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in Scam Awareness
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
Mequon Police Department launched a proactive "Senior Safety Session" initiative across Ozaukee County to educate elderly residents about recognizing and avoiding scams, following a dramatic surge in fraud losses in the area. Fraud losses quintupled from $500,000 in 2023 to $2.5 million in 2024, with scammers using tactics such as impersonating grandchildren claiming emergencies. The sessions teach seniors to verify suspicious calls with trusted contacts and recognize common fraud schemes targeting elderly residents.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
American seniors aged 60 and older reported $4.8 billion in losses to scammers in 2024, making them the primary targets for cybercriminals operating globally, with fraudulent wire transfers often routing through Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Mexico. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to cultural tendencies to trust, limited technological sophistication, and the fact that they control over 70% of American wealth. The FBI advises that education and awareness are the best defenses, recommending seniors verify unsolicited contacts independently, avoid sending money or gift cards in response to urgent requests, and stay informed about common scam tactics.
news.shib.io
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to stealing over $2.5 million from six victims through romance scams between 2016 and 2019, laundering the funds through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. Nwadavid manipulated victims into sending money via fake dating profiles and romantic relationships, then transferred the stolen funds through a Massachusetts resident accomplice into crypto wallets on LocalBitcoins. He faces up to 20 years in prison on mail fraud and money laundering charges, along with potential deportation.
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old Nigerian national pleaded guilty in federal court to orchestrating romance scams that defrauded six victims of over $2.5 million between 2016 and 2019, using fake dating profiles to manipulate victims into sending money that was funneled through cryptocurrency accounts he controlled. He was arrested in April 2025 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and faces up to 20 years in prison on mail fraud charges and up to 20 years on each money laundering charge, with sentencing scheduled for September 23, 2025, followed by deportation.
chronline.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first quarter of 2025, Washington fraud victims lost $38.2 million, with people ages 80 and over suffering the highest median loss of $1,286; "government imposters" remain the most prevalent scam type. Regional law enforcement agencies warned residents about evolving fraud schemes including fake DMV text messages demanding payment, cryptocurrency kiosk scams (which cost Washington $142 million in 2023), and romance scams that defrauded seniors 60+ of $389 million nationally in 2024. Authorities advise residents to verify claims directly with agencies using official contact information and avoid unusual payment methods like cryptocurrency, Venmo, or Pay
northyorks.gov.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational advisory warns that fraudsters increasingly impersonate enforcement officers to target council tax and business rate payers. The guidance advises verifying the identity of anyone claiming to be an official, avoiding disclosure of sensitive information in unsolicited calls, and not clicking links in suspicious emails or texts, with instructions to report suspected scams to local authorities.
spokesman.com
· 2025-12-08
Government agencies across Washington and Idaho are warning residents about multiple active scams, including government imposter schemes, fake DMV text messages demanding payment for traffic violations, romance scams, and cryptocurrency kiosk fraud. In early 2025, Washington fraud victims lost $38.2 million with people ages 80 and older experiencing median losses of $1,286, while Idaho residents lost over $63 million to cybercrimes in 2024, with seniors being predominately targeted. Authorities advise residents never to respond to unsolicited demands for payment and to independently verify any claims by contacting the legitimate agency using official phone numbers rather than information provided by the scammer.
wsiu.org
· 2025-12-08
A Better Business Bureau study found that business scams cost North America billions annually, with over 3,600 scam reports filed since 2022, using tactics like vendor impersonation, account hijacking, and fake invoices—data breaches alone average $4.9 million per incident. The BBB recommends businesses implement employee training, verify contacts, strengthen cybersecurity, and establish secure payment procedures to combat these threats.
