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in Robocall / Phone Scam
prweb.com
· 2025-12-08
A July 2025 survey of 2,034 U.S. adults found that 39% have received fake job offer texts, with 14% engaging with the scams—particularly younger men, among whom up to 31% of millennials interacted with fraudulent offers. Of those who engaged, victims lost money through direct payments to scammers (22%), unauthorized bank or credit card charges (30%), or by sharing personal information leading to identity theft (29%), with 12% losing over $1,000 each. The scams have created widespread distrust, causing 45% of recipients to become skeptical of recruiter outreach and 25% to delay responding to legitimate job
ksnblocal4.com
· 2025-12-08
Broken Bow Public Schools in Nebraska fell victim to a sophisticated phishing scam in spring 2025, resulting in a fraudulent $1.8 million ACH transfer intended for a construction contractor to an illegitimate account. The district has recovered approximately $700,000 with assistance from the FBI, Nebraska State Patrol, and U.S. Secret Service, and has implemented new financial safeguards to prevent future incidents. The construction project will continue without interruption or tax increases, and the district remains in a strong financial position.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
**Callback phishing scams** impersonate trusted companies (Microsoft, Adobe, PayPal, Norton LifeLock, DocuSign, Geek Squad) via fraudulent emails with auto-loading PDFs containing company logos and phone numbers, directing recipients to call fake tech support. Once on the phone, scammers pose as customer service representatives and extract personal information or direct victims to malicious links and downloads that steal data or install malware. These scams exploit urgency and emotion to bypass critical thinking; recipients should verify requests by contacting companies directly through official channels and be wary of unsolicited emails with attachments, links, or QR codes.
investor.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece describes five common investment scams targeting investors: relationship investment scams (building trust through romance or friendship), advance fee fraud (demanding upfront payments before fund release), impersonation schemes (falsely claiming to be SEC officials or legitimate firms), and stock tip scams (promoting stocks on social media to artificially inflate prices). Scammers typically use social media and messaging apps to build trust, pressure victims into fraudulent investments or phony accounts, then steal funds or demand additional fees for supposed account access or loss recovery. Victims can report suspected investment scams to the SEC, FBI, FTC, state securities regulators, or state attorneys general.
phys.org
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" scams are sophisticated fraud schemes operated by organized crime groups that have stolen billions globally, in which scammers build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims online before pressuring them into fraudulent investments, typically over a few months rather than years. Notable victims include a Kansas banker who embezzled $47 million to cover his losses and a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency investments, with scammers exploiting victims' desire for financial gain rather than solely relying on romantic manipulation. The scams operate in three stages—hunting for victims online, building trust, and executing the "kill" by pushing large financial commitments—and are typically run by highly organized criminal
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection warns that the military community lost $584 million to fraud in 2024 across 99,443 reported incidents, with service members, veterans, and their families targeted at higher rates than the general population due to their steady income, benefits, and frequent relocation. Common scams include imposter fraud, online shopping scams, and investment-related schemes, though protection strategies such as placing "Active-Duty Alerts" on credit reports, using free FTC credit monitoring, and researching purchases before completing transactions can reduce vulnerability.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Publishers Clearing House (PCH) scam remains a prevalent fraud targeting seniors, who are deceived by official-looking letters claiming they have won large sums of money (such as $1.6 million) and instructing them to deposit checks and send back fees for taxes and processing. Legitimate PCH winners are notified through personal visits and never asked to send money back, making any request for payment a clear indicator of fraud.
heartfm.ca
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
An Oxford County resident lost $5,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with a stranger who requested money for a flight home. Police warn that romance scams commonly target single individuals through deception, and advise the public to avoid sending money to unknown online contacts, verify dating website legitimacy, and refrain from sharing personal information online.
wwaytv3.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina officials launched a statewide initiative to combat Bitcoin ATM scams, which have caused victims millions of dollars in losses with cryptocurrency-related crime jumping nearly 1,300% from 2017 to 2023. The typical scam involves fraudsters impersonating trusted individuals via phone calls and directing victims to Bitcoin kiosks for urgent withdrawals, with seniors over 65 being the primary targets. Officials are encouraging businesses to post warning signs at crypto machines and urging the public to avoid unexpected cash withdrawals, delete suspicious messages, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the NC Secretary of State.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman lost approximately $450,000 of her retirement savings in a year-long romance scam where perpetrators impersonated country music star Vince Gill and his daughter, fabricating a story about divorce and legal troubles to extract money through wire transfers, checks, and cash. Despite warnings from banks, law enforcement, and family members, the victim continues to believe the online relationship is genuine. Santa Barbara County District Attorney investigators emphasize that romance scams are particularly difficult to prevent due to emotional manipulation tactics like "love bombing," and recommend that concerned family members approach victims with empathy while asking non-judgmental questions and contacting authorities if suspicious activity is detected.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Roger Roger, a 41-year-old Costa Rica resident, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison for leading an international telemarketing fraud scheme that defrauded hundreds of victims, many elderly, of over $4 million. The scheme involved co-conspirators posing as U.S. government officials using Voice Over Internet Protocol technology to convince victims they had won sweepstakes prizes, then soliciting up-front payments for non-existent prizes. Roger was ordered to pay $3.3 million in restitution and forfeit $4.2 million.
deccanchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old resident of Hyderabad was scammed out of Rs. 1.46 lakh after responding to a YouTube advertisement falsely promising to buy an old Rs. 20 coin for Rs. 50 lakh; a fraudster posing as "Raj Gyani" extracted the money through multiple requests for payments under various pretexts before demanding an additional Rs. 1 lakh. Police advised the public to avoid transferring money to unknown individuals for extraordinary offers on social media and video platforms, and to verify all communications and preserve transaction records before engaging in online transactions.
beaconjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals in Ohio are attaching cell phones with magnets to vehicles to track owners to their homes, then attempting home invasions by falsely claiming the homeowner has their phone. The Kirtland Police Department warns residents to avoid opening doors to strangers and to call police immediately if they suspect they are being followed or tracked. Safety recommendations include driving to crowded areas or police stations, using personal safety apps to share location with trusted contacts, and checking devices for tracking notifications.
fox29.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Delaware County seniors each lost approximately $9,000 in a phone scam where callers impersonated their adult children claiming to be in accidents, then posed as bail bondsmen demanding cash to prevent jail time. The scammers used rideshare services to send couriers to collect the money wrapped in shoeboxes, with funds ultimately transported to Newark, New Jersey and Reading, Pennsylvania. Police urge residents to hang up on such calls and contact authorities, noting that legitimate law enforcement never demands cash payment.
it.ucsf.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns students, faculty, and staff about the surge in cyber scams during the back-to-school season, including scholarship fraud, fake tuition processors, IRS impersonation, phishing emails, and fake login pages. The piece provides protective measures such as skepticism toward unsolicited messages, strong password practices, multi-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious emails through institutional channels. The article emphasizes that heightened vigilance is needed during this period when hackers exploit academic community confusion, particularly around student debt relief issues.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas ranks second nationally for internet crime losses, with residents experiencing $1.35 billion in losses in 2024—a $328 million increase from the previous year, according to the FBI. People over 60 experienced the highest financial losses, while Hispanic and Black communities are particularly vulnerable to targeted scams such as family impersonation, phishing, and fraudulent investment schemes. The article provides guidance on recognizing scams (offers that seem too good to be true, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unusual payment methods) and prevention strategies (verifying identities through official channels, using strong passwords, registering with the Do Not Call Registry, and limiting personal information shared online).
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
Summer 2025 presents heightened fraud risks as scammers target vacationing individuals through fake rental listings, spoofed travel notifications, refund scams, fraudulent social media sales, and emergency impersonation schemes (including AI deepfake calls). The article advises consumers to book through official channels, verify communications directly with companies, avoid clicking suspicious links, be skeptical of unsolicited refund offers, research online sellers, and refrain from posting real-time location information on social media.
port.ac.uk
· 2025-12-08
A University of Portsmouth study of 2,000 UK adults found that fear of fraud is significantly affecting wellbeing, particularly among women over 75, with 64% experiencing at least one attempted fraud in the past six months. Telephone calls (especially landlines) were the primary scam method, and researchers identified fraud fear as a potential "hidden epidemic" affecting lonely and previously victimized elderly adults, with some so anxious about the topic they refused to participate in the study. The researchers caution that awareness campaigns must be carefully designed to educate without inadvertently increasing anxiety and fear in vulnerable populations.
calgary.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old Quebec man was charged with fraud, money laundering, and identity theft after defrauding a Calgary senior of over $300,000 in a cryptocurrency scam. Beginning in June 2022, the suspect impersonated the victim's grandson claiming legal trouble, then posed as a lawyer directing her to make daily bitcoin ATM deposits for fake bail and legal fees over six weeks. Calgary police executed a search warrant in the Montreal area and arrested the suspect, who will appear in court in August.
