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theguardian.com
In February 2023, a man fell victim to a sophisticated telephone scam two days before heart surgery, losing £130,000 from accounts at NatWest, PayPal, and Starling Bank after scammers impersonated bank fraud teams. While NatWest and PayPal refunded the losses, Starling initially refused to return £10,000, claiming the victim was not grossly negligent; however, after the case was escalated and Starling learned of the victim's vulnerable circumstances (his daughter's recent murder and impending surgery), the bank agreed to refund the amount. The case illustrates how sophisticated scams can deceive even cautious victims an
beincrypto.com
A scammer impersonating crypto influencer Ansem stole over $2.6 million in Solana tokens by promoting a fake "BULL" token presale on X (formerly Twitter), with the largest individual victim losing nearly $1.2 million. The fraud occurred amid a broader surge in crypto scams, with 57,000 people losing approximately $47 million in February alone, primarily through phishing attacks on social media that impersonate verified accounts. Investors are advised to verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities and exercise caution, particularly during periods of intense market activity and meme coin frenzies.
abcactionnews.com
Online scams are growing rapidly across multiple channels (text, email, phone, social media), with cryptocurrency/investment, employment, and online purchase scams ranking as the top three types reported to the Better Business Bureau, while debt relief and romance scams are also rising significantly. Red flags include demands for upfront payment, guaranteed outcomes, and unsolicited contact from scammers who may possess personal information to appear legitimate. Experts warn that consumers should never share personal information or click unknown links, as AI technology will likely make scams increasingly difficult to detect in the future.
states.aarp.org
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion for the first time, a 14% increase from 2022, with investment scams accounting for $4.6 billion and cryptocurrency fraud totaling $1.4 billion. Impostor scams were the most frequently reported fraud type, with victims losing an average of $7,000 each, and email became the primary method criminals used to contact victims, surpassing text and phone calls. The report notes that actual fraud losses likely far exceed reported figures, as most fraud goes unreported.
deeside.com
In 2023, over 22,500 people in the UK had their social media or email accounts hacked, resulting in £1.3 million in financial losses, according to Action Fraud data. The attacks employed methods such as on-platform chain hacking (where fraudsters impersonate account owners to trick contacts into sharing authentication codes) and phishing/leaked password schemes that exploit users' tendency to reuse passwords across multiple accounts. Action Fraud advises protecting accounts by using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-step verification, and never sharing passwords or verification codes.
stories.td.com
New Canadians face heightened vulnerability to financial fraud, with 90% of surveyed newcomers worried about becoming victims and 73% feeling particularly susceptible. Common scams targeting this population include phishing (stealing personal/financial information via fake emails or texts), job scams (fraudsters posing as employers to extract money for fake training or supplies), and romance scams, with 28% of affected new Canadians unsure how to respond if victimized. The best defense is awareness of warning signs, understanding common fraud tactics, and knowing how to report fraudulent activity.
thetimes.co.uk
**Summary:**
Maria Woodhouse, a 34-year-old job seeker, lost £2,655 to a recruitment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp by a fake recruiter offering remote work for £13 per hour. The scammer created a false job using a cryptocurrency platform (OKX) as a payment method, tricking Woodhouse into depositing money for each "task" while the scammer redirected her funds out of the wallet. Recruitment scams are the third most commonly reported fraud type, with cases rising 156% year-over-year and averaging £3,000 in losses per victim.
theblaze.com
A 60-year-old Australian man, Renato Calalang, lost approximately $150,000 in an inheritance scam after responding to a fraudulent email claiming to be from a Philippine bank offering him a 3.8 million euro inheritance from a deceased relative. Over a three-month period, the scammer convinced Calalang to transfer funds to an Australian Commonwealth Bank account, using a fake death certificate and phone communication to establish credibility. After reporting the fraud to police and Commonwealth Bank in September 2023, the bank stated it could not recover the funds due to lack of cooperation from the Philippine bank, leaving Calalang unable to retire as planned.
