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local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
While older adults are commonly perceived as primary scam victims, data shows that people in their 20s and 30s fall for scams at more than twice the rate of those over 60, though seniors who do lose money typically lose significantly larger amounts. Younger people are frequently targeted by shopping, romance, employment, and identity theft scams, while older adults are more susceptible to tech support and gift card scams. Despite accounting for only some of the overall scam losses, people over 60 lost approximately $61 billion to fraud last year, highlighting that all age groups face risk and require vigilance.
grandforksherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Grand Forks Public Schools fell victim to a phishing scam in August when staff members transferred approximately $2.2 million to a fraudster posing as a construction vendor, resulting in a net loss of $842,730 after recovery efforts and insurance payments. The scam highlights the increasing prevalence of phishing and other online fraud schemes targeting both individuals and public entities, with the FBI reporting 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 alone. The article emphasizes that phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and persuasive, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, and urges the public to exercise extreme caution with online transactions.
nbcbayarea.com
· 2025-12-08
Bay Area police are warning elderly residents about an ongoing jewelry theft scam in which perpetrators approach victims claiming to offer or upgrade their jewelry, then quickly steal their genuine gold and valuables using distraction tactics and sleight of hand. The scam has affected multiple seniors across the South Bay, including incidents in San Jose, Palo Alto, San Ramon, and Milpitas, with at least one documented victim losing a genuine gold necklace. Police advise residents to avoid accepting gifts from strangers, maintain distance from unfamiliar people, and report any incidents to local law enforcement.
wkbn.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mentor, Ohio woman lost her entire life savings of over $663,000 to a cryptocurrency romance scam after being contacted via text in November 2023, becoming one of at least 33 victims who collectively lost approximately $4.9 million. The scammer built trust by bonding over shared interests, then convinced the victim to open a cryptocurrency account and transfer funds to a fake investment platform that promised high returns but was controlled entirely by the fraudster. U.S. attorneys have seized over 8.2 million USDT in cryptocurrency and filed a civil complaint to recover and return the stolen funds to victims.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
When 13-year-old Lola clicked on a phishing email promising a free clothing voucher, she was redirected to enter her mother's debit card details for a claimed 99p verification charge, resulting in a £200 unauthorized transaction. Research from Vodafone found that nearly 840,000 British children aged 11-16 have been scammed online in the past year, with spoof ads and quizzes being the most common type of fraud, and 81% of parents reporting long-term psychological consequences including anxiety and depression in their children. The bank eventually refunded the money after a lengthy month-long process, but Lola advocates for greater online safety education
kashmirreader.com
· 2025-12-08
A special court in Mumbai directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau to register a case against former Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and five other officials for alleged stock market fraud and regulatory violations, including the improper listing of a company that failed to meet prescribed norms. The case stems from complaints of regulatory lapses and collusion that allegedly facilitated market manipulation and corporate fraud. Buch's tenure ended amid conflict-of-interest allegations from US-based short-seller Hindenburg, which accused her and her husband of undisclosed offshore investments connected to Adani Group entities.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A special Anti-Corruption Bureau court in Mumbai ordered police to file criminal charges against former SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch and five senior officials of the Bombay Stock Exchange for alleged stock market fraud, regulatory violations, and collusion in facilitating the fraudulent listing of a company that did not meet prescribed norms. The court found prima facie evidence of regulatory lapses and noted that SEBI and law enforcement had failed to act despite multiple complaints, directing the ACB to file a status report within 30 days and oversee the investigation.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
Bradley Yates, the digital navigator for the Albemarle Commission Area Agency on Aging, educates seniors across 10 North Carolina counties on technology use and fraud prevention through courses such as "Identifying and Avoiding Scams," "Using Technology to Live a Healthier Life," and others. Yates offers both group training sessions at senior centers and individual device assistance, including advice to never send money over the phone if uncertain about a caller's legitimacy. His work helps seniors access helpful apps, government services, and stay connected with family while protecting themselves from scams.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple closeted gay and bisexual men in Pune were victimized by organized extortion gangs operating on dating apps like Grindr, with victims losing between Rs17,500 and Rs89,000 through blackmail schemes involving forced videos and threats of outing them to family members. The scams, which have persisted for nearly two years, involved gangs posing as romantic matches, luring victims to isolated locations, and using threats of public exposure to coerce money transfers. Police response has been inadequate, with officers dismissing complaints or refusing to file reports, thereby emboldening the perpetrators to continue targeting vulnerable individuals.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In August 2021, Kate Kleinert, a 68-year-old widow near Philadelphia, fell victim to a romance scam when a man posing as a doctor on Facebook befriended her and eventually convinced her to send him $39,000 under false pretenses. The scam highlights the prevalence of imposter fraud, with Pennsylvania reporting nearly $237 million in fraud losses in 2023, and has spurred AARP Pennsylvania to advocate for "report and hold" legislation that would require banks to freeze suspicious transfers to seniors for at least seven days and notify family members and authorities.
