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techbuzz.ai
· 2026-07-31
OpenAI shut down a Cambodia-based criminal operation that used ChatGPT to run sophisticated romance, investment, gambling, and impersonation scams at scale. The organized network exploited the AI's ability to maintain convincing personas and generate personalized fraud pitches across multiple platforms simultaneously, representing one of the company's most aggressive enforcement actions against AI-enabled abuse. The takedown highlights how organized crime syndicates in Southeast Asia are increasingly weaponizing large language models to conduct large-scale fraud operations that would have been impossible to manage manually.
nevadacountyca.gov
· 2026-07-31
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2026-07-30
Seniors lost nearly $8 billion to scammers in 2025, with over $350 million specifically from AI-related scams including voice cloning, phishing attacks, and forged documents, representing a 59% increase from 2024. U.S. Senators Gillibrand and Kelly are pressuring nine major AI companies to implement stronger safeguards protecting vulnerable users, particularly seniors and people with disabilities, through a letter requesting details on safety testing and harm tracking. The average senior victim lost $39,000 per incident, prompting Senate Aging Committee hearings and calls for regulatory reforms to prevent fraudsters from exploiting generative AI technology.
slobodenpecat.mk
· 2026-07-30
A woman from Bitola posted a couch for sale on a classifieds platform and was contacted by scammers using a German phone number posing as buyers, who directed her to a phishing website mimicking Cargo Express and tricked her into entering her bank card details. The scammers attempted to steal funds but were unable to withdraw money because only 7 denars was on the card. This phishing campaign targeting classifieds sellers remains active despite Cargo Express warning about the scam in April, and similar fraud schemes using legitimate company brands continue to victimize citizens across the country.
nationalcioreview.com
· 2026-07-30
Researchers found that an AI language model was significantly more effective than humans at building trust with potential fraud victims in "pig butchering" scams, with 46% of participants agreeing to download a recommended app when interacting with AI versus only 18% with a human. These scams involve criminals cultivating rapport over days or weeks before introducing fraudulent investment schemes. The study reveals that generative AI poses an escalating cybersecurity threat by automating the relationship-building phase of sophisticated fraud, shifting security challenges from detecting malicious content to validating identity and intent throughout ongoing interactions.
stgeorgeutah.com
· 2026-07-30
A 53-year-old man has been extradited from Illinois to Utah to face felony charges for an elaborate romance scam that defrauded an Arizona woman of over $82,500 between August 2024 and July 2025. Todd Joseph Sweet posed as a retired Army sergeant major involved in classified operations and manipulated the victim into providing cash, credit card information, and $27,000 from her retirement funds, while also taking possession of her $65,000 pickup truck that he never returned. Investigators discovered Sweet has a pattern of similar romance scams across multiple states, including a 2010 Tennessee case where he swindled another victim out of $19,000 and
cyberscoop.com
· 2026-07-30
Derrick Van Yeboah, a 41-year-old Ghanaian national and high-ranking member of a criminal organization, was sentenced to 85 months in prison for stealing over $10 million from vulnerable victims through romance scams between 2015 and 2024. Operating as a "sakawa boy," Van Yeboah impersonated fake romantic partners online and deceived at least 20 victims into sending money or laundering funds, with individual losses ranging from $123,000 to $2.3 million. He was arrested in Ghana in June 2025, extradited to the United States, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy, and agreed to forf
ppc.land
· 2026-07-30
HUMAN Security research reveals that AI-powered phone farms have dramatically lowered the barrier to entry for large-scale scams, with threat actors able to launch romance scams, investment fraud, and fake-account campaigns for as little as $5,000 upfront or rent 25 virtual phones for approximately $2,970 monthly. The "FunFoneFarm" ecosystem combines cheap secondhand phone circuit boards, orchestration software like Auto.js, and AI tools to create fleets that mimic human behavior and evade platform detection. This technological infrastructure enables fraudsters to capitalize on an estimated $27.8 billion lost annually to romance and investment scams.
