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prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target Medicare beneficiaries by offering free genetic testing (for conditions like cancer, dementia, and autoimmune diseases) without doctor orders, then bill Medicare for unnecessary tests or use stolen Medicare information for medical identity theft. Seniors should verify any genetic testing with their primary care doctor before proceeding, review their Medicare Summary Notices and Explanations of Benefits for unauthorized charges, and report suspected fraud to the New York Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, as these scams can result in costs of $9,000 to $11,000 per test.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elder financial fraud cost New York State over $200 million, with 4,300 residents aged 60 and older losing an average of $47,000 each, ranking the state fourth nationally in such losses. Governor Hochul and AARP New York are urging state legislators to pass budget measures that would train bank employees to identify financial exploitation and allow financial institutions to place holds on suspicious transactions. The proposed legislation aims to empower the financial sector to prevent fraud and protect older New Yorkers' accumulated savings from scammers.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 4,300 New Yorkers age 60 and older lost more than $203 million to financial scams, averaging $47,000 per victim, prompting AARP New York and state legislators to call for enhanced consumer protections including bank teller training to identify exploitation signs. Common scams targeting seniors include the "grandparent scam," where fraudsters pose as relatives requesting emergency money via untraceable payment methods like cash or gift cards. Governor Hochul's proposed budget includes measures to equip financial institutions to recognize and prevent elder financial fraud through employee training and transaction monitoring.
daily-tribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Data breaches and financial scams targeting seniors have reached all-time highs, with scammers exploiting seniors' perceived wealth, politeness from older generations, and limited technological skills to commit fraud. The article recommends protective measures including regularly reviewing credit reports from all three bureaus, placing credit freezes, seeking technology safety education, and screening phone calls from unknown numbers to reduce vulnerability to scams.
miamitimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major scam trends for 2025, including AI-enhanced scams (phishing, deepfakes, voice cloning), imposter scams where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts or companies with a median loss of $800 per victim, sextortion schemes involving explicit content extortion, romance scams using fake profiles and deepfake video calls, and phone-based scams using robocalls and malware. The article emphasizes that scammers primarily seek personal information or money, and recommends skepticism when contacted unexpectedly, especially regarding urgent requests or investment opportunities.
fox7austin.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using fake online dating profiles on apps and social media to defraud people seeking romance, often investing months or years building trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investment opportunities. One Austin resident lost $60,000 after being lured into cryptocurrency investments by a scammer posing as someone named Anna, while others face extortion threats if intimate photos are shared. The Better Business Bureau recommends avoiding sending intimate images, being suspicious of vague answers about personal details, insisting on in-person meetings, and never sending money to people you haven't met.
today.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers create fake retail websites that impersonate popular retailers like J. Crew, Ann Taylor, and Old Navy, promoting these sites through social media ads offering deep discounts. When consumers click the links, they are directed to counterfeit sites designed to look legitimate, where they risk having personal and financial information compromised.
newscentermaine.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams cost Americans over $330 million in 2022, with banking-related phishing messages being the most common type. Experts advise never clicking links or calling numbers in suspicious texts, instead independently verifying contact information with banks or organizations directly, and emphasize that banks never request personal information via text. Additional protective measures include using antivirus software on all devices, reporting suspicious messages to the FTC or FCC, and maintaining healthy skepticism toward unsolicited messages, particularly during tax season when scammers intensify their efforts.
wisconsinrapidstribune.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection is alerting consumers to potential scams surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft being hosted in Green Bay (April 24-26), anticipating fraud targeting the projected 250,000 visitors. Common scams include fake lodging listings on platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo, fraudulent ticket sales (though general admission is free through the NFL OnePass app), and imposter websites selling counterfeit merchandise or stealing personal information. Consumers are advised to verify listings across multiple platforms, use map apps to confirm addresses, check reviews, avoid leaving official platforms to communicate with sellers, and never use untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency or gift cards.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers exploit psychological vulnerabilities and human behavior to deceive victims, using tactics like "spray and pray" messaging to catch people when distracted, tired, or stressed. The FTC received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, with research showing that nine in ten Americans have been targeted by fraud attempts, and cognitive impairment—whether temporary or chronic—significantly increases susceptibility to scams. Key protective insights include recognizing that truth bias makes people inherently inclined to believe what others tell them, and that remaining alert and verifying requests independently are essential defenses against fraud.
cruiseradio.net
· 2025-12-08
A UK couple in their 60s fell victim to SIM-jacking fraud while on a P&O cruise in October 2024, losing control of their mobile phone numbers and facing unauthorized bank withdrawals, overdrafts, and a £25,000 fraudulent loan from HSBC. Fraudsters used stolen personal data to impersonate them to their mobile provider, transferring their phone numbers to new SIM cards and then bypassing two-step verification security to access their accounts. The couple's quick action in alerting their bank and mobile provider iD Mobile prevented further losses, with the fraudulent transactions canceled and charges reversed.
