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in Robocall / Phone Scam
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Dennis and Carole received a phishing email impersonating Sam's Club, offering a $100 reward for completing a survey; Carole clicked through and entered her email address but no credit card information. Although no immediate financial risk exists, scammers now have her active email address and may target her with more sophisticated phishing attempts or sell it to spam lists. The article recommends running antivirus scans, reporting the email as phishing, and considering data removal services to reduce future targeting.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams cost British victims over £106 million in 2024, a 9% increase from the previous year, with an average loss of £11,222 per person across 9,449 reports. The scams involve criminals building trust through fake online dating profiles to manipulate victims into sending money, with tactics ranging from military deployment excuses to fabricated emergencies. Dating app Cherry Dating has called for cross-platform collaboration and data-sharing among apps to prevent serial scammers from simply moving to new platforms after being banned.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-07
Olamide Shanu, a 34-year-old Nigerian man, was extradited to the U.S. and charged with operating sextortion and romance scams that defrauded numerous victims across the country of at least $2 million. Shanu and his conspirators posed as women on social media to coerce victims into sending explicit images, then extorted money by threatening to share the images, while also running parallel romance scams using fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money through payment apps, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. If convicted on charges including wire fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, and cyberstalking, Shanu faces up to 20 years in
inkl.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
This educational article identifies nine common email scams targeting retirees, including fake account lockouts, Social Security verification requests, Medicare renewal threats, suspicious activity alerts, unpaid invoices, delivery notifications, payment updates, prize offers, and tax return warnings. The article explains that scammers use urgency, official-looking logos, and authority figures to manipulate victims into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive data. The key defense strategies are to recognize panic-inducing language, verify communications through official channels rather than email links, and remember that legitimate institutions rarely request sensitive information via unsolicited emails.
cowboystatedaily.com
· 2025-12-07
A 76-year-old man in Gillette, Wyoming was nearly victimized in a cryptocurrency ATM scam when he attempted to deposit $16,000 after being manipulated by a scammer who kept him on the phone; a bystander alerted police, preventing the loss. Cheyenne police have identified 50 BTM fraud cases totaling over $645,000 in unrecovered losses, part of a nationwide pattern where seniors lose retirement funds to overseas criminals who use emotional manipulation to direct victims to crypto kiosks. AARP is proposing new regulations for cryptocurrency machines as the FBI estimates $9.3 billion was stolen through various crypto frauds in
futurism.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are increasingly using "SMS blasters"—portable cell-tower devices that send massive volumes of phishing texts to phones in their vicinity (500-2,000 yards away)—to conduct large-scale fraud campaigns. These devices can send 100,000 texts per hour, impersonate any sender, and downgrade phones to less secure 2G connections in under 10 seconds, operating outside legitimate mobile networks where providers cannot monitor or stop them. The technology, first seen at scale in Asia-Pacific regions, has now spread to Western Europe and South America, with arrests reported in the UK and Thailand, though the actual scams still rely on victims clicking malicious
winknews.com
· 2025-12-07
An 89-year-old Lee County woman lost $12,587 from her savings account after receiving fraudulent phone calls impersonating Citibank representatives who confirmed her account details and authorized unauthorized transfers. The victim filed a claim with Citibank, but the bank denied her request for reimbursement and denied her appeal, prompting her to file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and Lee County Sheriff's Office. The scammer used the name "Shamar Maragh" for the fraudulent account, and the bank blocked an additional $10,000 transfer attempt.
