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yahoo.com
· 2026-01-02
# Holiday Scam Summary
During the 2024 holiday season, thousands of Americans fell victim to scams including fake shipping alerts, bogus discount sites, and non-delivery hoaxes that collectively resulted in over $785 million in losses. If you were scammed, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center urges you to report it now, as victims often unknowingly hand over sensitive personal information or money that becomes difficult to recover. To protect yourself going forward, be cautious when clicking on shipping notifications, verify websites before making purchases, and carefully review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges.
mercatus.org
· 2026-01-02
Journalist Snigdha Poonam's new book "Scamlands" reveals that fraud operations in India, China, and Cambodia are not isolated incidents but rather massive, organized industries with sophisticated labor systems and capital structures that rival legitimate businesses. These transnational scam networks significantly interact with formal economies through banking systems and digital infrastructure, affecting vulnerable populations including young workers who are often recruited through false promises. The book examines how scam operations are embedded in specific Indian states like Jharkhand, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, highlighting that individuals seeking economic opportunity should be wary of unsolicited job offers, verify employment through official channels, and understand that scam networks deliberately exploit aspirations and economic desperation.
fairmontsentinel.com
· 2026-01-02
Banks are increasingly warning customers about fraud and scams, with the most common threats being fraudulent charges and impersonation scams where criminals pose as bank employees using information gathered from social media and LinkedIn. According to banking officials, scammers create artificial urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions, so the best defense is to pause, verify requests by contacting your bank directly through official channels (main number or online banking chat), and avoid sharing unverified information on social media. Additionally, be cautious of suspicious search results and internet ads that may be part of new scam tactics.
fox2now.com
· 2026-01-02
Illinois residents are receiving fraudulent text messages claiming they owe money for tolls or traffic violations and threatening to suspend their vehicle registration or driving privileges if they don't click a link—these are phishing scams designed to steal personal information and money. According to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, the legitimate government office will never contact residents by text about license or registration issues, only to confirm DMV appointments. If you receive one of these scam messages, ignore it and report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov to help protect yourself and others.
wvnstv.com
· 2026-01-02
West Virginia officials are warning residents about a new scam where cybercriminals create fake government websites to steal login credentials and personal information. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to these schemes, which have become increasingly sophisticated and common since the COVID-19 pandemic, with artificial intelligence now being used to impersonate loved ones and authorities. To protect yourself, only visit official state websites through WV.GOV, never click links from unsolicited emails or texts, and report suspicious activity to the West Virginia Fusion Center.
ketv.com
· 2026-01-01
Scams targeting elderly people are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect, with AI-generated voices and celebrity imposter schemes causing particular concern—the FBI reported an 11% increase in financial losses among victims over 60 in 2023, with some losing their entire life savings. Common scams include celebrity impersonators requesting money for travel and "grandparent scams" where fraudsters pose as distressed grandchildren needing bail money. Experts recommend involving family members in financial oversight and maintaining healthy skepticism about unsolicited contact, especially when callers request money or sound unusually convincing.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-01-01
Scammers are sending increasingly convincing text messages impersonating banks, delivery companies, and tech services to trick people into clicking malicious links or confirming personal information. Common tactics include fake package delivery alerts, fraudulent card charges, account security warnings, and toll payment threats—all designed to create urgency and bypass your critical thinking. To stay safe, ignore links in unsolicited texts, never reply to suspicious messages, and always verify account issues by contacting companies directly through their official apps or websites or by calling the phone number on your card.
akron.com
· 2026-01-01
While seniors are increasingly active online—with 41% spending five or more hours daily on shopping, banking, and social media—this increased engagement puts them at greater risk for scams, malware, and data breaches. To protect older adults, experts recommend encouraging strong, unique passwords using password manager apps and promoting security software on their devices, while caregivers should play a supportive role in guiding their digital safety practices.
wcia.com
· 2026-01-01
Scammers are sending deceptive text messages across Illinois claiming residents owe money for tolls or traffic violations and threatening license suspension to pressure them into clicking malicious links and revealing personal information. The Illinois Secretary of State's Office clarified that they never contact people by text about license or registration issues, so any such messages are fraudulent. If you receive these scam texts, ignore them and report them to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov rather than clicking any links or providing information.
