Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
6,239 results
in Phishing
kwch.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about a phishing scam affecting people nationwide, with over 1,500 reports of callers claiming to represent loan companies and requesting personal information to defraud victims. The scam typically involves harassing voicemails from individuals claiming to be named Jessica or Evelyn, and victims can protect themselves by verifying company legitimacy, refusing to share information with unsolicited callers, and independently calling back companies using official phone numbers rather than numbers provided by the callers.
wiley.law
· 2025-12-07
The Aspen Institute Report identifies that American households lose over $1 billion weekly to various scams including imposter fraud, phishing, and cybersquatting, threatening economic security and consumer trust in digital systems. The report recommends a multi-sector approach involving government agencies, private industry, and nonprofits, with key recommendations including modernizing legal frameworks to clarify company fraud prevention duties, enhancing law enforcement collaboration with financial institutions, improving technological detection systems, establishing scam prevention as a national priority, and increasing public awareness through education campaigns.
nationalenquirer.com
· 2025-12-07
A global survey of 18,000 employed adults found that most people cannot distinguish AI-generated phishing emails from legitimate ones, with only 46% correctly identifying fraudulent emails and just 30% recognizing genuine ones, with vulnerability consistent across all age groups. Nearly half of respondents (44%) admitted to interacting with phishing messages in the past year, resulting in accidental disclosure of personal information including email addresses, names, and phone numbers to scammers. The findings highlight that weak cybersecurity practices—including multi-factor authentication non-use, blurred personal-work device boundaries, and lack of employee training—create significant vulnerability to increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled scams.
malaymail.com
· 2025-12-07
Employment scams have surged over 1,000% from May through July, with fraudsters using sophisticated tactics including fake job listings, impersonated recruiters, and AI-generated content to deceive job seekers. Nicole Becker, a 37-year-old from Oregon, fell victim to an elaborate two-week scam involving a fake sportswear company that requested she purchase equipment for reimbursement—a common tactic that cost victims an average of $1,471 per scam, totaling $12 billion in losses last year. The FTC warns that a tight labor market combined with generative AI has made these schemes harder to detect, particularly targeting vulnerable first-time
cutoday.info
· 2025-12-07
Criminals stole a record $1.03 trillion worldwide in 2024, prompting fintech company Velera to launch a new Risk Mitigation Ecosystem designed to help credit unions combat increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics including card-not-present scams, synthetic ID fraud, account takeovers, and authorized push payment (APP) scams. The cloud-based solution uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze multi-channel consumer data and detect fraudulent patterns in real time, addressing both traditional fraud and emerging threats like consumer-engaged fraud that exploit social engineering.
tampabay28.com
· 2025-12-07
Online and text message scams targeting seniors in Hillsborough County, Florida are increasing in frequency and sophistication, with common tactics including pop-up warnings that trick users into clicking malicious links, fake tech support calls that charge victims for non-existent repairs, and text messages impersonating toll collection agencies or job offers. Cybersecurity experts recommend avoiding clicking links from untrusted sources, refusing to share personal information, and creating strong, unique passphrases (16+ characters) for online accounts to protect against these evolving threats.
fox47news.com
· 2025-12-07
Senior citizens and businesses are frequently targeted by cyber scammers through emails, text messages, and phone calls to steal personal data and passwords. A senior living facility in Jackson intervened in a gift card scam where a resident was about to spend hundreds of dollars and now educates residents on current scams through partnerships with state and national associations. Experts recommend protecting personal information by using password managers, enabling two-factor authentication, consulting trusted contacts about suspicious messages, and using pop-up blockers while browsing.
