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in Scam Awareness
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau advises the public to report suspected scams to law enforcement before sending money, as scammers often operate from foreign countries and once funds are transferred, law enforcement has limited ability to recover them. The BBB emphasizes a proactive approach—contacting police about suspicious activity on devices or communications before financial loss occurs—enables better investigation and prevents crime, whereas post-fraud forensics rarely result in money recovery. Residents are urged to avoid clicking unknown links and contact local law enforcement with questions about potential scams.
kcbd.com
· 2025-12-08
Lubbock Police Department reported a surge in scams targeting elderly residents over two to three months, with 20-30 victims reporting losses to authorities. Scammers falsely claim victims' accounts are compromised and pressure them to withdraw funds and deposit them into Bitcoin machines, with reported losses ranging from $25,000 to $70,000; police warn that money sent through these scams is rarely recovered since perpetrators are often located outside the country. Key warning signs include being asked to stay on the phone during financial transactions and unsolicited contact claiming money is owed; victims are advised to trust their instincts and verify claims by contacting organizations directly.
news.airbnb.com
· 2025-12-08
Airbnb partnered with the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators (IAFCI) to combat travel scams as consumer research revealed that 47% of Americans have fallen for scams, losing an average of $2,697 per victim. The partnership provides safety guidance for online travel bookings, noting that scammers exploit deal-seeking behavior and use sophisticated tactics including fake websites, emails, and AI-generated content to trick travelers. Airbnb reported detecting and mitigating nearly 2,500 phishing domains globally in 12 months and recommends users only communicate, book, and pay directly through legitimate platforms.
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
A Singapore commodity firm transferred USD 42.3 million to fraudsters in a business email compromise scam after receiving a spoofed email from what appeared to be a supplier requesting payment to a new bank account in Timor Leste. Acting swiftly through INTERPOL's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism, Singapore and Timor Leste authorities recovered USD 39 million from the fake account, arrested seven suspects, and recovered an additional USD 2 million through follow-up investigations. This represented Singapore's largest-ever recovery of funds lost to business email compromise fraud.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Schwab Bank customer received a text message impersonating the bank's fraud department asking about a suspicious $2,500 transfer; after replying "No," scammers called and tricked the victim into authorizing two wire transfers of approximately $5,500 each, claiming the transfers would return funds to the account. The client's advisor successfully helped cancel the second transfer with Schwab, preventing total loss, though the scam demonstrates how fraudsters use legitimate account holder names and mass messaging to impersonate trusted financial institutions.
vaildaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud scams cause over $3.4 billion in annual losses, with the average senior victim losing $33,915, according to the FBI's 2023 report. Common scams include the "grandparent scam" (where fraudsters pose as grandchildren needing bail money) and IRS impersonation schemes that exploit seniors' trusting nature and politeness. To protect loved ones, maintain open communication, verify emergency requests with other family members, never share personal information over the phone, and report suspected fraud to relevant companies and authorities.
timesgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a national program that educates Medicare beneficiaries and their families about detecting and reporting healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse, with particular focus on medical identity theft—when fraudsters use personal information like Medicare numbers to bill for unauthorized services. In 2023, the SMP program reached 1.2 million people through outreach events, assisted over 270,000 beneficiaries with fraud complaints, identified 26 emerging fraud schemes, and helped Medicare recover more than $111 million in fraudulent billings. The Ohio SMP, operated by Pro Seniors Inc., encourages beneficiaries to report suspicious activity and offers resources to protect Medicare information.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program empowers Medicare beneficiaries to prevent and report healthcare fraud, particularly medical identity theft where fraudsters use personal information to bill for unauthorized services. In 2023, the nationwide SMP program reached 1.2 million people through outreach events, assisted over 270,000 beneficiaries with fraud-related issues, and helped Medicare recoup more than $111 million in fraudulent billings while identifying 26 emerging fraud schemes.
journalpatriot.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this article because the provided text does not contain actual content about scam prevention. The text appears to be website template code and navigation elements from a news site, with no substantive information about fraud, scams, or prevention strategies. Please provide the actual article content for summarization.
