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bbc.com
Following the CrowdStrike IT outage, cyber-security agencies in the UK and Australia warned of a wave of opportunistic scams, including fake emails, websites, and phone calls impersonating CrowdStrike or Microsoft to distribute malicious software or steal personal information. Researchers documented a sharp rise in fraudulent domain registrations designed to trick IT managers and the public into downloading malware or divulging sensitive data. Authorities advised users to verify they are communicating with official representatives and only use legitimate company websites for updates and support.
businessinsider.com
Following the July 2024 CrowdStrike software outage that disrupted systems worldwide, scammers launched a coordinated campaign impersonating the company through fake websites, phishing emails, and phone calls to steal sensitive information like passwords and bank details. CrowdStrike identified at least 30 fraudulent domains and warned organizations to verify communications through official channels only. Tech support scams typically involve false warnings about computer issues followed by requests for remote access to extract personal data.
yourdailyjournal.com
The Hamlet Senior Center hosted a fraud prevention symposium led by North Carolina Attorney General's Office investigator Luke Perrin to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams. Perrin addressed common misconceptions—such as the false belief that only elderly people are targeted—and provided practical advice including how to identify suspicious emails and phone calls, the importance of using credit cards over debit cards for online purchases, and warnings about social media scams that use fake surveys to steal security question answers. The event drew a standing-room-only crowd, prompting the Senior Center Director to plan additional fraud prevention programs for the broader community.
daytonatimes.com
Elder fraud is rising nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with Volusia County reporting $4.6 million in losses over the past year as scammers target older adults through imposter calls, investment fraud, and tech scams. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office created a three-person financial fraud unit and used a screening of the movie "Thelma"—which depicts a grandmother falling victim to an imposter scam—to educate 140+ seniors on fraud awareness and prevention. A 90-year-old attendee avoided a fake son/lawyer scam demanding $10,000 by verifying her son's location, exemplifying the importance of
cbc.ca
Following the global IT outage on Friday, cybersecurity agencies warn of scammers exploiting the chaos through fraudulent emails and websites, despite no evidence the CrowdStrike outage was caused by malicious activity. Scammers are impersonating legitimate tech support and companies to trick people into clicking malicious links or providing personal information during the period of confusion and system disruptions.
rappler.com
The Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines warned the public about phishing text scams where scammers impersonate SSS and trick recipients into clicking malicious links by promising benefits or warning of expiring payments, which steal personal information like SSS numbers and login credentials. Members can identify fake alerts by checking that legitimate SSS messages come from "SSS" as the sender and direct users to www.sss.gov.ph, while scam messages originate from unidentified mobile numbers. The SSS Special Investigation Department investigated the incidents and reported them to the National Telecommunications Commission, and victims are advised to report fraud to law enforcement or contact SID directly.
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goldrushcam.com
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office reports a sophisticated scam targeting older residents in which fraudsters send pop-up warnings claiming computers are compromised and direct victims to call a number for help. After gaining the victim's trust through multiple conversations and posing as bank fraud departments, the scammers arrange in-person cash pickups at victims' homes using fake "security codes" to appear legitimate. Victims have lost substantial sums, including cases exceeding $60,000 and $120,000, and authorities urge residents to report suspicious pop-ups or money-demanding calls and warn family members about this scheme.
kwch.com
A 35-year-old New York man pleaded guilty to mistreating an elder person after defrauding a 78-year-old Wichita woman out of more than $100,000 in a romance scam, where he posed as someone named Victor seeking financial help. Jango Touray was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay full restitution, with a 34-month prison sentence imposed if he violates probation or fails to pay. Romance scams typically begin with social media friend requests or emails from attractive strangers claiming financial difficulties, and are difficult to prosecute and recover funds from because scammers operate across state lines and launder money through multiple accounts
wrrv.com
New York State Police issued a fraud alert warning older residents about a scam in which perpetrators convince victims to withdraw money from their bank accounts for the scammers to pick up. The scam has generated multiple complaints from seniors, and police emphasized that anyone contacted by phone or computer with such requests should immediately call 911 and never withdraw or surrender funds. Scams targeting New Yorkers cost the state over $10 million last year, with other common schemes against seniors including romance, investment, and "grandparents" scams.