wired.com
· 2026-07-30
Researchers from four universities conducted a study showing that AI chatbots are more effective than human scammers at building trust during "pig butchering" scams, which are romance-based text fraud schemes that lead to fake cryptocurrency investments stealing six-figure sums from victims. In simulations with test subjects, nearly half complied with requests from AI chatbots compared to fewer than one in five for human scammers, with victims also rating the AI chatbots as significantly more trustworthy. The findings suggest that AI could autonomously handle the trust-building phase of these scams, with human scammers only taking over at the final investment solicitation stage to evade AI safeguards.
newson6.com
· 2026-07-30
Scammers in Oklahoma are using increasingly sophisticated tactics including phone calls, texts, emails, and artificial intelligence to defraud people, with the FTC reporting $59 billion in losses nationally in a single year. According to AARP Oklahoma's Fraud Watch Network, common scams include emergency/grandparent scams enhanced by AI, and fraudsters are targeting people of all ages across multiple platforms. The AARP Fraud Watch Helpline (877-908-3360) offers trained specialists to help identify potential scams and, in some cases, prevent financial loss before it occurs.
wrangellsentinel.com
· 2026-07-30
A newly hired teacher in Southeast Alaska lost $130 to a rental scam after a fraudster posted a fake property listing on Zillow and collected application fees from victims unfamiliar with the area. Police Chief Gene Meek warns residents to be cautious of scams arriving through emails, phone calls, and social media, noting that fake FBI fine notices demanding around $2,000 in Bitcoin payments are also becoming increasingly prevalent in the region.
money.ca
· 2026-07-30
A Reddit user shared their near-miss experience with a sophisticated phone scam where scammers impersonated Wealthsimple and claimed someone was fraudulently using their credit card to book a hotel, requesting a verification code to "block" the transaction. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, such fraud investigator scams cost Canadians $28.3 million last year, part of a reported $704 million in total fraud losses. Experts warn that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and effective, with nearly half of Canadians encountering scams weekly or daily.
dailyguidenetwork.com
· 2026-07-30
Ghanaian national Derrick Van Yeboah was sentenced to 85 months in prison for his role in an international romance scam operation that stole over $100 million from victims, with Van Yeboah personally responsible for more than $10 million in fraudulent transfers. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and was ordered to pay $10,149,429.17 in forfeiture, with victims including vulnerable older adults who were deceived into believing they were in romantic relationships with fake identities created by the conspiracy members. The criminal organization, based primarily in Ghana, used romance scams and business email compromises to target Americans, and Van Yeboah personally conducted multiple
americanbanker.com
· 2026-07-29
A 76-year-old New Jersey retiree, Jeffrey Maas, lost nearly $400,000 to scammers who impersonated PNC Bank employees and convinced him to wire money for gold purchases; he is suing PNC for negligence, claiming two bank employees failed to question suspicious large withdrawals despite red flags. The case highlights the legal gap in the U.S. where federal law does not require banks to reimburse customers who voluntarily transfer funds to fraudsters, though Maas is pursuing the lawsuit under state law. Elder fraud is a growing crisis, with Americans over 60 losing $4.9 billion in 2024 alone, prompting calls for banks to
modernghana.com
· 2026-07-29
A 41-year-old Ghanaian man, Derrick Van Yeboah, was sentenced to 85 months in prison for leading a transnational cybercrime network that defrauded victims of over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes. Van Yeboah personally orchestrated fraud totaling more than $10 million, including $4.2 million from women in Ohio and Delaware between 2019-2020, and was ordered to forfeit over $10 million. The Ghana-based syndicate targeted dozens of victims, particularly elderly individuals, by building fake romantic relationships and impersonating business executives to extract money that was then laundered and transferred
citinewsroom.com
· 2026-07-29
Derrick Van Yeboah, a 41-year-old Ghanaian man, was sentenced to 85 months in prison for leading a transnational cybercrime syndicate that defrauded victims of over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise schemes. The Ghana-based criminal network targeted dozens of victims, particularly elderly men and women, using fake online relationships and impersonation of company executives to steal funds, with Van Yeboah personally accountable for over $10 million in fraudulent proceeds. In addition to prison time, he was ordered to forfeit $10,149,429.17 and serve two years of supervised release.
