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in Scam Awareness
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting people with elaborate fraud schemes involving fake claims of suspicious account activity, pressuring victims to transfer money to "protect" their savings and requesting verification codes—tactics that result in significant financial losses. Key protective measures include never transferring money based on unsolicited calls, never sharing verification codes, independently verifying caller identity using official account statements, and reporting incidents to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, as banks typically do not reimburse funds lost to these scams.
delawarepublic.org
· 2025-12-08
The Delaware Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Unit is conducting outreach to educate the public about prevalent scams, with imposter scams (over 2,000 reports) and auto scams (about 1,250 reports) leading the prior year. The unit advises consumers to obtain vehicle history reports and independent inspections for auto purchases, and is targeting vulnerable populations including college students and older adults through campus visits and community centers to provide fraud prevention resources and information.
shu.edu
· 2025-12-08
March 7 marks the 5th annual National Slam the Scam, a awareness campaign by the Social Security Administration and partners to educate consumers about government imposter scams, which cost Americans over $10 billion in reported losses last year—a 14% increase from 2022. The article outlines how imposter scams typically operate (contact, problem notification, pressure to act, payment demand) and advises people to hang up on unsolicited requests, verify through official channels, and report suspected fraud to help law enforcement identify trends and take action.
kmvt.com
· 2025-12-08
This report highlights that scammers commonly impersonate government agencies, particularly targeting people through fake websites and communications about federal student loan forgiveness and IRS tax issues. Since 2018, $28 million has been lost to IRS impersonation scams, and the Federal Trade Commission distributed over $3 million in relief to victims of student loan forgiveness scams. Experts advise that legitimate government agencies will not contact citizens via email or text requesting personal information or immediate payment, and recommend directly contacting these agencies to verify any suspicious communications.
ovc.ojp.gov
· 2025-12-08
This is an archival notice for National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) 2024 materials and resources, not a report about a specific scam or fraud incident. The article announces NCVRW events scheduled for April 21–27, 2024, including a candlelight vigil and service awards ceremony, and promotes awareness initiatives around victim services and support. It also highlights National Consumer Protection Week resources from the Federal Trade Commission, Identity Theft Resource Center, and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to help the public understand consumer rights and avoid fraud and identity theft.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's office highlighted the widespread problem of scams targeting seniors in the region, with authorities noting that dozens out of every 100 residents are affected rather than isolated cases. The Cuyahoga County Scam Squad is actively working to educate the community and prevent victimization through public awareness efforts. Residents can report scams in Cuyahoga County by calling the Scam Squad at 216-443-SCAM.
westnewsmagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
National Consumer Protection Week highlights the growing threat of scams, with the FTC reporting record losses of $10 billion in 2023, with older adults suffering the greatest financial losses. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics including AI-generated deepfake voices and imposter schemes targeting seniors through phone, email, and social media, exploiting vulnerabilities related to health issues, cognitive decline, and isolation. The FTC recommends prevention strategies including blocking unwanted calls, never providing personal information to unsolicited requests, resisting pressure to act immediately, consulting trusted contacts before sharing information, and avoiding untraceable payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency.
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
SAGES Theater, a nonprofit organization, is touring the Tampa Bay area with a play called "Phoney Baloney" featuring senior actors over 50 who recreate real-life scams targeting elderly people to raise awareness. The production aims to help seniors recognize and avoid common fraud schemes, with law enforcement present at each performance to answer audience questions. The free performances address the widespread problem of seniors losing millions of dollars daily to scams across America.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's office highlighted the widespread problem of scams targeting seniors, with officials noting that dozens out of every hundred residents are affected rather than just isolated cases. The Cuyahoga County Scam Squad is actively working to educate communities and prevent victimization, with residents encouraged to report suspected scams to the hotline at 216-443-SCAM.
housingwire.com
· 2025-12-08
A survey by Ipsos and HomeEquity Bank found that baby boomers are no more likely than other generations to fall victim to online fraud and are actually more vigilant about online safety, yet two-thirds of Canadians incorrectly perceive seniors as most vulnerable to scams. FTC data on U.S. fraud reports shows that while younger adults (ages 20-29) report losing money more frequently, seniors aged 70 and older experience significantly higher median losses when victimized, with the 80-and-over group reporting the largest dollar amounts despite having the lowest reported fraud rate overall.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Carina, a 45-year-old neuroscientist, lost $130,000 to a romance scam and faced complex tax filing challenges, including potential penalties for withdrawing retirement funds to pay the scammer. With help from a tax lawyer, she discovered she could claim the loss as a "casualty and theft loss" deduction against her salary, though she paid $950 in legal fees and had to file by mail rather than e-file. The article advises other scam victims to consult tax lawyers, document all evidence of the fraud, prepare for possible audits, and properly vet their tax professionals before filing.
