Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
11,660 results
in Scam Awareness
tt.loopnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a business closure announcement from Loop News, a Caribbean media outlet that operated for 11 years before ceasing operations. As this falls outside the scope of the Elderus fraud research database, no summary relevant to elder fraud prevention or awareness is applicable.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud is rapidly rising globally, with UK banks reporting 20% increases in cases, predominantly targeting women (43% more victims than men) through dating apps and social media platforms. Fraudsters build trust over time before manipulating victims into sending money via cryptocurrency, which they believed was irretrievable; however, recent legal developments have enabled courts to freeze and potentially recover stolen cryptocurrency through blockchain-based legal orders. Victims should recognize warning signs including reluctance to video call, fake profiles, sudden requests for money, and excuses preventing in-person meetings, and should report cases despite feelings of embarrassment.
birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays issued a warning about romance scams, revealing that while men account for 59% of reported cases, female victims lose significantly more money—averaging £8,900 compared to £3,500 for men. The bank urged customers to verify the identity of new romantic interests before transferring money and called for tech companies and governments to implement stronger anti-scam measures, particularly on social media platforms and dating apps where these scams primarily originate.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Medina County woman was scammed out of over $100,000 after being contacted by someone claiming she had won $8 million from Publisher's Clearing House and instructed to send money for taxes. Thanks to coordinated efforts by the Medina County Scam Squad, FBI, U.S. Postal Service, and local police, the package containing two cashier's checks was intercepted en route to New York City and the victim's money was recovered; defendant Raldane A. Cunningham was charged with two counts of telecommunication fraud and ordered to post a $50,000 bond. The Medina County Scam Squad adv
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
A Fayetteville woman accumulated over $60,000 in fraudulent credit card charges after being recruited into a job scam through an online romantic connection. The scammer, posing as her boss, obtained her banking and credit card information and used them to make unauthorized purchases and deposit fraudulent checks, while also reversing legitimate payments to increase her debt. Though she reported the fraud to her credit card companies, the charges remain on her accounts as her responsibility since she authorized the initial transactions.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado woman lost over $19,000 after falling victim to a fake Geek Squad email scam that directed her to call a fraudulent support number. In a related incident, another Colorado resident, Rhiannon Pearson, was targeted by scammers posing as Navy Federal Credit Union and now faces a $12,000 loan fraudulently taken out in her name. Authorities advise verifying unsolicited communications by contacting companies directly through official channels rather than using contact information provided in suspicious emails.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Dallas woman nearly fell victim to a jury duty scam in which a caller impersonated a Dallas County Sheriff's deputy, claiming she needed to settle a legal matter related to missed jury duty. The woman became suspicious when the caller couldn't provide legitimate credentials and confirmed with the actual Sheriff's Office that it was a scam involving a name of a former employee. Dallas County Sheriff's Office officials warn that they never call requesting money for jury duty, warrants, or payments via gift cards or digital payment apps, and any legitimate court communication comes through U.S. mail or in-person visits.
localmemphis.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Nickson General Contractors sued Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) for sending nearly $400,000 to a scammer instead of the contractor in 2020 after hackers compromised the contractor's email and requested a wire transfer to a Michigan bank instead of the usual paper checks. MRPP claimed they discussed the payment change during multiple status calls, but the hacker had set up email rules that diverted payment-related messages to a separate folder, preventing the contractor from seeing the communications. The case highlights the importance of verifying unusual payment change requests through multiple channels, and both parties are scheduled for court in September 2024.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK communications regulator Ofcom introduced stricter rules effective January 2025 requiring phone companies to block incoming calls from abroad that spoof UK landline numbers, a common scam tactic designed to increase answer rates. Nearly half of UK landline users received suspicious calls in 2024, with over-75s particularly vulnerable; the new measures aim to protect the public from scam calls that cause significant financial and emotional harm. Ofcom advises people not to trust caller ID displays and to avoid sharing personal information with unsolicited callers, with victims encouraged to report incidents to Action Fraud.
