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in Scam Awareness
etvbharat.com
· 2025-12-08
Truecaller announced Scamfeed, a new in-app community feature that allows users to anonymously report and discuss scams in real-time, creating a crowdsourced early warning system against fraud. The platform enables users to share experiences with various scam types—including phishing, impersonation, dating scams, and financial fraud—and check if others have reported similar suspicious activity, helping users identify red flags and protect themselves and their networks.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article describes an educational event held by AARP Virginia that presented information about six types of scams targeting older adults, paired with wine tastings. The scams covered included cryptocurrency fraud (where victims are tricked into depositing cash at crypto ATMs), jury duty scams (imposter calls claiming arrest is imminent unless fines are paid), and romance scams, with volunteers providing recognition strategies and prevention advice for each.
kgfw.com
· 2025-12-08
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a consumer alert regarding a surge in romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud, with multiple victims losing six-figure sums after scammers used fake trading platforms and fabricated documents to convince them their investments were growing. Seniors have been particularly targeted, though victims span all age groups, with scammers often establishing fake romantic relationships before soliciting cryptocurrency investments. The alert advises avoiding unsolicited crypto investment offers, especially those promising high returns with minimal risk, and recommends reporting suspected scams to the FBI's IC3 or the Nebraska Attorney General's office.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
· 2025-12-08
A criminal ring operating from Cambodia used deepfake technology to create fake personas of attractive women and men to conduct romance and investment scams, defrauding over 100 victims of approximately $8.39 million since March 2024. Police arrested 10 suspects and booked 35 others involved in the operation, which targeted vulnerable populations including people with disabilities, the elderly, and homemakers, with individual losses ranging from approximately $1,400 to $560,000. The scammers built elaborate fake identities with detailed backstories and video call capabilities to gain trust before requesting money for living expenses or directing victims to fraudulent investment platforms.
klin.com
· 2025-12-08
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a consumer alert warning of a sharp rise in cryptocurrency investment scams, many beginning with online romance schemes that lure victims—particularly seniors—into fake crypto platforms where they invest six-figure sums based on fabricated documents showing high returns. Scammers typically start with small investments and emotional connections before pressuring victims to deposit more money, sometimes depleting entire retirement savings. The Attorney General advises avoiding crypto investments promising high returns with little risk, never sending money to people you haven't met in person, and reporting suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
messagemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
The Palm Springs Police Department is warning senior residents in the Coachella Valley about increasingly sophisticated online scams that target older adults through phone calls, emails, text messages, and QR codes to steal personal and financial information. The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert is combating the problem by offering weekly "Teach Tech" classes that educate seniors about common scams and how to identify warning signs, with the center seeking additional volunteers to expand the program and address a waiting list of interested seniors.
asianjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Nevada officials warned seniors about rising SSA impersonation scams, following an FTC report showing Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with adults aged 70 and older heavily targeted. Scammers use spoofed numbers and fear tactics—claiming suspended Social Security numbers or unpaid taxes—to extract personal information, with Filipino-American seniors particularly vulnerable due to language barriers and cultural factors. Authorities recommend hanging up on suspicious calls, never providing personal information unsolicited, and reporting incidents to the FTC or Nevada Attorney General's office, while community groups advocate for multilingual prevention resources.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio officials are raising awareness during Older Americans Month about the escalating threat of scams targeting seniors, noting that complaints in the state's Division of Securities increased 22% from 2023 to 2024 (247 to 302 complaints), while nationally seniors lost $1.6 billion to fraud between January and May 2024. Scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated voice cloning and cryptocurrency schemes, with seniors targeted due to perceived vulnerability and financial assets. Officials recommend protective measures such as verifying identities, resisting pressure tactics, monitoring accounts, and utilizing available fraud resources and monitoring services.
10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio seniors lost an average of $18,000 each to scammers in the past year, totaling $54 million statewide, with artificial intelligence making fraud increasingly sophisticated. Rising threats include fraudulent text messages mimicking legitimate banks and federal agencies, as well as data breaches at senior care facilities, such as a breach affecting over 50,000 people at HCF Management. Authorities recommend seniors monitor credit regularly, file fraud reports to help track criminal trends, and consider credit freezes or free credit monitoring to protect themselves.
abc6onyourside.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio state agencies warned seniors of escalating financial scam threats during Older Ohioans Month, noting a 22% increase in fraud complaints in 2024 with 302 cases logged and national elder fraud losses reaching $1.6 billion in the first five months of 2024. Officials highlighted increasingly sophisticated schemes involving AI voice cloning and cryptocurrency that are harder to detect, urging seniors to verify identities, avoid high-pressure tactics, and monitor accounts closely.