cantonrep.com
IRS impersonation scams reappear annually in various forms, with scammers posing as tax agents via phone calls, emails, and mail to either demand immediate payment for back taxes (threatening arrest) or request personal information under the guise of issuing refunds. The IRS will only initiate contact by mail and never demands immediate payment, specific payment methods, or personal financial information over the phone or email. To protect yourself, file taxes early, obtain an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS, and remember that any urgent contact via phone, email, text, or social media claiming to be from the IRS is fraudulent.
itemonline.com
This educational piece warns about Social Security scams in which fraudsters send fake letters, emails, and texts impersonating the Social Security Administration or Office of the Inspector General to steal personal information and money. The article advises recipients to ignore unsolicited contact, independently verify by calling SSA directly, and never share sensitive information through unsecured channels, noting that SSA will never threaten arrest or suspend benefits. Victims should report fraud to the Office of the Inspector General at oig-ssa.gov/report and local law enforcement to help authorities identify and prosecute perpetrators.
nbcmiami.com
Tax season attracts scammers seeking to steal refunds through three common schemes: fraudulent tax returns using stolen personal information, phishing emails impersonating IRS agents (particularly targeting recent immigrants with deportation threats), and illegitimate tax relief companies charging high fees without delivering results. The IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints last year, the second-highest on record, and taxpayers can protect themselves by filing early, never providing personal information to unsolicited IRS contacts, researching companies before hiring them, and monitoring their credit and tax records.
spectrumnews1.com
The Cuyahoga County Scam Squad warned of a spike in arrest scams where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement, send fake court documents, and claim victims missed hearings or are under investigation—with a newer variant targeting PPP loan recipients using accurate loan information to appear credible. Scammers pressure victims to pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency, with one local resident losing $7,000 to such a scam this week. Law enforcement urges victims to hang up immediately, as legitimate police never demand money or threaten arrest over the phone, and to report incidents to local police or the Scam Squad hotline.
islandfreepress.org
Fictitious phishing emails targeting college students receiving SNAP benefits falsely claim eligibility for large sums of money ($15,000 to $30,000) through fake "relief funds" if they apply via suspicious links. The Dare County Department of Health & Human Services warns recipients not to share personal information like Social Security numbers, bank details, or EBT card information with unfamiliar organizations, and directs them to report suspected fraud to the USDA Office of the Inspector General.
churchleaders.com
**Fake Clergy Scams: Overview and Prevention**
Fake clergy scams involve individuals impersonating religious leaders to exploit victims' trust through solicited donations, requests for personal information, and fraudulent spiritual services, often targeting vulnerable people during moments of grief or spiritual seeking. Scammers use psychological manipulation tactics—including authority bias and in-group favoritism—to establish credibility through mimicked religious language, attire, and social media profiles, causing victims financial losses alongside profound emotional and spiritual trauma. Awareness of warning signs such as aggressive donation solicitation, reluctance to provide verifiable credentials, and inconsistent stories can help communities protect themselves from these deceptive practices that damage
moneycontrol.com
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. The content is a website landing page for Moneycontrol, a financial news and information platform, requesting user consent for cookies and data processing. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus fraud research database and cannot be summarized as a scam or fraud case.
ksat.com
A San Antonio woman was scammed out of money while attempting to sell garden pots online after a buyer convinced her to move the transaction from a neighborhood app to email, then sent a fake Venmo logo email to intercept the payment. Law enforcement and the Better Business Bureau report that mobile payment app scams are trending, with significant annual losses, and advise using these payment methods only with known and trusted individuals while being cautious of unsolicited emails and links.
wpr.org
The city of Chetek, Wisconsin recovered $2.6 million stolen in a phishing scam where fraudsters impersonated a contractor for the city's wastewater treatment plant project and redirected a wire transfer to a fake account in November. The city borrowed funds to continue construction while investigating, then successfully recovered the full amount by March 1st after contacting law enforcement and the FBI. Chetek subsequently enhanced its security measures and employee training, joining other Wisconsin communities that have fallen victim to similar contractor impersonation scams in recent years.
