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in Grandparent Scam
acamstoday.org
· 2025-12-08
During the 2024 holiday season, scammers exploit increased shopping and financial transactions through six primary threats: phishing/smishing attacks impersonating banks and retailers, fake e-commerce sites and social media ads offering unrealistic deals, and charity scams mimicking legitimate nonprofits. Consumers are advised to verify sender authenticity, avoid clicking unsolicited links, research retailers thoroughly, and donate only through verified charity websites, while bank employees should monitor accounts for unusual activity and educate customers about legitimate communication practices.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Family caregivers play a crucial role in protecting older adults from fraud, as seniors lose billions annually to scams including tech support, lottery, grandparent, investment, imposter, and romance schemes. AARP recommends caregivers maintain open communication with loved ones, educate them about common fraud tactics, establish protective financial measures, and monitor for signs of social isolation that increase scam vulnerability. Resources and guidance are available at www.aarp.org/fraud to help families prevent and respond to fraud targeting older adults.
hudsoncountyview.com
· 2025-12-08
Assemblyman John Allen (D-32) and New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs hosted an educational event in Hoboken on November 18th to inform seniors about common scams, including IRS phone scams, lottery frauds, and grandparent scams that increasingly target older residents. The session provided practical advice on recognizing scam tactics and protecting against fraud through phone calls, emails, and other methods.
wsbradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old man in Peachtree City, Georgia lost approximately $500,000 to fraud after spending $32,900 on gift cards in three weeks, obtaining a $150,000 home equity line of credit, and sending wire transfers to scammers. The Peachtree City Police Department is investigating the case and highlights common elder fraud schemes including romance, tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, and family caregiver scams. Protective measures include establishing family passwords, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited contact, and never sharing personal information or funds with unverified sources.
wimberleyview.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of experts presented common scams to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, including telephone schemes where scammers impersonated sheriff's office staff demanding bail money, and "grandma scams" using AI-cloned voices to convince relatives to send funds for fake emergencies. Financial fraud schemes included fraudulent bank employee calls redirecting transfers, online loan scams requesting upfront cash, romance scams targeting elderly people on social media, and cryptocurrency conversion schemes, with experts advising recipients to hang up and independently verify requests with their bank or sheriff's office.
browndailyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
In early March, a Warwick grandparent couple lost $18,000 to a "grandparent scam" in which fraudsters impersonated their grandson needing bail money; when asked for an additional $40,000, the couple recognized the scheme and contacted police, leading to the arrest of two out-of-state men who were found with $60,000 in cash and allegedly collected $230,000 from similar schemes. Rhode Island has experienced a 22% growth rate in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023—the third-highest in the nation—prompting increased law enforcement investigations, legislative proposals to combat scams, and awareness campaigns by organizations like
popsci.com
· 2025-12-08
US consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud in the past year (a 14% increase), with scammers increasingly targeting older adults via phone—over two-thirds of UK residents over 75 surveyed reported experiencing at least one fraud attempt in six months. In response, UK mobile operator Virgin Media O2 created "Daisy," an AI-powered grandmother chatbot that wastes scammers' time by providing false information and engaging in lengthy, meandering conversations, with some interactions lasting over 40 minutes. While Daisy aims to reduce real victim targeting, scammers are simultaneously deploying AI voice-cloning technology to perpetrate new frauds including imp
krone.at
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old woman from Salzburg lost 65,000 euros to a fake police officer who called claiming her son was in prison and needed bail to avoid incarceration. The perpetrator attempted to extort an additional 50,000 euros, but the scam was discovered when the woman contacted her son directly and learned he was not in legal trouble. Police warn against this bail scam tactic and advise verifying caller identities, refusing to be pressured, avoiding strangers, and contacting emergency services to confirm claims.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
An educational video game called "Dodgy or Not?" is teaching Australian primary school students to identify online scams and deepfake fraud by analyzing real-world messages and social media posts in real time. The game addresses the growing sophistication of cyber criminals using AI-generated deepfakes, with Australia losing $3-4 billion annually to reported online fraud, and educators warning that emerging threats like sextortion targeting young people are increasing globally.
firstpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Virgin Media O2 developed Daisy, an AI chatbot designed to mimic an elderly British woman and engage scammers in lengthy conversations to waste their time and prevent them from targeting real victims. Created with input from YouTube scambaiter Jim Browning, Daisy can autonomously hold scammers on the phone for up to 40 minutes by engaging them with fictional stories about family and hobbies, and has already wasted hundreds of hours of scammers' time while collecting data for law enforcement.
