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longreads.com
· 2025-12-08
CRA impersonation scammers, primarily operating from call centers in India on a commission basis, have targeted nearly every Canadian adult through phone calls demanding payment of fake tax debts or threatening legal action. The scam involved thousands of offshore perpetrators working scheduled shifts alongside dozens of Canadian recruiters, many of whom were new immigrants, and operated on a massive scale with relative impunity due to Canada's under-resourced fraud investigations and cross-border enforcement challenges.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reported that the state's Consumer Protection Team received over 10,000 written complaints and 20,000 phone calls in 2024, recovering $1.9 million for consumers through mediation, settlements, and refunds. The top complaint categories were internet/online purchases, retail delivery issues, motor vehicle sales, credit/financial concerns, personal services, health services, landlord/tenant disputes, utilities, contractors, and telecommunications billing problems.
ocregister.com
· 2025-12-08
An anti-poverty advocate named Joseph Sanberg was arrested in connection with an alleged investment fraud scheme that cost investors $145 million, according to federal prosecutors. The charges were announced in March 2025, though specific details about the fraud mechanism and victim demographics were not included in the available excerpt.
dailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An "anti-poverty advocate" named Joseph Sanberg was arrested by federal prosecutors in connection with an alleged fraud scheme that cost investors $145 million. The article indicates charges were filed against Sanberg and at least one other person, though specific details about the fraud mechanism are not provided in the excerpt.
arabtimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kuwaiti woman lost her entire bank balance of 1,710 dinars and 835 fils after a fraudster posing as a bank employee called claiming her card was blocked and obtained her card number, PIN, and one-time password. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior warned the public about rising phone scams perpetrated by individuals outside the country, emphasizing that citizens should never share banking credentials with unknown callers, and highlighted emerging WhatsApp scams where fraudsters request money transfers through malicious links.
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old man in Bengaluru lost Rs 1.7 lakh after clicking a malicious link in a fake traffic challan WhatsApp message that downloaded an APK file and compromised his phone, leading to unauthorized transactions on e-commerce platforms and his credit cards. By acting quickly to contact Flipkart, Amazon, and his banks before orders were dispatched, he recovered Rs 80,000 of the stolen amount. The article advises avoiding unknown links, refusing APK downloads, verifying messages through official channels, enabling transaction alerts, and reporting fraud immediately to banks and platforms.
thelogicalindian.com
· 2025-12-08
Meenu Rani from Greater Noida lost ₹51.5 lakh in a stock trading scam that began with a ₹1,000 Amazon gift voucher used to build trust before scammers lured her into investments through a fake trading app displaying fabricated profits. When she demanded her money back, the scammers stopped responding; police have registered a case under the IT Act and recovered ₹4.8 lakh so far. The incident exemplifies the growing threat of cyber scams in India targeting individuals through social media and messaging platforms, with authorities advising victims to verify investment opportunities through regulatory bodies like SEBI and avoid sharing financial details online.
drydenwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Barron County residents lost a combined $50,000 to scammers, prompting Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald to issue a public warning urging vigilance against unsolicited calls requesting financial information. Sheriff Fitzgerald advised residents to verify suspicious requests before taking action and remain cautious of potential fraud attempts.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Makayla Crumedy of Huntsville, Alabama, fell victim to a text message scam claiming she owed unpaid toll fees after visiting Florida; after entering her banking information through a suspicious link, she was charged over $1,000 to her account but successfully recovered the funds through fraud claims. The scam, which also targeted her grandmother, involved a text from an email address with random letters—a red flag that legitimate toll offices never use text messages with links to demand payment and may threaten license suspension. The Better Business Bureau advises recipients to delete and block such messages, as reputable agencies will never text toll payment demands.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Darien, Connecticut resident lost $25,000 in a tech support scam on February 26 after scammers impersonating Apple security and Bank of America representatives displayed a fraudulent notification claiming unauthorized access to their accounts. The victim was convinced to withdraw $25,000 in cash and hand it to an unidentified individual at their home; no arrests have been made and an investigation is underway. The FTC warns against responding to pop-up messages about computer problems or calling numbers provided in such notifications, as unsolicited tech support calls are always scams.