boomlive.in
· 2025-12-07
This article explains how scammers use fake Facebook accounts to perpetrate various frauds, including romance scams, investment schemes, phishing, and catfishing, by using stolen photos and fabricated profiles that appear legitimate. The piece provides detection methods such as reverse image searching profile pictures, checking posting history authenticity, and verifying mutual connections, along with protective steps including reporting suspicious accounts and blocking profiles. Key warning signs include vague bios, sparse activity, rapid profession of affection, and suspicious links or urgent requests for money.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-07
The CBI arrested eight individuals and identified 45 suspects during Operation HAECHI-VI, an Interpol-led international operation targeting transnational cyber-enabled financial crimes including voice phishing, romance scams, sextortion, and investment fraud. The operation, conducted in coordination with the FBI and German authorities, dismantled illegal call centers in Delhi, Amritsar, and Siliguri that targeted U.S. and German nationals, resulting in the seizure of $66,340 in cash and the blocking of 30 bank accounts.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
Bitdefender's October 2025 "They Wear Our Faces" campaign highlights a surge in AI-driven fraud targeting Americans, who reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024. The campaign exposes how scammers use deepfake technology, voice cloning, and personalized impersonation across email, SMS, and social media, with the U.S. receiving 37% of global spam between March-September 2025. Top threats include phishing impersonating Microsoft, Amazon, and Costco, along with increasingly sophisticated SMS scams and AI-powered deepfake videos promoting fake cryptocurrency investments.
boston.gov
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are impersonating Boston City Health Benefits and Insurance (HBI) staff, using spoofed caller ID to contact employees and pressure them into revealing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, and banking details. HBI will never request this information over the phone and legitimate contact only occurs through official letters, @boston.gov emails, or phone calls initiated by the employee themselves. To protect yourself, avoid relying on caller ID, never provide personal information unless you initiated contact, and verify any request by calling HBI directly at 617-635-4570.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are creating fake e-commerce websites and phishing schemes targeting parents during seasonal shopping events like back-to-school, particularly exploiting demand for viral items such as Labubu dolls. Parents should watch for red flags including misspelled URLs, poor website design, unrealistic deals, and suspicious payment methods, and verify sites through HTTPS checks and customer reviews before purchasing. According to F-Secure's 2025 Scam Intelligence Report, U.S. scam rates doubled from 2024 to 2025, with digital natives being twice as vulnerable as seniors, as scammers increasingly use AI-powered and psychologically manipulative tactics.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-07
This Consumer Reports advisory warns online shoppers about common scams during peak shopping seasons like Amazon Prime Days. Shoppers should avoid responding to suspicious texts or emails requesting personal information, avoid deals that sound too good to be true, and be cautious when purchasing through third-party platforms like Facebook Marketplace where prepayment requests and payment failures are common red flags. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying unexpected messages through alternative contact methods, using credit cards instead of payment apps for better fraud protection, and independently confirming any requests from authority figures (such as managers) asking them to purchase gift cards.
stimson.org
· 2025-12-07
Southeast Asia faces a rapidly escalating scam epidemic, with 79% of adults exposed to scams in the past year and global scam losses exceeding $1 trillion annually, threatening the region's digital economy projected to reach $1 trillion in five years. Scammers are leveraging advanced technologies like AI, instant payments, and encrypted messaging to conduct sophisticated cross-border fraud schemes including fake job offers, romance scams, and investment fraud. The article recommends that governments, companies, and civil society organizations collaborate through strengthened institutions, cross-border data-sharing, regional working groups, and partnerships to combat this transnational criminal activity.
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-07
The Illinois Department of Revenue warned of a nationwide phishing scam involving fraudulent text messages impersonating state tax agencies and claiming tax refunds have been processed. The scammers pressure recipients to provide banking and personal information or risk losing their refunds, with IDOR clarifying it does not send unsolicited text messages requesting sensitive financial data. Residents are advised to ignore such messages, avoid clicking links, and verify communications directly with IDOR through its website or phone line.
nivervillecitizen.com
· 2025-12-07
Phone scams targeting Canadians have become increasingly prevalent, with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reporting 15,941 fraud victims and $284 million in losses between January-June 2024. Common scams include phishing attempts, fake job offers via text, and spoofed calls impersonating legitimate companies like banks and airlines, often exploiting personal data obtained through data breaches. Experts emphasize that scammers target individuals across all demographics, including those who believe they are too savvy to fall victim, and stress the importance of organizations better protecting personal information to prevent these crimes.
