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in Tech Support Scam
denverpost.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam called "financial sextortion" has become the fastest-growing cybercrime, targeting young men and teenage boys through fake romantic profiles on social media that collect explicit images and demand ransom payments (typically $300-$3,500) via cryptocurrency or gift cards. Between October 2021 and March 2023, the FBI received 13,000 reports of financial sextortion, with the vast majority involving minors, and at least 20 teenagers have died by suicide after being victimized, including 15-year-old Riley Basford in 2021. Scammers, often operating from Nigeria and other countries, use explicit images as leverage to extort
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in the tri-state area nearly lost $25,000 in an elaborate phishing scam involving fake Geek Squad invoices that escalated when the scammer showed up at her home to collect cash in person. The victim provided her bank account number and computer access after receiving a phishing email, then was pressured to withdraw $20,000 in cash based on a false claim of an accidental $25,000 refund; authorities arrested the scammer during the pickup. The article advises victims to verify subscriptions, track invoice patterns, contact companies through official websites, and watch for unprofessional language or threats from callers requesting sensitive information.
theworldlink.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly Oregonians lost $44 million to internet scams in 2023, with FBI data showing a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints and an 11% rise in associated losses that year. The average victim aged 60 and older lost $33,915, with over $3.4 billion in total losses nationwide, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported type and investment scams causing the greatest financial damage at over $1.2 billion.
greaterkashmir.com
· 2025-12-08
The Indian Embassy in Laos rescued and repatriated 13 Indian workers who were deceived by false employment promises and trapped in illegal work arrangements, bringing the total rescued from Laos to 428; the workers were found in a wood factory and a special economic zone. Indian authorities warn citizens against fraudulent overseas job offers, particularly those involving human trafficking networks that lure victims into cyber scams, money laundering, and cryptocurrency fraud, and advise using only authorized employment channels and conducting background checks on prospective employers in Southeast Asia.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Winnipeg and Manitoba experienced a 160% increase in cybercrime reports from 2015 to 2016 (rising from 123 to 321 cases in Winnipeg), significantly exceeding the national average of 34%, though police acknowledge many incidents go unreported due to victim embarrassment. Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and targeting diverse populations—from job seekers and romance scam victims to businesses through "spear phishing" schemes, such as the fraudulent email that cost an Edmonton university $11.8 million. Police advise verifying unusual requests for money or transfers with trusted colleagues and exercising caution when dealing with unknown parties online.
marketrealist.com
· 2025-12-08
Malachi Mullings, 31, from Sandy Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million stolen through business email compromise (BEC) scams, romance fraud, and healthcare benefits fraud. Mullings opened approximately 20 shell company bank accounts between 2019 and 2021 to launder the proceeds, which he spent on luxury items including a Ferrari purchased with $260,000 fraudulently obtained from an elderly romance scam victim. His criminal network targeted businesses, healthcare programs, and vulnerable elderly individuals across the United States.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults, despite 88% using the internet, are increasingly targeted by scammers who exploit fears and lack of technical knowledge to steal identities and money. The author, a 50-year finance professional, fell victim twice to tech support scams that tricked him into providing sensitive information including his Social Security number and credit card details. FBI data shows elder fraud complaints rose 14% recently with victims averaging losses of $33,915, and common scams targeting seniors include fake tech support calls, Medicare/health insurance fraud, internet pop-up viruses, and telemarketing schemes.
securelist.com
· 2025-12-08
Online marketplace scammers increasingly operate under a "Fraud-as-a-Service" model, targeting message board users through two main schemes: impersonating sellers to deceive buyers, or impersonating buyers to trick sellers into entering payment card details on phishing sites. Scammers strategically target sellers with promoted ads and mobile payment preferences, using convincing conversations to build trust before sending fake payment links that harvest financial information and drain bank accounts.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
An Auckland woman in her 50s lost at least $34,000 to a romance scam involving an Instagram user claiming to be "Harry Lugard," who fabricated stories about needing money for travel and later claimed arrest in Dubai. After the scammer stood her up at the airport, she fell victim to a recovery room scam when a fake "private investigator" found on Quora threatened her and her family while attempting to extract further funds. Experts warn that scammers often target people who have already lost money, may use AI to create convincing fake identities, and advise never sending money to people you've only met online.
abc13.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using search engine optimization and paid ads to create fake websites that rank at the top of search results, mimicking legitimate companies like PayPal, Quicken, and Lowe's to trick users into clicking and entering personal information. AI technology has made these fraudulent sites increasingly difficult to detect, with scammers using subtle misspellings and sophisticated design that closely resemble authentic pages. Consumers are advised to carefully verify website URLs, check for small visual discrepancies, and avoid clicking on sponsored results without confirming they link to the official company website.
