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in Scam Awareness
krtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned the public during National Consumer Protection Week about three prevalent scams: law enforcement impersonation (using spoofed phone numbers to demand immediate payment for fake arrest warrants), cryptocurrency investment and ATM scams (where fraudsters show fake gains to convince victims to deposit large sums, then steal the funds), and technical support scams (where pop-up alerts trick users into calling numbers that give scammers computer access). Knudsen advised avoiding third-party payment apps, wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency ATMs, and urged Montanans to verify suspicious requests with trusted contacts before sending money.
doj.state.or.us
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Oregon Department of Justice received more complaints about imposter scams than any other type of fraud, with government imposter scams being particularly common—especially those falsely claiming to be from the Social Security Administration or Office of the Inspector General. These scammers use sophisticated tactics including fake credentials and contact through multiple channels to deceive victims into revealing personal information or paying fees for suspended benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, or alleged debts. The article provides guidance on recognizing these scams and recommends protecting oneself by never sharing personal information with unsolicited callers, monitoring credit reports, and reporting incidents to the Oregon Department of Justice.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major fraud trends affecting consumers in 2024, noting that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion in 2023 with a 14% increase year-over-year. It describes five prevalent scam types targeting older adults: grandparent scams (impersonating distressed relatives), romance scams (building false relationships to extract money), SIM swap scams (hijacking phone numbers to access financial accounts), investment scams (promoting unrealistic opportunities with high-pressure tactics), and mail theft scams (stealing personal information from physical mail). The article provides practical prevention strategies including using family code words, conducting background checks, enabling voice authentication with banks, avoiding unsolicite
english.news.cn
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Japan reported 45.52 billion yen ($308 million) in losses from investment scams via social media and online romance scams combined, with investment fraud accounting for 27.79 billion yen across 2,271 cases and romance scams totaling 17.73 billion yen in 1,575 cases. Victims were predominantly men in their 50s-60s and women in their 40s-50s, with 72.4 percent of romance scam victims manipulated into investing money to maintain the fraudulent relationship. The National Police Agency has directed prefectural police to strengthen prevention efforts and information sharing.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul identified the top consumer scams affecting state residents, with construction/home repair fraud leading for the third consecutive year (2,091 reports), followed by identity theft (1,885 reports) and consumer debt complaints (1,683 reports). The Consumer Fraud Bureau recovered over $9 million through mediation and $76 million through enforcement actions, and the office received nearly 20,000 written complaints plus tens of thousands of calls. The attorney general recommends residents protect themselves by guarding personal information, changing passwords frequently, and being cautious of unsolicited communications, especially as scammers increasingly use AI technology.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Sherie Tynan and Darral Poole from Dublin lost €2,800 to a Facebook accommodation scam while booking a villa in Portugal for their wedding in October, after being contacted by a fraudster posing as "Jennifer Haris-Keane," a supposed villa owner who vanished after receiving payment. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau reports that accommodation scams have resulted in approximately €2 million in losses over the past three years, with authorities warning that social media profiles can be fraudulent despite appearing on trusted platforms, and advising the public to be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The "grandparent scam" has stolen millions from elderly Americans by impersonating a grandchild's lawyer or bail bondsman, falsely claiming the grandchild is in legal trouble or an accident out of state and demanding urgent payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. In 2021, over 92,000 older fraud victims lost $1.7 billion, with scammers exploiting fear and urgency by calling at odd hours. Law enforcement recommends not answering calls from unknown numbers, hanging up without engaging, and calling family members directly to verify—while noting that emerging AI voice-cloning technology makes these scams increasingly difficult to detect.
