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kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare's open enrollment period, seniors become vulnerable to scammers who exploit the need for personal information by impersonating Medicare officials, offering fraudulent card replacements, and promoting fake supplemental coverage plans. A 2023 data breach of 900,000+ Medicare beneficiaries' information from contractor Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation highlighted the risks, though Medicare has since implemented protective measures like the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier to replace Social Security numbers on cards. To protect themselves, seniors should shield government ID numbers, access Medicare.gov directly rather than through suspicious links, and be wary of unsolicited calls or visits claiming to represent Medicare.
voz.us
· 2025-12-08
According to an AARP survey, 82% of consumers have been victims of shopping fraud, with online scams being a primary vector. Common scams include fraudulent websites and social media (35% of victims), false shipment notifications (which increased from 29% of victims in 2022 to 56% in 2024), and doorstep package theft affecting over 30% of respondents. The survey also found that consumers show low awareness of fraud risks in charitable donations and travel giveaways, and many do not utilize credit cards—which offer stronger fraud protections—for holiday shopping.
winnipegfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
A Winnipeg woman nearly fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in which fraudsters posed as Manitoba Hydro workers, claiming she had unpaid bills and threatening to disconnect her power within the hour. The scammers obtained her personal information including her name, address, and billing amount ($116), and directed her to pay at a convenience store kiosk equipped with a bitcoin machine that would have transferred her money to an unknown account. The victim reported the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre after discovering the deception when she attempted to verify the claim at Manitoba Hydro's actual headquarters.
scrippsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting bourbon collectors with counterfeit bottles and fraudulent websites, particularly during the holiday season when demand for rare and expensive labels like Pappy Van Winkle, Blanton's, and Weller is highest. Warning signs of scams include suspiciously low prices, out-of-focus photos, promises to ship alcohol to any state (illegal in many states), and evasive responses to questions about shipping and ID verification. Consumers should purchase rare bourbon from established physical retailers they can trust rather than fly-by-night websites to avoid losing hundreds of dollars.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Foreign scammers are using AI-generated images and fabricated military identities to conduct romance scams targeting vulnerable U.S. widows, with perpetrators primarily operating from Ghana and Nigeria. These "Artificial Patriot" scammers build emotional connections through social media and dating platforms, then request money for fabricated emergencies (medical bills, travel expenses), with victims losing substantial sums including their life savings through untraceable wire transfers and gift cards. The scam exploits widows' emotional vulnerability and difficulty distinguishing AI-generated fake military profiles from authentic ones, even using stolen identities of real military officers like General Matthew W. McFarlane.
wealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly individuals are increasingly targeted by sophisticated internet scams, with the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report documenting over 880,000 complaints from those over 60 totaling $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from 2022. Notable cases include a 76-year-old retired lawyer (Barry Heitin) who lost approximately $740,000 after being manipulated into thinking he was assisting a government investigation, and a 79-year-old man (Alfred Mancinelli) who lost nearly $1 million in a romance scam. Tech support fraud generates the most complaints, followed by romance, cryptocurrency, and investment sc
rfa.org
· 2025-12-08
South Korean police arrested members of a scam syndicate that operated in Cambodia after relocating from Laos's Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone to escape intensified crackdowns. The group deceived approximately 66 South Korean victims through "pig butchering" romance scams and fake investment schemes promoted via manipulated YouTube videos, stealing 11.16 billion South Korean won (US$8 million). The operation lured victims to Laos with promises of short-term profits, then forced them into fraudulent activities before relocating to Cambodia as authorities shut down illegal scam centers in the region.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-08
A reader was invited to join a VIP online investment club that initially showed profits through manipulated small-cap stocks to build trust, then pressured members to invest in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, ether, and dogecoin—causing most participants to lose all their money. The scam, known as "pig butchering," uses confidence tricks to gradually compromise victims' judgment through promises of returns before disappearing with funds, and commonly exploits psychological vulnerabilities through social media solicitations and fake cryptocurrency exchange websites.
