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in Government Impersonation
refinery29.com
· 2025-12-08
This article presents four real scam experiences and lessons learned. The cases include: fake concert ticket fraud ($amount unspecified, victim recovered funds), a camera sale scam ($3,000 loss via fake verification email), a money-flipping scheme involving a former roommate ($350 dispute), and a fake tattoo deposit scam ($200 loss). Common tactics across these incidents include creating artificial urgency, using trusted platforms and social media, impersonation, and exploiting personal relationships—with victims learning to verify legitimacy, act quickly on disputes, and question unusual requests even from seemingly credible sources.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested in San Diego for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors using a layered scam involving fake tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation. A 63-year-old Poway victim was tricked into withdrawing $28,000 after being told his computer had viruses and his bank account had unauthorized transfers; investigators found evidence Liu had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and $1 million fine.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers exploit Memorial Day by impersonating military and veteran charities, using high-pressure donation solicitation tactics to target Georgia's large military population. According to the 2024 BBB Risk Report, active-duty military members are 29% more susceptible to scams than the general population, with median losses of $491 per victim in 2022—more than double the general population's median loss of $163. To protect themselves, potential donors should avoid high-pressure calls, ask charities for their mission statement and fund allocation details, and verify organizations through resources like Charity Navigator before donating.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers frequently impersonate well-known companies like Best Buy's Geek Squad, Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House to deceive victims, with Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams resulting in the highest reported losses in 2023. While email and phone calls are the most common contact methods, scammers achieve the largest financial losses through social media-initiated investment scams paid via cryptocurrency or bank transfers, along with romance and tech support scams demanding payment through gift cards (particularly Apple gift cards). The FTC advises consumers to verify unexpected communications through official channels, avoid clicking links from unknown sources, and refuse payment methods that scammers insist
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Reports of job-related scams to the Better Business Bureau more than doubled in 2023, with the FTC logging over 107,000 fraudulent job opportunities resulting in approximately $491 million in losses. Scammers use artificial intelligence and social media to target job seekers with "work from home" schemes, extracting personal information for identity theft or requesting up-front payments. Key warning signs include recruiters asking for Social Security numbers or bank account information before discussing the position, and victims should verify job offers through legitimate company contact information rather than recruiter-provided links.
bhamnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A Birmingham FBI agent specializing in financial crimes identified six common scams targeting seniors in Alabama—including lottery/sweepstakes, tech support, romance, grandparent, home improvement, and government impersonation scams—noting that elder fraud is rising in the state and that scammers create artificial urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions. The article advises seniors and their families to secure social media accounts, seek second opinions before acting on urgent requests, and contact law enforcement if targeted, while noting that many victims don't report scams due to shame, embarrassment, or fear of retaliation.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old Athens woman lost $30,000 to a scammer impersonating a Clarke County Sheriff's Office officer who threatened her with jail time for a missed court appearance and instructed her to send money via bitcoin ATM. The victim made three cash withdrawals totaling $29,000 and followed instructions to claim the withdrawals were for a car purchase at her bank. The FTC reports that government impersonation scams remain among the top frauds reported, with nearly 160,000 such cases in 2023, and advises victims never to trust demands for gift cards, bitcoin transfers, or money moves from anyone claiming to be a government agency or business.
currypilot.com
· 2025-12-08
Internet scams targeting elderly Oregonians increased significantly in 2023, with individuals aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion nationally and $44 million in Oregon alone, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center report. Over 101,000 victims aged 60+ reported fraud to the IC3, with tech support scams being most common and investment scams causing the largest losses (over $1.2 billion). Local law enforcement in Oregon has also documented cases involving seniors being defrauded of homes and retirement savings through online scams and identity theft.
theworldlink.com
· 2025-12-08
**Elder fraud targeting Oregonians increased significantly in 2023, with individuals aged 60 and older losing $44 million in that state alone and $3.4 billion nationally—a 14 percent increase in complaints and 11 percent increase in losses compared to 2022.** Tech support scams were the most commonly reported type of elder fraud, while investment scams caused the highest losses at over $1.2 billion; other prevalent schemes included romance scams, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud. The average elderly victim lost $33,915, with over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ reporting elder fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old newspaper employee in Chennai lost Rs 1.4 lakh to a courier scam on May 20 when a fraudster posing as an international courier company representative claimed a package sent in his name had been seized by customs for containing drugs and contraband, threatening police action and arrest warrants unless he paid bail money. After the scammers continued demanding additional funds, the victim became suspicious, realized the fraud, and filed a police complaint.