krcgtv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker documented over 3,600 scams in the United States over three years, including employee impersonations, vendor fraud, social media account theft, and data breaches that collectively caused billions of dollars in losses across North America. BBB officials warned that scammers can steal hundreds of thousands of dollars rapidly and emphasized the importance of cybersecurity protections such as firewalls and multifactor authentication, along with careful verification of companies before conducting business.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using stolen identities and AI-generated deepfakes to create "ghost students" who fraudulently obtain federal student aid before disappearing, leaving victims with damaged credit scores and fraudulent debt. Criminals obtain personal information through data breaches and phishing, then use AI bots to enroll in classes and trigger financial aid disbursements, while also impersonating FAFSA representatives to steal login credentials and Social Security numbers. To protect against this fraud, students should monitor credit regularly, enable two-factor authentication, and guard sensitive personal information closely.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines seven common Zelle scams and protective measures. Zelle, a money-transfer service used by major U.S. banks, is generally secure but vulnerable to scammer exploitation; the platform announced in November 2023 it would refund victims of certain imposter scams (financial institution, government, and Zelle refund impersonators) but not others like friend/family or romance impersonators. Users are advised to verify the identity of anyone requesting money transfers, use reverse phone lookup tools, and remember that legitimate institutions never request money via phone, text, or email.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using cloned websites, fake apps, and social media ads to trick travelers into booking non-existent flights, hotels, and vacation rentals. Cybersecurity experts warn that artificial intelligence is making it easier for fraudsters to create convincing fake travel booking sites, often using social media ads with artificial urgency (limited-time sales) to pressure quick bookings. To protect yourself, verify exact domain names, avoid clicking links in ads, and instead use trusted apps or type website addresses directly into your browser.
yankton.net
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for South Dakota designated June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month to highlight the widespread impact of elder fraud and abuse, which affects millions of seniors annually by compromising their finances, security, and dignity. Warning signs of elder fraud include unexplained bank withdrawals, suspicious signatures on financial documents, abrupt changes to wills, and unpaid bills despite adequate funds, while common scams involve impersonation (kidnapping/arrest claims), romance fraud, and gift card schemes. The Justice Department provides resources including Senior Scam Alerts and a dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) for reporting and assistance.
cryptorank.io
· 2025-12-08
An Australian investigation identified 90 individuals involved in cryptocurrency ATM fraud, revealing that scammers are exploiting vulnerable elderly victims through romance and investment schemes. A woman in her 70s lost $281,000 and another lost $130,000 after being manipulated into depositing cash into crypto ATMs, with over $3 million lost to such scams nationwide between January 2024 and January 2025. In response, AUSTRAC implemented new operational standards including transaction limits, mandatory scam alerts, and enhanced verification protocols to combat the misuse of the 1,600+ crypto ATMs across Australia.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly Americans have lost millions of dollars through Bitcoin ATM scams, with fraud losses surging from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million by 2023, with seniors accounting for two-thirds of reported losses. In response, states and cities have implemented various regulations including transaction limits, licensing requirements, and mandatory operator conversations for large transactions, while Senator Dick Durbin introduced the federal Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to cap daily spending at $2,000 and require refunds if police reports are filed within 30 days. Scammers typically impersonate government agencies, businesses, or tech support, with median losses per victim reaching $10,000.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Complaints from adults aged 60 and older targeting online scams increased 46% from 2023 to 2024, with that age group losing over $4.8 billion to internet crimes in 2024, according to the FBI. Scammers target older adults for their assets through various schemes including romance cons, cryptocurrency investment fraud ("pig butchering"), and intermediary money-transfer operations, with criminals often establishing trust through social media before requesting payments. The article emphasizes that while cognitive aging increases vulnerability, everyone is at risk due to advancing AI technology, and recommends family members, friends, and service providers watch for unusual financial activity and intervene diplomatically.
