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in Scam Awareness
veterans.house.gov
· 2026-01-20
The House passed the Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act, which creates a new office within the Department of Veterans Affairs to combat scams targeting veterans and seniors by providing prevention guidance, monitoring fraud, and protecting VA benefits. Veterans and their families are increasingly vulnerable to scammers using sophisticated tactics to steal benefits and personal information. The legislation aims to give the VA better tools to detect and prevent fraud, helping ensure veterans don't lose hard-earned benefits to criminal schemes.
usatoday.com
· 2026-01-20
# Payment App Scam Prevention Summary
Payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle are convenient for quick money transfers, but they're also vulnerable to scams and fraud. No single app is significantly safer than others—they all offer similar services with different fee structures and user bases, so choosing one depends on your needs and who you're sending money to. To protect yourself, experts recommend using strong passwords, verifying recipient information before sending money, and being cautious of unsolicited payment requests, as funds sent through these apps are often difficult or impossible to recover once transferred.
wowt.com
· 2026-01-20
Nebraska experienced an 82% surge in reported scams during 2025, with nearly 871 incidents and over $415,000 in losses, particularly affecting young adults aged 18-24 who fell victim to schemes on social media, payment apps, and online marketplaces. To protect yourself, the Better Business Bureau recommends verifying identities before sharing money or information, researching businesses thoroughly, watching for red flags, and reporting suspicious activity through the BBB Scam Tracker at BBB.org.
mirror.co.uk
· 2026-01-20
# Romance Scam Summary
A 67-year-old woman from Wisconsin lost £60,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a construction worker online, promised her high-return investment opportunities to pay off her debts, then disappeared with her money. The victim has since had to remortgage her home and now works at a supermarket while warning others about the dangers of romance scams. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from people you've only met online, especially those who quickly build emotional connections and promise guaranteed financial returns.
mirror.co.uk
· 2026-01-20
A 67-year-old widow from Wisconsin lost £60,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man online who posed as a construction worker and promised her high-return investments to solve her financial problems. After she invested the money, the scammer disappeared and cut all contact, forcing her to remortgage her home and take additional work to recover from the loss. The victim is now warning others to be cautious of romance scams and to verify investment opportunities through official channels, particularly when meeting new romantic partners online who quickly discuss financial matters.
the-independent.com
· 2026-01-20
A South Korean woman in her 30s was arrested for stabbing a man in his 40s during their first in-person meeting after connecting on a dating app, leaving him with injuries to his arm and face that are not life-threatening. The incident highlights growing safety concerns around dating apps in South Korea, where romance scams have surged to over 1,500 cases annually, causing financial losses exceeding $7 million. Users should exercise caution when meeting online contacts in person, meet in public places, inform trusted contacts of their whereabouts, and be alert to suspicious behavior or requests for money.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-20
In 2025, PayBack, a wealth recovery firm, helped 1,903 clients recover over $41 million lost to various scams including investment fraud, romance scams, and digital asset theft. The company uses an investigation-led approach that traces transactions, documents evidence, and creates action plans to help victims pursue restitution through appropriate legal channels. If you've been defrauded, working with specialized recovery firms that investigate the scam and provide detailed documentation can improve your chances of reclaiming lost funds, though outcomes vary depending on jurisdiction and case complexity.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2026-01-20
Millions of people turn to Reddit for help when facing cyberattacks, fraud, and account compromises because they lack the technical knowledge to handle these threats on their own. The threat landscape is rapidly evolving with faster, more automated attacks powered by AI, including sophisticated phishing, voice cloning, and text-message scams that cost victims globally around €850 million annually. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited messages and emails, verify requests through official channels before sharing information, use strong unique passwords, and consider seeking help from official support channels rather than relying on strangers online.
statetimes.in
· 2026-01-20
# Cyber Scam Summary
An elderly couple in Srinagar lost their lifetime savings of 48 lakh rupees to a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters posing as CBI and telecom authority officials convinced them through WhatsApp video calls that they were under criminal investigation and threatened immediate arrest and asset seizure. The scammers used forged government documents, psychological pressure, and isolation tactics (forbidding contact with family or police) to coerce the victims into transferring money over several days. To protect yourself, verify government agency contact through official channels rather than responding to unsolicited calls, know that real authorities won't demand money transfers or threaten arrest over the phone, and report suspicious communications to police immediately instead of engaging further with the caller.