acronis.com
· 2025-12-07
The Acronis Cyber Foundation and Digital Literacy Project are hosting a free cyber safety workshop for seniors on October 11, 2025, in Stoughton, Massachusetts, to address the vulnerability of older adults to online fraud. According to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report, seniors aged 60+ experienced the highest monetary losses from cyberattacks at $4.8 billion, with personal data breaches and investment scams being leading threats. The workshop will educate participants on recognizing AI-enabled deepfake scams, creating strong passwords, identifying phishing attempts, and protecting personal information.
torontosun.com
· 2025-12-07
Toronto Police warned of an active "grandparent scam" variant in which fraudsters impersonate family members or acquaintances claiming to be in serious emergencies (car accidents, medical crises) and pressure victims to withdraw large sums of cash and deliver it to a stranger. The scammers keep victims on the phone throughout the transaction to prevent verification of the claim. Police advised the public to hang up immediately on suspicious calls and report them to authorities.
mvprogress.com
· 2025-12-07
Mesquite Police detectives informed nearly 100 residents of Del Webb Sun City about prevalent scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes that exploit trust through calls, emails, and online platforms. Gift card scams are particularly prevalent locally, with thieves using untraceable cards or tampering with physical cards before purchase, while imposter scams involving government agencies and voice-cloning technology also pose significant risks. Residents were advised to verify claims independently, protect personal information, avoid public Wi-Fi, and report suspicious activity to the FTC or their bank immediately.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-07
Quotient Wealth Partners partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to help protect clients from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation through continuous monitoring of suspicious transactions and spending patterns. The partnership provides Quotient clients with $1 million in identity theft insurance, a ScamCheck tool to verify suspicious messages, a live Care team for real-time support during scam attempts, and LegacyKit for secure digital asset management. The collaboration reflects growing concerns about sophisticated fraud schemes targeting clients, including remote access tool attacks and impersonation attempts, while also enabling early detection of health changes through unusual spending patterns.
provincetownindependent.org
· 2025-12-07
In June, 73-year-old Karen Pagano from Truro nearly lost $40,000 to scammers who impersonated PayPal fraud specialists, gained remote access to her laptop, and attempted to transfer funds from her bank account while keeping her on the phone. Although police intervention prevented the full loss, Pagano experienced significant disruption including delayed retirement and Social Security payments, and has since received six to eight suspicious calls daily. According to local law enforcement, elder fraud is rampant in the Cape and Islands region, with 393 reports filed over 21 months (January 2023–October 2024) but only 15 resulting in charges, reflecting resource
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-07
During a government shutdown, scammers exploited public confusion about federal benefits by impersonating government officials and contractors via unsolicited calls, emails, and texts, targeting millions of Americans relying on Social Security, Medicare, and SNAP. Consumer protection officials warned the public to avoid sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, and to ignore any demands for payment, as legitimate government agencies never contact people this way. Those believing they were scammed were advised to contact local police, their banks, and file a complaint with the FBI's Crime Complaint Center.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece provides eight key prevention strategies to help people avoid scams and fraud. The advice emphasizes avoiding non-traceable payment methods (gift cards, wire transfers), being skeptical of unsolicited communications and official-looking documents, exercising caution with online relationships, protecting personal information, resisting pressure tactics, using secure transactions, and managing social media privacy. The guidance applies broadly to various scam types including romance scams, impersonation fraud, and financial exploitation.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a standard privacy and cookie consent notice from Yahoo describing data collection practices. No summarization relevant to the Elderus database is applicable.
taiwannews.com.tw
· 2025-12-07
U.S. companies lost an average of 9.8% of their annual revenue to fraud in the past year—a 46% increase from 2024 and 27% higher than the global average of 7.7%, representing approximately $114 billion in losses among surveyed U.S. business leaders. Account takeover fraud emerged as the most damaging fraud type in the U.S. (31% of losses), followed by synthetic identity fraud (24%) and scam/authorized fraud (23%), with account takeover fraud volume growing 141% globally between H1 2021 and H1 2025.
info.gov.hk
· 2025-12-07
In Hong Kong during the first eight months of 2025, police reported 184 telephone scam cases targeting local tertiary students and 86 cases targeting Mainland students, resulting in approximately $32 million and $75 million in losses respectively. The government has implemented fraud prevention measures under the Theft Ordinance with penalties up to 14 years imprisonment, and is consulting with educational institutions and authorities to strengthen anti-scam awareness programs among students through seminars and enhanced promotional efforts.