scamwatch.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Remote access scams involve criminals posing as representatives from banks or tech companies, convincing victims to download screen-sharing software that grants them control of devices to steal banking credentials and funds. Australians lost $15.5 million to these scams in 2023, with losses increasing 52% in early 2024, and seniors over 65 experiencing the greatest financial impact. To protect yourself, hang up on unsolicited calls requesting software downloads, never share passwords or security codes over the phone, and immediately contact your bank if you suspect fraud.
alligator.org
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Florida man nearly fell victim to a grandparent scam when someone impersonating his grandson called asking for $5,000 bail money, though the grandson was actually safe at university. Florida reported over 40,000 online scams in 2023 resulting in $874 million in losses, ranking third nationally, with adults 60 and older losing over $290 million—the highest of any age group—yet only 15% of offenses are reported due to shame and embarrassment among victims.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC released a report identifying the companies most commonly impersonated by scammers, with Best Buy's Geek Squad, Amazon, and PayPal being the most frequently mimicked brands, while Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams generate the highest financial losses. Scammers primarily use email and phone contact, though social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are increasingly being exploited, and emerging threats include text-message phishing ("smishing") targeting highway toll payment systems.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfake scams utilizing generative AI have stolen millions from companies globally, with a Hong Kong finance worker defrauded of over $25 million after being deceived by digitally recreated colleagues on a video call. Cybersecurity experts warn that the accessibility of AI tools like ChatGPT has lowered barriers for criminals to execute increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, including voice spoofing, phishing, and impersonation of company executives to authorize fraudulent transfers. Beyond direct theft, deepfakes pose broader risks including stock price manipulation, brand defamation, and misinformation campaigns.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Australian authorities warned of a surge in remote access scams where fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies like Microsoft, tricking victims into downloading screen-sharing software that grants access to bank accounts. Losses from these scams increased 52 percent in early 2024, with victims losing an average of $17,943 and seniors over 65 suffering the largest losses; Australians reported $15.5 million in total losses during 2023. The ACCC advises never downloading software when directed by phone callers and never sharing banking information, passwords, or two-factor codes.
choice.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A CHOICE survey of 280 scam victims in Australia found that four out of five victims reported their banks failed to flag suspicious transactions before money was transferred to scammers, and about half received inadequate support afterward. Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams last year, with over half of initial contact occurring on websites or social media platforms, yet banks and tech companies face minimal consequences while victims often suffer shame and financial loss with little recourse for recovery.
kmbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kansas City resident lost over $1 million to a pop-up scam that displays fake computer error messages claiming device malfunction, then directs victims to call a provided number and transfer funds to Bitcoin for supposed repairs. Multiple victims aged 65-80 in the Kansas City area fell for the scam, which sometimes includes an offer to send couriers to collect the funds. KCPD is collaborating with law enforcement agencies nationwide to locate the perpetrators and urges victims to report losses to local police.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are sending phishing emails and texts to streaming service subscribers claiming payment has been declined, with links directing users to lookalike websites designed to steal login credentials and install malware. Victims who enter their user ID and password on these fraudulent sites risk having their streaming accounts and payment information compromised. To protect yourself, verify you are on the official website by carefully checking the URL, and be skeptical of sponsored search results, as scammers use paid ads to make fake sites appear at the top of search results.
herald-review.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mount Zion woman was charged with stealing over $100,000 in cash and property from an elderly female victim between May 2022 and July 2023. Ali L. Fisher, 31, faces two counts including financial exploitation of an elderly person and obtaining control of property through deception, with the alleged theft totaling more than $40,000 in additional cash. Fisher was arrested on May 14 and released on pretrial release pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 24 in Macon County Circuit Court.
wthr.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that scammers stole $3.4 billion from people over 60 in 2023, prompting a free educational workshop scheduled for June 10 in Indianapolis to teach seniors and caregivers about evolving fraud tactics, including how artificial intelligence is being exploited by scammers. The workshop, featuring FBI forensic accountants and Indiana's consumer protection director, will focus on top scams including tech scams, data breaches, and romance schemes.
richmondmagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Teens are the fastest-growing victims of online scams, with losses to those 20 and younger increasing from $8.2 million in 2017 to $210 million by 2022, according to the FBI. Common scams targeting teens include phishing emails, deceptive pop-up ads, direct message offers, and catfishing schemes on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Parents and educators can reduce risk by teaching teens to verify sources, recognize red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links, adjust privacy settings, and maintain open communication about online dangers.