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old woman named Ngoc in Phan Thiet, Vietnam lost her entire life savings of VND3 billion (approximately US$117,000) to an elaborate prize-drawing scam between June 2023 and January 2024. Scammers posing as employees of a non-existent "Perfect Southeast Asia Joint Venture Shopping Center" convinced her to purchase hundreds of items at inflated prices (4-10 times their actual value) by promising high-value prizes and lucky draw codes, instructing her not to open packages; when she requested pickup of the goods in January 2024, the scammers took 36 items an
jamaica-gleaner.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Kyle Dunkley, a 27-year-old first-time renter, lost $140,000 to a rental scam after responding to a property advertisement, submitting documents, signing a contract, and making payment—only to have the fraudster disappear before the move-in date. Scammers are increasingly hijacking legitimate real estate listings from agents' websites and reposting them on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram to deceive potential tenants, with victims typically asked to pay first month's rent, deposits, and security fees before being blocked by the perpetrators.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft remains the most common fraud, but real estate fraud is rapidly increasing, with the industry losing $500 million annually to business email compromise scams. Wire fraud particularly threatens homebuyers and sellers during transactions, with 25% of consumers targeted and 1 in 20 falling victim, resulting in 27% of victims unable to recover their funds. Key protection strategies include verifying wire transfer instructions directly with lenders or title companies using independently confirmed phone numbers, avoiding reliance on email instructions, and confirming property listings are legitimate by visiting in person.
richmondobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
Local law enforcement agencies in Hamlet, North Carolina are warning residents about persistent financial scams, including gift card scams, prize scams, and imposter schemes involving government agencies, tech support, and family members. One resident lost $16,000 in a relative-in-trouble scam in January 2024 when a suspect posing as the victim's grandson claimed to be in jail and arranged a cash pickup at a restaurant; the suspect, Bryan Buonjiovanni, 19, of Canada, was later arrested and charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. Police recommend residents verify requests through independent contact with family members, never purchase gift cards for payments, and create secret family passwords to prevent
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP New York is advocating for stronger anti-fraud protections after over 4,300 older New Yorkers lost more than $200 million to scams in 2023, making New York the fourth-highest state for elder fraud losses. Governor Hochul's executive budget proposes training bank employees to identify and halt suspicious transactions to combat this growing problem affecting seniors' quality of life.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
Governor Hochul's budget proposal includes training for bank employees to detect and report financial scams targeting older New Yorkers, with State Police support citing $203 million in losses to seniors in 2023. The measure aims to enable early law enforcement intervention before scammers access victims' funds, though it was initially excluded from Senate and Assembly budgets, possibly due to financial industry concerns. Advocates stress the urgency given New York's growing senior population and increasing financial exploitation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Phillip Priolo, a 61-year-old from Florida, was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and four counts of mail fraud for operating a mass mailing scheme from March 2015 to December 2016 that defrauded thousands of elderly victims. The scheme involved sending millions of personalized-appearing notices falsely claiming recipients had won a cash prize and requesting an upfront fee to collect it; victims who paid never received the promised prize. Priolo faces up to 20 years in prison per count, with sentencing to be scheduled later in 2022.
montgomery.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
Upper Merion Township Police Department held a fraud prevention and awareness presentation at the local Senior Center, educating 25 senior citizens on protecting themselves and their families from scams. Detective Staquet provided valuable information on fraud prevention strategies, and the department emphasized the importance of community collaboration in safeguarding residents. The presentation will be available on UMGA-TV (Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 33) for broader community access.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams targeting seniors in Niagara County involve fraudsters posing as family members in distress and requesting money via gift cards or cash to avoid legal consequences; one local victim lost $24,000 after being told a family member was in jail. According to law enforcement, these scams are widespread across multiple states and increasingly use artificial intelligence to clone victims' voices, with perpetrators often operating from outside the region and employing local accomplices to collect payments. Sheriff officials recommend hanging up to verify claims directly with family members and note that legitimate law enforcement never requests gift cards or cash over the phone.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in the United States lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, representing a 10% increase from 2022, according to FBI data. Advocates are pushing for state budget inclusion of an initiative to train bank employees to recognize scam indicators, a proposal already included in Governor Hochul's budget. The New York State Office for the Aging recommends verifying contact independently before sharing personal information or money, and directs victims to report fraud through 911 or the NYS Office of Victim Services.