local12.com
· 2025-12-08
The AT&T hack exposed customer phone numbers and contact lists, putting even non-AT&T customers at risk for targeted scams impersonating retailers like Walmart. Scammers use the exposed contact information to send fraudulent texts, calls, or voicemails claiming order issues or account updates, appearing legitimate because they reference actual interactions. Consumers should avoid clicking links or calling numbers provided by suspicious messages, instead visiting company websites directly or using verified contacts, and report suspected scams to IC3.gov.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore found that approximately 13% of phishing scams analyzed were likely generated using artificial intelligence, marking the first disclosure of AI usage in such scams. While reported phishing attempts fell 52% to 4,100 cases and overall scam losses declined for the first time in five years, experts warn that scams are becoming more convincing due to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, which enable fraudsters to produce more authentic-looking emails and messages at scale. The agency recommends organizations strengthen cyber-security policies and conduct employee phishing simulations to combat this evolving threat.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Kelly Mitchell, 58, had her Facebook account hacked and used to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme through fake images and religious messaging—a tactic combining impersonation and "pig butchering" scams where criminals pose as trusted contacts to solicit ongoing investments. According to FTC data, cryptocurrency scams cost Americans $1.41 billion across 47,537 reports in 2023, with experts recommending basic security measures like two-factor authentication and strong passwords as essential protection against these increasingly common social media fraud attacks.
moodyonthemarket.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will speak at a town hall in St. Joseph on August 4, 2024, to educate seniors about avoiding scams, following FBI data showing that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with an average victim loss of $33,915. The event, hosted by Region IV Area Agency on Aging, will address the most common scams targeting people aged 60 and older, including tech support scams (nearly 18,000 reported cases), romance scams, investment scams, and non-delivery scams. The free community event will provide consumer protection tips and scam prevention strategies.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 400 New Hampshire residents age 60 and older lost over $11 million to scams in 2023, with tech support fraud being the most common type and romance scams causing the highest financial losses. Seniors are disproportionately targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, while scammers increasingly use online tactics like phishing and email scams targeting Baby Boomers with computer skills. Experts attribute the rise in elder fraud to increased online activity that exposes personal information, scammers' use of impersonation and research tactics, and significant underreporting due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60 and older lost more than $11 million to fraud in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own their homes, making them attractive victims for scammers who pose as bankers, government agents, IT experts, and romantic partners. Tech support scams are the most common form of elder fraud, while romance and confidence scams result in the largest financial losses, though experts note these crimes are vastly underreported due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
courier-journal.com
· 2025-12-08
Juan Carlos Arcena Cabrera, a New York resident, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison for defrauding a Kentucky senior of $59,000 through a "grandparent scam" in which he posed as the victim's grandson claiming an emergency need for money. Cabrera, who pleaded guilty to targeting multiple victims over years, coordinated with others to fabricate scenarios such as car accidents or legal troubles, then repeatedly contacted victims impersonating attorneys and professionals to extract additional funds. The case is part of a national trend of grandparent scams that the U.S. Justice Department has prioritized, with some scammers using voice-cloning technology to increase authent
bestlifeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Geek Squad scam is a phishing scheme where fraudsters impersonate Best Buy's legitimate tech support service, sending fake renewal invoices or emails claiming a membership is about to be charged or has already been renewed for a substantial amount. When victims call the provided number to cancel, they reach scammers posing as Geek Squad representatives who attempt to extract personal information, financial details, or computer access. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying communications directly through official Geek Squad channels, being skeptical of unsolicited renewal notices, and never providing sensitive information or remote access to callers they haven't independently verified.
moneyweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam losses during May and June compared to the previous two months, with men averaging £3,500 in losses and women £8,900 per incident. Romance scammers create fake online profiles on dating apps and social media to build false romantic relationships before requesting money for claimed emergencies. To protect against these scams, people should verify online profiles through reverse image searches, ask probing questions, never send money to online-only contacts, and report suspicious accounts immediately.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A mechanical engineer from Visakhapatnam lost Rs 28 lakh after being targeted by a romance scam on a dating app, where scammers created fake female profiles to build emotional trust before extracting money through fabricated stories and later blackmailing the victim with compromising photos. A 25-year-old man from Telangana was identified as part of a three-member gang operating this scheme, which police revealed uses rapid relationship escalation and emotional manipulation to exploit victims. Users of dating apps should verify identities through reverse image searches, avoid sharing personal information with unverified contacts, be skeptical of quick declarations of love, and report suspicious profiles to authorities.
standard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays Bank reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports between March-April and May-June 2024, with scammers posing as romantic interests to manipulate victims into sending money or personal information. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 versus £3,500 for men), and reports from female victims increased 43% during the period. The bank urged people to verify the identity of online romantic interests before sending money and emphasized that romance scams often originate on dating apps, social media, and websites.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A mechanical engineer from Visakhapatnam lost Rs 28 lakh to an organized romance scam gang operating from Telangana, who created fake dating profiles, built emotional trust, and manipulated the victim into transferring money while threatening to release compromising photos. The article advises protection strategies including identity verification through reverse image searches, caution against rapid relationship escalation, safeguarding personal information, recognizing red flags like money requests and avoided video calls, and reporting suspicious profiles to platforms and authorities.