danvillesanramon.com
· 2025-12-08
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office hosted a workshop on real estate fraud targeting older adults, led by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski as part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month outreach efforts. The workshop educated community members including attorneys, financial professionals, and residents aged 50+ about fraud prevention, noting that older adults are vulnerable due to high property equity, increased trust in others, and limited digital literacy. Filkowski emphasized that while real estate fraud is difficult to investigate and undo, prevention through education and resources like the District Attorney's Fraud Hotline (925-957-8705) is crucial to protecting seniors from financial exploitation.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning communities about "notario fraud," an immigration scam where unlicensed individuals fraudulently offer immigration legal services by exploiting confusion about what a "notario" is—particularly among Spanish-speaking immigrants who believe it means attorney as it does in their home countries. Only licensed lawyers and accredited representatives can legally provide immigration advice or represent clients in court; victims may end up improperly filing documents or being flagged by ICE. Californians are advised to verify credentials through the American Bar Association, avoid sharing money or personal information with unsolicited contacts, and report scams to the California Department of Justice or local authorities, with free legal assistance
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers of a spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate the Department of Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team, using caller ID spoofing to appear as legitimate officials and falsely claiming recipients' information has been "flagged" with credit agencies to extort immediate payment. The Department clarified it never calls to demand money, charge fees, or negotiate debt over the phone, and urged consumers to hang up on such calls and report them directly to the Consumer Protection Team.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated PayPal phishing scam is exploiting PayPal's own email system to send fraudulent alerts that appear completely legitimate, bypassing security filters by originating from PayPal's official servers. The scam uses urgency tactics (claiming unauthorized address changes or payments) and may include phone numbers directing victims to fake PayPal representatives who trick them into downloading remote access malware that compromises their devices. This attack is particularly dangerous because it weaponizes PayPal's legitimate infrastructure to establish trust, making it difficult for even security-conscious users to detect, and reportedly affects numerous users across Reddit and cybersecurity forums.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A coordinated cybercriminal operation used over 140 malicious Facebook ads featuring Pi2Day branding (an event celebrated June 28) to target Pi Network cryptocurrency users globally with two main scams: phishing pages mimicking Pi Wallet that harvest 24-word recovery phrases, and fake mining apps containing malware (Generic.MSIL.WMITask and Generic.JS.WMITask) that compromise user devices and wallets. The attacks exploited the appeal of Pi Network's easy smartphone mining model among inexperienced crypto users through social pressure tactics including limited-time offers and countdown timers, with evidence suggesting a single threat actor group orchestrated the parallel campaigns across Meta
chronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Washington residents lost $38.2 million to fraud in the first quarter of 2025, with people ages 80 and over experiencing the highest median losses of $1,286; "government imposters" represent the most common scam type, including fake DMV text messages demanding payment for traffic violations and romance scams targeting seniors. The FBI reported over 7,600 people age 60 or older lost approximately $389 million in romance scams in 2024, while cryptocurrency kiosk scams cost Washington state $142 million in 2023. Law enforcement agencies advise residents to verify requests independently using official phone numbers, avoid untypical payment methods like cryptocurrency or peer-to
jmu.edu
· 2025-12-08
James Madison University staff warned students, staff, and recent graduates about scams targeting the campus community, particularly job and internship fraud schemes designed to steal personal information or money. The university's Career Center recommends verifying employer legitimacy through resources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and the Better Business Bureau, and advises students to trust their instincts and be alert to red flags such as requests for banking information, wire transfer payments, unprofessional communications, or contact via text rather than official channels. Students are encouraged to take time during job searches, ask clarifying questions, and network with alumni to confirm job opportunities are legitimate.