abcnews.go.com
· 2025-12-08
Following its January bankruptcy filing, Joann has warned customers about fraudulent websites impersonating the brand during its liquidation, with the Better Business Bureau reporting over 200 fake Joann sites designed to steal personal and financial information through fake going-out-of-business sales. The company emphasized that Joann.com is its only official website and urged customers to shop in-store only, as online shopping is unavailable during liquidation. The BBB recommends verifying URLs, avoiding suspicious ads, skepticism toward unrealistic discounts, using credit cards for better fraud protection, and avoiding unnecessary personal information requests.
northjersey.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" is a rising text message scam in which cybercriminals send fraudulent texts impersonating legitimate services (such as E-ZPass toll systems, package delivery companies, and utility providers) to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal and financial information. The FBI warns that these scams use social engineering tactics to create panic and urgency, often requesting small payments ($3.95–$12.55) or identity verification to lower victims' guard before stealing sensitive data. Victims should delete suspicious texts immediately, never click embedded links, verify account information through official channels, and report scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing—fraudulent text messages impersonating toll agencies, billing companies, and delivery services—has surged as a major scam targeting Americans, with the FBI receiving over 60,000 complaints about unpaid toll text scams alone in 2024. Scammers, often part of international criminal syndicates, use sophisticated technology to send mass texts that trick victims into clicking links or providing financial information, potentially compromising devices and enabling identity theft. The scam is difficult to investigate due to international phone numbers and likely vastly underreported, as victims often fail to report losses out of embarrassment or because they consider the amounts too small.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fake text messages nationwide impersonating toll collection services like E-ZPass, PA Turnpike, and FasTrak, requesting payment or personal information from unsuspecting victims. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 2,000 complaints about these "smishing" scams, with New York State alone reporting 26,948 internet crime complaints totaling $750 million in losses in 2023, with seniors as the most targeted group. To protect themselves, consumers should never click links or reply to suspicious texts, keep devices updated with security software, and report suspected scams to law enforcement, the FCC, or Federal Trade Commission.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 scam tracker report identified investment and cryptocurrency scams as the most dangerous fraud type, with a median loss of $5,000 per victim, often involving fake accounts showing false profits to lure additional investors. The report highlighted a concerning rise in "financial grooming" scams, where perpetrators build false romantic or business relationships to gradually extract money from victims until they have nothing left, targeting vulnerable individuals across all demographics, particularly those experiencing personal or financial hardship.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP educational piece outlines multiple fraud schemes targeting older adults: gold bar scams where criminals impersonate bank officials to convince victims to withdraw savings for "safekeeping," fake cruise deal scams using fraudulent websites and ads, and romance scams involving cryptocurrency investments. The article provides prevention strategies including verifying legitimate sources, using credit cards for purchases, and recommends that family members support fraud victims through compassionate questioning and regular scam awareness discussions rather than blame.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Texas retiree lost approximately $500,000 in a romance-investment scam after meeting a woman named "Gianna" on the dating site Silver Singles, who gradually persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency over several months. The scammer used fabricated account statements showing investment gains to encourage him to withdraw his 401(k) and continue sending money, eventually disappearing with his funds. To recover his losses, Dalrymple plans to return to full-time work and sell his home; the scam exemplifies a growing trend combining romance and cryptocurrency fraud, with investment scams accounting for nearly half of all reported fraud cases involving cryptocurrency in 2024.
buckscountyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target seniors of all financial means, exploiting their politeness and vulnerability through schemes like grandparent scams, credit card theft, investment fraud, and romance scams. National fraud losses reached $12.5 billion last year, with Pennsylvania ranking sixth in fraud reports; AARP's Consumer Issues Task Force, staffed by 15 volunteers including former postal inspector Tony Wolchasty, educates seniors about common scams and advises victims to report to local police and contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.
timesdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Colbert County Sheriff's Office conducted educational presentations for senior citizens about recognizing and avoiding scams, noting they receive approximately five scam-related calls daily. The sheriff's department shared examples of common scams targeting seniors of all ages, including impersonation schemes (claiming to be authorities with arrest warrants), fake prize notifications, bogus package delivery claims, and fraudulent Medicare offers, with reported losses reaching $40,000 locally. Authorities advised seniors never to provide personal information, click suspicious links, or send money to unknown parties, and to contact the Sheriff's Department with questions.