civilbeat.org
· 2025-12-07
A Kailua woman received a voicemail from someone claiming to represent Hawaiian Electric Company, warning that her home utilities would be disconnected unless she called back immediately—a common scam tactic that exploited her vacation anxiety and inability to verify the claim. The article discusses how artificial intelligence and readily available personal information are making it increasingly easier for scammers to create sophisticated frauds, including voice-cloning technology that impersonates trusted contacts, with particular vulnerability among seniors and young people.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A 78-year-old Rochester-area man lost $30,000 to a Publishers Clearing House prize scam that operated over six months, during which con artists repeatedly promised a $2.5 million prize while extracting fees under various pretenses. The article highlights that this case is representative of thousands of elder fraud crimes nationally, with federal authorities recently arresting eight people for defrauding 139 Western New York seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, imposter schemes, and identity theft. Common scams targeting seniors in the region include romance fraud, imposter scams impersonating government or businesses, and tech phishing, with scammers increasingly using AI and deep
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A Malwarebytes survey of 1,300 adults across five countries found that iPhone users are more susceptible to online scams than Android users, not due to device differences but rather behavioral choices—53% of iPhone users reported falling for scams compared to 48% of Android users, with iPhone owners less likely to use security software, set strong passwords, or avoid suspicious deals and sellers. The research demonstrates that overconfidence in Apple's security reputation leads many iPhone users to take riskier online behaviors, emphasizing that device safety depends on user habits rather than the phone's built-in protections.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A national poll found that three in four adults ages 50-80 experienced scam attempts in the last two years, with approximately 30% losing money to fraud. The article identifies the most common scams targeting Western New York seniors, including romance scams, sweepstakes scams, imposter scams (government/business officials), grandparent scams, and tech phishing scams, and advises victims to disengage from suspicious contacts, verify requests independently, and report losses to the Federal Trade Commission, state Attorney General, or New York State Office of Victim Services.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-07
Since 2020, the BBB has received over 4,000 reports of cryptocurrency investment scams, with increasingly sophisticated schemes now targeting users on TikTok through direct messages offering unrealistic returns. Scammers create fake investment opportunities, request initial deposits via digital wallets, then demand escalating "service fees" while promising multiplied returns that never materialize. To protect yourself, verify investment opportunities through the SEC and BBB, avoid guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes, resist pressure tactics, and only use digital wallet services with trusted contacts.
vice.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman in Sapporo, Japan, lost approximately 1 million yen ($6,750) to a romance scammer who posed as an astronaut in distress, claiming he needed money for oxygen while stranded in space. The scammer initiated contact via social media in July and gradually built trust before requesting funds, exploiting the victim's loneliness and the elderly population's particular vulnerability to fraud schemes. Japan's aging demographic makes it especially susceptible to various romance and impersonation scams, including fake celebrity suitors and fabricated emergency situations.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-07
A 23-year-old aged care worker in Rothwell, Queensland was charged with 113 offences, including 110 counts of fraud, after allegedly stealing bank details from four elderly residents at her care facility and using them to make unauthorized personal purchases between October and June. The investigation revealed a pattern of online and in-person fraudulent transactions, and the suspect was scheduled to appear in Redcliffe Magistrates Court.
kulr8.com
· 2025-12-07
Phone scams are rising in Montana, with scammers typically pressuring victims to pay immediately. AARP Montana advises people to stop and verify callers' identities by hanging up and contacting agencies directly, particularly for scams impersonating law enforcement that demand payment.
attorneygeneral.gov
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania's Attorney General issued a warning that scammers may exploit donations intended for families of Northern York County Regional Police officers killed in a recent shooting incident. The advisory recommends potential donors verify fundraising legitimacy by checking official police department and sheriff's office social media pages, or confirming endorsement from police associations before contributing. Victims of donation scams can report fraud to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
bu.edu
· 2025-12-07
Boston University students lost $624,300 to scammers between January and September, with 90 percent of losses occurring in four cases involving impostors posing as Chinese police or officials. The BUPD reports 29 total larceny scams occurred through multiple channels, with job/employment scams being most common among students, while authorities also warned of nationwide fraud schemes involving fake apartment rentals, fraudulent identity theft reports, and immigration-related extortion targeting international students. Key prevention advice includes not answering calls from unknown numbers, verifying direct contact with authorities through official channels, and never providing payment or personal information before viewing rental properties in person.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
This article discusses the challenging U.S. job market in 2025, where highly qualified professionals are experiencing prolonged unemployment and receiving numerous scam calls despite extensive job applications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 911,000 fewer jobs were added than initially estimated through March 2025, with the unemployment rate rising to 4.3%, long-term unemployment doubling since early 2023, and AI-driven hiring systems and tariff-related uncertainty exacerbating job losses across sectors. Job seekers describe a frustrating experience where advanced degrees and years of experience yield little success, with one applicant noting that scam contacts now outnumber legitimate interview opportunities.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI warns of a significant surge in gold bar and bulk cash courier scams targeting older adults, where fraudsters use grandparent, government impersonation, or tech support schemes to convince victims to hand over valuables to in-person couriers. From 2023 to 2025, FBI Boston documented 103 instances resulting in over $26 million in losses (98% of victims over age 60), while nationwide figures reached 1,737 cases with approximately $186 million in losses. The FBI advises the public never to purchase precious metals at a government's request, avoid posting personal information online, and refrain from allowing unknown individuals access to computers or personal data.
wealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-07
Since 2024, seniors in the United States have lost over $1 billion to increasingly sophisticated scams that employ technology, psychology, and artificial intelligence to target victims. Common schemes include tech support hoaxes, fake bank fraud calls, and government impersonations, now enhanced by AI tools such as voice cloning and personalized phishing that make fraudulent contact more convincing. The article recommends key defenses including verifying caller identity through independent phone numbers, never sharing sensitive information, remaining skeptical of urgent demands, and reporting suspicious activity to financial institutions and the Federal Trade Commission.
wfmz.com
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned the public about potential donation scams following the deaths of three Northern York County Regional Police officers. He advised potential donors to verify legitimate donation channels through official police department and sheriff's office Facebook pages before contributing, and encouraged fraud victims to report incidents to the state's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
wbng.com
· 2025-12-07
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office warned residents about potential scams involving fraudulent donation drives for families of police officers injured and killed in a shooting incident in Northern York County. The Bureau of Consumer Protection advised potential donors to verify legitimacy through official Facebook pages of the Northern York County Regional Police Department and York County Sheriff's Office before contributing. Residents who suspect they were victimized by such scams are encouraged to file complaints with the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
fox43.com
· 2025-12-07
Following a tragic shooting in York County, Pennsylvania that killed three police officers and injured two sheriff deputies, scammers exploited the tragedy by creating fraudulent donation drives. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned the public to verify donation legitimacy by checking official Facebook pages of the Northern York County Regional Police Department and York County Sheriff's Office before contributing.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-07
Crime reporter Michael Wilson, an experienced scam observer, was nearly defrauded by scammers posing as Chase Bank employees using a spoofed phone number and social engineering tactics. The scammers attempted to trick him into sending $2,100 through Zelle by claiming fraudulent transfers had occurred on an account he never opened, using pressure tactics and a fake "supervisor" to build legitimacy. Wilson's skepticism—particularly when asked to meet in person to resolve the issue—broke the scam after 16 minutes, though the incident revealed that multiple people had fallen victim to the same scheme.
localnews8.com
· 2025-12-07
The Pocatello Police Department warned of multiple scams circulating in the area, including ransom scams where perpetrators falsely claim to hold a loved one hostage and now use AI-generated images, audio, and video to increase credibility. Additional scams reported include romance scams requesting gift cards and money, and impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as law enforcement threatening arrest unless payment is made. Police advise residents to exercise caution and skepticism when contacted by unknown parties.
koreaherald.com
· 2025-12-07
South Korean police dismantled the Longge Company, a Korean crime syndicate based in Pattaya, Thailand, that defrauded 878 victims of 21 billion won ($15 million) through various schemes including voice phishing, bogus investments, romance scams, and "no-show" scams. Twenty-five suspects were arrested, with 21 in custody in South Korea and nine others, including alleged ringleader "Jaryong," detained in Thailand awaiting extradition. The investigation involved coordinated raids with Thai authorities and resulted in the closure of multiple operations run by the syndicate.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers impersonating federal agents have been targeting residents in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties with phone calls using voice-altering technology and spoofed caller IDs, instructing victims to wire "settlement" funds for fake investigations. In 2024, Florida residents reported 1,579 such impersonation scams resulting in over $12 million in losses. The FBI advises victims to hang up immediately and report incidents to ic3.gov or call 1-800-225-5324, and recommends avoiding calls from unknown numbers, never sending money to strangers, and protecting Social Security numbers.
fox13now.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are increasingly using text messages and voice-cloning technology to target consumers, particularly the elderly, through sophisticated schemes such as fake toll notices, USPS delivery delays, and grandparent scams where AI-generated voices impersonate relatives claiming to be in jail. According to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection director Katie Hass, artificial intelligence has made scams more convincing by gathering personal information from social media and the web while eliminating typical red flags like spelling errors and poor grammar. To protect themselves, consumers should establish family passwords or safe words, avoid responding to unknown numbers, and take a moment to verify callers' identities before taking action.
rstreet.org
· 2025-12-07
A House Financial Services Committee hearing highlighted that fraud and scams cost Americans over $2 billion weekly, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in annual losses for 2024, though experts believe the true figure is significantly higher due to lack of unified tracking mechanisms. The testimony and accompanying research emphasize that combating this fragmented, internationally-organized problem requires a comprehensive national strategy with coordinated buy-in from social media companies, telecommunications firms, financial institutions, law enforcement, and government agencies, along with legal protections allowing institutions to share fraud data. Key scams affecting Americans include romance, sextortion, "pig butchering," AI-generated voice calls impersonating family members
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational article explains how fraudsters exploit social media platforms through fake accounts and purchased verification badges to deceive users. The piece outlines why social media is vulnerable to scams—including speed of information sharing, weakened verification systems, and users' tendency to lower their guard—and provides practical protective steps such as scrutinizing profiles before engagement, avoiding suspicious links, and using reverse image searches to verify authenticity.
