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tradingview.com
· 2026-06-04
Coinbase and major tech companies including Meta and Microsoft froze over $3 million in cryptocurrency and dismantled servers used by Southeast Asia-based fraud networks targeting Americans, resulting in over 1.4 million compromised accounts being disrupted and several arrests. The coordinated operation, led by the U.S. Department of Justice's Scam Center Strike Force, highlighted how investment fraud and "pig butchering" scams have cost Americans over $11 billion in losses in 2025 alone. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, verify the legitimacy of platforms and contacts before transferring money, and report suspected scams to the FBI or your local authorities immediately.
justice.gov
· 2026-06-04
During "Disruption Week," a coordinated effort between the U.S. Department of Justice and private tech companies, authorities disrupted millions of fraudulent social media and email accounts operated by organized crime groups in Southeast Asia that were targeting American victims with cryptocurrency and investment scams. The operation resulted in freezing over $3.8 million in stolen cryptocurrency and removed criminal networks from major U.S. internet platforms. To protect yourself, remain vigilant about unsolicited investment offers, verify the legitimacy of online financial opportunities, and report suspected fraud to authorities immediately.
stimson.org
· 2026-06-04
Artificial intelligence is being weaponized by both criminals and legitimate platforms in the ongoing battle over fraud and scams, with criminal organizations using AI tools to enhance their scam operations while tech companies deploy AI to detect and block these threats. This Stimson Center event discussion explored how scammers are leveraging AI and deepfakes to evade detection, as well as how platforms can use AI to improve security and identify new fraud tactics. The takeaway for users is to remain vigilant about AI-enabled scams that may appear more sophisticated and convincing, while relying on trusted platforms that invest in AI-powered security measures to protect them.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-04
Meta partnered with the FBI, Department of Justice, and other major tech companies in a landmark two-week operation that resulted in 63 arrests, frozen cryptocurrency assets worth millions, and the removal of over one million scam accounts targeting vulnerable Americans. The crackdown, which took place primarily in Thailand and Washington D.C., focused on organized fraud networks responsible for romance scams and cryptocurrency investment schemes that steal billions annually. To protect yourself, remain vigilant about unsolicited investment offers, romantic advances from online strangers, and cryptocurrency requests, and report suspected scams to law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
edhat.com
· 2026-06-03
Elder fraud is a widespread and growing crisis, with Santa Barbara County alone reporting 357 complaints in 2025 resulting in over $34 million in losses—though actual losses are likely much higher due to underreporting driven by victim shame and confusion about where to report crimes. Scams targeting seniors range from sophisticated international schemes like phishing and fake tech support calls to personal betrayals by caregivers and local opportunists who exploit vulnerable, wealthy seniors. To protect yourself or loved ones, report suspected fraud promptly to local law enforcement or the FBI, and be wary of unsolicited calls, online requests for personal information, and offers that seem too good to be true.
lancasteronline.com
· 2026-06-02
Pennsylvania's Attorney General and a state Senator are pushing lawmakers to strengthen protections for elderly residents against online scams and fraud, citing growing threats from artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Currently, bank employees cannot stop transactions even when they suspect a customer is being scammed, so the proposed legislation would give financial institutions the power to intervene if they believe an elderly client is at risk. The bipartisan bill, which hasn't yet passed, aims to modernize the state's elder protection laws for the first time in decades and would help prevent identity theft and phone spoofing scams.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-02
The Canadian Bankers Association launched a Financial Abuse Prevention Hub in June 2026 to help protect older Canadians from financial abuse and fraud, as research shows nearly one in three Canadians know a victim but only about 25% of cases are reported. The hub provides resources to help seniors recognize warning signs of financial abuse and offers guidance on reporting suspicious activity to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, which helps track criminal organizations and identify emerging fraud trends. The CBA encourages Canadians to have conversations with loved ones about protecting finances and to report fraudulent activities, as doing so can prevent future scams and raise awareness about new threats.
aol.com
· 2026-06-02
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran lost his entire life savings of $1.4 million in a gold bar scam orchestrated by criminals posing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, part of a nationwide elder fraud scheme. One conspirator, Syed M. Makki, was recently sentenced to 15½ years in prison and ordered to pay over $4.7 million in restitution after being caught transporting gold bars from multiple victims across several states. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited visits or calls from people claiming to be law enforcement who pressure them to convert assets into gold or other valuables, as legitimate government agencies do not operate this way.