signalakron.org
· 2026-01-19
A 16-year-old Ohio student named Charlie Landers is teaching seniors in Akron how to recognize and avoid scams, inspired by his study of ethics and artificial intelligence. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes—including fake messages, romance scams, and AI-generated voice impersonations—with U.S. seniors losing over $4.8 billion to scams last year. Landers recommends seniors verify suspicious links using tools like VirusTotal, stay alert to requests for untraceable payments like gift cards or cryptocurrency, and understand that scammers exploit human emotions rather than just technical vulnerabilities.
wrdw.com
· 2026-01-19
# Scams Rising Across the U.S.
Americans receive approximately 2.5 million scam and robocalls monthly, with scammers increasingly impersonating law enforcement to threaten arrest or demand payment via gift cards and wire transfers. In the Augusta area alone, ten of 22 counties have reported rising scam activity since November, including impersonations of local agencies like North Augusta Public Safety and major companies like Amazon and Georgia Power. To protect yourself, never provide personal information or payment to callers claiming to be law enforcement, verify suspicious calls by contacting the agency directly, and register your phone number on the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call list to reduce scam call volume.
waff.com
· 2026-01-19
# GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Scams Surge with New Year's Resolutions
Scammers are exploiting people's New Year's fitness goals by promoting fake GLP-1 weight loss drugs through phony online ads, text messages, and AI-generated celebrity endorsements, stealing money and personal information from victims who either receive nothing or counterfeit products. The Better Business Bureau is tracking numerous reports of these scams nationwide, with fraudsters targeting people who click links and order from illegitimate websites. To protect yourself, only obtain GLP-1s through a legitimate physician or licensed pharmacy (look for "https" on websites, verify contact information, and remember that prescription medications shouldn't be available for direct online purchase), and use a credit card for disputes if needed.
wfmynews2.com
· 2026-01-19
Rental scams have cost Americans millions of dollars, with the FTC reporting nearly 65,000 scams since 2020 totaling about $65 million in losses, with young adults aged 18-29 being three times more likely to fall victim. Scammers steal legitimate property listings from real estate websites and social media, reposting them with fake contact information to trick renters into sending money and personal information. To protect yourself, verify rental listings by searching the address online for red flags like multiple prices or different contact info, avoid sharing sensitive information before agreeing to rent, be skeptical of deals priced far below market value with pressure to act quickly, and never pay deposits or rent using cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
bbc.com
· 2026-01-19
In February 2024, Foday Musa's 22-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter were recruited from their village in Guinea by agents promising work abroad, but were actually trafficked to Sierra Leone and held captive by criminal gangs using the QNET company name as a front. Thousands of people across West Africa have fallen victim to this trafficking scam, which lures vulnerable individuals with job promises in countries like the US, Canada, and Dubai, demands upfront "administration fees," and then forces them to recruit others or remain trapped. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited job offers requiring upfront payments, verify job opportunities directly with legitimate employers, and report suspicious recruitment schemes to local authorities or organizations like Interpol.
shinyshiny.tv
· 2026-01-19
# Romance Scams: What You Need to Know
Romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, combining fake relationships with investment schemes—particularly cryptocurrency and forex trading—resulting in record losses of $17 billion in 2025 alone as AI makes fraudsters more convincing. The scams typically follow a pattern: scammers use "love bombing" to build trust, move conversations to encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram, share fabricated investment success stories, and then encourage victims to invest small amounts (which show fake profits) before requesting much larger sums. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like rapid requests to move off dating apps, excessive early attention, unsolicited investment advice, pressure to invest money, and sudden urgency around financial decisions.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-19
A 74-year-old terminally ill cancer patient in British Columbia lost $1,500 in a scam while attempting to buy a used camper van from a stranger, hoping to take one final camping trip with his grandson before he dies. The man, who is living in a hospice on a minimal pension, was approached by someone who showed him the vehicle and claimed to sell it, but the transaction turned out to be fraudulent. For anyone buying used vehicles or items from strangers, experts recommend meeting in safe public locations, verifying ownership documentation, and considering using escrow services or payment methods that offer buyer protection rather than cash transactions.
