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in Scam Awareness
khak.com
The Iowa Department of Transportation warned residents about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid tolls or registration fees. The scam targets people who may have traveled on toll roads in other states (like Illinois) and creates urgency by threatening consequences, but the Iowa DOT does not collect tolls and never sends collection notices via text. Recipients are advised not to click links or share personal information if they receive these fraudulent messages.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 54-year-old homemaker in Mumbai lost approximately Rs 54 lakh (about $6,500 USD) to an investment scam orchestrated by fraudsters posing as representatives of "Nisha Financial Services Consultant Company" via WhatsApp. The scammers lured her with promises of stock market returns, showed her fake profits, and systematically extracted money through a fake trading app called "Anisha," eventually imposing hidden fees and taxes that prevented her from withdrawing funds between November 2024 and January 2025. The scheme involved a WhatsApp group of 118 members and multiple administrators who pressured her to take loans and pay additional commissions to facilitate withdraw
ktar.com
This educational article identifies five major scams targeting seniors: "pig butchering" (long-term cryptocurrency investment schemes), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using voice-cloning AI), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article explains that older adults are targeted due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, and recommends seniors watch for red flags including urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), poor grammar, and suspicious requests—while seeking a second opinion before sharing personal information or money.
fernandinaobserver.org
**Financial Scams on the Rise; Community Education Efforts Expand**
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2023—a 25% increase from the previous year—with email and phone calls being the most common scam methods and imposter scams most frequently reported. Pineland Bank, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, and the Nassau County Council on Aging are partnering to offer free fraud awareness seminars to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding financial scams, noting that fewer than half of victims report incidents due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Experts advise consumers to become informed about evolving scam
hilinetoday.com
The FTC reported that impersonation scams—where fraudsters pose as businesses or government agencies—caused $2.95 billion in consumer losses during 2024 and remain among the top frauds reported to the agency. Since the Government and Business Impersonation Rule took effect, the FTC has filed five enforcement cases and shut down 13 websites illegally impersonating the Commission itself.
blogs.chapman.edu
Chapman University students have been targeted by a sophisticated fake check scam in which scammers impersonate faculty members, offer employment, and send oversized checks that students are instructed to deposit and then wire the difference to another account. When the fraudulent checks eventually bounce, students remain financially liable for the money they forwarded from their own accounts. To protect themselves, students should verify job offers directly with the university, avoid depositing suspicious checks, and report any suspicious communications to Chapman's IT department.
northjersey.com
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, warning taxpayers and professionals about 12 common fraud schemes including phishing emails, social media misinformation about tax credits, fake charities, and fraudulent claims for nonexistent credits. These scams peak during tax season but occur year-round and can result in identity theft, inflated refunds, and significant penalties. The IRS advises taxpayers to verify information through official channels and report suspected fraud immediately.
butlereagle.com
The FBI warns that grandparent scams have cost Western Pennsylvania residents over $50,000, with criminals posing as family members in financial distress and using social media to gather personal information about elderly targets. Seniors are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be trusting and financially stable, yet often don't report fraud due to shame or lack of knowledge. The FBI recommends victims hang up and independently verify caller identity, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspected scams to ic3.gov.
25newsnow.com
Bartonville's Alpha Park Public Library and Police Department hosted a community safety event for seniors to educate them about scams, an initiative running over 25 years in the aging community. Police Chief Anthony Segree reported that the department receives multiple annual reports of seniors falling victim to scams resulting in thousands of dollars in losses, which are difficult to trace and prosecute. The event connected seniors with various community organizations offering healthcare, legal assistance, and safety resources.
newsbreak.com
A 76-year-old Massachusetts resident lost $30,000 in a tech support scam after fraudsters convinced him his computer had a virus and his bank account was at risk. The scammers instructed him to withdraw cash without telling bank staff (claiming an employee was "corrupt"), then directed him to deposit the money into a Bitcoin machine at a gas station, which he believed was an "FDIC machine." The victim became suspicious only when scammers asked him to convert additional stock funds and arrange for someone to pick up cash from his home, preventing total loss of a second $35,000.
wtae.com
A 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen, Luis Alfonso Rodriguez, was arrested and federally charged with orchestrating a grandparent scam that targeted families across western Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Kentucky between December 2024 and March 2025. Rodriguez allegedly impersonated grandchildren in distress and convinced victims to withdraw thousands of dollars in cash, which they handed to rideshare drivers who unknowingly delivered the funds to him; victims lost tens of thousands of dollars total, with funds later wired to an unidentified person in the Dominican Republic. The FBI urges potential victims to report incidents to its Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.
