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in Scam Awareness
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
CBC's Marketplace partnered with three prominent "scambusters" (combined 10 million social media followers) to create a fraud-fighting centre that infiltrated criminal networks overseas, rerouted 62 active scam call centres, and intercepted fraudulent calls to protect Canadian victims. The article also highlighted a grandparent/emergency scam targeting an Ontario senior who lost $9,000 after receiving a call mimicking her grandson's voice (possibly using AI voice cloning) claiming he was arrested and needed bail money; Canadians reported losing nearly $3 million to this scam type in 2024.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Over four years, Montreal police arrested at least 50 people involved in three elaborate grandparent scam networks that defrauded elderly victims out of millions of dollars, with investigations requiring hundreds of hours of surveillance, wiretaps, and stakeouts. Major operations like Project Sharp in 2024 led to 14 arrests of suspects accused of defrauding Canadian seniors of over $1.2 million, and police report that increased enforcement action is beginning to reduce scam cases, with reported losses to Canadian victims dropping from $11.6 million in 2023 to $3.2 million in 2024. However, prosecuting these cases takes years due to court delays
messagemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
The Senior LinkAge Line offered a free virtual presentation on April 9 covering health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for older adults, featuring information from the Senior Medicare Patrol federal education program. The presentation provided guidance on detecting, preventing, and reporting fraud and scams to protect personal information and safety.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Over the past four years, Montreal police have arrested at least 50 people involved in three elaborate grandparent scam networks that defrauded elderly victims out of millions of dollars. Law enforcement built cases through hundreds of hours of surveillance, stakeouts, and wiretaps, with major operations like Project Sharp resulting in 14 arrests in 2024 for defrauding Canadian seniors of over $1.2 million. Police report that increased enforcement and arrests are beginning to reduce grandparent scam incidents, with reported losses to Canadian victims dropping from $11.6 million in 2023 to $3.2 million in 2024.
longisland.com
· 2025-12-08
Older New Yorkers lost over $203 million to scams in 2023, with more than 4,300 victims age 60 and older experiencing an average loss of $47,000 each, prompting AARP New York and state legislators to call for consumer protection measures in the state budget. Governor Hochul's proposed safeguards include training bank employees to identify signs of financial exploitation and place holds on suspicious transactions, with the "grandparent scam" identified as one of the most common schemes targeting seniors. The coalition is urging financial institutions to work with state leadership to implement fraud prevention measures that would help protect older New Yorkers' retirement savings from increasingly sophisticated sc
actionnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The California Franchise Tax Board issued a warning during tax season about persistent scams targeting taxpayers, particularly text message schemes directing victims to fraudulent FTB website replicas designed to steal personal and banking information. State Controller Malia M. Cohen advised taxpayers to guard sensitive information and verify any communications from tax agencies directly rather than clicking links or downloading attachments from suspicious messages. The FTB recommends contacting them at (800) 852-5711 or the IRS at (800) 892-1040 if taxpayers receive suspicious correspondence.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
ICE impersonators and other scammers are increasingly targeting immigrant communities, capitalizing on fears related to deportation policies, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The article provides protective guidance including: verify federal officials through official identification and government channels only, never sign documents or provide personal/financial information to unsolicited callers, understand that legitimate ICE agents will not contact you via personal social media or request money, and be aware that "notario" or notary public titles do not indicate legal expertise in the United States. Impersonating a federal officer is illegal and punishable by fines or imprisonment.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Texas man lost $5,000 to a bitcoin ATM scam after receiving a false call claiming his son was in jail; according to FTC data, bitcoin ATM scams targeting seniors over 60 increased nearly tenfold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023, with victims three times more likely to be older adults. Scammers exploit the speed and irreversibility of cryptocurrency transactions by directing victims to deposit cash at bitcoin ATMs using QR codes that transfer funds directly to criminal accounts. Most states lack regulations on bitcoin ATMs, making recovery difficult, though some jurisdictions have successfully returned funds when caught quickly
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole a record $12.5 billion from Americans, a 25% increase from the previous year, with investment scams and imposter scams causing the largest losses according to FTC data. A Raleigh woman lost nearly $3,000 to a Microsoft imposter scam after being tricked into purchasing gift cards, a common tactic where fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies or government agencies. Red flags include requests to buy gift cards, cryptocurrency, or send money through payment apps to unknown individuals.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article highlights two prevalent scams and prevention strategies: a deepfake video impersonating Warren Buffett offering investment tips through a fake "assistant" (exploiting AI technology to create convincing but false endorsements), and phishing emails falsely claiming to be from Social Security. The article advises readers to verify links by hovering over them to check their actual destinations, use link expansion services for shortened URLs, and independently log into official websites rather than clicking embedded links in suspicious emails.
