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washingtonjewishweek.com
· 2026-03-05
Everyone has been told not to share personal information with strangers or give money for a scenario that seems too good to be true. Yet during 2024, scammers stole $12.5 billion from Americans, accor...
pressherald.com
· 2026-03-05
Many would agree that those who identify as senior citizens are an independent, capable lot. Most seniors, with the benefit of decades of experience, are comfortable and adept at managing their lives....
wkyc.com
· 2026-03-04
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pcmag.com
· 2026-03-04
Tax season is prime time for distractions, fear, and financial stress in many households. Unfortunately, those factors create a perfect environment for online scams to flourish. That's why, from now t...
cnbc.com
· 2026-03-04
The oldest boomers are reaching another decade in 2026 as they turn 80.
When it comes to personal finance in your later years, you're less focused on growing wealth and more on preserving for you and...
berkeleyscanner.com
· 2026-03-04
Authorities say they have linked two men and a teenage boy to at least six home repair scam reports in Berkeley in the past month alone.
The Scanner broke the news of the arrests Monday after a local...
mirror.co.uk
· 2026-03-02
"It wasn’t simply one person trying their luck, but a system," says Tracy of her romance scammer
Scrolling through her notifications on an online dating site, one caught Tracy Cray’s eye. ‘Ritchie’ w...
findarticles.com
· 2026-03-02
Minnesota lawmakers are advancing a ban on cryptocurrency ATMs, arguing that the machines have become a fast conduit for scammers to siphon money from vulnerable residents, especially seniors. The pro...
einpresswire.com
· 2026-03-02
COLUMBIA, S.C. –National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) officially runs March 1-7 and the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) is again expanding our efforts to cover the entire mont...
gizmodo.com
· 2026-03-01
Minnesota lawmakers, backed by local police and the Department of Commerce, have introduced legislation to ban crypto ATMs statewide. House File 3642, sponsored by Rep. Erin Koegel, reached the House ...
timesrepublican.com
· 2026-03-01
As Chief of Police, our agency remains vigilant in providing information to our community members when we observe increasing crime trends. We look to track these occurrences not only to ensure we have...
ktar.com
· 2026-03-01
DATA DOCTORS
Feb 28, 2026, 5:00 AM | Updated: 11:36 am
BY DATA DOCTORS
KTAR.com
Q: What are the latest tax scams to watch out for?
A: Tax scams aren’t new — but the technology behind them has cha...
sg.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-03-01
A search for love shouldn’t cost you your life savings — but for a growing number of Americans, it does. That’s what happened to Jackie Crenshaw, from Connecticut.
She told ABC 7 News that while she ...
aol.com
· 2026-03-01
A search for love shouldn’t cost you your life savings — but for a growing number of Americans, it does. That’s what happened to Jackie Crenshaw, from Connecticut.
She told ABC 7 News that while she ...
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2026-02-28
Last updated: Mar 4, 2026 @ 11:14 am
It may seem daunting to keep up with technology these days. As it evolves, it seems to create more opportunities for criminals to exploit consumers. The scale of ...
cryptorank.io
· 2026-02-28
Share:
BitcoinWorld
Cryptocurrency Kiosks Face Devastating Ban in Minnesota as Elder Fraud Cases Surge to $540,000
ST. PAUL, Minnesota — February 2025 — Minnesota legislators have initiated a groun...
rstreet.org
· 2026-02-27
On a normal summer day in June, Manny Guerrero, a soft-spoken Vietnam War veteran living in Las Vegas, picked up the phone and was told he had beaten the odds and won. The voice on the other end claim...
va.gov
· 2026-02-27
By Melanie Nelson, Public Affairs Officer
February 26, 2026
In today’s digital world, you are more likely to have your identity stolen than your car stolen or your home burglarized.
As a Veteran, y...
patch.com
· 2026-02-27
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Middletown Township Police Department is reporting a concerning trend in elder fraud cases within the community.
Recently, there have been numerous instances where perpe...
granttribune.com
· 2026-02-27
Ryan Sothan, outreach coordinator with the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office, speaks to a group at the Perkins County Senior Center on Feb. 10 about increasing fraud risks and how to avoid them.
Wit...
trmlabs.com
· 2026-02-26
Romance and “investment” scams are not random. They are engineered — built on trust, pressure, and highly scripted manipulation. And while crypto is often the payment rail, the underlying crime is fam...
chattanoogapulse.com
· 2026-02-26
It’s important to be vigilant against identity theft, frauds, and scams. Today’s technology has made it easier for hackers to gather your personal information, leaving you susceptible to theft.