iecn.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Redlands man was scammed out of $25,000 by Quan Lin, 53, who impersonated an FBI agent and threatened the victim with arrest for alleged child pornography possession. Lin returned the next day attempting to collect an additional $35,000, but was arrested before completing the second transaction when police intervened. Lin faces charges including elder abuse, grand theft, and theft by false pretenses, and has been linked to similar scams in other communities.
foxsanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
An 18-year-old from New Braunfels, Texas, was killed by a driver using a fraudulent temporary paper license tag, and the Texas House committee unanimously approved a bill to rename the 2023 anti-fraud law as the "Terrin Solbrig Act" in his honor. The driver who hit Terrin was never ticketed despite the accident, and the dealer who issued the fake tag had distributed over 30,000 fraudulent tags in six weeks. Texas plans to phase out paper tags entirely by mid-2025, replacing them with metal plates to prevent future fraud-related incidents.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is implementing stronger identity verification procedures effective March 31, requiring beneficiaries who cannot use the online "my Social Security" tool to visit local offices in person to prove their identity for benefit claims and direct deposit changes. The agency is making these changes to safeguard Social Security records and benefits against fraud, while also expediting direct deposit change requests from 30 days to one business day. The SSA serves 73 million retired and disabled Americans and recommends scheduling appointments in advance to avoid long office lines.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old El Monte man, Quan Lin, was arrested in Redlands for posing as an FBI agent and defrauding a 73-year-old resident of $25,000 while attempting to extract an additional $35,000 by threatening the victim with arrest for child pornography. The victim became suspicious on the second day of the scam and alerted police, who intercepted Lin at the residence; he is being held on $250,000 bail and faces charges including elder fraud, grand theft, and theft by false pretenses. Investigators suspect Lin may be connected to similar scams in other communities.
cknxnewstoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
During March Anti-Fraud Month, the Ontario Provincial Police reported 72 fraud calls in the Grey Bruce area from January through early March 2024, with romance scams, grandparent scams, cryptocurrency schemes, gift card scams, and e-transfer fraud being the most common types. Constable Krista Linthorne advised the public to avoid acting under pressure, never share financial information via unsolicited communications, and verify requests by contacting institutions directly. Victims should immediately contact their bank and credit bureau to freeze accounts, report losses to police, and those who identify attempted scams should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
cknxnewstoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
During the first two months of 2025, the Grey Bruce OPP received 72 fraud reports, with romance scams, grandparent scams, cryptocurrency schemes, gift card scams, and e-transfer fraud being the most common. Constable Krista Linthorne advises the public to avoid pressure to act quickly on money requests, never share personal or financial information via unsolicited calls or texts, and remember that legitimate government agencies and banks will never contact citizens requesting such information. Those who suspect fraud or lose money should immediately contact their bank and credit bureau, while confirmed victims should report to police and use the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for additional resources.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Dating and romance scams cause significant financial and emotional harm, with victims in New Zealand losing an average of $18,000 per incident, and some cases exceeding $375,000 when scammers impersonate celebrities like Martin Henderson and Brad Pitt. Victims often experience shame and delayed awareness of losses as money drains gradually from their accounts, while some scammers themselves are victims held in "scam farms" under exploitative conditions. The rise of dating apps and AI-generated deepfakes has made these schemes increasingly difficult to detect and prevalent.
billingsgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explains two types of online scams: catfishing and phishing. Catfishing involves creating fake online personas to deceive victims emotionally and financially, often starting as romance scams that lead to requests for money or gifts. Phishing attacks use fraudulent links, emails, and websites impersonating trusted organizations to steal personal information like passwords, bank details, and Social Security numbers for identity theft or financial exploitation.
