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finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-26
A 70-year-old retiree lost over $2,400 to a sophisticated Amazon impersonation scam after receiving calls from fraudsters who claimed suspicious activity was detected on his account and used a second "verification" caller to build credibility. The scammers gained his trust by referencing personal details about his family, repeatedly instructing him to hang up and reconnect, and warning that his IP address was compromised—tactics that convinced him they were legitimate Amazon employees protecting his account. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from Amazon or other companies, never allow callers to direct your actions (especially accessing bank accounts), and verify any suspicious activity by contacting the company directly using a number from their official website rather than one provided by the caller.
pulse.ng
· 2026-07-26
The United States has implemented a new visa ban targeting foreign nationals involved in cybercrime—including online fraud, romance scams, and phishing schemes—with the restriction also applying to their immediate family members in an effort to disrupt international criminal networks. This policy comes after Americans lost an estimated $10 billion to scams in 2024, and will be enforced through visa denials, sanctions, and asset seizures as part of a broader international law enforcement effort. To protect yourself, remain vigilant against unsolicited messages requesting personal information or money, verify the identities of people you meet online before engaging financially, and report suspected fraud to the FBI or FTC.
news.bitcoin.com
· 2026-07-26
The U.S. Secret Service and federal prosecutors seized over $25 million in cryptocurrency from five international fraud schemes that victimized thousands of people across the United States and Canada, including major romance scams and fraudulent investment platforms. The largest case involved $12.1 million from romance scammers targeting over 200 victims, while another $10.4 million was traced from a network moving illicit proceeds through fake investment platforms. To protect yourself, verify investment platforms are legitimate before depositing funds, be cautious of romantic partners asking for cryptocurrency transfers, and never trust platforms that prevent you from withdrawing your money.
theguardian.com
· 2026-07-26
Scammers are sending fake Spotify payment notification emails that direct users to cloned websites designed to steal login credentials, personal information, and payment details. Victims who click these convincing phishing links and enter their information have had their stolen card details used for fraudulent purchases, with one victim experiencing unauthorized charges totaling over £469. To protect yourself, verify emails by checking the sender address carefully, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, and instead go directly to the official Spotify website or app to update payment information; consider using virtual credit cards for online subscriptions to limit potential damage.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-26
Scammers are using Apple's FaceTime to impersonate bank representatives and steal login credentials by asking victims to share their screens during video calls that appear legitimate. The scheme typically begins with a text or call claiming suspicious account activity, then escalates to a FaceTime video call where the fraudster convinces the victim to log into their bank account while screen-sharing. To protect yourself, never share your screen with unsolicited callers, remember that legitimate banks will never ask you to log in during a call, and hang up any suspicious calls—instead, contact your bank directly using the number on your statement.
futura-sciences.com
· 2026-07-26
SMS phishing (smishing) is significantly more effective than email phishing, with click rates 5-7 times higher because text messages have a 98% open rate, are read within minutes, and make people lower their guard compared to emails filtered by spam protections. SMS now accounts for nearly 35% of all phishing attacks, up 40% in the last year, as fraudsters exploit the trust people place in text messages and the difficulty of verifying links on small phone screens. To protect yourself, never click SMS links without independently verifying the sender through official company websites or apps, and report suspicious texts to authorities like France's 3370 service.
kbtx.com
· 2026-07-26
Federal authorities conducted a nationwide crackdown called "Operation Signal Break" targeting illegal "SIM farms" in Texas and five other states, which are operations that use thousands of SIM cards to send phishing and scam text messages while hiding their true origin. These scam operations cost Americans approximately $15 million annually, and the investigation has resulted in seizing over 500,000 SIM cards, nearly 1,900 SIM boxes, and more than $700,000 in illegal proceeds linked to Chinese criminal organizations. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited text messages asking for personal information or directing you to click links, and report suspicious texts to the FTC or your mobile carrier.