aashtojournal.transportation.org
Scammers have conducted multi-state toll fraud campaigns since late 2024, targeting residents with automated texts, calls, and spoofed websites claiming unpaid toll bills—even in states like Arizona, Connecticut, Missouri, and Mississippi that have no toll roads. The scams have grown increasingly sophisticated, mimicking official state transportation department websites and using threatening language, prompting state DOTs to issue warnings and work with law enforcement to track perpetrators. Residents are advised to verify messages by checking sender phone numbers, contacting toll agencies directly, and recognizing that legitimate agencies never request payment via text.
ftc.gov
Since the Government and Business Impersonation Rule took effect in April 2024, the FTC has brought five enforcement cases and shut down 13 fraudulent websites, as impersonation scams resulted in $2.95 billion in consumer losses during 2024. Notable cases include Superior Servicing LLC, which impersonated the U.S. Department of Education and defrauded student loan borrowers of millions by falsely promising loan forgiveness. The FTC emphasized that violations of the Impersonation Rule can result in consumer refunds and civil penalties up to $53,088 per violation.
cnet.com
As of March 23, 2025, JPMorgan Chase implemented a new policy allowing it to block or delay Zelle transactions believed to originate from social media, aiming to prevent fraud after nearly 50% of Chase's fraud reports came from social media-initiated scams. A December 2024 lawsuit alleged customers lost over $870 million through Zelle since 2017, highlighting the app's lack of purchase protection and susceptibility to scammer exploitation. Chase encourages customers to use alternative payment methods like PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, and recommends only sending money through payment apps to trusted contacts.
1011now.com
Two brothers, ages 76 and 77, lost $1.36 million in an online trading scam that began in November 2024 when a fraudster claimed to invest their money in stocks and cryptocurrency through a fake platform. The victims discovered the fraud when they attempted to withdraw funds during a market downturn and found their accounts were fraudulent. Lincoln Police are urging families to communicate about internet scams and direct victims to report fraud through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
npr.org
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and profitable, generating approximately $500 billion annually through a global industry that leverages AI, cryptocurrency, and social media platforms. The article highlights emerging threats including job scams that exploit economic uncertainty and federal workforce reductions, while experts from law enforcement and financial journalism discuss prevention strategies and victim resources.
globalnews.ca
Hundreds of Canadians, including dozens in Edmonton, lost over $1 million combined to a sophisticated Amazon job scam operated by a Chinese organized crime group based in British Columbia. Victims were recruited via social media for a fake remote "order-grabbing" job on a fraudulent platform called Sharegain, where they were required to invest money to complete tasks and receive guaranteed returns; the scam operated as a Ponzi/pyramid scheme, using money from new victims to pay earlier ones while continuously demanding additional investments with false excuses for delayed payouts. The Edmonton Police Service began investigating in 2022 after receiving multiple complaints from victims who were deceived by initial small withdrawals that made the
theregister.com
Five romance scammers were convicted in the UK for operating a multimillion-pound fraud scheme that defrauded at least 99 victims out of an estimated £3.25 million ($4.22 million). The criminals posed as romantic interests on dating websites to build trust with vulnerable individuals—often recently divorced or widowed—and repeatedly scammed them until they had no money left, with proceeds laundered through the perpetrators' bank accounts. The case highlights the sophistication of romance fraud operations and emphasizes that victims should report incidents without shame, as such schemes exploit even intelligent individuals through well-honed manipulative tactics.
wtop.com
This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.
syracuse.com
In 2023, seniors in Onondaga County lost over $4.1 million to financial scams, with an average loss of $50,000 per person affecting at least 81 reported cases, according to FBI data. Common schemes include grandparent scams using voice-cloning and deepfake technology, fake tax/toll warnings, and gift card purchase requests. Governor Hochul has proposed legislation to empower bank employees to place temporary holds on suspected fraudulent transactions and create better coordination between banks, adult protective services, and law enforcement to prevent these crimes.
warrenrecord.com
This is a weather forecast, not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It cannot be summarized for the Elderus database as it contains no relevant content about fraud, scams, or elder abuse. Please provide an article related to elder fraud or scams for summarization.