dailypress.net
· 2025-12-08
Online scammers increasingly use spoofing and phishing tactics to deceive victims by impersonating legitimate businesses through fraudulent emails and websites designed to steal personal and financial information. According to the FTC, social media scams caused the highest total losses at $1.4 billion in recent years, while phone-based scams resulted in the highest per-person losses averaging $1,480; notably, older adults who fell victim to scams lost significantly more money than younger adults. Law enforcement officials emphasize that these scams are preventable and encourage community members to monitor vulnerable elderly individuals.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Based on 2023 FTC data, the five most-impersonated brands in scams are Best Buy's Geek Squad, Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House, with Microsoft impersonation scams causing the highest financial losses at $60 million and Publishers Clearing House scams at $49 million. Common scams include fake tech support pop-ups claiming to be from Microsoft that trick victims into calling scammers, and fraudulent calls impersonating Publishers Clearing House claiming victims have won prizes and must pay upfront fees or taxes; some victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to these schemes.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranked second nationally in elder fraud complaints and losses in 2023, with Americans aged 60+ losing $3.4 billion that year, an 11% increase from 2022. Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 556 into law, which takes effect January 1 and permits banks to delay money disbursements if employees suspect financial exploitation of seniors or vulnerable adults, while providing legal immunity to banks acting in good faith. The legislation was developed in response to widespread scams targeting Florida's retiree population, particularly tech support fraud schemes.
goldendalesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2022 to 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation, with 80% of all suspicious activity reported by banks involving elder scams. Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonator scams, fake prizes/sweepstakes, computer tech support scams, and grandparent scams, perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends, or caregivers. Prevention strategies include protecting sensitive documents, monitoring financial accounts, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal information, consulting financial advisors before making decisions, and building relationships with trusted financial institutions.
cgsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center increased 14 percent in 2023, with victims aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion total and an average of $33,915 per victim. Tech support scams were the most commonly reported type of elder fraud, while investment scams proved the costliest, exceeding $1.2 billion in losses, with over 12,000 victims also targeted through cryptocurrency schemes. Oregon specifically saw elderly residents lose $44 million in 2023, with scammers exploiting older Americans' relative lack of technological proficiency.
techreport.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you reaching out, but this doesn't appear to be an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The content you've shared is a tech product review about the Insta360 X4 Air camera.
I'm specifically designed to summarize content related to elder fraud, scams, and elder abuse for the Elderus research database. Could you please share an article or transcript that covers:
- Scams targeting seniors
- Fraud cases or schemes
- Elder abuse incidents
- Fraud prevention or awareness information
I'd be happy to provide a summary once you have relevant content to share.
kwbu.org
· 2025-12-08
Teresa Gingles, a geriatric physical therapist, founded the nonprofit Better At Last to address elder fraud, which disproportionately affects older Americans who lost an average of $33,000 per victim to scams in 2023. The organization is hosting a free "Protect Yourself!" conference on June 7 at the Waco Convention Center featuring 20+ speakers including fraud experts and law enforcement to educate seniors on protecting themselves against tech support scams, romance scams, investment fraud, and other schemes. The conference emphasizes community connections and trusted relationships as key defenses against elder fraud.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
Since January, cybercriminals have targeted college students and faculty with an advance fee scam offering free pianos, sending at least 125,000 messages claiming pianos were available due to circumstances like deaths in the family. When victims respond, scammers direct them to fake shipping company emails that request upfront payment via cryptocurrency or money transfer apps; once payment is sent, contact ceases. One Bitcoin wallet connected to the campaign contained over $900,000 in transactions, with researchers tracing at least one IP address to Nigeria.
thewesterlysun.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly residents in Rhode Island are being targeted by scammers using phone calls, emails, and fake websites, with victims losing $2.24 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2023 alone. Scammers exploit the emotional vulnerability of seniors by impersonating authority figures or loved ones in distress, then directing victims to unregulated cryptocurrency ATMs with no transaction limits to convert cash into untraceable digital currency. Proposed legislation aims to protect residents by implementing daily transaction limits and mandatory warnings on crypto ATMs to prevent elderly victims from losing irretrievable funds to these increasingly sophisticated schemes.
latfusa.com
· 2025-12-08
California experienced over $624 million in losses to elderly fraud in 2022, affecting 11,517 victims aged 60 and over with an average loss of $54,225 per victim. Investment scams, business imposters, and romance scams were the most costly fraud types nationally, while seniors were particularly vulnerable to online fraud ($564 million in losses) and tech support scams (517% higher likelihood compared to the general population). Bank transfers and cryptocurrency were the primary payment methods exploited, accounting for $570 million and $288 million in losses respectively.