sbs.com.au
· 2026-07-26
Joseph Sukkar, a cybersecurity professional, fell victim to scammers impersonating the Australian Taxation Office who called claiming he had tax debts and convinced him to transfer $7,000, though his bank was able to recover the money. Scams have become increasingly sophisticated and are on the rise, with tax season being a particularly vulnerable time as people are mentally preoccupied with filing returns and expecting ATO communications. To protect yourself, verify unexpected tax-related calls by hanging up and contacting the ATO directly using an official number, never transfer money based on unsolicited phone calls, and remain skeptical even if a number matches a saved contact.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-07-26
A San Diego man was charged with defrauding a retiree of $1.49 million by posing as a tech-support agent and convincing the victim their bank account was compromised, then directing them to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs and wire funds to purchase gold bars. Federal prosecutors say this scheme is part of a growing pattern targeting older Americans, combining cryptocurrency and precious metals to create nearly irreversible losses. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming account problems, never move money through Bitcoin ATMs or precious metals purchases based on phone instructions, and always verify requests directly with your bank before taking action.
thestar.com
· 2026-07-26
Toronto is projected to lose nearly $500 million to fraud in 2024, a record high driven by increasingly sophisticated scams enhanced by artificial intelligence, with rental scams like the one that cost newcomer Miranda Horvath $8,200 among the most common schemes. Police expect approximately 19,600 fraud reports this year, but experts warn the true toll could be 5-10 times higher—potentially $5-10 billion annually—since fraud remains significantly underreported. Investment fraud, spear phishing, business email compromise, and rental scams are the primary fraud types affecting Toronto residents.
asiae.co.kr
· 2026-07-26
The Financial Services Commission awarded commendations to eight public officials for outstanding proactive administration cases in the first half of 2026, recognizing initiatives including reform of whistleblower reward schemes for capital market fraud, strengthened management of delinquent loans, and new systems to combat emerging phishing crimes and romance scams. Officer Yoo Eunji was separately honored with the Order of Service Merit for establishing an AI platform to prevent voice phishing fraud. The awards recognize efforts to protect citizens from financial crimes and improve financial sector management.
weex.com
· 2026-07-26
The U.S. Secret Service and Department of Justice seized over $25 million in cryptocurrency from an international fraud scheme affecting thousands of victims in the United States and Canada, including a romance scam that defrauded over 200 people of approximately $12.1 million. Five civil forfeiture complaints have been filed targeting multiple money laundering networks, with suspected operators primarily located in Southeast Asia, China, Malaysia, and Cambodia. The recovered funds are linked to various fraud types including romance scams, fake investment platforms, and recovery schemes, with five additional investigations still ongoing.
thestar.com.my
· 2026-07-26
Youth in Malaysia are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated scams including fake job offers, phishing campaigns, romance scams, and money mule recruitment, with young adults aged 21-30 recording the highest number of telecommunications fraud victims at 8,789 individuals in 2025. Malaysians lost RM2.97 billion to scams last year, with criminals now using AI-generated deepfakes, voice cloning, and personalized messages to deceive victims. Experts emphasize the need for tailored cyber safety education teaching verification literacy, AI literacy, and privacy awareness to help youth recognize and resist these increasingly sophisticated threats.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-26
A Milwaukee woman posed as a landlord named Quincy Jones on Zillow and scammed four families out of over $7,700 by collecting cash for rent on a property she didn't own and was actually facing eviction from. The fraudster, Yasmin Halimah Hameed, used an "identity verified" listing to gain trust, collected payments in cash, and then either locked victims out or ghosted them without providing keys. Zillow removed the fraudulent listing within days and blocked the account, but the incident highlights risks of rental scams even on legitimate platforms.
newsinfo.inquirer.net
· 2026-07-26
Baguio City is implementing a mandatory registration system for short-term rental accommodations to combat tourist scams involving fraudulent or non-existent listings. The "no registration, no listing" policy requires all rental units to obtain a city-issued registration number before being advertised on tourism platforms, with digital intermediaries required to verify compliance and remove unregistered listings. This measure addresses reports of tourists losing money to scammers offering accommodations that either don't exist or misrepresent their actual conditions.
moneywise.com
· 2026-07-26
A woman using a fake identity posted a fraudulent rental listing on Zillow for a Milwaukee home she didn't own and wasn't authorized to rent, scamming four families out of over $7,700 in total by collecting cash payments for rent and deposits before ghosting them or changing locks. The perpetrator, Yasmin Halimah Hameed, was actually a delinquent tenant facing eviction at the property and was out on bail for fraud-related charges when she carried out the scheme. Zillow removed the listing and blocked the account days after it was posted, though the victims had already lost their money.