butlereagle.com
AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents age 50 and older about rising IRS impersonation scams during tax season, in which fraudsters contact victims by phone, mail, email, or in person claiming they owe taxes, face investigation, or are due refunds. Scammers pressure victims to provide personal information or make rapid payments via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. AARP recommends ignoring unsolicited IRS contact, refusing to share sensitive information remotely, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and verifying all IRS communications through the official irs.gov website.
riverdalepress.com
Modern scam artists now use email, text, and phone calls to impersonate officials and solicit money, with Americans losing over $10 billion to imposter scams in 2023. A notable case involved an 85-year-old Riverdale woman who lost $70,000 after being threatened with utility shutoffs and home vandalism. While older adults lose the most money to scams, awareness and protective measures like monitoring accounts, avoiding gift card requests, and reporting suspicious activity to the FTC or local law enforcement can help prevent fraud.
kttn.com
The Trenton Police Department issued a public advisory on social engineering scams, which use psychological manipulation rather than technical hacking to exploit trust, fear, and urgency in order to steal personal information and valuables. Common scam types include phishing, vishing, smishing, baiting, pretexting, quid pro quo schemes, and scareware, all of which exploit gaps in user awareness and cybersecurity knowledge. The department recommends verifying requests through official channels, remaining skeptical of urgent demands, carefully checking URLs, protecting sensitive data, and reporting suspected scams immediately.
marinij.com
The IRS warned of multiple tax season scams including smishing and phishing emails pretending to be from the IRS to steal personal information, as well as dishonest tax preparers who file fraudulent returns to promise larger refunds—leaving taxpayers legally liable for false claims. Social media misinformation also encourages filing falsified tax documents, which can result in severe penalties or criminal charges. Taxpayers should use trusted professionals, avoid sharing personal information via email or text, and verify advice through official IRS sources.
statenews.org
In November, the city of Athens fell victim to a sophisticated phishing and email compromise scam that cost over $700,000 in public funds. Scammers accessed Pepper Construction's email system, created nearly identical fake email addresses, and intercepted communications about a fire station construction invoice, convincing city employees to switch payment to a fraudulent bank account controlled by the criminals. Between April 2023 and 2024, at least 23 Ohio local government offices lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to similar cyber crimes, with the state auditor's office now recommending employees verify payment method changes independently and warning of future investigations into agencies that fail to follow security protocols.
ibtimes.co.uk
An 18-year-old aspiring mechanic from North Yorkshire, Kieron Mullins Bunn, died by suicide in February 2024 after falling victim to a financial scam; an inquest concluded that the emotional shock and financial panic from the scam directly contributed to his decision. The tragedy underscores the UK's escalating scam crisis, with one in five Britons (9 million people) victimized by financial scams in 2024, resulting in over £11.4 billion in total losses, with common schemes including investment fraud, fake debt assistance, and impersonation scams targeting people via social media.
fingerlakes1.com
New York State officials are warning residents about tax scams increasing around the April 15 tax deadline, which commonly include IRS impersonation, phishing emails, and fraudulent demand letters designed to steal personal and financial information. Scammers use fear tactics such as threats of arrest or deportation to pressure victims into making payments via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Residents are advised to verify suspicious communications through official channels, never share personal information in response to unsolicited contact, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
Romance scams have evolved to use AI-generated profiles and sophisticated emotional manipulation, resulting in over $2.95 billion in losses in 2024—a 30% increase from 2023, according to FTC data. Scammers typically establish fake identities on social media, build trust with victims, and then solicit money through fabricated stories or fake investment opportunities. To protect themselves, consumers should guard personal information, conduct reverse image searches, insist on video/in-person meetings, avoid pressure to send money quickly, and report suspected scams to their financial institution, local law enforcement, the FBI's IC3, or the FTC.
cps.gov.uk
Five money launderers were convicted at Guildford Crown Court for operating a romance fraud scheme that defrauded 40 confirmed victims (with 99 suspected victims) of approximately £3.25 million. The criminals created fake dating profiles with fictional biographies to manipulate victims into believing they were in genuine relationships, then requested money for fabricated emergencies such as business trip expenses, fines, or stolen wallets. The stolen funds were laundered through the defendants' bank accounts, with victims often unable to recover their money and suffering significant emotional distress.
newtondailynews.com
Romance scams cost victims $547 million in 2021, an 80% increase from 2019, with scammers using fake online dating profiles to build trust before requesting money under false pretenses like medical emergencies or visa issues. The scams target vulnerable individuals seeking companionship by establishing emotional connections before exploiting their sympathy. Key protection strategies include being skeptical of rapid affection, resisting requests for money, conducting reverse image searches on profile photos, and reporting suspected scams to the FTC and dating platforms.
