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loveballymena.online
· 2025-12-06
Northern Ireland's Trading Standards Service is warning consumers about increasingly sophisticated Christmas scams targeting online shoppers during the busy holiday season, with fraudsters using fake deals, counterfeit goods, and non-delivery schemes to steal payment details and money. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald urges shoppers to exercise caution, verify trusted sellers, and carefully protect personal payment information before making online purchases. To stay safe, consumers should shop only from reputable retailers, be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and avoid sharing sensitive details with unverified sellers.
theborneopost.com
· 2025-12-06
Online scams in Sarawak, Malaysia have surged dramatically, with reported cases rising from 1,888 to 2,295 and financial losses climbing from RM78.41 million to RM85.45 million in just over a year, affecting victims across multiple scam categories including love scams, investment fraud, and fake job offers. The article highlights the emotional and financial devastation caused by these crimes, including a tragic case of an elderly woman who lost money to a romance scammer and died still believing his promises, while emphasizing that official statistics likely undercount the true number of victims since many never report their cases. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages from strangers, especially those asking for money; verify job offers and investment opportunities independently; and report suspected scams to authorities rather than suffering in silence, as official reports help track the problem and potentially prevent others from becoming victims.
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.
amo.house.gov
· 2025-12-05
Congressman Gabe Amo introduced two bipartisan bills to combat the growing scam problem in America, where citizens lost over $16 billion last year to fraudsters. The legislation aims to create a national strategy for fighting scams and strengthen law enforcement task forces focused on protecting seniors, who are increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes. The bills seek to improve coordination between federal agencies to better respond to and prevent scams that have left many Americans financially devastated.
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.
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.
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.
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.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-03
A 79-year-old Welsh angler fell victim to an elaborate scam in which fraudsters posing as the International Monetary Fund sent him emails claiming a relative in New Zealand had died, prompting him to travel to Mexico City. During his journey, a woman named "Carolina" convinced him to carry a locked suitcase containing "gifts" to Chile in exchange for a promised £3.7 million reward, but the bag actually contained £200,000 worth of methamphetamine, leading to his arrest. The key takeaway for readers is to be extremely suspicious of unexpected emails claiming emergencies or inheritances, especially those appearing to come from official organizations like the IMF, and never transport sealed items across borders for strangers, regardless of promised rewards.
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.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-03
# Holiday Scam Summary
Scammers are using AI tools to create increasingly convincing fake websites, emails, and text messages during the 2024 holiday season, with one in five Americans already targeted or scammed according to a McAfee report. The fraudulent messages mimic legitimate retailers so closely that traditional red flags like misspellings and poor logos no longer apply, making them difficult to spot. To protect yourself, independently verify any suspicious communications by contacting companies directly through their official websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in emails or texts.
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.
wjhl.com
· 2025-12-03
# Article Summary
Three individuals—two from New Jersey and one from Washington—have been sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that targeted elderly Americans, including a Tennessee man who lost his entire $86,900 life savings and later died by suicide. The scammers impersonated celebrities and government officials online to convince victims they were in romantic relationships, then extorted money by posing as law enforcement claiming investigations were underway. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online, never send money to people you haven't met in person, and verify claims by contacting official organizations directly through their published phone numbers rather than using contact information provided by the scammer.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-03
Love Island star Amy Hart lost £5,000 to scammers impersonating her bank's fraud department in May 2022, and is now warning the public about Christmas scams after research showed nearly 50% of English people have been targeted this year. Hart emphasized that scams affect everyone regardless of technical knowledge, and that scammers use psychological tactics like creating a sense of urgency and panic to manipulate victims. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls even if the number appears legitimate when you search it online, never share account access codes with callers claiming to be from your bank, and stay extra vigilant during busy periods like Christmas when distractions make you vulnerable to fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-03
Three individuals—two from New Jersey and one from Washington—were sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded a Tennessee victim of nearly $87,000 in 2023, ultimately contributing to his suicide. The scam involved criminals in Nigeria impersonating celebrities and government officials online to trick elderly victims into sending money, with U.S.-based conspirators receiving the funds and using harassment tactics to extract additional payments. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected romantic connections online, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, and report suspicious communications to authorities immediately.
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.
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.
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.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-02
# Cyber Monday Fraud Alert
This Cyber Monday is expected to generate over $14.2 billion in online sales, but scammers are actively targeting shoppers with fake websites, phony delivery notifications, and fraudulent job offers to steal personal information and money—Americans have already reported $7 billion in fraud this year. To stay safe, verify website URLs carefully for typos, avoid clicking links in unsolicited text messages about package deliveries, be cautious of too-good-to-be-true job postings, and monitor your credit card statements closely for unauthorized charges. When shopping, trust your instincts if something seems off, shop only on verified retailer websites, and use secure payment methods whenever possible.
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.
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.
saltwire.com
· 2025-12-01
Charles Gillen, 25, defrauded over $130,000 from seniors in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, with three victims providing emotional impact statements describing trauma, sleepless nights, financial devastation, and lasting psychological harm. The victims, aged 74-87, lost their savings and spoke of feeling vulnerable, embarrassed, and anxious, with some unable to afford planned trips or recover from recent losses. Anyone suspicious of unsolicited contact offering financial opportunities or requests for personal information should verify the caller's identity through official channels and remember that legitimate organizations never pressure people into immediate decisions or ask for upfront payments.
bernama.com
· 2025-12-01
International police agencies are warning of a dangerous surge in transnational scam operations across Southeast Asia that are linked to human trafficking, forced labor, and serious crimes including torture and sexual exploitation. Victims are often lured with fake job promises and then forced into compounds where they operate fraud schemes like romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency scams targeting people worldwide. Law enforcement is increasing coordination and information sharing to dismantle these criminal networks, with Myanmar recently destroying hundreds of illegal scam buildings, and regional authorities are emphasizing joint efforts to combat the cross-border crime problem.
denver7.com
· 2025-12-01
During the Cyber Monday shopping season, scammers are flooding inboxes with fraudulent emails impersonating major retailers like Walmart and Target, with phishing emails surging over 2,000% last year. Non-payment and non-delivery scams cost consumers more than $785 million in 2024, prompting FBI warnings to shoppers. To protect yourself, avoid wiring money directly to sellers, never share pre-paid gift card information, and verify sellers through the Better Business Bureau before making purchases.