forbes.com
· 2026-07-25
Fraud targeting older Americans has become a critical retirement security issue, with reported property crimes against seniors jumping 62% between 2015 and 2025, and the FBI receiving over 201,000 fraud complaints from people 60+ in 2025 alone—with average losses exceeding $38,000 per victim. Common scams affecting retirees include investment fraud, romance scams, fake tech support, government impersonation, and "grandparent scams" where criminals pose as family members in distress. To protect themselves, seniors should verify requests for money through independent contact with family members, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, never give remote access to their computer to unknown callers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
nbcmiami.com
· 2026-07-25
Scammers are using AI-generated voices to impersonate Florida Power & Light employees and target South Florida customers with fake calls and text messages claiming they qualify for rebates or energy-saving programs. The fraudsters pressure victims to act quickly and share personal or financial information, exploiting the convincing nature of AI voices to make the scams sound legitimate. Customers should be cautious of any urgent calls or texts demanding immediate action—FPL advises that legitimate rebates are found on FPL.com/programs and the company never pressures customers to provide personal information over the phone.
wbur.org
· 2026-07-24
New York Times reporter Carlos Barragán discovered an organized romance scam network operating from Nigeria after his own mother fell victim to one of these schemes, prompting him to travel there and investigate. The scammers, known as "Yahoo Boys," target vulnerable and lonely people seeking emotional connection, causing serious emotional and financial harm to victims across the globe. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly toward declarations of love or requests for money, verify the identity of people you meet online, and be skeptical of romantic interests who claim to need financial help or have sudden emergencies.
patch.com
· 2026-07-24
Older Americans lost $7.7 billion to online scams in 2025, with over 200,000 seniors falling victim to phishing, smishing, and vishing schemes—a 37% increase from the previous year. The Palos Park Police Department is hosting two free educational seminars on August 4th to help residents recognize and avoid these scams, led by experienced officers who will explain current fraud trends and warning signs. Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend either the 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. session to learn how to protect themselves and their personal information from scammers.
sheridanmedia.com
· 2026-07-24
Americans lost over $20.9 billion to internet crimes in 2025, with investment scams and cryptocurrency fraud causing the most damage, while seniors aged 60 and older were hit particularly hard, losing $7.7 billion. Common scam tactics include phishing emails and texts that trick people into clicking malicious links, paying via gift cards (which are hard to trace), and making wire transfers, often with scammers keeping victims on the phone to prevent them from listening to bank employees' warnings. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited messages demanding immediate action, never use gift cards or wire transfers for payments as requested by strangers, and listen to your bank's fraud warnings even if a caller pressures you to ignore them.
forbes.com
· 2026-07-24
Pig butchering scams—a form of financial fraud where scammers build trust with victims over weeks or months before persuading them to invest large sums in cryptocurrency—have caused an estimated $15 billion in losses and are increasingly targeting business leaders and employees through LinkedIn and other social platforms. Scammers use fake personas, facial AI technology, and impersonation of trusted figures like executives or investment partners to deceive victims into sending money in installments. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment conversations from unfamiliar contacts on professional networks, verify the identity of anyone requesting financial decisions through independent channels (not just video calls), and educate your team about these tactics through company security training.
aol.com
· 2026-07-24
TruStart Technologies, a Canadian cryptocurrency platform, blocked over $23.5 million in fraudulent transactions through its multi-layered fraud prevention program since June 2025, protecting customers from crypto scams including impersonation schemes and fake investment platforms. The company's system combines identity verification, human review, and blockchain analysis to catch suspicious activity before funds are transferred, addressing a critical gap in crypto security since losses from crypto fraud are typically irreversible once sent. Consumers should use regulated platforms like TruStart that employ human oversight and advanced screening before authorizing any crypto transactions, especially given that crypto scams surged dramatically in 2025 with losses estimated at $17 billion globally.
