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in Scam Awareness
presidentialprayerteam.org
· 2025-12-08
Victor Ramirez was permanently banned from operating sweepstakes or making prize claims after the FTC settled charges that he defrauded consumers out of over $28 million globally through a scheme involving personalized letters falsely claiming recipients had won large cash prizes if they paid $20-30 fees. The settlement prevents Ramirez from engaging in any future sweepstakes or prize promotions and restricts his use of consumer information obtained through the fraudulent scheme.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource compiles key contacts and services for preventing and reporting elder fraud, including the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11), HELPS Non-Profit Law Firm (855-435-7787), AARP Fraud Watch Network (877-908-3360), and local Buncombe County resources. The guide emphasizes the importance of staying informed through watchdog alerts and utilizing community support services to protect elderly individuals from scams and fraud.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a warning about cryptocurrency scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens, which exploit victims' unfamiliarity with digital currencies. Common scams include investment schemes promising high returns with zero risk, impersonation scams claiming account fraud or legal issues that can only be resolved via cryptocurrency transfer, and blackmail scams threatening to release compromising information unless paid in Bitcoin. The Attorney General advises Arizonans to verify caller information independently, remain skeptical of unsolicited requests, recognize that legitimate businesses never demand cryptocurrency payment, protect personal information, consult trusted family members before financial decisions, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement or the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
citizen.co.za
· 2025-12-08
One in ten South Africans fell victim to fraud in Q2 2024, with phishing attacks accounting for 28% of incidents, often involving scammers creating fake social media profiles and cloned websites that fool 53% of consumers into providing personal and financial information. Financial losses ranged from approximately R1,833 to over R18,329, though emotional impacts were often more severe, with 22% of victims requiring months to recover. Consumers can protect themselves by using tools like WHOIS and Google's safe browsing function to verify website legitimacy, while businesses can combat cloning by blocking fraudulent sites and filing takedown requests with hosting providers.
info.gov.hk
· 2025-12-08
From January to June 2024, Hong Kong Police recorded 19,897 scam cases resulting in $4.48 billion in losses, a 66.5% increase from the prior year, with "Impersonating Customer Service" scams being particularly prevalent and causing $379 million in losses. Mainland students in Hong Kong face heightened vulnerability to "Pretend Officials" scams, especially during September and October, with 481 cases reported in the first half of 2024. Police, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and the banking sector launched an "Anti-Scam Month" campaign featuring educational initiatives, including a "Survival Guide" for Mainland students an
wrrv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies area codes commonly associated with phone scams targeting New York State residents, noting that approximately 60 million Americans reported phone scams in 2021. The article explains that scammers often use VoIP technology and call spoofing to disguise their true location and identity, and provides a list of nine international area codes (primarily from Caribbean and African nations) and nine U.S. area codes to avoid answering. The article recommends screening unknown calls and performing quick Google searches on unfamiliar numbers to verify legitimacy.
cpr.org
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scammers are fraudulently selling properties they do not own, targeting owners with out-of-state addresses and free-and-clear titles. Sasha Henderson of Parker nearly fell victim to such a scam when she and her husband attempted to purchase 10 acres in Elbert County, but the title company detected suspicious emails and contacted the actual owner out of state, preventing the fraudulent sale from closing. Real estate professionals advise that buyers should always obtain title insurance regardless of whether they are paying cash, and should be cautious of remote transactions, as title companies are better equipped to identify fraud than third-party monitoring services.
cbsaustin.com
· 2025-12-08
The Leander Police Department warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonated police officers and requested banking information over the phone. The department emphasized that it never solicits financial details by phone and advised residents to verify caller identity by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, remain skeptical of urgent demands, and avoid trusting caller ID due to spoofing tactics.
newschannel5.com
· 2025-12-08
The Tennessee Attorney General warned consumers about two imposter scams: a jury duty scam where fraudsters pose as court officials threatening fines or arrest for missed jury duty, and a customs/border patrol scam claiming illegal items were shipped in the victim's name. The Federal Trade Commission advised consumers never to wire money or provide personal/financial information to callers claiming to be government officials, and to distrust caller ID and unsolicited links or messages.