heart.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Television presenter Noel Edmonds fell victim to a multi-million pound fraud orchestrated by corrupt staff at HBOS's Reading branch between 2003 and 2007, which forced his company Unique Group into receivership with debts of nearly £3 million. After a lengthy legal battle, Edmonds reached a settlement with Lloyds Banking Group (which had acquired HBOS) in 2019, receiving approximately £5 million in compensation, while the bank set aside £100 million for the 70 affected customers. Edmonds has since become an advocate for fraud awareness, sharing his experience to help others and highlighting the vulnerability of business owners to financial crimes
alaskasnewssource.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP fraud experts warn that scammers in Anchorage are placing fake QR codes over legitimate ones in parking lots to direct users to fraudulent websites and steal personal financial information. To avoid falling victim, consumers should avoid scanning codes that appear tampered with, verify URLs match the business, never scan codes from unsolicited texts or emails, and resist rushing before entering sensitive data. Anyone who suspects they've been scammed should contact their bank immediately and report the incident to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An Atlanta couple lost $800,000 in retirement savings to a cryptocurrency scam that began with a WhatsApp message from a stranger promoting an investment opportunity through a trading app. After receiving initial positive returns, Jerry Dunaway invested larger amounts but was unable to withdraw his money when he tried to access it; law enforcement indicated recovery was unlikely. The couple now advocates for public awareness, while experts note that cryptocurrency fraud affected over 69,000 Americans in 2023 with losses exceeding $5.6 billion, with adults over 60 experiencing the highest losses at $1.2 billion through scams using artificial intelligence and fake trading platforms.
yespunjab.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old cyber fraudster, Malya Das, was arrested in New Delhi after evading police for four years for orchestrating a KYC phishing scam that defrauded senior citizens of Rs 1.51 lakh in 2021. Das tricked victims into clicking malicious links via SMS warnings about SIM blocking, installed remote access software to steal OTPs, and laundered stolen funds through online gaming platforms and bank accounts totaling Rs 27 lakh. The arrest followed a reinvigorated investigation that used technical surveillance to trace the money trail through RummyCircle accounts and ATM withdrawals.
cryptorank.io
· 2025-12-08
An Australian investigation identified 90 individuals involved in cryptocurrency ATM fraud schemes, revealing that many were victims rather than perpetrators. A woman in her 70s lost $281,000 and another lost $130,000 after falling victim to romance and investment scams that directed them to deposit cash into crypto ATMs; between January 2024 and January 2025, over $3 million was lost to crypto ATM scams in Australia with nearly half of victims aged over 51. In response, AUSTRAC implemented new operational standards for crypto ATM providers including transaction limits, mandatory scam alerts, and improved verification protocols.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of cyberattacks resembling Scattered Spider targeting the aviation industry, with confirmed sightings also reported by Google's Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42. Scattered Spider, a group of younger hackers using social engineering and phishing, has previously conducted high-profile breaches including the 2023 MGM Casinos attack and a 2024 Marks & Spencer breach that resulted in over $807 million in market capitalization loss. The advisory notes that airlines, vendors, and contractors across the aviation ecosystem face heightened risk, particularly as third-party breaches have doubled to represent 30% of data breaches in the past year.
region.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Police across Australia are warning of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting vulnerable victims, with over 150 reported cases in 2024 resulting in losses exceeding $3 million, including victims who deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars. Scammers manipulate victims—predominantly people over 50—through romance, investment, and employment fraud schemes, directing them to use cryptocurrency ATMs as anonymous cash pipelines after banks block traditional transfers. Authorities emphasize that cryptocurrency ATM transactions are irreversible and advise the public to never send money via cryptocurrency when pressured by unknown persons or promised quick profits.
euroweeklynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old woman's report of a €353,952 romance scam led Spanish authorities to dismantle an international network of romance scammers operating from Nigeria, resulting in the arrest of 14 suspects across six Spanish provinces in "Operation Doyun." The scammers created fake profiles impersonating attractive men and celebrities to emotionally manipulate victims into making bank transfers, with some Spanish elderly women recruited to help launder the stolen funds; approximately €45,000 was recovered from the network's accounts.
pondolandtimes.co.za
· 2025-12-08
South African SASSA social grant beneficiaries, particularly elderly and vulnerable recipients, face escalating fraud threats through ten common scams including fake SMS messages, ATM card swaps, bogus home visits by impersonators, phishing emails, and social media fraud—all targeting desperate individuals relying on government assistance. Scammers employ tactics such as posing as SASSA officials, creating fake reapplication websites, and requesting fees to "fast-track" grants or "fix" unpaid payments, costing victims their essential monthly income. The advisory urges beneficiaries to verify information only through official SASSA channels, protect their cards and PINs, and report frau
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating Chinese authorities have defrauded international students in Australia of over $5.1 million in the first five months of 2025, with nearly 680 reported cases targeting predominantly 18-24 year-old victims through threats of arrest, deportation, criminal accusations, and "24-hour surveillance." The scams employ increasingly aggressive intimidation tactics, including fake "virtual kidnapping" scenarios, with an average loss per victim of $138,018. Australian authorities advise victims to hang up, not engage with callers, contact local police or university support services, and never provide money or personal information when credentials are in doubt.