bobsullivan.net
· 2026-07-24
A test pilot named Pat Marsh has been the unwitting victim of romance scams for nearly a decade, with his identity stolen and used to deceive hundreds of people on dating sites into believing they were in romantic relationships with him. Victims have sent him thousands of cards, letters, gifts, and money, and some have even shown up at his home, leading to dangerous confrontations. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating profiles, verify identities through video calls, and be wary of requests for money or personal information from people you've only met online.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2026-07-23
Seniors in San Diego County are losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to fraud schemes that use impersonation, urgency, and increasingly AI technology—with victims 60 and older nationally reporting over $7.75 billion in losses in 2025, a 59% increase from the previous year. The article urges Congress to pass H.R. 2478, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, which would allow banks to temporarily pause suspicious withdrawals to prevent exploitation. Actionable steps include contacting your senators to support this legislation and being cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, and emails claiming to be from grandchildren, banks, or government agencies, especially those creating a sense of urgency.
losalamosreporter.com
· 2026-07-23
The Los Alamos Police Department and FBI are hosting a community presentation on August 18 to educate residents about fraud and scams, with particular attention to schemes targeting seniors. The free town hall event will feature law enforcement experts discussing common fraud tactics and protection strategies, with time for attendees to ask questions about safeguarding themselves and their families. Community members concerned about fraud risks are encouraged to attend and can contact Sergeant Dezendorf with questions in advance.
ladailypost.com
· 2026-07-23
The Los Alamos Police Department and FBI are hosting a community presentation on August 18 to educate residents about common fraud and scams, with particular emphasis on elder fraud. The town hall-style event will allow attendees to ask questions and learn protective measures, and while seniors are a primary focus, all community members are welcome to participate. Those interested in attending or with fraud-related questions can contact Sergeant J. Dezendorf for more details.
wausaupilotandreview.com
· 2026-07-23
A Chicago man named Tao Wu was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for orchestrating a scam that stole over $135,000 from an elderly Marathon County woman's life savings. Wu received a total sentence of 7½ years (split between prison time and extended supervision) and was ordered to pay restitution, maintain employment, and avoid contact with the victim. Elderly residents should be cautious of unsolicited financial requests and contact from strangers, verify requests through independent means, and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-23
Older adults in South Florida are increasingly targeted by scams—including romance schemes, fake tech support calls, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud—which can devastate those living on fixed incomes where even small losses affect their ability to afford housing, food, and medications. A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam where a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor to gain her trust and money. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take preventive steps to protect themselves, such as watching for common scam tactics and being cautious about unfamiliar technology and unsolicited contacts.
news.bloombergtax.com
· 2026-07-23
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated long-term romance scam where criminals build trust with victims over weeks or months before directing them to fake cryptocurrency investment platforms that show false gains, ultimately stealing their money. The scam has become a major problem, generating $7.2 billion in losses across over 61,000 complaints to the FBI in 2025, with many operations run by human trafficking victims forced to work for Southeast Asian criminal enterprises. While victims may be able to claim tax deductions for their losses under certain circumstances, they face significant hurdles including proving the money was "stolen" under state law and navigating tax code provisions that generally block personal theft-loss deductions.
kucoin.com
· 2026-07-23
U.S. federal authorities have seized over $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to investment fraud and "pig butchering" scams (where scammers build fake relationships to manipulate victims into sending money), affecting hundreds of victims across the United States and Canada. The operation, coordinated by the Department of Justice and Secret Service, identified money launderers primarily operating from Southeast Asia and uncovered a scheme where fraudsters even impersonated "fund recovery" services to defraud victims a second time. Victims should be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, verify recovery services through official channels, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement rather than sending money to unknown intermediaries.
observernews.net
· 2026-07-23
Scammers are increasingly targeting Hillsborough County residents, particularly seniors and vulnerable people, through three main schemes: gold bar scams, lottery scams, and romance scams. In the gold bar scam, fraudsters impersonate government officials and pressure victims into withdrawing savings to buy gold bars by falsely claiming identity theft or criminal activity, with one case resulting in a $1.4 million loss to an 80-year-old veteran. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls or messages claiming emergencies, never withdraw money based on such contact, and verify any government agency communication by calling the official number directly rather than using numbers provided by the caller.
poliisi.fi
· 2026-07-23
Scammers are impersonating Finnish police officers through fake video calls on Google Meet, sometimes using deepfake technology to replicate the faces of real officers, and tricking victims—particularly foreign residents in Finland—into revealing banking credentials and personal information by creating a false sense of urgency and legal threats. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate police never request banking or identification information via phone or video calls, adjust your Google Meet settings to accept calls only from known contacts, and immediately contact your bank and report to police if you suspect you've been victimized. This sophisticated fraud scheme caused 88 million euros in damage in 2025 across various scam types.