chroniclejournal.com
In February 2024, Melanie McGovern from Montreal's Better Business Bureau received a suspicious message from what appeared to be her 16-year-old niece's hacked Instagram account requesting money, alerting her to a rising tide of investment fraud in Canada. Investment scams—including impersonations via social media, deepfake voice calls, and fake cryptocurrency schemes—cost Canadians $310 million in 2024 (compared to $33.5 million in 2020), with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident, though experts estimate 90-95% of cases go unreported. To protect themselves, Canadians should pause before responding to
caller.com
Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen living in Cleveland, was indicted in Pennsylvania for operating a grandparent fraud scheme that defrauded at least five elderly victims (ages up to 91) of approximately $50,000 between June 2024 and January 2025. The scammers posed as victims' relatives and authority figures, convincing seniors to withdraw cash and hand it to unsuspecting rideshare drivers, who transported the envelopes to Ohio where Rodriguez collected and wired the funds to the Dominican Republic. This case reflects a growing trend in which elderly Americans lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to grandparent sc
goldrushcam.com
The Fresno Police Department reports a rising surge in impersonation scams targeting elderly residents, wherein fraudsters pose as legal representatives or government officials claiming a family member is in legal trouble and demanding immediate payment via cash pickups or gift cards. Victims are instructed to wire money or purchase gift cards and provide card numbers over the phone, with scammers sometimes arranging in-person cash collection from homes. Authorities advise that legitimate government agencies never demand payment in this manner and recommend verifying claims by contacting family members directly, never using provided phone numbers, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement immediately.
news.yahoo.com
On March 19, Simi Valley police arrested 21-year-old Ruishan Liu for his alleged role in a "large-scale" financial scam that defrauded an elderly resident of $200,000 by posing as bank representatives and convincing the victim to withdraw and hand over cash under the guise of a bank security measure. Liu was caught during a sting operation when he arrived to collect a decoy package of cash at an undisclosed location. The arrest highlights a growing trend of financial scams targeting vulnerable elderly victims through various methods including cryptocurrency and gift cards.
abcactionnews.com
SAGES Theater is presenting "Phoney Baloney," an educational theatrical production about fraud prevention performed by senior actors, with free shows beginning April 6th at venues across Tampa Bay in partnership with local police departments, consumer protection agencies, and the FBI. The production aims to raise awareness about scams and protect seniors from losing savings to fraud through engaging, empowering storytelling.
brainandlife.org
Philip Lehman's 80-year-old mother and 85-year-old stepfather experienced financial mismanagement due to early-stage cognitive impairment, including unpaid bills, missed tax filings, and excessive duplicate online purchases, prompting Lehman to obtain power of attorney and eventually move them to assisted living. A 2022 study found that over 7 million older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia manage their own finances despite difficulty doing so, and Americans 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with average losses near $34,000 per case. Natural age-related changes in the brain's prefron
fox4now.com
Lee County Sheriff's Office reports a sharp rise in scams, with reported cases increasing from 1,588 in 2022 to 2,401 in 2024, with 60% of victims losing over $10,000. Common scams include impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment via untraceable methods like Bitcoin or gift cards, and wire fraud targeting title companies, with recent cases involving losses of $158,000 to $475,000. The department advises victims to check credit annually, verify caller information, and report suspected fraud, though recovery is difficult when funds are transferred overseas by predominantly non-U.S.-based scammers.
actuarialpost.co.uk
A webinar session featured industry experts and Chris Bell from City of London Police discussing pension scam prevention efforts by PSAG and introducing a new fraud reporting service replacing Action Fraud. The session emphasized the importance of reporting suspected pension scams and fraud, and included a Q&A addressing common questions about these issues.
thetimes.com
A victim was contacted via WhatsApp by someone claiming to represent Ticket Center UK who offered a discounted flight to Bangkok; after being redirected to multiple payment methods, the victim transferred £970 to book the ticket, which was never issued. NatWest initially refused to refund the funds but reversed course after investigation, reimbursing £870 (minus a £100 excess) when it confirmed the scammer had no legitimate connection to the travel agency. The article advises travelers to verify agents' legitimacy before payment and use privacy protections like incognito mode when searching for flights online.
