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in Bank Impersonation
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
The Maharashtra Cyber Police issued a public alert warning senior citizens about four prevalent scam types targeting them: digital arrest scams (where fraudsters impersonate police demanding online payment), investment frauds (promising unrealistic returns), sextortion (extorting money after obtaining private photos), and phishing scams (using suspicious links and OTP theft). The alert emphasizes that legitimate authorities never demand online payments or threaten arrest via phone, and advises seniors to verify investments with trusted advisors, avoid sharing personal information online, and report suspicious activity to the Cyber Crime Helpline.
wccbcharlotte.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau in North Carolina identified the top five scams of 2024, with online purchase fraud, phishing/imposter schemes, employment scams, debt collection fraud, and sweepstakes/lottery scams ranking as the most prevalent threats in the region. These scams increasingly employ sophisticated technology and social engineering tactics, with fraudsters either delivering no products after payment, impersonating trusted entities to steal personal information, or collecting upfront fees for non-existent prizes or jobs. The BBB emphasizes consumer education and vigilance as critical tools to combat these schemes and maintain marketplace trust.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice filed civil actions against five telecom companies and three individuals for facilitating hundreds of millions of fraudulent robocalls originating primarily from India, targeting elderly and vulnerable Americans with government and business imposter scams. Despite repeated warnings, the defendants continued operating VoIP carrier services that enabled foreign-based fraud schemes involving fake Social Security, IRS, and tech-support calls designed to extort large sums of money from victims. A temporary restraining order was granted against Global Voicecom defendants, with the DOJ pledging to pursue both criminal and civil remedies against those knowingly facilitating these predatory calls.
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about an advanced fee loan scam in which callers, often posing as "Jessica" from fake loan processing companies, contact consumers to verify personal information such as Social Security numbers and bank account details. Between November and January, the BBB received over 500 reports of this scam operating nationwide, with victims reporting multiple daily calls from different numbers using nearly identical scripts. The BBB advises consumers to verify company legitimacy through their free online portal, never disclose personal information to unknown callers, watch for red flags like vague details and urgent demands, and report suspected scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
wbckfm.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI warned Gmail users nationwide, including in Michigan, of sophisticated AI-powered phishing scams impersonating Google support staff who contact victims by phone (with spoofed caller ID) and follow up with emails requesting account recovery codes that grant scammers access. The scam is particularly dangerous because it uses AI technology to create highly believable impersonations, with even tech-savvy victims describing it as "the most sophisticated phishing attack" they've encountered. The FBI advises never responding to unsolicited contact from companies claiming to be Google, banks, or other support services, and instead independently contacting those companies to verify any suspicious communications.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting fake Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems—automated phone systems used by banks and government agencies—to trick victims into revealing sensitive financial information through spoofed caller IDs and professional voice cloning. Recent incidents include a woman in Bengaluru who lost Rs 2 lakh and a man in Sri Vijaya Puram who lost Rs 80,000 after responding to fraudulent calls mimicking their bank and government agencies. Legitimate IVRs never request OTPs, CVVs, or passwords; senior citizens, non-English speakers, and new online banking users are most vulnerable, and people should hang up and independently verify contact numbers when
spdblotter.seattle.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over $1 billion in 2023 and $800 million in 2024, with scammers using fake personas and social media information to build trust before requesting money, cryptocurrency, or personal information. Older Americans are particularly vulnerable, with seniors losing an estimated $28.3 billion annually to financial exploitation. The FBI recommends verifying online identities, taking relationships slowly, never sending money to online-only contacts, and remaining cautious of requests to move communication offline or claims of overseas emergencies.
dnronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scammers target people of all ages and backgrounds, not just seniors, with Americans losing $10 billion to fraud in 2023, according to Park View Federal Credit Union officials. Common scam tactics include creating false urgency, impersonating legitimate organizations (banks, the IRS, Norton Antivirus), and using AI to mimic voices in grandparent schemes, though one customer recovered $250 after scammers gained access to her account. Key defenses include pausing before clicking links, recognizing red flags like grammar errors and mismatched email addresses, and remembering that legitimate financial institutions will never request passwords or usernames.
thefintechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams have caused over $1.14 billion in losses, with victims losing an average of $2,000 each, and criminals are now using AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic identities to make these scams more convincing and personalized. Debbie Fox, a widow seeking companionship, was defrauded of $58,000 by a scammer using a fake identity who posed as a man named Russell and eventually requested money claiming to be in legal trouble. As generative AI becomes mainstream, fraudsters are increasingly exploiting the technology to automate romance scams, phishing attacks, and impersonation schemes, making them harder to
advisorhub.com
· 2025-12-08
Marjorie Kessler, a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, lost nearly $1.75 million to scammers impersonating government officials who convinced her to withdraw funds for safekeeping in a U.S. Treasury account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages for failing to investigate her unusual withdrawal requests and neglecting to establish a trusted contact on her account as required by regulations, though the arbitration panel deducted the first transfer amount due to insufficient evidence of negligence.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
A Harris County deputy prevented an elderly woman from losing over $13,000 at a convenience store Bitcoin ATM after discovering she had been instructed by scammers to deposit her money there under the false claim that her bank account had been hacked. The woman had been told not to contact police, but Deputy Mendez's intervention stopped the fraud before any money was transferred. The incident highlights the importance of recognizing and reporting suspicious requests involving cryptocurrency transfers and bank account threats.
kjzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Lehi Police Department officers interrupted an active Bitcoin ATM scam targeting senior citizens when they discovered a woman who had already deposited several thousand dollars with $15,000 remaining, and a second senior man preparing to deposit cash while both were on phone calls with fraudsters. Criminals typically convince elderly victims their bank accounts have been hacked or that family members have been arrested, instructing them to transfer funds via Bitcoin ATMs; the officers were able to seize the ATM through a search warrant and attempt recovery of the deposited cash.
monroenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Monroe Community Credit Union reports that fraud cases in Monroe County are doubling year-over-year, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence and spoofing tactics to target victims of all ages. The latest scams include AI-generated voice clones of loved ones, fake fraud alerts impersonating financial institutions, local number spoofing, and tech support scams, alongside traditional schemes like phishing, romance scams, and grandparent scams. The credit union advises residents to never share full Social Security numbers or online banking credentials with callers, verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling back using verified numbers, and scrutinize email addresses, URLs, and website security features before providing personal information.
irishmirror.ie
· 2025-12-08
Gmail users are being warned about a sophisticated AI-powered scam targeting Irish and international accounts, where scammers use convincing phone calls and fake Google emails to trick victims into revealing their Gmail recovery codes, potentially leading to account takeover, identity theft, and financial losses. The FBI first warned of these AI-driven scams in May 2024, and the problem has since escalated with attackers using increasingly realistic voice, video, and email impersonations. Security experts recommend users verify alerts directly through official Google accounts, enable multi-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links, and use password managers to protect themselves from these threats.
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season 2025 brings increased fraud risk as over 160 million Americans file returns by April 15th, with scammers exploiting the confusion through multiple tactics including fake charities, dishonest tax preparers, and IRS impersonation calls and phishing emails. The IRS warns taxpayers to verify non-profit status before donating, use honest tax preparers, hang up on unsolicited IRS calls requesting banking information or gift cards, and avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or following unqualified social media tax advice. Installing antivirus software and being cautious of tax debt relief services can help prevent personal information theft and fraudulent refund claims filed in victims' names.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Employment termination scams are phishing attacks that exploit workers' fear of job loss by impersonating HR departments or other authorities, attempting to trick victims into clicking malicious links or opening infected attachments. These scams can lead to malware installation, credential theft, corporate data breaches, or account hijacking, with attackers leveraging stolen work logins for extortion or further fraudulent activity. The scams are effective because they create urgent psychological pressure, and victims can protect themselves by verifying sender addresses, checking for generic greetings, and being cautious about unexpected termination notifications.
