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ktar.com
· 2025-12-06
# Holiday Shopping Scams Summary
Scammers are using advanced AI and social engineering tactics to target holiday shoppers through fake websites that perfectly mimic legitimate retailers, manipulated social media videos promoting fake deals, QR code stickers placed over real codes, and highly realistic fake shipping notifications. To protect yourself, verify website URLs carefully (watch for slight variations), never click links in promotional posts or messages—instead go directly to official websites and manually enter codes, avoid scanning unfamiliar QR codes especially those requesting payments or logins, and never provide credit card or personal information via text messages or emails.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-06
Reshipping scams trick job seekers with fake work-from-home positions that promise easy pay for receiving and forwarding packages, but the items are actually purchased with stolen credit cards and you become complicit in moving stolen goods while criminals disappear. Victims not only risk financial loss and identity theft from sharing personal information during the fake hiring process, but may also face criminal liability since reshipping stolen merchandise is illegal regardless of intent. To stay safe, avoid job postings with vague titles like "delivery operations specialist," requests for personal identification upfront, promises of high pay for minimal work, and pressure to act quickly—especially during holiday shopping seasons.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-06
A San Jose widow in her 70s lost nearly $1 million to a "pig butchering" scam, a romance fraud scheme where scammers pose as potential romantic partners to gain victims' trust before manipulating them into sending money for fake cryptocurrency investments. The victim, Margaret Loke, was connected with a man claiming to be a businessman from Texas through Facebook, and after building what seemed like a genuine relationship through messaging, he convinced her to wire her entire life savings to overseas accounts. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of online romantic connections offering investment opportunities, verify identities through video calls before any financial discussions, and never send money to anyone you haven't met in person—especially for cryptocurrency or investment schemes.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-06
Scammers in Mount Dora are creating fake posters for real city events and fraudulently soliciting vendors, collecting fees through Zelle payments for spots that don't actually exist. At least three vendors have been targeted so far, losing money like the $180 paid by one person who thought they were registering for two events. To protect yourself, be wary of event posters that don't list the hosting organization's name or provide a landline phone number, and watch out for vendors being asked to pay only through Zelle or being skipped the standard requirement of providing a certificate of insurance.
gillibrand.senate.gov
· 2025-12-05
Americans lost $16.6 billion to scams in 2024, with seniors particularly vulnerable—losing $4.8 billion of that total. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tools like AI and voice deepfakes to target victims, prompting Senator Gillibrand to introduce legislation requiring the FBI to develop a coordinated national strategy to combat scams. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contacts requesting money or personal information, verify requests through official channels, and consider using call-screening tools on your phone.
pagosadailypost.com
· 2025-12-05
# Holiday Scams Targeting Seniors Rise This Season
During the holiday season, scammers are increasingly targeting older adults through convincing fake emails, calls, and mailings that impersonate charities, delivery services, and government agencies to steal personal information or money. Seniors and their families are urged to verify all communications directly with official organizations, avoid sharing financial details with unsolicited callers, and be skeptical of urgent payment demands—remembering that legitimate businesses never pressure people into immediate decisions. Staying alert and discussing common fraud tactics with elderly relatives can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these sophisticated scams during the holidays.
nationaltradingstandards.uk
· 2025-12-05
Three men have been convicted in a major fraud investigation targeting elderly and vulnerable people who were deceived into buying unnecessary and overpriced solar panel upgrades through companies Clear Renewables Ltd and Efficient Homes SE Ltd. Scammers used cold-calling, misleading scripts, and high-pressure tactics to convince homeowners their existing solar systems needed urgent repairs or replacements, charging thousands of pounds for equipment that cost the companies a fraction of that price and was sometimes hazardous. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited calls about home energy systems, get independent quotes before agreeing to expensive upgrades, and verify that your current equipment actually needs replacement before proceeding with any work.