wfae.org
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina's Attorney General Jeff Jackson launched a statewide initiative to combat cryptocurrency ATM scams that primarily target seniors, in which scammers direct victims to deposit cash into crypto accounts the scammers control. The awareness campaign encourages ATM operators to watch for warning signs such as older adults using machines while on the phone, indicating potential fraud in progress.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 65 and older reported nearly $4.9 billion in losses to financial scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with Texas seniors alone filing over 9,473 complaints averaging $489,000 in losses each. Seniors are targeted because they control significant national wealth and often struggle to keep pace with technology, making them vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation, and investment fraud. Family members and caregivers can help protect seniors by monitoring account activity, maintaining open communication about financial matters, and encouraging consultation before large transactions, while laws like the 2017 Elder Abuse Prevention
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Cambodia arrested over 1,000 cybercrime suspects in a multi-province crackdown ordered by Prime Minister Hun Manet this week, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Indonesian, and Cambodian nationals, with police seizing computers and mobile phones from scam operations. The raids targeted foreign criminal groups running online fraud schemes that generate billions of dollars annually for international gangs, though human rights organizations claim the Cambodian government has previously enabled these operations through state complicity while workers face human trafficking, slavery, and torture.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired US Army colonel pleaded guilty to conspiracy after disclosing classified national defense information to someone posing as a Ukrainian woman on a foreign dating app between February and April 2022, exploiting emotional manipulation typical of romance scams. Slater, who worked as a civilian at US Strategic Command, provided details about military targets and Russian capabilities, and faces five to seven years in prison under his plea deal. The case illustrates how romance scammers exploit loneliness and the desire for human connection to manipulate even experienced, security-cleared individuals into compromising sensitive information.
sequimgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from a county sheriff outlines common scam tactics affecting communities nationwide, including phishing, imposter scams, investment fraud, romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and payment transfer schemes. The sheriff advises residents to verify sources independently, avoid urgent pressure to act, be cautious with untraceable payment methods, and report suspected fraud to the FTC, emphasizing that scammers exploit new technologies and crises to target vulnerable victims across all demographics.
idahocountyfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and confidence fraud caused $601 million in damages to 16,504 victims across the United States in 2023, with an average loss of $36,459 per victim. Idaho was hit hardest, with 112 victims losing $6.9 million ($61,784 per person), while scammers posing as online pen pals or relatives in distress targeted victims primarily through email and social media. Elderly victims aged 60 and older comprised approximately 40% of victims and suffered $365.9 million in losses.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A British content creator warned tourists about a "dish of the day" scam prevalent in Mallorca restaurants, where waiters recommend unlisted seafood specials without disclosing prices upfront, then charge double the standard menu price for ordinary produce presented as rare local delicacies. The scam targets foreign visitors who are persuaded by the appeal of "authentic" offerings while in holiday mode and fail to ask for prices before ordering. Viewers noted that such practices violate Spanish consumer protection laws requiring menu items and prices to be clearly displayed.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida mother lost $15,000 after scammers used artificial intelligence to clone her daughter's voice and request bail money in an emergency call. The AI-generated voice was convincing enough to deceive the mother into sending the funds before discovering the scam was fraudulent.
bpi.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud—a 25 percent increase from the prior year—with phone/text scams accounting for $1.5 billion and social media scams for $1.9 billion in losses. Criminals use AI, spoofed calls, and hijacked social media accounts to target victims, with operations often based in Southeast Asia, while telecom and tech companies have financial incentives to monetize rather than prevent fraud. Banks and regulators are calling for stricter collaboration and regulation among tech giants and telecom providers to proactively combat scams at their source.
chch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Hamilton couple lost nearly $70,000 in June after fraudsters impersonating a Scotiabank employee convinced them their debit cards were compromised and arranged to collect their cards via courier. The scammers then drained the couple's bank accounts, credit cards, and line of credit within two days, and Scotiabank initially held the seniors responsible for the transactions, claiming no account compromise was found. Hamilton Police report approximately 60 similar cases this year using "social engineering" tactics, and note that recovering stolen funds is extremely rare.
crescentavalleyweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI and FTC are warning the public about evolving scams that exploit advancing technology, including AI-generated voice impersonations of law enforcement and government officials. Elderly Americans are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and home repair scams, with millions falling victim annually. The agencies also warn against business email compromise, charity fraud (especially after disasters), cryptocurrency job scams, VA benefits overpayment scams, and card skimmers, recommending victims verify charitable organizations through trusted databases and use credit cards rather than cash, gift cards, or wire transfers for donations.
