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ncdoj.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sweetheart scammers build fake online relationships on dating and social media platforms to steal money or personal information from victims, often targeting lonely or grieving individuals. In North Carolina during 2024, sweetheart and friend-in-need scams resulted in 25 victims losing $1,833,047 (average $73,322 per victim), while cryptocurrency scams—often an evolution of romance scams—caused 25 victims to lose $3,334,408 (average $133,376 per victim). Attorney General Jeff Jackson advises verifying who you communicate with online and watching for warning signs such as requests to move conversations off dating apps, claims of being a U
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day by creating false identities on dating apps and social media to establish emotional connections with victims, then manipulate them into sending money or investing in fraudulent schemes. Red flags include rapid declarations of love, excuses to avoid video calls, requests for money due to emergencies, and overly perfect profile photos (often AI-generated or stolen). A 26-year-old Australian woman lost over $46,000 to a romance scammer in 2024 after connecting on Tinder, highlighting how emotional manipulation and "love bombing" can lead to both financial loss and deep psychological trauma.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers build relationships on dating apps and social media, then request money under false pretenses (travel costs, emergencies, investment opportunities) while avoiding in-person meetings. To protect yourself, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, verify their identity through reverse image searches, consult trusted friends or family, and report suspected scams to the FTC and the platform where contact occurred.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams, which surge around Valentine's Day, involve scammers creating fake online personas on social media, dating apps, and text messages to manipulate victims into sending money or divulging personal information. Red flags include requests for urgent financial help and unwillingness to meet in person; protection strategies include avoiding unsolicited messages, limiting personal information shared online, and never sending money to people you haven't met in person. Victims should report scams to local authorities and their state attorney general's office.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ottawa County, Michigan man lost $23,000 to a tech support scam after a fraudulent Apple security alert appeared on his computer, instructing him to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin. The scammer used shame tactics, falsely claiming the victim had authorized suspicious transactions involving gambling and illegal content, then instructed him to lie to his bank teller about the purpose of the withdrawal. Ottawa County Detective Joe Monger reports handling approximately 40 fraud cases, noting that common scams include romance, grandparent, and tech support schemes, with AI technology making scams harder to detect.
fox10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's "Operation Level Up" initiative has identified over 4,300 victims of "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams across all 50 states, with the majority of victims aged 30-60 who were lured through unsolicited messages and online ads with promises of high returns. Victims are shown fake accounts displaying investment growth, but their money is lost immediately upon investment, resulting in an estimated $5 billion in losses in 2024; however, the FBI's intervention efforts have prevented approximately $285 million in additional fraud losses. The FBI advises potential victims to remain skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches, verify communications claiming to be from the FBI, and report
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Dennis Jones, 82, lost his life savings and subsequently took his own life after being victimized by a "financial grooming" scam (also called "pig butchering"), in which a person posing as "Jessie" built an online relationship with him over months before pressuring him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Financial grooming scams—where criminals establish trust with victims before luring them into fake investments—caused losses rising from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023, with individual victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars; the scams originate from criminal operations primarily in Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Philippines, where
enews.wvu.edu
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, identity theft and tax fraud increase when criminals file fraudulent returns using stolen Social Security numbers to claim refunds. To protect against these scams, individuals should file taxes early, obtain an IRS Identity Protection PIN, watch for phishing emails and calls impersonating the IRS or tax preparers, securely exchange tax documents through encrypted services, and maintain encrypted backups of tax records. The IRS never contacts taxpayers by email or phone, and scammers often use threats of arrest or penalties to pressure victims into providing personal information.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A resurfacing SMS scam (known as "smishing") targets drivers by sending text messages claiming unpaid road toll bills are due, with fake links directing victims to fraudulent websites that could compromise personal and financial information. The FBI previously received over 2,000 complaints about similar toll road smishing scams across three states as of April of the prior year. Recipients should not click suspicious links, verify toll accounts directly through official websites, and report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
nwasianweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud aided by generative AI is rising sharply, with experts projecting losses could reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027, and deepfake incidents in the fintech sector increased 700% in 2023. Seniors, non-native English speakers, and Asian immigrants are particularly targeted by scammers who exploit loneliness and build relationships before striking. JP Morgan Chase and Seattle police shared prevention advice including verifying identities, being skeptical of sob stories and urgent payment requests, avoiding sending money to online contacts, and protecting personal information.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Craig Callaway, a 64-year-old former Atlantic City council president, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a mail-in ballot fraud scheme during the 2022 general election in which he and associates recruited messengers to collect fraudulent ballots and cast them in voters' names without their knowledge. Callaway paid individuals $30-$50 to submit Vote-By-Mail Applications as "authorized messengers," then diverted the ballots instead of delivering them to actual voters, resulting in many fraudulent ballots being counted. The scheme deprived New Jersey residents of a fair election and violated federal law regarding electoral integrity.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Washington woman was nearly defrauded of $50,000 by a skincare spa operator who lured her in with complimentary eye cream samples and red light treatments, building rapport before pressuring her to withdraw cash for a fake "contestant" program. After the operator drove her to the bank and demanded she withdraw $1 million (later reduced to $50,000), alert bank tellers recognized the scam, refused her request, and alerted authorities, leading to the 27-year-old suspect's arrest. Police reported receiving multiple complaints from vulnerable seniors who had been overcharged at the skincare store, which was later abandoned.