localmemphis.com
· 2025-12-08
Tennessee residents are being targeted by a phone scam impersonating the SafeTN App, with fraudsters sending text messages claiming recipients owe overdue toll fees and threatening license suspension to pressure immediate payment. The scam messages often contain links to fake government websites designed to steal personal information. Officials advise residents to never click suspicious links, verify communications through official channels using known phone numbers and "@tn.gov" email addresses, and report such messages to their carriers.
news.vt.edu
· 2025-12-08
Virginia Tech experts caution that AI-enhanced scams using tools like ChatGPT 4o can create convincing fake documents, images, and deepfake voices, making fraud increasingly accessible and sophisticated. They recommend safeguards including verifying source authenticity, checking documents for mathematical or logical errors, enabling two-factor authentication, and potentially using blockchain technology to verify digital file integrity. While AI tools themselves are not fundamentally different from previous fraud methods, experts emphasize the need for continuous public education, updated detection policies, and digital literacy to combat these evolving threats.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The article highlights economic anxiety-driven scams targeting Americans facing recession fears and inflation concerns. Two prevalent scams are detailed: fraudulent "subsidy card" schemes on social media falsely promising government assistance for groceries and rent (legitimate programs like SNAP exist but aren't advertised online), and fake federal grant scams that contact unsuspecting victims claiming they've won free money—real grants are free to claim and rarely awarded to individuals. The article advises verifying opportunities through official channels like 211.org for assistance programs and Grants.gov for legitimate grants.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of sophisticated scams where fraudsters impersonate doctors, police, and bank officials using spoofed numbers and "smishing" texts, often targeting previous fraud victims through social media with promises of fund recovery. These schemes employ AI and deepfakes to appear legitimate, with scammers posing as recovery experts or FBI officials to steal personal information and money a second time. The article recommends staying calm when contacted by suspected scammers, avoiding unknown contact numbers, refusing remote access or software downloads, using strong antivirus protection, and considering personal information removal services as defensive measures.
hawaiibusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Hawai'i residents lost $61.6 million to fraud in 2024, with scams ranging from romance and cryptocurrency schemes to employment and ticket fraud. While younger people now fall victim to scams as frequently as older adults due to increased online activity and confidence with technology, older adults typically lose larger amounts of money per incident, with romance scams having the highest median loss at $6,099. Experts advise victims and potential targets to pause and step away from high-pressure situations to recognize scams, as fraudsters rely on creating urgency and emotional manipulation to bypass critical thinking.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Korea-linked Cambodian organization called Huione Group fraudulently obtained over $4 billion from US citizens between August 2021 and January 2025 through romance scams and "pig butchering" investment schemes on dating and professional networking platforms, with $37 million supporting North Korean cyber operations. The organization facilitated criminals in targeting US pensioners and other victims by posing as romantic interests or investment professionals on social media, convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency before stealing their funds. Federal authorities announced enforcement measures including proposed Treasury regulations to block Huione's access to US financial systems, citing the company's failure to maintain proper anti-money laundering protocols.
norfolkneradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers issued a consumer alert regarding a surge in romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud, with victims losing six-figure sums after being lured by fake investment returns or romantic relationships. Scammers employ tactics including fake bank statements and requests to increase investments, often directing victims to encrypted messaging apps to discuss transactions. The alert advises never sending money to online contacts you haven't met in person and to report suspected scams to your bank, cryptocurrency exchange, or the Nebraska Attorney General's Consumer Affairs Response Team.
northplattebulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers reported a surge in romance scams and cryptocurrency-based frauds affecting state residents, with the office receiving reports of six-figure losses. Scammers typically start by encouraging victims to make small investments through fake trading platforms and apps, then use fabricated bank statements and documents to convince victims their money is growing, prompting larger investments.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cambodia-based gang with North Korean ties operated the Huione Group, which facilitated "pig butchering" romance scams and other cyber fraud against Americans, stealing at least $4 billion between August 2021 and January 2025. The scammers used dating apps, social media, and professional networking sites to pose as romantic interests or business contacts, convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency or transfer funds for fake business ventures. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a proposed rule to sever Huione's access to the American financial system, with one victim, Beth Hyland, losing $26,000 after being manipulated into sending bitcoin payments through ATMs to a Nigeria
wowt.com
· 2025-12-08
Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers warned of a surge in romance and cryptocurrency investment scams targeting Nebraskans, with victims losing up to six-figure amounts. Scammers use fake trading platforms and fabricated bank statements to lure victims into making initial investments, then pressure them to increase investments for higher returns, sometimes building fake romantic relationships to gain trust. Officials advise Nebraskans to avoid sending money to unknown online contacts, be wary of investment offers on messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, and report suspected scams to their bank, cryptocurrency exchange provider, or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
kshb.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kansas City digital literacy program called "Show Me Seniors Digital Literacy Cohort" graduated its first group of senior citizens who learned computer skills and scam prevention techniques. The initiative, funded by Senator Barbara Washington and Lincoln University, responds to a concerning trend: the Federal Trade Commission reports that the number of older adults losing $100,000 or more to fraud has tripled since 2020, with investment scams being the most common cause. Participants received free laptops and certifications, with the next cohort scheduled to begin in May.