abc7ny.com
**Summary:**
Rockland County officials warned of fake contractors scamming homeowners by impersonating legitimate roofing companies and using scare tactics to convince victims they need urgent structural repairs. At least three homeowners were defrauded of tens of thousands of dollars, including one woman who paid $60,000 for unnecessary roof work and another who signed a $78,000 contract for fraudulent repairs; the scammers even asked victims to write the real company names on checks to appear legitimate.
ckom.com
A 44-year-old Montreal woman was charged with three counts of fraud over $5,000 for her role in the "grandparent scam," in which she contacted seniors with fabricated emergencies involving family members and collected money from three Saskatoon victims between March 17-20. Additionally, a 54-year-old Saskatoon man was arrested for defrauding three victims of $30,000 total by selling fake tickets to sporting events and travel packages that were never booked or arranged.
cnn.com
Approximately 7,000 people were recently released from scam compounds operated by Chinese crime syndicates and warlords along the Myanmar-Thailand border, where they had been held captive and forced to conduct fraudulent investment schemes and romance scams targeting victims worldwide, including American citizens who lost their life savings. An estimated 100,000 people remain trapped in these facilities, which generate billions of dollars annually; experts warn the industry will quickly rebuild using advanced technologies including AI-generated scripts, deepfakes, cryptocurrency, and malware. A coordinated global response is needed to combat what analysts describe as an unprecedented and rapidly expanding cyber threat that is spreading to Africa, South Asia, the Gulf, and the Pacific
salon.com
American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded, with fraudsters increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and impersonation scams. Key fraud types include AI-driven impersonation, phishing emails, investment/cryptocurrency scams (which rose to $3.96 billion in losses), tech support scams, and romance scams (which caused $1.14 billion in losses with a median loss of $2,000 per victim). Consumers should watch for red flags such as rushed messages, inconsistencies, and suspicious email addresses to protect themselves from these evolving schemes.
ksl.com
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is warning the public about a scam involving fraudulent text messages and phone calls claiming recipients have unpaid toll balances that require immediate payment to avoid legal action. Scammers impersonate UDOT, use fake links appearing to be from utah.gov, and have generated hundreds of inquiries to the agency; UDOT advises recipients not to provide information, block the sender, and contact their bank immediately if they have already paid.
poughkeepsiejournal.com
Scammers are conducting "smishing" attacks—fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass and other toll collection services—claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls and directing them to click malicious links or provide payment information. The FBI warns these spoofed messages target toll road users nationwide with small claimed amounts ($3.95-$12.55) to lower victims' guard, with the actual goal being to steal personal and financial information rather than collect tolls. Users should delete suspicious texts without clicking links, know that E-ZPass never requests payment via text, and report suspected fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center while monitoring their accounts if compromised.
nasdaq.com
Smishing—a fraud tactic where scammers send malicious text messages to steal data and money from investors—is growing as a prominent cybersecurity threat because people are more likely to click text links than email links, and scammers exploit mobile device reliance by spoofing phone numbers and evolving tactics to bypass provider protections. To reduce risk, investors should enable multi-factor authentication, avoid responding to unsolicited messages from unknown numbers, pause before acting on urgent requests, independently verify requests through legitimate channels, and delete suspicious messages without opening them.
montclair.edu
This educational piece warns that cybercriminals increasingly use AI-powered scams—including voice cloning, deepfake videos, and realistic phishing emails—to deceive victims into sharing sensitive information or money. The article advises readers to verify unexpected requests through alternate channels, remain skeptical of AI-generated content that may contain subtle oddities, enable multi-factor authentication, and report suspicious messages to authorities.
jdsupra.com
The FCC has issued alerts about multiple common scams targeting consumers, including port-out fraud (where scammers use personal information to hijack mobile phone numbers and access financial accounts), grandparent scams (fraudsters impersonating relatives in crisis situations to solicit money), and spoofed mortgage relief calls (criminals posing as lenders to extract fraudulent payments). These scams leverage personal data from social media and cyber theft, use caller ID spoofing, and often request payment through hard-to-trace methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
daytondailynews.com
An 80-year-old Kettering woman lost over $50,000 in an imposter scam after calling what she believed was Google's support line; scammers posing as Google and bank employees convinced her that her account was hacked and persuaded her to withdraw cash from multiple bank branches and transfer it to their control. The Dayton metro area saw a 15% increase in consumer fraud complaints to the FTC, reaching an all-time high of 8,820, with imposter scams being among Ohio's top fraud types as consumers reported $12.5 billion in losses nationally in 2024. Authorities recommend never allowing remote device access to strangers and verifying