bbc.com
· 2026-07-29
Ghanaian national Derrick Van Yeboah was sentenced to 7 years imprisonment by a US court for his role in an international romance scam network that stole over $100 million from victims, including vulnerable elderly Americans. Yeboah personally defrauded at least two women of $4.2 million using fake identities and deceived a North Carolina man into sending $123,000 under false pretenses. The court ordered him to forfeit $10 million in assets, and his case is part of a broader FBI investigation into eight Ghanaians involved in organized romance fraud and money laundering schemes targeting US citizens.
tech.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-29
College students are increasingly targeted by "freshman fraud" schemes including phishing emails with malware, fake financial aid offers using replica school letterhead, and loan forgiveness scams that impersonate debt relief agencies across multiple platforms. Universities have become attractive targets for cybercriminals due to students' perceived naivety and the scale of potential exposure, with 80 college breaches in 2024-2025 exposing email addresses, passwords, phone numbers, and social security numbers. Scammers exploit students' desperation for financial aid and access to university email systems to solicit sensitive personal information or direct payments via gift cards.
miningjournal.net
· 2026-07-29
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection warned consumers about back-to-school scams targeting students and shoppers during peak shopping season, including online shopping fraud, fake discount ads, textbook scams, and phishing schemes. The agency recommended verifying website URLs, using credit cards for online purchases, shopping only on trusted platforms, and avoiding urgency-driven offers that seem too good to be true. No specific dollar amounts or individual victims were mentioned in the advisory.
standard.net
· 2026-07-29
Rental scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated as criminals use AI to clone legitimate online listings and pose as landlords, often targeting vacation rentals in popular Utah destinations like Park City and Moab by copying photos and descriptions from platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Zillow. Scammers pressure victims to pay via wire transfer, Venmo, or cryptocurrency outside official rental platforms, with one elderly woman losing money to a fake listing in Salt Lake City before discovering the property was already occupied. To avoid these scams, renters should verify properties independently using Google Maps, insist on live video walkthroughs, keep transactions on official booking platforms, pay by credit card, and resist pressure to act quickly
ag.state.mn.us
· 2026-07-29
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 50 state attorneys general are urging the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen "Know Your Customer" rules requiring phone companies to verify who is using their networks to prevent scammers from making illegal robocalls. Americans received over 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts in the past year and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams, with the attorneys general arguing that stronger verification requirements would cut off scammers' access to legitimate phone numbers.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2026-07-29
The American Bankers Association testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging that generative AI is industrializing scams by making them more convincing, personalized, and scalable, enabling criminals to create fraudulent voices, videos, and identities at low cost. Paul Benda recommended policy solutions including establishing a National Office for Scam and Fraud Prevention, strengthening telecommunications safeguards, improving information sharing, and modernizing identity and authentication systems. Banks are using AI, analytics, and employee training to combat these increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting consumers.
consumeraffairs.com
· 2026-07-29
Seniors are increasingly using prepared "scam scripts"—written responses kept by the phone—to protect themselves from phone scammers impersonating banks, Medicare, and Social Security. The scripts interrupt scammers' ability to create urgency and build trust by allowing victims to disengage immediately without providing personal information or making decisions under pressure. Experts recommend simple responses like "I don't provide personal information over the phone" or "I'll call the company back using the official number," paired with habits like letting unknown calls go to voicemail and verifying caller identity independently.
newrepublic.com
· 2026-07-29
The Democratic National Committee was defrauded of nearly $29,000 in February 2025 when a staffer fell for a phishing email impersonating Chair Ken Martin and processed an unauthorized disbursement. Only $7,000 of the $28,860.92 has been recovered, and the incident adds to the DNC's existing financial troubles, including an $18.5 million debt and recent internal dysfunction. The scam occurred amid growing calls for Martin's resignation following reports of poor financial management and organizational chaos within the committee.
theberkshireedge.com
· 2026-07-29
A phishing scam targeting municipal permitting applicants has been circulating nationwide, with scammers impersonating government staff and sending fraudulent invoices requesting wire transfer payments using personal information from public permit applications. At least one Great Barrington planning applicant recently fell victim to the scheme, prompting the town to redact personal contact information from publicly posted documents. The FBI warns recipients of suspicious invoices to verify fees by calling the municipal office directly using official contact information rather than responding to unsolicited emails.