wzmq19.com
· 2025-12-08
The Trump administration proposed cutting approximately 90 percent of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) workforce, an agency responsible for protecting consumers from financial scams and fraud. Federal judges temporarily blocked the layoffs, but Senator Kirsten Gillibrand expressed concern that staffing reductions could leave seniors vulnerable to fraud, noting that in 2023 over 100,000 adults aged 60+ reported financial scams averaging $33,000 in losses per victim, while the CFPB has returned $21 billion to consumers including many seniors.
fhtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers tailor their fraud tactics by age group, targeting Gen Z with employment and crypto scams on social media, millennials with investment fraud via text and email, Gen X with retirement-focused investment schemes, and seniors with romance, home improvement, and crypto scams that often result in losses of $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Seven key warning signs of scams include unsolicited contact from strangers, requests for money or wire transfers, artificial urgency, coaching about what to tell financial institutions, and discouragement from trusting banks. The article advises verifying suspicious offers through Google searches, consulting trusted contacts and financial institutions, and recognizing that fraudsters use
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for Southern Illinois partnered with the Du Quoin Public Library to host a fraud prevention seminar educating seniors on common scams targeting them via phone, text, email, and online platforms, including schemes where fraudsters impersonate federal agents to extort money. Prosecutors from the Southern District of Illinois presented information on fraud schemes, federal cases, and tips for detecting scams, noting that local scammers have previously defrauded seniors in the region of substantial portions of their life savings.
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, more than 4,300 older New Yorkers were defrauded, losing over $200 million, as older Americans nationwide lost $3.4 billion to scams. The Trump administration is attempting to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by firing approximately 90% of its staff, including nearly all employees of the Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans, which provides fraud education and counseling to seniors. This action threatens to leave vulnerable older adults without critical protections and resources, despite the CFPB having returned over $21 billion in compensation to Americans harmed by financial fraud since its creation.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen for a cryptocurrency investment scam on Facebook, where scammers posed as her offering "Expert Crypto Trader" services with falsified certificates. California has reported over 190,000 cases of alleged financial abuse against seniors from January 2022 to February 2025, with cryptocurrency, phishing, romance, and government impersonation scams being prevalent, particularly in Fresno and Madera counties. Experts recommend seniors avoid sending money to unknown individuals, verify claims through official sources, and report suspected fraud to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
times-advocate.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in San Diego County lose an estimated $100 million annually to scams, with the actual figure likely higher due to underreporting from shame. A common fraud involves scammers posing as tech companies to gain remote computer access, then stealing money directly or tricking victims into purchasing gold or wiring funds. The San Diego District Attorney's office has established an Elder Justice Task Force with local and federal partners to prosecute perpetrators and educate the public on prevention measures, including never allowing remote access, meeting strangers for cash, or purchasing gold or cryptocurrency at anyone's request.
nbcpalmsprings.com
· 2025-12-08
Palm Springs Police issued a warning to seniors about a surge in phone scams, cautioning residents not to provide money over the phone. Chief Andy Mills highlighted concerns about police impersonation scams and other fraud targeting elderly residents in the Coachella Valley area.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five defendants were sentenced in federal court for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and identity theft targeting elderly retired Florida school district employees' 401(k) retirement accounts between January and March 2022. The conspirators, including a retirement specialist with inside access to personal information, fraudulently withdrew approximately $1.1 million from 25 different accounts, some belonging to deceased individuals, with sentences ranging from 6 months to 87 months in federal prison. The scheme involved creating fake withdrawal forms, processing them through the company's system, and laundering the stolen funds through various bank accounts.