vermontpublic.org
· 2026-06-02
Vermont residents lost over $26 million to cyberfraud in 2025, with nearly 1,600 people reporting scams—a dramatic increase from 937 victims the previous year—as criminals increasingly target businesses through phony emails and use cryptocurrency to move stolen funds. While older adults remain frequent targets, people in their 40s reported the highest losses, and business-based scams like fake invoices caused the most damage overall. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited business emails requesting payments, verify requests through independent contact information, avoid cryptocurrency transfers for investments or tech support, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
streamlinefeed.co.ke
· 2026-06-02
Nigerian romance scammers are impersonating celebrities like wrestler Cody Rhodes to exploit lonely people globally, extracting millions of dollars through sophisticated psychological manipulation rather than traditional phishing. The scheme, known as "Yahoo Boys" operations, has evolved to include meticulous research of victims' targets—tracking schedules and appearances to build credibility—while the stolen money fuels a chaotic underground economy in Lagos and other West African cities. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of online romantic interests who claim to be celebrities, verify identities through official channels, and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
privateinternetaccess.com
· 2026-06-01
Phishing scams—where criminals impersonate trusted sources like banks or coworkers to steal sensitive information—remain the most common cyberattack, with 3.8 million attacks recorded in 2025, capable of causing devastating losses from identity theft to millions in business damages. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated, using AI-generated messages, deepfake audio and video, and near-perfect fake login pages to manipulate people through psychological tactics like urgency and fear. To protect yourself, verify sender identities through official channels before clicking links or sharing credentials, be suspicious of unexpected urgency or requests for sensitive information, and use multi-factor authentication on important accounts.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-01
Scammers are targeting employees with fake HR performance review emails that contain QR codes (a tactic called "quishing"), claiming urgent action is needed by a deadline and requesting employees scan the code to access their review. These emails appear to come from official HR departments but actually originate from unrelated email domains and direct victims to phishing pages designed to steal login credentials. Employees should be skeptical of any HR communication requesting QR code scans, verify sender email addresses match their company's official domain, and use direct company portals or known links instead of scanning codes in unsolicited emails.
kucoin.com
· 2026-06-01
In 2025, social engineering attacks accounted for 65% of cryptocurrency thefts, resulting in approximately $17 billion in global fraud losses, with "pig butchering" (investment/romance scams) being the largest category at $7.2 billion. Common attack methods include phishing, impersonation, SIM swapping, and AI-driven scams, which exploit user trust and urgency rather than targeting blockchain technology directly. To protect themselves, users should avoid relying on SMS verification codes, verify customer service through official channels, and regularly review wallet permissions.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-01
Seniors over 60 are increasingly targeted by identity theft and fraud, filing over 201,000 complaints in 2025 with average losses of $38,500—nearly double younger victims' losses—while total fraud costs to older adults range from $10 billion to $81 billion annually. Scammers exploit the fact that seniors have multiple financial accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that can be breached using publicly available information like birthdates and Social Security numbers, and new AI voice-cloning technology makes impersonation easier than ever. Adult children can help protect aging parents by securing their personal information across all accounts and being cautious of unexpected calls, particularly those requesting verification details or claiming to be family members in distress.
theguardian.com
· 2026-05-31
Scammers are sending fake antivirus renewal emails impersonating companies like McAfee, using urgent language, fake expiration warnings, and steep discounts to trick people into clicking malicious links and revealing financial information. The fraudulent emails are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI technology and often contain telltale signs like poor grammar, suspicious sender addresses, and pressure to act immediately. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited renewal emails, verify directly with the company's official website rather than clicking email links, and never call phone numbers provided in emails or texts.