mebaneenterprise.com
· 2025-12-05
# Romance and Extortion Scams in North Carolina
A tragic case in North Carolina has exposed the deadly risks of online romance scams, where a Jonesborough man was manipulated and extorted by scammers posing as romantic interests before taking his own life in October 2023. North Carolina has seen a surge in various scams affecting over 500 victims and $17 million in losses, including romance fraud, impersonation schemes, and sextortion targeting vulnerable individuals—ranging from elderly residents to teenagers. To protect yourself, authorities advise verifying any unsolicited contact by independently calling known numbers, never sharing personal or financial information with unverified callers, and being cautious of online profiles pressuring you for money, cryptocurrency investments, or wire transfers.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-05
# Holiday Email Scams Surge: FBI Warning
The FBI warns that cybercriminals are exploiting the holiday shopping season by sending realistic phishing emails to Gmail, Outlook, and other inboxes to steal money and personal information, with Americans losing over $785 million to non-delivery and non-payment scams during the holidays and early months following. Common scams include fake purchase confirmations, auction fraud, and gift card schemes, often moving so quickly that victims don't realize they've been compromised until unauthorized charges appear on their bank accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of suspicious links and emails (even ones that look legitimate), verify sender addresses before clicking, and consider enabling two-factor authentication on your accounts.
crr.bc.edu
· 2025-12-04
Seniors ages 60+ lost nearly $5 billion to scams in 2024, with over 140,000 complaints filed to the FBI, and experts believe actual losses are even higher. Scammers specifically target older adults because they typically have more savings, may be less tech-savvy, and are less likely to report fraud, using tactics like impersonating grandchildren claiming emergencies or posing as financial institutions. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails and calls asking for personal information or urgent payments, verify requests by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, and never send money via gift cards or wire transfers to unknown parties.
pagosasun.com
· 2025-12-04
# Holiday Scams Targeting Older Adults on the Rise
During the holiday season, scammers are increasingly targeting senior citizens through convincing fake emails, calls, and mailings that impersonate legitimate organizations and pressure victims into sharing personal information or sending money quickly. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to these schemes because fraudsters exploit the increased volume of holiday communications, charity appeals, and special offers to make their scams seem legitimate.
To protect themselves and their loved ones, families should verify all unexpected communications directly through official channels, remind seniors that legitimate organizations never demand immediate payment or confidential information over the phone, and encourage older relatives to hang up on unsolicited callers requesting financial details.
kens5.com
· 2025-12-04
A San Antonio council member is proposing a plan to protect seniors from holiday scams, which are surging during peak shopping and donation season. The proposal would auto-enroll seniors in Do Not Call registries, ban door-to-door visits after sunset and on Sundays, require door-to-door solicitors to show ID, and provide educational seminars—addressing concerns that over 1,100 cases of senior exploitation were reported in Bexar County last year, though actual cases likely far exceed reported numbers. Seniors should be vigilant about unsolicited calls and visits, verify the identity of anyone requesting payment or personal information, and consider registering on Do Not Call lists to reduce scam exposure.
itweb.co.za
· 2025-12-04
# Romance Scams Summary
Romance scammers create fake online profiles to build emotional relationships with victims, ultimately tricking them into sending money or personal information by exploiting people's desire for connection. Red flags include someone moving too fast in a relationship, requesting money, or refusing video calls—scammers often hide on dating apps and social media platforms where they can easily maintain false identities. To protect yourself, be cautious of online connections who you've never met in person, verify identities through video calls, and never send money to someone you haven't met; according to the FTC, consumers lost over $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023 alone.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-04
Attorney General Kris Mayes has launched Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup, targeting four major voice providers (Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen, and Peerless) that have been transmitting hundreds of millions of suspected illegal robocalls, including imposter scams impersonating Amazon, Apple, Social Security Administration, and the IRS. The crackdown affects millions of Americans who have been bombarded with these illegal calls, following earlier warnings sent to 37 smaller providers in August. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from major companies or government agencies—legitimate organizations typically won't call demanding personal information or immediate payment, and you can report suspicious robocalls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-04
San Antonio's West Side councilwoman is proposing stronger protections for seniors who are frequently targeted by door-to-door scams, including fraudulent solar panel sales and forged signatures. Her proposal includes distributing "no soliciting" yard signs, strengthening city ordinances to require solicitor ID badges and bonding, restricting sales after sunset and on Sundays, and making it easier for seniors to enroll in do-not-call registries. Seniors can protect themselves by being skeptical of unsolicited door-to-door offers, verifying any solicitor's registration with the city through 311, and using do-not-call registries.