cryptorank.io
· 2026-01-19
# Crypto Scams and Hacks Summary
Crypto scams and hacks resulted in over $4 billion in losses during 2025, with social engineering attacks—like phishing and impersonation—becoming increasingly common rather than technical security breaches. The losses affected individual crypto users and centralized platforms alike, highlighting a shift in how criminals target the crypto ecosystem. Users should remain vigilant against suspicious messages, verify communications directly with official channels, and enable additional security measures like two-factor authentication to protect their assets.
abqjournal.com
· 2026-01-18
# Amazon Refund Scam Warning
Following a $1.5 billion FTC settlement with Amazon over deceptive Prime enrollment practices, eligible customers are receiving refunds of up to $51, but scammers are impersonating Amazon and FTC officials to steal money from people claiming their refunds. The FTC warns that neither Amazon nor the agency will call about refunds, demand money upfront, make threats, or ask for fees to guarantee payments—anyone doing so is a scammer. If you receive a claim notice about an Amazon refund, apply directly through official channels and ignore any callers or messages asking for payment or personal information.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-18
A "pig butchering" scam exploited Joe Novak, a 51-year-old father who lost $280,000 after a fake woman befriended him on Facebook, built emotional trust over months, and then convinced him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes that promised high returns. These sophisticated scams target vulnerable people by establishing romantic connections before pivoting to financial requests, leaving victims emotionally devastated and financially ruined. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic connections from strangers online, never invest money based on advice from people you've only met digitally, and verify investment opportunities through official, independent sources before committing any funds.
timesandstar.co.uk
· 2026-01-18
Online dating scams in Cumbria have surged 25% over three years, with residents losing over £630,000 to romance fraud in the past year alone, as part of a UK-wide problem costing more than £100 million. The scams primarily target people aged 50-79, with criminals building false relationships and fabricating emergencies (like medical crises or travel costs) to extract money from victims. Police urge victims to report scams without shame, emphasizing that fraud is never the victim's fault, and advise people to be skeptical of requests for money from online dating contacts and verify identities through video calls before sending any funds.
rvtravel.com
· 2026-01-18
RVers are particularly vulnerable to scams because they frequently travel between states, use public Wi-Fi, and are isolated while traveling, making them targets for increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes including fake job offers, recovery scams targeting previous victims, government impersonation scams, and romance scams. To protect themselves, RVers should avoid unsolicited job offers requesting upfront payments or gift cards, never pay fees to recover stolen funds (legitimate agencies don't charge upfront), hang up on callers claiming to be government officials demanding immediate payment, and be cautious of online relationships that eventually request money. The key advice is to verify any unexpected contact through official channels, never send money to unknown parties, and remain skeptical of urgent payment demands regardless of who claims to be calling.
chicagotribune.com
· 2026-01-18
An elderly Palos Hills resident lost $788,000 in a phone scam involving cryptocurrency and other methods, part of a troubling trend of high-value fraud targeting seniors in the south suburbs. A second victim in the same area lost $19,000 when a scammer impersonated a Chase Bank representative, and similar schemes have cost other residents hundreds of thousands of dollars through fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scams targeting older adults for amounts exceeding $100,000 have increased nearly sevenfold since 2020, making it critical for seniors and their families to verify any unsolicited financial requests directly with their banks using official phone numbers and to be skeptical of pressure to quickly transfer money or invest in cryptocurrency.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-01-18
Scammers are targeting seniors with fake "urgent" messages claiming they'll lose federal tax credits by January 20th, using artificial time pressure to trick people into revealing personal information or paying bogus fees. The actual IRS filing deadline isn't until April 15, 2026, and legitimate tax credits don't vanish from missing a random mid-January cutoff. To protect yourself, ignore pressure to act immediately—contact the IRS directly through their official website or phone number, verify claims with trusted family members, and remember that the IRS typically initiates contact by mail, not unsolicited calls or emails.
clickondetroit.com
· 2026-01-18
During Detroit Auto Show weekend, Michigan's Attorney General warned visitors about parking scams after a family from Columbus paid $60 instead of the advertised $25. The AG recommends using services like SpotHero to prepay for parking and avoid giving keys to attendants unless valet service is confirmed in advance, as some fraudulent operators sell spots they don't own, leading to vehicles being ticketed, towed, or stolen—and fake parking tickets are also being issued by scammers.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2026-01-18
# Crypto Scam Summary
A Massachusetts man defrauded a Tinder user of $200,000 in a "pig butchering" scam, where he posed as a financial advisor named "Nino Martin" and convinced her to invest in fake cryptocurrency through fake platforms like a fraudulent Coinbase account. The Department of Justice is now working to recover the stolen funds in Tether stablecoin. To protect yourself, be suspicious of romantic connections who quickly pivot to financial opportunities, verify investment advisors through official channels, and never send money to unknown individuals or unverified platforms, especially those accessed through dating apps.