moneywise.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Vancouver, Washington woman was recruited at a mall kiosk to join a spa program at BH28 Skincare Consultants, where the 27-year-old owner charged her $5,000 and then attempted to manipulate her into withdrawing $1 million (later reduced to $50,000) from her bank for additional treatments. Alert bank tellers recognized the scam and refused the withdrawal, with one teller calling police; the owner was arrested and the business subsequently closed following multiple complaints of overcharges and financial exploitation of vulnerable seniors.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Washington woman was targeted by a skincare scam operator who initially charged her $5,000 for spa treatments, then manipulated her through flattery and false promises of a spokesperson contest to attempt withdrawing $1 million (later reduced to $50,000) from her bank. Alert bank tellers recognized the scam and refused the withdrawals, leading to the arrest of 27-year-old spa owner Hai Baranetz, who faced investigations into multiple complaints of overcharges and fraud targeting vulnerable seniors.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Washington woman was targeted by a skincare spa scam in which the business owner, 27-year-old Hai Baranetz, built a relationship with her during treatments and then pressured her to withdraw $1 million (later reduced to $50,000) from her bank for a supposed "body sculpture" contest. Alert bank tellers recognized the manipulation and refused her withdrawal requests, with one calling police, leading to Baranetz's arrest; authorities also received multiple complaints of tens of thousands of dollars in overcharges and fraudulent practices at his BH28 Skincare Consultants business.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this article because the content is not available. The page indicates that the original article has been removed and only shows a placeholder message with navigation options for criminal law topics. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the actual article text or a different source material.
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police recovered $180,000 in cryptocurrency for a Willimantic resident who was defrauded through a "pig butchering" scam in July 2024, where a scammer impersonated an investment advisor and convinced the victim to transfer $225,000 to a fake platform called "XeggeX" before disappearing. The State Police Cryptocurrency Working Group intercepted approximately 1.77 Bitcoin from the fraudulent wallet and returned the funds on February 12, 2025, with the investigation highlighting that such scams are part of a larger transnational operation responsible for over $75 billion in global losses. Warning signs include unsolicited investment advice via text or social
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old government official from Shahdara lost Rs 1.2 crore over 78 days in an investment scam involving a fake UK-based online shopping platform that lured her through a fraudulent social media profile posing as a successful seller. The scammers trapped her in a cycle of depositing additional funds (Rs 35 lakh, then Rs 34.5 lakh) by claiming technical issues and credit score problems blocked her withdrawal, leading her to take loans against her provident fund before discovering the fraud was fake. The case highlights the importance of verifying platform authenticity, being skeptical of unsolicited social media investment offers, and consulting trusted financial experts
standard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
YouTube warned users of a phishing scam impersonating the platform's creator support team, where fraudulent emails with links to fake private videos direct victims to malicious websites designed to steal login credentials and install malware. At least one YouTube creator with 500,000 subscribers nearly fell victim to the scheme, which uses red flags like misspelled words ("crearors" instead of "creators") and requests for electronic signatures to appear legitimate. YouTube emphasized it never communicates with creators through such methods and advised users to avoid downloading files or accessing links from suspicious emails.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim, and $384 million in the first nine months of 2024 alone. Scammers create fake profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, build emotional relationships with victims, and then request money or investment opportunities; one elderly widow lost an estimated $50,000-$60,000 to seven overlapping romance scams over seven years. To protect themselves, users should verify identities through video calls, be skeptical of requests for money or personal information, and report suspicious accounts to platforms.