wrex.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau released its 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, identifying investment scams (including cryptocurrency fraud) as the riskiest in the U.S., with over 80% of victims experiencing losses and a median loss of $3,800 per person, particularly affecting those aged 45 and older. The report also found that employment scams ranked second with a median loss of $1,995 and a 54.2% increase in reports, while romance scams quadrupled in losses, with vulnerability spanning multiple age groups including 35-44-year-olds experiencing the highest risk.
aboutamazon.com
· 2025-12-08
Amazon reports that scammers impersonating the brand cost consumers billions globally—with the FTC finding American consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022 and global losses exceeding $1 trillion in 2023. The company employs machine learning scientists and investigators to detect fraudulent websites and phone numbers, achieving a 15% decrease in victims in 2023, with over two-thirds of reported Amazon scams involving false claims about orders or account issues. Amazon advocates for cross-sector and government collaboration to combat scams, which exploit consumer trust through unsolicited contact via email, phone, text, and social media.
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel scams targeting vacationers employ six primary warning signs: last-minute deals offered within two weeks, ultra-cheap airline tickets with hidden restrictions, vacation rental double-booking schemes (Airbnb removed 59,000 fraudulent listings in one year), requests for personal documents, pressure to disclose confidential information early, and bogus fees for services. Travelers should verify legitimate websites, book through verified sources, guard personal information, and report suspected scams to authorities and travel agencies while documenting all interactions.
someecards.com
· 2025-12-08
This Reddit post describes a man's relationship crisis after his girlfriend lost $14,500 to a cryptocurrency giveaway scam on Twitter, with the funds coming from savings contributed by him and her parents. The girlfriend, who has a pattern of falling for fraudulent schemes including fake supplements and phishing sites, believed a 12-hour-old Twitter account would deliver 50 bitcoins and initially thought the transaction was on hold rather than recognizing the theft. The post sparked comments from others sharing similar experiences with vulnerable family members (a father who lost $34,000 to a romance/investment scam, an ex who provided banking and Social Security information to scammers), highlighting how susceptibility to fraud can
ksfr.org
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion is a scam in which perpetrators, often adult males from West Africa or overseas, pose as teenage girls on social media to solicit sexually explicit content from teenage boys, then blackmail victims for money to prevent publication. The FBI reports thousands of victims and at least 20 suicides linked to these crimes in recent years. Fraud expert Steven Weisman recommends parents educate teens about the risks of sharing explicit material online and advises victims to report incidents to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
finews.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams involving cryptocurrency, known as "pig-butchering," have surged dramatically—up 85-fold since 2020 and doubling in the past year—with victims losing an average of $4,953 per scam, the highest average among all cryptocurrency fraud categories. These emotionally manipulative scams affect individuals across all wealth levels, particularly those in vulnerable life periods, with victims often making multiple payments that increase total losses significantly. Hong Kong has been particularly hard hit, with cases targeting even high-net-worth individuals and company executives, prompting government awareness campaigns though authorities appear uncertain how to effectively combat this growing threat.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
Chan Wing Onn, a 54-year-old Singaporean man, was sentenced to 16 weeks' jail after he helped launder S$48,090 ($35,820 USD) for a romance scammer posing as a South Korean woman named "Soo Kim" on Facebook. Despite receiving a police warning in June 2022 about the scam, Chan resumed contact with the fraudster and later offered his mother's bank account to receive S$20,000 stolen from victim Nicholas Choo, which he then converted to iTunes cards for the scammer. The case demonstrates how romance scams exploit victims' emotional connections to facilitate money laundering across borders.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal Communications Commission Chair Jessica Rosenworkel announced a proposed directive to examine AI's role in scam calls targeting elderly consumers, to be presented at the November 15 commission meeting. The proposal would research generative AI's strengths and weaknesses, its use in consumer scams, and its potential role in enforcing the Telephone Consumer Protection Act. This initiative responds to significant increases in elder fraud losses, which grew from $343 million to $1.685 billion between 2017 and 2021, with experts warning that AI-generated voice scams pose an emerging threat requiring regulation, education, and enforcement efforts.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in Kelowna was targeted in a grandparent scam on February 9, 2024, when a caller impersonating "Sgt. Ashley Olsen" claimed her grandson had been arrested and demanded an immediate bond payment. The senior withdrew a large sum of money that was collected by a female suspect in her building's lobby, and received a follow-up call requesting additional funds, but a bank employee recognized the fraud and prevented further withdrawal. Police are seeking a woman described as 23-30 years old with long dark hair and specific clothing, and are reminding the public to verify such claims directly with family members.