newuniversity.org
· 2025-12-08
Orange County officially recognized June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day through a Board of Supervisors resolution, highlighting that 14.3% of county residents are age 65 and older and that Adult Protective Services received over 2,500 abuse reports in 2024. Financial exploitation accounts for 40% of these reports, with common schemes including IRS impersonation scams, grandparent scams, and romance scams that deplete victims' savings. The California Department of Justice estimates that only one in six instances of elder abuse is reported statewide, and experts recommend never sharing financial information with unsolicited callers regardless of claimed identity.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In response to a surge in "digital arrest" scams targeting senior citizens in Goa, police have directed banks to implement protective measures including scrutinizing unusual transactions by elderly customers and contacting them before completing large transfers. Fraudsters in these schemes impersonate law enforcement or government officials (police, CBI, RBI, TRAI) to coerce victims into transferring money by falsely accusing them of illegal activities like money laundering. Banks have been instructed to train staff to recognize warning signs, conduct senior-focused awareness campaigns, establish dedicated helplines, and display in-branch warnings about these scams.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office hosted a workshop during Elder Abuse Awareness Month to help residents identify and prevent real estate fraud schemes targeting adults aged 50 and older, who are vulnerable due to higher home ownership, trust in others, and limited digital literacy. Supervising Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski emphasized that while real estate fraud is difficult to investigate and remedy once it occurs, prevention through education about notarized signatures, fraud notification programs, and common scam tactics is essential. The office operates a Fraud Hotline and continues community outreach efforts in partnership with the Family Justice Center to combat elder financial abuse.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Nvidia GPU scams are increasing in sophistication, with reported incidents including buyers receiving bags of rice, old GPUs, empty shells, or printed photos instead of high-end graphics cards like the RTX 5090, while some sellers have lost thousands (one seller lost approximately $1,900) through fake banking app transfers. To stay safe, consumers should purchase from trusted sellers on established platforms like Amazon, verify return policies, avoid suspiciously cheap listings, and exercise caution when buying second-hand GPUs through local groups or marketplaces.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudulent text messages impersonating Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles are circulating among state residents, claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threatening vehicle registration suspension and prosecution. Officials advise recipients not to click links or share personal information via these unsolicited texts, and to report suspected scam messages to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers target pet owners who post about lost pets on social media by exploiting their emotional vulnerability and the contact information they share publicly. Con artists monitor these posts to contact distressed pet owners with fake recovery offers or other fraudulent schemes that capitalize on owners' desperation to reunite with their animals.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Hampton, Virginia fell victim to a sophisticated Facebook account takeover scam in which a scammer impersonated her friend, used fake video calls and personal details to gain her trust, and tricked her into sending a recovery code that gave them access to her account. The scammer changed her email and password, locked her out, compromised three Facebook groups she administered, and attempted to purchase $17,000 in bitcoins on her account before she recognized a follow-up scam demanding money. The article provides recovery steps for compromised Facebook accounts and advises victims to report incidents to IC3.gov and Facebook's official support channels rather than third-party support numbers.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old Fort Worth teacher lost his entire $32,000 life savings after scammers impersonating Chase Bank representatives convinced him via text and phone calls to transfer his funds to a "secure account." When he reported the incident to Chase Bank, the bank classified it as a scam rather than fraud and returned only $2,000, leaving him unprotected by fraud coverage policies. Leahy is now sharing his experience publicly to warn others about phishing scams, which commonly trick victims into revealing sensitive financial information through impersonation of legitimate institutions.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common travel scams targeting tourists in popular cities including Riga, Istanbul, Budapest, Bangkok, and Barcelona, with schemes ranging from inflated taxi fares and fake tours to pickpocketing and restaurant surcharges. The article advises travelers to research local scams, use secure payment methods, verify pricing beforehand, and avoid carrying all valuables to protect themselves from scammers who exploit the confusion and crowding typical of tourist environments.