theworldlink.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly Oregonians lost $44 million to internet scams in 2023, with FBI data showing a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints and an 11% rise in associated losses that year. The average victim aged 60 and older lost $33,915, with over $3.4 billion in total losses nationwide, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported type and investment scams causing the greatest financial damage at over $1.2 billion.
greaterkashmir.com
· 2025-12-08
The Indian Embassy in Laos rescued and repatriated 13 Indian workers who were deceived by false employment promises and trapped in illegal work arrangements, bringing the total rescued from Laos to 428; the workers were found in a wood factory and a special economic zone. Indian authorities warn citizens against fraudulent overseas job offers, particularly those involving human trafficking networks that lure victims into cyber scams, money laundering, and cryptocurrency fraud, and advise using only authorized employment channels and conducting background checks on prospective employers in Southeast Asia.
securelist.com
· 2025-12-08
Online marketplace scammers increasingly operate under a "Fraud-as-a-Service" model, targeting message board users through two main schemes: impersonating sellers to deceive buyers, or impersonating buyers to trick sellers into entering payment card details on phishing sites. Scammers strategically target sellers with promoted ads and mobile payment preferences, using convincing conversations to build trust before sending fake payment links that harvest financial information and drain bank accounts.
kjzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target veterans and their widows—particularly around Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and the holidays—by offering fraudulent military discounts on loans, housing, cars, and rental properties, as well as charging illegal fees to file VA benefits. Common schemes include fake real estate deals where scammers pose as landlords or property owners, vehicle sales with hidden fees, and loans with undisclosed charges that inflate costs. The Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs urges veterans to report scams and use legitimate free resources like the American Legion, DAV, and VFW for benefits assistance rather than paying third-party fees.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are making unsolicited calls claiming victims owe back taxes and offering enrollment in a fake "2024 zero tax owed program" through a fraudulent entity called "Tax Relief Advocate." The IRS communicates tax debt through official letters, not phone calls, and legitimate tax relief companies do not collect payments on behalf of the IRS, making these calls an attempt to extract personal information from victims.
heraldscotland.com
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2023 and March 2024, over £28.7 million was lost to courier fraud in the UK, with victims averaging £20,032 each; scammers impersonated police officers and bank officials to trick householders—particularly pensioners in their 80s (43% of victims)—into handing over money, valuables, or bank cards. People aged 60-90 accounted for 85% of victims (63% female), with the oldest victim aged 94, and police reported five arrests following a coordinated operation across England and Wales. Key prevention advice includes using call-blocking devices, verifying that legitimate police and banks never
thesuntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a consumer alert warning about tax scams involving inflated refund claims for three specialized credits: the Fuel Tax Credit, Sick and Family Leave Credit, and household employment taxes. Thousands of taxpayers were misled by social media posts and scam artists into filing false claims for credits they didn't qualify for, resulting in frozen refunds and potential penalties, audits, or criminal action. The IRS urged affected taxpayers to verify their eligibility, consult legitimate tax preparers, and file amended returns if necessary to avoid severe financial consequences.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2023 and March 2024, British courier fraud scams targeting elderly people resulted in £28.7 million in losses, with victims averaging £20,000 each. People in their 80s were most vulnerable, accounting for 43% of victims, with approximately 85% of all victims aged 60-90; fraudsters posed as police officers or bank officials to trick targets into handing over money, valuables, or bank cards by claiming to investigate account issues or fraudulent business activity. City of London Police conducted a joint operation across England and Wales in May, making five arrests and receiving over 100 referrals from 26 forces, while recommending call-
fronterasdesk.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is hosting an educational seminar in Tucson to help seniors recognize phone and internet scams, following reports that fraud targeting people 60 and older caused over $3 billion in losses nationwide last year—a 10% increase from 2022. Local church members prompted the event after experiencing spam calls and falling victim to increasingly sophisticated scams, including AI-generated voice impersonation and phishing emails. The free public seminar covers scam identification and prevention techniques.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Leslie Smith, a 63-year-old licensed attorney and office manager at an Indianapolis podiatry practice, was sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison and ordered to pay $2,341,655.08 in restitution after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Over several years, Smith submitted approximately 288 fraudulent Medicaid claims for oxygen monitoring devices totaling $1.75 million, fraudulently obtained COVID-19 mortgage assistance funds using a deceased relative's property, sold a jointly-owned home without consent by forging her co-owner's signature, and failed to file federal income tax returns from 2018-2
news.ncsu.edu
· 2025-12-08
Researchers analyzed 67,991 SMS phishing messages collected over 396 days and identified 600 distinct phishing operations using 35,128 unique campaigns. The study found that scammers impersonate trusted entities like banks to trick people into sharing sensitive information via text, and surprisingly, many operations use mainstream infrastructure and openly advertise services on platforms like LinkedIn rather than hiding on the dark web. The findings highlight the scale of SMS phishing threats to consumer privacy and security, while identifying avenues for law enforcement to combat these operations.