So wh...
washingtonexec.com
· 2026-02-26
The message popped up on Tiziana Barrow’s phone like any other dating app intro. The photos showed a handsome blond with glasses — a Washington, D.C.-based architect from Sweden finishing a project ov...
enews.wvu.edu
· 2026-02-26
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tax season is here, and so is a surge in phishing attacks, fake IRS messages and tax-related identity theft attempts.
Whether you file on your own or work with a tax pro...
kolotv.com
· 2026-02-26
YERINGTON, Nev. (KOLO) - On Tuesday, Feb. 24, two people were arrested after Yerington Police officers executed a search warrant at a home in the 500 block of Madden Lane as part of an ongoing investi...
ksl.com
· 2026-02-25
Online scams and identity theft are widespread problems affecting 73% of U.S. adults, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics like AI-generated phishing emails and cloned voices to trick victims. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying website security by checking that URLs begin with "https://" rather than "http://," adjusting browser settings to only allow secure connections, and carefully checking website spellings and domain extensions before sharing personal information. Taking these preventive steps can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a scam victim.
foxnews.com
· 2026-02-25
Scammers are sending fraudulent emails impersonating Apple, claiming that an unauthorized PayPal charge of nearly $3,000 has been made on your account and urging you to call a support number immediately. The scam targets Apple users by using official Apple branding and urgent language to trigger panic, but can be identified by red flags like the email being sent to a generic recipient address rather than your actual Apple ID email. To stay safe, slow down and carefully examine suspicious emails before clicking links or calling numbers, and remember that legitimate Apple security emails are sent directly to your registered Apple ID address.
yellowhammernews.com
· 2026-02-25
Cybercriminals are increasingly using two sophisticated scams—the "Evolving Trusted Partner Scam" and the "Spoofed Website Scam"—that exploit trust and human error by impersonating legitimate businesses, government agencies, or vendors through phone, email, or text. These "industrialized" fraud schemes affect both businesses and everyday consumers, with fraudsters combining social engineering and digital deception to lower people's guard and steal money or sensitive information. To protect yourself, experts recommend staying alert, asking clarifying questions when contacted about urgent matters, and verifying requests through official channels before taking action—advice that applies whether you're managing company finances or your personal accounts.
koaa.com
· 2026-02-24
# Fraud Summary
A Colorado Springs man discovered that someone fraudulently registered a business to his home address without permission, part of a larger scheme where nearly 60 businesses have been registered to residential addresses across Colorado using the same registered agent. Since 2023, the Secretary of State's office has identified over 5,000 cases of business fraud in the state, with 1,789 currently under investigation, though the process to resolve individual cases can take months. If you receive suspicious mail about businesses registered to your address, file a fraud report with your state's Secretary of State's office immediately rather than ignoring it, as this could be part of identity theft or other fraudulent activity.
2news.com
· 2026-02-24
# Tax Scam Alert
As the 2026 tax filing season begins, authorities warn that scammers are increasingly impersonating the IRS and tax preparers through phone calls, emails, texts, and fake websites to steal personal and financial information, with common tactics including phishing links, false refund promises, and threats of legal action. The scams disproportionately target people unfamiliar with IRS procedures, and the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media or demands immediate payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, file your taxes early, verify information directly through irs.gov, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and remember that legitimate IRS contact begins with a letter in the mail.
insurancebusinessmag.com
· 2026-02-24
Fraudsters are using dating apps to manipulate people into unwittingly participating in fake motor insurance claims, rather than stealing their money directly. The scammers recruit accomplices to pose as accident witnesses or injured parties in staged crashes, using the victim's identity to legitimize fraudulent claims—a tactic that often goes unreported because victims don't realize they've been exploited and feel ashamed. The UK's Insurance Fraud Bureau warns that people should be cautious about requests from dating matches to participate in accident claims or insurance matters, and report any suspicious activity to authorities.
aol.com
· 2026-02-24
A major fraud ring operating in Texas stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them with arrest to coerce them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The scheme is part of a growing crisis of elder fraud, with Americans over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports and losing nearly $2.4 billion to scams in 2024 alone. To protect yourself and elderly relatives, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages from officials making threats, remember that legitimate authorities won't demand payment by gift card or wire transfer, and verify any official claims by contacting the agency directly using a number from their official website.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
# Fraud Summary
A Texas crime ring stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The FTC reports that fraud targeting seniors has surged, with people over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports in 2024 and losing approximately $2.4 billion to scams. To protect yourself and older relatives, be wary of unsolicited calls or messages from people claiming to be government officials, especially those creating urgency or threatening arrest—legitimate authorities will never demand immediate payment or asset transfers over the phone.