wwmt.com
· 2025-12-08
West Michigan seniors attended a Better Business Bureau educational session at Portage Senior Center to learn fraud prevention tactics, including how to identify online shopping scams, identity theft schemes, and other common scams targeting older adults. The presentation included real-life examples and resources to help participants recognize and avoid scams, with one attendee noting she nearly fell victim to a scam requesting personal numbers before recognizing the warning signs.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
"Slam the Scam Day," designated by the Social Security Administration for March 7, aims to raise awareness among seniors and families about the wide variety of online frauds targeting older Americans, including romance, investment, phishing, and fake government agency scams. According to the FBI's Internet Elder Fraud Report, seniors lost over $3.1 billion to scammers in 2022—an 84 percent increase from 2021—though this represents only a fraction of actual losses since most victims do not report incidents. The article emphasizes that seniors are particularly vulnerable due to limited online literacy, social isolation, substantial savings, and good credit scores, and provides key warning signs and protective measures such
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, seniors over 60 reported $3.1 billion in cybercrime losses to the FBI across 88,262 incidents, representing an 82% year-on-year increase, though many cases remain unreported. Digital fraudsters increasingly target senior citizens, believing they have more savings but less digital awareness to recognize scams. Common schemes include phishing, romance scams ($734 million in 2022), Medicare impersonation, tech support fraud, online shopping scams, robocalls, government impersonation ($1 billion in combined losses in 2022), and lottery fraud.
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
Boston police warn of increased home improvement scams targeting residents as spring weather approaches, often perpetrated by international travelers offering cheap initial quotes before claiming additional damage requiring thousands in repairs. Massachusetts residents lost nearly $30,000 to these scams in 2021, with seniors particularly targeted; scammers typically use generic business names, lack proper licensing, and operate without city permits. Homeowners should obtain multiple estimates from verified contractors and report suspected scams to local police with detailed information about the perpetrators.
country1037fm.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, North Carolina residents lost nearly $190 million to fraud, with credit scams and identity theft comprising 36% of all Federal Trade Commission complaints in the state. Identity theft (18% of complaints) involves unauthorized use of personal information and can severely damage victims' credit, while credit scams (18%) often include false reporting or improper use of consumer data by credit bureaus and tenant screening companies. Imposter scams, the third most prevalent fraud type at 14% of complaints, typically involve scammers impersonating acquaintances and requesting money via wire transfer or gift card purchases.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a Better Business Bureau report on the riskiest scams, investment scams (including cryptocurrency schemes) and employment scams result in the largest monetary losses, with investment scams having a median loss of $3,800 and over 80% of victims experiencing financial loss, while employment scams averaged $1,995 in losses and saw a 54% increase in reports from 2022. Online scams account for 68% of all fraud reports and are more likely to result in monetary loss than in-person or phone scams, though online shopping scams have dropped from the top positions for the first time since 2019.
nbcboston.com
· 2025-12-08
Government imposter scams caused consumers to lose nearly $2.7 billion in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission, with scammers posing as government employees via phone, email, text, or social media. These scams follow a consistent pattern using the "5 P's"—pretend, problem, pressure, pay, and prize—to manipulate victims into sending money via gift cards or wire transfers. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited contact from purported government agencies, avoid clicking links or attachments, and report suspected scams to the FTC or Social Security Administration.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old woman lost her entire $720,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam after being approached by a scammer on social media, leaving her suicidal and unable to recover at her age. According to a Better Business Bureau report, crypto and investment scams were the riskiest fraud type in 2023, with overall scam losses increasing 27 percent that year, as victims are often lured with promises of high returns on unfamiliar investments. The BBB recommends investigating potential crypto investments thoroughly, checking company credentials and online reviews, and being wary of recruiters asking victims to bring in additional investors.
fcpdnews.wordpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Fairfax County police reported over a dozen cryptocurrency ATM scams since early 2024, with victims losing between $3,000 and $31,100 per incident. Scammers impersonated law enforcement, banks, and government agencies via phone calls to pressure victims into depositing money into Bitcoin ATMs or purchasing gift cards. The Fairfax County Police Department advises seniors to hang up on unsolicited calls, verify caller identities through official contact information, and consult trusted family members before making financial decisions involving unfamiliar technologies or large sums.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week, FBI Cleveland warned the public about phishing scams, which accounted for over 298,000 reported crimes in 2023. In that year, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received 880,418 total complaints with losses exceeding $12.5 billion—a nearly 10% increase in complaints and 22% increase in losses from 2022—with Ohio ranking fifth nationally in complaint volume and seventeenth in victim losses at $197 million. The FBI provided recommendations for both workplace and personal protection, including employee education on phishing identification, use of multi-factor authentication, strong spam filters, and cautious handling of suspicious emails and links.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old New Zealand traveler reported that her mother was pickpocketed of €400 ($700) at the Louvre Museum in Paris by women posing as charity petitioners with clipboards, a scam that appears organized and targets tourists at major attractions. The victim spent a day filing a police report and was unable to recover the cash through travel insurance, as most policies do not cover cash theft due to fraud risks. The incident highlights the prevalence of pickpocketing at high-density tourist sites and underscores the difficulty of preventing or recovering losses from such crimes.