catcountry1073.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents about two holiday scams: romance scams, where criminals use fake online identities to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money or gifts; and ransomware attacks, which lock computer files and demand payment for their return, often triggered by clicking suspicious emails or links about package deliveries. Both scams exploit holiday season vulnerabilities, and the FBI advises victims to verify identities, never send money to strangers online, and avoid clicking on unsolicited messages about packages or purchases.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee launched the "Scam Free HC" initiative to combat a surge in holiday-season fraud, warning that thousands of Houston residents fall victim annually to scams including gift card schemes, spam calls, and contractor fraud. A notable case involved former police officer Julia Marino, who lost $16,200 in a deposit to A & L Sheds, a company accused of defrauding over 100 victims totaling $1.1 million; the company postponed her shed project 27 times without delivering services or refunds. The initiative provides educational resources and a reporting platform as Texas ranks as the 4th most scammed state in the country with $
tech.co
· 2025-12-08
Venmo, while convenient for peer-to-peer money transfers, poses significant fraud risks through scams such as fake payment links (phishing), online purchase fraud where sellers never deliver items, and duplicate profile scams where fraudsters create accounts mimicking legitimate users. Users can protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, verifying recipient information before sending money, using the app's native payment features for purchases, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing login credentials.
southeastiowaunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Senior Citizens Targeted by Technology Scams: How to Identify and Protect Against Fraud" by Beth Swift, Washington Evening Journal
Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by technology scams including impersonation fraud, prize/sweepstakes schemes, tech support scams, charity fraud, and IRS threats, with older adults disproportionately victimized because they typically have savings and good credit. The article identifies key warning signs—unsolicited contact, artificial urgency, requests for money or personal information, unrealistic offers, and poor communication quality—and advises seniors to verify caller identity independently, never share sensitive information, consult trusted contacts before responding to requests
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
AARP Minnesota is advocating for legislation (SF 447/HF 1392) to establish a Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund that would redirect civil penalty payments from fraud cases won by the state Attorney General's office to compensate fraud victims, particularly older adults. Minnesotans reported losses totaling $144.6 million in fraud cases in 2024, and the proposed fund would be especially crucial for cases where perpetrators are overseas or bankrupt, while incentivizing both law enforcement action and crime reporting.
drippingspringsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of Hays County experts presented on fraud tactics to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, covering telephone scams (including fake sheriff's office calls and "grandma scams" using AI voice cloning), financial fraud schemes (fake bank employee calls, cryptocurrency conversion scams, and romance scams targeting elderly people on social media), and phishing/computer threats. The experts advised listeners to hang up and verify directly with legitimate institutions, use strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links or popups, and be wary of requests for immediate payment or sensitive information.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
The Fair Lawn Police Department held an educational session at the local Senior Center to teach older residents how to identify and avoid common scams, with officers highlighting tactics such as urgent money requests, demands for gift cards or wire transfers, and attempts to obtain personal information. The department advised seniors never to share financial or personal information unless certain of the caller's identity, and encouraged residents to verify suspicious requests by contacting police at 201-796-1400.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wichita woman lost over $8,400—most of her savings—to an Apple Security scam, leaving her uncertain about her financial future. After her story was shared by local media, approximately 100 strangers donated to a GoFundMe campaign that ultimately raised more money than she had lost, restoring her faith in humanity.
wtkr.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting Navy Federal customers in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area involves criminals asking to borrow victims' phones in public locations, then using their Navy Federal app to take out loans and cash advances in their names before transferring the funds elsewhere. One 19-year-old victim, Angel Taylor, lost $4,000 in March 2023 when a man she lent her phone to in a Walmart parking lot obtained a personal loan and cash advance; despite reporting it to Navy Federal within minutes, she was held liable for repayment. Dozens of similar cases have been reported across the region, with police citing insufficient evidence to pursue charges despite having the recipient's account information.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 31-year-old woman in Bengaluru lost ₹1.1 lakh after being falsely accused of uploading child pornography in a "digital arrest" scam. Scammers impersonated a mobile service provider and then a Mumbai cybercrime officer, threatening her with arrest and demanding money for a fake "virtual investigation." Police registered a case under the Information Technology Act and warned the public about similar scams, with authorities noting that legitimate investigative agencies never conduct inquiries via phone or video calls.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Facebook scammer posing as a ticket reseller named "Denise" defrauded over 200 residents in the Burlington, Ontario area of more than $300,000 by promising Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets that were never delivered. The scammer gained trust by claiming access to corporate tickets and citing mutual acquaintances as references, leaving victims without tickets or refunds as the November 15 concert date approached. Halton Regional Police are investigating the scam and authorities advise the public to verify ticket sellers through official channels.