clintonnc.com
· 2026-07-29
Star Communications is hosting a free community event on August 12 in Clinton to educate senior citizens about recognizing scams, protecting personal information, and staying safe online, in response to reports from the Sampson Sheriff's Office documenting increased scam activity targeting local elderly residents. The training will cover tactics used by scammers, including phishing emails, voice impersonation using advanced technology, and phone calls posing as law enforcement or hospital staff seeking urgent money transfers, with attendees taught practical prevention strategies like hovering over email addresses and requesting to call suspicious callers back.
clintonnc.com
· 2026-07-29
Star Communications is hosting a free educational event on August 12 in Clinton to help senior citizens recognize and protect themselves from scams, which have become increasingly prevalent in the area according to the Sampson Sheriff's Office. The training will cover common scam tactics including phishing emails, fraudulent phone calls using voice imitation technology, and impersonation schemes where scammers pose as law enforcement or hospital staff to extract money. No specific dollar amounts of losses are mentioned, but the event aims to teach seniors how to verify email addresses, recognize urgency tactics, and safely handle suspicious communications.
creators.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-29
A caller impersonating an Adams County Sheriff's sergeant attempted to defraud the author by claiming there was a legal matter requiring immediate attention, but the scam was thwarted when the caller incorrectly referred to the agency as "Adams County Sheriff's Department" instead of the correct "Adams County Sheriff's Office." Police impersonation scams typically involve callers claiming victims missed jury duty or face arrest, demanding payment via cash, gift cards, or wire transfers, and can be sophisticated enough to include personal information and spoofed caller ID. The author verified the call was fraudulent by independently contacting the sheriff's office and discovering they had already warned the public about a scammer using the false identity "Sgt.
wpbf.com
· 2026-07-29
"Pig butchering" scams target victims through social media, dating apps, and text messages, where scammers build trust over weeks or months before directing them to fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. Victims are guided to convert cash into cryptocurrency and deposit it into fraudulent digital wallets or fake investment websites, after which their money becomes inaccessible. Digital forensics experts warn that approximately 90% of victims never recover their funds, and advise reporting such scams to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
financialpost.com
· 2026-07-29
A TD Bank survey found that nearly 90 percent of Canadians are confident they can detect fraud, yet 41 percent never consult fraud prevention resources and over half admit to risky behaviors like opening suspicious email attachments. Despite this confidence, 24 percent of Canadians have been fraud victims in the past year, and Canadians lost $351 million to fraud across 9,935 victims as of June 30, 2024. Experts warn that overconfidence can lead people to overlook warning signs that scammers exploit, and recommend slowing down, avoiding public Wi-Fi, and verifying suspicious communications before acting.
nmdoj.gov
· 2026-07-29
The New Mexico Department of Justice launched the "Stop. Drop. Verify." initiative, a free educational program designed to help residents recognize and avoid increasingly sophisticated scams, including those using artificial intelligence. The initiative offers free training presentations and online resources covering common scam types such as romance, family emergency, government imposter, phishing, and investment/crypto scams. No specific fraud cases or dollar amounts are mentioned; the program focuses on prevention awareness and community education.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-07-29
Online scams cost Americans approximately $150 billion in the past year, roughly seven times more than the $21 billion reported to the FBI, according to the Consumer Federation of America, with cryptocurrency investment scams accounting for the largest portion of losses. The dramatic underreporting stems from most victims never contacting law enforcement, with only about 14% of financial fraud victims filing reports, while scammers increasingly use AI-generated deepfakes and fake documents to impersonate family members and conduct investment fraud. Meta-owned platforms—Facebook (57%), Instagram (22%), and WhatsApp (8%)—are the primary channels used by scammers to target victims.