inkl.com
· 2026-01-18
California cities and transit agencies are increasingly using camera-based enforcement to issue parking citations by mail rather than through traditional officer interactions, which has sparked alarm and made the situation ripe for scammers. Criminals are now creating fake parking citations with QR codes designed to steal money and personal information from residents. If you receive a citation, verify it directly with the issuing agency by phone or their official website rather than clicking any links or QR codes in the notice.
womansworld.com
· 2026-01-17
Cybersecurity experts warn that AI voice cloning scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous, allowing criminals to impersonate trusted figures like family members, police officers, and bank employees to manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. These scams use emotional pressure tactics and create artificial urgency, with warning signs including demands to keep the call secret, stay on the line, or pay via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or ATM transfers. To protect yourself, establish a family password that must be provided before responding to urgent requests for money or personal information.
postandcourier.com
· 2026-01-17
Roughly 96 percent of Americans receive scam messages weekly, with fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion nationally in 2024 and growing about 25 percent annually. Scammers increasingly exploit emotional vulnerabilities through sophisticated tactics like romance scams and AI-generated deepfakes, particularly targeting people through online dating and social media platforms. To protect yourself, experts recommend being cautious about sharing personal information with online contacts, verifying identities before any financial transactions, and reporting suspicious messages—especially those requesting money or account access from people you've only met online.
yahoo.com
· 2026-01-17
# Top Scams to Watch for in 2026
According to the Better Business Bureau, online shopping scams (particularly fake websites selling pets or hard-to-find items), phishing emails and texts impersonating banks or government agencies, and fake job offers—including AI-powered interviews—are among the most common fraud schemes affecting consumers this year. These scams target anyone making online purchases or responding to unsolicited communications, and scammers often use urgency and impersonation tactics to trick victims into giving up money or personal information. To protect yourself, take time to verify websites and companies independently before providing any information or making payments, as scammers rely on rushed decisions.
abc7chicago.com
· 2026-01-17
According to the Better Business Bureau, the top scams in 2026 include online shopping fraud (fake websites), phishing emails and texts impersonating banks or government agencies, and employment scams offering fake work-from-home jobs. These scams affect anyone shopping online or using email and can result in stolen money, personal information, or identity theft. To protect yourself, the BBB advises taking time to verify websites independently and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages, since scammers rely on creating urgency to trick victims.
ourquadcities.com
· 2026-01-17
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning residents about text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles that threaten to suspend licenses and registrations to trick people into sharing personal or financial information. Illinois residents should never respond to or click links in unsolicited texts claiming to be from the DMV, since the state office only sends appointment reminders via text and never requests personal information through messages. Anyone who receives these scam messages should report them to the Federal Trade Commission to help protect themselves and others.
centralillinoisproud.com
· 2026-01-17
Illinois residents are being targeted by text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming their vehicle registration will be suspended and threatening law enforcement action to pressure them into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. The Illinois Secretary of State warns that legitimate DMV texts only contain appointment reminders, so residents should never respond to or click links in unsolicited DMV texts. If you receive one of these scam messages, simply delete it and report it to the Federal Trade Commission to help protect yourself and others.
moultrienews.com
· 2026-01-17
Nearly all Americans (96%) receive scam messages weekly, with fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion nationally in 2024 and growing about 25% annually. Scammers increasingly exploit emotions through romance scams and AI-deepfakes, targeting people across all ages and often causing psychological trauma beyond financial losses. To protect yourself, verify the identity of online contacts before sharing personal information or money, be skeptical of requests from people you've only met online, and report suspicious activity to authorities like the AARP Fraud Helpline.