fox13now.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing—SMS phishing scams via text message—is a growing threat targeting consumers with fake tolls, parking charges, IRS impersonation, and fake job offers. The Mountain West Better Business Bureau advises recipients to never respond to suspicious texts, click links, or provide personal information, as engagement confirms active phone numbers to scammers; victims who transfer money through Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal have little recourse for recovery, though credit card transactions may be disputed.
fhtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are evolving with AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake relationships, with scammers targeting Arizonans of all ages—particularly isolated seniors—to extract thousands of dollars through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated hospital images, exemplifying how scammers build trust over months before requesting wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited contact with urgency, requests for personal information, upfront payment demands, and suspicious grammar, and can verify photos through reverse image searches.
tribuneonlineng.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
NNPC Limited issued a public warning against fraudulent online job recruitment advertisements falsely linked to the company, clarifying that it is not currently hiring and will only post legitimate vacancies through its official website and verified social media channels. The company cautioned job-seekers that misleading recruitment ads may be part of scams designed to exploit applicants and urged the public to verify all recruitment information directly through official NNPC platforms and report suspicious postings to authorities.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office warned of an auto scam perpetrated by Romanian nationals targeting vehicle sellers on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. The scammers pose as buyers, bring accomplices who secretly pour oil on the engine during inspections to simulate mechanical problems, then pressure sellers into accepting drastically reduced offers; victims in Atascadero (January 18, 2025) and Los Osos (March 10, 2025) accepted below-market prices. The Sheriff's Office recommends meeting buyers in public places, never leaving the vehicle unattended, having a trusted mechanic inspect any suspected issues, and being cautious of unusually low offers.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A man lost ₹1.2 lakh after being deceived by a fake work-from-home scheme promoted through WhatsApp, where scammers posing as HR representatives promised unrealistic monthly earnings of ₹4.4 lakh for simple online tasks. The victim was manipulated into making multiple deposits under the false promise of refunds, with payments conducted only in cryptocurrency (USDT) to prevent recovery. Red flags included the extremely high salary offer, requests for upfront money, and foreign contact numbers despite claims of representing a local company.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 46-year-old schoolteacher from Sullia lost Rs 5 lakh in a Facebook investment scam promising high returns through a fake trading platform called GMZ Global, while a 26-year-old computer operator from Kadaba lost Rs 9.97 lakh in a Telegram task-based scam that lured her with small initial payments before demanding larger investments for withdrawals. Both victims were unable to access their funds or withdraw their investments and filed complaints at CEN Crime Police Station in Mangaluru.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. lacks a consistent framework to identify and address the growing scam epidemic, with 24.1 million Americans falling victim to scams in 2023—significantly more than the 15 million identity fraud victims that year. The primary obstacles to tackling this threat are the absence of standardized scam categorization across organizations and no unified system to track reports, leaving different entities using varying terminology for the same schemes and making it difficult to understand the full scope of the problem. Recent initiatives like the Federal Reserve's ScamClassifier Model offer voluntary frameworks to standardize scam documentation, which could help organizations better allocate resources to address the most prevalent threats.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghiovanna Dennis, co-owner of Coterie Lounge & Cafe in West Chester, Ohio, lost nearly $1,000 to a utility scam when someone impersonating Duke Energy called her business and demanded immediate payment under threat of service disconnection. The scammers directed her to pay via money transfer at a local Walgreens, using account information similar to her actual Duke Energy account to appear legitimate. Dennis later discovered the fraud when the real Duke Energy shut off her electricity due to unpaid bills, and she advises others to hang up and call businesses directly to verify any payment demands.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office highlighted nine trending scams affecting Northern Colorado residents in March 2025, including "neighbor in trouble" calls requesting bail money, stolen/altered checks, fake PayPal fraud alerts, door-to-door sales schemes, tech support scams impersonating Microsoft and Apple, and cryptocurrency investment frauds. Seniors are frequently targeted and often listed on "sucker lists" shared among scammers, making compassionate reporting and victim support critical. The advisory recommends verifying requests independently, using secure payment methods, and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FTC.
mesquitelocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security imposter scams remain prevalent across the U.S., with scammers using deceptive tactics to obtain sensitive information or money through fraudulent letters, texts, emails, and calls. The Social Security Administration clarifies that it will never text/email ID images, suspend Social Security numbers, threaten arrest, demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers, or promise benefits in exchange for fees. Individuals should report suspected Social Security fraud to the Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report and verify suspicious communications through official channels.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are evolving to incorporate AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake online relationships, with scammers targeting people of all ages but particularly vulnerable seniors who feel isolated. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster claiming to be Brad Pitt who used AI to fabricate hospital photos and impersonate the actor, requesting money for medical treatment. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited urgent contact, requests for personal information, and demands for upfront payments, and can verify suspicious photos through reverse image searches.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
CBC's Marketplace partnered with three prominent "scambusters" to create a fraud-fighting call center that has rerouted 62 active scam call centers and intercepted fraudulent calls targeting Canadian victims. The article highlights a recent AI voice-cloning grandparent scam in which an Ontario senior was nearly defrauded of $9,000 after receiving a convincing call claiming to be her grandson in legal trouble, exemplifying a scheme that cost Canadians nearly $3 million in reported losses in 2024. The piece serves as a public awareness resource about various scams and fraud prevention efforts.
13wmaz.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Carolina man, Bhargav Patel, was arrested in Jones County, Georgia after attempting to defraud an elderly couple of their life savings through a courier scam, in which he convinced them their bank deposits were unsafe and arranged to pick up their withdrawn money for "safekeeping." The couple's family intervened before the theft was completed, obtained the suspect's license plate, and authorities tracked and arrested Patel, charging him with exploitation of the elderly and two counts of criminal attempt to commit theft. The sheriff's office emphasized that such fraud cases are among the highest-volume crimes they handle and advised residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls, especially from those impersonating government agencies
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has released its 2025-26 "Dirty Dozen" list warning taxpayers about scams that increase during tax filing season, which peaks before the April 15 deadline. Common schemes include email phishing and text message scams (smishing) impersonating the IRS, misleading social media tax advice, fraudulent charity donations, false fuel tax credit claims, and bogus self-employment tax credit schemes that can lead to identity theft and ineligible tax deductions. The IRS emphasizes that scammers exploit tax season urgency to trick vulnerable taxpayers into providing personal and financial information or filing fraudulent claims.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Arielle Burton received a suspicious email claiming to be from TD Bank about a doubling maintenance fee, which contained broken links and red flags despite appearing legitimate, prompting her to question how to distinguish real bank communications from phishing scams. The article explains four legitimate reasons banks contact customers—identity verification, suspicious activity alerts, low balance warnings, and data breach notifications—and advises that banks never request sensitive information via unsolicited calls, texts, or emails, only through secure channels like physical mail or the bank's official app.
goerie.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" text scams—fraudulent SMS messages impersonating legitimate services—are increasing nationwide, with scammers targeting E-ZPass users and others with fake messages about unpaid tolls, undelivered packages, and overdue bills to steal personal and financial information. The FBI warns recipients should never click links or provide information in suspicious texts, and instead delete them immediately and verify account status through official channels. If compromised, victims should contact banks, freeze accounts, change passwords, and report the scam to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov).
indianasenaterepublicans.com
· 2025-12-08
A smishing scam targeting Indiana residents falsely claims consumers owe unpaid toll road fees via text message, using urgency and threatening language to pressure victims into clicking malicious links and entering personal financial information. The Indiana Toll Road Concession Company warns that it never requests sensitive information by text or phone, and advises recipients to report scam messages to the FBI at www.ic3.gov, verify account status directly with the company, and contact their bank immediately if they clicked any links or shared information.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly widow who had accumulated significant wealth through early Coca-Cola investments lost her entire fortune to an online scammer despite family warnings and police intervention; she now lives in assisted living on a $5,000 monthly VA pension with only $1,000 remaining after care costs. The article documents this case alongside similar romance scams targeting affluent seniors, including a 73-year-old Boeing retiree who lost over $20,000 to a scammer posing as an MSNBC anchor, and notes that banks typically cannot reimburse authorized transfers to scammers. Prevention strategies emphasized include skepticism of online offers, resistance to pressure tactics, verification of contacts, an
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old retired lawyer lost $740,000 in retirement savings to con artists who posed as federal investigators, convincing him he was helping with a fraud investigation. The article notes that retirees are frequent targets due to presumed savings, trust, cognitive vulnerabilities, and isolation, and outlines common scams including phishing emails, phone impersonations, and fake online sales, while recommending verification of unexpected requests, strong passwords, and reporting fraud rather than remaining silent due to embarrassment.
okdiario.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies New Jersey as the safest U.S. state for retirees based on FBI data analysis, citing low violent and property crime rates, minimal senior involvement in fatal accidents, and strong healthcare access. The article also lists nine additional safe states for retirement (New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Alabama) and warns against five states with higher risks of elder fraud, property crime, and scams (Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico).
floridapolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida courts ordered moving brokerage companies operated by Charles Abrams, Rudolph Rice, and Daniel Metz to pay $4.139 million in settlements and imposed lifetime bans from operating in the state after they defrauded Florida residents by providing low initial quotes, demanding excessive additional payments, and failing to honor promised refunds. The companies operated under multiple aliases including Gold Standard Moving Storage, Executive Van Lines, Imperial Moving Group, and others, deliberately changing names to evade negative reviews and complaints. The settlement includes $1.12 million designated for consumer relief to be distributed to affected customers.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-08
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau warned corporate offices and IT firms of a rising trend of impersonation scams targeting financial personnel, where cybercriminals pose as senior executives via WhatsApp, email, and SMS to trick accounts officers into transferring large sums of money. In a documented case, an accounts officer received a WhatsApp message displaying a company CMD's profile picture and was instructed to transfer funds for an urgent project, resulting in financial loss before the fraud was discovered. The TGCSB recommends companies implement multi-level approval processes, verify all financial instructions through direct voice contact with the purported sender, and conduct regular employee training to counter these sophisticated attacks.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
On March 21, 2025, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office arrested suspects in an ongoing phone scam targeting an elderly male customer who was instructed to withdraw $50,000 from Wells Fargo in Oakdale. A vigilant bank teller alerted law enforcement after the victim attempted a second large withdrawal, prompting detectives to coordinate an undercover operation that successfully apprehended the scammers at a pre-arranged collection point. The case highlights the importance of reporting suspicious requests for large cash withdrawals to authorities immediately.
hiawathaworldonline.com
· 2025-12-08
I'm unable to provide a complete summary as the article text appears to be truncated or incomplete. The excerpt shows only the headline, date (March 23, 2025), and opening statement that financial scams are increasing in the twenty-first century, but the body content describing specific scams targeting seniors is not included. Please provide the full article text for an accurate summary.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported over $310 million in investment fraud losses in 2024, with more than $1 billion lost since 2021, as scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfakes to create convincing fraudulent investment platforms and cryptocurrency schemes. Victims are typically lured through social media ads, fake search results, or impersonated contacts, receive small returns on initial investments to build trust, but lose their money when attempting larger withdrawals. Law enforcement warns that fraudsters use urgency tactics and target vulnerable populations, with romance scams also prevalent; Canada's fraud industry is estimated at $100 million annually.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams remain the most prevalent fraud scheme in Canada, with over $310 million in reported losses in 2024 and more than $1 billion since 2021, often employing artificial intelligence and deepfake videos featuring public figures to appear legitimate. Scammers typically lure victims through social media ads, fraudulent Google search results, and fake endorsements, initially providing small returns to build trust before preventing withdrawals once larger sums are invested. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary advise victims to avoid pressure tactics, conduct due diligence before investing, and report incidents to authorities, noting that fraud networks operate as sophisticated criminal enterprises targeting vulnerable
news-press.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to financial scams, with common schemes including grandparent scams, fake financial institution impersonations, tech support fraud, government impersonation, and romance scams that exploit older adults' trust and emotional vulnerabilities. The article advises seniors to be wary of anyone demanding immediate payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, and to verify requests through official channels before sending money. These scams cause not only significant financial losses but also lasting emotional and psychological harm to victims.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning of an escalating scam involving fake online document converter websites that appear legitimate but contain hidden malware capable of stealing sensitive information (names, social security numbers, passwords, banking details) and deploying ransomware on victims' devices. Cybercriminals create convincing fake URLs mimicking legitimate converter tools, and users searching for free converters are vulnerable to these sites appearing in search results; the FBI encourages victims to report incidents to IC3.gov.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a growing scam involving fraudulent online file converter websites that mimic legitimate services for converting PDFs, documents, and images. These fake sites either install malware and ransomware onto users' computers or "scrape" uploaded files to steal personal information such as social security numbers, passwords, and banking details. The FBI recommends users verify converter sites carefully, maintain updated antivirus software, and if compromised, immediately contact financial institutions, change passwords from a different device, and file a report at IC3.gov.
consumerfinance.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Zelle's operator Early Warning Services for failing to implement adequate fraud prevention safeguards on the peer-to-peer payment network, resulting in over $870 million in losses to customers of the three banks over seven years. The banks rushed Zelle to market to compete with apps like Venmo and CashApp without proper protections, leaving hundreds of thousands of consumers vulnerable to fraud schemes and denying many victims legally required reimbursement when they filed complaints.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece from the Better Business Bureau warning consumers about impostor customer support scams on social media, where fraudsters create fake business support accounts to trick people seeking help into sharing personal and financial information. The article outlines six prevention strategies: verify account legitimacy by checking creation date and follower count, be wary of multiple responses claiming to help, avoid fake account recovery services, never share personal or financial information with strangers, don't click suspicious links, and contact businesses directly through their official websites instead of relying on social media responses.