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-07-29
Cybersecurity researchers identified a network of over 120 fake Walmart domains designed to deceive shoppers with heavily discounted liquor (40-70% off) and steal their credit card information at checkout. The fraudulent sites mimic Walmart's branding and layout to exploit consumer trust in the familiar retailer name, with victims who enter card details facing the risk of financial compromise. The scam operates on a simple model using identical WordPress/WooCommerce templates with swapped contact information and fabricated business addresses across all domains.
livingstonenterprise.com
· 2026-07-28
Montana State Auditor James Brown warns that older adults are increasingly targeted by scammers due to larger savings, social isolation, and unfamiliarity with emerging technologies, with reports of losses exceeding $100,000 increasing sevenfold from 2020 to 2024 according to the Federal Trade Commission. Brown's office has partnered with financial institutions to stop over $2 million in fraud losses for 16 Montanans this year, with 15 cases involving seniors over 60 who were tricked into sending money to fraudsters. The state offers up to $50,000 in restitution through its security fraud fund to help victims recover losses and stabilize their finances.
pcmag.com
· 2026-07-28
College students face targeted "freshman fraud" scams including phishing emails with malware, fake financial aid offers using forged school letterhead, and loan forgiveness schemes that request personal information or upfront fees. Cybercriminals view universities as "trophy targets" due to the perceived naivety of students and the ease of accessing .edu email addresses, with 80 college and university breaches in 2024-2025 exposing email addresses, passwords, phone numbers, and social security numbers.
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-07-28
A 2025 Malwarebytes survey found that nearly half of people encounter scams on their phones daily, with victims experiencing harassment, blackmail, data exposure, and financial loss, prompting the company to rebuild its Mobile Security product with enhanced scam detection features. The research revealed that approximately half of smartphone users falsely believe their device's built-in security is sufficient protection, while Malwarebytes detected over 800,000 distinct Android malware strains in the past year with expectations to exceed 1 million in 2026. The rebuilt Mobile Security includes AI-powered Scam Guard, enhanced text and call filtering, malware scanning, and privacy tools designed to combat increasingly sophisticated phone-based
france24.com
· 2026-07-28
Myanmar's military-backed parliament approved legislation authorizing the death penalty for those who detain or violently coerce victims into working at online scam centers, targeting the country's thriving multibillion-dollar cybercrime industry. The scam operations, often run by Chinese-origin syndicates in fortified compounds, have flourished in Myanmar's conflict zones and target users worldwide with romance and cryptocurrency investment schemes, with some foreign nationals reporting being trafficked and tortured at these sites. Despite pressure from the United States and China—which reported over $5 billion in scam losses in two years—previous enforcement actions have only displaced rather than dismantled these criminal networks across Southeast Asia.
dailypress.net
· 2026-07-28
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection warns consumers to be vigilant against back-to-school scams, which increase during this busy shopping season. Common scams include fraudulent online ads with steep discounts, fake websites mimicking legitimate retailers, textbook scams targeting college students, and phishing attempts. The agency recommends verifying website URLs, using credit cards for online purchases, avoiding suspicious social media ads, and pausing before responding to urgent offers that seem too good to be true.
record-bee.com
· 2026-07-28
In 2023, elder fraud targeting individuals aged 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses, with the average victim losing $33,915, according to FBI data. More than 101,000 seniors reported scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, with investment scams being the costliest type at over $1.2 billion in losses, followed by tech support scams, romance scams, and government impersonation scams. The author shares her experience nearly falling for a fake Bill Gates video promoting fake Alzheimer's cure supplements, illustrating how professionally designed scams can deceive even cautious consumers.
doj.state.or.us
· 2026-07-28
Robocalls cost Americans nearly $2 billion in losses last year, with over 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts received, prompting a coalition of 50 state attorneys general to urge the FCC to strengthen "Know Your Customer" rules requiring phone companies to better verify and vet their customers to prevent scammers from accessing the communications network. The effort is part of Operation Robocall Roundup, which has already sent warning letters to 37 smaller voice providers and expanded to crack down on four of the largest intermediate voice service providers for allowing suspected illegal robocalls onto the U.S. telephone network.
abc11.com
· 2026-07-28
North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a bipartisan group of state attorneys general urging the FCC to strengthen "Know Your Customer" rules to prevent scammers from accessing legitimate telephone numbers and making illegal robocalls. Americans received over 29.6 billion scam calls and texts last year and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams, prompting calls for phone companies to suspend or terminate callers using their networks for unlawful purposes.