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
The "call merging scam" tricks victims into revealing their One-Time Passwords (OTPs) by having an unknown caller claim to connect them to a friend, then merging the call with a legitimate bank OTP verification line, causing victims to unknowingly share their OTP with fraudsters who then complete unauthorized transactions. The National Payments Corporation of India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) issued an urgent warning advising users to never merge calls from unknown numbers, verify caller identity before taking action, and immediately report suspicious OTPs to their bank at 1930.
business-standard.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior citizen in Karnataka lost Rs 3 lakh after searching for his bank manager's phone number on Google and calling a fraudster who had planted fake contact details online; the scammer posed as the bank manager, built trust through video and voice calls, and tricked the victim into clicking a malicious link that enabled unauthorized withdrawal. The article also reports a separate "digital arrest" scam in Agra where two suspects extorted money by impersonating police officers and threatening legal consequences. Protection requires verifying contact details through official websites or bank helplines rather than search results, and avoiding clicks on suspicious message links.
ft.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, a UK sustainability consultancy lost £324,634 to an authorized push payment (APP) fraud scam where criminals impersonated a client's email to trick an employee into transferring funds; the victim spent 11 months and £100,000 in legal fees attempting recovery and ultimately declared the company insolvent. While new UK regulations implemented in October 2024 now mandate reimbursement up to £85,000 for APP fraud victims, fraud experts and affected individuals report the system remains broken due to police inaction, regulatory gaps, and inconsistent bank treatment of claims. APP fraud accounted for 40 percent of all fraud losses in the UK in 2
moonstone.co.za
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" is a rapidly growing romance scam that combines fake romantic connections with cryptocurrency fraud schemes, primarily targeting victims on dating platforms and social media. South Africans lost over R125 million to online dating scammers in 2022, with scammers now using AI and deepfake technology to create increasingly convincing fake profiles and lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes. These operations, run by international crime syndicates that often exploit trafficked workers, build long-term emotional trust before pressuring victims to send cryptocurrency, which is then laundered through shell companies and criminal networks.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old Florida man was ordered to pay over $1.1 million for operating EmpiresX, a $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors across 50+ countries from 2020-2021. The article explains common crypto scams including Ponzi schemes, pig-butchering scams (which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes), and advises protection strategies such as verifying investment legitimacy, being cautious of unsolicited financial offers, and understanding that cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to reverse or recover.
vox.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams have become a sophisticated and growing threat, with complaints increasing 500 percent from 2015 to 2022 as scammers use AI and personal data to craft convincing, targeted messages about unpaid fines, packages, and other common scenarios. In 2024 alone, phone scammers stole over $25 billion, averaging $450 per victim, with risks increasing when messages include personal details like names or addresses. The article advises consumers to verify suspicious texts independently, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, and recognize red flags like unusual domain extensions, as human vigilance remains the most effective defense against increasingly sophisticated text fraud.
wpdh.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Town of Wallkill woman was defrauded of $30,000 after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating PayPal that directed her to a scammer posing as an FTC agent who convinced her to empty her bank account for "safe keeping." Working with Town of Wallkill Police, the victim agreed to a follow-up transaction of $20,000, during which an undercover officer posed as the elderly woman and arrested the suspected scammer, identified as Caiduan Li from Brooklyn, who was charged with Grand Larceny in the third degree and taken into custody by Homeland Security.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) warned users about the "call merging scam," in which fraudsters trick victims into revealing one-time passwords (OTPs) by calling them about an opportunity, then merging the call with a fake "friend" who is actually another scammer posing as the victim's bank. Once the victim unknowingly connects to a bank verification call and shares their OTP, the scammers complete unauthorized financial transactions. To protect themselves, users should avoid merging calls with unknown numbers, verify caller identities before sharing information, remember that banks never request OTPs over phone calls, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams in the UK have become increasingly sophisticated and target all demographics, not just the elderly—16–34 year olds actually account for half of online fraud victims due to their frequent use of quick payment methods and distracted smartphone habits. Fraud is the UK's most common crime with an estimated nine million victims last year, yet only one in 1,000 reported cases results in conviction, with scammers employing tailored techniques ranging from AI deepfakes in video calls to romance baiting on dating apps. The article emphasizes that no online platform is safe and that even highly educated, tech-savvy individuals are vulnerable to sophisticated social engineering tactics.