mas360.moneylife.in
· 2025-12-07
A 33-year-old man in Rajkot lost Rs8.85 lakh to a loan scam after receiving fake WhatsApp approval notifications and paying processing and login charges that were never returned. The article outlines key warning signs of loan fraud, including demands for upfront payments, commission fees, unofficial communications from personal phone numbers, and unexplained disbursement delays. Legitimate lenders deduct fees from loan amounts rather than demanding upfront cash, use official banking channels for communications, and disburse funds quickly through direct digital platforms.
stomp.sg
· 2025-12-07
An elderly resident raised concerns about fraudulent job opportunity advertisements targeting seniors on Facebook, noting that multiple ads direct applicants to identical forms requesting personal information, with AI analysis flagging them as likely scams. The inquiry highlights the prevalence of job scams among the top five scam types affecting consumers, alongside investment scams and phishing schemes, and questions why such advertisements remain visible on the platform.
deloitte.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI has highlighted "phantom hacker scams," where fraudsters impersonate tech support, banks, and government agents to manipulate victims—particularly seniors—into voluntarily transferring money directly to scammers' accounts. These scams are part of a broader category called authorized push payment (APP) fraud, which is rapidly growing; the Deloitte Center for Financial Services estimates APP fraud losses in the U.S. could reach $14.9 billion by 2028 (up from $8.3 billion in 2024), with investment scams like "pig butchering" driving the majority of growth, fueled by increasingly sophisticated AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering
bgindependentmedia.org
· 2025-12-07
In October 2024, the Ohio Department of Commerce warned Ohioans about rising cyber threats during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, noting that internet crime complaints reached nearly 860,000 nationwide with losses exceeding $16 billion in 2024—a 33% increase from the prior year, with Ohio ranking 7th in the nation with 25,000 complaints. Common scams include one-time passcode interception, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, financial institution impersonation, government imposter scams, and AI-fueled fraud, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in total consumer fraud losses in 2024, including $2
kmbc.com
· 2025-12-07
A 61-year-old Clay County man lost $120,000 in a romance scam conducted over several months on TikTok, where a scammer posing as a 34-year-old woman named "Lisa" built an emotional relationship with him before requesting money for various emergencies and finally claiming she needed help paying back taxes on her mother's house. The scammer used common tactics including moving the conversation to an encrypted messaging app (Telegram), gradually increasing requests starting with small amounts, having the victim's CashApp account shutdown, and ultimately directing him to send Bitcoin through ATMs in Excelsior Springs and Kearney, making the money nearly impossible to recover. The Clay
ohioattorneygeneral.gov
· 2025-12-07
Job scams promise high pay for minimal work but actually harvest personal information, financial access, or money through tactics like fake checks, reshipping schemes, and bogus employment agencies. Common red flags include vague job descriptions, communication from free email accounts, hiring without interviews, and requests to wire money or purchase prepaid cards. Consumers should research companies thoroughly before applying and report suspected scams to the Ohio Attorney General's Office or similar state authorities.