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.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-01
# Charity Scam Prevention Summary
Washington state officials have launched a "Pause. Check the Cause." campaign to help residents avoid holiday donation scams, which commonly include impostor charities mimicking legitimate organizations, phishing emails with fraudulent links, and fake organizations created on social media after disasters. Before donating, pause to research the charity's legitimacy by verifying its tax-exempt status with the Secretary of State, requesting its employer identification number (EIN), and visiting the organization's official website directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts. Consumers should search for the charity's exact name along with terms like "scam" or "fraud" to spot red flags and donate only through official channels.
kolotv.com
· 2025-11-30
Nevada experienced a significant surge in senior fraud reports, with a 52% year-over-year increase and seniors losing over $21 million in 2024 alone, making it one of the hardest-hit states alongside New Hampshire and Arizona. Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults through phishing emails and fake delivery schemes, particularly during holiday shopping seasons when seniors are shopping online more frequently. To stay safe, seniors should verify sender information before clicking links, shop only on secure websites, and be cautious of unexpected delivery notifications or requests for personal information.
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.
standardspeaker.com
· 2025-11-30
Americans lost a record $16.6 billion to scams in 2024, with 73% of people having experienced online fraud, and losses are expected to spike during the holiday shopping season as scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics like fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit delivery notifications. The most vulnerable populations need to be especially vigilant, as they're often the primary targets of these schemes. To protect yourself, verify website URLs for security (HTTPS), check for spelling errors on sites, and be cautious of unsolicited payment requests from supposed delivery services.
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.
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-11-30
The FBI San Diego Field Office is warning holiday shoppers about common scams that increase during the season, including non-delivery scams, fake charities, gift card fraud, and auction fraud that cost thousands of people money each year. To protect yourself, the FBI recommends being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, avoiding suspicious links and payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers, verifying websites use secure "https://" connections, and researching charities before donating. By staying vigilant and doing research before shopping or donating online, consumers can help prevent scammers from taking advantage of holiday season spending.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-11-30
During Cyber Monday shopping, scammers are using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake deals and impersonate legitimate brands through fraudulent ads and giveaways, potentially tricking shoppers into giving away money or personal information. To protect yourself, always type website addresses directly into your browser rather than clicking links from ads or social media, and verify any delivery issues by visiting the official vendor or carrier website instead of responding to text messages. These simple steps can help you avoid common scams and shop safely online.
mashable.com
· 2025-11-30
# Amazon Black Friday Impersonation Scam Alert
Amazon is warning its 300+ million users about a widespread holiday scam using fake notifications and malicious websites to steal financial information and account credentials, with cybercriminals registering over 700 fraudulent domains using keywords like "Black Friday" and "Christmas" to deceive shoppers. The scam uses fake delivery messages, too-good-to-be-true deals on social media, and requests for payment information through unofficial channels to target unsuspecting holiday shoppers. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unsolicited notifications, verify you're on Amazon's official website before entering account details, and be skeptical of deals advertised outside official channels.
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.
fox9.com
· 2025-11-30
# Holiday Shopping Fraud Warning
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes and fake websites to impersonate trusted brands during the holiday shopping season, affecting one in three Americans. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts, verify URLs directly on official retailer websites, use credit cards instead of debit cards, and be skeptical of urgent "limited-time offers"—especially from unfamiliar sellers on social platforms.
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WCCO - CBS Minnesota
· 2025-10-06
A survey across 11 countries found that Americans are the most-targeted population for scams globally, receiving approximately 100 scam attempts monthly or about 25 fraudulent contacts per week, including an average of nine scam calls, nine fraudulent emails, and seven suspicious text messages. The data suggests scammers view Americans as particularly vulnerable, with new scam variations emerging regularly, including work-from-home schemes and payment solicitations.
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Yahoo Finance
· 2025-10-04
An educational alert reports that 73% of US adults have experienced online scams, with reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in 2024 according to FTC data. The article highlights common scam types, including dating scams where fraudsters pose as romantic interests and trick victims into clicking malicious "verification" links that capture payment information and enroll them in unauthorized recurring billing services.
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NBC Bay Area
· 2025-10-02
During government shutdowns, scammers capitalize on the crisis by impersonating government agencies and contacting people via phone or email with threats to revoke benefits or offers of emergency funds, demanding personal data or payments in exchange. Security experts warn that any unsolicited government contact during a shutdown should be treated with suspicion, as legitimate agencies are unable to reach out during closures. Common scams include threats to withdraw Social Security and other government benefits.
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Atlanta News First
· 2025-09-28
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes and fake celebrity images to target Atlanta Braves fans on social media, creating fraudulent fan pages with names similar to legitimate ones that post fabricated stories about players giving away money or vehicles. The fake pages use undetectable AI-powered impersonations of real celebrities and athletes to deceive followers, with scammers leveraging artificial intelligence to make their deceptions increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic content.