apg-wi.com
· 2026-01-01
Online scams targeting residents of Washburn County include celebrity impersonation schemes and "pig butchering" fraud, where scammers create fake profiles impersonating celebrities or romance interests to build trust before requesting money or gift cards. Investigators report that victims have lost substantial sums—including one woman who lost $90,000—and these funds are nearly impossible to recover since scammers typically spend them immediately or convert them to cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and be cautious of unsolicited messages from celebrities or strangers asking for financial information.
zebpay.com
· 2026-01-01
As cryptocurrency markets surged in 2026, scammers stole $12.4 billion from investors using increasingly sophisticated schemes including AI deepfakes of celebrities, fake investment platforms promising guaranteed returns, and rug pulls on new tokens—with Indians losing over ₹2,300 crore to Ponzi schemes alone. Victims were targeted through fake websites, social media impersonations, and fraudulent apps that appeared legitimate until users were unable to withdraw funds or found their crypto accounts drained. To protect yourself, verify all cryptocurrency communications through official channels only, never send funds expecting returns, use regulated exchanges registered with financial authorities, and research new tokens on audit verification sites before investing.
washingtonjewishweek.com
· 2025-12-31
While seniors are increasingly active online—with 41% spending five or more hours daily on shopping, banking, and social media—they face growing risks from scams, malware, and data breaches. The article recommends practical safety steps including using strong, unique passwords with a password manager and keeping security software up to date to help protect older adults from digital threats. Caregivers play an important role in supporting seniors' digital safety, as even though 61% of seniors can address digital issues independently, increased online engagement brings new security responsibilities.
aol.com
· 2025-12-31
In 2026, the AARP warns of five major scams targeting consumers: employment, recovery, digital arrest, "Hello pervert," and romance scams. Seniors aged 60 and older have been hit particularly hard, with reported losses from impostor scams more than quadrupling since 2020, reaching $445 million in losses of $100,000 or more in 2024. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited job offers and messages, thoroughly research companies before applying, never pay upfront fees for employment, and be skeptical of unexpected contact from official-sounding sources.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-31
Cybersecurity experts warn that AI-powered scams and deepfakes will pose major threats in 2026, as criminals increasingly use generative AI to automate fraud, create convincing fake videos and voices of loved ones, and craft highly personalized phishing emails targeting everyday people—not just high-profile executives. The scams work by harvesting personal data and photos from social media to impersonate colleagues or family members, then deceiving victims into sending money, revealing sensitive information, or clicking malicious links. To stay safe, people should be skeptical of unexpected requests for money or sensitive information, verify requests through independent contact methods, and be aware that convincing video or audio of someone they know might actually be a deepfake.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-31
Scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and mass emails to deceive victims, making AI-powered scams one of the top fraud threats in 2025. To protect yourself, experts advise being skeptical of urgent requests for money or personal information, independently verifying suspicious claims through official channels rather than using contact information provided by the scammer, and pausing before taking any action or sending money.
jonesbororightnow.com
· 2025-12-31
Arvest Bank is warning customers about a rising scam where fraudsters impersonate banks and use unsolicited video calls to trick people into sharing their screens and revealing passwords or banking information. The scammers typically claim there's suspicious activity or a technical problem requiring immediate attention, then use screen-sharing access to steal money or account details. To protect yourself, never share your screen with callers claiming to be from your bank, watch for red flags, and always contact your financial institution directly through their official phone number if you have concerns—legitimate banks will never request video calls or screen-sharing.
crosstimbersgazette.com
· 2025-12-31
# Holiday Scam Warning Summary
The Denton County Sheriff's Office warns that scams increase significantly during the holiday season, affecting shoppers and online users through phishing emails, credit card skimming, fake online stores, and AI-powered phone scams impersonating known brands. To protect yourself, verify website addresses before entering personal information, use credit cards with purchase alerts for online shopping, avoid public charging ports, be suspicious of unsolicited messages about package delays, and stay cautious of unfamiliar callers. Additionally, secure your home while traveling with timers or a trusted neighbor's help, park in well-lit areas when shopping, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or leaving valuables visible in your vehicle.