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-07
A North Texas small business owner fell victim to a sophisticated impersonation scam in which a caller posed as a Denton County Sheriff's officer, claiming she had a warrant for arrest related to COVID-19 pandemic relief loan fraud. The scammer used forged court documents, a convincing Texas accent, and panic tactics to convince her to pay a $3,500 bond through a payment app before her bank flagged and ultimately released the fraudulent transfer. Experts warn that AI voice-cloning technology and readily available personal information are making scams increasingly convincing and sophisticated.
berawangnews.com
· 2025-12-07
An 85-year-old woman from the South Shore lost over $10,000 in an "Apple Security" scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating an Apple representative who claimed suspicious activity on her account and pressured her to act quickly. The scam exploits elderly individuals' trust and unfamiliarity with technology through urgency tactics, requests for personal information, and follow-up calls. Police recommend preventive measures including education about common scams, verification techniques (such as hanging up and calling official company numbers), avoiding sharing personal information over the phone, and using only official channels to access accounts.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
On September 11, an alert bank teller in Richmond, B.C., contacted police when an elderly customer withdrew a large sum of cash, preventing a phone scam from succeeding. Richmond RCMP intercepted the victim before he could purchase gift cards and discovered scammers had already transferred $26,000 from his account; the bank quickly reversed the transaction, restoring the funds. The incident highlights how vigilant financial institution staff can interrupt fraud schemes targeting seniors.
winknews.com
· 2025-12-07
An 89-year-old Lee County woman, Eileen Brice, lost nearly $13,000 to a phone scam in which she was tricked into confirming her account information to someone posing as a Citibank representative. Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier urged seniors to verify requests by contacting their banks directly rather than responding to unsolicited calls or texts, and emphasized that law enforcement is actively prosecuting scammers targeting seniors. Citibank has twice denied Brice's fraud claim but stated they are reopening her case for investigation.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Kimberly Stamps, owner of a mass-mailing prize notice fraud scheme, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud after defrauding thousands of elderly and vulnerable consumers of over $15 million between 2012 and 2018. The scheme involved sending millions of fraudulent notices claiming victims had won large cash prizes if they paid $20-$50 fees, then inundating responsive victims with additional fraudulent mailings while delivering only worthless trinkets or sweepstakes reports. Stamps has been sentenced as the third conspirator to plead guilty, and the Justice Department urges seniors to disregard unsolicited prize notifications and contact the National Elder Fraud Hot
wmur.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI identified 15 victims in New Hampshire who lost over $4 million to courier and gold bar scams between 2023 and 2025, with officials believing actual losses are significantly higher due to underreporting. Scammers employed multiple tactics including posing as distressed family members, law enforcement, or government officials to pressure victims into sending cash or purchasing gold bars. The FBI reports a 50% increase in scam complaints statewide, with over 400 complaints and $16 million in losses reported in the previous year alone.
coinfomania.com
· 2025-12-07
A hacker who stole over 542 million UXLink tokens (worth tens of millions of dollars) from the platform's multi-signature wallet subsequently fell victim to a phishing scam themselves, losing all stolen funds to a group called Inferno Drainer after unknowingly approving a malicious contract. The incident demonstrates that phishing attacks in cryptocurrency remain a widespread threat, affecting even experienced attackers who exploit similar vulnerabilities, and highlights the irony that sophisticated hackers are not immune to common Web3 security exploits.
10tv.com
· 2025-12-07
A Knox County, Ohio man lost over $807,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being befriended online by a scammer who pressured him to keep investing or lose everything. Federal authorities located the frozen funds, but they remain inaccessible due to complications involving foreign-based cryptocurrency exchanges that may not comply with U.S. legal processes, leaving the 70-year-old victim waiting months for potential recovery while continuing to work full-time.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-07
Two U.S. senators are demanding that Match Group, the parent company of Tinder, Hinge, and OkCupid, provide records of fraudulent activities on its platforms and explain its fraud prevention measures, expressing concern that the apps' algorithms are vulnerable to romance scams. Romance scams on dating apps reached a record high in 2022, with 70,000 Americans reporting $1.3 billion in collective losses, averaging $4,400 per victim, with older adults particularly targeted. The senators cited multiple FTC complaints alleging the company enabled fraud through its business practices and algorithmic design.