choice.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A CHOICE survey of 280 scam victims in Australia found that four out of five victims reported their banks failed to flag suspicious transactions before money was transferred to scammers, and about half received inadequate support afterward. Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams last year, with over half of initial contact occurring on websites or social media platforms, yet banks and tech companies face minimal consequences while victims often suffer shame and financial loss with little recourse for recovery.
herald-review.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mount Zion woman was charged with stealing over $100,000 in cash and property from an elderly female victim between May 2022 and July 2023. Ali L. Fisher, 31, faces two counts including financial exploitation of an elderly person and obtaining control of property through deception, with the alleged theft totaling more than $40,000 in additional cash. Fisher was arrested on May 14 and released on pretrial release pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 24 in Macon County Circuit Court.
richmondmagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Teens are the fastest-growing victims of online scams, with losses to those 20 and younger increasing from $8.2 million in 2017 to $210 million by 2022, according to the FBI. Common scams targeting teens include phishing emails, deceptive pop-up ads, direct message offers, and catfishing schemes on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Parents and educators can reduce risk by teaching teens to verify sources, recognize red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links, adjust privacy settings, and maintain open communication about online dangers.
kfvs12.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported over 330,000 impersonation scam complaints in 2023, with consumers losing more than $1.1 billion. Fraudsters impersonate legitimate businesses and government agencies to trick victims into providing money and personal information through fake emails and forms. The BBB recommends verifying suspicious emails by examining sender addresses carefully, contacting companies directly to confirm requests, avoiding payment to unknown entities, and reporting suspicious communications to the BBB Scam Tracker.
wbko.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns residents affected by severe storms to be cautious of storm-chasing scammers who exploit disaster victims for repair work. Key fraud tactics include unlicensed contractors demanding upfront payments, roof inspectors creating damage to justify work, FEMA imposters, and utility company impersonators. The BBB recommends verifying contractor licenses, obtaining multiple quotes, paying by credit card, getting written contracts with insurance documentation, and reporting suspected price gouging or fraud to authorities.
techxplore.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers analyzed 67,991 SMS phishing messages collected over 396 days and identified 600 distinct phishing operations using 35,128 unique campaigns. The study found that SMS phishers operate using mainstream infrastructure and services rather than hidden networks, with bulk messaging services openly advertising on platforms like LinkedIn. The research provides law enforcement with new techniques to identify and track phishing operations, addressing a significant gap in data since telecommunications companies have been reluctant to share private message information.
home.barclays
· 2025-12-08
Barclays research found that ticket scams cost victims an average of £243, with men losing more than twice as much as women (£325 vs £156), primarily because men pay higher prices for fraudulent tickets. Football matches accounted for half of sports-related ticket scam reports, with tennis and cricket also commonly targeted, and scam reports peaked in July 2023. The bank warns that 82% of Britons fail to verify website authenticity before purchasing tickets and recommends checking seller legitimacy and using trusted platforms to avoid these scams, which tend to spike during summer event season.
webcenterfairbanks.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported over 330,000 impersonation scam complaints in 2023, with consumers losing $1.1 billion as fraudsters impersonated businesses and government agencies to steal money and personal information. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to scrutinize email addresses for suspicious characteristics, verify questionable emails directly with companies, avoid providing payment information to unknown entities, and report suspicious communications to the BBB Scam Tracker.