chicagofed.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting older adults are rising, and while seniors are not more likely to be scammed than younger people, they experience greater harm when victimized. The Chicago Federal Reserve convened experts who identified key vulnerabilities—including declining financial literacy masked by high confidence, social isolation, and emotional manipulation tactics used by scammers—and recommended strategies such as consulting trusted advisors, establishing power of attorney, recognizing urgency/secrecy red flags, and approaching victims with sensitivity to shame and resistance.
tristatealert.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warned consumers about the rising threat of imposter scams that use sophisticated technologies, including AI-generated voices, to impersonate trusted figures such as government officials, bank representatives, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening fines or arrest, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams demanding payment for unnecessary repairs. To protect yourself, verify callers' identities by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, establish code words with family members, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, FTC, or AARP Fraud Watch
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers impersonated well-known companies in fraud schemes that cost consumers over $600 million, with Best Buy/Geek Squad being the most frequently impersonated company (52,000 reports, $15 million in losses) and Microsoft impersonation scams causing the largest financial impact ($60 million lost). The Federal Trade Commission finalized a new rule in April 2024 that strengthens enforcement tools against business impersonation scams, including the ability to file federal court cases to recover money for victims and impose civil penalties on violators.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
According to an FTC report, scammers most frequently impersonate Best Buy's Geek Squad (52,000 reports in 2023), followed by Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House, using methods including fraudulent emails, phone calls, and social media to pressure victims into urgent action. Microsoft impersonators caused the highest financial losses, exemplified by a Mesa resident who lost nearly her entire life savings after being directed to a fake support line and tricked into depositing $25,000 in Bitcoin. Consumers can protect themselves by recognizing red flags such as demands for cryptocurrency payments, pressure to act immediately, and unsolicited contact, and should verify company ident
abnnewswire.net
· 2025-12-08
Refundaroo, a financial recovery organization founded in 2020, helps scam victims worldwide retrieve stolen funds using a team of lawyers, forensic accountants, and ex-military personnel. The company has recovered over $5 million in 2023 alone and reports that Australian scam losses reached $2.74 billion in 2023, with investment scams causing the most harm at $1.3 billion. Refundaroo offers an online case-tracking portal and maintains a database to help individuals verify company legitimacy and avoid fraudulent schemes.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Mastercard developed an AI fraud-detection system in partnership with UK banks (Lloyds, NatWest, TSB) to identify authorized-push-payment fraud, where scammers impersonate trusted figures to convince victims to transfer money. The AI system analyzes transaction patterns, account relationships, and suspicious behaviors in real-time to alert banks before fraud occurs, with results suggesting it could prevent an estimated £100 million ($126 million) in fraud losses across the UK banking sector if scaled broadly.
murrayledger.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans older than 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses across more than 100,000 complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, with losses increasing 11% from 2022. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support and call center fraud ($1.3 billion in losses), phony investment schemes ($1.2 billion), and fake romance scams, with the particularly devastating "Phantom Hacker" scam draining victims of their life savings through multiple fraudulent personas. In Kentucky specifically, seniors reported $12.8 million in losses across 908 complaints, and the FBI notes that some victims have rem
thereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 750 senior citizens in Solano County reported financial abuse in the previous year, prompting Solano Public Health's Older and Disabled Adult Services to launch the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center website. The center provides prevention resources, educational materials on five key anti-scam strategies, and a reporting mechanism for fraud cases, while addressing three major fraud categories affecting the county: phone/mail fraud, internet/email/texting fraud, and family/caregiver fraud. Nationally, seniors lose over $3 billion annually to fraud, averaging $35,101 per victim.
news-journalonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 556 into law, which allows financial institutions to delay suspicious transactions from seniors aged 65+ or vulnerable adults for up to 15 business days (extendable to 30 days) while investigating potential fraud. The bill addresses the rising threat of scams targeting elderly Floridians, who lost nearly $294 million to fraud in 2023, with seniors nationwide losing over $3.4 billion that same year to schemes including fake calls, investment fraud, and romance scams. The law takes effect January 1, 2025, and requires banks to notify trusted contacts and develop employee training programs to identify and prevent financial exploitation.