fcpdnews.wordpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Bank imposter scams, ranked by the FTC as the top scam of 2022, involve fraudsters posing as banks via unsolicited calls or texts to request personal and banking information, with a median reported loss of $3,000 from 2019-2022. The Fairfax County Police Department advises against sharing financial information with unsolicited callers, recommends independently verifying bank contact information through official channels, and warns that legitimate institutions never request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or remote computer access.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.1 billion to cyberfraud in 2022, with over 88,000 victims experiencing an average loss of $35,101 per person, according to FBI data. Elder fraud is escalating through sophisticated schemes including phishing and impersonation scams that exploit older adults' loneliness, social isolation, and cognitive decline, with women disproportionately affected due to demographic factors. Warning signs include suspicious emails with misspellings, vague signatures, urgent language, requests for personal information, and out-of-character behavior from purported family members.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
During Consumer Protection Awareness Week, the Federal Trade Commission cautioned that post-storm roofing scams are prevalent, with fly-by-night contractors going door-to-door offering suspicious low-price inspections and repairs. To protect yourself, obtain all contractor details in writing including warranties and materials, verify insurance coverage, check online reviews and Better Business Bureau listings, and avoid paying the full amount until work is completed. Hiring established local roofers is recommended as the most effective way to avoid storm-related contractor fraud.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 30-49 reported the most investment fraud complaints to the FBI in 2023, with over 13,000 cases, contradicting the assumption that older adults are most susceptible to investment scams. Total losses from investment fraud reached $4.57 billion in 2023—a 38% increase from the previous year—with cryptocurrency scams accounting for $3.94 billion of that total. Scammers typically lure victims through social media and online ads by promising high returns with minimal risk, using fake investment strategies, phony training products, and impersonation of public figures.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration warned of a 61.7 percent increase in reported scams between 2022 and 2023, with fraudsters using sophisticated tactics like impersonation, threats of benefit suspension, and demands for immediate payment to steal personal information and benefits from recipients. Scammers employ the "five P's" strategy (Pretend, Prize or Problem, Pressure, Payment) and falsely claim to represent the SSA through fake letterhead, badge numbers, and social media imposter pages. Seniors aged 70-84 lost the highest average amounts ($14,459 per victim in Q3 2023), though those under 50 were statistically more likely to
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
A sextortion scam has resurged, wherein cybercriminals send threatening emails claiming to have installed screen-recording software and possess compromising photos, demanding $1,506 in Bitcoin or threatening to release the images. The scam exploits stolen credentials from the dark web and preys on victims' fear, though the criminals typically lack actual access to victims' devices unless malware was installed through phishing or pirated software downloads. Individuals should verify suspicious emails through Google searches, avoid clicking malicious links, and report threats to the FBI cyber tip line.
greenhouse.com
· 2025-12-08
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Online purchase scams were the top fraud affecting upstate New York residents in 2023, with nearly 30,000 reported cases resulting in over $525 million in losses, according to the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York. Overall, scams cost Rochester-area residents and those in Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse a combined $653 million in 2023, with employment scams, phishing schemes, sweepstakes/lottery scams, and tech support scams among the other major fraud types reported. The scams employed various tactics including fake checks, impersonation of trusted entities and government agencies, and promises of unearned prizes or loans.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece explains a recurring sextortion scam in which cybercriminals email victims claiming to have installed screen-recording software and threatening to release compromising images unless Bitcoin payment is made, typically around $1,506. The article clarifies that while scammers may purchase stolen credentials from the dark web, they cannot remotely install software without victim action, and alleged compromising images often come from pirated software downloads rather than actual surveillance. The piece recommends verifying suspicious emails through Google searches and reporting threats to the FBI cyber tip line.
bbb.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines common tax scams targeting U.S. taxpayers, primarily involving scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail. Common tactics include demanding immediate payment via untraceable methods (wire transfers, prepaid debit cards) for alleged back taxes, offering fake refunds in exchange for personal information, and committing tax identity theft using Social Security numbers to file fraudulent returns. Key protective measures include recognizing red flags such as pressure for immediate payment, unsolicited phone/email contact, and knowing that the legitimate IRS initiates contact by mail and never demands specific payment methods or personal financial information over the phone.
theprescotttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office warned senior citizens that scammers use urgency tactics through calls, texts, emails, and social media to steal money, advising victims to "slow down" and verify requests independently. Recent local cases included a $12,000 grandparent scam using AI-generated voices and a $40,000 Bitcoin fraud, with law enforcement cautioning against clicking suspicious links, using untraceable payment methods, and trusting caller IDs, as scammers impersonate relatives, banks, and government agencies.
cbs19news.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses Virginia legislation (House Bill 692) designed to protect elderly and vulnerable adults from financial exploitation. The bill would allow seniors to register trusted contacts at their banks who can be alerted during financial emergencies, and requires bank staff training on identifying financial abuse. According to 2022 data, over 88,000 people aged 60+ reported losses totaling $3.1 billion to elder financial scams, with dementia patients particularly vulnerable.