fredericksburgfreepress.com
· 2025-12-04
Gift card scams are rapidly increasing in Fredericksburg, with scammers impersonating government officials, relatives, or legitimate organizations to pressure victims—particularly seniors—into purchasing gift cards or using cryptocurrency ATMs. Residents should never share gift card numbers or personal information with unsolicited contacts and should always verify urgent requests by calling a trusted family member or official source directly, as legitimate government agencies never demand payment via gift cards. Anyone suspicious of a scam can report it to local police at (540) 373-3122 or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
citizenportal.ai
· 2025-12-04
State officials warned that funding for elder services may decline significantly in the coming year, affecting programs like Meals on Wheels that serve seniors. To help protect vulnerable residents, the district attorney plans to visit the islands and share fraud-prevention resources, as council members discussed common scams targeting seniors. If you receive a call with silence or delay after answering, hang up immediately rather than responding, and watch for other red flags—the council plans to distribute a fraud-awareness checklist in upcoming newsletters.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-04
Holiday scams are surging in sophistication and frequency, with criminals using AI technology to clone voices, create convincing fake texts, and impersonate delivery services and charities—resulting in over $785 million in losses from non-payment and non-delivery scams alone in 2024. The scams disproportionately affect busy holiday shoppers through emotional manipulation tactics like fake "family emergency" calls and deceptive messages about delayed packages. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls and texts asking for urgent action, verify delivery notifications through official retailer apps or websites, and always double-check charity legitimacy before donating, especially during peak giving season.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-03
Scammers are using a technique called "typosquatting" to create fake Microsoft login emails that look almost identical to legitimate ones, with domains like "rnicrosoft.com" instead of "microsoft.com"—a subtle difference that's easy to miss, especially on mobile devices. When users click these deceptive emails and enter their credentials, attackers gain access to their Microsoft accounts and personal data. To protect yourself, carefully examine sender email addresses character-by-character before clicking links, hover over links to verify the actual destination URL, and enable two-factor authentication on your Microsoft account for added security.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-03
Millions of Walmart customers were targeted in a large-scale scam involving AI-generated robocalls impersonating Walmart employees claiming unauthorized PlayStation 5 purchases of $919.45 on their accounts. The FCC ordered the voice service provider SK Teleco to stop these calls immediately or face being cut off from U.S. networks, as online scams have reached record levels with Americans losing $16.6 billion to internet crimes in 2024. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls about purchases you didn't make, never press buttons or call back numbers provided by unsolicited callers, and verify any claims by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers or websites.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-03
During the holiday season, scammers intensify their fraud efforts, costing consumers billions of dollars annually—with victims in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania losing over $330 million in the first half of 2024 alone. Common scams include phishing emails and texts about package deliveries, gift card fraud, and impersonators claiming to be family members or banks. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls and messages, verify requests through official channels before sharing personal information, and remember that legitimate banks will never ask for sensitive details over the phone.
fox8live.com
· 2025-12-03
Millions of Americans are receiving unwanted robocalls daily, exposing them to scams and fraud, and a new US PIRG report titled "Ringing in our Fears" found that many phone companies have been slow to install required robocall-blocking software—with over 3,600 companies either partially or completely failing to implement it. Consumer advocates argue that regulators and phone companies haven't done enough to combat the problem, though the telecom industry disputes these findings and claims robocalls are declining. If you receive a scam call, report it to the BBB or FTC, and check the FCC's consumer guide for ways to block unwanted calls.
sanantonioreport.org
· 2025-12-03
San Antonio Councilwoman Teri Castillo is proposing new protections against financial scams targeting seniors, including stricter regulations on door-to-door solicitation such as limiting hours to daytime and requiring vendors to wear ID badges and carry bonds. Over 1,100 cases of senior financial exploitation were reported in Bexar County last year, though the actual number is likely much higher since most cases go unreported. The proposal also seeks to improve seniors' access to legal aid and increase coordination between the city, financial institutions, and law enforcement to prevent fraud.
wgem.com
· 2025-12-03
Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud last year, with scammers increasingly targeting people during the holiday season through email, phone calls, and text messages—with seniors particularly vulnerable to "emergency scams" where fraudsters pose as relatives needing money. Common holiday scams include fake online stores, gift card tampering, credit card theft, and fraudulent charity solicitations. To protect yourself, verify websites and charities before purchasing or donating, purchase gift cards directly from cashiers, maintain a trusted contact list to screen calls, and never share card numbers or PINs with unsolicited callers.