oig.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General is warning the public about a government imposter scam using forged U.S. Supreme Court letterhead and fake signatures of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sonia Sotomayor to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information. The scam letter falsely claims the recipient is a criminal suspect whose Social Security number has been compromised, that their assets have been frozen by the Supreme Court, and that they cannot maintain over $10,000 in bank accounts or $80,000-$100,000 in investments, with follow-up contact typically made via text or phone. Recipients are advised to disregard the letter
indystar.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
During government shutdowns, scammers target federal employees, contractors, and benefit recipients with fraudulent calls and emails impersonating Social Security, Medicare, and other agencies, falsely claiming benefits are suspended unless fees are paid or personal information is verified. Common tactics include phishing emails with subject lines like "Government Shutdown Notice," fake relief programs requiring wire transfers or gift cards, and malware-laden links designed to steal credentials. Authorities stress that most federal benefits continue during shutdowns and the government never demands payment or sensitive information via phone or email; victims should report fraud to their state attorney general or the FTC.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Cybercriminals are increasingly using sophisticated phishing emails impersonating trusted coworkers and employers to trick recipients into opening malicious attachments or clicking fraudulent links, with AI-generated content making these scams harder to detect. A Texas resident nearly fell victim to such a scam when she received a suspicious email appearing to come from her employer but containing an unopened attachment; she protected herself by changing her password, running virus scans, and enrolling in identity theft protection. To fully protect against these workplace email scams, individuals should review login histories for unauthorized access, enable two-factor authentication on critical accounts, alert their IT department of suspicious emails, and keep all software updated to prevent malware exploitation.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
This AARP educational resource outlines five common warning signs of online scams targeting consumers, including urgent/threatening language, unfamiliar sender domains, requests for sensitive information, unrealistic offers, and suspicious links or attachments. The article emphasizes protective measures such as pausing before reacting to pressure, verifying sender authenticity through independent contact information, avoiding sharing personal data via email or text, and enabling two-factor authentication. AARP offers additional resources including a Fraud Watch Network with victim support groups, a scam-tracking map, and watchdog alerts to help people stay informed about emerging fraud schemes.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
According to Citizens Advice, one in five UK residents fell victim to financial scams, prompting cybersecurity companies to develop protective tools. McAfee launched a Scam Detector feature within its Total Protection and LiveSafe packages that identifies suspicious text, email, and video messages across multiple platforms and devices, starting at £10.99 per year. The tool works alongside antivirus protection to help users avoid malware infections and financial fraud schemes.
wired.com
· 2025-12-07
North Korean operatives have been posing as freelance architects and structural engineers to infiltrate Western companies and gain access to sensitive U.S. infrastructure projects and architectural designs. The scammers, operating through fake identities on platforms like GitHub and freelance websites, created forged credentials, architectural stamps, and CAD files for U.S. properties while claiming to offer legitimate architectural services. The UN estimates that thousands of North Korean IT workers generate $250-600 million annually for the regime to support nuclear weapons programs and sanctions evasion.
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-07
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection is warning consumers about event ticket scams and unfair pricing practices, following the FTC's complaint against Ticketmaster and Live Nation for allegedly engaging in illegal resale tactics. Scammers exploit high demand and resale markets by posing as sellers and stealing consumers' money through fake tickets sold on social media, fake websites, and online marketplaces. The agency recommends purchasing only from official sources, using legitimate resale platforms, verifying sellers' credentials, avoiding suspiciously low prices, and paying with credit cards for buyer protection.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-07
Deanna Newman, a Canadian jeweller, had her business "C'est la vie Jewellery" duplicated by AI scammers operating from China who used the same name to sell cheap mass-produced items, resulting in angry customers contacting Newman demanding refunds and complaining about poor quality goods. Newman spent weeks dealing with aggressive complaints on social media, emails, and calls, and was forced to post a video proving she was a real person to separate her legitimate sterling silver jewelry business from the fraudulent operation. The scam has damaged her reputation and reduced sales, as customers are now wary of the business name despite Newman's efforts to differentiate her brand.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
Consumer watchdogs warn that scammers are exploiting federal government shutdown uncertainty by impersonating government agencies via text, phone, and email to target federal employees and benefit recipients, requesting personal information or payment fees under false pretenses. The shutdown simultaneously weakens consumer protections by halting FTC fraud complaint intake, FDA food inspections, and other regulatory functions, leaving vulnerable populations more exposed to exploitation during an economically uncertain period.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-07
The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued an alert about a government imposter scam using forged Supreme Court letterhead and signatures of justices John Roberts and Sonia Sotomayor to target seniors receiving retirement benefits. The fraudulent letters falsely claim recipients are suspects in criminal proceedings, allege identity theft of their Social Security numbers, and pressure victims to send money and share personal information under threat of frozen assets and account balance restrictions. Victims are advised to ignore the communications, report them to the FTC or SSA OIG, and take immediate steps to freeze accounts and monitor credit if they have already provided information or funds.