chase.com
· 2026-07-23
Nearly 50% of scams reported to Chase in late 2025 originated on social media, affecting business owners through fake ads, spoofed websites, and marketplace schemes that can disrupt cash flow and operations. Scammers create urgency and build false trust through professional-looking profiles and offers before disappearing after receiving payment via Zelle or wire transfers. Business owners should be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true, verify seller and buyer legitimacy before payment, and avoid sending money through untraceable payment methods to unknown or unverified recipients.
americascreditunions.org
· 2026-07-23
Credit unions in Ohio and Montana are implementing new fraud prevention tactics, such as brief questionnaires for large cash withdrawals, to catch scams before members lose money. One Cleveland-area credit union's simple intervention—asking a member withdrawing $15,000 where the cash was going—led her to realize she was likely being scammed and halt the transaction. These member-owned institutions are partnering with law enforcement and local agencies to create moments of reflection that help stop fraud, with some credit unions reporting three to four suspicious withdrawal attempts per month at individual branches.
blockchain-council.org
· 2026-07-23
Victims of cryptocurrency scams, lost keys, or wrong-address transfers can sometimes recover their digital assets, but recovery rates are low (often below 30% for theft and scams) and the process is slow and technical. People who have already been scammed are frequently targeted by fake recovery firms promising guaranteed returns, leading to a "second loss"—so victims should avoid unverified recovery services and instead focus on containing damage, preserving evidence, revoking any suspicious smart contract approvals, and reporting to exchanges or law enforcement. To improve recovery chances, victims should document everything carefully, use block explorers to verify transactions, move quickly without panic, and seek help only from legitimate regulators and established platforms.
aol.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers increase their activity during summer months by targeting vacation planning and recreational spending, exploiting opportunities when people share personal information and make purchases online. Common summer scams include vacation rental fraud and impostor schemes, with Americans losing $3.5 billion to impostor scams alone in 2025. To protect yourself, stay vigilant about verifying the legitimacy of vacation rental hosts, avoid making impulse purchases, and be cautious about sharing personal details during summer travel planning.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are impersonating FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to target people who have already lost money to fraud, using tactics like AI-generated deepfake videos, fake websites, and social media impersonation to trick victims into sharing more personal and financial information. The FBI has received over 100 reports of these "recovery scams" since December 2023, with losses exceeding $20 billion reported across all cyber fraud in 2025—a 26% increase from the previous year, hitting older adults especially hard. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact claiming to recover your lost funds, verify any FBI communication directly through official channels, and avoid clicking links or sharing information with people who contact you first.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-22
The FBI is warning Americans about sophisticated scams where fraudsters impersonate FBI agents to target people who have already fallen victim to fraud, attempting to steal more money by claiming they can recover lost funds. These scams use fake social media profiles, AI-generated deepfake videos, and fraudulent websites that mimic official FBI pages to trick victims into providing financial information or clicking malicious links. To protect yourself, verify any FBI contact through official FBI channels directly, never click links from unsolicited messages claiming to help recover funds, and be especially cautious if you've already reported a scam.
wa.gov.au
· 2026-07-22
Gift card scams in Western Australia have surged past $1 million in losses this year, with older residents becoming primary targets through romance scams where fraudsters pose as love interests and convince victims to buy large amounts of gift cards. The scammers are increasingly sophisticated, coaching victims on what to say to store staff and directing them to multiple retailers to avoid detection, though some victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars despite warnings from cashiers. Consumer Protection urges retailers to maintain visible scam warnings and train staff to question customers making unusually large gift card purchases, while the public should be wary of anyone—especially online romantic interests—requesting payment via gift cards.
techround.co.uk
· 2026-07-22
Pig butchering scams are a rapidly growing form of fraud that have cost victims over $10 billion globally, in which criminals spend weeks or months building trust with victims through social media, messaging apps, and dating platforms before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency schemes. Unlike traditional scams that rely on urgency, these sophisticated scams operate as a slow "grooming process" designed to gradually extract larger amounts of money from victims who believe they're developing genuine relationships or legitimate investment opportunities. To protect yourself, be cautious of new online contacts who seem unusually friendly and interested in discussing investments, and avoid sharing financial information or sending money to anyone you haven't met in person or verified through official channels.