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-07
Kimberly Stamps, an Arizona woman, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a mass-mailing prize notice scheme that defrauded thousands of elderly and vulnerable consumers of over $15 million between 2012 and 2018. The scheme involved sending fraudulent notices claiming victims had won cash prizes, requiring fees of $20-$50 to claim their winnings, with victims receiving only worthless trinkets or sweepstakes reports instead. Stamps, who violated a prior postal service cease-and-desist order, is the third and final defendant to plead guilty in the conspiracy.
thesylvaherald.com
· 2025-12-07
Thirteen individuals were arrested in a transnational elder fraud scheme that affected over 400 victims and caused more than $5 million in losses. These "emergency" or "grandparent" scams manipulate elderly victims by impersonating family members claiming to be in distress and requesting urgent financial assistance via payment apps or wire transfers, with perpetrators using social media research and increasingly sophisticated voice cloning technology to make their deceptions credible. To protect against these scams, victims should resist immediate action, verify stories directly with the actual family member, avoid sending money to unfamiliar payment methods, and contact police if they suspect fraudulent activity.
enews.wvu.edu
· 2025-12-07
statepress.com
· 2025-12-07
Online scams increased 33% in 2024 with losses exceeding $16 billion, with students being particularly vulnerable targets—Gen Z members are more than twice as likely to fall for scams compared to baby boomers. Students are targeted through various schemes including fake job opportunities, concert tickets, gift cards, and loan scams, primarily via mass emails and text messages, with most scams originating from outside the country. To stay safe, students should verify sender legitimacy, watch for red flags like unsolicited job offers, and utilize resources like ASU's Get Protected service and CISA advisories to stay informed about trending scam tactics.
thecharlottepost.com
· 2025-12-07
At a JPMorganChase-sponsored panel during the 2025 NABJ convention in Cleveland, financial and cybersecurity experts educated journalists about evolving fraud and scam tactics, noting that in 2024 the FTC received complaints totaling $12.5 billion in losses, with one in three Americans experiencing a scam in the past year. The panel distinguished between fraud (illegal account access) and scams (manipulation to extract personal information), and highlighted emerging threats including AI-generated impersonations that use social media information to create convincing fake communications from loved ones. Key prevention strategies include verifying sources, using two-factor authentication, and consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious requests.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
Manitoba RCMP investigated four "grandparent scams" targeting older adults in the Flin Flon area, where callers impersonated family members or lawyers claiming victims needed to send money urgently for bail or fines. Two victims lost thousands of dollars, while a third potential loss was intercepted; police emphasized that this scam variation is relatively new to northern Manitoba and urged residents to hang up and contact police directly rather than send money.
observer-reporter.com
· 2025-12-07
This letter highlights telephone scams targeting seniors, particularly the "relative-in-jail" and "arrest for missed jury duty" schemes that demand payment via gift cards or bitcoin. The author advocates for community education, suggesting that churches and trusted individuals encourage seniors to verify suspicious requests with family, friends, or police before making any financial transactions.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-07
The Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam targeting seniors in which fraudsters impersonate Medicare, Social Security, or insurance providers and claim victims need to update records to receive new benefits or cards. The scammers request sensitive financial and banking information under false pretenses, which is then used for identity theft or unauthorized account withdrawals. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Social Security Administration do not call to request financial information for card issuance.
liverpoolecho.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
Evri has alerted UK customers, particularly iPhone users, about an escalating phishing scam where fraudsters send fake Evri profiles that, when downloaded, modify device settings and intercept personal information, resulting in unauthorized account withdrawals. The delivery company reports a 10% increase in phishing scams and has dismantled over 18,000 malicious scam sites and counterfeit profiles in recent months, while UK fraud victims lose an average of £765 each with 40% unable to recover any funds. Evri advises customers to watch for poor language, lack of personal details, and suspicious links when identifying delivery scams.
tristatealert.com
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned the public about potential scams exploiting donations for three Northern York County Regional Police officers killed in a recent shooting and two injured officers. The alert advises donors to verify fundraising legitimacy by checking official police department and Sheriff's Office social media pages and confirming endorsements from police associations before contributing. Individuals who suspect they've been scammed can report it to the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
**"Scamfluencers" on social media platforms like YouTube, Telegram, and TikTok are openly teaching followers—increasingly teenagers—how to commit online fraud, with figures like "Format Boy" providing step-by-step tutorials on romance scams, fake identities, and deepfake technology, while others like Hushpuppi glamorize fraud-funded lifestyles. These content creators use motivational language and entertainment framing to normalize scamming, putting vulnerable young people at risk of both becoming perpetrators and victims of online fraud.**