soloneconomist.com
· 2025-12-03
The December Solon Senior News alerts seniors to beware of common holiday scams, including fake websites that mimic legitimate retailers, pyramid scheme gift exchanges on social media, grandparent scams requesting emergency money, and fraudulent job postings that steal personal information. Seniors are advised to verify suspicious calls with family members before sending money, shop only on official retailer websites, and avoid "too good to be true" deals like social media gift exchanges. The newsletter also reminds readers about local senior services in Solon, including free holiday lunch on December 12th and transportation assistance available by calling the provided contact numbers.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-03
Fraudsters target shoppers during Christmas by creating fake websites and social media ads that mimic legitimate retailers, offering counterfeit or non-existent products at unrealistically low prices. Consumers should be wary of suspicious web addresses, pressure tactics like limited-time offers, and deals that seem too good to be true, as scammers use social media, email, text, and WhatsApp to steal money and personal information. To protect yourself, verify store URLs carefully, avoid urgent "flash sales," and shop only on verified legitimate websites.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-03
A Carlsbad woman lost $1.3 million in a nationwide gold scam where two men convinced her over several months that converting her savings to gold bars would protect her money in a U.S. Treasury locker—when in fact they were stealing the gold. Two suspects, Xilin Sun and Alexander Charles James, have pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges after an FBI sting operation caught them red-handed. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected pop-up warnings on your computer, never wire money to strangers claiming to be government or bank officials, and remember that legitimate agencies will never ask you to convert savings to gold or other valuables for "safekeeping."
wmdt.com
· 2025-12-02
Online scams targeting seniors have surged in the U.S., with older Americans losing nearly $4.9 billion last year—an average of $83,000 per victim—through tactics like fake charity appeals, gift card requests, and AI-generated impersonations of family members. Experts advise seniors to be wary of urgent requests, especially those demanding secrecy, and recommend establishing a safe word with loved ones to verify identities before sharing information. If you suspect a scam, hang up immediately, delete suspicious emails, call a trusted number to verify the contact, and report the incident to AARP or the FCC.
wdio.com
· 2025-12-02
# Scam Alert Summary
AARP and the Better Business Bureau held a "Scam Jam" event in Duluth to warn seniors and caregivers about increasingly sophisticated scams, particularly as the holiday season approaches when fraud increases. New threats include toll road text scams, deepfake videos and voices created with AI, and cryptocurrency schemes, in addition to traditional phishing emails and spam calls. To protect yourself, delete suspicious texts without clicking links, verify unexpected contacts by calling the person directly, examine images for AI signs like inconsistent backgrounds, and report suspected scams.
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-02
An Orillia senior nearly fell victim to a text message scam that falsely claimed she and her husband had traffic and parking violations, urging them to click a link to pay fines. The scammers exploited the couple's doubt by referencing recent driving situations and using official-sounding language, but lacked identifying details like license plate numbers. The key takeaway: legitimate government fines never arrive by text message with payment links—they come through official email or regular mail, so residents should verify directly with their municipality before paying anything.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-02
# AI-Powered Holiday Scams on the Rise
Artificial intelligence is making holiday scams increasingly sophisticated and dangerous, allowing criminals to create convincing fake voices and complex fraud schemes that have cost Georgians millions of dollars, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Romance and investment scams are among the costliest threats, with romance fraud causing over $800 million in losses nationwide and one metro Atlanta victim losing more than $3 million to AI-enhanced investment scams. To protect yourself, the Secret Service recommends being skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from family members, extraordinary sales offers, and suspicious online coupons—always verify directly through official company websites before responding to requests for money.
cm.asiae.co.kr
· 2025-12-02
Side job scams are targeting financially vulnerable people—particularly those seeking extra income to pay for children's education or medical expenses—by exploiting their guilt and pressuring them to make deposits under the false premise that their teammates will suffer losses if they don't comply. Victims have lost millions of won in these schemes, which are widespread on social media platforms where scammers pose as legitimate side job opportunities and use fake "team missions" to manipulate people into transferring money. To protect yourself, be wary of side job offers on social media that require upfront deposits, demand screenshots or personal information, or create pressure by claiming others depend on your participation—legitimate work opportunities don't operate this way.
wmbfnews.com
· 2025-12-02
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about online Secret Santa schemes that resurface each holiday season, where scammers pose festive gift-exchange posts on social media to trick people into sharing personal information like emails and home addresses for identity theft purposes. These illegal pyramid schemes often encourage users to invite friends and family, expanding the scam's reach across social networks. To protect yourself, avoid participating in these posts, and instead report them directly to the BBB scam tracker and your social media platform.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-02
# Phishing Scam Summary
Scammers are using real Apple Support tickets to conduct a sophisticated phishing scam that tricks users into surrendering their Apple accounts. The scheme exploits a flaw in Apple's support system that allows anyone to create legitimate support tickets without verification, which then triggers official Apple emails that appear trustworthy; victims receive fake security alerts and convincing calls from impersonators posing as Apple agents who guide them through account reset steps. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected Apple alerts and calls, verify support requests directly through Apple's official channels before taking action, and never share passwords or follow links from unsolicited communications.
