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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
lompocrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Employees at a fulfillment center, primarily workers over 60 years old, became targets of impersonation scams after their personal data was stolen; callers falsely claiming to represent Social Security, the IRS, and other government agencies demanded cash payments under threat of arrest. Social Security Administration officials outlined common scam tactics—creating urgency through fear, impersonating trusted agencies, and demanding untraceable payments—and emphasized that legitimate government agencies never request cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and victims should report incidents to the Office of Inspector General and avoid acting on threatening calls without verification.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams are prevalent, with identity theft being one of the most common, where fraudsters file tax returns in victims' names to claim refunds—the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, and victims wait an average of 19 months for resolution. Scammers typically use tactics based on fear, urgency, and financial incentives to trick people into sharing personal information or money, often impersonating the IRS or tax professionals. Experts recommend verifying IRS contact through official channels (mail or their website), researching tax professionals through reputable directories, and avoiding unsolicited phone calls to protect against tax-related fraud.
udel.edu
· 2025-12-08
University of Delaware Police warned the campus community about phone scams in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement and university employees, calling students and threatening arrest or disciplinary action unless they transferred money via wire transfer, bank transfer, gift cards, or payment apps like Venmo or Cash App. Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never calls to threaten legal action or request payment, and advised students to hang up on suspected scams, report incidents to UD Police at 302-831-2222, and monitor their financial accounts for unauthorized activity.
winknews.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement agencies have reported a spike in sophisticated scam calls impersonating police officers and court officials, with perpetrators now using real names, titles, and badge numbers of actual law enforcement employees to demand payment for alleged missed jury duty or bench warrants. Victims like Samantha Misener and Mary Shucart received threatening calls claiming they had outstanding legal violations, but both recognized the scams and reported them to authorities. Experts advise never answering calls from unrecognized numbers, ignoring blocked caller IDs, and remembering that legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment over the phone.
da.sonomacounty.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating legitimate student loan debt relief representatives through emails and phone calls, using aggressive language, promises of forgiveness, requests for login credentials, and unofficial contact information to defraud borrowers. The Department of Education emphasizes that legitimate representatives will never request StudentAid.gov passwords and that borrowers can access loan modification services for free through their loan servicers. Victims should contact their loan servicer and bank, change their FSA ID password if compromised, and file complaints with the Department of Education, FTC, or CFPB.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wake County Animal Center warned of a scam targeting owners of lost pets, in which scammers impersonate center employees, call after hours, claim to have found the pet injured, and demand emergency surgery payments via electronic transfer or payment apps. The scammers spoof the animal center's phone number to appear legitimate and exploit desperate pet owners' emotional vulnerability. The genuine animal center never requests immediate phone payments, only accepts in-person payments (cash, check, or credit card), and does not perform medical procedures on private animals.
en.as.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Medicare Patrol warns that Medicare scams are increasing, with fraudsters exploiting beneficiaries' failure to review account statements by charging for unrequested items like urinary catheters, diabetes supplies, and COVID-19 test kits. To protect themselves, Medicare beneficiaries should carefully review their monthly Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) or Explanations of Benefits (EOB), treat their Medicare card like a credit card, and report suspected fraud to the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-808-2468 or 855-613-7080. Medicare will never contact beneficiaries unsolicited by phone to issue new cards or other services.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old German language teacher in Chennai lost Rs 2.26 lakh in a courier scam when a caller impersonating a Mumbai police officer falsely claimed she had sent a package containing drugs, then manipulated her into transferring money to a fraudulent account and unknowingly authorizing a loan in her name. In a similar incident, a Bengaluru lawyer was defrauded of Rs 15 lakh over 36 hours by scammers posing as courier service representatives, Mumbai police, and a CBI officer who coerced her into a video call under false pretenses and extracted sensitive financial information.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old businessman in Mumbai lost Rs80,000 to an AI voice cloning scam where fraudsters impersonated the Indian Embassy in Dubai, falsely claiming his son was arrested and playing a cloned voice of his son pleading for bail. A second victim, a 58-year-old professor, lost Rs1 lakh in a similar scheme where a caller impersonated a police inspector claiming her son was detained; cybercriminals used AI to gather family details from social media. Experts warn that AI voice cloning scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and advise verifying distressed calls directly with the supposed victim or authorities before transferring money.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating local banks sent SMS messages to at least 12 victims offering fixed deposit promotions with high interest rates, resulting in losses of at least S$650,000 since January. The fraudsters posed as bank agents, collected personal information, and instructed victims to transfer money into fake accounts created under their names, with some victims receiving forged bank statements and facing delayed discovery through claimed "activation periods." Additional phishing scams targeting bank customers through spoofed SMSes resulted in 103 victims in December and 219 DBS customers losing about S$446,000 in the first two weeks of 2024.