sunlive.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Scammers have been impersonating police officers in phone calls to landline users, claiming victims are fraud victims and instructing them to withdraw cash to be picked up using a code word. Older community members are being specifically targeted; since June, police have made arrests in Auckland and Wellington, with one 26-year-old UK national convicted of defrauding 21 Auckland victims of over $330,000 across 27 fraud charges. Police warn that legitimate officers never request money, banking details, or PINs over the phone, and advise victims to hang up and verify caller details by calling 105.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational alert from Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection outlines evolving scam tactics targeting seniors, including sweepstakes scams, check fraud, and voice deepfake manipulation schemes where fraudsters use prolonged phone calls to generate fake voice recordings for unauthorized account access. The advisory recommends protecting yourself by not answering unknown numbers, avoiding contest entries, mailing checks only from post offices, using credit cards for payments instead, monitoring accounts for suspicious activity, and immediately reporting fraud to financial institutions.
theadvocate.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In the 2023/24 financial year, Tasmania Police recorded 163 victims of investment scams, with combined losses totaling $7.92 million and an average loss of $48,500 per victim. Older people are particularly targeted through unsolicited phone calls, text messages, and emails offering high-return, low-risk investments, with scammers using fake websites and persistent pressure to extract funds, often followed by recovery scams. Police advise verifying caller identity independently, conducting due diligence on companies, and consulting friends and family before investing, warning that victims are unlikely to recover lost funds.
etnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers exploit UPI's AutoPay feature by sending fraudulent collect money or autopay requests to users whose UPI IDs they obtain, tricking victims into approving payments for services like Netflix subscriptions that they don't actually use. Since UPI IDs are derived from phone numbers that are widely shared, fraudsters can easily generate fake IDs and send deceptive requests that appear legitimate, causing unsuspecting users to transfer money directly to criminals. Users are advised to carefully verify all payment requests and distinguish between genuine transactions and fraudulent ones before approval.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims over weeks or months through dating apps and social media before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. In 2023, investment scams resulted in $4.57 billion in losses, with $3.96 billion tied to fake crypto investments, representing a 38% increase from the previous year. One victim lost $152,000 after being courted on a dating app, and while law enforcement has identified funds traced to exchanges in Southeast Asia, recovery remains difficult due to multi-jurisdictional complications and the use of cryptocurrency.
the-review.com
· 2025-12-08
QR codes are increasingly being exploited by scammers to direct victims to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, malware downloads, and fake cryptocurrency wallets. Common schemes include placing fraudulent QR codes on parking meters to steal payment information, conducting romance scams that culminate in cryptocurrency investment requests, impersonating utility companies and government agencies to collect fraudulent payments, and sending malicious codes via email or mail. Consumers should verify QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from unsolicited sources, and confirm suspicious requests directly with the legitimate organization or person claiming to contact them.
concordmonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
New Hampshire's Consumer Protection hotline, staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers since 1992, helps residents report fraud and resolve consumer disputes. The article highlights four long-serving volunteers who field calls about scams, faulty purchases, and business problems, noting that crypto scams have become increasingly prevalent—with victims often transferring tens of thousands of dollars after being deceived by impersonators claiming to be from the IRS, PayPal, or Microsoft.
foreignaffairs.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. The text appears to be only a website header, navigation menu, and footer information for ForeignAffairs.co.nz, with no article content about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. To summarize an article for the Elderus database, please provide the actual article text or content.
nkytribune.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau highlights ten common scams affecting consumers, including auction fraud (wire transfer schemes), fake social media ads using legitimate company logos, employment scams requesting upfront payments or personal information, Facebook Marketplace deals that seem too good to be true, high-pressure debt collection calls, romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, fraudulent charity donation requests, Amazon account hack phishing attempts, QR code scams leading to malware, and puppy sales scams on Facebook groups. BBB advises consumers to verify companies and charities directly, avoid sharing personal or financial information online or over the phone, use secure payment methods, and research sellers and breeders before conducting transactions.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides consumer protection advice for college students shopping online before the school year begins. The Federal Trade Commission recommends using credit cards for purchases (which offer fraud protection), researching vendors before buying, and keeping records of transactions to avoid scams; students should be wary of sellers requesting payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and should report any scams to the FTC.