prweb.com
· 2025-12-08
According to an FBI report, Americans over 60 experienced elder fraud crimes at record levels, with victims losing an estimated $3.4 billion in reported losses. Common scams targeting seniors include the grandparent scam (impersonating grandchildren claiming arrest), sweepstakes fraud requiring upfront payment, gift card serial number schemes, and government imposter fraud. Elderwerks, a Palatine, Illinois nonprofit, is hosting free educational presentations on scam prevention and identity theft protection to help seniors and caregivers recognize and avoid these crimes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Jackson resident agreed to a civil court order permanently prohibiting her from participating in romance scams after acting as a money transmitter for an international fraud ring. Holly Locke received packages of money from multiple victims and forwarded the funds to her online romantic partner, unknowingly facilitating fraud against people who believed they were helping their own romantic partners. This civil consent decree marks the first of its kind in the Eastern District of Michigan and is part of a broader Department of Justice effort to disrupt international romance scam operations targeting U.S. citizens.
goldendalesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2022 to 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation, with 80% of all suspicious activity reported by banks involving elder scams. Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonator scams, fake prizes/sweepstakes, computer tech support scams, and grandparent scams, perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends, or caregivers. Prevention strategies include protecting sensitive documents, monitoring financial accounts, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal information, consulting financial advisors before making decisions, and building relationships with trusted financial institutions.
cgsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center increased 14 percent in 2023, with victims aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion total and an average of $33,915 per victim. Tech support scams were the most commonly reported type of elder fraud, while investment scams proved the costliest, exceeding $1.2 billion in losses, with over 12,000 victims also targeted through cryptocurrency schemes. Oregon specifically saw elderly residents lose $44 million in 2023, with scammers exploiting older Americans' relative lack of technological proficiency.
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported over 330,000 impersonation scam complaints in 2023, with consumers losing $1.1 billion to fraudsters pretending to be businesses or government agencies. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to scrutinize email addresses for suspicious characteristics, verify suspicious communications directly with companies, and avoid providing payment information to unfamiliar entities, while encouraging reporting of suspicious emails and texts to the BBB Scam Tracker.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article addresses the rising trend of financial scams targeting elderly people and emphasizes that knowledge and community vigilance are key defenses. It recommends that seniors protect themselves by exercising caution with unsolicited communications, utilizing security software, maintaining strong passwords, monitoring financial statements regularly, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC and local authorities. The article also encourages families and communities to stay informed about common scams through trusted resources like the FBI and National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11).
therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns university students about common scams targeting their demographic, including scholarship/financial aid fraud, student loan debt relief schemes, fake rental listings, employment scams, misleading credit card offers, and social media phishing. The key advice is to verify the legitimacy of any organization before providing personal or financial information, never pay upfront fees for legitimate services (scholarships, loan forgiveness, jobs), and be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. While not specific to elder fraud, the article emphasizes vigilance and verification as essential protections against financial exploitation.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Jackson, Michigan woman was barred by federal court order in May 2024 from participating in romance scams after repeatedly serving as a "money transmitter" for fraudsters while also being victimized herself. Holly Locke received packages of money from scam victims and forwarded them to fraudsters she met online, beginning with someone in Ghana in 2022 who claimed to need funds for an orphanage; despite being warned by postal inspectors and signing a cease-and-desist order, she resumed the activity in May 2023 with new scammers met on Facebook. The consent decree, approved by U.S. District Judge Paul D.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Ariell Dix, age 37, was convicted of two felonies related to illegal control of an enterprise and sentenced to three and a half years in prison for her role in an Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS) fraud scheme. Dix helped establish fraudulent clinics, obtained patient lists for illegal billing, and falsified records to enable the scheme, which defrauded the state of tens of millions of dollars between January 2019 and September 2021.
latfusa.com
· 2025-12-08
California experienced over $624 million in losses to elderly fraud in 2022, affecting 11,517 victims aged 60 and over with an average loss of $54,225 per victim. Investment scams, business imposters, and romance scams were the most costly fraud types nationally, while seniors were particularly vulnerable to online fraud ($564 million in losses) and tech support scams (517% higher likelihood compared to the general population). Bank transfers and cryptocurrency were the primary payment methods exploited, accounting for $570 million and $288 million in losses respectively.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Former Epsilon Data Management executives Robert Reger and David Lytle were convicted of conspiracy and mail/wire fraud for knowingly selling targeted consumer data lists to perpetrators of mass-mailing fraud schemes over a 10-year period. The defendants used Epsilon's algorithms to identify millions of consumers most vulnerable to fraud, including elderly people, and sold approximately 100 lists to fraudster clients who sent deceptive letters falsely promising cash prizes and wealth. The case demonstrates corporate accountability for facilitating consumer fraud through the misuse of personal data and targeting vulnerable populations.
washingtonexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania's aging population faces growing elder fraud risk, prompting Rep. Joe Hogan to introduce House Bill 2064, which would allow banks to flag suspicious transactions, delay potentially fraudulent payments, and share information with law enforcement and area agencies on aging. The National Council on Aging reported nearly 90,000 fraud complaints in 2022 totaling over $3 billion in losses nationally, with common scams including government impersonation, grandparent schemes, and romantic fraud targeting vulnerable seniors. The legislation aims to protect elders through financial institution safeguards, public education, and coordination between banks and protective services.
tristatealert.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warned consumers about the rising threat of imposter scams that use sophisticated technologies, including AI-generated voices, to impersonate trusted figures such as government officials, bank representatives, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening fines or arrest, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams demanding payment for unnecessary repairs. To protect yourself, verify callers' identities by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, establish code words with family members, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, FTC, or AARP Fraud Watch
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers impersonated well-known companies in fraud schemes that cost consumers over $600 million, with Best Buy/Geek Squad being the most frequently impersonated company (52,000 reports, $15 million in losses) and Microsoft impersonation scams causing the largest financial impact ($60 million lost). The Federal Trade Commission finalized a new rule in April 2024 that strengthens enforcement tools against business impersonation scams, including the ability to file federal court cases to recover money for victims and impose civil penalties on violators.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
According to an FTC report, scammers most frequently impersonate Best Buy's Geek Squad (52,000 reports in 2023), followed by Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House, using methods including fraudulent emails, phone calls, and social media to pressure victims into urgent action. Microsoft impersonators caused the highest financial losses, exemplified by a Mesa resident who lost nearly her entire life savings after being directed to a fake support line and tricked into depositing $25,000 in Bitcoin. Consumers can protect themselves by recognizing red flags such as demands for cryptocurrency payments, pressure to act immediately, and unsolicited contact, and should verify company ident
katytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Members Choice Credit Union released awareness tips for Older Americans Month highlighting common scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, intimidation scams impersonating authorities, text message scams, freebie scams, and romance scams. The organization provided prevention strategies for each scam type and recommended that family members monitor elderly relatives' financial activity, set up fraud alerts, encourage password changes, and utilize resources like AARP's elder fraud guidelines.
murrayledger.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans older than 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses across more than 100,000 complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, with losses increasing 11% from 2022. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support and call center fraud ($1.3 billion in losses), phony investment schemes ($1.2 billion), and fake romance scams, with the particularly devastating "Phantom Hacker" scam draining victims of their life savings through multiple fraudulent personas. In Kentucky specifically, seniors reported $12.8 million in losses across 908 complaints, and the FBI notes that some victims have rem
ksdk.com
· 2025-12-08
A reformed Nigerian scammer named Chris Maxwell, who previously defrauded women of over $70,000 through romance scams, now works for an identity verification company exposing fraud networks to authorities. Missouri experienced approximately 58,250 impersonation scams in the first three months of the year resulting in millions in losses, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence to impersonate family members and government officials, often targeting older adults who may lose their life savings after multiple transactions. Experts recommend establishing trusted family contacts for verification, using reverse image search tools, insisting on video meetings before sending money, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement and the Missouri Attorney General's Office.
katytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Members Choice Credit Union released awareness tips during Older Americans Month highlighting common scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, intimidation scams impersonating authorities, text message phishing, freebie schemes, and romance scams. The credit union recommends protective measures such as establishing family emergency passwords, verifying caller identities through separate communication channels, monitoring financial accounts for unusual activity, and utilizing resources like AARP's elder fraud guidelines.
ad-hoc-news.de
· 2025-12-08
Globe Telecom in the Philippines implemented Mavenir's SpamShield messaging fraud prevention technology, which achieved a 67% year-on-year reduction in blocked spam and scam SMS messages (from 1.1 billion in Q1 2023 to 362.8 million in Q1 2024) and a 74% decline in bank-related scam messages. Customer-reported scam SMS incidents also fell 44% during the same period, demonstrating the technology's effectiveness in deterring fraudsters by raising technical barriers and reducing profit incentives for scammers.
977wmoi.com
· 2025-12-08
Josh Kramer, an investigator with the Monmouth Police Department, provides guidance for victims of common scams including cash prize, grandparent, social media, and imposter fraud. He advises victims to immediately contact their bank to report the incident and allow financial institutions to monitor for fraudulent use of personal information, while also emphasizing the importance of keeping device software updated to protect against scam-related security vulnerabilities.