gasa.org
· 2025-12-08
The Global Anti-Scam Summit in London (March 26–27, 2025) showcased how artificial intelligence is being deployed to combat fraud across multiple sectors. Key speakers demonstrated AI applications including real-time scam detection through behavioral analysis, automated identification of fraudulent websites and ads, specialized AI agents targeting different scam types, and public-facing tools like chatbots that help users recognize scams. The consensus emphasized using AI to support human fraud investigations and law enforcement rather than merely automating responses, while maintaining transparency and privacy in threat detection systems.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole $243.5 million from Colorado victims and over $16 billion nationwide, according to FBI data—a $56 million increase in Colorado compared to 2023. Seniors aged 60 and older reported 3,125 complaints involving $74.5 million in losses, with the most costly schemes being investment fraud ($90 million), business email compromise ($48 million), and personal data breaches ($23 million). The FBI warns that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using social media, dating sites, and text messages to build trust before pitching fraudulent cryptocurrency and other investment schemes, with recovery of stolen funds typically
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The FBI has issued a warning about fraudulent discount medical insurance schemes that cost victims millions annually, targeting people seeking affordable healthcare with misleading offers that promise coverage but provide none. Scammers use unsolicited contact and high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into quick sign-ups, with documented cases including a Pennsylvania couple and Maryland resident who discovered their policies provided no coverage after medical events, leaving them responsible for thousands in bills. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, reviewing policy documents carefully, and avoiding upfront payments to protect against these scams.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using advanced tools like generative AI to defraud mobile consumers, with annual losses exceeding $1 trillion globally according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. Google is rolling out AI-powered scam detection features for Android users, including real-time warnings in Google Messages and phone call analysis, while experts recommend supplementing these tools with additional security measures like strong antivirus software to stay ahead of evolving fraud tactics.
theacorn.com
· 2025-12-08
In April, a crew of grifters posing as landscapers targeted the Morrison Ranch neighborhood in Agoura Hills, California, perpetrating a mulch-laying scam that overcharged residents thousands of dollars using intimidation tactics. One homeowner agreed to mulch work at $10 per bag but was presented with 250 mostly empty bags and demanded $2,500; she negotiated down to $500 with help from an attorney, while a neighboring widow reportedly paid the full $4,000 demanded out of fear. The scam involved deceptive practices such as using empty bags and previously used bags with minimal mulch, with the perpetrators becoming aggressive and refusing to leave until
b105country.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin Public Service warned customers of a scam in which fraudsters impersonate utility company representatives and demand immediate payment to avoid service disconnection, creating false urgency to panic victims into providing banking information for theft. The scam targeted residential customers, businesses, and religious organizations across Wisconsin, with scammers requesting payment details to steal money and personal identity information. WPS advised customers to hang up suspicious calls and contact the company directly to verify any service issues.
commercialappeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Task scams targeting job seekers have "skyrocketed," with reports quadrupling from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in the first half of 2024, according to FTC alerts. These scams lure victims through unsolicited texts or WhatsApp messages promising online work through gamified apps, then request victims invest their own money (often in cryptocurrency) with promises of commissions, resulting in losses of hundreds to thousands of dollars per victim—with task scams accounting for nearly 40 percent of the $220 million in total job scam losses in early 2024. The FTC and BBB advise avoiding unsolicited job
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Music fans lost money to ticket resale scams on social media during Bank Holiday events, with victims paying £60-£90 via bank transfer to sellers on X (formerly Twitter) who then blocked them without providing tickets. Two victims recovered partial refunds through their banks (Monzo and Barclays), though not all losses were recovered, while scammers exploited high demand for sold-out events like Thorpe Park parties and London RnB gigs. Action Fraud reports £9.7 million was lost to ticket fraud in the previous year, and experts advise buyers to use only authorized ticket sellers and be suspicious of last-minute deals on social media.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Generative AI has significantly enhanced phishing and fraud schemes by producing grammatically correct, localized content in regional languages and dialects that previously escaped scammers' reach, making traditional red flags like poor spelling obsolete. AI chatbots now effectively initiate romance scams and impersonation fraud, while AI-generated audio deepfakes are already being used in real-time to target company employees, though video deepfakes remain less convincing despite high-profile cases like the $25 million Hong Kong fraud.
dubawa.org
· 2025-12-08
A Facebook romance scam used an unauthorized image of Liberian Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe to solicit women across Africa for fake long-term relationships, with the fraudulent page accumulating over 17,000 followers and generating thousands of engagements since its creation in May 2023. The scam employed classic grooming and trafficking tactics including false identity, promises of financial stability, and redirection to WhatsApp for private contact, exposing vulnerable women to potential exploitation. Despite Facebook rebranding the page after complaints, the fraudulent content remained active, highlighting broader vulnerabilities in digital safety as romance scams caused victims an estimated $1.3 billion in losses in
mississauga.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old Toronto man was charged with defrauding two victims of over $610,000 through a romance scam conducted between June 2021 and July 2023, in which he posed as an oil rig owner seeking urgent financial assistance while communicating only electronically and never meeting the victims in person. The suspect, who faces multiple fraud and money laundering charges, was previously accused of using the same method to steal over $250,000 from another victim in November 2023, and police believe he is part of a larger criminal network targeting vulnerable users on dating websites.