gridinsoft.com
· 2025-12-08
**Phantom Hacker Scams Target Seniors**
Phantom hacker scams, a variant of tech support fraud, have increased 40% year-over-year and resulted in over $542 million in losses from nearly 19,000 victims during the first half of 2023, with seniors over 60 accounting for 66% of financial losses. Scammers use a three-stage social engineering approach: posing as tech support to claim malware threats, then impersonating financial institutions or government officials to convince victims to transfer funds to "safe accounts" that the criminals control. To protect against these scams, seniors should avoid unsolicited calls,
southcoasttoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The "grandparent scam" has stolen millions from elderly Americans by impersonating lawyers, bail bondsmen, or family members to claim a grandchild is in legal trouble or distress and urgently needs cash sent via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. The FBI reported over 92,000 older fraud victims lost $1.7 billion in 2021, with scammers exploiting psychological tactics—calling at odd hours and inducing fear—and now increasingly using AI voice cloning to impersonate relatives. Law enforcement recommends not answering unknown callers, hanging up on urgent money requests, and independently verifying any family emergency by calling the relative directly rather than engaging with the
elkhornmediagroup.com
· 2025-12-08
An uptick in phone and online scams targeting older adults in Eastern Oregon uses sophisticated impersonation tactics—including fraudulent claims from law enforcement, the IRS, banks, and retailers—to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information. According to Kai Nichols, an Older Adult Behavioral Specialist, scammers exploit elderly individuals' unfamiliarity with technology and bureaucracy by creating panic through threats of legal action or account compromise. Key protections include never trusting caller ID, refusing to be rushed, and remembering that legitimate law enforcement and the IRS do not demand phone payments or threaten immediate action.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
On National Slam the Scam Day, Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon highlighted that scams remain a significant crime driver in the borough, with senior citizens losing over $2.6 million to fraud in 2023 alone. Common scams include impersonation schemes (government officials, police, IRS, family members), marketplace fraud, and payment requests via gift cards and digital platforms, with scammers using threats and pressure tactics to manipulate victims. McMahon emphasized that prevention and immediate reporting to the District Attorney's Scams Hotline (718-556-7226) are critical to investigating incidents and securing restitution for victims.
longmontleader.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, U.S. consumers lost $4.6 billion to investment scams—a 21% increase from 2022, with $1.4 billion lost on social media platforms alone. The most common schemes include cryptocurrency investment scams (featuring fake websites and fabricated profit statements), romance scams ("pig butchering" where scammers build relationships before soliciting money), and real estate scams (fraudulent property developments). The Colorado Division of Securities urges consumers of all ages to verify investment opportunities and report suspected fraud to protect themselves from these increasingly prevalent online schemes.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A TikTok user exposed an elaborate romantic scam in which she married a man who used multiple fake identities across dating apps and systematically deceived her with fabricated stories, fake documents, and simultaneous relationships with other victims over 18 months. The article discusses how online dating platforms enable sophisticated romantic fraud and betrayal, with victims experiencing serious psychological consequences including PTSD, shame, and stress that exceed the impact of traditional romantic deception.
marketrealist.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are systematically stealing images of U.S. military personnel to create fake profiles on social media and dating sites, deceiving victims into sending money. In 2023, the FTC received over 64,000 romance scam reports resulting in $1.14 billion in losses (median $2,000 per victim), with one Air Force flight chief's photos alone linked to $180,000 in victim losses. The article outlines red flags including requests for money, inability to video chat, and claims about bank access issues, and notes that a Texas man was sentenced to over three years in prison in 2023 for using stolen military identities to defraud victims of
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
A Portage County woman on a fixed income lost at least $12,000 to a romance scammer she met online and never met in person, sending thousands in gift cards in increments of $500. The victim shared her cautionary message emphasizing that romance scammers are professional liars who will never meet their victims, will continue extracting money until it's gone, and view victims as numbers on a list rather than people they care about. She urged others in similar situations to recognize the scam and seek help through the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad.
scrolla.africa
· 2025-12-08
Western Cape police arrested a 42-year-old Nigerian man in connection with a romance scam targeting a Canadian woman who was deceived into investing approximately R24 million in a fraudulent overseas project after meeting him on social media in 2022. Police identified key warning signs of dating scammers, including excessive charm, unsolicited business proposals, reluctance to meet publicly or share identification, and fabricated stories, while victims emphasized that vulnerability to scams stems from a desire to be loved and difficulty recognizing deception even when aware of such schemes.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Texas family lost nearly $20,000 to gift card scams while attempting to purchase dogs online through Facebook, first sending deposits to a fraudulent breeder and then falling victim to a second scam involving a Bassett Hound that the scammer claimed died. Gift card payment scams have surged across the country, with Americans losing $690 million in less than three years and a 50% year-over-year increase in reported cases in 2023, exploiting emotional vulnerabilities and the difficulty of tracing digital payments.