thederrick.com
· 2025-12-08
This article cannot be summarized as requested. The provided text is a webpage header offering a subscription to TheDerrick.com, followed by a brief educational passage about elder fraud and the Elder Justice Initiative, but the remainder consists of unrelated content (advice columns, horoscopes, medical Q&As, and automotive content) that appears to be archive or navigation elements rather than a coherent article about scams or fraud. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the complete, relevant article text.
yellowhammernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with scammers increasingly exploiting technology to target older adults through fake calls, phishing emails, and data collection via smart home devices. The article identifies five red flags: unsolicited contact, pressure to act immediately, requests for untraceable payments (wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency), demands for sensitive information, and promises that seem too good to be true. Key protective measures include verifying unexpected requests with trusted contacts, using strong unique passwords for smart devices, keeping software updated, securing Wi-Fi networks, and reviewing smart device privacy settings to understand what data is being collected.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cambodian authorities arrested over 1,000 people, including 75 Taiwanese, 271 Indonesians, and 213 Vietnamese, during raids on internet scam centers across the country following Prime Minister Hun Manet's directive to crack down on cybercrime operations. The UN estimates these Southeast Asian scam centers defraud social media users of approximately $40 billion annually using romance and business cons, with Amnesty International reporting at least 53 scam compounds in Cambodia involved in human trafficking, forced labor, and other abuses on a "mass scale."
asahi.com
· 2025-12-08
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet ordered a crackdown on cybercrime operations, resulting in the arrest of over 1,000 suspects across five provinces between Monday and Wednesday, including foreign nationals from Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Myanmar, along with seized equipment such as computers and mobile phones. UN estimates indicate that cyberscams originating from Southeast Asia generate billions of dollars annually for international criminal gangs, though human rights organizations like Amnesty International have raised concerns about alleged state complicity and associated human trafficking abuses in Cambodia's scamming compounds.
anz.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian bank ANZ reports measurable improvements in scam detection through its partnership with BioCatch Trust, an inter-bank fraud intelligence network that uses behavioral biometrics and real-time risk scoring to identify sophisticated scams including impersonation, investment, romance, and business email compromise schemes. In 2024-2025, Australians lost over $2.03 billion to scams, with romance scams averaging AU$15,000 per victim and investment scams causing AU$59 million in losses; the BioCatch integration has enhanced detection of complex fraud while reducing false positives that inconvenience legitimate customers.
iberianlawyer.com
· 2025-12-08
Gary Miller, founder of the International Fraud Group, discusses how fraud investigations and asset recovery operate globally, emphasizing that nearly all scams begin with exploitation of trust. Miller identifies romance and investment scams via social media as the most difficult frauds to combat today, as victims readily believe deceptive messages on trusted platforms without verification, and stresses that effective fraud prevention requires speed, cross-border coordination, and psychological understanding alongside legal expertise.
observernews.net
· 2025-12-08
A man living in an assisted living facility was scammed out of over $800,000 in a romance fraud scheme that began in 2022 when a scammer posing as a woman on social media built a romantic relationship with him, then convinced him to invest in a fake cryptocurrency broker account. The perpetrator, 37-year-old Otiz Swinton Jr., a convicted felon with a prior history of targeting elderly residents, was arrested in May and now faces 20 pending charges with sentences of 5-30 years each. Romance scams cause lasting emotional and financial devastation to victims, often involving their entire life savings built over decades.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Online Job Fraud:** A man in Mangaluru lost Rs 4.66 lakh after downloading an app via a WhatsApp link that promised Rs 1,000 daily income; the app hacked his phone, allowing fraudsters to access his and his parents' bank accounts and siphon funds. Four suspects were identified and a case was registered at Surathkal police station.
**Investment Scam:** A 33-year-old woman in Udupi transferred Rs 1.12 lakh to unknown fraudsters between July 7-14 after receiving anonymous calls promising to double her investment. A case was filed at Hiriyadka police station under Section
mysuncoast.com
· 2025-12-08
Venice, Florida residents were targeted by phone scammers impersonating police captains who claimed victims had missed jury duty or faced legal trouble, demanding payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards to resolve fabricated charges. One resident's wife was contacted with false allegations of fentanyl trafficking linked to Homeland Security, but the family recognized it as a scam when payment was demanded. Venice Police warn residents to hang up immediately on such calls and contact the non-emergency police line to verify any legal claims.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" (QR code phishing) is an emerging scam where fraudsters place fake QR codes on public surfaces like parking meters, signs, and emails to direct unsuspecting users to malicious websites that steal personal information or money. While QR code fraud remains relatively uncommon in Canada with only 10 reported cases since 2024, experts warn the threat is growing as QR code usage becomes ubiquitous and users scan them without verifying their source. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of QR codes before scanning, check URLs before entering personal information, and use security tools to scan codes safely.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida woman was defrauded of $15,000 by scammers who used artificial intelligence to clone her adult daughter's voice during a phone call, convincing her the daughter had been in a car accident and needed bail money. After an initial $15,000 withdrawal, the scammers attempted to obtain an additional $30,000 by claiming the accident victim's child had died, but the scheme unraveled when the woman's grandson called to confirm her daughter was safe. The family believes the scammers obtained voice samples from the daughter's social media accounts (Facebook and Snapchat) to create the AI replica.