english.hani.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake voices to conduct voice phishing fraud, requiring only brief voice recordings (as little as 2-5 seconds) to impersonate victims and defraud their family members. Notable cases include a 2021 incident where a UAE bank was deceived into transferring $35 million based on a cloned executive's voice, and a 2022 case where a Canadian couple lost CA$21,000 to scammers using a deepfake of their son's voice. Experts advise people to avoid speaking during calls from unknown numbers, as even simple phrases like "hello" can provide sufficient audio samples for creating convincing frau
du.edu
· 2025-12-08
The Paul Freeman Financial Security Program at the University of Denver expanded the Colorado Older Adults Financial Justice Coalition to combat elder financial fraud, which costs older Americans over $20 billion annually. The coalition brings together state agencies, advocacy organizations, and researchers to develop prevention tools and frameworks that address the complex relationship between cognitive health, financial decision-making, and vulnerability to exploitation. The team is creating a financial vulnerability scale and training programs for frontline workers to identify and protect at-risk individuals across the lifespan.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
Current and former residents of three Brookdale Senior Living communities in California advanced a class action lawsuit (Stiner vs. Brookdale, filed 2017) after a judge certified three community-based subclasses in July, with trial scheduled for January. The residents alleged elder financial abuse, widespread ADA violations, understaffing that prevented adequate care including medication errors and basic hygiene needs, and violations of California's consumer protection laws. Brookdale denied the allegations and stated it was pleased with the court's partial denial of plaintiffs' motions, though the company faces multiple lawsuits regarding staffing levels and service quality claims.
twistedsifter.com
· 2025-12-08
A Taco Bell employee named Caleb was scammed by a DoorDash customer who ordered food under the name "Jerry" and picked up the order himself, then waited for the actual DoorDash driver to arrive so he could claim the food a second time. The scammer received a duplicate meal at no cost, and Taco Bell wasted resources preparing the food twice after falling for the deception. This incident highlights how fraudsters can exploit delivery service pickup procedures by manipulating store staff.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Rodrick Lodge, a 69-year-old widower, lost his entire £85,000 life savings to a romance scam involving a woman named "Anita" in Kenya whom he met through an intermediary called Mary in 2020. After months of messaging, sending money for a non-existent house, business expenses, and medical bills, Lodge traveled to Kenya in December expecting to meet Anita, only to find she did not exist and all contact ceased after he discovered inconsistencies in her story. Lodge returned to the UK penniless and homeless, having reported the scam to Kenyan police with little hope of recovery.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A businessman in Muzaffarpur, Bihar lost Rs 89.9 lakh in a sophisticated impersonation scam where fraudsters posed as TRAI officials and police officers via phone and video call, claiming his number was linked to money laundering and that an arrest warrant had been issued. The scammers directed him to a fake Supreme Court website (http://www.main-scoi.in/) where he unknowingly entered his bank details, allowing them to steal the funds. The article advises avoiding unsolicited calls, never sharing sensitive information with unknown contacts, verifying suspicious claims directly with official sources, and remaining skeptical of video calls used to appear legitimate.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60+ lost more than $11 million to scams in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, making them attractive to scammers who use impersonation tactics (posing as bankers, government agents, IT experts, romantic partners, and relatives) and increasingly sophisticated online methods like phishing and email scams. Tech support scams were the most common type nationally, while romance and confidence scams caused the highest losses in New Hampshire
halesowennews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam claims between March-April and May-June 2024, with women losing an average of £8,900 compared to men's £3,500 per incident, despite men reporting scams more frequently. Romance scams involve fraudsters posing as romantic interests to manipulate victims into sending money or personal information, often originating on dating apps, social media, and dating websites. The bank advises people to never send money to unmet individuals, verify identities before transfers, and report suspected scams to their bank and Action Fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays bank reported a 139% increase in romance scam claims between March-April and May-June 2024, with a 43% rise specifically among female victims who lose an average of £8,900 compared to men's average loss of £3,500. While men report romance scams more frequently, the analysis found that men are more willing to send money to newly-met online contacts, and the bank urged people to verify identities before transferring funds, emphasizing that scammers use sophisticated tactics and victims should not feel ashamed to report incidents.