lamilano.it
· 2025-12-08
Operation "Fumo del Vesuvio" (Smoke from Vesuvius), conducted by Carabinieri in Trieste, dismantled an organized elder fraud ring operating across Northern Italy, resulting in 10 arrests and 29 additional suspects reported to authorities. The scam targeted elderly victims through phone calls impersonating lawyers or police officers threatening legal consequences for accidents allegedly caused by relatives, with specialized "tax collectors" sent to victims' homes to retrieve money; investigators recovered approximately €150,000 and identified 38 completed scams. The criminal operation employed a structured network of callers ("switchboard operators"), money collectors paid €150 daily, and information specialists who gathere
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents increased fraud risk as scammers use phishing emails, texts, phone calls, and social media to impersonate the IRS and steal personal information or money. Common tactics include creating false urgency, threatening arrest, promising inflated refunds through "ghost" preparers who file fraudulent returns, and exploiting uncertainty around recent IRS workforce cuts to appear more convincing. Experts recommend using only trusted tax professionals, avoiding suspicious links and unsolicited offers, and reporting scams to the IRS, as reduced agency staffing may slow response times to fraud complaints.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
A "smishing" scam has spread across multiple states for over a year, with scammers sending text messages claiming recipients owe small toll amounts (e.g., $12.51) and directing them to fake E-ZPass websites to pay outstanding balances. Clicking the malicious links can expose victims to identity theft, unauthorized credit accounts, and financial fraud, as scammers gain access to personal and financial information. The FBI recommends verifying toll balances directly through official websites or customer service, not clicking unknown links, and filing complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) if targeted.
11alive.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season fraud is escalating, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening calls impersonating the IRS, and fake tax preparers who file fraudulent returns with inflated deductions to steal refunds. This year, criminals are exploiting uncertainty from recent IRS workforce cuts—both to impersonate the agency with false filing claims and because reduced IRS staffing may slow response times to reported scams and takedown of malicious websites. Consumers are advised to watch for red flags including urgency, threats, suspicious links, and promises of large payouts, and to only use accredited tax professionals.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has warned Americans about tax scams targeting older adults that surge during filing season, with IRS impersonation being the most common fraud type. Scammers pose as government agencies or tax professionals using spoofed caller IDs and high-pressure tactics demanding untraceable payments (cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers), with adults aged 65-74 most frequently targeted; a McAfee survey found 48 percent of Americans received fake IRS messages, and 79 percent of those experienced collection attempts or threats. The IRS clarified it will never demand immediate payment via prepaid cards, threaten arrest, or request sensitive financial information by phone, and warns that AI-enhanced deep
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FTC's 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, while younger people (ages 20-29) report fraud more frequently than seniors, adults aged 70 and older experience significantly higher median losses, with those 80+ losing a median of $1,650 per incident and seniors collectively losing $2.3 billion in 2024. Overall fraud losses in the United States reached $12.5 billion in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), with business imposters and government imposters being the most common scams targeting older adults, followed by tech support and lottery scams.
msutoday.msu.edu
· 2025-12-08
Global cybercrime cost nearly $10 trillion in the previous year and is expected to rise in 2025, with scammers increasingly targeting everyday people through common fraud schemes. Michigan State University experts highlight three major scam types: package delay scams (smishing texts impersonating delivery services), romance fraud (building fake emotional relationships to extract money), and other cyber threats, offering guidance on protection strategies such as verifying official websites and recognizing common fraudster tactics like fake military profiles or stolen social media images.
idtechwire.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Bumble launched a biometric ID verification feature across 11 markets, including the US and UK, allowing users to verify their identity through government-issued IDs and selfies to combat romance scams on the platform. The optional feature provides a profile badge for verified users and includes a companion safety tool called "Share My Date" that enables users to share date details with trusted contacts; however, Bumble is simultaneously facing a $40 million class action lawsuit in Illinois over biometric privacy violations.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A widespread "smishing scam" has targeted over 60,000 Americans with fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls, urging recipients to click links to malicious sites; the scam originates from Chinese-speaking cybercriminals selling phishing kits on Telegram to steal credit card and personal information. Red flags include suspicious shortened URLs, misspelled words, threatening language about license suspension, demands for small payment amounts, and sender numbers with +63 (Philippines) country codes. Victims should not click links, report messages as spam, and if they've already shared payment information, immediately contact banks to freeze accounts and freeze credit to prevent identity theft.