greenwichsentinel.com
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security, Medicare) or businesses to steal personal information and money. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake caller IDs, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to exploit victims. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact by phone, email, or text about tax issues, and victims should hang up on unexpected calls and report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
azbigmedia.com
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses totaling over $3.4 billion in 2023 and averaging $34,000 per victim, using methods like deceptive emails, phone calls, and impersonation scams. Common schemes include government impersonation, sweepstakes scams, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams targeting seniors due to isolation and limited technical knowledge. Prevention strategies include staying informed about evolving scams, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family about finances, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and pausing before responding to urgent requests for money or personal information.
wvnews.com
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wvnews.com
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI increased 14% last year, with over 100,000 people aged 60 and older reporting scam victimization in 2023, compared to only 18,000 people under 20. West Virginia, having one of the nation's oldest populations, is particularly vulnerable to schemes including malware scams (where scammers pose as tech support or federal agents demanding payment), romance scams, and insider fraud perpetrated by family members or caregivers. Law enforcement officials recommend elders avoid clicking unknown links, recognize that legitimate agencies never demand phone payment or gift cards, and encourage younger family members to regularly check in about their online safety.
aol.com
Over a three-year period, Columbus Police Department received approximately 2,000 reports of potential elder fraud, with individual losses reaching as much as $250,000 in some cases. The majority of elder fraud in Columbus involves financial exploitation by family members (roughly 85%), though electronic scams such as tech support and phone scams are increasingly common nationally; however, cases involving international wire transfers are difficult to prosecute as they fall outside CPD's jurisdiction. The department's limited resources—with only two certified officers investigating crimes against at-risk adults—allow them to work only seven to ten cases annually, leaving most referrals (such as the five weekly referrals from Wells Fargo alone) un
foxbusiness.com
Scammers are impersonating the U.S. Postal Service through deceptive text messages claiming delivery issues or suspended accounts to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and providing personal information such as Social Security numbers, account credentials, and payment card details. The USPS warns customers that it only uses 5-digit short codes for SMS and never includes links in unsolicited texts; recipients should verify package status only through USPS.com and report suspicious messages to authorities.
texasattorneygeneral.gov
Following the CrowdStrike service outage, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned residents to be vigilant against scams exploiting the cybersecurity incident, particularly unsolicited contacts claiming to be from CrowdStrike requesting login credentials or personal information. Consumers are advised to immediately change any compromised passwords, avoid reusing them across accounts, and report suspected data breaches to their organization's customer support or IT department.
fox10phoenix.com
Scammers are impersonating the USPS through fake text messages claiming package delivery issues, account suspensions, or waiting packages, attempting to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that steal personal information such as social security numbers and credit card details. The USPS was the most imitated brand in phishing scams during the second quarter, prompting an official alert warning customers that legitimate USPS texts only come from 5-digit short codes and never contain links or requests without prior customer tracking number requests.
nationalseniors.com.au
Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence technologies, particularly generative AI, to create convincing fake content used in various fraud schemes targeting the public. Common AI-enabled scams include deepfake payment redirection scams impersonating company executives, social media investment scams featuring fake celebrity videos, voice-cloning "Hi Mum" scams, sophisticated phishing emails with realistic logos, job scams with fake websites, and romance scams using AI-generated profile pictures and chatbots. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals should verify information independently, maintain strong online security practices, and educate themselves about AI-based scam techniques.
newsmirror.net
Seniors lost over $3 billion to scams in 2023, with losses reaching $1.6 billion in just the first five months of 2024, representing a significant increase year-over-year. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and good credit, making them attractive to con artists. Common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (where scammers pose as romantic partners to extract money) and tech support scams (where fake pop-ups trick victims into calling numbers and granting remote computer access).
abc7ny.com
Following a global tech outage, scammers exploited the disruption by sending fraudulent emails, texts, and robocalls requesting personal information such as passwords, account numbers, and social security numbers. Security experts warned the public to be vigilant against spoofed caller IDs and phishing attempts, noting that Americans lost $2.7 billion to imposter scams in 2023 and fraud is projected to worsen in 2024. Recommended precautions include hanging up on suspicious calls, calling back official numbers from statements or cards, and never surrendering card information to unsolicited callers.
yahoo.com
A Kansas resident was scammed by a caller impersonating a Kansas State Treasurer employee who claimed the victim had won a lottery jackpot and needed to wire funds and load money onto a gift card to collect the winnings. The scammer promised the treasurer would deliver the winnings to the victim's home. The Kansas State Treasurer's office warned that imposter scams are rising in the state and reminded residents that legitimate government entities never request payment via gift cards or wire transfers to release funds.