itweb.co.za
· 2026-02-24
The dark web has become a thriving marketplace for fraud tools and services, with criminal syndicates operating like legitimate businesses using specialized divisions—such as one group creating fake accounts while another manages victim contact—to execute large-scale scams like romance fraud. Both consumers and businesses are vulnerable, with examples including thousands of SIM cards seized in South Africa being used to set up fraudulent WhatsApp accounts targeting victims. To protect yourself, use strong identity verification systems, remain skeptical of online relationships and unsolicited contacts, and report suspicious accounts to platforms immediately.
techlicious.com
· 2026-02-24
Hackers are sending fake invitation emails that trick users into downloading malicious software disguised as Windows installer files, which secretly installs remote access tools that give attackers complete control over your computer. The scam is particularly dangerous because it uses legitimate software that antivirus programs often don't flag as suspicious, making it hard to detect until it's too late. If you receive unexpected email invitations asking you to download files—especially .MSI files—be cautious and verify directly with the sender through another communication method before downloading anything.
digitaljournal.com
· 2026-02-24
# Article Summary
Plastic card fraud is the most common identity theft scam in the UK, affecting over 94,000 victims in 2024 and accounting for more than one-third of all identity theft cases, with phone companies experiencing a dramatic 72.72% surge in fraud attempts. Bank account fraud came in second place with nearly 58,000 cases, while online shopping fraud declined significantly by 25.41%, suggesting that improved security measures in some sectors are working. To protect themselves, consumers should monitor their credit and debit cards regularly for unauthorized charges, use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, and consider freezing their credit if they suspect fraud.
thehill.com
· 2026-02-23
The European Commission is investigating major tech companies like Apple, Google, and Microsoft for failing to prevent financial scams on their platforms, as online fraud losses reached $12.5-$16.6 billion in the U.S. in 2024. The article warns that while regulatory action targeting large platforms is a step forward, it may not adequately address rapidly evolving fraud tactics like deepfakes and voice cloning, which are increasingly being used to deceive consumers. To protect yourself, be cautious of unfamiliar banking apps and hotel listings, verify unexpected communications through official channels, and remain skeptical of urgent financial requests—especially those involving voices or videos you haven't independently confirmed.
insurancebusinessmag.com
· 2026-02-23
Fraudsters are using dating apps to manipulate romantic partners into participating in fake car insurance claims, targeting people for their identity rather than their money. Victims may be persuaded to claim they witnessed accidents, were passengers in crashes, or submit false injury claims, often using scripts provided by the scammers. The Insurance Fraud Bureau warns this scam is likely underreported due to victims' embarrassment, and advises people to be cautious about requests from dating matches to participate in accident-related claims or take out insurance policies.
fox5dc.com
· 2026-02-23
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax filing season, scammers impersonate IRS agents to target taxpayers through phone calls and emails, either demanding immediate payment for supposed back taxes (threatening arrest) or requesting personal information under the guise of issuing refunds. Anyone filing taxes is vulnerable, with college students particularly targeted, and scammers use pressure tactics, fake credentials, spoofed caller IDs, and official-looking emails to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS never demands immediate payment, asks for payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, or requests credit card numbers over the phone—hang up on suspicious calls and verify directly with the IRS before responding.
theguardian.com
· 2026-02-22
# Romance Fraud Scam Summary
Scammers are using romance fraud tactics to manipulate dating app users into unknowingly participating in fake insurance claims by either witnessing staged car accidents or filing bogus claims themselves. While victims aren't directly losing money, they face serious consequences including being placed on fraud registers, difficulty obtaining future insurance, and damaged credit scores—plus they're technically committing fraud. People should be cautious of romantic partners who pressure them to participate in car accidents or insurance claims, and report suspicious incidents to authorities rather than staying silent out of shame.
countryherald.com
· 2026-02-22
# Pinellas County Dating Fraud Alert Summary
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about online romance scams on dating apps, where fraudsters create fake profiles to build trust and then request money through hard-to-trace methods like cryptocurrency or wire transfers. Red flags include refusals to video chat or meet in person, rapid declarations of love, poor grammar, and attempts to move conversations to private messaging apps. To protect yourself, avoid sending money or personal information to people you haven't met in person, use reverse image searches to verify profile photos, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement.