business-standard.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old man named Priyesh Giri was arrested by Delhi Police for defrauding multiple senior citizens by posing as a health insurance agent and collecting renewal fees under false pretenses. A 74-year-old victim lost Rs 95,000 after receiving a fake insurance policy, prompting her complaint that led to Giri's arrest through online tracking; he confessed to cheating more than five seniors over the past year and reportedly had an accomplice still being sought. The case reflects India's broader surge in fraud, with cybercrime cases increasing by over 100% in early 2024, including investment and trading scams affecting thousands of victims.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
A cooperative U.S.-Canadian law enforcement effort resulted in the indictment of more than two dozen Quebec men accused of stealing over $21 million through "grandparent scams," in which they impersonated grandchildren in distress to manipulate seniors into sending money. Experts emphasize that scams targeting seniors have become increasingly sophisticated and difficult to combat across borders, and recommend that families establish code words to verify callers' identities and report suspicious contacts immediately to authorities. Vermont officials note that red flags include requests for urgent payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and encourage victims to report incidents without shame to help law enforcement understand the scope of fraud affecting their communities.
radio.wpsu.org
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadians, mostly based in Quebec, were charged with operating an elaborate "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans across 46 states of more than $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. The scheme involved call centers in the Montreal area using spoofed technology to impersonate relatives in distress, claiming bail money was needed, with victims often targeted multiple times and referred to as "whales" if they provided substantial funds. All 25 defendants face conspiracy to defraud charges carrying up to 20 years in prison, with five also charged with money laundering conspiracy.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A new book by cybersecurity expert Alex East provides guidance on recognizing scams that target seniors, addressing the billions of dollars lost to fraud in recent years. The resource aims to help seniors identify warning signs and protect themselves from becoming victims of scams.
shu.edu
· 2025-12-08
National Slam the Scam Day (March 6, 2025) is an awareness initiative by Social Security's Office of the Inspector General to combat government imposter scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials from trusted agencies like the SSA and IRS to steal money and personal information. The advisory highlights the "4 P's" of scams—pretend, problem, pressure, and payment demand—and emphasizes that legitimate government agencies never request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods. Individuals are urged to stay alert, hang up on suspicious contacts, guard personal information, and report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A man in Anchorage fell victim to a QR code scam when fraudsters placed a fake QR code over a legitimate parking lot payment sticker, redirecting him to a phishing website and compromising his financial information. To protect yourself, examine QR codes for tampering, verify URLs match the legitimate business, never scan codes from unsolicited messages, keep phone security updated, and avoid rushing when making payments. Report scams immediately to your bank and the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) for free assistance.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate family members and loved ones in distress, with "grandparent scams" becoming more convincing and difficult to detect. According to the FTC, imposter scams were the most common fraud type in Maine last year, affecting more than 2,000 victims, and experts warn this number could rise as fraudsters refine their tactics. To protect themselves, consumers should verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling back directly, establish family code words, not trust caller ID, and resist pressure tactics that create urgency.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A leak of 1 million audio files from Georgian scam call centers exposed sophisticated cryptocurrency investment fraud schemes that defrauded victims of £9 million combined through "authorised push payment" (APP) fraud, which tricks people into voluntarily sending money from their bank accounts. In the first half of 2024, investment scammers cheated Britons out of at least £56 million, accounting for a quarter of the £214 million lost to APP fraud despite representing only 4% of cases. As of October 7, 2024, new UK regulatory rules now mandate banks refund victims up to £85,000 within five days for domestic transfers, significantly improving reimburs
cbia.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of top tax scams on February 27, identifying 12 prevalent threats including email phishing, misleading social media tax advice, fake charities, and fraudulent tax credit claims such as the Fuel Tax Credit and pandemic-era sick leave credits. These scams target taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses year-round, seeking to steal personal information, enable identity theft, and generate fraudulent refunds. The IRS advises taxpayers to verify communications directly with official agencies and only claim tax credits for which they are genuinely eligible.
