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in Scam Awareness
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams, which includes email phishing schemes, fraudulent tax credits, misleading social media advice, fake charities, and overstated withholding scams that operate throughout the year to steal money and personal information. The agency urges taxpayers to report any tax scheme promoters and return preparers who knowingly file improper returns.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a warning about criminals using fake online document converter websites to infect users' computers with malware and ransomware by mimicking legitimate URLs with slight variations. These fraudulent converters, including sites like convertix-api.xyz and convertallfiles.com, exploit users searching for free file conversion tools and may have been linked to a February ransomware attack on Lee Enterprises, a media company operating outlets across 70 U.S. markets. The FBI recommends avoiding free online document converters entirely and instead using established apps and platforms, while being vigilant about checking URLs and avoiding paid search results.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman lost over $400,000 to online scammers who contacted her via Facebook over seven years, manipulating her into sending money through Apple gift cards and cryptocurrency while operating under various aliases. Despite her son's efforts to seek help from law enforcement and lawyers, they reported being unable to intervene, and the woman continued sending money to the fraudsters even after moving in with her son, eventually taking out loans at their urging. The article includes expert warnings about cryptocurrency scam red flags, including unsolicited crypto solicitations on social media, promises of unusually high returns, and overly friendly strangers using deepfake technology to build trust.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening phone calls impersonating the IRS, and fake tax preparers who file fraudulent returns to steal refunds. Recent IRS workforce cuts may amplify these threats by creating uncertainty that scammers exploit and reducing the agency's capacity to respond to reported fraud. Experts recommend consumers watch for red flags such as urgency, threats, suspicious links, and promises of inflated refunds, while using only trusted tax professionals and reporting scams directly to the IRS.
newscentermaine.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cumberland, Maine woman lost $100,000 to a sophisticated scam that began with a phishing email giving scammers remote computer access, followed by an impersonator claiming to be a Microsoft employee who convinced her to convert her savings into gold bars that were later picked up by a fake courier. Police arrested 44-year-old Zhangqi Xie of New York and charged him with Theft by Deception, while warning the public never to exchange money for gold, bitcoin, or gift cards based on unsolicited communications and to avoid opening suspicious email attachments.
bromley.gov.uk
· 2025-12-08
Bromley Trading Standards warns that romance fraud is a significant threat, with Bromley residents reporting nearly £1 million in losses during January 2025 alone. Fraudsters create fake dating profiles, build emotional connections with victims, then request money under false pretenses (claiming emergencies or business problems) with no intention of repayment. Protection involves keeping communication on official dating platforms, verifying identities through reverse image searches, never sending money to people you haven't met in person, and consulting family or friends rather than keeping relationships secret.
wlrn.org
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranked as the number one state for fraud according to a Federal Trade Commission report, with $866 million in reported losses last year, and South Florida leading the nation with over 171,000 fraud reports. Romance scams were the most costly scheme, causing $89 million in losses to Floridians, followed by job and real estate scams. A Miramar woman was sentenced to 30 months in prison in January for laundering nearly $3 million from romance scams.
norfolktoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
During Fraud Prevention Month, authorities highlight romance scams as a persistent threat in the province, where scammers build emotional connections with victims through online dating sites before requesting money. A variation called "Pig Butchering" involves scammers posing as romantic interests to lure victims into fraudulent investment or financial schemes rather than requesting travel funds. Police emphasize that victims should not feel ashamed, as scammers employ sophisticated manipulation tactics designed to exploit trust and connection.
newswest9.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks as scammers exploit uncertainty surrounding recent IRS workforce cuts to impersonate the agency and steal personal information and money through phishing emails, texts, fake refund promises, and fraudulent tax preparers. Common red flags include urgent language, threats, promises of large payoffs, and suspicious links; the IRS warns it never initiates contact via email or text and urges consumers to use only accredited tax professionals and report suspected scams. Experts caution that reduced IRS staffing could slow response times to fraud reports and allow malicious websites and predatory campaigns to remain active longer, creating an increased risk environment for taxpayers.
wwltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening phone calls impersonating the IRS, and "ghost" tax preparers who file fraudulent returns with inflated deductions to steal refunds. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may make scammers' false claims about "new filing methods" more convincing while simultaneously reducing the agency's ability to quickly respond to and remove fraudulent websites or investigate scam reports. Key warning signs include urgency, threats, promises of large payouts, and suspicious links—and consumers should only contact the IRS through official channels and use accredited tax professionals.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which a person claiming to be a woman from Maryland convinced him to send money via multiple cash app accounts for an inheritance claim and promised relocation to Utah, with investigators believing a video call between them may have been AI-generated. Provo police used the case to warn of increasing online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes (law enforcement, banks, utilities), tech support fraud, and kidnapping hoaxes, recommending that victims hang up on unsolicited callers and verify requests through official channels.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
West Virginians reported over $27 million in fraud losses in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, as scams continue to rise across the state through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The article outlines common scam tactics including IRS/Social Security impersonation, romance scams, tech support scams, and phishing emails, and advises consumers to watch for red flags such as urgent language, requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and unfamiliar contact information. Key protective measures include not answering unknown numbers, never clicking suspicious links, verifying charities before donating, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
azdot.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending text messages claiming to be from "AZDOT" demanding payment for overdue tolls, a "smishing" attack exploiting social engineering tactics. The scam is fake because Arizona has no toll roads, the phone number originates from another country, and the website domain contains red flags; recipients should delete the message, avoid clicking links, and report it to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
newsroom.gendigital.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion scams targeting U.S. residents have surged 137% in 2025, with cybercriminals using AI-generated deepfakes, stolen passwords from data breaches, and personalized information including home addresses and photos obtained via Google Maps to threaten victims into paying ransom. Experts at Avast identified over 15,000 Bitcoin wallets associated with these scams and recommend victims never pay demands, report incidents to the FBI or IC3, enable multi-factor authentication, and use password managers and dark web monitoring services to protect themselves.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion scams targeting U.S. residents increased 137% in early 2025, leveraging AI-generated deepfake images, stolen passwords from data breaches, and personal information available on the dark web to create highly personalized and threatening extortion demands. Cybercriminals are using sophisticated tactics including fake explicit photos, threatening messages containing victims' real addresses obtained via Google Maps, and demanding Bitcoin payments, with over 15,000 unique Bitcoin wallets identified in one variant of the scheme. Security experts advise victims not to pay ransom or engage with scammers, to enable multi-factor authentication, use password managers, monitor dark web exposure, and report incidents to the FBI
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
American adults lost $47 billion to identity fraud and scams in 2024, a $4 billion increase from 2023, according to a Javelin Strategy & Research report cosponsored by AARP. The losses included $27 billion from traditional identity fraud affecting 18 million people and $20 billion from scams using social engineering, with criminals deliberately targeting older adults perceived as having significant savings and less technological comfort. Account takeover fraud and new-account fraud are growing problems, reaching $15.6 billion and $6.2 billion respectively in 2024, driven partly by technological gaps in security and weak privacy laws that allow data breaches and unauthorized data sharing.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and effective due to advanced technology and organized criminal groups operating internationally. The article illustrates this trend through the example of a utility company impersonation scam targeting a Maine resident, and explains how scammers exploit phishing, deepfakes, AI-generated content, and cryptocurrency investment schemes to defraud victims. Key protective strategies include verifying accounts directly through official channels and remaining suspicious of urgent payment demands, particularly those requesting digital payment methods like Zelle.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using impersonation emails, texts, calls, and social media offers to steal personal information and money. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may embolden fraudsters who exploit taxpayer uncertainty while potentially slowing the agency's ability to respond to reported scams, and recommend taxpayers use only accredited tax professionals, watch for pressure tactics and suspicious refund promises, and report suspected fraud to the IRS.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season is a prime target for scammers seeking to steal refunds and identities, with Americans losing $9.1 billion to tax and financial crimes in 2024, and nearly one in four Americans impacted by tax scams at some point. Key protective measures include setting up an IRS Identity Protection PIN, ignoring unsolicited tax-related emails and texts, avoiding cryptocurrency payments for taxes, and implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Experts stress that the IRS never initiates contact via email or text and does not accept cryptocurrency or demand immediate payment under threat.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, OR, lost $40,000 to a romance scam after meeting a con artist on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and repeatedly requested money under false pretenses, including a fake hospital stay. The FTC reports that romance scams affected 70,000 people in 2022 with $1.3 billion in total losses, with a median loss of $4,400. Powell's case highlights the importance of never sending money to online matches and reporting suspected scams to the FTC immediately.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Portland, Oregon single mother lost $40,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and used a fake hospital photo to guilt her into sending money over several months. The FTC reported that romance scams affected 70,000 people in 2022 with total losses of $1.3 billion, with a median loss of $4,400, and recommends victims never send money to online matches they haven't met, report scams to the FTC, and seek help from financial advisers to rebuild their finances.