waaytv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 92-year-old Lauderdale County man was scammed out of $3,600 by Jack Lovell, Jr., who accepted payment via two checks for driveway paving work but never completed the job; Lovell was arrested and faces charges of financial exploitation of the elderly and home repair fraud. A geriatric care manager notes that seniors are particularly vulnerable to scams due to their trusting nature, and recommends verifying contractors through the Better Business Bureau, never paying upfront, and obtaining second opinions before trusting unfamiliar service providers.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Solano County launched the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) through its Older & Disabled Adult Services division to help residents prevent financial elder abuse and report scams. The center provides resources and five key prevention tips, including verifying government communications, watching for fake social media identities, being skeptical of prize/investment offers, avoiding suspicious account compromise notices, and monitoring finances and Power of Attorney documents. Victims can call ODAS for assistance filing reports and contacting law enforcement.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Bank manager Andrea Nicole Hopkins stole $328,273 from four elderly customers (ages 80-95) at Commerce Bank in St. Louis between February 2020 and May 2021 by transferring funds into cashier's checks and prepaid cards, forging signatures, and altering account statements to fund her personal expenses and debts. Hopkins pleaded guilty to four counts of bank fraud and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in May 2023; Commerce Bank returned all stolen funds to the victims.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission identifies four trending online tax season scams: fake tax preparer ads that redirect to phishing websites to steal personal and payment information, fraudsters posing as accountants offering suspiciously high refunds at low prices, scammers spoofing IRS phone numbers to threaten taxpayers about supposed debt, and phishing emails/texts claiming unclaimed funds to harvest personal data or install malware. The FTC reported $1.1 billion in losses from impersonator scams in 2023 and recommends avoiding social media tax prep links, using word-of-mouth referrals for CPAs, and remembering that the IRS only contacts via mail—never by
nia.nih.gov
· 2025-12-08
An NIA-funded study of 644 older adults (average age 85) simulating government imposter scams found that a significant minority are vulnerable to fraud despite lacking cognitive impairment. When contacted about fake Social Security and Medicare account issues, 68.5% did not engage, but among those who responded, 16.4% engaged without skepticism and 12% provided personal information; vulnerability correlated with lower cognitive ability, financial literacy, and scam awareness. Researchers note that actual scam conversion rates are likely higher in real-world scenarios given participants were predominantly White, highly educated women exposed to less intensive tactics than actual scammers use.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS is warning taxpayers about fraudulent letters mimicking official IRS letterhead that request personal information in exchange for unclaimed refunds, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated technologies like AI to deceive victims. The Federal Trade Commission reported a 14% increase in scam losses last year, affecting nearly 3 million people, and the IRS reminds the public that they never initiate contact via email, text, or social media regarding bills or refunds—recipients should verify any correspondence by checking phone numbers against the official IRS website.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
**Gift Card Scams Overview**
Gift card scams are increasingly prevalent, with fraudsters posing as grandchildren, IRS agents, or bank employees to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards and sharing the numbers. Scammers prefer gift cards because they are difficult to track once the card number and PIN are compromised, making them an "easy depletion method" for accessing funds. Common variants include bank investigator scams, IRS impersonation scams, grandparent scams, and lottery scams, all of which exploit urgency, authority, or emotional appeals to manipulate victims into sending money via untraceable gift cards.
vancouversun.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating police officers targeted a senior in New Westminster by visiting her home and convincing her to surrender her credit and debit cards, which were subsequently used for fraudulent purchases. Police are investigating the incident and conducting interviews while reviewing CCTV footage to identify the suspects. Authorities recommend residents verify the legitimacy of officers at their door by calling 911 and urge the public to warn vulnerable community members about this impersonation scheme.
beaconjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Tallmadge police sergeant investigated a 2019 online dating scam that defrauded a local woman of $60,000 and uncovered a multi-state money-laundering operation involving victims across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, including one couple who lost $375,000. The investigation led to the arrest of six people in Rhode Island who were processing fraudulent funds through compromised bank accounts and money orders. The FBI reported 19,000 romance scam complaints nationally in 2022 with losses exceeding $739 million, typically targeting women over 40.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams target vulnerable individuals, particularly older adults who are lonely, widowed, or divorced, with scammers posing as romantic interests and eventually requesting money through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers for fabricated emergencies like overseas travel or legal fees. A New Hampshire senior experienced this scheme firsthand, enduring months of emotional manipulation before the scammer attempted blackmail, highlighting how perpetrators exploit victims' emotions and are typically difficult to prosecute as they operate from overseas. Law enforcement emphasizes that victims should not blame themselves, as scammers deliberately prey on emotional vulnerability, and success in prevention often depends on family intervention to prevent further financial loss.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
Joan Salcido of Surprise, Arizona lost nearly $20,000 to an imposter scam in which a fraudster posing as Wells Fargo sent her a text fraud alert, then called using a spoofed bank number to convince her to wire money to a separate account for "protection." The scammer used smooth, convincing tactics and had ready answers for her concerns, eventually persuading her to complete the wire transfer despite her initial hesitation. Experts warn that requests to move money to protect it and pressure to act quickly are major red flags, and that banks typically cannot recover funds lost to imposter scammers.
k923.fm
· 2025-12-08
Matthew David Keirans, a 58-year-old former University of Iowa hospital IT employee, pleaded guilty to federal identity theft charges after impersonating William Woods for three decades, earning over $140,000 annually while living in Milwaukee. The fraud was discovered when the real William Woods, whom Keirans had met in the 1980s, reported the identity theft to authorities; Woods had previously spent two years in prison and was institutionalized after being wrongly accused of the crime himself. Keirans faces several years in prison, and a hearing is scheduled to clear Woods' name.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Darlington Akporugo, 46, a Nigerian resident of Fulshear, Texas, was charged with conspiring with Jasmin Sood to defraud over a dozen elderly Americans in a romance scam that operated between 2015 and 2022, resulting in approximately $3.1 million in losses. The perpetrators created fictitious online personas on dating platforms to build trust with elderly, often widowed victims before convincing them to transfer money to fraudster-controlled accounts, and in at least one case, approached a victim in person to drive her to banks and gain control of her banking access devices. Both defendants face up to 30 years imprisonment on wire frau
source.colostate.edu
· 2025-12-08
This article explains two common email and phone scams: spoofing (impersonating trusted sources by disguising email addresses, phone numbers, or URLs) and phishing (using spoofed communications to trick victims into revealing sensitive information like passwords or financial data). The FBI notes that phishing has evolved into variations including vishing (phone calls), smishing (text messages), and pharming (malicious code redirecting to fake websites). Protection strategies include verifying requests independently, examining sender details carefully, enabling multi-factor authentication, avoiding unsolicited attachments, and limiting personal information shared online.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as police officers have targeted at least a dozen people in phone and email scams attempting to obtain financial and personal information. Police warn that legitimate officers never solicit banking details, card numbers, PINs, or passwords, and advise recipients to hang up, verify the caller through the official police line (105), and avoid replying to unsolicited emails claiming to be from authorities.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
IRS impostor scams, which cost consumers $5.8 million in 2023, typically begin with robocalls using spoofed caller IDs and progress to demands for payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency under threats of arrest, or attempts to extract sensitive personal information by falsely claiming a refund is owed. The article advises that the IRS never initiates contact via unsolicited calls and recommends verifying any such claims by contacting the IRS directly using official contact information from trusted sources.
f-secure.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational resource from F-Secure promoting their scam protection service. It highlights that U.S. citizens lost an estimated $12.5 billion to cybercrime in the previous year (a 12% increase), and provides prevention advice across common scam vectors including phishing emails, SMS "smishing," fake delivery alerts, contact spoofing, and fraudulent online shopping sites. The resource emphasizes that legitimate organizations do not request sensitive information via email or text, and recommends verification through separate trusted channels before responding to suspicious communications.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A business account holder lost £40,000 from their Revolut account in February after being deceived by a fraudster posing as Revolut's anti-fraud team; the scammer used verification codes to set up unauthorized payees and make 38 withdrawals within minutes. Revolut refused to reimburse the victim, did not disclose evidence of account access, and stopped recovery efforts after 10 days, citing the customer's alleged negligence despite Revolut not being signed up to the contingent reimbursement model code. The case highlights growing fraud complaints against Revolut (rising from 567 to 1,086 annually), and the article adv
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, from Fulshear, Texas, were charged with conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud for operating romance scams targeting elderly victims, particularly widows, through social media and online dating sites between 2015 and 2022. The pair used fake identities to build trust with over a dozen victims nationwide before requesting money, defrauding them of a total of $3.1 million; in at least one case, they approached a victim in person and gained control of her banking access devices. If convicted, both face up to 30 years in prison on wire fraud charges, with
timeslive.co.za
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported romance scams with combined losses totaling $1.3 billion. The article provides fraud prevention tips including recognizing spelling errors and urgency in messages, verifying sender identities and profiles, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and being cautious when requests are made for sensitive information such as passwords or financial details.