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
Scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, are rising statewide through phone calls, social media, and online channels. Common scams include Social Security imposter schemes (threatening suspended benefits or arrest), gift card fraud (posing as government agencies), fake rental listings, and warrant payment demands, with scammers using fear, fake documents, and fraudulent letterhead to coerce victims into providing personal information or money. Authorities recommend verifying caller identity by hanging up and calling agencies directly, never sending gift cards or money to unknown callers, and reporting scams to relevant agencies like the SSA's Office of the Inspector General.
nzherald.co.nz
International scammers drain hundreds of millions of dollars annually from New Zealand victims, with fraud cases nearly doubling between 2020-2022 and now representing the most common crime type in the country. Only 15 percent of victims recover their lost funds, and a significant majority of fraud occurs online or by phone, yet only 6.5 percent of fraud crimes are reported to police. The Independent Police Conduct Authority found major deficiencies in police responses to scam complaints, with authorities failing to prioritize fraud investigations and adequately support victims.
wgme.com
Fraud losses among Maine seniors have surged dramatically, increasing from $2 million in 2021 to $12.7 million in 2022, with tech support scams being among the most common threats to the state's aging population. One Maine senior fell victim to a tech support imposter scam involving malicious popups claiming she had a virus, which prompted her to call a fraudulent number where scammers attempted to access her savings account information. Experts emphasize that education and awareness are critical to protecting Maine's elderly residents, who represent the nation's oldest state population and face heightened vulnerability to fraud schemes.
forbes.com
The Federal Trade Commission announced refunds totaling approximately $4.1 million to over 27,500 student loan borrowers who were scammed by fraudulent debt relief companies (including Mission Hills Federal, Federal Direct Group, and National Secure Processing) that charged illegal upfront fees and diverted loan payments meant for their accounts. The companies falsely promised loan forgiveness and monthly payment reductions while pocketing borrowers' money, with few or no payments actually applied to their loans. The Education Department warns borrowers to avoid unsolicited contacts promising immediate forgiveness, upfront fees, or requesting sensitive personal information, as legitimate federal forgiveness programs require years of qualifying payments and do not charge fees.
localprofile.com
Plano Police Detective Vidmar was honored for his role in recovering over $8 million in stolen funds from victims of sweetheart scams, business email compromises, and other fraudulent crimes through his work with the U.S. Secret Service North Texas Financial Crimes Task Force. Working with Judge Ben Smith, Vidmar secured nearly 70 expedited search and seizure warrants targeting fraudulent bank accounts in Plano, Texas, which allowed authorities to freeze assets before criminals could withdraw stolen money. The collaborative effort successfully returned 99.8% of the recovered funds to victims across the United States and Canada over a 3.5-year period.
bankingdive.com
Consumer Reports found that mobile banking apps from both traditional banks (Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, etc.) and digital banks (Chime, Ally, Varo, etc.) lack adequate fraud prevention measures, including real-time monitoring, suspicious activity alerts, and in-app scam education. The report comes as payment fraud losses in the U.S. reached over $10 billion in 2023, with bank transfers accounting for $1.8 billion of those losses, highlighting the need for banks to prioritize robust security features and timely fraud notifications to help users take quick protective action.
fox23maine.com
Maine seniors lost $12.7 million to fraud in 2022, a dramatic increase from $2 million in 2021, according to FBI data. One victim fell prey to a tech support scam involving fake virus warning popups that prompted her to call scammers who attempted to access her savings account information. Experts emphasize that education and community awareness are critical tools in combating fraud targeting Maine's elderly population, the oldest in the nation.
govexec.com
This educational piece highlights warning signs of government imposter scams, particularly targeting Social Security beneficiaries and federal employees. The author shares a personal near-miss with a gift card scam impersonating a local NARFE president, then outlines four key red flags scammers use (impersonation, claiming problems/prizes, demanding immediate action, and requesting specific payment methods) and lists tactics Social Security will never employ, such as threatening arrest, demanding gift cards, or pressuring immediate payment. The article warns against a fraudulent phone number (888-353-9450) being used by scammers targeting federal employees and annuitants.