q985online.com
A phishing text scam impersonating USPS has been circulating in Illinois, luring recipients with messages about delivery issues and malicious links designed to steal personal information like Social Security numbers and credit card details. The scam exploits people who are actively expecting packages, making the fraudulent texts appear legitimate at first glance. The article advises recipients to never click links in unsolicited delivery texts, instead tracking packages directly through usps.com, and to remember that USPS does not send text messages about deliveries.
leaderadvertiser.com
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023. Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonation, sweepstakes, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Prevention strategies include staying educated on evolving fraud tactics, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family members, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and avoiding pressure to send money quickly by hanging up and calling back to verify.
ncoa.org
This educational article explains how online scams target older adults, using a real case example where 80-year-old Alice Lin lost over $700,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam on WeChat. According to the FBI IC3, people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses in 2023 (up 11% from 2022), with an average loss of nearly $34,000 per victim. The article details five psychological manipulation tactics scammers use against seniors—including targeting social isolation, impersonating authority figures, and exploiting trust—and provides specific protective measures such as consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious requests and verifying organizations through official channels.
forbes.com
Job scams are increasingly sophisticated and targeting vulnerable job seekers, particularly in tight labor markets like the U.K. which had 904,000 vacancies in May 2024. Experts warn job hunters to avoid offers with vague descriptions, too-good-to-be-true promises, suspicious website URLs, poor communication quality, unsolicited job offers through social media, and any listings requiring upfront payments.
ksl.com
The Better Business Bureau Mountain West launched the Scam Survival Toolkit to help Utah residents who have fallen victim to fraud, including imposter scams, romance scams, identity theft, and compromised devices. The toolkit provides tailored recovery guidance and action plans specific to each type of scam, offering resources for financial recovery, device security, mental health support, and bill payment assistance. The program aims to connect fraud survivors with practical resources and reduce feelings of isolation after victimization.
news-leader.com
Emergency scams, often targeting grandparents, involve fraudsters impersonating loved ones via phone, text, or voicemail to request urgent money for emergencies. Newer versions use AI-generated messages and voice cloning to increase authenticity, making these scams harder to detect. The article advises verifying requests by calling the person directly, protecting social media information, trusting your instincts about suspicious requests, and refusing to send money through untraceable methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
myemail-api.constantcontact.com
This article explains how romance scammers target vulnerable individuals on dating platforms and social media by researching personal information and creating fake profiles to build emotional connections before requesting money. The piece outlines key warning signs including profiles that seem too perfect, requests to move off-platform, fabricated sob stories, and limited contact histories. The article advises users to verify identities through reverse image searches, limit personal information sharing, trust their instincts, and remain skeptical of relationships that develop too quickly.
brantbeacon.ca
A victim lost $34,500 in a romance scam that began on a dating app in April 2024, where a scammer built trust before pivoting to cryptocurrency investment schemes and then exploiting the victim with fake withdrawal fees. The scammer used multiple deception tactics including stolen influencer photos, changing contact information, and creating fake accounts to maintain the illusion of legitimacy. The Brant County OPP advises the public to avoid switching communication platforms with online contacts, never share financial information with people not met in person, and report suspicious activity immediately.
ksltv.com
The Better Business Bureau Mountain West has launched the Scam Survival Kit, a toolkit designed to help scam victims access recovery resources tailored to their specific type of fraud, including identity theft, romance scams, phishing, and compromised devices. The toolkit provides step-by-step recovery plans for various situations—such as recovering fraudulently transferred funds, securing compromised devices, managing financial hardship, and accessing mental health support—to help survivors feel less isolated and connect them with available assistance.
koaa.com
Colorado Springs police report that scams are increasingly catching seniors due to both the volume of daily attempts and seniors' particular vulnerability to emotional manipulation. Victims lose anywhere from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with romance scams proving especially devastating—one woman lost her life by suicide after being defrauded of thousands of dollars monthly by a romance scammer posing as her fiancé. Experts identify key red flags including requests for non-traditional payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency, direct bank transfers) and note that seniors' generation-based tendency to trust authority figures, combined with isolation and loneliness, makes them prime targets for scammers posing as law enforcement, banks, or tech companies.