wtvr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Virginia DMV warned residents about widespread scam text messages falsely claiming unpaid tolls or E-Z Pass penalties and demanding immediate payment via suspicious links to avoid legal action and fines. The fraudulent texts, originating from various phone numbers and emails, aim to steal money and personal information from recipients. The DMV advises residents to never respond to unexpected toll-related texts, verify messages directly with E-Z Pass, and report suspected scams as junk rather than engaging with them.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week, where fraudsters pose as friends, relatives, or organization representatives to steal personal information and money using common phrases like "I'm in trouble" or "You've won!" The advisory provides six protective strategies including verifying identities through official channels, confirming distress messages with family members directly, being cautious of online romance scams, ignoring unsolicited USPS texts, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry. Victims can report suspected fraud to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
An organized Georgian call center network scammed approximately 6,000 people across the UK, Europe, and Canada out of $35 million (£27 million) between May 2022 and 2023 using deepfake videos and fake celebrity endorsements featuring Martin Lewis, Zoe Ball, and Ben Fogle to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment schemes. UK victims were disproportionately affected, accounting for about £9 million in losses, with some individuals defrauded of over £160,000 after spending hundreds of hours on calls with scammers. The fraud was exposed through a leaked dataset of over 1 million call recordings that revealed how the approximately
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Risk Report identifies investment and cryptocurrency scams as the highest-risk fraud type with a median loss of $5,000, followed by employment scams ($1,500 median loss) and romance scams ($6,099 median loss—the highest per-victim cost and ranked third for the first time). Scammers typically invest significant time building relationships with victims, with online and home improvement scams also among the top five reported fraud categories.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions are increasingly using behavioral analytics and "smart friction" to combat escalating fraud, which costs the industry an estimated trillion dollars annually. Investment scams average $1,104 in losses while romance scams result in median losses of $1,996 and involve nearly twice as many transactions as other fraud types. Banks are adopting real-time data analysis, AI-powered pattern recognition, and inter-bank information sharing to identify suspicious transactions and strategically introduce authentication challenges that balance security with customer convenience.
rdnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
During Fraud Prevention Month, Julie Matthews, a Fraud Prevention Educator with the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association, emphasizes that anyone is vulnerable to scams regardless of age or background. She highlights that scammers deploy multiple fraud tactics—including shipping scams, grandparent scams, and investment scams—and recommends awareness and prevention strategies to protect against these threats.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Texas man lost approximately $500,000 in a crypto-romance scam after being contacted by a woman named "Gianna" on the dating site Silver Singles. Over several months, the scammer built an emotional relationship with him, then convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency on a fake platform showing false profits, eventually pressuring him to withdraw his 401(k) to invest more money. The victim is now selling his home and returning to work to pay off his debts, while the Better Business Bureau warns that such hybrid romance-investment scams are increasingly common, with nearly half of all investment scams involving cryptocurrency and scammers often targeting victims who keep the schemes secret from family and friends.
naplesnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before requesting money or personal information; the FTC has reported over 64,000 cases since 2023, with people ages 70 and older experiencing the highest median losses at $9,475 per incident. Warning signs include rapid relationship development, requests to move communications off-platform, isolation tactics, and never meeting in person. To protect yourself, verify photos through reverse image searches, confide in trusted friends, avoid sending money to online-only contacts, and report suspected scams to the FTC, the platform, or AARP's fraud helpline.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC has reported over 64,000 romance scams in the U.S. since 2023, with people ages 40-69 most likely to report losses and those 70+ experiencing median losses of $9,475. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before requesting money or cryptocurrency investments, and the FBI, FTC, and AARP recommend verifying photos through image search, consulting trusted contacts, and never sending money to online-only connections. Victims should immediately contact their bank or payment service, report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and call AARP's fraud helpline at 1-
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal prosecutors charged more than two dozen Canadian nationals in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly victims of over $21 million across more than 40 U.S. states between summer 2021 and June 2024. Scammers operating from Montreal call centers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need bail money after accidents or posed as attorneys, using spoofed U.S. phone numbers and sometimes extracting multiple payments from victims by claiming bail amounts had increased; money was laundered back to Canada through various methods including cryptocurrency. Twenty-three of the 25 defendants were arrested in Canada, with two remaining fugitives facing up to 40 years in prison
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadian nationals were charged in Vermont federal court for operating a multi-million dollar "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly victims across more than 40 U.S. states of over $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. Perpetrators operating from call centers near Montreal posed as grandchildren claiming to need bail money for fabricated arrests or as attorneys representing them, convincing victims to provide cash that was collected in person and laundered through Canada using cryptocurrency. Canadian law enforcement arrested 23 of the defendants on March 4, 2024, following search warrants executed at the call centers where they were actively making calls to elderly victims.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadians, mostly based in Quebec, were charged with defrauding hundreds of American seniors out of more than $21 million through a "grandparent scam" that operated from call centers in the Montreal area beginning in summer 2021. The scammers used spoofed phone numbers and fake identities (posing as grandchildren in legal trouble and attorneys) to convince elderly victims across 46 states to send money via in-person pickups, mail, or cryptocurrency, with some victims targeted multiple times and referred to as "whales." The scheme continued until June 2024 when Canadian law enforcement executed search warrants at the call centers, leading to the arrests of
substack.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting Substack writers and readers through impersonation of public figures like Keanu Reeves and the author themselves, using engagement patterns and trust-building tactics to gather information before attempting to defraud victims. The author, who lost one-third of her retirement funds to a scam in 2022, warns that sophisticated scammers profile users by age, hobbies, and interactions, and notes that recent romance scams alone exceeded half a billion dollars. She urges the community to be vigilant about fake celebrity accounts and impersonators, as even highly educated individuals and tech professionals have fallen victim to these schemes.
westernmassnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During Consumer Protection Week in Springfield, Massachusetts, the mayor's Office of Consumer Information held an educational event at City Hall to help residents recognize and prevent common scams, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations like seniors and children. The event featured resources and information booths, including guidance from Western New England University's Law Center on consumer rights in debt collection cases, with organizers emphasizing that education and awareness are key to staying ahead of scammers and protecting credit and financial security.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Trump-themed memorabilia scams, particularly the Trump Rebate Banking (TRB) scheme, have defrauded supporters who were promised their coins and merchandise would appreciate in value or generate cash payouts. An Alabama woman lost over $152,000 in cryptocurrency after being promised a $13 million rebate for her Trump items, though the FBI later froze the stolen funds in federal custody. These scams exploit supporters' emotional investment in Trump's brand and remain prevalent across platforms like Telegram and X, with victims typically losing thousands of dollars to fraudsters posing as legitimate investment facilitators.
therecordherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Heritage Retirement Community in Greencastle, Pennsylvania is hosting a free educational event on March 19, 2025, titled "Tips on How to Avoid Financial Scams & Identity Theft," featuring speaker Karen Metz from F&M Trust. The session will cover warning signs of scams, prevention strategies, personal information protection, and identity theft protocols, with particular emphasis on reaching senior adults and their Powers of Attorney who face heightened vulnerability to fraud.
kutv.com
· 2025-12-08
Affinity fraud, where trusted community members exploit personal relationships to promote fraudulent investments, poses a particular risk in Utah's tight-knit communities, with seniors targeted due to their retirement savings. Red flags include unlicensed sellers, pressure for quick investment decisions, unrealistic return promises, and lack of written documentation. The Utah Division of Securities is combating this through enhanced penalties and educational programs like "Knights of Scamalot," which now emphasizes senior fraud awareness.
ktnv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Las Vegas woman, "Cozy" Giles, lost over $12,000 from her Citibank account after falling victim to a scam in January 2024, one of three fraudulent incidents targeting her savings. Despite reporting the theft to Citibank multiple times and contacting numerous agencies including the FBI, Metro Police, and the Nevada Attorney General's Office, she received minimal assistance and was told by the bank that she needed a subpoena to access her own transaction records. The case illustrates a broader problem: more than 369,000 financial abuse incidents targeting older adults are reported annually in the United States, resulting in estimated losses of $
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers increasingly target lonely individuals on dating apps and social media using stolen photos and AI-generated deepfakes to establish fake identities. A Utah woman lost $187,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam, another became an unwitting money mule, and innocent West Haven resident Justin Yoder faced harassment after his photos were stolen and used to defraud victims. Reverse image searches and awareness of common tactics—such as targeting vulnerable individuals and gradually building trust before requesting money—can help people identify catfishing attempts before falling victim.
globenewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A TransUnion survey found that 85% of women and 87% of men want dating platforms to verify user information such as age, photos, and location to combat misrepresentation. The report revealed that over 28% of dating app users experienced catfishing and 21% were victimized by romance scammers demanding money or attempting phishing schemes, with at least 70% of all users expressing concern about dating app fraud. The study indicates consumers are willing to undergo background checks and potentially pay for verification features to increase trust and safety on dating platforms.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report identified investment/cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and romance scams as the three riskiest fraud types, with romance scams causing the highest median loss at $6,099 and investment scams affecting over 80% of targets. While the overall number of scam reports with losses decreased 14.6%, the median loss amount increased 30% year-over-year to $130, with adults 65 and older experiencing the highest median losses at $160, followed by ages 18–24 at $150. Publishers Clearing House was the most impersonated organization, and scams conducte
lethbridgepolice.ca
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are confidence schemes where criminals build fake online relationships through dating sites and social media to eventually solicit money from victims. Key warning signs include rapid declarations of love, reluctance to meet in person, requests for money or crypto investments, and discouragement of telling others about the relationship. Victims are advised to avoid sharing personal information, never send money to strangers, enable multi-factor authentication, and report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (if no loss occurred) or local police and financial institutions (if money was lost).