newstalk870.am
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scams are increasing in Washington State, with fraudsters impersonating the SSA through phone calls, emails, and text messages to threaten arrest, demand immediate payment, or steal personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details. The SSA never threatens, demands payment, or requests sensitive information via phone or email, so residents should hang up on suspicious calls and verify any claims directly through ssa.gov or the official customer service number. Victims should report incidents to the SSA's Office of the Inspector General and the FTC, monitor their accounts and credit reports, and use the secure "My Social Security account" portal to safely access their information.
swlexledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning of a widespread fraud scheme targeting elderly residents where scammers impersonate cybersecurity representatives, bank officials, and government officers to trick victims into converting their assets into physical gold and surrendering it to couriers. During 2024, 11 South Carolina elderly victims lost approximately $4.2 million to this scam, which typically begins with fake device compromise warnings and involves creating false urgency to move assets out of financial accounts. The FBI advises victims to verify identities independently, avoid using provided contact numbers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI IC3 website, with elder victims able to seek assistance through the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore reported at least S$1.1 billion in scam losses in 2024, a 70.6% increase from 2023, with one victim losing S$125 million in cryptocurrency through a malware-enabled scam involving fake interview links. E-commerce scams were the most common type, followed by job and phishing scams, with 51,501 total cases reported; however, the police's Anti-Scam Command recovered over S$182 million and averted S$483 million in potential losses through proactive interventions.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
A widespread scam is targeting victims across the U.S., with scammers posing as tech support or federal agents and convincing victims to convert their savings into gold bars, claiming their accounts have been compromised, then having courier accomplices collect the gold. Notable victims include an Indiana widower who lost $80,000 and a New York City woman who lost $700,000, while the FBI has traced the scheme to call centers in India and is investigating both the masterminds and the couriers used to transport the stolen assets.
americanbar.org
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece for estate planning practitioners on protecting vulnerable clients from elder financial exploitation. The article advises practitioners to first ensure their own cybersecurity and document security measures are adequate, then implement firm-wide policies to recognize and prevent elder exploitation, including staff training to identify "procurement" schemes where beneficiaries control client access and educating aging clients about securing sensitive documents through digitization and secure storage. Key recommendations include developing protocols for suspected exploitation, obtaining trusted contact information, and incorporating security discussions into estate planning conversations to address risks from identity theft, document loss, and abuse.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Southern California men were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a sophisticated scheme that targeted over 100 elderly victims, resulting in more than $10 million in losses from November 2021 to present. The defendants created fake identities and shell companies to open numerous fraudulent bank accounts and mailboxes, then impersonated law enforcement and company employees via phone and email to convince victims their accounts were compromised and persuade them to transfer funds into accounts controlled by the criminals. The stolen money was then laundered through cash withdrawals and used for personal expenses.
becu.org
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are impersonating BECU employees by spoofing the bank's phone number and calling victims about suspicious account activity, then convincing them to cut up their debit or credit cards (leaving the EMV chip intact) and leave the pieces outside for a fake courier to collect. Scammers use the chip portion to access accounts and commit fraud including unauthorized purchases and wire transfers. The FBI advises verifying caller identity by hanging up and calling BECU directly, never providing sensitive information over the phone, monitoring accounts regularly, and securely destroying expired cards by cutting through the chip and discarding pieces separately.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP educational article provides consumer protection tips to help prevent fraud and scams. Key recommendations include using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, avoiding suspicious links by visiting websites directly, freezing credit with major agencies, and being cautious of unsolicited offers like cruise scams and gold bar schemes where criminals impersonate authorities to steal savings. The article emphasizes that victims of repeated fraud should be supported with gentle questioning and regular family discussions about scams rather than blame.