dlnews.com
· 2025-12-31
A Cambodia-based gang of 13 indicted individuals defrauded South Korean victims of $1.3 million through an elaborate romance scam using a fake SpaceX app, claiming connections to Elon Musk to build trust before soliciting investments that were converted to cryptocurrency for money laundering. Romance scams are surging in South Korea, with citizens losing $73 million to such schemes in the first nine months of 2025—a 36% increase from the previous year—prompting authorities to advise people to be wary of unsolicited investment offers from online contacts and to verify business opportunities independently before sending money.
gazettextra.com
· 2025-12-31
Online scams continue to plague internet users, with celebrity impersonation and "pig butchering" schemes among the latest threats. Scammers create fake celebrity profiles on social media to build trust with victims before requesting money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency—funds that are nearly impossible to recover once sent. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate companies never ask for payment via gift cards or crypto, and be cautious of unsolicited messages from celebrities or investment opportunities online.
lakeshoreadvance.com
· 2025-12-31
A 58-year-old Bluewater resident lost over $60,000 to a romance scam after someone on a dating app convinced them to send money via e-transfers and Bitcoin over three months, part of a larger wave of fraud affecting Huron County. Police reported 11 significant fraud cases in the region from August to December 2025, with victims nationwide losing over $544 million to scams in the first nine months of 2025 alone. If you suspect you've been scammed, contact local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or antifraudcentre.ca—reporting is important even if no money was lost.
cm.asiae.co.kr
· 2025-12-31
A Cambodia-based criminal organization has been indicted for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded victims out of 1.93 billion won by posing as attractive women online and convincing male victims to invest in fake SpaceX opportunities through a fraudulent app. The 13 indicted members used elaborate tactics including fake profiles, phone calls with female accomplices, and cryptocurrency transfers to steal funds from South Korean targets. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of online romance prospects who quickly push investment opportunities, verify investment apps through official company websites, and never share financial information or install apps recommended by people you only know online.
biz.chosun.com
· 2025-12-31
A Cambodia-based crime ring led by a Chinese ringleader defrauded approximately 1.93 billion won (roughly $1.4 million USD) from South Korean victims between December 2023 and October 2024 by impersonating wealthy women and promising high returns on fake SpaceX investments. The scammers used romantic manipulation to build trust with victims via messaging apps, created a fraudulent SpaceX application to collect funds in cryptocurrency or dollars, and then converted the stolen money to Korean won. Authorities have indicted 13 members of the organization, and the public should be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from unknown contacts online, especially those involving celebrity-owned companies or promises of unusually high returns.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-31
2025 became one of cryptocurrency's worst years with over $3.5 billion in losses caused by major hacks, scams, and security breaches. The most significant incident was a $1.5 billion hack of Bybit exchange in February that exploited vulnerabilities in trusted wallet infrastructure, while AI-powered phishing attacks and romance scams targeting both platforms and individual users caused additional billions in damage. To protect themselves, crypto users should enable strong multi-factor authentication, verify support contacts independently, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities or relationships, and consider keeping large amounts of cryptocurrency in offline storage rather than on exchanges.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-30
# AI-Generated Impersonation Scam Summary
The FBI has warned of an increasing scam where criminals use artificial intelligence to impersonate senior U.S. government officials, targeting individuals including family members and personal acquaintances of these officials. The scammers send fake voice and text messages to lure victims into encrypted messaging apps like Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp where they attempt to manipulate them further. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected messages from officials, verify requests through official channels, and avoid moving conversations to encrypted platforms with unverified contacts.
consumeraffairs.com
· 2025-12-30
# Quishing Scams Target Older Adults
Criminals are increasingly using "quishing"—a fraud tactic that embeds malicious QR codes in mailed notices, bills, and fake alerts—to trick victims into visiting fake websites or downloading malware that steals personal information. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to these scams because they're less familiar with QR-code technology and more likely to receive official-looking mailed notices about healthcare, government benefits, and finances that scammers exploit. To protect yourself, approach urgent messages with skepticism, verify QR codes by visiting websites directly instead of scanning them, and be especially wary of codes in unsolicited mail or public spaces.