iomtoday.co.im
· 2025-12-08
Isle of Man residents lost £2.2 million to scams and fraud in 2024, with suspicious email reports surging 50.7% to 9,372 cases, according to the Cyber Security Centre's Annual Threat Update. Investment scams caused the most damage at £1,278,920 across 35 cases, while account compromise, bank fraud, gift card fraud, and fraudulent websites also affected residents through phishing attacks, credential theft, and impersonation schemes. The report highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, including password protection and verification of requests for personal information or financial transactions.
wtoc.com
· 2025-12-08
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kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence technology—including AI-generated images, deepfakes, and chatbots—to create convincing fake profiles on dating platforms and social media, making traditional detection methods like reverse image searches less effective. These scammers use AI to optimize targeting of vulnerable users and engage with multiple victims simultaneously, often without human interaction, to steal money and personal information. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying potential romantic interests' online histories, avoiding sharing money or personal details until identity is confirmed, and being cautious of "love bombing" and quick requests for money or personal information.
businessday.ng
· 2025-12-08
Remote workers face multiple scams including phishing emails, fake tech support, disappearing clients, ransomware attacks, social media impersonation, and fraudulent job offers that demand upfront payments. These scams aim to steal money, data, and personal information through deception and credential theft. Workers can protect themselves by verifying requests through official channels, using strong authentication, maintaining backups, researching clients and employers, and avoiding unsolicited links and attachments.
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
While older adults are commonly perceived as the primary scam victims, data shows that people in their 20s and 30s fall for scams at more than twice the rate of those over 60, though seniors lose significantly larger dollar amounts per incident. Scammers tailor tactics by age group, targeting younger people with shopping, romance, employment, and sextortion scams, while seniors face computer support, gift card, and financial fraud schemes. The Federal Trade Commission reported consumers lost over $158 billion to fraud last year, with people over 60 accounting for approximately $61 billion of those losses.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns retired Americans about task scams, a rapidly growing job fraud scheme that cost victims over $220 million in 2024 and accounted for 40% of all job scam reports to the FTC. The scams target economically insecure retirees seeking side income by advertising easy online work but ultimately pressuring victims to invest their own money or use cryptocurrency. The article advises retirees to recognize red flags such as unsolicited job offers via text, vague job descriptions, and requests for personal investment, while recommending data removal services to reduce the risk of scammers obtaining their contact information from public data brokers.
bctv.org
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams to warn taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals about prevalent fraud schemes that peak during filing season but occur year-round. The list highlights 12 pervasive threats including email phishing scams, text message scams (smishing), and misleading social media tax advice, which can lead to identity theft, unauthorized tax credit claims, and financial loss. The IRS has maintained this educational awareness campaign since 2002 and works with state agencies, tax software companies, and financial institutions to protect taxpayers from evolving scams and refund fraud.
montgomery.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
The Upper Merion Township Police Department encouraged residents to use National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8) as an opportunity to educate themselves on fraud prevention. The department recommended consulting the Social Security Administration's website for resources including social media toolkits and fraud prevention tips to reduce scam victimization risk.
localnews8.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Rexburg, Idaho lost $35,000 after being targeted by scammers who impersonated PayPal's fraud department and their local bank, convincing them to make large cash withdrawals under the false pretense of investigating fraudulent Bitcoin purchases. The victims were instructed to lie to bank tellers about the withdrawals and later deposit the cash into a Bitcoin ATM, after which two men arrived at their home to collect the money in person. Rexburg Police warn seniors to verify requests directly with their financial institutions and note that legitimate banks never conduct fraud investigations through individual customers.