walb.com
· 2026-01-17
The Albany Police Department is warning residents of Dougherty County about an ongoing phone scam where callers create urgency and pressure victims to send money or reveal sensitive information. Residents should be cautious of unsolicited calls and avoid sharing personal details or making payments based on pressure tactics. Anyone who suspects they've encountered a scam can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
lex18.com
· 2026-01-17
A 38-year-old Jamaican man has been arrested in Florida for scamming a Kentucky couple out of $83,000 through a fake lottery scheme, where victims were told they had won a $250 million Mega Millions jackpot and were instructed to deposit money to claim their winnings. The suspect, Deroney Facey, admitted to targeting multiple victims across the United States and faces four felony charges including organized crime and securities fraud. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited lottery notifications and remember that legitimate lotteries never require upfront payments to claim winnings—if you receive such a solicitation, report it to authorities immediately.
waff.com
· 2026-01-17
A high school senior in Huntsville, Alabama named Harris Dunham is volunteering at a senior living facility to teach older adults how to use technology safely and avoid online scams—inspired after his own grandparents lost money to an Amazon scam. The sessions cover practical topics like password security, camera operation, and how to recognize suspicious calls, helping seniors understand that unexpected calls from unknown numbers should not be answered. For seniors seeking to protect themselves, Dunham's advice is simple: be cautious of unsolicited calls and seek help from trusted younger family members or tech-savvy friends when questions arise about technology or unfamiliar contacts.
fullertonobserver.com
· 2026-01-17
# Elder Fraud Prevention Initiative Expands Across Southern California
Elder fraud is escalating nationwide with older adults losing billions of dollars annually to increasingly sophisticated scams involving impersonation, investment schemes, and AI-powered fraud. The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, supported by a $200,000 Wells Fargo Foundation grant, is expanding free educational programs across Southern California to help seniors and their families recognize and prevent these crimes before they happen. To protect yourself, stay alert to urgent requests, verify caller identities through independent phone numbers, and never share personal or financial information with unsolicited contacts—education about these tactics is the most effective defense against becoming a victim.
kashmirlife.net
· 2026-01-17
An elderly couple in Srinagar lost Rs 48 lakh after scammers posing as CBI and TRAI officials convinced them they were under "digital arrest" for financial fraud, subjecting them to psychological intimidation and continuous video surveillance until they transferred the money. Authorities emphasize that "digital arrest" is not a real legal process and warn that such scams disproportionately target senior citizens, particularly those living alone. People should immediately report suspicious calls to the cyber helpline 1930, never share banking details with callers claiming to be officials, and always verify claims directly through official channels.
atholdailynews.com
· 2026-01-17
# Fraud Case Summary
An Idaho woman accused of helping steal $338,000 from the town of Orange through fraudulent invoices claims she was actually a victim of a romance scam, according to her attorney. Jennifer Grasmick, 51, allegedly deposited and transferred funds to cryptocurrency as a favor to someone she believed was a romantic interest online, without realizing the money came from fraudulent sources. Her attorney argues she never personally benefited from the scheme and that a proper investigation would reveal she was manipulated by foreign scammers, not a willing participant in the town's theft.
cointribune.com
· 2026-01-17
Cryptocurrency scams reached an unprecedented $17 billion in losses in 2025, driven by criminals using AI tools like deepfakes and automated messaging to create more convincing frauds at scale, with average losses per victim jumping 253% to $2,764. Scammers are leveraging AI-generated fake videos, impersonations of government officials and authority figures, and language models to build trust quickly and target thousands of victims simultaneously, with AI-enabled scams now accounting for over 70% of the largest crypto fraud operations. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited messages asking for crypto payments—especially those with videos or claims from officials—and verify any requests through official channels directly rather than through contact information provided in the message.
today.com
· 2026-01-17
Scammers are flooding social media with fake ads for weight-loss drugs and products, including deepfake videos of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and fake pharmacies selling unapproved medications that may never arrive. The Better Business Bureau warns that millions searching for affordable GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are vulnerable to these scams, with victims reporting losses of hundreds of dollars and non-functional refund processes. To protect yourself, be skeptical of celebrity endorsements for weight-loss products on social media, verify medications through licensed pharmacies only, and check with the FDA before purchasing any weight-loss drug or supplement.