placer.ca.gov
A victim lost $23,000 in a Bitcoin scam after receiving calls claiming their email and bank account were compromised; the scammer initially posed as a bank representative and convinced the victim to transfer $15,000 to Bitcoin, then a second caller posing as the FBI persuaded them to transfer an additional $8,000 before the victim grew suspicious. The Sheriff's Office warns that legitimate banks and law enforcement never request transfers to Bitcoin or gift cards, and residents should immediately contact authorities if they receive urgent calls or emails demanding money transfers.
actionnews5.com
Job scams are a growing threat, with the Better Business Bureau reporting approximately 14 million people exposed to employment scams annually, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Common scams include work-from-home reshipping jobs (where victims do work without payment), fake checks, secret shopper, and caregiver positions, with scammers impersonating real companies and conducting interviews via email or text. Red flags include requests for upfront fees, bank account information before employment, vague job descriptions, unusually high pay, and postings not on the company's official website—victims should verify company identity through Google searches, insist on video interviews, and report suspected scams
abc7ny.com
AI-powered voice cloning is being used in increasingly sophisticated tax season scams, with fraudsters impersonating the IRS or tax professionals to steal personal information and money. McAfee reported over one million suspicious tax-related URLs clicked in February alone, with scammers using realistic American-accented AI voices and phishing through calls, texts, and emails threatening back taxes or offering fake tax forgiveness. The IRS never initiates contact by phone or email and will not demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps—legitimate tax notices arrive by mail first.
fmins.com
This educational article outlines how increased social media usage has created opportunities for scammers to target users through phishing, identity theft, and financial fraud schemes. The piece provides 10 practical prevention tips including recognizing suspicious account activity and poor grammar, using multi-factor authentication, setting accounts to private, avoiding oversharing of personal details, and verifying sellers before making in-app purchases. The advice emphasizes that users should trust their instincts when something seems off and take proactive measures to reduce their vulnerability to social media scams.
wltx.com
A New York Magazine financial columnist lost $50,000 to an elaborate con scheme, prompting the Federal Trade Commission to publicize ten common lies fraudsters use to manipulate victims into sending money, including creating false urgency, isolating victims from trusted advisors, making arrest threats, and directing victims to move funds via gift cards, cryptocurrency, precious metals, or cash transfers. The FTC warns that any pressure to act quickly, secrecy, threats of legal consequences, or instructions from strangers regarding financial transfers are reliable indicators of fraud, and recommends victims hang up, delete communications, and report suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
fox23maine.com
Maine seniors lost $12.7 million to fraud in 2022, a dramatic increase from $2 million in 2021, with victims over 60 nationwide experiencing skyrocketing losses according to FBI data. One Maine senior fell victim to a tech support scam involving deceptive popups claiming she had a virus and requesting access to her savings account information. Experts emphasize that education and awareness are critical to protecting Maine's aging population, the oldest in the nation, from increasingly prevalent fraud schemes.
valleybreeze.com
The Burrillville Police Department warned residents about the "grandparent scam," in which callers impersonate grandchildren in distress to convince seniors to withdraw and send money, often instructing victims not to tell bank tellers about the transfers. An elderly couple in Burrillville was recently targeted, and the FBI reports seniors lost over $3 billion to online scams in 2023. Police Chief Stephen Lynch recommends residents slow their response, verify claims with family members, and report suspicious calls to local authorities.
hillsborofreepress.com
The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and Kansas Legal Services launched the "Scam Scan" educational seminar series, offering free presentations to the public on recognizing and preventing common scams. Two seminars were held in Marion County on March 20, with managing attorney Corinne Petrik providing prevention tips and strategies to help older adults protect themselves, their money, and personal information from fraud.