lamag.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, California residents lost $1.38 billion to scams across 226,791 reported incidents, making the state second most defrauded in the nation relative to population size. Identity theft was the most common fraud type with 119,929 incidents (25% of total), followed by imposter scams (73,298 incidents) and credit bureau fraud (70,483 incidents). Victims are advised to verify the identity of anyone requesting personal or financial information and to report incidents to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.
thecourier.com
· 2025-12-08
This does not appear to be an article about fraud or elder abuse. The text is a standard system notification/error message regarding email verification and session renewal, along with a newsletter signup prompt. It contains no information about scams, fraud incidents, elder abuse cases, or relevant advice for the Elderus database.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Fairfax County, Virginia police warned residents about seasonal driveway-paving scams that typically emerge in spring, where unlicensed contractors solicit door-to-door, collect deposits under false urgency, and either fail to complete work or abandon jobs, leaving homeowners out money and with damaged property. The department recommends verifying contractors have valid solicitor's licenses, obtaining multiple quotes, researching businesses online, and reporting unlicensed solicitors to police.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
This AARP alert warns consumers to watch for spring break travel scams, which use artificially low prices and spoofed websites to lure victims into fraudulent bookings. The advisory recommends verifying the legitimacy of online travel sites by examining web addresses carefully, avoiding deals significantly cheaper than competitors, and refusing payment methods like wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards that criminals prefer. The guidance applies broadly to anyone booking spring travel and directs victims or those with questions to contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common travel scams and warning signs for consumers. Key advice includes avoiding last-minute deals, ultra-cheap flights, and suspicious vacation rental listings (like Airbnb's 59,000 removed fraudulent listings); refusing requests for personal documents or sensitive information; and being wary of unexpected fees. The article emphasizes that travelers should verify legitimacy, trust their instincts, and report suspected scams to authorities while documenting interactions.
brunswicktimes-gazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Government impostor scams cost victims nearly $509 million in 2022, with Social Security scams being a particularly common threat. The article advises recipients to be wary of unexpected communications claiming problems with Social Security numbers, remember that the Social Security Administration only calls existing account holders, and verify account status directly through ssa.gov/myaccount rather than responding to unsolicited contact.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FBI reported record losses of $12.5 billion from online scams, a $2 billion increase from 2022, with investment fraud accounting for $4.5 billion of that total—much of it involving romance scams luring victims into fake cryptocurrency schemes. Ransomware attacks also surged, with reported losses jumping from $34 million in 2022 to $59 million in 2023, though the total financial impact is significantly higher when including ransom payments and recovery costs. The report underscores that these figures represent only a partial picture, as many victims do not report scams to authorities.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
This article examines the psychological impact of scams on victims and the manipulation tactics used by scammers. A Cleveland woman who lost $4,000 to a home improvement scam shares her experience of emotional recovery, while clinical psychologists explain how scammers exploit fears and anxieties, and recommend self-awareness and questioning suspicious offers as key defenses. Scammers commonly use tactics including creating urgency, the "foot in door" technique, and reciprocity to manipulate victims.
thechronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz held a press conference at the Newington Senior & Disabled Center to alert residents about potential scams during National "Slam the Scam" Day. The awareness initiative, part of National Consumer Protection Week, is designated by Social Security's Office of the Inspector General to educate the public about government imposter scams prevalent across the United States.
sanbenito.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers impersonating PG&E targeted nearly 43,000 customers, resulting in approximately $875,000 in fraudulent losses (averaging $785 per victim), with over 103 cases reported in Gilroy alone. The scams typically involved threats of immediate service disconnection and requests for payment via prepaid cards, gift cards, or digital payment apps—methods PG&E never uses. PG&E advises customers to hang up on suspicious calls, verify account details directly through PGE.com or official customer service, and never purchase prepaid cards to avoid service shutoff.