noticias.foxnews.com
· 2026-05-31
Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, with victims averaging losses of nearly $38,500—almost double younger victims' losses—making seniors the most defrauded age group according to FBI data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they typically have multiple financial and government accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that scammers can exploit, and new threats like AI voice cloning now allow fraudsters to impersonate loved ones convincingly. To protect aging parents, adult children should help them implement credit freezes, secure their sensitive personal information (like Social Security numbers and birthdates) used for account verification, and remain vigilant about phone calls from grandchildren or others requesting money, especially when voice authenticity seems uncertain.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-31
Seniors are losing a record $7.7 billion annually to financial scams that typically begin with unsolicited phone calls or text messages creating false urgency. Common scams include fake bank fraud alerts asking victims to verify account information, Medicare renewal schemes requesting personal details, and other schemes exploiting seniors' retirement savings and established credit. To protect yourself, never respond to unsolicited messages asking for passwords or personal information, remember that legitimate banks and Medicare won't request sensitive data unexpectedly, and verify any suspicious communications by calling your institution directly using a number from their official website.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams manipulate emotionally vulnerable people—such as those who are widowed, divorced, or lonely—by creating fake online relationships through dating apps and social media, with scammers using stolen photos and practiced backstories to build trust over weeks or months. When victims eventually send money to their "partners" (often for supposed emergencies or travel), banks struggle to intervene because customers are emotionally invested and may view warnings as intrusive skepticism. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that progress quickly, avoid meeting in person, and be especially wary if someone asks for money or financial assistance.
en.ilsole24ore.com
· 2026-05-30
Scammers are increasingly exploiting technology and artificial intelligence to commit fraud at scale, with common schemes including deepfake videos for financial fraud, romance scams on social media where victims are manipulated into sharing compromising photos and then blackmailed (sextortion), and company email compromises. According to a UN report on global organized crime, these operations are often run from "scam factories" in areas with weak law enforcement, particularly in Southeast Asia, where thousands of operators work simultaneously—sometimes as trafficking victims forced to participate. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic advances from unknown people online, verify requests for money or sensitive information through independent channels, never share compromising images, and remain skeptical of requests involving cryptocurrency or gift transfers.
cnn.com
· 2026-05-30
Voice cloning scams using AI technology are rapidly increasing, with scammers using just a few seconds of audio from social media or previous calls to create convincing replicas of family members' voices and demand money by claiming loved ones are in distress or kidnapped. Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year, and experts say the technology has become so realistic that average people can no longer reliably distinguish fake voices from real ones. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent calls requesting money from family members, verify requests through a separate communication channel (like calling the person directly), and be cautious about what audio and personal information you share on social media.
edition.cnn.com
· 2026-05-30
Voice cloning scams using artificial intelligence are rapidly increasing, with fraudsters using just seconds of someone's audio to create realistic voice replicas that impersonate family members, friends, or colleagues in fake emergencies to extort money. Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year, and experts say the technology has become so convincing that average people can no longer reliably distinguish AI-generated voices from real ones. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected urgent calls requesting money, independently verify claims by contacting loved ones through known phone numbers or in person, and be cautious about sharing audio or personal information on social media that scammers could exploit.
abcnews.com
· 2026-05-30
The FTC is warning about a phishing scam where criminals send fake party invitation emails and texts impersonating legitimate platforms like Evite or Paperless Post to trick people into entering their login credentials. Victims like a New York yoga instructor and a California preschool director have had their email accounts hijacked and used to spread the scam to their contacts, with one victim losing $5,500 to fraudsters who accessed her bank account. To protect yourself, be cautious about unexpected invitation links, verify invitations directly with the sender through another communication method, enable multi-factor authentication, and immediately change your passwords if you suspect you've been compromised.
the420.in
· 2026-05-30
Troy Murray, a North Carolina man, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal data of more than 7 million elderly Americans to scammers between 2016 and 2023, resulting in over $9.5 million in victim losses from lottery fraud schemes. Murray sold detailed lead lists containing names, phone numbers, and addresses to scammers primarily in Jamaica, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually until wire services blocked him and he switched to accepting prepaid gift cards. Elderly Americans should be cautious of unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, verify any winnings through official channels before sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls or messages to authorities.
wsmv.com
· 2026-05-29
Senior scams are escalating rapidly in Tennessee's three largest cities—Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville—with reported losses reaching $108 million in 2025 affecting over 3,500 victims aged 60 and older, representing a 39% increase in victims and 75% increase in losses compared to 2024. Investment scams saw the most dramatic rise, tripling from $17.1 million to $51.6 million, while romance scams, tech support scams, and lottery schemes also increased significantly. Seniors should be especially cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities and romance interactions online, verify caller identities through official phone numbers rather than numbers provided in calls, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-29
A Georgia woman and an Illinois man have been convicted in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded a Bradenton senior of $1.4 million; the scammers impersonated law enforcement and convinced the victim to convert his savings into gold bars, which he then handed over to accomplices at predetermined locations. Syed M. Makki was sentenced to over 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.75 million in restitution, while the conspiracy targeted multiple victims between 2023 and early 2024 using phone calls and impersonation of government officials and law enforcement. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming you have legal problems or warrants—legitimate law enforcement will not demand payment in gold or other goods, and you should independently verify any such claims by contacting official agencies directly.