everythingzoomer.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with scammers increasingly using advanced technology like voice simulation, AI, and fake profiles to perpetrate sophisticated schemes. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent fraud (2,494 Canadian victims lost $9.4 million), romance scams (Canadians lost $59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks (approximately $58 million in losses in 2022). Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel very confident with technology despite 67% using the internet), and accessible savings, making protection strategies essential as emotional manipulation often overrides caution.
thetimes-tribune.com
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old Peckville man was scammed out of $9,500 in a "grandparent scam" when he received calls on May 31 from people impersonating his grandson claiming he needed money after a traffic accident. Iris Alvarez and Alfonso Camareno, both of Flushing, New York, are charged with operating a corrupt organization and theft; police used surveillance video, rental car tracking data, and Cash App records to link them to the crime, with evidence suggesting they led a crew that routinely targeted elderly victims. Both suspects remain at large, and the investigation is ongoing with potential for additional arrests.
fox13memphis.com
· 2025-12-08
An educational meeting was held in Memphis where the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs taught seniors about common scams targeting older adults. Key advice included being skeptical of unsolicited calls, never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, and hanging up on suspicious contacts. The top scams affecting seniors include government imposter calls (especially during Medicare enrollment), fake tech support, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-distress schemes, with scammers exploiting emotional manipulation and targeting older adults for their typically greater assets.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams remain the highest risk for adults over 55, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides consumer protection guidance including: avoiding unsolicited calls (especially from spoofed numbers), recognizing red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, hiring only licensed contractors after thorough vetting, being alert to emergency scams targeting grandchildren, and avoiding Medicare fraud schemes involving "free" medical equipment.
thereflector.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted by phone scams, particularly those using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones and request money or personal information. In 2023, the FBI reported over 101,000 elder fraud victims aged 60+ lost an average of $33,915 each, with Battle Ground police documenting an 85.3% surge in fraud cases between October 2023 and October 2024. Experts advise seniors to hang up on any unsolicited caller requesting money or sensitive data, verify requests independently through official phone numbers, and avoid untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
drippingspringsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of Hays County experts presented on fraud tactics to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, covering telephone scams (including fake sheriff's office calls and "grandma scams" using AI voice cloning), financial fraud schemes (fake bank employee calls, cryptocurrency conversion scams, and romance scams targeting elderly people on social media), and phishing/computer threats. The experts advised listeners to hang up and verify directly with legitimate institutions, use strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links or popups, and be wary of requests for immediate payment or sensitive information.
southeastiowaunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Senior Citizens Targeted by Technology Scams: How to Identify and Protect Against Fraud" by Beth Swift, Washington Evening Journal
Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by technology scams including impersonation fraud, prize/sweepstakes schemes, tech support scams, charity fraud, and IRS threats, with older adults disproportionately victimized because they typically have savings and good credit. The article identifies key warning signs—unsolicited contact, artificial urgency, requests for money or personal information, unrealistic offers, and poor communication quality—and advises seniors to verify caller identity independently, never share sensitive information, consult trusted contacts before responding to requests
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies nine common scams expected to target people in 2025, including grandparent scams (using AI to impersonate relatives requesting money), mail fraud schemes, debt collection scams, and lottery/prize scams. The piece advises consumers to watch for red flags such as urgent language, requests for personal information, poor grammar, unsolicited contact, and suspicious links, while emphasizing that verifying identities directly and avoiding hasty decisions can protect against financial loss.
mdjonline.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article Type:** Educational/Awareness
Georgia's elder fraud investigators identified three dominant scam methods targeting seniors in 2024: Romance Scams (exploiting loneliness and shame), Bank Examiner Scams (impersonating government officials to trick victims into transferring funds), and Sweepstakes Scams (convincing victims they've won lotteries and must pay upfront fees). These scams persist because seniors are reluctant to report them due to embarrassment or fear of admitting vulnerability, and scammers target victims through social media and public information about their wealth and lifestyles.
spokanejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud targeting older adults has significantly increased in sophistication, with U.S. financial institutions reporting approximately $27 billion in suspicious elder financial exploitation activity from June 2022 to June 2023, and older adults losing over $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023 alone (though the FTC estimates the actual figure may reach $61.5 billion). Check fraud has become particularly prevalent, increasing 385% nationwide since the COVID-19 pandemic, with criminals stealing checks from mailboxes and using chemical solvents to alter amounts while preserving signatures. Financial experts recommend protective measures including using permanent gel markers on checks, avoiding blank spaces, monitoring statements regularly, and educating family
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines how artificial intelligence has made scams increasingly difficult to detect, particularly through text messages, voice calls, and audio impersonation that can replicate individuals' messaging styles and voices. It provides practical identification tips for common scams including text message frauds (impersonating companies), concert ticket resales on social media, and audio/impersonation scams, along with advice such as verifying unexpected requests through direct contact, checking for spelling errors and suspicious links, and establishing safe words with family members. The article recommends reporting scams through built-in blocking features on email and phone platforms.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Virgin Media O2 created "Daisy," an AI-generated grandmother chatbot designed to waste scammers' time by engaging them in lengthy conversations filled with rambling stories and feigned tech confusion. Since its November launch, Daisy has had over 1,000 conversations with scammers, with some lasting up to 40 minutes, as part of the company's fraud-prevention strategy in the United Kingdom where 69% of the public reports being targeted by scams. The initiative highlights the broader problem of phone fraud affecting both British and American consumers, while companies develop AI-powered defenses and consumers are advised to remain vigilant against unsolicited calls requesting personal financial information.
greekreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Virgin Media O2 launched Daisy, an AI-powered virtual grandmother, to combat rising phone and online scams targeting older adults by engaging fraudsters in lengthy, complex conversations that waste their time and prevent them from victimizing real customers. The initiative addresses a critical problem: Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915, while 22% of Britons report facing fraud attempts weekly. Daisy uses advanced natural language processing and realistic voice synthesis to convincingly pose as a vulnerable elderly person, gathering intelligence on scam tactics while raising public awareness about digital
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
AI voice-clone scams are increasing as scammers use generative AI models to imitate family members, authorities, and celebrities in phone fraud schemes, requiring only small audio samples sourced from social media to create convincing synthetic voices. According to security experts, 28% of UK adults have been targeted by these scams, with only 30% confident they could recognize one; recommended safeguards include establishing secret phrases with loved ones, verifying callers through callback, and listening for artificial speech patterns.
federalwaymirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal Way Police Department community engagement coordinator Tiffany Clemmings presented crime prevention education to local seniors at a November 13 meeting, covering situational awareness, vehicle theft prevention, home safety, and common scams. The presentation emphasized that while criminals need desire, ability, and opportunity to commit crimes, individuals can reduce criminal opportunities through crime prevention awareness and situational awareness. Key information included that tech support scams, government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and romance scams are the top threats to seniors, and that Federal Way experienced a 50% decline in auto thefts in 2024 compared to 2023.
northernontario.ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I'm unable to summarize this article because the content provided doesn't include the actual article text about the grandparent scam alert from Sault police. The text only shows the headline and a list of unrelated shopping/product recommendation articles.
To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please share the full article content about the grandparent scam alert, including details such as:
- What specific tactics scammers used
- How many victims or reports were involved
- Dollar amounts lost (if available)
- Any advice police provided to prevent the scams
barbadostoday.bb
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece discusses the vulnerability of elderly adults to digital scams and fraud, particularly in the Caribbean context. The author highlights that seniors aged 60 and older lost over US$3.4 billion to scams in 2023 according to FBI data, with the average victim losing US$33,915, and notes that older adults are targeted due to their trusting nature, substantial savings, technological inexperience, and emotional vulnerabilities exploited through tactics like grandparent scams and romance fraud. The article emphasizes that data breaches exposing personal information increase seniors' risk, and that most cannot recover financially from these losses due to their inability to re-enter the workforce.
saultstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Sault Ste. Marie Police Services is warning residents about an increase in "grandparent scams," where fraudsters contact seniors by phone impersonating grandchildren in legal trouble or their lawyers, typically demanding $5,000 to $10,000 in cash delivered by a fake courier. Police recommend that seniors pause and verify such claims by asking personal questions, contacting family members directly using known phone numbers, and never sharing money or personal information over the phone.
sootoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is warning seniors about a surge in grandparent scams, where fraudsters call posing as grandchildren or their lawyers and request $5,000-$10,000 in cash under the guise of an emergency, with a courier collecting the money in person. Police advise victims to pause when pressured, verify callers through personal questions, independently confirm stories by contacting family directly, and report suspicious calls to the police or Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
Local law enforcement agencies across the Tampa Bay area are warning that elderly fraud has reached epidemic levels, particularly during the holiday season when seniors are vulnerable to scams involving romance, fake investments, and impersonation schemes. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit has investigated cases resulting in nearly $3 million in losses this year, including a case where a 56-year-old man scammed a Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by impersonating billionaire Elon Musk via Facebook over several months. Authorities advise seniors to verify identities by calling contacts directly, hang up on suspicious calls, and recommend family members stay involved in elderly relatives' financial and digital activities.