news.clearancejobs.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 60,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams last year, though losses have slightly declined as people become more cautious; however, scammers are increasingly using AI-generated images and deepfakes to impersonate romantic interests and extract money through manipulation. These scams follow a pattern of building trust via dating apps or social media, creating excuses to avoid in-person meetings, and gradually requesting money in small increments—a technique called "pig butchering"—while exploiting victims' emotions rather than technical vulnerabilities. To protect themselves, people should pause before responding to urgent requests, verify identities through reverse image searches, and consult trusted friends or family before taking action.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides a three-part financial planning checklist for the new year, emphasizing protection against financial exploitation as the first priority. It highlights that cryptocurrency scams saw the largest increase in elder fraud complaints and losses according to the FBI's 2023 report, and recommends awareness and communication with financial advisers as key defenses. The article also advises developing a diversified investment strategy and conducting regular financial reviews to adjust budgets and eliminate unnecessary expenses.
montanarightnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023, with an average loss of $2,000 per person, and scammers increasingly target middle-aged and older individuals, particularly those who are lonely or widowed. Montana authorities warn that these scams are becoming more sophisticated with AI technology enabling scammers to mimic voices and faces, and advise the public to be skeptical of unsolicited online contact, research profiles thoroughly, and never send money to people met only online or by phone. Nearly 66,000 romance fraud cases were reported in 2023, with approximately 44,000 cases reported in 2024 so far.
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Rutherford County, Tennessee residents reported scam attempts in which callers impersonated sheriff's deputies and threatened arrest via phone calls, text messages, and fake court documents to coerce victims into sending money via bitcoin or other payments. One senior victim nearly complied with a fake court document ordering bitcoin deposits after being threatened with 30-60 days jail time for missed jury duty, but stopped when she visited the Sheriff's Office in person; another senior recognized a toll road payment demand as fraudulent; and a third victim traced a caller's number to a China-linked company. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office clarified that it does not call citizens threatening arrest or demanding money, and urged residents
newschannel9.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams manipulate victims through fake online profiles, intense flattery, and excuses to avoid in-person meetings, often leading to financial and emotional loss. Scammers use psychological tactics to gain trust and request money or sensitive information from victims. Zelle and other payment services are implementing technology solutions, consumer education, and public-private partnerships to combat these increasingly prevalent scams.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals exploit legitimate data breach notices by creating fraudulent scams that impersonate companies and ask victims to download malware, click phishing links, or divulge personal information. Red flags for fake data breach alerts include suspicious sender contact information, spelling errors, odd-looking URLs, and artificial urgency in the message. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links or replying to unsolicited breach notices; instead, contact the company directly, and report suspected scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Lake County man lost $50,000 to a romance scam after meeting a woman named "Nasha" on Tinder who built his trust over months of messaging before convincing him to invest in gold trading. The scammer, who refused to meet in person and exploited the victim's emotional vulnerability following his wife's death, disappeared when he attempted to retrieve his returns. Gary is publicly warning others to research online dating matches, avoid sharing money or personal information with strangers, and move slowly in developing relationships.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A French woman lost $850,000 to a scammer impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated images and videos in a year-long online romance scheme, with the fraudster claiming to need money for medical treatment. Multiple other women have been similarly victimized by fake celebrity dating scams involving impersonations of Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, and other stars, exploiting victims' vulnerability to flattery, loneliness, and difficulty detecting deepfakes and AI-generated content. Experts note that advances in AI technology, combined with victims' common traits of being trusting and susceptible to persuasion, make these scams increasingly effective and difficult to identify using
sentinelone.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals exploit Valentine's Day by launching romance baiting scams, phishing attacks, and fraudulent gift card promotions to manipulate victims through emotional appeals and false investment opportunities. Romance baiting schemes have caused significant financial damage, with investment fraud losses increasing from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023, often resulting in severe psychological trauma for victims beyond monetary losses. The article advises individuals to recognize common scams such as fake dating profiles, malicious e-cards, and spoofed promotions, and emphasizes that awareness, education, and timely reporting are essential to prevent victimization and aid law enforcement.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
"Snowball" scams are multi-layered fraud schemes that start small and escalate through repeated contacts from scammers posing as legitimate agencies, lottery officials, or government representatives, with the goal of extracting money through fear tactics about stolen identities or unclaimed winnings. Wisconsin consumers have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in these schemes, including one victim who paid $155,000 in fake lottery taxes and another who lost nearly $500,000 after being tricked into converting savings to gold bars. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection advises victims to stop contact immediately if transferred between callers, verify legitimacy with trusted contacts, and never pay money or provide personal information, regardless of pressure to
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to fraud, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money and personal information. The article outlines 10 common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake websites, advance fee schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective measures such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, and avoiding upfront payments for promised services.