glasgowcourier.com
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned residents during National Consumer Protection Week (March 3-9) about three rising scams: law enforcement impersonation scams where fraudsters call claiming victims have arrest warrants and demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards; cryptocurrency investment scams that use threats of arrest to convince people to deposit money into crypto ATMs, which cannot be recovered; and tech support scams involving fake pop-up alerts that trick users into calling scammers who then take control of computers and demand payment. The state's Office of Consumer Protection advises Montanans to avoid third-party payment apps and cryptocurrency ATMs, verify business information, and consult trusted contacts before sending money.
choice.com.au
Australians with disability are more than twice as likely to experience romance scams, with scammers exploiting limited romantic exposure and vulnerability. The article follows Chris, a 26-year-old man with disability in Adelaide, who encountered at least eight romance scammers on social media platforms like Snapchat in 2023, where scammers encouraged him to move conversations to encrypted apps (Telegram, WhatsApp) before requesting money or gift cards. Advocates and consumer organizations emphasize that people with disability face disproportionate risk and call for better protections from online dating platforms and related businesses.
arabianbusiness.com
"Pig butchering" romance scams, where criminals build fake romantic relationships to defraud victims of money and cryptocurrency, have surged 85-fold in revenue since 2020, generating approximately $75 billion in illicit gains with victims losing roughly $1 billion to related approval phishing scams since May 2021. These scams exploit loneliness by using messaging apps and social media to establish trust before directing victims toward fraudulent investment schemes, while a single scam address stole an estimated $44.3 million and a U.S. bank CEO lost $47 million to such a scam. The scam ecosystem is compounded by a humanitarian crisis, as many
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
Scammers are impersonating Amazon through spoofed phone calls and text messages claiming suspicious account activity, then using fabricated identity theft threats to pressure victims into transferring money from their bank and retirement accounts. The scam relies on psychological manipulation—creating urgency through false arrest threats and claims that someone opened fraudulent accounts using the victim's Social Security number. Victims should verify account issues directly through Amazon's website or app, never call back suspicious numbers, check their credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, and remember that legitimate organizations will never demand secrecy or immediate money transfers.
cnbc.com
The Federal Trade Commission refunded $4.1 million to 27,584 consumers who were defrauded by student debt forgiveness scams operated by Mission Hills Federal and Federal Direct Group since 2014. The scammers charged illegal upfront fees, falsely promised to lower monthly payments or eliminate balances, and often intercepted consumers' loan payments after claiming to take over loan servicing. To protect themselves, borrowers should recognize red flags like urgency, unrealistic promises, and requests for personal information, and instead use legitimate free assistance programs such as income-driven repayment plans offered by the Department of Education.
itweb.africa
Online romance scams are increasingly prevalent in South Africa, particularly targeting middle-aged and elderly women seeking companionship through social media and dating sites, with organized criminals now operating these schemes at larger scale and sophistication. Fraudsters exploit emotional connections to convince victims to send money for fabricated emergencies, and victims often refuse to accept warnings even from financial institutions detecting fraudulent transactions. The article advises potential victims to be suspicious of online romantic interests requesting money, to consult trusted advisors before any financial transactions, and to recognize red flags such as refusal to meet in person or on video.
amp.theage.com.au
A 70-year-old Melbourne retiree lost approximately $200,000 to an elaborate catfishing scam that operated using stolen photos and videos of Brazilian photographer and influencer Ike Levy. The scammer, posing as "Franklin Edward," an American engineer, contacted the victim through a cat lovers' social media page, built an emotional relationship with her over weeks, and then requested money claiming to have tax and financial problems. The criminal syndicate behind the scam created multiple fake profiles using various aliases to target vulnerable women over 50, primarily members of animal-focused social media groups, with the victim ultimately seeking mental health treatment after discovering the fraud.