ad-hoc-news.de
· 2025-12-08
Globe Telecom in the Philippines implemented Mavenir's SpamShield messaging fraud prevention technology, which achieved a 67% year-on-year reduction in blocked spam and scam SMS messages (from 1.1 billion in Q1 2023 to 362.8 million in Q1 2024) and a 74% decline in bank-related scam messages. Customer-reported scam SMS incidents also fell 44% during the same period, demonstrating the technology's effectiveness in deterring fraudsters by raising technical barriers and reducing profit incentives for scammers.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Winnipeg man lost hundreds of dollars in a scam after Meta AI incorrectly verified a fake Facebook customer support phone number (1-844-457-0520) as legitimate. When he called the number to troubleshoot transferring his Facebook account to a new phone, the scammer gained access to his account and convinced him his IP address was hacked, then used remote access to his phone to fraudulently purchase a $500 Apple gift card via his PayPal account. The victim's wife recognized the scam and he was able to cancel his cards and reverse the charge, but the incident highlights the dangers of relying on AI verification tools for sensitive account support numbers.
chroniclelive.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines eight common WhatsApp scams and prevention strategies. The scams include impersonation schemes (where fraudsters pose as family members or romantic interests), verification code theft, cryptocurrency and investment fraud, and malware distribution, with each targeting different types of personal information or money from victims. The key advice emphasizes verifying sender identity through independent channels, never sharing sensitive codes or personal data, researching investment opportunities thoroughly, and reporting suspicious activity to WhatsApp and authorities.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud reports exceeded $10 billion in the United States last year, representing a 14% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics including phishing, fake urgency, and AI-enhanced schemes. Key prevention strategies include never sharing personal information or online banking credentials with anyone claiming to be from a financial institution or government agency, avoiding unknown callers, and immediately contacting your bank using numbers from official statements rather than online searches if fraud is suspected. A local couple nearly lost $46,000 in a Microsoft impersonation scam but was protected when a bank manager intervened, highlighting the importance of quick action and institutional fraud prevention measures.
dailyforex.com
· 2025-12-08
Telegram has become a popular platform for Forex scammers to target traders by impersonating legitimate traders or brokers and convincing victims to deposit funds with fake platforms or wallets under their control. Common scam types include copycat channels, phishing schemes, pump-and-dump schemes, romance scams, fake broker impersonation, and fake education programs, with scammers typically using fake account screenshots, grammatical errors, and time-pressure tactics to manipulate victims. Traders can protect themselves by verifying legitimacy through official channels, avoiding unsolicited contacts, never sharing personal details, and being cautious of pressure tactics and guaranteed returns.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning residents of AI-powered scams that impersonate government officials and family members, particularly targeting parents and grandparents with deepfake voice calls claiming a child needs help. The FBI reported grandparent scams alone resulted in nearly $2 million in losses last year, with imposter scams being the most commonly reported fraud type in 2023. Bonta's office provided prevention tips including using family code words, limiting personal audio/video on social media, checking privacy settings, letting unknown calls go to voicemail, and using call-blocking technology.
therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams target seniors through deceptive emails posing as trustworthy entities to steal sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and personal data. Key warning signs include suspicious sender addresses, spelling errors, unexpected attachments, and artificial urgency or threats. Seniors can protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding clicking links, verifying requests with known contacts, never sharing personal information via email or unsolicited calls, and keeping devices updated with security software.
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to financial scams (averaging $33,915 per victim), with tech support scams, data breaches, and romance scams being most prevalent due to older adults' assets, trusting nature, and lower likelihood of reporting fraud. Experts recommend protecting against scams through basic data hygiene practices (secure websites, strong passwords, two-factor authentication), using credit cards for online purchases, verifying suspicious communications directly with sources, establishing multiple trusted contacts to monitor accounts, and fostering open conversations about fraud to reduce shame and encourage reporting.
inyourarea.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Janet Smith, 62, fell victim to a Facebook romance scam involving an imposter posing as Take That singer Gary Barlow who flattered her and requested money over a week-long interaction. After confronting the scammer—a 24-year-old man from Nigeria—and exposing the deception, the real Gary Barlow learned of her story and invited her to a Take That concert in Norwich, where he met with her and thanked her for her grace in handling the situation. Janet now uses her experience to raise awareness about catfishing and scams, and the article provides tips for spotting and avoiding similar deceptions online.
which.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This Which? article provides consumer awareness about common scams rather than reporting a specific fraud incident. The piece highlights three prevalent scam types: hotel booking fraud where hackers gain access to hotel systems to send phishing messages requesting card details (with 40 reported Booking.com scams in early 2024); phone/broadband provider impersonation calls offering refunds or upgrades while tricking victims into sharing remote access or making unauthorized payments; and hidden subscription scams where victims are charged recurring fees (up to £50/month) through misleading ads and fake QR codes. The article emphasizes that all consumers are vulnerable to sophisticated fraud and recommends awareness and protective measures.