alachuachronicle.com
· 2025-12-30
Operation Senior Shield, Florida's elder alert system, is warning seniors about sweepstakes scams where fraudsters claim victims have won prizes but request upfront fees or personal information to claim them. Red flags include requests for money upfront, prizes that seem too good to be true, and pressure to act immediately. To protect yourself, never send money or share personal details for prize claims, verify contests independently before responding, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
womansworld.com
· 2025-12-30
# Military Romance Scams Summary
Scammers pose as military members on dating apps and social media to exploit people's admiration for those who serve, ultimately aiming to steal money, personal information, or banking credentials from victims. These romance scams are increasingly common because fraudsters use the distance of military deployment as a cover story to explain their unavailability and lack of contact. To protect yourself, be wary of online military profiles—especially those asking for money or personal information—verify identities through official military channels, and remember that legitimate soldiers won't ask for financial help through dating platforms.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-30
Scammers are running sweepstakes and lottery cons by sending fake letters, emails, and calls claiming people have won prizes, then asking victims to pay fake "taxes and fees" through bounced checks, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. These scams often impersonate Publishers Clearing House, which now only operates online after filing for bankruptcy, so legitimate winners would never be contacted by mail or phone. To protect yourself, remember that you cannot win a lottery or sweepstakes you didn't enter, and legitimate organizations never ask winners to pay upfront fees to claim prizes.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-30
Texting and messaging scams have surged 50% in the past year, with Gen Z (ages 18-29) experiencing triple the scam attempts of other age groups, likely because texting is their primary communication method and they have quick access to mobile payments. Lower-income households are three times more likely to lose money in these scams, partly because they rely less on credit cards which offer fraud protections. To protect yourself, avoid responding to unsolicited texts, use your phone carrier's spam-filtering tools, be wary of urgent requests for personal information, and use credit cards rather than payment apps for online purchases.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-30
# Fraud Alert Summary
Scammers are using a clever typosquatting trick where they replace the letter "m" in "microsoft.com" with "rn" (rnicrosoft.com), which appear nearly identical in most fonts, to create fake phishing emails that steal login credentials from unsuspecting users. The attack is particularly effective on mobile phones where URLs are shortened and hard to read carefully, and the fraudulent emails mimic Microsoft's legitimate branding to build false trust before tricking victims into entering passwords or downloading malware. To protect yourself, carefully examine domain names in the address bar before entering any login information, be suspicious of unexpected Microsoft emails asking for credentials, and consider enabling multi-factor authentication on your accounts.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-30
A man in his 70s from Santa Rosa lost his entire US$500,000 retirement savings to a "pig butchering" scam, where a fraudster posing as a Finnish woman named Alexa built trust with him over five months through daily messages, video calls, and gifts before convincing him to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes. The scam is part of a growing trend where criminals build intimate relationships with victims to lower their guard before stealing their money, often operating from organized scam centers overseas. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of online romantic connections, especially those quickly encouraging financial investments or cryptocurrency opportunities, and verify investment opportunities through independent sources before sending any money.
decripto.org
· 2025-12-30
Pig butchering scams—where fraudsters build fake romantic or investment relationships through social media to trick victims into cryptocurrency transfers—cost Americans $10-16 billion in 2025 alone, with global losses exceeding $75 billion since 2020, representing a sophisticated criminal industry rather than isolated incidents. The scams operate through scripted, repeatable processes where victims are gradually convinced to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that show false profits, then face blocked withdrawals or disappearing scammers when they try to access their money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic or investment contacts on social media and dating apps, never transfer money to cryptocurrency platforms you haven't independently verified, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
seatacblog.com
· 2025-12-29
A young entrepreneur named Ashlyn Sidhu founded Your Senior Tech, a program providing hands-on technology training and scam prevention education to seniors across the Puget Sound region, addressing a growing problem as older adults face increasing threats from phishing, fake shipping notices, financial fraud, and AI voice impersonation scams. The program, staffed by trained high school and college students, offers community presentations teaching seniors to recognize red flags like suspicious links, emails, pop-ups, and strange phone calls. Seniors seeking to protect themselves can look for similar local tech support programs that emphasize digital safety education and provide step-by-step guidance they can take home.