wibx950.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam is targeting New York drivers through text messages that impersonate the NYS Thruway Authority and direct victims to a fraudulent website (NYTollServices.com) to steal toll payment information. The scam has no connection to the legitimate New York State Thruway Authority or E-ZPass, and recipients are advised to delete the messages without clicking links. The article emphasizes that phishing techniques are increasingly sophisticated and warns the public to remain vigilant against evolving scam tactics.
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
An Austin couple nearly fell victim to a Medicare impersonation scam when a caller falsely claimed to be issuing them a new Medicare card and requested their card numbers. Barbara Ruzek avoided the scam by refusing to provide any personal information and hanging up when the caller persisted. Experts advise potential victims to hang up on suspicious callers, independently verify claims by contacting agencies directly, and report suspected fraud to the Social Security Fraud & Prevention hotline at 1-800-269-0271.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Fairfax County Police Department reported over a dozen cryptocurrency fraud cases since January totaling more than $150,000, with individual losses ranging from $3,000 to $31,100. Scammers impersonated law enforcement, banks, and government agencies via phone calls and emails to trick victims—often elderly—into depositing money into cryptocurrency ATMs. Police recommend verifying caller identity through official channels, consulting family before transferring large sums, and noting that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment by phone or crypto.
thereporteronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg is promoting FraudSleuth, a free property alert service that notifies homeowners of suspicious documents recorded against their properties, with over 3,100 residents currently enrolled. The service acts as an early warning system for property fraud rather than prevention, allowing homeowners to take immediate action if fraudulent activity occurs. Homeowners can register using their Parcel ID through the county website or at mobile sign-up events.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Cleveland are warning about a sophisticated scam targeting Northeast Ohio residents where fraudsters send fake court documents via email, mail, text, or pop-ups claiming victims are being investigated for PPP fraud and must pay cryptocurrency to lift an arrest warrant. The scam combines government impersonation with tech-support fraud tactics, with criminals also posing as law enforcement or federal agencies to pressure victims into sending money, and authorities urge the public to verify communications directly with official agency phone numbers and report suspected scams to the FBI at ic3.gov or the National Elder Fraud Hotline.
jewishlink.news
· 2025-12-08
Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey is hosting a "Senior Scam Prevention" educational program on March 20 at the Lavy House in Westfield, presented by Officer Victoria Smith of the Union County Sheriff's Office. The community event aims to educate attendees of all ages about scams targeting seniors, with light refreshments provided and free registration available by contacting the organization.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
National "Slam the Scam" Day highlights government imposter scams, the most prevalent consumer fraud type in 2023, which caused $2.7 billion in losses. Scammers impersonate Social Security officials via phone, text, and email to pressure victims into sending cash or gift cards by threatening arrest or promising benefit increases. Real government officials never threaten arrest for payment or request money transfers, and suspicious activity should be reported to the Social Security Administration or Federal Trade Commission.
nbcbayarea.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in El Granada, California was victimized by a phishing scam in which she received a fraudulent email impersonating a money exchange company, instructed her to withdraw cash, and met with a courier who took her money and fled. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking an Asian male suspect, approximately 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt and dark pants, and urges the public to avoid sharing banking information with unsolicited online or phone contacts requesting money.