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Rexburg was scammed out of $35,000 after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating PayPal's fraud department, which directed them to withdraw cash from multiple bank branches under the pretense of investigating unauthorized Bitcoin purchases. The scammers instructed the victims to lie to bank employees about the withdrawal reason and later sent two men to the home to physically collect the cash in an envelope. The Rexburg Police Department is investigating and warns that scammers often keep victims on the phone for extended periods to exploit their emotional vulnerability and lack of technological knowledge.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A man was sentenced to over eight years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme originating from India that targeted older Americans, including a Georgetown woman who lost $300,000, with 21 identified victims losing nearly $6 million total. The scheme involved impersonating U.S. government officials to convince victims to transfer money from retirement and savings accounts, part of a growing problem highlighted by FBI data showing an 11% increase in financial losses for people over 60 in 2023. AARP Texas is advocating for increased law enforcement funding and expansion of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat online fraud schemes that disproportionately impact older adults who have accumulated significant lifetime savings
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about four types of imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2–8, 2025): investment scams using "get rich quick" schemes, grandparent scams requesting urgent bail or medical fees, romance scams exploiting isolated individuals, and other fraudulent schemes that manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. The agency recommends verifying information independently, being suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics and urgent requests, and contacting relatives directly before sending funds.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Investment/cryptocurrency scams topped the list of fraud affecting Canadians and Americans in 2024, with over 80% of targeted victims losing money at a median loss of $5,000, according to a Better Business Bureau report. Employment scams ranked second, primarily targeting 18-34-year-olds with fake job offers requiring upfront equipment purchases that employers never reimburse. Romance and online purchasing scams also remained prevalent, with victims over 65 most susceptible, and nearly 30% of scam victims reporting negative mental health impacts.
viconsortium.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned of rising imposter scams in which fraudsters pose as trusted entities like family members, banks, or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or sending money. The USPIS advises consumers to avoid responding to pressure tactics, verify contacts independently before sharing information, be cautious of grandparent and romance scams, ignore unsolicited USPS messages, and register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Suspected fraud can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 Better Business Bureau report reveals that investment and romance scams are increasingly sophisticated, employing "financial grooming" tactics where scammers build trust over weeks or months before defrauding victims. Investment/cryptocurrency scams ranked as the riskiest scam type with an $5,000 median loss, while romance scams had the highest median loss at $6,099; people ages 65+ reported the highest median dollar loss ($160), and overall median losses rose 30% from 2023 to 2024. The report warns that victims often experience significant emotional impacts, with 60% reporting anger, 54% loss of trust, and 53.5%
edmonton.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Edmonton residents lost over $48 million to fraud, with investment scams leading at $14.1 million, followed by romance scams at $1.7 million and employment fraud at $1.3 million. Police highlighted the emotional toll of these crimes, featuring the case of Heather Robicheau, who lost money to a year-long romance scam involving a fake cheque and false emergencies. During fraud prevention month, Edmonton Police and community partners urged residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information and to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for money, particularly those involving emotional manipulation or crisis scenarios.
edmontonjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A Bankrate Financial Fraud Survey found that 34% of U.S. adults experienced financial fraud or scams in the past 12 months, with 37% of victims losing money to schemes ranging from fake prize claims to job recruitment and investment scams. Of Americans scammed in the past year, 90% had their personal financial information accessed or targeted, though 57% of those attempts were unsuccessful; baby boomers and Generation X experienced the highest lifetime fraud rates at 73% and 71% respectively, and experts warn that economic stress and the pending wealth transfer of baby boomers may embolden scammers.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Bankers Association launched the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign during National Consumer Protection Week to educate consumers about phishing scams, which are on the rise. The campaign advises that legitimate banks never request confidential information via unsolicited calls, emails, or texts, and provides guidance on how to identify suspicious communications and report them to the FTC, Anti-Phishing Working Group, and state authorities. Resources include an interactive website at BanksNeverAskThat.com with videos, quizzes, and a video game, plus Spanish-language materials.