northernvirginiamag.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Connecticut residents were arrested for a year-long prize scam that defrauded a Woodbridge elderly woman of $130,000, during which they convinced her she had won a car and money but needed to pay fees to claim the prizes. Local authorities are warning residents of rising phishing text scams falsely claiming toll debt and fraudulent document shredding events, advising people to avoid urgency-driven communications, verify unexpected contacts through established channels, and never provide financial information or click links from unidentified sources.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Bank impersonation scams via text, email, and phone calls increased dramatically in 2024, with the FTC reporting these scams accounted for nearly half of all reported frauds and resulted in losses exceeding $1.1 billion—more than triple the 2020 total. Criminals use spoofing technology and sophisticated replicas of bank communications to trick victims into revealing PINs, passwords, account access codes, or moving money to "safe" accounts by creating false urgency around account security threats. Consumers should never provide account credentials or personal information to unsolicited contacts; instead, they should hang up and call their bank directly using verified contact information from official websites or statements, an
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
A PYMNTS and Featurespace study reveals that scammers are increasingly personalizing financial scams based on individual consumer vulnerabilities rather than using generic approaches, with 3 in 10 U.S. consumers (approximately 77 million people) reporting financial losses to scams over the past five years, typically exceeding $500 per victim. While scams affect all demographics, specific groups face higher risks from tailored schemes—younger consumers are three times more likely to fall victim to job search scams, while older adults are over three times more frequently targeted by fake eCommerce schemes. The research underscores the need for financial institutions to implement advanced analytics, behavioral monitoring, and consumer
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers nationwide are sending fake text messages claiming recipients have unpaid tolls in a scam known as "smishing," where fraudsters impersonate toll agencies and other billing companies to trick people into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. This increasingly common scheme exploits the rise of smartphones and cashless payment systems, with some fraudsters even impersonating legitimate scam warnings.
duanemorris.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS's annual 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list warns taxpayers about prevalent tax scams that use both sophisticated and simple social engineering tactics to steal sensitive financial information. The most common scams include phishing and smishing attacks (fake IRS emails and texts designed to trick people into sharing personal data) and social media tax scams promoting false credits and loopholes. The IRS emphasizes that awareness alone is insufficient—taxpayers must proactively protect themselves by verifying communications directly through official sources and consulting trusted tax professionals rather than relying on unsolicited messages or unverified social media advice.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of prevalent tax scams, including phishing emails, IRS impersonation calls demanding payment, fake tax preparers, fraudulent refund claims using stolen identities, and misleading social media tax advice. Taxpayers should protect themselves by verifying communications, using trusted tax software, enabling multi-factor authentication, and reporting suspected scams to authorities; victims may be eligible for theft loss deductions under certain circumstances with proper documentation.
theverge.com
· 2025-12-08
Google filed a lawsuit against a scam network and removed 10,000 fake business listings from Google Maps that were being sold for profit, after a Texas locksmith reported being impersonated on the platform. Scammers use fake listings to deceive victims through phony services, upcharging, or routing callers to fraud call centers, sometimes padding listings with artificial reviews and engagement to appear legitimate. Google blocked 12 million fraudulent business profiles in 2023 and continues implementing restrictions against deceptive practices globally.
newstalk870.am
· 2025-12-08
Washington State has experienced a surge in text message scams impersonating Good To Go!, the state's toll billing system, which direct victims to fake websites and threaten legal action to collect payment information. A victim described losing access to her accounts after providing her driver's license and credit card number through a fraudulent link. WSDOT advises that legitimate Good To Go! communications never request payment via text or direct users to external websites; customers should only log into the official Good To Go! account to address toll issues.
israelhayom.com
· 2025-12-08
Over the past five years, Spain led tourist fraud victimization globally with 1,054,729 cases (approximately 1 in 61 visitors), followed by France with 212,000 victims and the US with 153,000 victims. Scammers commonly use fraudulent ticket websites, particularly targeting attractions like Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral where they falsely sell "fast track" admission passes for up to 60 euros despite free entry. Travelers should book through official sources only, report suspected fraud to local authorities and their bank immediately, and file claims through travel insurance when applicable.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Motorists across Kent are being targeted by parking scams involving fake QR codes placed on parking machines and in car parks that direct users to fraudulent payment websites designed to steal bank details. Action Fraud reported 3,143 parking-related fraud cases nationally in the past year—double the 2022 figure—with one victim losing over £700 after scanning a fake QR code; scammers may also follow up with phone calls impersonating bank fraud departments to attempt secondary fraud. Multiple Kent councils have issued warnings and are actively removing fraudulent QR code stickers from their parking equipment.
petersburgpilot.com
· 2025-12-08
Petersburg resident Lila Trask's compromised GCI email account was hijacked and used to send phishing emails to her contacts claiming she had a throat infection and asking if they shopped on Amazon. Two of her friends responded to the scam email, which then escalated into a request for help purchasing a birthday gift, representing a classic email compromise fraud targeting her social network.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
An Ontario senior was nearly scammed in what may have been the first known AI voice-cloning case in Canada, when fraudsters impersonated her grandson and demanded $9,000 claiming he had been arrested. The "grandparent scam" uses AI-generated deepfake voices harvested from social media to impersonate family members in crisis situations, with Canadians reporting nearly $3 million in losses to this scheme in 2024. Experts recommend establishing code words with family members to verify callers' identities, as scammers only need three to five seconds of voice samples to create convincing AI replicas.