chroniclelive.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports comparing March-April to May-June 2024, with women losing significantly more money on average (£8,900 versus £3,500 for men), though men report these scams more frequently. The bank found that romance scams, where perpetrators build false relationships to extract money or personal information, frequently originate on dating apps, social media, and dating websites, with a 43% increase in reports from women during the peak period. Barclays urged potential daters to verify identities before transferring money and emphasized the importance of reporting scams without shame, while calling for industry-wide collaboration to prevent fraud.
gbnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays Bank warns of a sharp rise in romance scams, with a 139% increase in reported cases between March-June 2024 and losses reaching up to £9,000 per victim. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 vs. £3,500 for men), with female victims reporting a 43% increase in cases. The bank advises potential victims to verify the identity of online dating contacts before sending money, perform reverse image searches on profile photos, and seek advice from trusted contacts before transferring funds for urgent-sounding requests.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams peak during summer months, with a 139% increase in reported scam value from May to June compared to March to April, according to Barclays analysis. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money per incident—averaging £8,900 compared to men's £3,500—as scammers build trust to extract financial assistance. The bank also warns of wedding-related invoice scams and advises online daters to verify identities and be cautious of money requests from people they haven't met in person.
birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% year-on-year increase in romance scams from March-June 2024, with female victims losing significantly more money on average (£8,900) compared to male victims (£3,500), despite men representing the majority of romance scam reports. The scams typically originate on dating apps, social media, and dating websites, where perpetrators build trust before manipulating victims into sending money or personal information. The bank urged customers to verify the identity of new online contacts before transferring funds and emphasized the importance of reporting incidents without shame, as scammers use sophisticated tactics to exploit victims.
politiko.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The text is an "About Us" description of POLITIKO, a Philippine political news outlet, and the ABANTE-BILYONARYO GROUP media conglomerate. It contains no information relevant to elder fraud research and cannot be summarized for the Elderus database.
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, banks reported over $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity, with FBI reports indicating average losses exceeding $33,000 per case, driven partly by advanced AI technologies like voice cloning that enable realistic impersonation. Common scams targeting elders employ two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering attractive opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted confidants about unusual requests.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Jury duty scams remain persistent threats that use spoofed caller ID, personal information verification, and intimidating claims of missed court dates or arrest warrants to pressure victims into paying thousands of dollars via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers may also use variations involving malware-infected email attachments or identity theft, with one recent victim losing $1,000 before recognizing the fraud. To protect themselves, people should verify court summons through official postal mail only, independently confirm any judicial claims by contacting official court numbers, ignore urgent pressure tactics, avoid untraceable payment methods, and consult trusted contacts before responding to suspicious communications.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that children are increasingly vulnerable to online scams due to their inexperience and trust, with more than half of American children under 11 now owning smartphones. Common scams targeting kids include social media contests requesting personal information, deceptive free ringtone offers with hidden subscription fees, malware-infected video games, and webcam security breaches. The BBB recommends parents educate children about scams, establish internet safety rules, monitor downloads, use security software, and report suspected fraud to the BBB Scam Tracker or FTC.
aljazeera.com
· 2025-12-08
In October 2021, La Awng was trafficked from Myanmar into a cyber-scamming operation in Laukkai run by Chinese criminal networks, where he was forced to conduct "pig butchering" romance scams targeting foreign victims into fake cryptocurrency investments. The Southeast Asian scam industry has expanded dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic, with criminal syndicates generating approximately $64 billion annually in online fraud by 2023, employing hundreds of thousands of workers from over 60 countries held in prison-like conditions with threats of physical abuse and torture. La Awng's case exemplifies how vulnerable workers are deceived into trafficking situations through fraudulent job offers,
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports between March-April and May-June 2024, with scammers targeting victims through dating apps, websites, and social media. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 compared to £3,500 for men), and female reports increased 43% during the period studied. The bank advises verifying the identity of online romantic interests before sending money and emphasizes that victims should report scams without shame, as scammers use sophisticated tactics to build trust.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance For A Safe Community, advocates for maintaining over-the-counter bank transactions for senior citizens to enhance financial security and prevent fraud, citing that many elderly individuals lack digital literacy and face age-related challenges with technology. His statement was prompted by recent incidents in which scammers posing as helpful strangers stole over RM100,000 from elderly people at ATM machines by switching their cards and stealing PIN numbers. Lee argues that banks should provide in-person assistance and alternative transaction methods for seniors to prevent social isolation and ensure equitable access to essential banking services.