thescottishsun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Kirsten Wood, a 65-year-old widow from Glasgow, lost £150,000 over two years to a romance scam perpetrated by a fraudster who posed as "Steve from Burnley" on Match.com, exploiting her vulnerability following the deaths of her husband and son. The scammer employed emotional manipulation with fabricated sob stories about a sick child and legal troubles to extract money via MoneyGram, and escalated to threats when questioned, eventually revealing he was actually from Nigeria. Wood was unable to recover her losses because she reported the fraud to her bank too long after the 2016-2017 scam occurred.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
New York residents are being targeted by phishing scam text messages posing as E-ZPass toll collection notices, with messages from international numbers requesting recipients reply with "Y" to access fake payment websites. State officials emphasized that E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail never request sensitive information via text or email, and urged consumers to verify messages through official channels (1-800-333-8655 for E-ZPass or 1-844-826-8400 for Tolls by Mail) before clicking any links.
nbcnewyork.com
· 2025-12-08
New Jersey authorities warned residents about a phishing scam using text messages claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls of $6-$7, with links that steal personal information like credit cards and dates of birth when clicked. The official E-ZPass and consumer affairs agencies clarified they never contact customers by text or phone about unpaid tolls, and advised consumers to watch for red flags like foreign phone numbers and grammatical errors, and to place fraud alerts on their credit with agencies if targeted.
cxotoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams, increasingly enhanced by generative AI to create convincing messages, are surging globally with a 400% increase in romance-related fraud in India, where 39% of dating app users encountered scammers and 78% of women faced fake profiles. Vulnerable populations including elderly individuals, military personnel, and those seeking financial relationships are targeted through fake profiles, cryptocurrency investment schemes ("romance baiting"), and fake recovery scams that exploit emotional manipulation and are difficult to reverse, especially when cryptocurrency is involved. The best defense is skepticism toward requests for money from people never met in person, with victims advised to report incidents to law enforcement immediately.
governor.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
New York consumers are receiving fraudulent SMS text messages impersonating E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail that request personal information and payment for fake tolls, often originating from international numbers with links to unofficial websites. Legitimate E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail services never request sensitive information like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or birthdates via text or email. Consumers should verify suspicious messages by contacting E-ZPass (1-800-333-8655) or Tolls by Mail (1-844-826-8400) directly, and report scams to the New York Department of Consumer Protection or the Federal Trade Commission.
monroenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Monroe Community Credit Union reports that fraud cases in Monroe County are doubling year-over-year, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence and spoofing tactics to target victims of all ages. The latest scams include AI-generated voice clones of loved ones, fake fraud alerts impersonating financial institutions, local number spoofing, and tech support scams, alongside traditional schemes like phishing, romance scams, and grandparent scams. The credit union advises residents to never share full Social Security numbers or online banking credentials with callers, verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling back using verified numbers, and scrutinize email addresses, URLs, and website security features before providing personal information.
pbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams cost Americans billions of dollars annually, targeting victims across all ages, genders, nationalities, and educational backgrounds through fake profiles and psychological manipulation. Investigative reporter Cezary Podkul notes that victims have lost anywhere from hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars each, with red flags including unsolicited contact, pushy investment offers, and requests for repeated deposits. Victims are advised to seek a second opinion from trusted contacts, report crimes to local police, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Secret Service, as clustering reports can help law enforcement recover funds and identify other victims of the same fraudulent operations.
montgomeryadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scammers typically use four tactics: impersonating trusted agencies, claiming problems or prizes exist, pressuring immediate action, and requesting payment via gift cards. A scam survivor shares her experience losing $39,000 to a romance scam, while the Social Security Administration provides resources on recognizing scams and protecting personal information through their website and SSA Talks audio series.
deeside.com
· 2025-12-08
A campaign led by Age Cymru and North Wales Police launched 2,500 stickers and information leaflets across North Wales to combat rising doorstep scams, particularly courier fraud and rogue trader schemes targeting older and vulnerable people. The stickers, designed to be placed inside front doors with the message "Stop – don't hand over money!" and the police non-emergency number 101, aim to remind residents to be cautious of unexpected callers, especially during winter months when such scams increase. The initiative was developed with input from dementia support groups to ensure accessibility and is part of the broader Wales Against Scams Partnership effort to protect vulnerable individuals from fraudsters.