elkhornmediagroup.com
· 2025-12-08
Eastern Oregon is experiencing an uptick in scams targeting older adults and tech-illiterate individuals, with scammers increasingly impersonating law enforcement, the IRS, banks, and retailers to create panic and pressure victims into sending money or revealing personal information. According to Kai Nichols, an Older Adult Behavioral Specialist, these scams are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, with common tactics including phone calls claiming legal action, account compromises, or utility shutoffs, as well as fraudulent links and voice-sampling schemes. Residents are advised never to rely on caller ID, to resist being rushed, and to remember that legitimate law enforcement and the IRS do not demand immediate payment over the phone
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cleveland FBI identified the "phantom hacker" scam as the top fraud targeting senior citizens in 2023, which operates in three phases: scammers contact victims claiming hackers have infiltrated their computers, trick them into installing remote access software, and then impersonate bank representatives to convince victims to transfer money to fake "secure" accounts. Federal authorities warn consumers never to share personal or financial information over phone or email and to report all scam attempts immediately, even if no money was lost, to help track perpetrators and recover funds.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission will hold an online meeting of the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group on April 2, 2024, to review progress from four committees focused on consumer education, industry training, scam detection technology, and effective messaging to prevent elder fraud. The advisory group, established under the Stop Senior Scams Act of 2022, comprises representatives from government agencies, advocacy organizations, and private industry working collaboratively to combat scams targeting older adults. The public webcast begins at 2 p.m. Eastern Time and will be available on ftc.gov without registration required.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of SAT/ACT prep scams in which fraudsters impersonate College Board representatives, call parents with personal information about their children, and request credit card deposits for purportedly free trial materials that are never sent or refunded. One victim was charged $249.95 after being promised free materials for 30 days with email reminders and return shipping. The BBB recommends verifying companies through their website before paying, confirming requests directly with students, remembering that the College Board never requests payment via phone or email, and using credit cards rather than wire transfers or digital payment apps.
abc15.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week, authorities highlighted impostor scams as one of the most prevalent fraud schemes affecting Americans, who lost $10 billion to scammers in 2023. Impostor scams take multiple forms—including fraudsters posing as law enforcement demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency to avoid arrest, and romance scams that exploit emotional connections to persuade victims to invest in cryptocurrency, often resulting in losses in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Key prevention advice includes: never send money to unknown callers, hang up and verify identities independently, and avoid gift cards or cryptocurrency transfers, as legitimate agencies and organizations will never request payment through these non-traditional methods.
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration and its Office of Inspector General held their fifth annual "Slam the Scam" Day on March 7 to raise awareness about Social Security imposter scams, which remain among the most commonly reported government fraud schemes. Scammers use sophisticated tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fake documents, and threats of arrest to trick victims into sending cash, gift cards, or wire transfers or disclosing personal information. The agencies emphasized that Social Security will never demand immediate payment, threaten arrest, or request credit card numbers, and urged the public to report scam attempts to oig.ssa.gov.
ladailypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration promotes "Slam the Scam Day" and offers resources to help people recognize and report government imposter scams targeting Social Security beneficiaries. Key recommendations include educating communities about these scams, encouraging prompt reporting without shame, and sharing official fact sheets; victims can report incidents to the SSA Office of the Inspector General via www.ssa.gov/scam and follow SSA OIG on social media for updates on emerging scam tactics.
drgnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week 2024, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley highlighted that the Consumer Protection Division received over 64,000 scam complaints in 2023, noting that scammers increasingly use social media to manipulate consumers of all ages into divulging personal information. Key protective measures include resisting high-pressure sales tactics, rejecting unsolicited items, obtaining written contracts for services, hanging up on robocalls, being skeptical of free trials, and consulting trusted contacts before sharing money or personal information. Consumers suspecting scam victimization can report to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or via https://
dojmt.gov
· 2025-12-08
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned residents during National Consumer Protection Week about three prevalent website-based scams: law enforcement imposters demanding immediate payment via wire transfer or cryptocurrency to resolve fake arrest warrants, cryptocurrency investment scams that show false gains before stealing funds deposited into crypto ATMs, and tech support scams using fake pop-up alerts to gain computer access and demand payment for bogus virus removal. The advisory emphasized that legitimate law enforcement and courts never demand immediate payment by untraceable methods, and urged Montanans to verify requests before sending money and report suspected fraud to the Office of Consumer Protection.
nyc.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
New York's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection issued a warning during National Consumer Protection Week about AI-enabled scams targeting consumers, including voice-cloning technology used to impersonate family members and deepfake technology to alter images or videos of loved ones. The agency advised New Yorkers to remain vigilant against these evolving fraudulent schemes and provided resources for reporting scams to the FTC and accessing free financial counseling through NYC Financial Empowerment Centers.
dispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
As Ohio prepares for the April 8 solar eclipse, consumer watchdogs warn of scams targeting residents through fake eclipse glasses and fraudulent travel/accommodation bookings. Scammers exploit urgency and "fear of missing out" by selling counterfeit eclipse glasses that don't meet safety standards (particularly from unverified online sellers) and false claims of NASA approval, with one 2017 complaint involving over $500 spent on unsafe Chinese-made glasses. Consumers should purchase eclipse glasses only from verified vendors on the American Astronomical Society's official list (including retailers like Kroger and Walmart), avoid non-secure payment methods like Venmo, and be skeptical