murrayledger.com
· 2025-12-08
A resurgence of toll-charge texting scams is circulating, where recipients receive messages claiming unpaid tolls in states they may or may not have visited, with links directing them to fake websites requesting payment. Law enforcement officials note that scammers increasingly replicate legitimate toll company messaging (like FastTrak or EZ Pass) and create sophisticated fake websites, making scams harder to identify, though legitimate toll agencies never request payment via text and instead send physical mail with license plate photos. Police advise recipients to verify they actually visited the state in question and to research any suspicious requests before responding, as scammers are becoming increasingly skilled at mimicking legitimate communications across multiple platforms including email and phone calls.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI's 2024 Elder Fraud Report, elder fraud complaints increased 46% with losses rising 43%, while New York ranked fourth nationally in complaints and monetary losses among seniors over 60. The median loss for victims aged 60+ exceeded $83,000, with investment scams causing the highest losses at $6.6 billion overall and New York seniors losing $257.7 million in 2024. AARP warns that holiday season scams are escalating, particularly gift card fraud, phishing, and delivery scams, and recommends shopping directly from official websites, purchasing gift cards only from authorized locations, and being wary of urgent requests for payment via gift cards or
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a warning during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025) about imposter scams, where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts or legitimate organizations to steal personally identifiable information and drain financial accounts. The agency provided protective measures including: avoiding rushed financial decisions, verifying bank communications directly, confirming grandchild emergencies through known contacts, recognizing romance scams, ignoring fraudulent USPS texts, registering with the Do Not Call Registry, and reporting suspected fraud to the Inspection Service.
wxow.com
· 2025-12-08
The La Crescent Police Department reported five scam calls in one day targeting residents with a "grandchild in jail" premise, where callers falsely claimed relatives were arrested after vehicle accidents and demanded money for bail. Two families nearly lost $9,000 and $18,000 respectively before recognizing the fraud; scammers instructed victims to lie to banks about withdrawal purposes and used spoofed local phone numbers and computer-generated voices to appear legitimate. Police advised community members to verify incidents directly with family, noting that scammers specifically target elders with landlines using fear tactics, and emphasized that government agencies like the IRS and Social Security do not initiate arrest-related calls.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Kerala men fell victim to a visa agency scam that promised Israeli work visas but provided Jordanian tourist visas instead, directing them to illegally cross the Jordan-Israel border; during the February 10 crossing, 47-year-old Thomas Gabriel Pereira was shot dead by Jordanian soldiers, one man (Edison, 43) was deported to India with leg injuries, and two others remain jailed in Jordan. The unauthorized agency's fraudulent scheme resulted in one death, severe injuries, deportation, and imprisonment, highlighting the dangers of unlicensed visa recruitment operations that prey on vulnerable workers from coastal communities in Kerala.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Sarah's father lost over $1 million to a sophisticated impersonation scam involving a fake Standard Chartered bank website and fraudsters posing as legitimate employees, only realizing the fraud a month after the transfer when he could no longer contact them. The case is one of an estimated 600,000 scams affecting Australians annually, resulting in $2.74 billion in reported losses in 2023. Sarah has joined other victims in lobbying for scam reform, including mandatory victim reimbursement and stronger regulatory powers, expressing frustration that the recently passed Scams Prevention Framework lacks mandatory compensation provisions unlike similar legislation in the UK.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Multiple women, including an American who lost $375,000, fell victim to romance scams using the likeness and identity of actor Martin Henderson over an extended period, with victims spanning the United States, Britain, and Ireland. After one victim's story was publicized, four additional women came forward, and scammers subsequently attempted secondary extortion by posing as private investigators offering money recovery services. Henderson has issued public warnings that he does not initiate contact through messaging apps and expressed concern that advancing deepfake technology could make such scams increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect.
foxsanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
A USAA customer was targeted by scammers who spoofed the bank's caller ID and posed as the fraud department to warn her about unauthorized charges. The scammers manipulated her into transferring $3,400 through Apple Cash by claiming to help secure her compromised account, ultimately stealing the funds before disappearing when she discovered the deception. The case highlights a growing imposter scam trend affecting bank customers nationwide, with such scams resulting in $2.7 billion in annual losses, and demonstrates how criminals exploit familiar bank names and personal information to build false trust.
news3lv.com
· 2025-12-08
Facebook users fell victim to a phishing scam featuring fake Meta messages claiming policy violations and threatening account deletion, which redirected victims to sites where hackers seized their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Small business owner Laura Nowlan's experience demonstrated how the scam extended further when fraudsters posing as Meta support representatives attempted to gain remote access to victims' devices through screen sharing. Users are advised to avoid clicking suspicious links and never provide access or personal information to unverified sources.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines 11 common tax scams expected in 2025, including phishing emails, IRS impersonation phone calls, fake tax preparation services, social media fraud, and stimulus payment scams. Key protective measures include verifying sender authenticity before clicking links, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, confirming tax preparers are IRS-registered, and remembering that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or charge fees for assistance. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics targeting vulnerable taxpayers, making awareness and verification critical during tax-filing season.