longisland.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
An 18-year-old Deer Park teenager fell victim to a car wrap scam in which he deposited a fake $3,900 check from scammers impersonating NOS Energy drink, resulting in his bank account being closed and his name placed on a five-year blacklist preventing him from opening accounts at any financial institution. Employment scams like this, which have increased 54% between 2022 and 2023, trick victims into depositing counterfeit checks and sending money to fraudsters; the typical victim loses around $2,000. After a news investigation contacted Bank of America, the bank determined he was a victim rather than a perpetrator and removed him from the black
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
Following the global CrowdStrike outage, security experts warn that scammers are exploiting the incident by contacting people while impersonating tech support representatives and offering assistance with the problem. Tech support scams are particularly effective because they use fear tactics and fake pop-ups to pressure victims into buying gift cards or granting remote computer access, which allows criminals to steal personal information and financial data. To protect yourself, avoid calling numbers in pop-ups, ignore unsolicited contact about device problems, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network.
ifamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from LV= found that young adults aged 18-34 reported more scam victimization than older adults, with 3.8 million UK victims losing money to purchase fraud last year; young adults experienced higher rates across all scam types (phishing, trusted organization impersonation, refund, befriending, and investment scams) compared to those 65 and over, possibly due to greater daily online time averaging 4 hours 35 minutes. The findings highlight that despite increased financial scams over three years, many consumers lack knowledge about reporting mechanisms and that those with financial advisers were more likely to take appropriate action and understand relevant regulatory bodies like the FCA
skooknews.com
· 2025-12-08
Schuylkill County police reported two victims lost a combined $34,000 to an online scam involving fake child pornography warning messages that directed them to call a number and deposit funds via Bitcoin machines at a local store. The scam targeted residents from St. Clair and Blythe Township, with victims depositing $10,000 and $24,000 respectively before the scammers vanished. Law enforcement is investigating and urging other potential victims to contact police immediately.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In June, 63 people in Singapore lost at least $10.6 million to scammers impersonating bank officers and government officials in a multi-stage fraud scheme. Victims received unsolicited calls from fraudsters claiming to be bank officers who reported suspicious transactions, then were transferred to additional scammers posing as police or Monetary Authority of Singapore officials who accused them of money laundering and pressured them to transfer funds to fake "safety accounts." Authorities stressed that government officials never request money transfers, personal information, or clicks to banking websites over the phone or text, and advised victims to enable two-factor authentication and verify suspicious claims through official channels.
connexionfrance.com
· 2025-12-08
France is warning residents and tourists this summer about multiple scams targeting travelers and holidaymakers, including fake emergency pleas at service stations (€400-900 requests), roadside panic schemes where fraudsters flag down drivers to distract and rob them, staged tire-slashing in parking lots, inflated restaurant bills, and fraudulent vacation rental listings with AI-generated photos. To avoid these scams, authorities recommend being skeptical of urgent cash requests, never stopping for roadside emergencies, keeping vehicles locked, verifying bills before payment, and scrutinizing too-good-to-be-true accommodation offers.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received over 192,000 fraud reports from military consumers (active service members, veterans, retirees, and families), resulting in $477 million in total losses, with nearly one-third of reports involving actual financial loss. The most common scams targeting this population included imposter scams, online shopping fraud, investment schemes ($147 million from under 4,000 reports), identity theft (over 39,000 reports), housing scams, and fake government benefits schemes. Wisconsin officials emphasized that military consumers are disproportionately targeted by scammers and highlighted July as Military Consumer Protection Month to raise awareness.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing scams use text messages to trick people into clicking malicious links or calling scammer numbers, often impersonating delivery services or well-known companies to steal login credentials and personal data. These scams can result in identity theft, financial loss, and malware installation on devices. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication, contact companies directly using verified numbers, and report suspicious texts to the FTC by forwarding to 7726.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Guernsey Police warned of a large-scale scam in which fraudsters impersonated NatWest or HSBC representatives, using a recent IT outage as a pretext to call residents and direct them to fake websites or malicious software downloads, resulting in emptied bank accounts for multiple victims including individuals and businesses. Police reported a sharp rise in these reports over one week and advised recipients of suspicious calls to hang up and contact their bank independently, with scam victims encouraged to contact their bank's fraud team or Action Fraud.