connecticut.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
The Port Authority warned the public about fraudulent text messages circulating nationally that falsely claim recipients owe toll payments. These scam messages are designed to trick people into revealing personal or financial information or making unauthorized payments.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Idaho is advocating for the passage of HB 182, "Report and Hold" legislation that would allow financial institutions to temporarily withhold suspicious transactions, a protection currently lacking in Idaho and only seven other states. In 2023, Idaho experienced 14,424 reported scam cases resulting in over $40 million in losses, and with seniors projected to comprise 20% of the state's population by 2026, the legislation aims to provide critical protections for vulnerable elderly residents' financial assets.
wlen.com
· 2025-12-08
Lenawee County TRIAD is hosting a free educational workshop called "Shield Against Scams" on March 12th in Onsted, Michigan, designed to teach older adults how to recognize and prevent fraud targeting seniors. The event will feature Cory Reindel, a certified fraud examiner and senior fraud investigator, who will discuss common scams, warning signs, and protection strategies, followed by a Q&A session for personalized advice.
shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 13, the Shelter Island Public Library hosted an educational Zoom presentation on senior scams led by Tom McCann of Senior Services of North America, covering common fraud schemes including phone scams, sweepstakes/lottery fraud, home improvement cons, and reverse mortgage scams. McCann emphasized that seniors are particularly vulnerable due to loneliness, increased home time, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential disabilities, and recommended protective measures such as recognizing red flags (urgency, requests for money, and offers that seem too good to be true), using the do-not-call list, monitoring credit reports, and enabling two-factor authentication.
thefinanser.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams increased 30% in the previous year, with men comprising 53% of victims and those aged 65-74 most frequently targeted; notable cases include a French woman who lost over $1 million to an imposter and victims featured in the Netflix documentary "The Tinder Swindler." Lovesaid, a non-profit organization founded by romance fraud survivors Cecilie Fjellhøy and Anna Rowe, addresses the issue by providing emotional support and practical resources to victims while simultaneously advocating for systemic changes in how financial institutions and technology companies prevent and respond to romance fraud.
asianbankingandfinance.net
· 2025-12-08
Romance scam-linked entities reached a six-year high in 2024, with 1,193 new profiles globally (a 14% increase from 2023), exposing banks to significant reputational risks and regulatory fines as criminals attempt to launder proceeds through the traditional financial system. The United States accounted for 38% of new romance scam profiles, followed by Nigeria (14%) and India (12%), with notable surges in Malaysia (64 profiles in 2024 vs. 6 in 2023) and the Philippines (45 vs. 10). The rise has been linked to pandemic-era isolation and increased online vulnerability, with romance scam profiles in
sowetanlive.co.za
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old pensioner from South Africa was robbed of R2,000 (her and her mother's old age grants) by a man she met on the dating app Badoo; he gained her trust through online dating, accompanied her to withdraw the money, then stole her purse during their first in-person date and disappeared. Romance scams are rising in South Africa, particularly targeting older single women and widows through fake online relationships built to exploit emotional vulnerability and extract money or personal information, with international reports indicating up to 3% of Europe's population has fallen victim to such schemes.
upnorthlive.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from Forest Area FCU's Fraud Prevention Committee outlines how to identify romance scams and protect yourself from becoming a victim. The article highlights red flags associated with romance scams, where scammers pose as potential romantic partners to extract money from victims, and provides guidance on what steps to take if you suspect you've been targeted by a romance scammer.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have surged online and offline, with 52% of people who met someone online experiencing scams or being pressured for gifts, while 39% of Indians encountered scammers on dating apps and 77% saw AI-generated fake profiles. Scammers use AI-generated images, deepfakes, and chatbots to create convincing fake identities—such as one case where a 53-year-old French woman lost ₹7.5 crore to fraudsters posing as Brad Pitt—and have expanded to offline "dine-and-dash" schemes where restaurants and hired accomplices pressure victims into expensive bills. The rise of generative AI
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season 2025 brings increased fraud risk as over 160 million Americans file returns by April 15th, with scammers exploiting the confusion through multiple tactics including fake charities, dishonest tax preparers, and IRS impersonation calls and phishing emails. The IRS warns taxpayers to verify non-profit status before donating, use honest tax preparers, hang up on unsolicited IRS calls requesting banking information or gift cards, and avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or following unqualified social media tax advice. Installing antivirus software and being cautious of tax debt relief services can help prevent personal information theft and fraudulent refund claims filed in victims' names.