patch.com
· 2026-05-29
A California man was convicted of attempted theft by deception after trying to steal $50,000 from a 92-year-old New Hampshire resident through a tech support scam that used a fake computer pop-up alert to convince her that her bank accounts were compromised. The victim was manipulated into believing she needed to pay a supposed bank agent to protect her money, and the suspect traveled to her home to collect the cash. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited tech support alerts and unexpected requests for payment, and anyone experiencing or witnessing elder fraud should contact local police or New Hampshire's Department of Health and Human Services at nheasy.nh.gov.
nbcchicago.com
· 2026-05-29
The FBI has warned of a phishing scam called Kali 365 that targets Microsoft Outlook and 365 users by tricking them into authorizing attackers' devices to access their accounts, allowing hackers to bypass multi-factor authentication and gain full access to email, Teams, and OneDrive. The pre-packaged phishing kit is being distributed through Telegram and makes it easier for less-skilled hackers to launch convincing phishing attacks using AI-generated lures. Users should limit device sign-in options, maintain backup access methods, and report any suspected targeting to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
dutchessny.gov
· 2026-05-29
Dutchess County is offering free workshops in June to teach seniors and caregivers about SilverShield, an AI-powered tool designed to help older adults identify and respond to increasingly sophisticated scams in real time. Scammers are using technology to make their schemes feel personal and urgent, leaving victims feeling shaken or embarrassed, which is why county officials are providing this resource to help seniors stay safe and confident. Interested residents can register for workshops at multiple locations throughout the county by contacting their local senior centers or the Office for the Aging.
livenowfox.com
· 2026-05-28
The FBI is warning about a phishing scam called Kali365 that tricks people into entering device codes on fake Microsoft verification pages, allowing hackers to steal login tokens and gain persistent access to Microsoft 365 accounts—including email, Teams, and OneDrive—while bypassing multi-factor authentication protections. The scam affects anyone using Microsoft 365 and is particularly dangerous because it's being offered as a subscription service to criminals, complete with AI-generated phishing emails and attack templates that make it easy for less-skilled attackers to launch attacks. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected emails asking you to verify your identity or enter device codes, and organizations should consider disabling or restricting device authentication codes as a security measure.
wsbradio.com
· 2026-05-28
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to create fake vacation rental listings and phishing emails that look increasingly legitimate, targeting summer travelers with unrealistic deals and AI-generated photos that lack real-world details. Cybersecurity experts warn that if a rental seems too cheap or looks suspiciously perfect (like a magazine cover with no neighbors visible), it's likely a scam, especially since fraudsters are harvesting personal information from data breaches to make their schemes more convincing. To protect yourself, carefully verify listings through official booking websites, scrutinize unusually discounted deals, and never share payment or personal information without thoroughly reviewing the listing and sender's legitimacy.
threatfabric.com
· 2026-05-28
Becky Holmes, an author and fraud expert, discusses how romance and fraud scams are evolving and why preventing them requires more than just technology—it demands human understanding and empathy. She became interested in this topic after observing romance scammers on Twitter during the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequently wrote books exploring fraud trends through interviews with victims, experts, and even perpetrators. Holmes emphasizes that effective fraud prevention depends on collaboration between organizations, law enforcement, and communities rather than relying solely on technical tools, since scams exploit trust and emotion that systems alone cannot counter.
mysuncoast.com
· 2026-05-28
Scammers posing as federal law enforcement agents defrauded an 80-year-old Bradenton veteran of $1.4 million by convincing him to purchase gold bars as part of a fake investigation. The scheme was part of a nationwide elder fraud conspiracy; one perpetrator was sentenced to 15.5 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.7 million in restitution. Elderly people should be wary of unsolicited contact from supposed government agents demanding immediate financial action, and should independently verify any claims by contacting official agencies directly.