b-townblog.com
· 2025-12-29
A young entrepreneur named Ashlyn Sidhu has created Your Senior Tech, a program providing hands-on technology training and scam prevention education to seniors across the Puget Sound region. With scams targeting older adults surging nationally—including phishing, fake shipping notices, financial fraud, and AI voice impersonation—the program teaches seniors to recognize red flags like suspicious links, emails, and unexpected calls. Your Senior Tech uses trained high school and college students to create a judgment-free, intergenerational learning environment, offering community presentations and take-home guides to help seniors feel confident and safe using technology.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2025-12-29
Criminals are increasingly using AI language models to automate romance scams, which traditionally relied on human operators to build fake emotional relationships with victims before extracting money through fake cryptocurrency investments. Research found that scammers use AI to handle the repetitive text conversations that make up 87% of the work, making scams more efficient and convincing while reducing labor costs. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who gradually push you toward investments, verify the identity of people you meet online through video calls or in-person meetings, and never send money to people you haven't met or invest in schemes promoted by online acquaintances.
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-29
AARP has identified five major scams expected to proliferate in 2026—employment, recovery, digital arrest, "Hello pervert," and romance scams—affecting people across all ages, though seniors are particularly vulnerable. Since 2020, losses from impostor scams among adults 60 and older have skyrocketed, with reported losses of $100,000 or more jumping from $55 million to $445 million in 2024, though actual losses are likely much higher due to underreporting. To protect yourself, the FTC recommends ignoring unsolicited job offers, thoroughly researching companies before applying, never paying upfront fees for employment, and being cautious of unexpected messages from supposed recovery agencies or authority figures.
krmg.com
· 2025-12-29
Scammers are increasingly targeting businesses through tactics like impersonating bosses via spoofed emails to trick employees into purchasing gift cards, and by pitching fake AI business solutions to company leaders. The Better Business Bureau warns that these scams are particularly prevalent during the holiday season and as AI adoption grows. To protect your business, verify unusual requests directly with your boss in person and thoroughly research any new service providers or AI companies on the BBB website before signing contracts or making purchases.
krebsonsecurity.com
· 2025-12-29
KrebsOnSecurity.com marked its 16th anniversary by highlighting major cybercrime stories from 2025, including the exposure of "bulletproof hosting" providers and payment processors that enabled cybercriminals, resulting in significant sanctions and fines against these enablers. The site also covered how stolen passwords from LastPass were used in major heists, demonstrating the real-world impact of data breaches on individuals and organizations. Readers are advised to use strong, unique passwords or password managers, enable two-factor authentication, and remain vigilant against phishing attempts.
smh.com.au
· 2025-12-29
Scammers are impersonating airline customer service representatives to defraud stressed travelers by claiming to rebook flights and requesting payment for the difference. The author fell victim after being caught in traffic and missing a flight, giving a fake "United Airlines agent" nearly $2,137 for a supposed Lufthansa rebooking. To protect yourself, contact airlines directly using official phone numbers from their websites rather than responding to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails, and never provide payment or personal information to unverified callers.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-29
Ticketing scams are costing Australians an average of $432 per incident, with Gen Z and millennials losing significantly more ($750+), often due to the allure of bargain prices and fear of missing out on sold-out events. Nearly one in 10 people fall victim to these scams multiple times, with fraudsters operating primarily through social media and fake online listings. To protect yourself, only purchase tickets from official sellers using trusted payment methods with buyer protection, verify URLs and reviews carefully, and avoid suspiciously cheap deals on social media marketplaces.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-28
Experts predict that AI-generated deepfakes and gift card scams will surge in 2026, potentially causing identity fraud and financial losses for consumers. Scammers use increasingly convincing fake videos, audio, and messages—sometimes impersonating loved ones—to trick victims into sending money or revealing personal information. To protect yourself, verify the source of communications before clicking links, be skeptical of urgent requests for gift cards or money, and use security-driven digital tools offered by your bank.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-28
Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities is launching a statewide education campaign in January 2026 with free, in-person and virtual presentations designed to help seniors and the general public recognize and avoid financial scams, identity theft, and fraud. The sessions will be held at libraries, senior centers, and aging agencies across the state, featuring interactive programs like "Fraud BINGO" that teach practical warning signs and protective strategies. Residents can attend these free events, request customized presentations, or contact the department directly at 1-800-PA-BANKS or 1-866-PACOMPLAINT if they've been targeted by a scam.