thelocal.ch
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database. The content discusses general travel advisories for tourists visiting Switzerland from the US, UK, and France, covering topics such as cultural norms, healthcare, altitude sickness, petty theft warnings, and local laws. It does not address elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or financial exploitation of seniors.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud cases are surging across financial institutions, with Kennebec Savings Bank in Maine tripling its fraud cases between 2021 and 2023 and preventing over $430,000 in losses in 2023 alone. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated social engineering tactics—including impersonation, phone number spoofing, and AI-generated content—to manipulate victims into voluntarily transferring funds, making it difficult for banks to prevent losses even with strong security measures. The FTC reported a 14% increase in fraud losses in 2023, with imposter scams accounting for nearly $2.7 billion of the over $10 billion in total annual frau
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police is investigating cryptocurrency phishing scams affecting at least 2,000 Australian crypto wallets, with victims losing approximately $4 billion since May 2021 through "approval phishing" tactics that trick users into signing malicious transactions. These scams commonly appear as fraudulent investment schemes or romance scams (pig-butchering scams) promising high returns, and authorities are collaborating with blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis and major cryptocurrency exchanges to educate the public and prevent further losses.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police partnered with Chainalysis and major cryptocurrency exchanges to identify over 2,000 compromised crypto wallets belonging to Australians as part of "Operation Spincaster," targeting criminals using "approval phishing"—a fraud tactic where scammers trick victims into authorizing transactions that grant wallet control. Since May 2021, bad actors have stolen more than $4 billion in cryptocurrency through approval phishing attacks, often deployed in investment and romance scams, with the collaboration helping prevent further losses among identified victims.
cryptonews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police identified over 2,000 compromised Australian crypto wallets as part of Operation Spincaster, an international anti-scam initiative involving law enforcement from six countries and blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. Victims fell prey to "approval phishing" scams, where scammers trick wallet owners into signing malicious transactions that grant access to their cryptocurrency assets; globally, this tactic has resulted in over AU$4 billion in losses since 2021. The operation focuses on loss prevention through early identification of compromised wallets and collaboration between law enforcement and crypto exchanges, as prosecuting overseas scammers and recovering stolen funds is extremely difficult.
wibx950.com
· 2025-12-08
**Police Impersonation Scam - Central New York**
Scammers are impersonating Oneida County Sheriff's deputies and calling residents claiming they have outstanding court proceedings and demanding payment, threatening arrest if victims don't comply. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office warns residents never to provide personal information (SSN, birthday, bank details, etc.) over the phone to unidentified callers and advises hanging up and calling the Sheriff's Office directly to verify any such claims.
atlantablackstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Rebecca Adami from North Carolina lost $60,000 in an employment scam where a romantic interest connected her with a fake recruiter offering a charity finance position. The scammer obtained her banking information, made fraudulent charges on her credit cards, deposited bad checks in her name totaling $67,000, and reversed legitimate payments to trap her in debt. Employment scams surged 118% in 2023, with the FTC reporting $367 million in consumer losses in 2022, and the agency recommends verifying employers independently and never providing financial information or prepaying for legitimate job positions.
vietnamnet.vn
· 2025-12-08
Online fraud remains widespread, with scammers exploiting social media, e-commerce platforms, and OTT applications through five primary tactics: fake money recovery services, counterfeit miracle medications, labor export/visa scams, copyright extortion schemes, and fraudulent e-commerce alerts. Recent cases include a woman in Thanh Hoa losing additional funds to a fake recovery service and 10 victims collectively defrauded of over 747 million VND in overseas work scams. Prevention strategies include verifying service legitimacy through official channels, avoiding sharing personal information with unverified contacts, consulting certified healthcare professionals, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement.
wsbt.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel conducted an educational presentation for approximately 70 seniors in Southwest Michigan to raise awareness about common scams targeting older adults, including romantic scams, spoofing, phishing, and AI-enhanced fraud schemes. Nessel advised seniors to verify sources before making payments, never share personal information without confirming facts, and report suspected scams to authorities so others can be warned, noting that Michigan seniors lose millions annually to fraud. The event was organized by the Area Agency on Aging in St. Joseph to help seniors protect themselves and maintain their independence and dignity.
hayspost.com
· 2025-12-08
A social media scam targets young adults with unsolicited messages from fake "artists" offering thousands of dollars to use their photos. The scammer sends a fraudulent check, instructs the victim to deposit it and wire back money for supposed "supplies," but the check ultimately fails and leaves the victim owing the bank. The FTC advises only depositing checks from known, trusted sources and reporting suspicious activity to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
earlytimes.in
· 2025-12-08
**Not applicable for elder fraud database.** This article concerns alleged financial irregularities and misappropriation of funds within India's Congress party during the 2023 Bharat Jodo Yatra political event. While it involves fraud allegations, it does not relate to elder abuse, elder fraud, or scams targeting seniors and therefore falls outside the scope of Elderus research materials.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Uttarakhand's state cyber police revised its operating procedures due to a surge in online trading fraud cases, which increased from 38 cases last year to 50 in the first six months of this year. Cases exceeding Rs 20 lakh will now be handled by state cyber police in Dehradun, while smaller cases go to district units; one architect from Mussoorie lost Rs 3 crore after scammers contacted her on social media, promised investment returns, and prevented fund withdrawals. Police emphasize the need for public vigilance against such schemes that lure victims with promised returns before disappearing with their money.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are increasingly using Google Voice scams to gain access to victims' accounts by tricking them into sharing multi-factor authentication codes, then making calls and texts that appear to come from the victim's number while remaining anonymous. According to the Identity Theft Resource Center, 60% of over 13,000 crimes reported in 2023 involved Google Voice, affecting victims of all ages. The key prevention strategy is to never share multi-factor authentication codes with anyone, and victims can disconnect their number from a compromised account through Google Voice's account recovery tools.