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old convicted felon, Otiz Swinton Jr., was arrested in Orlando for defrauding a 92-year-old Sun City Center man of over $800,000 through a romantic deception scheme involving bank fraud. The perpetrator drained the victim's accounts through multiple methods including cryptocurrency transfers, ATM withdrawals, and counterfeit checks totaling $14.3 million, and was apprehended after being caught on camera using the victim's Wells Fargo card at a Publix store. Swinton Jr. was charged with multiple counts including fraudulent use of personal information of an elderly person, credit card fraud, and ut
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen in a cryptocurrency investment scam when friends congratulated her on launching a crypto business; the fraudulent Facebook post falsely claimed she was a certified "Expert Crypto Trader" and garnered 160+ responses, though the actual number of victims who sent money remains unknown. California's Department of Social Services received over 190,000 reports of financial abuse against seniors between January 2022 and February 2025, with experts noting that older adults are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency, phishing, impersonation, and romance fraud, especially as AI technology makes these schemes more convincing.
nbcpalmsprings.com
· 2025-12-08
Palm Springs Police issued a warning to seniors about sophisticated scam tactics targeting older adults, highlighting the growing threat of phone-based fraud in the community. The alert emphasized the importance of financial safety and fraud prevention measures for vulnerable populations.
robesonian.com
· 2025-12-08
Wesley Pines Retirement Community is hosting its second annual Scam Jam awareness event on May 7, targeting seniors 60+ who are particularly vulnerable to fraud schemes including cryptocurrency, romance, and Medicare card scams. According to the National Council on Aging, individuals over 60 lost over $3 billion to fraud in 2023, affecting more than 100,000 people. The free event will feature educational speakers from financial institutions, Social Security, and law enforcement, along with a document shredding service to help attendees safely dispose of personal information.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand warned that proposed cuts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)—including elimination of nearly 90% of staff and the Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans—will leave seniors vulnerable to fraud and scams. In 2023 alone, over 4,300 older New Yorkers lost more than $200 million to scams, and the CFPB has historically returned over $21 billion to victims while providing critical financial education and fraud prevention resources. Gillibrand called for full restoration of CFPB staffing to maintain protections against elder fraud and financial exploitation.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams and fraud are surging at alarming rates, affecting millions of Americans and causing significant financial and emotional harm. The U.S. Government Accountability Office has called for a national strategy to combat fraud, including standardized definitions and measurements, with proposed legislation like the GUARD Act aimed at requiring federal agencies to report on the scope of scams to Congress. Industry leaders and policymakers argue that comprehensive federal data collection and cross-sector collaboration between government, financial institutions, technology companies, and law enforcement are essential to developing targeted fraud prevention strategies and protecting vulnerable consumers.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article Type:** Educational/Awareness piece on elder fraud prevention
Kerry Tomlinson, a cybersecurity expert and former TV reporter, presented research at RSAC 2025 on why older adults (60+) are vulnerable to online scams and fraud. Older adults lost an average of $83,000 per scam in the past year, primarily through social engineering attacks that exploit stress, fear, and urgency by impersonating authority figures. Tomlinson emphasizes that retirement, cognitive changes, physical limitations (vision and hearing loss), and loss of self-efficacy contribute to vulnerability, and recommends approaching elder protection with empathy rather than frustration or removing
rmpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old Colorado resident named Beverly Russman has been repeatedly targeted by multiple scams over several years, including fake urgent payment demands, ATM withdrawal schemes, and the "Grandparent Scam," which nearly cost her thousands of dollars before bank tellers and family intervention stopped her. According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, Colorado ranks seventh nationwide in senior fraud complaints, with scammers stealing over $54 million from seniors that year, with perpetrators often using personal information gleaned from social media and obituaries to target victims. Experts note that seniors are prime fraud targets due to their financial assets, and victims can report fraud to the FTC but
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of a rapidly spreading scam involving fake discount medical insurance plans that have cost victims millions of dollars. Fraudsters posing as insurance representatives use unsolicited contact and false urgency to convince people to pay for non-existent coverage, often promising full medical/dental benefits, preferred doctor access, and bonus benefits like grocery or gas aid. Documented cases include a Pennsylvania couple who received emergency room bills they thought were covered and a Texas senior who had to cancel his credit card to stop unauthorized charges after enrolling in a fraudulent dental plan.