barbadostoday.bb
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece examines the escalating problem of elder fraud in the digital age, highlighting how seniors are disproportionately targeted by scammers who exploit their trusting nature, financial assets, and technological vulnerabilities. The 2023 FBI report revealed that seniors aged 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to fraud, with individuals losing an average of $33,915, while data breaches exposing personal information make them prime targets for sophisticated, personalized attacks. The article emphasizes that common scams include tech support fraud, romance scams, and emergency/grandparent scams, and stresses the urgent need for awareness and protective measures given seniors' limited ability to recover
ktnv.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors with cognitive decline from Alzheimer's or dementia face significant financial risks beyond traditional scams, including unauthorized charges, forgotten recurring payments, and neglected account monitoring. Nevada ranks third nationally for senior fraud, and financial experts warn that memory loss-related financial mismanagement can deplete decades of savings within a year. Experts recommend caregivers maintain regular contact, establish powers of attorney, educate seniors on common scams, and monitor accounts vigilantly.
lockhaven.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common holiday scams targeting seniors, including fake online stores, gift card fraud, phishing emails, government impersonation, grandparent scams, lottery schemes, and romance scams (which caused $652 million in losses to Americans in 2023). The article provides practical prevention advice such as verifying legitimate websites, not clicking suspicious links, and remembering that the IRS never calls by phone. It also lists warning signs of financial exploitation, including unusual bank visits, large cash withdrawals, unpaid bills, and sudden changes in financial habits or relationships.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines six common gift card scams that surge during the holiday season, including display rack tampering (where scammers record activation codes or swap barcodes to drain cards before use), impersonation schemes (where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts requesting gift card purchases), resale fraud (fake or empty cards sold on online platforms), and phishing attacks. The piece provides practical prevention advice for each scam type, such as checking packaging for tampering, verifying caller identity through independent contact, using reputable retailers only, and avoiding unsolicited requests for gift card information or payment.
wkow.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin regulators warned consumers during the holiday shopping season about increasingly sophisticated scams involving fake package deliveries, fraudulent online marketplaces, and counterfeit websites designed to steal money and personal information. As of September 30, Wisconsin residents reported 21,540 fraud cases totaling $70.7 million in losses, with online shopping scams accounting for 3,551 reports. Authorities advised shoppers to purchase directly from retailer websites, avoid clicking suspicious links, use credit cards for transactions, and be cautious of AI-generated personas and voice clones used in scams like the grandparent scheme.
en.cibercuba.com
· 2025-12-08
A Venezuelan content creator in Spain used her TikTok platform to expose a "reverse Bizum" scam after a fraudster posing as a vehicle company representative tried to trick her into confirming a fake payment for a car sale. The scammer falsely claimed funds were "on hold" and needed her confirmation through the Bizum app, but the creator recognized the scheme after seeing prior warnings and avoided losing money. The incident prompted numerous users to share similar experiences with the same scam targeting car sales, apartment rentals, and motorcycle sales, highlighting the importance of never confirming transactions without verifying their legitimacy.
knoxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Estate attorney Lisa Gammeltoft emphasizes that financial scams are prevalent year-round, particularly during holidays, and target people of all intelligence levels by exploiting vulnerable emotions and neurochemistry through schemes like "pig butchering" (fake cryptocurrency investments), catfishing (romance scams that cost Americans $740 million in 2022), and grandparent scams enhanced by voice cloning technology. Key defensive measures include keeping devices updated, never allowing remote access to computers, avoiding sharing financial information with online contacts, and seeking a second opinion from trusted sources before sending money, since scammers are sophisticated professionals who make fraud their full-time job.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Dale Lake of Hanford, California, agreed to a consent decree resolving federal allegations that he operated as a "money mule" in a mail and wire fraud scheme targeting senior citizens. Victims were deceived into believing they had won lotteries or sweepstakes and sent money to Lake, who then transmitted the funds to accomplices in Jamaica; the decree permanently prohibits Lake from participating in prize promotion fraud or money transmitting businesses and authorizes postal inspection monitoring of his mail.
davidsonlocal.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational resource warning North Carolinians about common holiday scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. It covers four main fraud categories: holiday mail scams (phishing emails and porch theft), holiday shopping scams (fraudulent retailers and gift card schemes), and charity/investment scams, providing practical prevention tips such as verifying sender information, using secure networks for purchases, and researching charities before donating. The article emphasizes that consumers should be cautious during the high-spending season and recommends using resources like the BBB Scam Tracker and AARP Fraud Watch Network for protection and verification.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly man was defrauded through an AI-enabled romance scam involving impersonation of actress Jennifer Aniston, demonstrating how artificial intelligence has made scams increasingly difficult for older adults to detect. The case illustrates the growing sophistication of elder fraud and underscores the importance of family vigilance, including enabling spam filters, registering on the National Do Not Call Registry, and having regular conversations about recognizing scam red flags such as urgency, requests for secrecy, and demands for immediate payment transfers.
baytoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent or emergency scams exploit seniors' emotions by having fraudsters impersonate distressed family members, police officers, or acquaintances claiming a loved one needs immediate financial help due to accidents, jail, or other emergencies. The scammers gather personal information, demand secrecy, and pressure victims into sending cash or cryptocurrency. The Ontario Provincial Police recommend hanging up and independently verifying stories, questioning callers for details, being truthful with bank tellers about large withdrawals, and reporting suspected scams to local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
rocklanddaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Clarkstown Parks & Recreation is hosting a Senior Scam Prevention Seminar on December 13, 2024, to educate seniors about common fraud schemes including the Grandparents Scam, IRS Scam, and Funeral Scams. The event, led by town officials and police, will provide practical tips for identifying and avoiding these fraudulent schemes, with pre-registration required due to limited space.
westsidespirit.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal, state, and local authorities warn that scams targeting seniors are rising, particularly during the holiday season, with common schemes including charity fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and government impersonation scams. Authorities advise seniors to avoid phishing emails, use secure networks for online purchases, verify websites and charities before donating, and be cautious of unsolicited offers. Victims can report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov), their state attorney general, or local law enforcement.
cambridgema.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Cambridge Police Department warns of multiple holiday-themed scams targeting shoppers and donors, including fake websites offering unrealistic discounts, puppy scams (80% of sponsored pet ads may be fraudulent), gift card schemes where criminals tamper with cards or request codes, phishing emails impersonating legitimate companies, and grandparent scams targeting elders through impersonation demanding payment via gift cards or wire transfers. The advisory recommends conducting reverse image searches before pet purchases, avoiding suspicious links and emails with grammar/spelling errors, purchasing gift cards from counters rather than kiosks, and verifying unexpected delivery or emergency requests directly with known contacts.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
FightCybercrime launched an online resource center to educate young adults on preventing gift card scams targeting elderly and vulnerable populations, which cost consumers over $215 million in 2023 according to the FTC. The campaign provides families with guidance on recognizing scams (including "family emergency" imposter scams), protecting gift cards from tampering, and avoiding sharing card numbers or PINs with unknown parties. The initiative aims to empower Millennials and Gen Z to help their aging relatives stay safe during the holiday season when gift card scams peak.
saultthisweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service warned of a surge in "grandparent scams" targeting local seniors, in which fraudsters impersonate grandchildren or their lawyers and demand $5,000-$10,000 under the pretense of emergency bail or legal fees, arranging courier pickup of cash. The scammers exploit urgency and spoof caller ID to appear legitimate, but police advise victims to hang up, verify stories with personal questions, contact family independently, and never share money or information without confirming details through trusted contacts.
columbiabasinherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Local and federal authorities warn that scam attempts increase during the holiday season, with criminals using text messages, phone calls, and emails to target victims through blackmail, charity fraud, debt collection schemes, grandparent scams, and other deceptive tactics. Common red flags include unsolicited contact using fear or emotional manipulation to pressure victims into sending money via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities recommend verifying the legitimacy of charities through trusted resources, being skeptical of unsolicited requests, and hanging up if something sounds suspicious rather than providing personal or financial information.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 40-year-old New York man and Social Security Administration employee, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for serving as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly American victims by falsely claiming their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez and other couriers collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his April 2025 sentencing.
signalscv.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Newhall resident lost $54,000 in a grandparent scam between July 22-23 when a caller impersonating an attorney claimed his grandson was in jail and needed bail money, instructing him to place cash in boxes for Lyft drivers to collect. The victim later discovered his grandson had not been in an accident or incarcerated, and despite detective investigation tracking the Lyft drivers through security footage, no arrest has been made. Sheriff's officials emphasize that law enforcement never solicits money by phone and advise victims to verify custody claims directly through the LASD custody records website or by calling their local station.
thecyberexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned that criminals are increasingly using generative AI tools to create highly convincing fraudulent content—including fake social media profiles, websites, audio recordings, and deepfake videos—making scams more believable and scalable across larger victim populations. AI-generated text, images, voice cloning, and videos are being weaponized in romance scams, investment fraud, job hiring schemes, extortion, and identity theft, with criminals exploiting the technology's ability to produce realistic-seeming content that overcomes traditional fraud detection signs. The sophisticated nature of AI-generated content makes it increasingly challenging for individuals and businesses to identify fraudulent schemes before becoming victims.