cpr.org
· 2025-12-08
While younger adults are statistically more likely to fall for fraud, people over 70 lose significantly more money overall. An 80-year-old man in Aurora lost $20,000 after scammers posed as his bank's fraud department over several weeks, convincing him to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin at a gas station ATM. Deputy Ryan Falkner of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office identifies the most prevalent current scams targeting older adults as popup virus warnings and jury duty/arrest warrant phone scams, recommending that victims turn off their computers and never pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency.
newstalkzb.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Police warned the public about phone and email scams in which fraudsters impersonate police officers and request victims' financial details by claiming they are fraud victims. New Zealand Police clarified they never contact people requesting banking information, card numbers, PINs, or passwords, and advised the public to verify any suspicious calls by hanging up and dialing 105 to confirm the officer's identity. The scams, primarily targeting landline users, are believed to be operated overseas.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Toronto was defrauded of $13,000 in January after a caller impersonated a police officer and convinced them their credit cards had been fraudulently used. The victims handed over their cards and PINs to a courier who arrived at their home, and the suspects subsequently charged $13,000 to the accounts. Toronto police are seeking two suspects and believe additional victims may exist.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Ellen Hickton, a senior from Ontario, Canada, lost $16,542 CAD ($12,195.84 USD) to a sophisticated phone scam in which a fraudster impersonated a CIBC bank employee and convinced her she was helping investigate fraudulent activity on her account. The scammer instructed Hickton to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, and invest in Bitcoin under the false premise that the bank would reimburse her. CIBC clarified that legitimate banks never ask customers to help investigate fraud, make cryptocurrency transfers, or buy gift cards, and urged customers to verify callers by contacting their bank directly using official phone numbers.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 63-year-old man in Mumbai lost Rs 3 lakh (approximately $3,600 USD) in a voice-cloning scam on March 2, when a fraudster impersonated his son's childhood friend Vikas Gupta over WhatsApp. The victim transferred Rs 2 lakh himself and convinced two friends to each contribute Rs 50,000 after the caller mimicked Gupta's familiar voice and claimed to need urgent financial help. Suspicion grew when the fraudster demanded additional money and refused video calls; the victim filed a police report on April 9, and authorities are investigating.
odt.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
At least a dozen people reported receiving scam calls impersonating police officers claiming they were victims of fraud and attempting to obtain financial information, with calls primarily targeting landline users. Police warned that they never contact people requesting banking details, card numbers, PINs, or passwords, and advised recipients to hang up and verify any caller's identity by contacting the police directly at 105. A similar email scam has also resurfaced using the same impersonation tactic, with police recommending extreme caution with unsolicited emails and advising recipients not to reply.
macaudailytimes.com.mo
· 2025-12-08
The Judiciary Police in Macau launched a WeChat-based anti-fraud initiative in response to a sharp 70-120% surge in fraud cases from January to February, which resulted in 69 million patacas in losses across 265 reported incidents, including a concerning 44% increase in student-targeted scams. The interactive program offers fraud risk analysis, reporting channels, and educational resources to help residents identify fraudulent schemes. Two women were victimized by phone scams impersonating public prosecutors and immigration officials, with one losing 41,700 patacas after being coerced into transferring funds based on false money laundering allegations.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old man from Saddle Rock, New York, was defrauded of $16,000 in a tech support scam in January after receiving a computer notification claiming his device was compromised; scammers impersonating Microsoft representatives told him suspicious activity was detected and instructed him to withdraw cash, which an unknown man collected. Two men, Rong Chen, 47, and ZhenSheng Yu, 46, were arrested and charged with grand larceny after the victim contacted police when a third call attempted to collect an additional $15,000.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Employees at a fulfillment center received fraudulent calls from scammers impersonating Social Security Administration, IRS, and other government agencies demanding money or threatening arrest. According to the Social Security Administration, these sophisticated scams cost consumers over $126 million in 2023, and victims should remain calm, never send money or personal information via phone demands, and report incidents to the Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov or the SSA website.