wapt.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating Jackson city officials have targeted local businesses, particularly gas stations, with calls claiming grass maintenance violations and threatening $1,500 daily fines. The fraudsters then offer to send someone to cut the grass and charge for the service, which constitutes illegal false pretense and impersonation of a city official. The Jackson Police Department urged residents who receive such calls to contact the city or JPD directly.
texasattorneygeneral.gov
· 2025-12-08
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into fraudulent charity scams where bad actors impersonated payment processors to collect flood relief donations intended for the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department under false pretenses. The scammers exploited the Texas Hill Country flooding tragedy to deceive donors, diverting money for personal gain while the fire department itself suffered significant losses. The Attorney General's office advises donors to verify charities through resources like CharityWatch and GuideStar, avoid wiring money or sharing personal information, and report suspected fraud to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
tillamookheadlightherald.com
· 2025-12-08
An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 in life savings to a "gold bar scam" in which scammers impersonated federal agents, claimed her accounts were at risk, and convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping"; local law enforcement prevented an additional $300,000 loss after her sister reported the scheme to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline. The scam typically involves fraudsters creating false urgency about compromised finances, instructing victims to convert assets into gold, and dispatching couriers to collect the valuables before disappearing. The Oregon DOJ warns that no legitimate government agency requests gold purchases or home visits for money collection, and urges victims to hang up
mycomoxvalleynow.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 70s lost $1,300 to an identity theft scam after receiving a call from someone posing as her bank, who instructed her from depositing cash into a Bitcoin ATM to "protect" her funds; an alert store employee intervened and prevented the victim from depositing an additional $3,700. The Comox Valley RCMP warns that cryptocurrency machines are never used by legitimate financial institutions, and that scammers create urgency by falsely claiming identity theft or account compromise to manipulate victims into irreversible transactions.
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference to protest proposed federal budget cuts to agencies protecting seniors from fraud, noting that seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams in the previous year. Gillibrand called on the Trump administration to maintain funding for agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that investigate fraud complaints and requested the Government Accountability Office examine how staffing cuts would impact senior fraud protection efforts.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 42-year-old Chinese national, Zhigang Lian, was indicted for allegedly orchestrating an imposter scam that defrauded a 76-year-old Belleville, Illinois resident of over $70,000. The scheme began with a fake Apple text message, then escalated when scammers posing as federal agents convinced the victim their identity had been stolen and they needed to withdraw all their bank funds for protection; the victim handed over $25,000 on June 17 and $45,000 on July 1 before Lian's arrest by Illinois State Police. Lian faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, each carrying
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
In early 2025, Chinese actor Wang Xing was abducted after being lured to Thailand under false pretenses and taken to a scam operation in Myanmar, sparking widespread panic about fraud on Chinese social media; Thai police rescued him within three days after he reported being forced into training for "pig butchering" scams. Pig butchering scams, operated by organized crime groups primarily since 2019, involve criminals building trust with victims online before manipulating them into making large fraudulent investments, with victims losing billions globally—including a U.S. banker who embezzled $47 million to cover losses from such a scam, and a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An Asda security guard in Northern Ireland identified 10-15 potential romance scam victims over six months, where fraudsters impersonate celebrities or romantic interests on social media to manipulate victims into purchasing gift cards and sharing the barcodes. The guard intervened in cases involving hundreds of pounds in losses, successfully helping one customer recover £1,000 through police involvement and preventing another from losing £750, highlighting how this scam has become increasingly common in retail settings.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The DVLA warned drivers not to share photos of their V5C vehicle logbooks on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use the personal information contained in these documents (such as registered keeper addresses and reference numbers) for identity theft. The alert emphasized that drivers should avoid sharing private information online and report suspicious communications to Action Fraud or Police Scotland, with additional guidance provided for those who have already compromised their details, including notifying their banks and changing passwords. The warning was part of a broader government effort to alert the public about various online scams, including a separate bogus "Energy Support Scheme" text message scam from the Department for Work and Pensions.