brobible.com
· 2025-12-08
A Canadian family lost $15,600 CAD ($22,000 total) when they purchased 28 Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets from an independent broker in August, only to discover the tickets were fraudulent. The scam affected hundreds of victims across Ontario, with reported losses exceeding $300,000 and approximately 200-450 people defrauded by the same operator. The high demand for Taylor Swift concert tickets created an opportunity for scammers to exploit consumers through fake ticket sales.
nairametrics.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam ring responsible for up to $5 million in fraud, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seizing approximately $4.99 million from suspicious Tether wallets linked to the operation. The scammers, known as "pig butchering" schemes, built trust with at least 71 victims (including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota) before luring them into fraudulent investments on a fake exchange called Bitkanant, where victims were then blocked from withdrawing funds unless they paid additional taxes and fees. Two victims lost over $2.75 million combined, and the scam rings
africa.businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI targeted a romance scam operation linked to $5 million in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes affecting approximately 71 victims, including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota. Scammers used fake identities on social media to build romantic relationships with victims before directing them to invest in a counterfeit cryptocurrency platform called Bitkanant, after which they cut off contact and disappeared with the funds. The U.S. Attorney's office seized nearly $5 million in Tether cryptocurrency in August, with one victim losing an entire retirement account, and the FBI is working to identify perpetrators and return assets to victims.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam that defrauded at least 71 victims of nearly $5 million, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seeking to seize $4.99 million in recovered Tether cryptocurrency. Scammers posed as romantic interests on social media platforms using fake identities to lure victims into fake investments on a fraudulent exchange called Bitkanant, then froze accounts and demanded additional fees; two victims alone lost $2.75 million. The operation targeted seniors, particularly those over 60, reflecting a broader trend of crypto scams that exceeded $5.6 billion in losses during 2023.
adn.com
· 2025-12-08
The article addresses concerns about a friend who is messaging individuals posing as celebrities on Telegram and may be sending them money—a pattern consistent with romance scams, which the FTC reported numbered over 64,000 cases in 2023 with losses totaling $1.14 billion. The advice recommends warning the friend about these common scam tactics while emphasizing concern for her financial and personal safety, and suggests implementing verification methods like video calls before any money changes hands.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman has become deeply engaged in messaging four purported musicians through Telegram, with two promising to visit her, and she is suspected of sending them money. The advice columnist and FTC data indicate this is likely a romance scam, which accounted for over 64,000 reported cases and $1.14 billion in losses in 2023. Friends and family should educate her about common scam tactics, express concern for her financial safety, and establish clear boundaries such as requiring video verification from the supposed celebrities before any money changes hands.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
"Scam yourself" attacks, where fraudsters use social engineering to trick people into downloading malware themselves, have increased 614% between the second and third quarters of this year, affecting millions globally. Common tactics include fake software updates, misleading tutorials, fake CAPTCHAs (with over 2 million targeted last quarter), and "click fix" schemes that prompt users to run malicious commands. To protect themselves, users should verify update sources directly through settings menus, avoid following online instructions to run command prompt text, check website URLs carefully, and take time to verify suspicious requests before acting.
villagelivingonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identified twelve holiday season scams consumers should avoid, including misleading social media ads, social media gift exchanges (pyramid schemes), fraudulent holiday apps, phishing emails offering free gift cards, fake job postings, and impostor scams. The BBB advises exercising caution with unsolicited messages and payment requests via wire transfer, third parties, or prepaid cards, and recommends verifying business legitimacy through BBB.org before making purchases or sharing personal information.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
An AARP Fraud Watch Network survey of 1,869 U.S. consumers found that 82 percent experienced or were targeted by holiday-related scams in the past year, with similar rates among adults 65 and older (80 percent), including delivery fraud notifications (up to 56 percent from 29 percent in 2022), online shopping scams, fake charity requests, and gift cards with no balance (29 percent). Only 28 percent of survey respondents answered seven or more of ten fraud-prevention knowledge questions correctly, indicating that while fraud remains rampant, consumer awareness and protective knowledge are not improving.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7), scammers impersonate Medicare representatives to steal personal information and money by falsely claiming beneficiaries need to provide Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers for new cards or medical equipment claims. Medicare never unexpectedly contacts beneficiaries by phone, email, text, or social media to request personal information, sell coverage, or collect payment for cards. Beneficiaries should hang up on suspicious calls, verify directly with Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, and report scams to the same number or their local Senior Medicare Patrol.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
San Antonio police warn residents that holiday season scams spike during the giving season, with common schemes including fake package delivery texts with malware links, fraudulent social media ads and phishing websites, fake charities, "secret shopper" job scams involving bounced checks, and impersonation scams from criminals posing as banks or law enforcement. Authorities recommend shopping from reputable sources only, researching organizations before donating, verifying suspicious communications by calling companies directly, and remaining vigilant across all communication channels including texts, emails, and social media.