tomsguide.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating bank employees via spoofed caller IDs, tricking victims into cutting up their debit cards while keeping the chip intact, then sending accomplices to collect the chip and coerce the PIN from victims' homes. Once obtained, the scammers use the chip and PIN to withdraw funds directly from victims' accounts in person, bypassing bank fraud detection systems. The FBI warns that to protect yourself, scrutinize the call quality and professionalism of the caller, ask verification questions, and never comply with requests to damage your debit card—legitimate banks never ask customers to do this.
thegazette.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational advisory from the Better Business Bureau warning consumers about online shopping scams during summer sales season. The article provides seven key prevention tips: research retailers and check BBB.org, watch for phishing emails and texts, scrutinize social media ads and look-alike websites (checking URLs for slight variations), verify website security features like "https," avoid suspiciously underpriced popular items, ensure professional website quality, and always pay with credit cards rather than digital wallets or prepaid cards.
wsbt.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel conducted a senior fraud awareness presentation in St. Joseph, educating nearly 70 Southwest Michigan seniors on protecting themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams including spoofing, phishing, romantic scams, and AI-enhanced fraud schemes. Nessel emphasized the importance of verifying sources before making payments, never sharing personal information without fact-checking, and reporting scams to authorities—noting that Michigan seniors lose millions annually to fraud and that reporting helps protect both victims and future potential targets.
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
A romance scam ring in Vietnam lured vulnerable singles through fake dating service pages on social media and Telegram, creating fictitious profiles of compatible partners and then requesting escalating payments ($39-$788 USD and higher) under false pretenses of meeting fees, compatibility assessments, or prize claims. At least three victims—Thao, Hong Hanh, and Pham Trung—lost between 20 million and 90 million Vietnamese dong (approximately $788-$3,550 USD), with scammers using fake versions of legitimate dating service websites and impersonating real companies like Rudicaf to build credibility.
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Operation Spincaster, a joint AFP and blockchain platform Chainalysis initiative, identified over 2,000 compromised cryptocurrency wallets belonging to Australians and targeted "approval phishing" scams that have stolen more than $4 billion globally since May 2021. This tactic deceives victims into signing malicious blockchain transactions that grant criminals access to drain their crypto wallets, particularly through investment and romance scams. The AFP is conducting ongoing investigations into Australian losses and, alongside multiple law enforcement agencies and cryptocurrency exchanges, is implementing training and intelligence-sharing to detect scams in real time and support victims.
noozhawk.com
· 2025-12-08
Chief Investigator Kristina Perkins has taken over as host of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's weekly podcast "Scam Squad," which educates the community about scams targeting elderly residents, including internet, romance, telemarketing, and other fraud schemes. The podcast, which launched in 2017 and airs on KTMS Newstalk 990 and multiple streaming platforms, will continue featuring guests sharing personal fraud experiences and providing guidance on identifying and avoiding scams. Residents can report scams or request community presentations by contacting the District Attorney's Scam Hotline at 805-568-2442.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Lloyds Bank reported a 32% increase in Premier League football ticket scams during the 2023/24 season, with victims losing an average of £177 and some losing over £1,000. People aged 25-34 were most frequently targeted, with fraudsters using fake social media posts featuring real ticket images to trick buyers into bank transfers for non-existent tickets. The bank recommends purchasing tickets only through official club channels or authorized partners to avoid scams.
thetottenhamindependent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Football ticket scams increased by 32% during the 2023/24 Premier League season, with victims losing an average of £177 and some losing over £1,000, according to Lloyds Bank analysis. People aged 25-34 were most vulnerable, and scammers typically created fake social media posts with real ticket images to trick buyers into bank transfers before disappearing. Lloyds recommends purchasing tickets only from official club channels or authorized partners to avoid these frauds.
housingwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Older Americans are increasingly falling victim to elaborate, multi-faceted scams designed to drain retirement savings, with perpetrators impersonating government officials, tech support, or romantic interests while using psychological manipulation to keep victims engaged. One 76-year-old retired lawyer lost $740,000 in just three months, believing he was helping federal authorities protect his funds. Americans over 60 suffered losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023, with stolen funds typically moved to overseas accounts or cryptocurrency wallets, making recovery nearly impossible and often compounded by tax penalties on large retirement account withdrawals.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Since May 2024, Monterey County Sheriff's Office received reports of a phone and online fraud scheme targeting senior citizens, resulting in $97,000 in losses across four incidents. Suspects impersonated FTC or bank employees, instructing victims to withdraw cash ($10,000–$40,000) from multiple bank branches and hand it over to couriers who arrived at their homes; on July 16, 2024, 34-year-old Yang Liu of Alhambra, California was arrested when apprehended collecting money from a victim. Authorities advise seniors to hang up on callers claiming to be from financial institutions or law enforcement, verify contact information through official
sinardaily.my
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece on the challenges elderly populations face during Malaysia's transition to cashless payments. Experts recommend that government, media, and businesses provide security guidance and payment flexibility—including cash options, discounts for digital use, and targeted education via social media—to help seniors overcome fears of online fraud and build confidence in e-wallet and digital payment systems within the next 5-10 years.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
Seven professionals in Nashik, India, including a doctor, lost ₹1.21 crore ($145,000 USD equivalent) to a share trading investment scam between March and July 2024. Cybercriminals contacted victims via social media and messaging apps, added them to groups with fake investment content (videos, presentations, testimonials), and promised high returns, with one victim investing ₹50 lakh before realizing the scam when promised refunds never materialized. Police advise avoiding unknown groups and suspicious links, verifying information through official channels only, and contacting cyber authorities immediately if targeted.
wrat.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article from the Federal Trade Commission outlines common online scams and fraud schemes affecting consumers. Key scams discussed include spoofing (falsifying caller ID to impersonate legitimate organizations), the 809 scam (international callback schemes with high rates), catfishing (creating fake online identities for romance or exploitation scams), cramming (unauthorized small charges on bills), and family emergency scams (targeting grandparents with urgent requests for money). The article advises consumers to hang up on unsolicited callers, verify numbers independently, never share personal information with unknown callers, and be cautious of suspicious requests—noting that while younger adults report romance scams more frequently, older consumers typically lose
kjct8.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are exploiting Colorado wildfires by creating fake fundraising appeals for firefighting efforts and personnel. The Boulder Office of Disaster Management warns residents to avoid clicking email links from unverified sources and to research organizations before donating, directing people instead to legitimate charities like Colorado Voluntary Organizations Active, Colorado Baptist Disaster Relief, and Volunteers of America Colorado.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's Labor government proposed scam reform legislation requiring banks, telcos, and social media platforms to compensate fraud victims if their systems are inadequate, but consumer advocates and scam victims criticize the plan as too slow and insufficiently holding banks accountable. Critics argue the government has adopted banking industry talking points—particularly the "honey pot" concern that mandatory reimbursements would invite fraudster claims—rather than adopting the UK's stricter model that makes banks primarily responsible for reimbursing victims except in cases of gross negligence. One victim lost over $800,000 to fraud, and reformers contend banks have failed to exercise proper due diligence in preventing mule accounts used by sc
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
More countries are establishing dedicated anti-scam centres to combat fraud through international collaboration, with Singapore's police urging every nation to create a direct point of contact for cross-border cooperation. Global scam losses reached an estimated US$1.02 trillion in the latest period, and successful fund recoveries—including a US$40 million business email compromise case and a $370,000 technical support scam recovery—demonstrate the effectiveness of rapid information-sharing and coordinated action among law enforcement agencies. Anti-scam centres enable swift fund tracing, account freezing, and sharing of emerging scam trends to prevent losses before stolen money reaches criminal syndicates.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonated the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department using the fake name "Lt. Justin Branberry" in phone calls to extract money from residents across multiple states including Ohio, Arizona, and Florida. At least one victim lost $3,000 (her entire Social Security check) to the scheme, which used professional-sounding language, badge numbers, and case numbers to establish false authority; authorities warn that legitimate sheriff's departments contact people in person or by mail, not by phone.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, post-disaster fraud cost Americans over $9.3 billion, with scammers impersonating government, utility, and insurance workers to solicit upfront fees or deposits for promised federal grants, priority repairs, or faster claim processing following hurricanes and wildfires. Legitimate FEMA agents never request payment and carry government-issued photo badges, while victims should verify any offers through established channels before providing money. AARP advises caution with door-to-door solicitations and offers resources through its Fraud Watch Network to help identify and prevent disaster-related scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, scammers are using evolving tactics to steal personal information and money through election-themed scams, including robocalls, text messages, social media, and fake donation pages that impersonate political candidates and parties. Scammers leverage voter records and advertiser data to target victims with convincing messages, and increasingly use AI-powered voice cloning and deepfake technology to make fraudulent communications appear authentic. Americans should remain vigilant against these tactics, which manifest across multiple platforms and are designed to sound official and convincing.