cbsnews.com
The Federal Trade Commission identifies 10 common lies scammers use to defraud victims, including creating false urgency, isolating targets from trusted advisors, making arrest threats, and instructing victims to move money, buy gift cards or cryptocurrency, or withdraw cash. These tactics are increasingly sophisticated and sometimes aided by artificial intelligence, as exemplified by a recent $50,000 scam targeting a New York Magazine columnist. The FTC advises people to hang up, delete messages, and report suspicious contact to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
wcvb.com
This educational piece outlines five common tax scams affecting taxpayers, with $5.5 billion stolen in tax fraud last year. The scams include phishing emails and texts, imposters posing as IRS agents, fraudulent tax preparers, phishing attacks targeting tax preparation businesses, and "Offer in Compromise" schemes that falsely promise to settle IRS debts. The article provides protective measures for each scam type, such as verifying communications directly with companies, never clicking unsolicited links, using legitimate tax preparers with IRS credentials, and contacting the IRS directly regarding tax debts.
mcafee.com
Text message scams defrauded Americans of $330 million in 2022, according to FTC data, as scammers increasingly impersonate legitimate brands through SMS, email, and social media. To protect themselves, consumers should familiarize themselves with how organizations say they'll contact them, verify message sources by checking sender information and logging into accounts directly, stay informed about current scam trends through resources like the FTC and AARP, and use protective software with AI-powered text scanning features.
pages.motors.ebay.com
The eBay Motors Security Center provides educational guidance to help buyers and sellers avoid scams and fraud when transacting vehicles on their platform. The resource advises users to conduct all transactions through eBay.com and mobile apps, educate themselves on common fraudster tactics like phishing and spoofing, and report suspicious activity to eBay or law enforcement if they suspect scams, pricing fraud, or unauthorized seller behavior.
support.anydesk.com
Remote access software is frequently exploited by scammers who impersonate legitimate companies or technicians and cold-call unsuspecting users to gain device access for theft and data extraction. Best practices for protection include verifying website authenticity, never sharing access codes, demanding identity verification before granting access, and ignoring unsolicited contact requests. Users should report suspicious activity to local authorities and understand that legitimate companies never cold-call for technical support or unsolicited remote access.
wfdd.org
The North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division received over 21,000 complaints in the past year, with scams being a major category. The top three scams in the Triad region included online purchase fraud (255 reports, ~$150,000 in losses), employment scams ($70,000 lost through fake job postings), and phishing schemes targeting personal and financial information via email, text, and phone. Police recommend caution with suspicious contacts and note that voluntarily sent funds to scammers are typically unrecoverable.
foxbusiness.com
Mega Millions and Powerball issued warnings about lottery scams coinciding with nine-figure jackpots, noting that scammers use emails, text messages, social media, and phone calls to deceive people into believing they won prizes and either extract money or personal information. Red flags for lottery fraud include requests for upfront fees or taxes to claim prizes, notifications of wins from lotteries the person never entered, and instructions to keep winnings secret—practices legitimate lotteries never employ.
brooklyn.news12.com
New York City seniors attended an educational session at the Brooklyn Public Library where NYPD's Crime Prevention Division provided information on recognizing common scams targeting older adults, including jewelry scams, purse snatching, ATM fraud, and phone/email schemes that evolve with technology. Officers warned seniors to watch for red flags such as urgent demands, spelling errors, suspicious attachments in emails, and callers impersonating law enforcement or the IRS requesting payment via apps, wire transfers, or gift cards. The department emphasized that tech-enabled scams cause significant financial harm to seniors' life savings and recommended contacting 311 for assistance if victims suspect fraud.
publicnewsservice.org
According to a recent Federal Trade Commission report, older adults in North Carolina and across the country lost $1.6 billion to scammers in the past year, with nearly half of those losses attributable to bogus investment schemes. Common tactics include impersonation scams initiated through text messages and AI-based schemes, which scammers use to build false relationships before requesting money or investments. Experts recommend that seniors and their financial caregivers monitor accounts for suspicious activity, report suspected fraud to their financial institution and police, use strong password practices, and stay informed through resources like the FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.