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting families of high school students preparing for the SAT by impersonating test preparation companies or the College Board itself, often using personal information about the student to appear legitimate and requesting deposits for prep materials that never arrive. Common tactics include claiming the student requested the service, knowing the child's name and test date, and requesting payment over the phone or email—methods the legitimate College Board never uses. Consumers are advised to verify requests directly with their children, pay only by credit card to enable dispute options, and question unsolicited calls about test preparation services.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security number impersonation scams are among the most common government impostor fraud, with criminals stealing over $100 million annually by pretending to be government officials and requesting personal or banking information. Scammers employ sophisticated tactics such as fake documents, fraudulent letterhead, and threatening calls claiming account suspension or benefit loss to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive data. The Federal Trade Commission recommends never trusting caller ID, never verifying personal information to unsolicited callers, and remembering that the SSA will never demand upfront payment via wire transfer, cash, or gift cards.
nbcnewyork.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals, Rong Chen and ZhenSheng Yu, were arrested for a tech support scam that defrauded an 83-year-old Long Island man of $31,000 in January. The scammers displayed a fake popup warning on the victim's computer, impersonated Microsoft support, and convinced him that his accounts were compromised and federal crimes were being committed, resulting in two cash withdrawals of $16,000 and $15,000 respectively that were collected in person. This case is part of a recent pattern of similar scams targeting Long Island residents, with multiple arrests made for variations of the same fraud scheme.
dailycardinal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dane County Sheriff's Office is warning seniors about the "Grandparents Scam," where callers impersonate grandchildren claiming to be in legal or financial trouble and request cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers, sometimes using AI voice-cloning technology to enhance authenticity. Elderly Americans lose approximately $28.3 billion annually to such financial exploitation, with scammers deliberately targeting victims' emotions to prevent them from questioning the requests. Law enforcement emphasizes the importance of public education about these evolving scams as AI technology becomes increasingly sophisticated and accessible.
wlox.com
· 2025-12-08
A Gulfport woman was targeted in a "warrant for arrest" phone scam where con artists impersonated the Harrison County Sheriff's Office and demanded up to $14,000 in bond payments, claiming she had missed a court hearing. The scam affected at least three victims in the area, with two others losing up to $28,000 total at the Biloxi Courthouse before the fraud was discovered. A 24-year-old suspect from Georgia was arrested on felony charges, and authorities are investigating additional suspects believed to be operating the scam across multiple states.
rexburgstandardjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Madison County residents, particularly those 50 years old and older, have been targeted by a jury duty summons scam where callers impersonating sheriff's office deputies demand payment or attempt to arrange in-person meetings. The Madison County Sheriff's Office clarified that deputies never contact residents by phone regarding warrants, fines, or tickets, and do not accept payment via gift cards or digital payment methods. Other prevalent scams in the area include IRS impersonation, sweepstakes fraud, fake scholarships, and romance scams, all designed to extract money from victims.
wareham.theweektoday.com
· 2025-12-08
District Attorney Timothy Cruz will present an educational program on April 18 at the Wareham Free Library addressing various types of scams, including telephone, romance, internet, and financial scams. The presentation is designed for adults seeking to learn protective measures against fraud, and will feature the Wareham Police Department's comfort dog Lexi.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Brick Township police warn residents, particularly seniors, about active scams in their community, including gift card/cryptocurrency fraud, grandparent scams, email phishing, tech support fraud, and romance scams. The department urges residents to verify caller identities, avoid unsolicited payment requests, maintain strong cybersecurity practices, and report suspected fraud to local police immediately.
nevalleynews.org
· 2025-12-08
Scottsdale Community College hosted a cyber security awareness event featuring speakers from the U.S. Secret Service and Scottsdale Police Department who educated students and community members about online scams, including AI-voice impersonation schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams targeting vulnerable populations. The presentation emphasized protective measures such as staying calm during suspicious calls, verifying caller identity through questions only loved ones would know, and strengthening passwords and security practices, noting that seniors and widows are particularly targeted by romance scammers who exploit loneliness and unfamiliarity with social media.
thetimesherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Marysville United Methodist Church is hosting Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on April 27 for a community presentation on senior scams, part of the church's "Lunch and Learn" series. According to a University of Michigan study cited in the event announcement, more than two-thirds of older Michigan residents have reported scam attempts in the past two years, with seniors particularly vulnerable to phone, mail, and online fraud. The free event will provide information on how seniors can avoid scams and reduce their victimization risk.
newschannel20.com
· 2025-12-08
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is launching a senior education initiative in partnership with Edward Jones to address rising fraud, reporting over 200 fraud cases annually in the county alone. The office warns of evolving scams including phone impersonation schemes claiming to be law enforcement demanding payment to avoid arrest, and advises seniors to hang up and independently verify caller identity. A free educational conference addressing phone scams, online fraud, and personal relationship-based scams is scheduled for April 23rd.