dailyrecord.co.uk
· 2025-12-28
Gmail and Outlook users are being targeted by a sophisticated phishing scam that mimics legitimate security alerts about suspicious login attempts, complete with convincing details like location and IP addresses. If you click the link in these fake emails, hackers gain access to your email account and can then infiltrate your passwords for social media, shopping sites, and banking services. To protect yourself, never click links in unsolicited security emails—instead, go directly to your email provider's website to check your account activity.
the420.in
· 2025-12-28
In 2025, organized international crime syndicates caused an estimated $10.5 trillion in global cybercrime damages—more than any single country's GDP except the US and China—marking a dramatic shift from individual hackers to industrialized criminal operations. The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence has made sophisticated fraud accessible to low-level criminals, who now create convincing deepfakes and execute psychological attacks like "digital arrests" that exploit human trust rather than just technical vulnerabilities. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unexpected communications from authority figures or executives, verify requests through independent channels before sharing sensitive information, and stay informed about AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering tactics.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-28
# Gas Station Pump-Switching Scam Alert
Police in Pennsylvania have warned residents about a "pump-switching" scam where aggressive individuals convince drivers to leave their gas pump unattended after swiping their card, then use the active transaction to pump gas for multiple other customers in exchange for cash—potentially costing victims hundreds of dollars without their knowledge. The scam primarily affects people at gas stations in the Lower Merion Township area near Philadelphia, with victims often only discovering the fraud when reviewing their bank or credit card statements. To protect yourself, stay alert while pumping gas, avoid interaction with non-employees, cancel your transaction and retrieve a receipt if anyone approaches you aggressively, and never leave your pump unattended after swiping your card.
wqow.com
· 2025-12-28
# Job Offer Text Scams: What You Need to Know
Scammers are sending unsolicited text messages promising fake job opportunities from well-known companies to trick job seekers into sharing personal information like bank account numbers and Social Security details. The Federal Trade Commission warns that these phishing scams can lead to identity theft and financial fraud, with some criminals even asking for upfront payments claiming to be advance portions of a future paycheck. If you receive an unexpected job offer text, especially one that seems too good to be true, don't respond or click any links—instead, verify the opportunity directly by contacting the company through their official website or phone number.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-28
During the holiday season, scammers are targeting generous donors in Hawaii through fake nonprofit websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns, taking advantage of the community's trusting nature. To protect yourself, verify any charity's legitimacy through the Hawaii Attorney General, IRS, or resources like Charity Navigator before donating, check website URLs carefully, and avoid untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. If you fall victim to a scam, report it immediately to authorities.
mercurynews.com
· 2025-12-28
A Santa Rosa man in his 70s lost his entire $500,000 retirement savings to a sophisticated "pig butchering" scam, where a con artist posing as a Finnish woman named Alexa Achselsson built a five-month romantic relationship with him before convincing him to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes. These scams, which build trust through personal engagement before exploiting victims financially, have become increasingly common, with some operations linked to organized fraud centers operating overseas. The victim is sharing his story to warn others that scammers use emotional connection and persistence to gain trust, and people should be extremely cautious about investment opportunities introduced by people they've met online, even those they've built seemingly genuine relationships with.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-28
A Black Diamond resident lost their entire life savings in a phone scam, prompting police to escalate the case to federal authorities. Scammers commonly impersonate the IRS, lottery officials, or family members in distress to trick victims into sending money or personal information. To protect yourself, remember that the IRS only contacts you by mail, never give money for lottery winnings or taxes you didn't expect, and always hang up and independently verify requests from family members claiming to be in trouble.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-28
Tennesseans lost over $12 million to government imposter scams in 2025, making it the state's most commonly reported fraud with more than 5,300 cases, according to the FTC. Scammers impersonate agencies like the Social Security Administration, IRS, and law enforcement through fake texts and websites to steal money and personal information. To protect yourself, be skeptical of threatening or urgent messages via text, watch for poor grammar and misspellings, and remember that legitimate government agencies never threaten people through text or demand immediate payment.