valleybreeze.com
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers pressure victims into immediate payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency by fabricating urgent scenarios like fake tax debts or promises of refunds, often using spoofed caller IDs to appear legitimate. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency and verify contact directly at 800-829-1040 rather than using numbers provided by callers.
kob.com
Scammers are targeting University of New Mexico (UNM) email account holders with phishing emails impersonating professors or supervisors, offering fake job opportunities (advertised as $4,500 weekly positions with limited openings) or requesting gift card purchases. The scams use pressure tactics and urgency to manipulate victims, with at least one UNM student falling victim. UNM officials advise recipients to watch for external email warnings and report suspicious messages to the IT Department.
outkick.com
In February 2022, the City of Memphis lost $773,000 in taxpayer funds to a phishing scam targeting payments to Zellner Construction Company. A city employee received what appeared to be a legitimate request to change the contractor's account details and transferred the full amount to an unauthorized account, discovering the fraud only after the money had already been sent.
cfpublic.org
Elder fraud is surging nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes driving dramatic increases in losses. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office formed a dedicated financial fraud unit and launched awareness campaigns, including a screening of the movie "Thelma" that depicted a grandparent falling victim to an impersonation scam—a con that mirrors real schemes targeting seniors' trust and assets. In Volusia County alone, seniors lost approximately $4.6 million over the past year, with detectives recovering only $760,000 of the nearly 575 reported fraud cases.
gritdaily.com
Two elderly men, Naum Lanstman (74) and Aleksey Madan (68), lost their retirement savings—$340,000 and $137,000 respectively—to a sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud scheme operated by "SpireBit." The article reports that over 101,000 U.S. seniors lost $3.4 billion to crypto-related scams in 2023, with loneliness, isolation, and lack of digital literacy making them vulnerable to grandparent fraud, romance scams, and confidence schemes. The piece emphasizes that prevention through education by family members and open communication about digital security is more effective than recovery efforts, as law enforcement and banks
nbcwashington.com
An 82-year-old Maryland retiree lost approximately $900,000 after clicking a pop-up ad that falsely claimed Russian spyware had compromised her computer; the scammers, posing as federal agents, convinced her to convert her life savings into gold bars and hand them over to a courier. A 19-year-old suspect from Brooklyn was arrested when he arrived to collect what he believed was a box of gold bars worth millions, but was instead apprehended by a detective posing as the victim. Montgomery County authorities warned residents that legitimate government officials never request citizens convert cash to gold or make similar demands.
app.com
A 74-year-old New Jersey resident and other seniors attended an educational event about protecting themselves from identity theft and online scams, which have become increasingly prevalent in their demographic. According to FBI data, over 101,000 people aged 60 and older reported fraud in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts advise seniors to protect themselves by using strong passwords, shredding sensitive documents, never sharing personal information, and recognizing urgency tactics as warning signs of scams.
levittownnow.com
Pennsylvania House Bill 2064, sponsored by State Representative Joe Hogan, passed the House with bipartisan support (152-49 votes) and is headed to the Senate. The legislation aims to protect seniors from financial exploitation by requiring financial institutions and fiduciaries to report suspected abuse, temporarily halt suspicious transactions, and share information with area agencies on aging, while granting them immunity from liability. According to Hogan, tens of thousands of dollars are lost weekly to scams and fraud in Bucks County alone, making this decade-long legislative effort critical to safeguarding seniors' assets.
wsfa.com
The FTC reported that government impersonation scams cost Americans $2.7 billion last year, with a 90% surge in cash payments to scammers between 2022 and 2023, with median losses reaching $14,740 per victim. Scammers pose as federal agencies (FTC, IRS, SSA, FBI) via texts and emails to demand cash payments, which are preferred by criminals because they leave no paper trail. The FTC and partnering federal agencies warn that legitimate government agencies never request money or personal information via text or social media, and urge victims to report scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
dakotanewsnow.com
Online shopping scams are among the top three fraud schemes reported annually, with young adults aged 18-24 being the most targeted demographic despite their technology proficiency. To avoid cyber scams, consumers should verify they're on legitimate websites (checking for "HTTPS" and padlock symbols), use credit cards instead of debit cards, research domain age, and be cautious of phishing emails directing them to cloned websites that mimic legitimate retailers like Amazon.
