losses ranging from $1,000 to $70,000. The article serves as a cautionary guide highlighting that scams affect people across age groups and emphasizing the importance of verification and skepticism when contacted by companies or individuals requesting money or personal information.
applevalleynewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors in the Yakima Valley are increasingly targeted by scammers, with those over 60 reporting over $3.4 billion in losses to the FBI's IC3 in 2023, an 11% increase from the prior year. Common scams include romance schemes (such as a 75-year-old woman who lost $25,000-$30,000 in gift cards to an imposter), grandparent scams, and fake investment schemes promising quick returns in cryptocurrency. Scammers exploit seniors' vulnerabilities including loneliness, cognitive decline, and free time online, with artificial intelligence expected to make future scams more sophisticated and believable.
mtlblog.com
· 2025-12-08
A young tech-savvy Montreal resident fell victim to a scam perpetrated by Appliance Repair Expert (a Canada-wide company) when hiring them to repair a dryer in November 2023, despite checking online reviews beforehand. The author identifies six key lessons for avoiding similar scams, including recognizing that online reviews can be manipulated with fake positive ratings, and emphasizes that sophisticated scams increasingly target people of all ages and tech-savviness levels, with a 2023 Ipsos poll showing 43% of Canadians have been victimized by fraud.
refinery29.com
· 2025-12-08
This article presents four real scam experiences and lessons learned. The cases include: fake concert ticket fraud ($amount unspecified, victim recovered funds), a camera sale scam ($3,000 loss via fake verification email), a money-flipping scheme involving a former roommate ($350 dispute), and a fake tattoo deposit scam ($200 loss). Common tactics across these incidents include creating artificial urgency, using trusted platforms and social media, impersonation, and exploiting personal relationships—with victims learning to verify legitimacy, act quickly on disputes, and question unusual requests even from seemingly credible sources.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested in San Diego for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors using a layered scam involving fake tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation. A 63-year-old Poway victim was tricked into withdrawing $28,000 after being told his computer had viruses and his bank account had unauthorized transfers; investigators found evidence Liu had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and $1 million fine.
wrat.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers about fake streaming service activation scams targeting Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and PBS Passport users through fraudulent emails and text messages with lookalike websites designed to steal personal information or distribute malware. Scammers exploit the familiarity of legitimate subscription communications by creating official-looking prompts to "activate" or "update" accounts, tricking new or returning subscribers into clicking malicious links. The BBB recommends verifying official URLs before clicking links, avoiding sponsored search results, and never entering login credentials on unofficial sites or sharing passwords with customer service representatives.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers frequently impersonate well-known companies like Best Buy's Geek Squad, Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House to deceive victims, with Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams resulting in the highest reported losses in 2023. While email and phone calls are the most common contact methods, scammers achieve the largest financial losses through social media-initiated investment scams paid via cryptocurrency or bank transfers, along with romance and tech support scams demanding payment through gift cards (particularly Apple gift cards). The FTC advises consumers to verify unexpected communications through official channels, avoid clicking links from unknown sources, and refuse payment methods that scammers insist
searchlight.vc
· 2025-12-08
St. Vincent and the Grenadines police have warned residents about rising online financial scams, particularly romance scams involving fake identities (catfishing) and phishing attacks targeting confidential information. Victims are predominantly older persons in their late 40s to 50s, with local law enforcement receiving reports of these incidents twice monthly. Authorities advise downloading apps only from official app stores and caution the public about fraudulent emails and websites, noting that identity-related crimes can result in fines up to $200,000 or three years imprisonment under the 2016 Cyber Crime Act.
bhamnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A Birmingham FBI agent specializing in financial crimes identified six common scams targeting seniors in Alabama—including lottery/sweepstakes, tech support, romance, grandparent, home improvement, and government impersonation scams—noting that elder fraud is rising in the state and that scammers create artificial urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions. The article advises seniors and their families to secure social media accounts, seek second opinions before acting on urgent requests, and contact law enforcement if targeted, while noting that many victims don't report scams due to shame, embarrassment, or fear of retaliation.
currypilot.com
· 2025-12-08
Internet scams targeting elderly Oregonians increased significantly in 2023, with individuals aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion nationally and $44 million in Oregon alone, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center report. Over 101,000 victims aged 60+ reported fraud to the IC3, with tech support scams being most common and investment scams causing the largest losses (over $1.2 billion). Local law enforcement in Oregon has also documented cases involving seniors being defrauded of homes and retirement savings through online scams and identity theft.
theworldlink.com
· 2025-12-08
**Elder fraud targeting Oregonians increased significantly in 2023, with individuals aged 60 and older losing $44 million in that state alone and $3.4 billion nationally—a 14 percent increase in complaints and 11 percent increase in losses compared to 2022.** Tech support scams were the most commonly reported type of elder fraud, while investment scams caused the highest losses at over $1.2 billion; other prevalent schemes included romance scams, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud. The average elderly victim lost $33,915, with over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ reporting elder fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Best Buy and Geek Squad were the most impersonated companies in scams, with approximately 52,000 FTC reports, followed by Amazon (34,000 reports) and PayPal (10,000 reports). However, Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams resulted in significantly higher financial losses—$60 million and $49 million respectively—as scammers typically claimed software had expired or computers were infected, then requested payment or personal information through untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. Best Buy advised consumers to verify contact through official channels and report suspected fraud to the company and local authorities.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Two members of an international fraud conspiracy targeting senior citizens were sentenced to federal prison: Jmyla Elaine Sha'Taria White received eight years, one month and was ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution, while McKhaela Katelynn McNamara received four years, three months and $693,073 in restitution. The scheme used fake tech support warnings and fake federal agents to deceive elderly victims into sending money, with one West Michigan resident losing $398,000 and total losses reaching millions of dollars. Victims can report suspected elder fraud at ic3.gov or contact the FBI at 313-965-2323.