cryptodaily.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Complaint Center report revealed a 53% increase in cryptocurrency-related fraud losses, which rose from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.94 billion in 2023, with scams targeting victims across all age groups (particularly ages 30-60) through increasingly sophisticated investment schemes promising high returns. Common tactics include romance scams (resulting in $370 million in losses), business email compromise schemes, and ransomware attacks, with criminals using cryptocurrency to quickly transfer stolen funds. The FBI recommends users employ two-factor authentication and verify payment requests to reduce fraud risk, though some analysts argue reported scam revenues have declined since 2
cryptotvplus.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams generated at least $4.6 billion in 2023, a decrease from the previous year, though actual totals may be higher according to Chainalysis. Approval phishing and romance scams (also called "pig butchering" scams) are increasingly prevalent, with scammers using private communication channels to build fake relationships and extract money while remaining difficult to trace. Despite these challenges, progress has been made in combating crypto fraud, including a joint effort by Tether and OKX with the U.S. Department of Justice that froze $225 million linked to human trafficking, and an Interpol operation that apprehended 3,500 cyb
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, cryptocurrency-related investment fraud caused $3.94 billion in losses in the United States—a 53% increase from 2022 and representing 86% of all investment fraud losses—with victims lured by promises of high returns. Common crypto scams include romance scams (which resulted in $374 million in stolen crypto) and phishing attacks (affecting over 324,000 users and causing $295 million in losses), with similar fraud trends occurring globally.
abc27.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker report, investment and cryptocurrency scams are the riskiest fraud type, with a median loss of $3,800, exploiting victims' lack of understanding about digital assets by promising unrealistic returns before demanding hidden fees to access nonexistent earnings. Employment scams and romance scams are also growing threats, targeting younger adults and those over 65 respectively, with victims losing not only money but also time and personal information. The BBB recommends avoiding quick financial decisions, being cautious with unknown contacts, and ignoring unsolicited links to protect against these increasingly sophisticated schemes.
krocnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes to target real estate transactions in Minnesota, impersonating agents, lenders, and other professionals to trick buyers and sellers into revealing sensitive information that allows them to redirect funds. The National Association of Realtors is urging industry professionals to increase cybersecurity training and implement verification protocols, including confirming communications through known contact information, using encrypted channels, and adding watermarks to documents. A recent survey found that 60% of home buyers and sellers received little to no education about wire fraud threats from their real estate professionals.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Fairfax County, Virginia police warned residents about ongoing scam calls impersonating bank fraud departments or police officers that pressure victims into purchasing gift cards or making Bitcoin ATM deposits, with reported losses ranging from $10,000 to $31,100 per victim. Police advise hanging up suspicious calls, independently contacting financial institutions through legitimate channels, and never sharing personal information with callers claiming to represent banks or authorities.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania residents lost more than $158 million to scams in the first nine months of 2023, a 22% increase from the previous year, with over 126,000 fraud reports filed averaging $1,250 per incident. While people ages 30-39 reported the most fraud cases, those ages 60-69 lost the most money at $744 million, and one in seven fraud victims experienced losses exceeding $10,000. The FTC advises consumers to avoid unsolicited requests for personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, and be wary of scammers demanding cryptocurrency or gift card payments.
thestarphoenix.com
· 2025-12-08
Saskatoon Police Service partnered with the Electronic Recycling Association to offer free secure destruction of electronics and confidential documents on March 14 as part of Fraud Prevention Month awareness efforts. The initiative comes as Canadian fraud losses reached $567 million in 2023, with investment scams, spear phishing, and romance scams causing the most financial damage, while fraud methods have evolved to include cryptocurrency schemes and sophisticated phishing techniques targeting both individuals and institutions.
cryptodaily.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the United States experienced a 53% increase in cryptocurrency investment fraud, with losses jumping from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.94 billion—accounting for 86% of all investment fraud losses. Scammers primarily used romance scams (causing $374 million in losses) and phishing attacks (causing $295 million in losses) to trick victims into transferring cryptocurrency by promising high returns or building fake relationships, with the problem affecting investors globally.
golocalprov.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men from Florida and New York—Jason Rhodes, 34, and Robert Munoz, 29—were arrested in Warwick, Rhode Island in connection with a "grandparent scam" targeting elderly residents in Warwick and Coventry after police executed a controlled money delivery on March 8, 2024. During a search of a hotel room, detectives seized evidence linking the suspects to multiple grandparent scams and a large sum of cash, with the investigation ongoing. Warwick Police are urging other potential victims throughout Rhode Island to report similar scams to their local police departments.
kiow.com
· 2025-12-08
Gift card scams are increasing in prevalence, with scammers using phone calls to direct victims to purchase gift cards, scratch off the codes, and provide the numbers to them over the phone, resulting in immediate fund loss. Iowa's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and AARP are promoting education about these scams and supporting legislation that would require retailers to post warning signs at gift card kiosks directing consumers to report suspected scams. The proposed bill has passed its first legislative deadline.