wknofm.org
· 2026-07-22
A recent study found that 73% of U.S. adults have encountered online scams or cyberattacks, with victims receiving deceptive emails, texts, and calls designed to steal personal information or money—yet many don't report these crimes due to shame and fear of judgment. Scammers succeed through sophisticated manipulation tactics rather than victim mistakes, so experts emphasize responding to victims with empathy rather than blame. If someone you know is scammed, use nonjudgmental language, encourage them to report it, and help remove the stigma so others feel comfortable sharing their experiences and taking preventive action.
nbcdfw.com
· 2026-07-22
A Dallas senior center held technology classes to teach older adults how to identify and avoid online scams, after many seniors reported being targeted by fraudsters through malicious emails and phishing links. Participants learned how to spot scam emails, use apps safely, and shop online securely, with some receiving free computers and tablets to practice on. The takeaway for seniors: be cautious when opening emails from unfamiliar sources, verify sender identities before clicking links, and take advantage of local tech training programs to build digital literacy skills.
wrtv.com
· 2026-07-22
The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about a resurgent mail scam in which fake "law firms" claim recipients have unclaimed insurance money from a deceased person with the same last name. The scam aims to trick people into calling a phone number where scammers request personal information like Social Security numbers and bank account details, with the FTC suspecting AI is being used to make the fraudulent letters appear legitimate. If you receive such a letter, do not call the number—instead, discard it or report it to the FTC, as no actual money exists and the entire scheme is designed to steal your personal and financial information.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-22
A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam in which a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor and eventually separated her from money—a scheme emblematic of the growing threat seniors face across South Florida. Older adults living on fixed incomes are increasingly targeted by various scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, Medicare fraud, and romance schemes, with even small financial losses potentially jeopardizing their ability to afford housing, utilities, medication, and care. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take protective steps such as staying alert to common scam tactics, being cautious with technology, and verifying the identities of people requesting money or personal information.
techradar.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are increasingly impersonating FBI agents and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center on social media to target people who have already lost money to cybercrime, offering fake recovery services to steal additional funds or personal information. These fraudsters contact victims through Facebook, email, or direct messages and then move conversations to secure channels like Telegram to avoid detection. The FBI warns that it will never ask for payment to recover lost funds, and victims should report suspected scams at ic3.gov or contact the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) for those 60 and older.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-21
The FBI is warning Americans about new scams where fraudsters impersonate FBI agents to target people who have already been scammed, attempting to "help recover" their lost money while actually stealing more. These scams use fake social media profiles, AI-generated deepfake videos, and fraudulent websites designed to look like official FBI pages to gain victims' trust and collect additional financial information. To protect yourself, the FBI advises being skeptical of unsolicited contact claiming to help recover funds, verifying FBI communications through official channels only, and never clicking links or providing financial data to anyone claiming to be an FBI agent.
legalexaminer.com
· 2026-07-21
Phone scammers impersonating banks through "spoofing" have become a major fraud problem, with over 191,000 complaints and $215 million in losses reported in 2025, particularly affecting older Americans. Whether you can recover money depends on the type of transfer: if a scammer made an unauthorized transfer, you have stronger legal protections under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, but if you were tricked into authorizing the transfer yourself, banks are typically not liable under current law. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank, independently verify requests by calling your bank's official number, and never authorize transfers based on phone requests alone—especially for wire transfers, which offer fewer consumer protections.
staysafeonline.org
· 2026-07-21
Tech support scams trick people by displaying fake virus warnings or making unsolicited calls claiming to be from tech companies, pressuring victims to pay for unnecessary repairs, download malicious software, or grant remote access to their devices. These scams affect anyone online and are constantly evolving across pop-ups, phone calls, emails, and ads. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected security warnings or support calls—legitimate companies won't contact you unprompted about device problems, and you should never grant remote access or pay for repairs based on unsolicited alerts.
bostonglobe.com
· 2026-07-21
Romance scams originating from Nigeria typically involve young men, sometimes as young as 14, who pose as Western women online to manipulate and extract money from victims, primarily in places like California. The scammers use fake profiles, downloaded scripts, and Google searches to build convincing false identities, often targeting lonely men who are seeking romantic connections. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and research new contacts before sharing personal or financial information.