thinkadvisor.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses the IRS's annual "Dirty Dozen" list, which identifies twelve major tax scams and fraud threats that taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals should be aware of to protect their tax and financial information. The piece encourages financial advisors to anticipate client questions regarding tax implications of Social Security, annuities, and various investment products in relation to these emerging fraud threats.
kgw.com
· 2025-12-08
A Portland woman lost over $40,000 in a romance scam after matching with a man on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer in Turkey and used fake hospital photos and fabricated documentation to build trust over several months before requesting money. The scammer used altered images of former MLB pitcher Phil Hughes and eventually moved $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account before the funds disappeared when red flags prompted the company to freeze the account. According to experts, romance scams are increasingly common and sophisticated, with the FTC reporting $547 million in consumer losses to such scams in 2021, aided by AI technology that allows scammers to manipulate photos and deepfakes.
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration and its Office of Inspector General launched the sixth annual "Slam the Scam" Day on March 6 to combat Social Security imposter scams, where fraudsters pressure victims into sharing personal information or making payments by claiming to fix alleged Social Security number problems. These scams affect all age groups and remain among the most commonly reported government imposter frauds to the FTC, with victims tricked through sophisticated tactics including caller ID spoofing, fake documents, and fraudulent letterhead. The agencies emphasized that Social Security will never suspend numbers, demand immediate payments, threaten arrest, or request gift cards or wire transfers, and urged citizens to report attempts to oig.ssa.gov
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting tax season with sophisticated phishing emails, deepfake calls, and fake tax preparation websites to steal money and personal information from Americans. According to McAfee research, nearly one in four Americans lost money to tax scams, with over half of victims losing more than $1,000, while 48% received fraudulent tax-related messages and scammers targeted sensitive data like Social Security numbers and banking information. Experts recommend ignoring unsolicited IRS communications, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and using two-factor authentication and unique passwords to protect against these evolving threats.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple transportation authorities across the United States, including the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, have issued warnings about a widespread smishing scam targeting consumers with fake text messages impersonating toll road collection services like EZ-Pass and FastTrak. The scam attempts to steal victims' money and personal information by directing them to fraudulent links demanding payment for unpaid tolls, with variations appearing across multiple states since at least February 2025. The FBI and FTC recommend recipients avoid clicking links, verify toll accounts directly through official websites, and report suspicious messages to authorities.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercrime marketplaces are dramatically lowering the barriers to entry for fraud, enabling less-skilled individuals to conduct sophisticated scams through "cybercrime-as-a-service" platforms that sell malicious tools, stolen data, and hacking expertise. These organized underground markets—including darknet sites and public platforms like Huione Guarantee—operate with corporate-like structures and cryptocurrency payments to facilitate illicit activities, with vendors on major platforms processing billions in transactions. Experts warn this professionalization and accessibility of cybercrime resources poses unprecedented global cybersecurity and fraud threats.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams cost victims up to $450 million annually according to the Federal Trade Commission, with scammers increasingly targeting job seekers attracted to remote work opportunities. Red flags include pressure to act quickly, reluctance to meet in person or via video, fake LinkedIn profiles using stolen photos, and offers promising high pay for minimal work. Job seekers should research companies and recruiters directly, verify identities through independent searches, and use resources like the Better Business Bureau's scam tracker before applying.
investmentnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The North American Securities Administrators Association identified cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence-based scams as major threats to retail investors in 2025, with fraudsters increasingly using social media platforms (31.7% on Facebook and X, 31.3% on Telegram and WhatsApp) and AI-generated content to deceive victims with promises of unrealistic returns. Nearly 39% of state regulators expect scammers to use AI-generated videos and graphics for false credibility, while affinity and romance scams remain significant risks, with seniors losing $357 million to such schemes in 2023 alone. NASAA advised investors to verify the legitimacy of investment promoters and their registration status before investing