thenews.com.pk
· 2026-05-28
Investment fraud has surged 87% over two years, with losses nearly doubling from $4.6 billion to $8.6 billion, making it the most lucrative crime for hackers according to the FBI's latest report. Seniors over 60 are particularly vulnerable, losing over $3.5 billion to investment scams last year, though younger investors are increasingly targeted as criminals refine their tactics using AI-generated impersonations and deepfakes. To protect yourself, verify any unsolicited investment opportunities through official regulatory channels, consult a licensed financial advisor before investing, and be wary of promises of unrealistic returns or pressure to act quickly.
aol.com
· 2026-05-28
An 80-year-old Florida veteran lost his entire life savings of $1.4 million in a nationwide gold bar scam where fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials and claimed he had a warrant, convincing him he was assisting in an investigation. The scheme involved multiple perpetrators across several states who used fake government agents and supervisors to gain victims' trust, ultimately directing them to purchase gold bars and deliver them to predetermined locations. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited contact from government agencies claiming you have legal issues, verify any such claims directly with official government offices using independently confirmed phone numbers, and remember that law enforcement will never ask you to purchase items or deliver cash/valuables as part of an investigation.
patch.com
· 2026-05-28
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran lost $1.4 million in a gold bar scam where fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials, convincing him he was assisting with an investigation while pressuring him to convert his life savings into gold bars and hand them over at predetermined locations. The scam has been linked to a nationwide conspiracy involving multiple victims across several states, with one perpetrator sentenced to over 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.75 million in restitution. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited visits or calls from people claiming to be government agents, especially those requesting immediate financial transactions or unusual forms of payment like gold bars.
amac.us
· 2026-05-26
American consumers lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with older adults particularly targeted because they often have savings and may be less familiar with modern technology. Scammers use unsolicited contact via phone, email, or social media to create false urgency and manipulate people into sending money or revealing personal information. To protect yourself, treat unexpected outreach with caution, verify callers' identities before sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC or other authorities to help stop fraudsters and protect others.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are systematically targeting veterans by mining military records, VA databases, and public data sources to build detailed fraud profiles for identity theft and financial crimes. Veterans are particularly vulnerable because much of their sensitive information—including Social Security numbers, discharge papers, and service details—is scattered across semi-public federal databases and sold by data brokers. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information, monitor your credit reports regularly, verify requests from VA or military-related organizations directly, and consider a credit freeze if you believe your information has been compromised.
kiro7.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are increasingly difficult to detect online because they're using advanced technologies like AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to create convincing deceptions that bypass traditional warning signs. In 2025 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received over one million reports of imposter scams, with reported losses reaching $3.5 billion—a 20% increase. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited demands for money, verify requests through official channels before sharing sensitive information, and be cautious of investment opportunities promising high returns with little risk.
capegazette.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are targeting vulnerable people—particularly seniors over 60—with increasingly sophisticated schemes that have caused fraud losses to jump from $600 million to $2.4 billion between 2020 and 2024, often involving romance scams, fake investment opportunities, and AI-generated deepfake voice calls impersonating loved ones. While people are becoming more skeptical of obvious scams, criminals are using artificial intelligence to make their schemes more convincing and harder to detect. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited requests for money or personal information from people you've met online or by phone, verify requests by contacting family members directly through known phone numbers, and never share account login credentials or financial information with anyone you haven't thoroughly verified in person.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-25
Scammers are exploiting the familiar CAPTCHA security check by creating fake versions that trick users into opening hidden command windows and pasting malicious scripts that install StealC malware on their computers. The malware then silently runs in the background to steal sensitive information like passwords and financial data without the victim's knowledge. To protect yourself, be suspicious of any CAPTCHA that asks you to use keyboard shortcuts, open command windows, or paste code—legitimate security checks never require these actions.
aol.com
· 2026-05-24
# Summary
A woman defrauded a Bradenton man out of $100,000 in a scheme involving a Tesla vehicle, according to police reports. Detectives from the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit have outlined common tactics used to target vulnerable individuals and provided guidance on how to protect yourself, including being cautious about unsolicited offers and verifying the legitimacy of transactions before sending money or personal information.