fox32chicago.com
· 2026-02-22
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax filing season, scammers are targeting taxpayers through phone calls and emails impersonating the IRS, using two main tactics: falsely claiming victims owe back taxes and demanding immediate payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, or posing as refund issuers to steal personal information for identity theft. These scams often use sophisticated tactics like fake badge numbers, spoofed caller IDs showing Washington D.C., and official-looking emails with IRS logos to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS will never demand immediate payment, require a specific payment method, or ask for credit card information over the phone—hang up and contact the IRS directly through their official website or phone number if you're unsure about a communication.
techbullion.com
· 2026-02-22
# Article Summary
A "pig butchering" scam is a sophisticated fraud where criminals build false trust with victims over weeks or months before stealing their cryptocurrency. Victims who discover they've been scammed should immediately stop communicating with the perpetrator, preserve all evidence (screenshots of messages, profiles, and transactions), and report the theft to authorities and recovery services like Pro Crypto Recovery—while being cautious of recovery scams themselves. The key advice is to treat your phone and computer as a crime scene, gather documentation of all communications and blockchain transactions, and resist the urge to respond to scammers, as alerting them could cause them to destroy evidence.
montclair.edu
· 2026-02-21
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax season, cybercriminals impersonate the IRS, tax software companies, and other trusted organizations to steal personal and financial information through phishing emails, texts, and fake websites—often using urgent language and threats to pressure victims into immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Students, employees, and anyone filing taxes are vulnerable, but you can protect yourself by remembering that the IRS typically initiates contact through official U.S. mail (never email, text, or social media), never demands immediate payment, and never asks for passwords or sensitive information. If you receive a suspicious tax-related message, independently verify it by contacting the IRS directly through IRS.gov rather than clicking any links in the suspicious communication.
pcmag.com
· 2026-02-21
# Job Search Scams on the Rise
As job losses mount due to AI and economic pressures, scammers are targeting desperate job seekers through fake job postings on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn, using AI-generated fake websites to steal personal information like Social Security numbers, addresses, and banking details. Beyond data theft, criminals may also request upfront payments for fake background checks or equipment, or send fraudulent checks that bounce after obtaining bank account information. To protect yourself, verify job postings directly through company websites, be wary of unsolicited payment requests, and never provide sensitive information like your Social Security number before speaking with a legitimate company representative.
hometownstations.com
· 2026-02-21
# Fraud Alert Summary
Consumers lost $12 billion to scams in 2024, with common schemes including tax fraud, romance scams, and identity theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers typically use urgency tactics—such as threatening calls, emails, or texts claiming your money is unsafe—to pressure victims into sending money via cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards, and increasingly are showing up in person to collect payments. To protect yourself, officials recommend pausing before acting on urgent money requests, verifying who is contacting you, and immediately alerting your bank or local authorities if something seems suspicious.
hometownstations.com
· 2026-02-21
American consumers lost $12 billion to scams in 2024, with tax fraud, romance scams, and identity theft being among the most common schemes, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers typically use urgency tactics—such as claiming your money is unsafe or sending fake emails and texts demanding immediate action—to pressure victims into making quick decisions, and officials warn that anyone can fall victim, not just the elderly. To protect yourself, experts advise slowing down before responding to money requests, verifying the legitimacy of the request directly with your bank or institution, and contacting local authorities if something feels suspicious.
wehoonline.com
· 2026-02-21
A West Hollywood man named James Kantor was sentenced to over four years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme targeting elderly and deceased people, where conspirators forged wills and trust documents to steal estates. The scheme began when one member of the group broke into homes of vulnerable people, and after discovering a deceased resident, the conspirators used stolen personal information to fraudulently access and transfer assets. If you have elderly relatives, especially those you're not in frequent contact with, regularly check in on them and monitor their financial accounts and important documents for suspicious activity.
inkl.com
· 2026-02-21
Your Social Security number is highly valuable to criminals who can use it to commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts, and file fake tax returns, yet many Americans share it too freely without realizing the risk until damage occurs. Scammers use convincing tactics like impersonating government agencies through calls, creating fake emails and text messages that look legitimate to pressure people into revealing their SSN. To protect yourself, never share your Social Security number in response to unsolicited calls, emails, or texts—instead, hang up and call official numbers directly from verified sources, delete suspicious emails, and avoid clicking links from unknown senders.
paysonroundup.com
· 2026-02-20
Police arrested two individuals in connection with a gold scam targeting a Payson woman who was deceived into surrendering her life savings to fraudsters posing as government agents investigating identity theft. The scam is part of a broader pattern of elder fraud that the FBI has been tracking, with the Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving numerous complaints about similar schemes in 2023. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies, never send money or valuables to unknown parties, and verify any official investigation directly with the actual agency through their official phone number.