newslj.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides multiple scam alerts and protective measures: residents received fraudulent PayPal invoices via email impersonation, unrealistic job offers via text promising $1,000+ daily pay for minimal work, and a fake donation request to a nonprofit seeking wire transfer details for a $7,000 "donation." A massive data breach exposed 2.7 billion individuals' Social Security numbers and personal information, with experts recommending credit freezes with major bureaus, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and vigilance against phishing exploitation of the breach.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Since 2018, tarot practitioner Rebecca Scolnick has been impersonated over 50 times on Instagram, with scammers creating nearly identical accounts and charging her followers for fraudulent readings. The impersonation problem is widespread among tarot practitioners, exacerbated by tech platforms' institutional disregard—including payment processors banning spiritual services and Instagram's refusal to verify tarot readers—which forces practitioners to use less secure payment methods like Venmo and CashApp that scammers prefer. To address these issues, tarot reader Danielle Baskin created Moonlight, a tarot-specific online marketplace launched in 2023 that verifies practitioners
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery, Alabama leaders held a free educational workshop for senior citizens to address the growing fraud problem affecting older adults, with 200 fraud cases filed in Alabama that year. Guest speakers including Montgomery County Probate Judge JC Love and other leaders discussed common scams and protective programs like the React Program, which alerts seniors to fraudulent activity related to their property. The workshop highlighted that seniors are particularly vulnerable to fraud due to technology gaps, isolation, and misplaced trust, and provided resources including the Alabama Department of Senior Services and AARP's scam-tracking map.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly employing long-term relationship-building tactics rather than quick-payoff schemes to target seniors aged 60 and older. The article also covers related financial crimes including IRS enforcement of Employee Retention Credit abuse, a Florida man's guilty plea for evading $2.4 million in taxes through trust misdirection, and recommendations to improve IRS services for international taxpayers regarding unreported foreign gifts.
mocoshow.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County authorities charged five suspects in a gold bar scam that defrauded residents of nearly $3 million since January 2023, with investigators estimating close to 20 victims who lost their life savings. In this scam, fraudsters impersonate federal government officials or cybersecurity experts to pressure victims into converting money to gold, which is then stolen. Authorities advise residents not to answer unknown calls or click pop-up ads, to slow down and verify requests, and to remember that the federal government never requests large withdrawals or unusual transactions like gold or gift card purchases.
whmi.com
· 2025-12-08
Livingston County Catholic Charities is hosting educational workshops for seniors and veterans, including a Scam Education and Awareness Workshop on August 21st in Hartland that will teach attendees about current scams, prevention strategies, and steps to take if victimized. Additional events scheduled for September include a workshop on combating loneliness and isolation for seniors and veterans on September 11th, and a charity softball game on September 14th.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational article by consumer rights expert Martyn James outlines the growing landscape of fraud in 2024, explaining why scammers are increasingly successful through digital innovation, mass messaging, and sophisticated social engineering tactics. The article cites that 252,626 people lost nearly £341 million to "push payment" fraud in the UK, with some victims losing life savings exceeding £100,000, though £1.2 billion in fraud was prevented last year. James provides practical advice for fraud victims, including immediately contacting their bank via the official number or the 159 stop scams line, and emphasizes the importance of identifying the type of fraud to determine the appropriate response.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pennsylvania woman nearly fell victim to a romance scam involving a fake foreign inheritance scheme, where an online acquaintance convinced her to front money for supposed legal fees and escrow to unlock a British estate. Red flags included fake legal documents with spelling errors, an implausible timeline, and a fabricated London law firm address, which legal experts confirmed were fraudulent. The article highlights how elder fraud is increasingly difficult to recover due to modern money transfer methods and cryptocurrency, and emphasizes the importance of verifying credentials and seeking professional legal advice before sending money in estate-related matters.
lincolnparishjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece by law enforcement examines modern phone-based scams targeting Americans, highlighting how technology has enabled criminals to defraud victims without in-person contact. The article details six prevalent scams: impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment for fines, fake charity solicitations, fraudulent debt collectors, fake prize offers, and IRS impersonation schemes—emphasizing that government agencies never demand immediate payment via phone, gift cards, or wire transfers, and advising victims to hang up and verify claims directly with legitimate organizations.
golaurens.com
· 2025-12-08
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs released an updated version of "Ditch the Pitch," an educational guide designed to help consumers identify and avoid scams, with particular focus on protecting elderly residents. The guide will be distributed to over 9,000 seniors through the Department on Aging's home-delivered meal program, addressing common scams, prevention strategies, and steps to take if personal information is compromised. This partnership reflects growing concern about fraud targeting older adults, whose victimization rates are at all-time highs.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office issued a warning about rising online scams targeting elderly residents following multiple incidents in El Grenada, California. One victim lost thousands of dollars after receiving a fake computer hack notification and being convinced to purchase gift cards that couriers collected from their home, while another elderly victim reported a similar scam attempt asking for a large bank withdrawal that they refused. Authorities advise residents never to allow remote computer access to strangers and to hang up and contact law enforcement if asked to withdraw money or purchase gift cards.