news.ssbcrack.com
· 2025-12-01
# Bitcoin ATM Scam Summary
An Aransas Pass veteran lost thousands of dollars after scammers convinced him his computer had been hacked and directed him to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM under false pretenses. The scam typically begins with a fake pop-up warning, followed by a phone call from someone impersonating tech support who creates urgency by threatening the victim's financial accounts. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups and phone calls, never wire money or use Bitcoin ATMs based on such warnings, and listen to warnings from store employees—legitimate companies will never ask you to deposit cash into cryptocurrency machines.
wabi.tv
· 2025-12-01
# Holiday Scams Target Millions of Americans
Fraud has become a widespread problem affecting 89% of U.S. adults, with scammers increasingly targeting online shopping, digital payments, and charitable donations through sophisticated schemes like fake text messages, phony gift cards, and fraudulent social media ads. To protect yourself, experts recommend avoiding clicks on social media ads, researching charities through legitimate sites like give.org or charitynavigator.org before donating, and sticking with retailers you know and trust. For additional help, AARP offers free resources including a "Watchdog Alert" email or text service and a helpline at 877-908-3360 where trained volunteers can assist with reporting scams.
grandrapidsmn.com
· 2025-12-01
# Fraud Prevention Presentation Offered
Minnesota Aging Pathways is hosting a free online presentation on January 14, 2026, to help people—particularly older adults—recognize and prevent fraud and scams, which are increasing in frequency. The presentation will cover how to detect fraud, report it, and protect personal information, drawing from the Senior Medicare Patrol's federal education program. Interested participants can register online at the provided Eventbrite link or by calling 800-333-2433 by the registration deadline.
gbtribune.com
· 2025-12-01
# Holiday Shopping Scams Summary
AI-generated phishing emails are making holiday scams increasingly difficult to detect, as fraudsters now create convincing fake messages and websites that closely mimic legitimate retailers like Amazon and Walmart. To protect yourself, experts recommend never clicking links in unsolicited emails—instead, go directly to the retailer's website or app to verify any alerts, research sellers before purchasing, and pay with credit cards when possible so you can dispute fraudulent charges. If a seller insists on payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it's likely a scam, so trust your instincts and report suspicious activity to the FTC.
29news.com
· 2025-12-01
As online shopping surges during Cyber Monday, AAA is warning millions of consumers that cyber criminals are exploiting the holiday season's hectic pace and high traffic to commit fraud. The organization recommends shoppers slow down, verify websites have HTTPS security and padlock icons, avoid clicking suspicious deals, ignore unsolicited payment requests via email or text, and watch out for fake delivery notifications and charity scams. Nearly 274 million Americans shop online annually, making them potential targets, so being cautious and skeptical of "too good to be true" offers is essential protection.
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-11-30
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador is warning residents about scams using fake jury duty notices sent via text, phone, and email to pressure people into paying fines or facing arrest—a scheme particularly targeting seniors. The scammers use spoofed caller IDs and official-looking documents to appear legitimate, but legitimate courts never demand payment through links or threaten arrest by phone. To protect yourself, ignore these messages, hang up immediately, and report suspected scams to ReportScamsIdaho.com rather than clicking any links or providing personal information.
newsx.com
· 2025-11-30
# Digital Arrest Scam Summary
A 71-year-old retired man in Hyderabad lost nearly ₹2 crores (approximately $240,000) to scammers who posed as courier service and police officials, threatening him with legal action and "digital arrest" via video call. The fraudsters used psychological manipulation—including fake documents, threats of imprisonment, and isolation from family—to coerce the victim into transferring money in installments over several days. To protect yourself: never trust unsolicited calls about seized parcels or legal issues, verify any official claims directly with authorities using known phone numbers, and always consult family members before making large financial decisions, as scammers often demand secrecy.
iberkshires.com
· 2025-11-30
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is warning residents about text message scams claiming they owe money for traffic violations and threatening license suspension if payment isn't made immediately. The RMV never contacts people via text about payment and only accepts payments in person or through its official website at mass.gov/RMV. Anyone receiving such texts should delete them immediately, avoid clicking any links, never share personal information, and report the scam to warn others.