13newsnow.com
· 2026-01-16
# Virginia Beach Man Sentenced for $1.7M Fraud Scheme
A Virginia Beach man, Dion Lamont Camp, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for orchestrating a scheme that defrauded over $1.7 million from romantic partners, credit unions, auto dealers, and other victims through identity theft and fraudulent loans. Camp targeted women with good credit and jobs, manipulating them into romantic relationships to obtain fraudulent auto loans and credit cards, while also stealing personal information from strangers to apply for loans and rentals. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information early in relationships, monitor your credit reports regularly, and verify any unexpected loan or credit card applications in your name.
wrdw.com
· 2026-01-16
# Article Summary
Contrary to common belief, younger adults—Gen Z and millennials—are actually more vulnerable to scams than seniors, with 43% of Gen Z engaging with scam attempts compared to just 14% of baby boomers, according to a Mastercard cybersecurity survey. Young people fall victim to scams designed around their online habits, including shopping scams (fake storefronts and deals), employment scams (fake job listings with fees or personal data collection), romance scams, and text message phishing. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent messages and too-good-to-be-true offers, verify website addresses carefully before clicking links, and never provide personal information or payment to unverified sources.
local3news.com
· 2026-01-16
Recent data reveals that younger adults—Gen Z and millennials—are actually more vulnerable to scams than seniors, with 43% of Gen Z and 39% of millennials engaging with scam attempts compared to just 14% of Baby Boomers. Scammers target younger people through methods tailored to their online behavior, including fake job listings, fake product ads, romance scams, impersonation of banks and government agencies, and phishing messages that appear legitimate. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages and links, never provide personal information or grant remote access to strangers, and be especially wary of any request for payment via gift cards—a major red flag that no legitimate organization would use.
wilx.com
· 2026-01-16
# Scams Target Younger Adults More Than Seniors
Contrary to popular belief, Gen Z and millennials are more vulnerable to scams than seniors, with 43% of Gen Z and 39% of millennials engaging with scam attempts compared to just 14% of baby boomers, according to new Mastercard data. Scammers exploit how younger people shop, apply for jobs, and communicate online through fake product ads, employment schemes, romance scams, fraudulent text messages, tech support popups, and impostor schemes that demand payment via untraceable gift cards. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent messages asking you to click links or provide personal information, verify web addresses before entering information, never grant remote access to unsolicited tech support popups, and remember that legitimate companies and agencies never demand payment through gift cards.
foxnews.com
· 2026-01-16
Scams spike dramatically in January as criminals exploit people focused on taxes and finances, using updated personal data from data brokers to craft convincing fraudulent messages about account verification and benefits. U.S. consumers received 4.7 billion robocalls in January 2025 alone, with scammers impersonating government agencies and banks to pressure people into sharing sensitive information. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate government agencies and banks never request personal information via unsolicited emails or texts, and you should always verify requests by contacting the organization directly through official channels.
observer-reporter.com
· 2026-01-16
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning about a surge in utility-related scams where fraudsters impersonate utility companies through fake websites and unsolicited calls, claiming missed payments to pressure victims into revealing personal and banking information. The scams particularly target people through Google searches and fake websites that mimic legitimate utility providers. To protect yourself, access your utility company's website directly from your bill, call official customer service numbers, and remember that legitimate utility companies never demand immediate payment via wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps like Venmo or CashApp.
wbay.com
· 2026-01-16
Scammers in Northeast Wisconsin are sending fake text messages impersonating Verizon to trick people into providing credit card and banking information through phishing links, with criminals then using the stolen data to make purchases at Wisconsin stores. The texts claim expired reward points need to be redeemed and come from international numbers with slightly altered links to fake websites designed to look legitimate. To protect yourself, never click links in unsolicited texts, don't share payment or verification information via text, and if you've already fallen victim, contact your bank or credit card company immediately.
pcmag.com
· 2026-01-16
Cybercrime has evolved into a sophisticated, organized industry where criminals operate in teams to deploy large-scale attacks like phishing emails with malicious QR codes, ransomware, and deceptive texts targeting everyday users. Anyone online is vulnerable, but you can protect yourself by ignoring suspicious emails and password reset requests, enabling two-factor authentication, using a password manager, and avoiding clicking links when emotional or distracted. The key takeaway: be skeptical of unexpected communications, keep your passwords strong and unique, and enable extra security layers on important accounts.
yahoo.com
· 2026-01-16
# Scam Summary
Scams targeting seniors in Bradenton are increasing rapidly, with people over 60 losing $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 alone. Police recommend using the "Five Ps" method to identify red flags: watch out for someone pretending to be from a trusted organization, claiming there's a problem or offering prizes, creating pressure to act quickly, or requesting specific payment methods. Seniors should have open conversations with family about scams, learn their phone's security features with help from trusted people or their carrier, and always verify requests before taking action.