newsindiatimes.com
· 2026-05-23
An Indian national named Syed M. Makki was sentenced to 15½ years in prison for his role in an elder fraud conspiracy that defrauded 12 victims of over $6 million. Between 2023 and early 2024, scammers installed malware on victims' computers and impersonated Microsoft employees, bankers, and government officials to convince elderly people (ages 61-80) that their money was unsafe in banks, then tricked them into liquidating their savings to buy gold bars and coins, which Makki and others collected and transported across state lines. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from major companies or government agencies, never buy precious metals based on pressure from callers, and verify any urgent claims by hanging up and calling official numbers directly.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-05-23
Blockchain intelligence firm TRM Labs testified before Congress that the 1970s-era Bank Secrecy Act is too slow to combat modern financial crime, particularly crypto fraud where criminals move stolen funds across networks in 24-48 hours. In 2025 alone, North Korean hackers stole $2 billion in digital assets, "pig butchering" investment scams cost Americans $35 billion, and AI-enabled fraud surged 500%—yet regulatory agencies rely on Suspicious Activity Reports that take 30+ days to process. TRM Labs urged Congress to modernize enforcement with real-time blockchain analytics and AI tools so regulators can keep pace with criminal activity instead of always playing catch-up.
indianexpress.com
· 2026-05-23
The FBI shut down a call center operation in India that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans and people in other countries out of millions of dollars through tech support scams. Two senior executives of a telecommunications company that enabled these operations—former CEO Adam Young and former CSO Harrison Gevirtz—pleaded guilty to knowingly profiting from the scammers and face sentencing in June 2026. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited tech support calls, verify requests through official company channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities, as the FBI emphasizes protecting vulnerable populations from these predatory schemes.
english.publictv.in
· 2026-05-23
The FBI shut down a major scam call center operation based in India that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars through fake tech support schemes, with two U.S. executives pleading guilty to knowingly providing telecommunications services to support the fraudulent operation. Elderly Americans were the primary victims, targeted by scammers posing as tech support representatives to steal their money. The FBI urges people to check on elderly loved ones, watch for suspicious activity, and report any suspected scams to law enforcement at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
knoxradio.com
· 2026-05-23
Emergency alert systems in the U.S. and Canada are based on outdated assumptions about older adults: while planners long assumed seniors relied on landlines, new federal data shows that roughly 75% of American seniors and 83% of Canadian seniors now primarily use cell phones and the internet. This disconnect means many emergency alerts—which still rely on reverse 911 systems tied to physical addresses—may fail to reach older residents effectively during severe weather or other crises. To stay safe, seniors should ensure their cell phone numbers are registered with local emergency services, opt into mobile alert systems, and verify they can receive emergency notifications on their devices.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-23
Scammers are sending convincing fake inheritance emails claiming recipients are entitled to unclaimed estates and demanding action within 48 hours to create urgency. The emails look professional with official language and formatting, but clicking the "Check My Unclaimed Inheritance" button leads to data theft. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected inheritance claims, never click links in unsolicited emails, and verify any legitimate claims by contacting financial institutions directly rather than through email links.
thepointsguy.com
· 2026-05-22
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated AI technology to impersonate legitimate companies like American Express and target travelers during summer vacation planning, attempting to steal identities, money, and travel rewards points. The article highlights a case where the author received a convincing but ultimately flawed AI-generated call claiming to be from American Express Security, demonstrating how criminals are using technology to make their schemes more believable. To protect yourself, verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling the official company number directly, be suspicious of AI-generated voices with lag time or pronunciation difficulties, and never confirm personal information or card details during unsolicited calls.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-22
Scammers are sending fake Geek Squad billing emails claiming urgent charges of $489.99 for protection plans you never signed up for, designed to pressure recipients into clicking payment links before they think carefully. Red flags include generic greetings without personalization, a confusing mix of unrelated company names (Geek Squad, Razorpay, QuickTax), and artificial urgency claiming charges within 48 hours. To protect yourself, ignore these emails entirely, verify any billing alerts directly with the company's official website or phone number, and remember that legitimate subscription services don't work through unsolicited payment links or demands.
bbc.com
· 2026-05-22
Several dating start-ups are addressing widespread fraud on traditional dating apps by implementing stricter vetting processes and encouraging in-person meetings. Geek Meet Club and Cherry dating were created by founders frustrated with fake profiles and scams that plague mainstream dating platforms, affecting thousands of users seeking genuine connections. The advice from these platforms is to meet potential matches in person quickly—such as for coffee in public spaces—to verify someone's legitimacy before investing time in online conversations.