marketech-apac.com
· 2025-12-08
StarHub and Singapore's Police Force launched a public education campaign featuring a Scam Masterclass Series to help residents recognize and prevent cyber threats. The campaign exposes common scam tactics including impersonation, job fraud, authority scams, and advanced AI voice-changer technology, offering practical tools to combat increasingly sophisticated schemes. The educational content is available across StarHub's website, retail stores, and multiple social media and television channels to reach a broad audience.
b105country.com
· 2025-12-08
Grand Marais State Bank warned customers of a text message phishing scam impersonating the bank and requesting users click a link to "secure" their account after detecting a new device login. The scam attempts to trick victims into clicking malicious links (hosted on free website services like Weebly) and providing personal banking information that fraudsters could use to access accounts. The bank advises customers never to click unexpected links related to accounts and instead contact their bank directly to verify any security alerts.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to drivers claiming they have unpaid tolls, creating a sense of urgency by threatening additional fees if balances aren't paid immediately through fake toll payment websites. The Identity Theft Resource Center reports this scam is proliferating across the country, exploiting drivers' anxiety about legitimately owing toll fees by using real toll system names like "Good-to-Go" in Washington State and "Easy Pass" on the East Coast. The scheme preys on consumers' fear of accumulating fines and encourages them to click malicious links or provide personal information to cybercriminals.
ibsintelligence.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans are increasingly concerned about rising financial fraud, with the FTC reporting $10 billion lost to scams in 2023 (up from $3.5 billion in 2020), and 74% of survey respondents worried that AI advancements will increase fraud rates. Nearly half of Americans surveyed (45%) reported being victims of financial fraud, with credit card theft (53%), electronic payment fraud (19%), and check fraud (17%) as top scams, and 24% losing $5,000 or more. Financial institutions face mounting pressure as fraud victims often switch banks or reduce services, with recovery rates for stolen funds remaining below 10% in most cases.
gmanetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Six Chinese nationals were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga by the NBI for operating online scam and cybercrime operations, including romance scams and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting victims globally. Operatives seized computers, phones, SIM cards, scripts, and customer ledgers that indicated organized fraudulent activities, and the suspects were referred to the Department of Justice for inquest under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
ministers.treasury.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia has seen a modest decrease in scam losses over the past 12 months, with Queensland reporting losses dropping from $54 million (January-June 2023) to $21 million in the same period this year, down significantly from $37-38 million in 2022. Investment scams account for over half of losses nationwide, typically originating through emails or social media messages promoting cryptocurrency investments, fake bonds, or fake celebrity endorsements. Key prevention advice includes: never clicking links in unsolicited text messages or emails, avoiding investments that offer returns above market rates, and consulting professional financial advisors rather than relying on social media recommendations.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Six Chinese nationals were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on August 14 for operating a cyber-scam operation involving romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, credit card scams, and fake investment schemes targeting victims globally. The NBI discovered computers, phones, fraudulent scripts, and cryptocurrency investment platforms at the arrested individuals' office during a warrant operation. The six suspects face charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
tribuneonlineng.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** Educational/Expert Interview
Anuoluwapo Ojomo, a financial services compliance expert, identifies key warning signs of elder financial exploitation including unusual account withdrawals, unpaid bills despite available funds, and sudden changes in financial decision-making, emphasizing that perpetrators range from family members to financial advisors. She notes that elder financial exploitation affects 5-10% of older people globally, with higher vulnerability among those experiencing cognitive decline, isolation, or recent loss, and stresses that prevention requires family monitoring, financial institution training, legal protections, and swift reporting to authorities when exploitation is suspected.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a business/HR feature about Synchrony's employee benefits strategy and workplace listening practices, with no connection to elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or financial exploitation of older adults.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A newspaper columnist fell victim to a Taylor Swift ticket scam after purchasing four tickets at face value (£100 each) from someone introduced through a friend-of-a-friend who was presented as trustworthy and a former primary school teacher. The scammer ceased communication via WhatsApp and blocked calls before delivering the tickets, leaving two 12-year-old girls disappointed before the Wembley Stadium concert. The author emphasizes this as a cautionary tale about social engineering and trust-based fraud rather than typical online phishing or fake resale sites.