staffordshire.gov.uk
**Summary:**
Staffordshire consumers are being warned of increased fraud risks as criminals leverage AI technology, including deepfakes, voice cloning, and phishing messages, to make scams more convincing and difficult to detect. Trading Standards officers are concerned that traditional scam tactics are becoming harder to identify when enhanced with AI-generated content such as fake celebrity endorsements and artificial voice recordings. Authorities advise victims to immediately contact their bank and report incidents to Action Fraud or call police on 101.
standard.net
This educational article explains how scammers psychologically manipulate victims by exploiting emotions like greed, fear, and need, and by impersonating trusted authorities to create artificial urgency. The piece outlines key fraudulent tactics including social engineering, building false legitimacy through fake websites and documents, and emotional manipulation, then provides protective strategies such as verifying sources independently, resisting pressure to act quickly, and maintaining healthy skepticism toward unsolicited offers.
marbleheadcurrent.org
Retired teacher Doug Fodeman and his neighbor David Deutsch have operated TheDailyScam.com for 12 years to educate people about fraud prevention, inspired after their sons were targeted by online scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with prevalent schemes including "pig butchering" text scams, fake package delivery notifications, romance and sextortion scams, and fake banking texts. Fodeman provides free weekly newsletters and resources to help people recognize and avoid these increasingly sophisticated scams.
wmar2news.com
As of June 30, 2023, Zelle's operator Early Warning Services implemented new reimbursement rules for certain qualifying imposter scams following pressure from federal lawmakers; however, fraud victims report still being denied reimbursements. Amalia Speedone lost $3,452 after scammers impersonated Bank of America, tricked her into sending money via Zelle, and her bank initially refused to help, illustrating the ongoing vulnerability of the near-instantaneous and irreversible payment platform to social engineering attacks.
leicestermercury.co.uk
Leicestershire County Councillor and former police officer Ozzy O'Shea nearly fell victim to a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters gained unauthorized access to multiple accounts (email, Amazon, National Lottery, and his late wife's accounts) and attempted to impersonate his bank. He recognized the scam when a caller claiming to be from his bank used suspicious tactics and hung up when confronted. Trading Standards has used his experience to remind the public of protective measures including never confirming details to unsolicited callers, using unique passwords, enabling two-step verification, and reporting account hacks immediately.
arabtimesonline.com
A Bangladeshi expatriate in Kuwait lost KD 1,015 after a scammer posing as a bank representative called him, claimed to need Civil ID updates, and convinced him to share his bank account number and OTP, which was then used to drain his account within minutes. Banks and the Ministry of Interior warned the public against such impersonation scams and advised people to never share sensitive financial information over the phone, even when callers claim to represent trusted institutions. The article outlines common scam tactics including phishing, automated withdrawal schemes, impersonation fraud, password cracking, and card skimming, and recommends consumers monitor statements, use strong passwords, and report suspected fraud promptly
paymentsjournal.com
A University of Portsmouth study found that 40% of elderly UK adults experienced online fraud, with three-quarters of attacks targeting mobile phones through persistent phone calls (60%) and text messages (11%); the constant harassment negatively affected many victims' mental health. Cybercriminals exploit social engineering tactics like urgency and threats—particularly effective with seniors who fear harm to loved ones or legal penalties—and globally, fraud complaints among adults over 60 increased 11% year-over-year in 2023, with two-thirds of UK respondents experiencing at least one fraud attempt in six months.
home.treasury.gov
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned three Mexican accountants and four Mexican companies connected to timeshare fraud schemes operated by the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which primarily targets U.S. timeshare owners in Mexico, including elderly victims. The scammers operate call centers impersonating legitimate brokers and attorneys, defrauding victims through complex multi-year schemes involving fake timeshare exits, re-rentals, and investment offers, with victims often re-victimized through impersonation of law firms and authorities. The stolen funds are funneled through wire transfers to Mexican shell companies and then laundered by cartel-connected money
gvnews.com
This article is primarily a website navigation/subscription page for a local Arizona news outlet. The substantive content focuses on elder fraud awareness in Arizona, highlighting that behind FBI statistics on elder fraud are real victims with emotional and financial losses, and features stories of three Arizona victims. The piece also mentions that UPS staff in Green Valley stopped scammers from stealing nearly $200,000 over two years, and references R.O.S.E. Resources as a local organization providing senior fraud prevention information.