wcti12.com
· 2026-07-28
A bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general, led by North Carolina's Attorney General Jeff Jackson, is urging the FCC to strengthen "Know Your Customer" rules for phone companies to better identify and stop customers using networks for illegal robocalls. Americans lost nearly $2 billion to robocall scams last year, receiving over 29.6 billion scam calls and texts, prompting the effort to require phone companies to verify customers are legitimate and suspend those conducting unlawful activities. The push is part of Operation Robocall Roundup Phase 2, which has sent warning letters to major voice service providers accused of allowing illegal robocalls onto the U.S. telephone network.
groundup.org.za
· 2026-07-27
A journalist posed as a job seeker to expose a romance/employment scam syndicate, losing approximately R4,000 (about $220 USD) after responding to fake Amazon job advertisements on TikTok that redirected to WhatsApp and Telegram. The scam, operated by a China-based syndicate using AI-generated ads and fake company names, used multiple handlers and progressively escalated requests for deposits while promising quick earnings from "order processing" work. Despite reporting to police and banks, authorities failed to assist in recovering the funds or shutting down the operation.
programminginsider.com
· 2026-07-27
Cybercriminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create highly sophisticated scams including deepfake videos, cloned voices, and personalized phishing emails that appear legitimate and are difficult to distinguish from authentic communications. AI tools enable scammers to analyze personal information from social media, automate social engineering, and generate convincing fake investment platforms and impersonations of trusted contacts or public figures at scale. As AI technology continues to advance, scams are becoming more elaborate and harder to identify using traditional warning signs like poor grammar or suspicious design.
it-online.co.za
· 2026-07-27
South Africa recorded the highest rate of suspected digital fraud in Africa, with 3% of consumer transactions flagged as potentially fraudulent and digital banking fraud surging 86% year-on-year with R1.9 billion in losses, driven by scams like SIM-swap fraud, investment schemes (including one that defrauded 2,000 South Africans of R492 million), and AI-enabled impersonation schemes operating on trusted social platforms. A third of fraud victims report the scams originated on legitimate e-commerce or social platforms rather than fake sites, with 46% encountering fraud first on social media, while 88% of South Africans believe they can spot scams
tokenpost.com
· 2026-07-27
U.S. authorities seized over $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to cross-border fraud schemes targeting residents in the U.S. and Canada, with the largest case being a romance scam affecting more than 200 victims and causing $12.1 million in losses. A second major case involving fraudulent investment platforms accounted for $10.4 million, with investigators identifying over 270 suspicious transactions and tracing suspected money launderers to Southeast Asia, including operatives in China, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Prosecutors filed five civil forfeiture complaints to permanently confiscate the assets recovered through the Cyber Fraud Task Force investigations.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2026-07-27
Scammers impersonate VA officials and promise to help veterans apply for benefits or obtain disability ratings in exchange for fees, exploiting the fact that legitimate VA applications are completely free. The FTC warns that unsolicited calls, texts, emails, or social media messages offering to expedite claims or unlock "missing" benefits are fraudulent schemes, as the VA and legitimate Veterans Service Organizations never charge for these services. Victims should report suspected scams to the FTC and their state attorney general.
mininggazette.com
· 2026-07-27
The Michigan State Police is warning residents of a phone scam where callers impersonate MSP officers, claiming victims missed court dates or committed violations and demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest. Scammers use high-pressure tactics and request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or cash, though the legitimate MSP never solicits payments or personal information by phone. Residents should hang up on suspicious calls, avoid sharing personal information, and report fraudulent contact to authorities.
qz.com
· 2026-07-27
Facebook Marketplace has become a target for scammers using tactics like fake listings, fraudulent payments, identity theft, and impersonation schemes to exploit buyers and sellers. The article provides five expert-backed tips to reduce fraud risk: verify seller profiles for legitimacy, be wary of unusually low prices or rushed deals, stay within Facebook's messaging system and use secure payment methods, avoid overpayment refund scams and requests for sensitive information, and take precautions when meeting in person. Following these safety practices can help protect both money and personal information on the platform.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2026-07-27
Scammers impersonate VA officials and offer to help veterans apply for benefits or obtain disability ratings in exchange for fees, exploiting veterans' need for assistance during military transitions. The VA and legitimate accredited representatives never charge for benefits applications or claims assistance, making any fee request a red flag for fraud. Veterans should report suspected scams to the FTC and their state attorney general.