oakdaleleader.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly male customer in Oakdale was targeted in a phone scam instructing him to withdraw $50,000 from Wells Fargo; a vigilant bank teller detected the suspicious transaction and alerted authorities. The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department coordinated an undercover operation with the victim's cooperation, apprehending the suspects when they arrived to collect the funds at a pre-arranged location. The department urges residents to be cautious of scams requesting large cash withdrawals or personal information, particularly warning elderly individuals and their families to report suspected fraud to law enforcement immediately.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A free educational seminar on phishing and fraud prevention for seniors will be held on Tuesday, April 1, at Smith Village in Chicago, featuring Katherine Walsh from the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The seminar will cover common scams targeting older adults including phishing calls, text smishing, and pharming attacks, such as impersonations of the IRS, Social Security Administration, grandparent scams, and fraudulent service solicitations. The event is part of a broader awareness effort, as Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2023, a 25 percent increase from the previous year.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Idaho passed HB 323 into law, enabling financial institutions to temporarily pause suspicious transactions for up to 15 days to investigate potential fraud, addressing a critical gap that left the state's seniors vulnerable to financial crimes. In 2024 alone, Idaho seniors reported 18,447 scam cases resulting in over $53 million in losses. The "Report and Hold" authority law, effective July 1, 2025, empowers financial institutions and law enforcement to better identify and stop financial crimes against vulnerable Idahoans.
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults, particularly those over 75, with sweepstakes, impersonation, and text message scams. Law enforcement agencies recommend that seniors use the "Five P's" framework (Pretend, Problem, Prize, Pressure, Pay) to identify scams, hang up on pressuring callers, and verify claims with family and trusted sources before taking action. Authorities stress the importance of reporting fraud to local police or AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360, even when victims feel embarrassed.
ksfa860.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Texas seniors experienced an 11% increase in fraud losses, with one notable case involving a man sentenced to eight years in prison for stealing $300,000 from a Georgetown woman as part of an international scheme. Investigators identified a scam ring originating from India that targeted 21 victims across the country for nearly $6 million total by impersonating U.S. Government officials to extort money and personal information. AARP recommends victims speak up about fraud rather than remaining silent, as reporting can help protect others, and provides a helpline at 877-908-3360 for suspected scams.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old man was indicted in a grandparent scam that targeted at least five Pittsburgh-area seniors, resulting in over $50,000 in losses between October and January, with investigators suspecting many more victims across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. The organized crime group operated by having callers impersonate grandchildren claiming to need emergency money for arrests or accidents, with money collected from victims delivered via ride-share drivers to northern Ohio where the defendant was captured on surveillance. The FBI estimates grandparent scams and similar elder fraud schemes cost seniors over $3 billion annually, targeting them because they are typically trusting, polite, and have significant financial resources.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service held a scam awareness event to educate consumers about fraud threats, including unsolicited text messages about delivery problems, unrequested merchandise shipments designed to boost fake product reviews, and romance scams. The Postal Service emphasized that they do not send unsolicited texts and warned customers not to scan QR codes in unexpected packages or send money to unknown individuals, while also reporting a 27% decrease in letter carrier robberies under their Project Safe Delivery initiative since 2023.
htrnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Manitowoc Police Department reported a dramatic increase in scams in recent months, including romance scams conducted over social media and phone that unfold over weeks or months, impersonation scams where perpetrators pose as law enforcement demanding payment for fictitious fines, and schemes using cryptocurrency ATMs to extract money from victims. Scammers typically request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic transfers to avoid detection, with some victims losing thousands of dollars or their life savings. Police advise residents to avoid transferring money to unknown sources and to contact local law enforcement if they suspect scam activity.
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
A West Bend, Wisconsin woman discovered her husband was victimized in a celebrity romance scam after he was contacted by someone impersonating Nancy Wilson of the band HEART on Facebook, leading him to send approximately $1,000 and share personal information including their home address. The scammer used AI-enhanced "deepfake" videos and fabricated money requests (including a $600 claim to dock a jet) to manipulate the victim, who professed love for someone he had never met. According to the FTC, romance scammers stole over $1 billion in 2023, with law enforcement noting these scams are difficult to trace since perpetrators typically operate internationally.