cjme.com
· 2025-12-08
A 27-year-old Winnipeg man was arrested after attempting to defraud a 73-year-old Regina woman through a tech support scam on February 26, in which he posed as a Microsoft representative and falsely claimed her accounts had been hacked, then impersonated a bank employee to coerce her into withdrawing money under threat of money laundering charges. The victim became suspicious before handing over cash and contacted police, who apprehended the suspect during the planned pickup; he was charged with fraud over $5,000, extortion, and possession of fraudulent credit cards.
iomtoday.co.im
· 2025-12-08
Isle of Man residents lost £2.2 million to scams and fraud in 2024, with suspicious email reports surging 50.7% to 9,372 cases, according to the Cyber Security Centre's Annual Threat Update. Investment scams caused the most damage at £1,278,920 across 35 cases, while account compromise, bank fraud, gift card fraud, and fraudulent websites also affected residents through phishing attacks, credential theft, and impersonation schemes. The report highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, including password protection and verification of requests for personal information or financial transactions.
ipsos.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 Ipsos poll found that younger Canadians are more likely than older adults to have experienced impersonation scams on social media and phone, contrary to common stereotypes about elder vulnerability. While 84% of Canadians are confident detecting email scams, confidence drops significantly to 57% for detecting smart device intrusions, with those 55+ showing the lowest confidence at 51%. Notably, most Canadians—including seniors—are aware of AI's rapid advancement and its use in creating realistic voice and video impersonations, though older adults show lower awareness (60%) than younger groups of how easily scammers can access AI tools like ChatGPT.
viconsortium.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned of rising imposter scams in which fraudsters pose as trusted entities like family members, banks, or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or sending money. The USPIS advises consumers to avoid responding to pressure tactics, verify contacts independently before sharing information, be cautious of grandparent and romance scams, ignore unsolicited USPS messages, and register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Suspected fraud can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis
edmontonjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
murrayledger.com
· 2025-12-08
A resurgence of toll-charge texting scams is circulating, where recipients receive messages claiming unpaid tolls in states they may or may not have visited, with links directing them to fake websites requesting payment. Law enforcement officials note that scammers increasingly replicate legitimate toll company messaging (like FastTrak or EZ Pass) and create sophisticated fake websites, making scams harder to identify, though legitimate toll agencies never request payment via text and instead send physical mail with license plate photos. Police advise recipients to verify they actually visited the state in question and to research any suspicious requests before responding, as scammers are becoming increasingly skilled at mimicking legitimate communications across multiple platforms including email and phone calls.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Sarah's father lost over $1 million to a sophisticated impersonation scam involving a fake Standard Chartered bank website and fraudsters posing as legitimate employees, only realizing the fraud a month after the transfer when he could no longer contact them. The case is one of an estimated 600,000 scams affecting Australians annually, resulting in $2.74 billion in reported losses in 2023. Sarah has joined other victims in lobbying for scam reform, including mandatory victim reimbursement and stronger regulatory powers, expressing frustration that the recently passed Scams Prevention Framework lacks mandatory compensation provisions unlike similar legislation in the UK.
foxsanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
A USAA customer was targeted by scammers who spoofed the bank's caller ID and posed as the fraud department to warn her about unauthorized charges. The scammers manipulated her into transferring $3,400 through Apple Cash by claiming to help secure her compromised account, ultimately stealing the funds before disappearing when she discovered the deception. The case highlights a growing imposter scam trend affecting bank customers nationwide, with such scams resulting in $2.7 billion in annual losses, and demonstrates how criminals exploit familiar bank names and personal information to build false trust.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines 11 common tax scams expected in 2025, including phishing emails, IRS impersonation phone calls, fake tax preparation services, social media fraud, and stimulus payment scams. Key protective measures include verifying sender authenticity before clicking links, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, confirming tax preparers are IRS-registered, and remembering that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or charge fees for assistance. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics targeting vulnerable taxpayers, making awareness and verification critical during tax-filing season.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Postal Service issued warnings during Consumer Protection Week about imposter scams targeting older adults, where scammers pose as banks, government agencies, or family members to steal identities and money. Key prevention tips include verifying unexpected requests for money by contacting family directly, avoiding unsolicited USPS text messages about delivery problems, and confirming the legitimacy of bank communications before responding. Victims are urged to report suspected fraud to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online.
longreads.com
· 2025-12-08
CRA impersonation scammers, primarily operating from call centers in India on a commission basis, have targeted nearly every Canadian adult through phone calls demanding payment of fake tax debts or threatening legal action. The scam involved thousands of offshore perpetrators working scheduled shifts alongside dozens of Canadian recruiters, many of whom were new immigrants, and operated on a massive scale with relative impunity due to Canada's under-resourced fraud investigations and cross-border enforcement challenges.
arabtimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kuwaiti woman lost her entire bank balance of 1,710 dinars and 835 fils after a fraudster posing as a bank employee called claiming her card was blocked and obtained her card number, PIN, and one-time password. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior warned the public about rising phone scams perpetrated by individuals outside the country, emphasizing that citizens should never share banking credentials with unknown callers, and highlighted emerging WhatsApp scams where fraudsters request money transfers through malicious links.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Darien, Connecticut resident lost $25,000 in a tech support scam on February 26 after scammers impersonating Apple security and Bank of America representatives displayed a fraudulent notification claiming unauthorized access to their accounts. The victim was convinced to withdraw $25,000 in cash and hand it to an unidentified individual at their home; no arrests have been made and an investigation is underway. The FTC warns against responding to pop-up messages about computer problems or calling numbers provided in such notifications, as unsolicited tech support calls are always scams.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A man in Anchorage fell victim to a QR code scam when fraudsters placed a fake QR code over a legitimate parking lot payment sticker, redirecting him to a phishing website and compromising his financial information. To protect yourself, examine QR codes for tampering, verify URLs match the legitimate business, never scan codes from unsolicited messages, keep phone security updated, and avoid rushing when making payments. Report scams immediately to your bank and the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) for free assistance.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week, where fraudsters pose as friends, relatives, or organization representatives to steal personal information and money using common phrases like "I'm in trouble" or "You've won!" The advisory provides six protective strategies including verifying identities through official channels, confirming distress messages with family members directly, being cautious of online romance scams, ignoring unsolicited USPS texts, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry. Victims can report suspected fraud to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
An organized Georgian call center network scammed approximately 6,000 people across the UK, Europe, and Canada out of $35 million (£27 million) between May 2022 and 2023 using deepfake videos and fake celebrity endorsements featuring Martin Lewis, Zoe Ball, and Ben Fogle to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment schemes. UK victims were disproportionately affected, accounting for about £9 million in losses, with some individuals defrauded of over £160,000 after spending hundreds of hours on calls with scammers. The fraud was exposed through a leaked dataset of over 1 million call recordings that revealed how the approximately
fox29.com
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old woman in Washington Township, New Jersey nearly lost $24,600 in a multi-layered scam involving fake iCloud alerts, spoofed police calls, and impersonation of a banker pressuring her to withdraw cash. An alert Uber driver recognized the suspicious situation and prevented the fraud by warning the woman and returning her to the bank to re-deposit the money. Washington Township Police partnered with the FBI to hold a senior scam awareness seminar in response to the incident.