kold.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a general awareness piece alerting readers to holiday season scams and fraud threats. The article identifies three specific fraud concerns: gift card draining scams, deed and probate court fraud affecting families, and scams targeting service members, while directing readers to detailed resources and InvestigateTV coverage for protection strategies.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that young adults aged 18-44 are particularly vulnerable to holiday employment scams, with reshipping scams being especially prevalent during this season. The BBB recommends applying directly through company websites, conducting interviews (even virtual ones), and never paying upfront fees to apply for or set up a job, as victims of these scams typically lose out on promised paychecks.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, scammers are sending text messages impersonating delivery services with urgent-sounding claims about package issues (invalid zip codes, delivery problems) to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that install spyware or malware. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to avoid clicking links in suspicious texts and instead verify package status directly with the retailer or carrier, noting that legitimate services like USPS do not send unsolicited texts with links.
thereflector.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted by phone scams, particularly those using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones and request money or personal information. In 2023, the FBI reported over 101,000 elder fraud victims aged 60+ lost an average of $33,915 each, with Battle Ground police documenting an 85.3% surge in fraud cases between October 2023 and October 2024. Experts advise seniors to hang up on any unsolicited caller requesting money or sensitive data, verify requests independently through official phone numbers, and avoid untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
mariettatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Washington County Sheriff's office warned senior citizens about a sweepstakes scam in which fraudsters contact victims claiming they won the "American Senior Citizen Association Sweepstakes" and demand payment via cashier's check to claim their prize. The sheriff's office urged seniors not to provide money or personal information to the scammers and provided resources for reporting the fraud to the Ohio Attorney General's Fraud Division or the sheriff's office directly.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams remain the highest risk for adults over 55, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides consumer protection guidance including: avoiding unsolicited calls (especially from spoofed numbers), recognizing red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, hiring only licensed contractors after thorough vetting, being alert to emergency scams targeting grandchildren, and avoiding Medicare fraud schemes involving "free" medical equipment.
fox13memphis.com
· 2025-12-08
An educational meeting was held in Memphis where the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs taught seniors about common scams targeting older adults. Key advice included being skeptical of unsolicited calls, never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, and hanging up on suspicious contacts. The top scams affecting seniors include government imposter calls (especially during Medicare enrollment), fake tech support, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-distress schemes, with scammers exploiting emotional manipulation and targeting older adults for their typically greater assets.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft and fraud affect Americans at alarming rates, with the FTC estimating true losses at $137 billion in 2022 despite only $9 billion being officially reported, prompting AARP to urge stronger consumer protections before Capitol Hill lawmakers. Veterans face particular vulnerability, with one in three targeted by scammers who impersonated the VA or pitched fraudulent investments, resulting in $477 million in reported losses in 2023. The article provides practical prevention advice for common scams including holiday shopping fraud, solar panel schemes, and veteran-targeted impersonation scams, recommending consumers type website addresses directly, verify offers through trusted sources, and research companies before providing personal information or
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
National Seniors Australia's "Keep Scam SAFE" campaign, in partnership with CommBank, provides educational resources and workshops to help older Australians protect themselves from rising scams and fraud online. The campaign highlights common scam tactics including fake emails with urgent language, parcel delivery text messages (affecting 75% of scam targets), and voice cloning calls, while recommending protective strategies such as the "Stop, Check, Reject" approach, using Confirmation of Payee technology, regularly changing passwords, and accessing free digital literacy training through the Be Connected initiative.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The Louisiana Attorney General's Office hosted a free public seminar on fraud awareness in Natchitoches on November 20, led by North Louisiana Outreach Manager Laura Seabaugh. The educational event covered how to recognize different types of fraud, identify red flags in online scams, protect personal and financial information, and respond if victimized by fraud.
mosselbayadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using AI and fake social media giveaways to deceive victims who may lose thousands of dollars with little chance of recovery. The article outlines three key protective measures: avoiding unsolicited links and phishing attempts, recognizing "too good to be true" offers that exploit emotions, and strengthening online accounts through strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Keletso Mpisane, head of Blink by MiWay, emphasizes that pausing before responding to suspicious messages and contacting companies directly can help people avoid falling victim to these increasingly common scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-something UK woman lost approximately $25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a US Army colonel on Tinder using AI-generated videos, images, and voice messages to build trust before requesting money for a supposed life insurance payout and briefcase delivery scheme. The scammer, claiming to be "Mike Murdy," sent hyperrealistic AI videos personalized with the victim's name and details from their conversations, along with physical gifts, to convince her of his legitimacy until she discovered a briefcase filled with blank paper. This case represents an increasingly sophisticated form of romance fraud that combines AI technology with traditional romance scam tactics to exploit vulnerable individuals.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer impersonated a woman's real boss through email and text messages, claiming to need her to purchase gift cards (Apple, eBay, and Visa cards totaling hundreds of dollars) for a supposed business meeting, with instructions to send card images and receipts for "reimbursement." The victim's bank ultimately blocked the fraudulent transactions, but the Better Business Bureau warns this "boss scam" is increasingly common and advises employees to verify unusual money-related requests directly with their actual boss, especially if the request involves purchasing gift cards or if the sender's email address is not from a legitimate company domain.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Panchkula resident named Kiran lost Rs 4.9 lakh to a fraudulent Amazon application scam after responding to a part-time job advertisement on Instagram, downloading a fake Amazon app, and sharing her banking details with scammers who then added her to a Telegram group for fake tasks. The article also documents similar scams affecting victims across India, including a woman in Karnataka who lost Rs 1.94 lakh to a fake Amazon job scheme and actress Karuna Pandey who transferred Rs 2.75 lakh after being targeted by impersonators posing as Mumbai Police officers.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Northern Ireland takeaway businesses lost over £200,000 since December 2022 to phishing scams targeting their Just Eat partner accounts, with 15 businesses reporting concerns to the platform by last month. Criminals impersonated Just Eat to trick restaurant owners into sharing banking information and manipulate account details, though Just Eat disputes the total loss amount and says its security systems were not breached. Ards and North Down Borough Council passed a motion calling on Just Eat to urgently engage with affected businesses to resolve the issue and prevent further incidents.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Dipika Maurya, a woman from Lucknow, lost Rs 1.75 lakh in a work-from-home scam that began in September when she received an unsolicited call offering easy money for liking and commenting on social media posts. After initially seeing returns, she was persuaded to invest Rs 1.75 lakh with promises of significant profits, but the scammers refused to allow withdrawals and demanded additional deposits. The case highlights common red flags: legitimate employers do not require upfront investments, offer jobs via cold calls, or promise high returns for minimal effort.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old retired engineer in Delhi lost over Rs 10.3 crore in a "digital arrest" scam that spanned 19 days, beginning in late September 2024. Scammers posing as courier company staff and a Mumbai Police officer manipulated him by claiming a banned substance parcel contained his Aadhaar details, then convinced him to transfer money to "safe accounts" under threat of arrest. Police managed to freeze Rs 60 lakh of the stolen funds, with recovery efforts ongoing.
entergynewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies ten common impostor utility scams, including disconnection threats demanding prepaid card payments, fake billing routing numbers, bogus equipment fees, overpayment refund requests, and post-disaster power restoration charges. The article notes that the Better Business Bureau reported a median loss of $463 per victim in 2023 and advises customers that legitimate utilities send written disconnection notices, offer multiple payment methods, handle equipment upgrades proactively, process refunds via mail or account credits, and do not charge for disaster-related power restoration.
25newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with 41% of all scams reported to the Better Business Bureau in 2023 originating from online purchases, affecting people of all ages through fake websites, deepfake influencer endorsements, and phishing tactics on social media. To protect themselves, consumers should verify website addresses, read reviews, avoid clicking suspicious links, never share private information via email or text, use credit cards instead of gift cards or cryptocurrency, enable multifactor authentication, and be cautious with peer-to-peer payment apps that lack consumer protections.
paymentsdive.com
· 2025-12-08
As scammers increasingly use advanced technology to create realistic fraud schemes, authorized push payment scams—where criminals persuade consumers to voluntarily send money through instant payment networks like Zelle—pose a significant threat even to vigilant consumers. In 2023, Zelle customers disputed over $206 million in fraudulent transactions, with consumers bearing the costs of 80% of those disputes, and the paper notes that once payment is authorized, victims have little to no recourse since transactions are often irrevocable. The Federal Reserve recommends that financial institutions adopt artificial intelligence and machine learning to assess scam risk and alert customers before high-risk transactions are executed.