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which someone claiming to be a woman from Maryland promised a romantic relationship and help claiming an inheritance, but the two never met in person and a video call may have been AI-generated. The case, discovered only when the man's son intervened, exemplifies a broader problem affecting seniors nationally, with other common scams including impersonation of law enforcement, banks, and utility companies; tech support schemes; and "grandparent in jail" fraud. Police and the FBI recommend hanging up on calls demanding urgent payment, independently verifying callers' identities, watching for cryptocurrency requests, and family members monitoring elderly relatives
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2025 tax season leading up to the April 15 filing deadline, IRS-related scams have surged 77 percent, with criminals using phone calls, texts, emails, and AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate tax agents and demand personal information by promising large refunds or threatening legal action. Common schemes include fake unclaimed refund offers, fraudulent stimulus payment messages, unlicensed "ghost" tax preparers who file returns without proper credentials, and phishing scams on social media platforms. Experts advise taxpayers to remember that the IRS initiates contact only by mail, verify tax preparers through official IRS directories and legitimate business listings, an
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fake text messages falsely claiming recipients owe tolls to the Arizona Department of Transportation, using "smishing" tactics with spoofed websites and foreign phone numbers to deceive people into paying. Arizona has no toll roads, making these messages easily identifiable as fraudulent; authorities recommend deleting the messages without clicking links and reporting them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wkyc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report identified investment scams as the riskiest fraud threat, with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident. These scams typically target people seeking fast returns with minimal risk by using unsolicited contact (especially on social media), building false relationships, and requesting personal information or clicks on malicious links. Key protective measures include avoiding investment offers from strangers, being wary of unsolicited relationship-building by potential fraudsters, and refusing to click unknown links or share sensitive personal data.
securitymagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A Reboot research report analyzed SMS scams and found that scammers most frequently impersonate USPS (15.43%), the IRS (11.71%), and Amazon (7.71%), with account alert scams being the most common type (28.7% of incidents). Scammers exploit urgency and trust using common names like "Lisa" and "Annie" as aliases, misleading subdomains (particularly irs.gov in 24.2% of cases), and panic-inducing phrases such as "Your account has been locked" to pressure victims into quick action.
techlicious.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity expert Troy Hunt fell victim to a sophisticated phishing attack while traveling and jet-lagged, entering his credentials and two-factor authentication code into a fake Mailchimp login page, resulting in attackers exporting his mailing list of approximately 16,000 email addresses along with associated IP addresses and metadata. The incident illustrates how phishing exploits psychological vulnerabilities like timing and urgency rather than technical sophistication, and demonstrates that even authenticator app-based two-factor authentication is vulnerable to real-time phishing attacks where codes can be intercepted and used immediately by attackers.
worldofbuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A 20-year-old Chinese international student in Malaysia died by suicide after being targeted by a China-based scam syndicate that impersonated police and demanded approximately RM156,000 (RMB258,000) to avoid extradition and imprisonment. The student, Lee, endured four days of severe emotional and psychological pressure from the scammers who claimed she was a murder suspect and monitored her 24/7, ultimately leading her to jump from the 39th floor of her condominium despite attempts by her mother to help after discovering the scam through her handwritten letter and call logs.
malaymail.com
· 2025-12-08
A 38-year-old trader in Johor Baru lost RM120,873.69 in January 2024 after clicking on a fake job advertisement on Google and making 11 transfers to accounts controlled by a scam syndicate that promised high profits for sales. The victim was instructed to make additional payments to withdraw non-existent profits, and upon realizing the deception, reported the incident to police. Authorities confirmed the five bank accounts involved had 22 prior reports of investment and job scams, and are investigating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes warned consumers about "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages designed to trick recipients into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or clicking links to counterfeit websites that steal personal and financial data. Common smishing tactics include fake unpaid toll notices, job offers, bank alerts, package delivery notices, and tax refund claims. The FTC reported that consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 (a 25% increase), with Arizona's Consumer Information and Complaints Unit receiving nearly 22,000 complaints and recovering a record $5.2 million for consumers.
njbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
New Jersey launched an online portal on March 26, 2025, to streamline reporting of suspected financial exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults by financial professionals under the state's SAFE Act. Since the law took effect in April 2020, financial professionals have reported over 1,200 suspected fraud cases, resulting in halted disbursements from dozens of victim accounts. The new digital portal allows faster submission of fraud alerts and supporting documents, enabling the Bureau of Securities to intervene more quickly before vulnerable adults lose their assets.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases, including pension fraud, increased 84 percent in 2022 with losses in the tens of billions of dollars, driven by vulnerabilities in digitized pension systems and delayed death record updates that allow criminals to divert benefits to fraudulent recipients. Advanced digital identity verification technology, including AI-powered cross-referencing of personal data and biometric markers, offers pension operators a proactive defense mechanism to authenticate beneficiaries and verify death status before approving transactions. Enhanced identity verification measures are essential for government pension programs to safeguard retirees' financial security and maintain public trust in these systems.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2020 to 2023, job scam losses more than tripled, with over $220 million lost in the first half of 2024, according to FTC data. Common schemes include remote work scams offering unrealistic pay, fake check scams (median loss $1,900), task-based scams requiring upfront payments, and identity theft recruitment scams that harvest personal information. Job seekers should verify employer legitimacy through official channels, avoid paying for work opportunities, and be cautious of offers involving cryptocurrency or requests for sensitive personal information.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired IT professional in Northeast Ohio, known as "Eastside Eddie," uses technology and social engineering to tie up organized crime scammers by posing as potential victims, preventing them from targeting actual people. Operating from his home, he handles dozens of calls daily by connecting scammers to fake computer systems and characters, while simultaneously cautioning the public that legitimate companies never call unsolicited and recommending people report scams rather than engage with scammers themselves. Eastside Eddie plans to expand his awareness mission by offering free educational workshops at senior centers and assisted living facilities to help people recognize and avoid scams.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating law enforcement and contacting people by phone or email claiming they missed jury duty, demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps to avoid fines or jail time. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warns that government imposter scams cost consumers $789 million in 2024, and advises that legitimate courts only communicate with jurors through mail, never by phone or email.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, affecting consumers nationwide including older adults who are increasingly targeted through evolving scam tactics that exploit vulnerabilities. Tanjai Green lost money through a money transfer app scam and was unable to recover her funds despite repeated requests, while psychologist Dr. Peter Lichtenberg emphasizes that scammers specifically target retired individuals and those with disabilities or anxiety. Experts recommend approaching potential scam victims by listening to their perspective rather than confronting them directly, maintaining trusted confidants for financial discussions, and following best practices such as verifying identities online, being skeptical of urgent requests, and avoiding money
whbl.com
· 2025-12-08
Manitowoc Police reported a dramatic increase in scams targeting residents, including romance scams that develop over weeks or months with escalating requests for money, impersonation scams where criminals pose as officials demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and a novel tactic involving fraudulent crypto ATMs. Police advise residents to avoid currency transfers to unknown sources, be cautious of aggressive payment demands, and contact them with concerns, noting that government entities never use crypto ATMs or electronic payment methods for fines and fees.
technologyreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Gavesh, a South Asian man facing financial hardship, was trafficked into a "pig butchering" scam operation after responding to a fraudulent Facebook job posting promising $1,500 monthly salary. Criminal syndicates operating from compounds in Myanmar-Thailand border regions use social media platforms and tech services to recruit victims and conduct romance/investment fraud schemes that have netted billions of dollars globally, exploiting trafficked workers through coercion and violence. The investigation reveals that major tech companies—including social media, dating apps, cryptocurrency platforms, and messaging services—have enabled the industrialization of these fraud operations and may hold the key to dismantling them if compelled to take action.
upnorthlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A Northern Michigan woman lost over $20,000 in an online romance scam in 2024 after being contacted by someone impersonating a celebrity actor on Instagram. The scammer used love bombing and emotional manipulation, gradually building trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies; the victim only recognized the fraud when asked for an additional $100,000. Experts note that romance scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities and common interests to establish trust, and victims should understand that such crimes result from criminal manipulation rather than personal fault.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman in Pune lost Rs 2.5 crore in a sophisticated cyber scam where fraudsters impersonating Maharashtra Police and Enforcement Directorate officials falsely implicated her in a money laundering case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. Over three weeks from mid-February to March 10, the woman made 74 transfers after being coerced through fabricated legal notices, fake "digital arrest" orders, and forged government documents. Authorities suspect international cybercrime syndicates orchestrated the scheme, using mule accounts and cryptocurrency to launder the stolen funds, and have advised citizens to verify official identities independently and never
newsmeter.in
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters in Hyderabad are sending fake SMS messages to electricity consumers claiming their power supply will be disconnected due to unpaid bills and urging immediate payment via phone or WhatsApp; scammers then attempt to collect banking details and make unauthorized withdrawals. The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) has clarified that it never requests banking details via text or uses personal mobile numbers for communications, and advises consumers to verify bills only through official channels and report suspicious messages to authorities.