onmanorama.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Thiruvananthapuram lost approximately Rs 23 lakh (about $27,600 USD) in a "Scratch and Win" scam that began in December 2023, after receiving a physical card via courier promising an Rs 8 lakh prize. The scammers convinced her to pay various fees (GST, processing, and income tax) claiming they would be refunded along with her winnings, but instead transferred the money to fraudsters. The fraud was discovered only recently when her father learned of the situation and encouraged her to report it to cybercrime police, who registered a case and initiated an investigation.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Android users in Singapore attempted to install approximately 900,000 high-risk malware apps since February 2024, though Google's enhanced fraud protection blocked these installations on over 200,000 devices. Despite the high number of installation attempts, reported malware scam cases dropped significantly from 1,899 in 2023 to 95 in the first half of 2024, indicating that security measures implemented by tech companies, banks, and authorities are proving effective, though victims lost over $34 million in 2023.
tech.einnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Private Digital Investigations announced new measures to combat rising cybercrimes including Nigerian romance scams and sextortion schemes, which exploit victims emotionally and financially through fake profiles and blackmail threats. The agency employs AI-driven profile analysis, digital forensics, and law enforcement collaborations to identify scammers, and offers public education through workshops, support hotlines, and online resources. The article advises victims to cease communication with suspected scammers, report profiles to platforms, avoid sharing explicit content, and seek help from professional investigators or authorities rather than paying ransom demands.
newsandtribune.com
· 2025-12-08
The BBB received multiple scam reports including: an auction scam where "winners" were asked to wire money for items; fraudulent Facebook ads impersonating legitimate businesses like Sam Ash Music; employment scams requiring upfront app downloads or fees; romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals; fake charity fundraising calls; Amazon account hacking schemes; QR code phishing scams leading to malware; and puppy scams on Facebook groups involving hundreds of dollars in losses. The BBB advises consumers to verify sellers and charities directly, avoid unsolicited requests for personal information or upfront payments, use secure payment methods, and be cautious of online deals that seem too good to be true.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A newspaper columnist lost £400 ($500 USD equivalent) after falling for a Taylor Swift ticket scam where she purchased four tickets at face value from someone vouched for by mutual acquaintances—a former teacher presented as trustworthy—who never delivered the tickets and subsequently blocked all contact before the Wembley Stadium concert. The author shares her experience to warn others that scams rely on social trust and word-of-mouth assurance rather than just online phishing or typical fraud tactics, emphasizing how even seemingly legitimate people can perpetrate fraud.
fox26houston.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns parents and students to watch out for several back-to-school scams, including fake social media ads and websites offering discounted school supplies and clothing at unrealistically low prices. Additional scams to avoid include tech support scams via suspicious emails or alerts, scholarship and financial aid scams, and phishing emails impersonating school officials. Experts recommend using credit cards with fraud protection, shopping only on secure websites with SSL certificates, and verifying legitimacy before providing personal information or clicking links.
culvercityobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
"Brushing" is a scam in which third-party sellers send unsolicited packages to publicly available addresses to fraudulently boost their seller ratings and reviews. Recipients should confirm the package is not a gift, then report it to the platform (such as Amazon) by providing the number of unwanted packages, tracking numbers, and relevant details to assist investigations. The company investigates reports and may suspend or remove sellers' privileges, withhold payments, and cooperate with law enforcement.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, post-disaster fraud cost Americans over $9.3 billion, with scammers impersonating government, utility, and insurance workers to solicit fees and upfront deposits from disaster victims by promising federal grants, priority repairs, or faster claim processing. Legitimate FEMA agents will never request payment and carry government-issued photo badges, and consumers should verify any offers through official channels before providing money or personal information. The AARP Fraud Watch Network provides free resources to help identify and report disaster-related scams.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bank Secrecy Act officer at Farmers and Merchants Union Bank in Columbus discussed common financial scams affecting consumers, including check, investment, and romance scams. Key prevention advice includes trusting your instincts when something seems suspicious, independently verifying phone numbers and caller identities rather than using provided contact information, contacting your financial institution directly to confirm requests, and signing up for FTC consumer alerts.
siliconvalley.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman was scammed through a Facebook ad advertising Bombas socks at an unrealistically low price and never received her order. The article discusses various online shopping scams involving fake ads on Facebook and third-party sellers on Amazon, and provides protective measures including: verifying seller legitimacy and reviews, checking for secure website connections (HTTPS), using credit cards or reputable payment services, purchasing only returnable items, and comparing prices across platforms before buying from unfamiliar merchants.