fisherinvestments.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are employing updated tactics during summer to defraud investors and steal personal information through two primary schemes: a modernized "pump and dump" stock manipulation where fraudsters pose as financial advisers on social media to recruit victims into buying penny stocks (particularly U.S.-listed Chinese companies) before artificially inflating and dumping them; and Social Security fraud involving false benefit applications. The article advises investors to avoid unrealistic get-rich-quick opportunities, base stock decisions on fundamental company analysis rather than tips or hot tips from unverified sources, and ignore unsolicited financial pitches from strangers on social media and messaging apps.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern eCommerce fraud has evolved into a sophisticated, sector-specific operation targeting fashion (chargebacks and return fraud), electronics (fake reviews and SKU manipulation), and beauty retailers (counterfeit goods and return abuse with counterfeit substitutions). Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit reported over $180 million in settlements and judgments from more than 200 civil suits over five years, with 65+ individuals imprisoned, as automated bot-driven scams using AI deepfakes and behavioral testing become increasingly difficult to detect and prevent.
dcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams affecting residents in the quad-city area, including banking, IRS, government grants, senior dating, tech support, lottery, home repair, Medicare, law enforcement, utility, social security, prescription drug, and sextortion scams. The article advises never saying "yes" to unsolicited phone questions and provides specific warning signs and protective measures for each scam type. Key recommendations include hanging up on suspicious calls, verifying contact through official channels, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, and being cautious with upfront payment requests.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana warns of a rising surge in employment scams involving fraudulent text messages and emails impersonating legitimate companies, which promise quick, flexible, high-paying work to job seekers. Scammers typically request upfront payments or banking information and direct victims to communicate via WhatsApp or Telegram. Job seekers are advised to verify companies through official websites only, never pay upfront fees, and report suspicious offers to the BBB ScamTracker or FTC.
katc.com
· 2025-12-08
A resurfacing text message scam falsely claims recipients owe Louisiana state traffic ticket fees and directs them to click a suspicious link for payment. The Louisiana State Police and governor's office warn that the state Department of Motor Vehicles never collects fees via text message, and law enforcement agencies across the state are actively sharing alerts about this years-old fraud scheme.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans are being targeted by scams at unprecedented rates, with 96% receiving fraudulent calls, emails, or texts weekly, according to a CNET report. The most prevalent scams include highway toll/ticket schemes, shipping notification frauds, and the "grandparents scam" where callers impersonate family members claiming to be in trouble and demanding money immediately. Experts warn that rising AI and voice-cloning technology will likely increase these impersonation scams, and recommend remaining vigilant by avoiding responses to unsolicited messages and verifying caller identity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 national health care fraud takedown resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants across 50 federal districts for schemes involving over $14.6 billion in alleged fraud, with 19 individuals charged in Florida's Middle District alone for defrauding Medicare and programs serving elderly and disabled beneficiaries. Key defendants included William Balsamo, charged with operating a telemedicine kickback scheme that caused at least $9 million in Medicare losses, and Edward Cannatelli, Robbyn Cannatelli, Thomas Farese, and Virginia Lockett, charged with conspiracy to defraud Medicare through medically unnecessary physician orders generated via telemarketing
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The FTC estimated fraud theft at $158.3 billion in 2023 (approximately $434 million daily), representing a persistent year-over-year increase in criminal activity. While fraud continues to surge, new initiatives such as the Aspen Institute's national fraud strategy and the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center launched in April 2024 aim to coordinate investigations and prosecutions against fraud criminals. Individuals can help combat fraud by reporting scams and educating others about fraud prevention tactics.