coasttv.com
· 2025-11-30
A 79-year-old Delaware widow lost $7,000 in a romance scam after a man she met online claimed to work for the Department of Defense in Israel and requested money for medication, travel, and other expenses to eventually meet her in person. The scammer exploited her loneliness and emotional vulnerability by expressing love and promises of a future together before asking for money via gift cards and Bitcoin. Police warn that romance scammers intentionally target vulnerable people, particularly lonely seniors, so it's important to be skeptical of online relationships that quickly escalate to declarations of love and requests for money, and to never send funds to people you haven't met in person.
ppc.land
· 2025-11-30
Internal documents reviewed by Reuters revealed that Meta's platforms display approximately 15 billion higher-risk scam advertisements daily, with projections suggesting 3-4% of the company's $200 billion 2024 advertising revenue came from fraudulent ads. Users of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other Meta platforms are exposed to these scams, which include banned goods and deceptive schemes that Meta only removes when it reaches 95% certainty of fraud. While experts debate whether stricter detection could help, the challenge remains balancing fraud prevention with protecting legitimate small businesses from being wrongly blocked by automated systems.
newsnationnow.com
· 2025-11-30
"Pig butchering" scams—sophisticated fraud schemes run by international criminal networks primarily based in Malaysia and the Philippines—are targeting elderly people, entrepreneurs, and cryptocurrency investors by using social engineering to trick victims into sending money, cryptocurrency, or gift card codes. Experts have launched Operation Shamrock, a nonprofit dedicated to educating bankers and at-risk individuals about these billion-dollar scams that often involve trafficked workers forced to participate. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited contact urging you to invest or send money, verify requests through independent channels, and never send cryptocurrency or gift cards to unknown parties, especially if you're being pressured to act quickly.
atg.wa.gov
· 2025-11-30
As Washington State enters the giving season and Giving Tuesday approaches, residents are being warned about charity fraud and scams that could divert donations from legitimate organizations. The Washington State Attorney General's Office is promoting a "Pause. Check the Cause" campaign that advises donors to verify charities before giving by checking their tax-exempt status, asking for an employer identification number (EIN), and verifying registration with the Secretary of State or IRS databases. To protect themselves, donors should avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts, navigate directly to charity websites, and be cautious of unfamiliar organizations or those requesting donations through unexpected channels.
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CBC News
· 2025-10-10
**Scam Type:** Romance/Investment Fraud
**Victim:** Marcel Desan (Ontario, Canada)
**Perpetrator:** Mariam Chan (operating under fake identity "Mary")
**Amount Lost:** $3,500
A scammer using a fake identity and stolen photos defrauded Marcel Desan of $3,500 through an online romance scheme. When Desan discovered the fraud and confronted the perpetrator (identified as Mariam Chan on social media), recorded calls captured the scammer's abusive responses and threats. The investigation traced the stolen funds being used by the fraudster to finance a lavish lifestyle while the
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Good Morning America
· 2025-10-09
An 85-year-old woman named Fran Bates was scammed over two days by criminals who convinced her that her bank account had been hacked and persuaded her to deposit tens of thousands of dollars of her life savings into a Bitcoin ATM for "safety." This scam is part of a larger trend in which sophisticated criminal networks are increasingly exploiting the over 45,000 Bitcoin ATMs across the country to separate Americans from their money.
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ABC News
· 2025-10-09
An 85-year-old woman, Fran Bates, lost tens of thousands of dollars of her life savings to a cryptocurrency scam over two days when a scammer convinced her that her bank account had been hacked and instructed her to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM for safety. The scam was caught on camera at the ATM, where the victim deposited at least $23,000 before intervention occurred, highlighting how sophisticated criminal networks are increasingly exploiting Bitcoin ATMs—of which over 45,000 operate across the country—to defraud Americans.
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WFXR NEWS
· 2025-10-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of increased scam activity during government shutdowns, particularly government impersonation scams where criminals pose as federal agencies to steal money or personal information. Common shutdown-related scams include fake passport expedited services, fraudulent messages claiming benefits are at risk unless payment is made, and impersonation of the IRS, Social Security, or law enforcement. The shutdown makes these scams more effective because confusion about which services remain open allows criminals to exploit victims, and official fraud reporting websites like the FTC's are offline, preventing victims from easily reporting incidents.