usu.edu
· 2025-12-07
Phishing is a widespread cybercrime tactic where scammers impersonate trusted sources via email, phone, text, or social media to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, bank account numbers, and Social Security numbers. Key warning signs include suspicious sender addresses, generic language, urgent/threatening tone, and unexpected links or attachments; individuals can protect themselves by never sharing passwords, carefully examining sender addresses, hovering over links before clicking, and reporting suspicious messages to their IT department immediately.
cm.asiae.co.kr
· 2025-12-07
South Korea's five major banks approved voluntary compensation for only 10% of voice phishing fraud applications (18 out of 173 cases) from January 2021 to August 2022, compensating just 141.19 million won of 637.62 million won claimed, with secondary financial institutions showing even lower approval rates at 1.6%. The government is pursuing stricter "no-fault compensation liability" legislation that would require financial companies to compensate victims regardless of the banks' negligence, aiming to expand victim protection against voice phishing crimes.
uk.pcmag.com
· 2025-12-07
A cybersecurity journalist received a suspicious PR pitch email that exhibited multiple scam indicators: the sender used a generic Gmail address instead of corporate domain, maintained only inactive or spammy social media accounts, provided no website links, and represented a company with a "Poor" TrustPilot rating and complaints from customers who paid for subscriptions but received nothing in return. The article serves as an educational guide identifying common red flags in scam emails, including hijacked "zombie" accounts, vague privacy policies, and generic website design, to help readers recognize and avoid similar fraudulent pitches.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece outlines how to identify and respond to social media scams targeting users. Common scams include fake celebrity accounts, phishing links, romance scams, fraudulent job offers, giveaway schemes, and investment fraud—all designed to steal personal information, credentials, or money through deceptive friend requests and messages. The article recommends verifying profiles for authenticity, reporting suspicious accounts, blocking scammers, and maintaining strong privacy settings to protect against these threats.
bnnbloomberg.ca
· 2025-12-07
Canada's Ontario Securities Commission has identified seven prevalent investment scams targeting victims in autumn, including romance scams (fraudsters gaining trust online before pitching fake investments), cryptocurrency scams (requesting additional funds before allowing withdrawals), affinity fraud (targeting social groups with Ponzi schemes), pump-and-dump schemes (artificially inflating stock prices before selling), boiler room operations (fake trading platforms), AI voice scams (deepfakes impersonating relatives or celebrities), and exempt securities fraud (misrepresenting fraudulent investments as legitimate exclusive opportunities). The advisory emphasizes that common red flags include unsolicited contact about investment tips, requests for money from online contacts never met in person, an
boredpanda.com
· 2025-12-07
A married couple experienced severe financial strain after one spouse fell victim to a scam that depleted their entire life savings, but the situation was compounded by financial infidelity when the affected spouse concealed the loss from their partner, resulting in massive undisclosed debt. The article features expert perspectives on how financial secrecy—often rooted in shame, guilt, and anxiety rather than intentional deception—damages relationships more severely than the financial loss itself. Experts recommend couples address financial infidelity through value-based conversations, couples counseling combined with financial advisory services, and transparent communication to rebuild trust and develop a sustainable financial recovery plan.
bioengineer.org
· 2025-12-07
Fraudsters are increasingly employing artificial intelligence to create more convincing scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly the Latino community and those with limited technology knowledge. Assistant Professor Gabriel Aguilar, who himself fell victim to a fake job offer scam involving a fraudulent check as a college student, advocates for enhanced AI literacy education to help students and communities recognize and combat AI-enabled deceptions such as deepfakes and voice-cloning technology. Aguilar proposes that educators integrate critical thinking about AI scams into technical writing and communication curricula to equip learners with tools to identify fraud and protect themselves and their communities.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers posing as Wells Fargo contacted Minnesota residents and convinced three people in the Duluth area to overnight ship cash to Florida, resulting in $48,000 in combined losses before authorities recovered the funds. Police warn that legitimate financial institutions never request customers send money, gift cards, or wire funds, and advise victims to hang up and call their bank directly using a verified number rather than returning the scammer's call. Criminals are also increasingly using AI technology to mimic loved ones' voices in phone scams targeting seniors, making it critical for families to discuss these threats and verify unusual requests in person at bank branches.