lehighvalleylive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old Emmaus man lost $62,115 in a cryptocurrency investment scam that operated from October 2023 to April 2024. The victim was deceived by a scammer impersonating a legitimate cryptocurrency investor and entrepreneur over a Google Workspace chat, who convinced him to complete multiple bitcoin transactions over seven months. Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office are investigating the case.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Premier League ticket fraud against UK customers increased by approximately one-third in the past season, with an estimated 6,000 fans victimized and losses averaging £177 per person, though some victims lost over £1,000. Criminals posted fake tickets on social media platforms—primarily Facebook Marketplace (56%) and X (26%)—targeting young people aged 18-34, particularly fans of Arsenal and Liverpool, using bank transfers to prevent recovery. Authorities recommend fans purchase only through official channels, use credit cards for added protection, and remain skeptical of rushed offers or deals that seem too good to be true.
gvwire.com
· 2025-12-08
During Fresno's ArtHop event, street vendors operated despite a city ban announced by officials, creating confusion and frustration among vendors and artists who reported scams involving fake permits and fraudulent parking fees. Despite code enforcement presence, city officials issued no citations and stated that voluntary compliance was largely achieved, while vendors expressed anger over poor communication from the city and financial hardship from the prohibition.
ireland-live.ie
· 2025-12-08
Lloyds Bank warned football fans of a 32% surge in ticket scams during the 2023/24 Premier League season, with victims losing an average of £177, though some lost over £1,000. The scams typically involve criminals creating fake social media posts or marketplace listings with photos of real tickets, then disappearing after victims transfer payment via bank transfer; people aged 25-34 were most frequently targeted. Lloyds recommends purchasing tickets only from official club channels or authorized resellers and avoiding suspiciously low prices, as fraudsters exploit high-demand events across all major clubs.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article warns students and parents about common back-to-school scams, including fake textbook retailers that either misrepresent products or take payment without delivering, scholarship and student loan scams where criminals impersonate lenders to steal personal and financial information, and tech support scams mimicking school technicians. Security experts note that students, despite being tech-savvy, are vulnerable to these schemes, particularly because they may underestimate the value of their personal information, which can be used for identity theft and credit fraud with long-term consequences.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers lost $210 million to payment app fraud in 2023, with losses on bank transfer services reaching $1.9 billion, as scammers increasingly target platforms like Zelle to impersonate legitimate services. Banks rarely reimburse victims, as existing law does not explicitly require reimbursement for authorized transactions induced by fraud, leaving consumers with little recourse. Congressional Democrats introduced legislation to close this loophole and protect consumers defrauded on peer-to-peer payment platforms, though passage faces industry opposition and uncertain prospects in the Republican-controlled House.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, scammers are increasingly targeting Americans with election-themed donation and identity scams using evolving tactics including robocalls, text messages, social media, voice cloning, and deepfakes. Experts warn that scammers use voter data and advertising information to impersonate political candidates and parties, requesting donations through fake websites and fraudulent communications that sound official and convincing. Americans are advised to remain vigilant and learn to recognize these scams, which aim to steal personal information and money by leveraging election-related topics that are top of mind for voters.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
A Senate investigation found that JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America reimbursed only 2%, 4%, and 24% respectively of scam claims reported on Zelle in 2023, with fraud reimbursement rates dropping from 50% to 38% across the three banks. Customers reported over $372 million in scams and fraud losses on Zelle in 2023, with approximately $270 million—roughly three-quarters of total claims—going unreimbursed. The banks argue that legislation requiring reimbursement of authorized payments is not the solution, contending instead that efforts should focus on stopping criminal activity.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating airline customer service agents on social media to target frustrated travelers dealing with flight cancellations and delays, requesting personal information like booking confirmations, phone numbers, and bank account details or directing passengers to fake websites that steal their identity. The FTC warns that cybercriminals have exploited recent crises like the CrowdStrike outage to insert themselves into customer service interactions, with some airlines abandoning social media channels due to the prevalence of fraudulent accounts. Travelers are advised to verify account authenticity through Google searches and watch for common tricks like substituting numbers for letters in official handles.