pasadenanow.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a National Consumer Protection Week warning about imposter scams where fraudsters pose as friends, relatives, or organizations using urgent messages ("I'm in trouble," "You've won!") to steal personal information and money. The advisory recommends verifying unexpected financial requests through direct contact, avoiding clicking suspicious links, ignoring unsolicited postal service communications, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, with victims able to report scams at (877) 876-2455.
mulletwrapper.net
· 2025-12-08
The Baldwin County Extension office is hosting a free educational class on March 7 designed to help seniors recognize and avoid common scams. The session covers "The Dirty Dozen"—the top 12 scams frequently targeting older adults, including fraudulent calls, phishing emails, investment schemes, and fake lotteries.
storyboard18.com
· 2025-12-08
**Cybercrimes against India's elderly population surged 86% between 2020 and 2022 as seniors increasingly adopted digital platforms, with phishing scams, fraudulent advertisements, and privacy breaches being the primary threats.** Nearly half of surveyed seniors struggle to identify scams, and 45% of those over 70 now use mobile phones, making them vulnerable to messaging app and email-based fraud. Experts recommend enhanced digital literacy campaigns, user-friendly interfaces, and stronger cybersecurity frameworks to protect this growing demographic, as India's senior population is projected to reach 193 million by 2031.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Virgin Islands reports that 65% of residents aged 45 and older have encountered fraudulent schemes, with 40% experiencing financial losses, prompting the organization to intensify anti-fraud efforts through its Fraud Watch Network and educational initiatives. The organization is conducting workshops, webinars, and community events to educate residents about scam prevention, and is advocating for legislative measures including a proposed elder abuse amendment that would establish an adult abuse registry, require law enforcement fraud prevention training, and create a multi-disciplinary adult protection team.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines key strategies for retirees to protect themselves from AI-powered banking scams that increasingly target seniors. The recommended preventive measures include staying informed about current scam tactics, using strong mixed-character passwords with two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, verifying claims directly with financial institutions before sharing information, avoiding sharing personal details online, and installing antivirus software on devices.
investmentnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 survey found that over one-third of Americans were targeted by financial scams, with Baby Boomers experiencing the highest rate of fraud attempts (39%) but being least likely to lose money (26% loss rate), while younger generations reported significantly higher financial losses despite lower targeting rates. The most common scams involved attempted or successful theft of personal information like credit cards, bank accounts, or social security numbers, though 57% of these attempts were unsuccessful. Most respondents (89%) have implemented protective measures such as avoiding suspicious links, monitoring accounts, and enabling two-factor authentication, yet experts caution that fraud can still occur even with proper precautions.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
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audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, 53% of men and 47% of women experienced romance scams in online dating environments, with scammers impersonating military personnel or celebrities to build trust before requesting money or personal information from victims. The FBI reported that over 64,000 romance scams were reported in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, protect sensitive information, be cautious of financial requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities including the FTC or VA benefits hotline.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Postal Service warned the public about impostor scams where fraudsters impersonate family members, friends, banks, or government agencies to steal money and sensitive information. The scammers typically use urgent messaging such as "I'm in trouble," "You've won," or "I have a great offer," and Inspector Eric Shen recommends avoiding rushed financial decisions, verifying caller identity independently, not clicking suspicious links, and being especially cautious about grandparent scams and online romance fraud.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Report ranks investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest fraud type, followed by employment scams (averaging $1,500 in losses) and romance/friendship scams (with a median loss of $6,099—the highest among all scam types). Both investment and romance scams involve "financial grooming," where fraudsters build trust over weeks or months before encouraging victims to invest money, often in cryptocurrency, with experts warning that online investment offers are major red flags.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Postal Service issued warnings during Consumer Protection Week about imposter scams targeting older adults, where scammers pose as banks, government agencies, or family members to steal identities and money. Key prevention tips include verifying unexpected requests for money by contacting family directly, avoiding unsolicited USPS text messages about delivery problems, and confirming the legitimacy of bank communications before responding. Victims are urged to report suspected fraud to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online.