Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
8,448 results
in Robocalls / Phone Scams
womansworld.com
· 2025-12-27
# Year-End Scams Summary
Scammers are targeting people with fake IRS tax deadline calls and unclaimed benefits schemes as 2025 approaches, pressuring victims to pay money immediately or share sensitive financial information like bank account numbers. To protect yourself, verify any IRS claims directly through the IRS website or with a trusted financial advisor rather than responding to unsolicited calls, and never share personal banking details with callers you haven't independently verified. If you receive a suspicious call, report it to the IRS immediately to help protect others from falling victim to these costly scams.
the420.in
· 2025-12-27
Between January 2024 and October 2025, State Bank of India reported nearly 16,000 cyber fraud cases across its branches—three times more than traditional frauds—revealing that digital scammers are exploiting India's shift toward online banking faster than the country's largest bank can defend against it. Customers in West Bengal were hit hardest with 1,838 cases, while shockingly, 606 fraud cases involved SBI employees themselves, accounting for ₹222.24 crore in losses, showing that internal threats compound the external risks. Customers should remain vigilant about unsecured banking links, verify requests through official channels before sharing credentials, and monitor accounts regularly, as each new digital banking feature—from apps to UPI—creates new opportunities for scammers to exploit user behavior.
ekantipur.com
· 2025-12-27
Scammers are increasingly impersonating celebrities, influencers, and public figures by stealing their names and photos to deceive their relatives into sending money. The fraudsters typically create fake accounts on messaging apps and fabricate emergencies—such as claiming a family member is hospitalized—to pressure victims into quick payments, as happened to former Miss Nepal Sadiksha Shrestha's brother who lost 30,000 rupees. To protect yourself, verify requests for money by contacting the person directly through a known phone number or in person, never send money based on messages alone, and report suspicious accounts to the platform and local authorities immediately.
bakersfield.com
· 2025-12-26
Scammers increasingly target seniors through phone calls, texts, and emails using sophisticated technology to impersonate legitimate sources and request personal financial information or promise unrealistic rewards. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to cognitive changes or unfamiliarity with modern fraud tactics. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact offering prizes or requesting bank details, and verify requests by contacting organizations directly through official numbers rather than using contact information provided in the suspicious message.
alachuachronicle.com
· 2025-12-26
Scammers are impersonating grandchildren in distress, calling or emailing seniors to pressure them into sending money urgently through wire transfers, gift cards, or cash, often while instructing them not to tell family members. The "grandchild in trouble" scam targets older adults by creating false emergencies like accidents or arrests to exploit their protective instincts. To protect yourself, establish a family password with relatives, always call back using a known number to verify the person's identity, and be suspicious of any request for immediate payment accompanied by a demand for secrecy.
newsbiscuit.com
· 2025-12-26
Romance scams are costing victims thousands of pounds as scammers use AI-generated images and fabricated stories to convince people to send money to fake romantic partners who don't exist. According to the National Crime Agency, victims typically lose between £7,000 and £12,000, though the article presents this tongue-in-cheek by noting it's less than average wedding costs. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online romantic interests, especially those who quickly ask for money or claim to need help relocating, and verify identities through video calls before sending any funds.
cm.asiae.co.kr
· 2025-12-26
Romance scams targeting people in Korea are surging, typically involving perpetrators posing as U.S. soldiers, diplomats, or other professionals who befriend victims on social media and then claim to have sent money or valuables that require customs clearance fees to release. Victims are tricked into sending millions of won to pay these fake fees, with perpetrators continuing to demand more money in an escalating scheme. To protect yourself, be highly suspicious of anyone requesting customs clearance fees online, and verify any claims directly with customs authorities rather than trusting the person making the request.
wfmynews2.com
· 2025-12-26
Scammers are increasingly impersonating major companies like Facebook and Amazon through fake customer service numbers that appear in Google search results, with Amazon reporting a 33% surge in such scams since December 2024. To protect yourself, always find customer service numbers directly on official company websites rather than through Google searches, and hang up immediately if representatives pressure you for personal information, PINs, or payments via gift cards, Zelle, or Venmo. Additionally, be cautious of text messages from people claiming to know you, especially those with suspicious links, as scammers often use social engineering tactics to trick victims into sharing information or money.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-26
A new cybersecurity study reveals that most parked domains (unused or expired websites) now redirect visitors to scams, malware, and fake security warnings—with over 90 percent containing malicious content. Anyone can be affected by simply mistyping a web address by just one letter, which instantly exposes their device to these dangers without requiring any clicks. To protect yourself, carefully verify URLs before typing them manually, consider using bookmarks or search results instead of direct navigation, and be cautious of any unexpected security warnings or login pages that appear after typing an address.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-26
Maui County residents are being targeted by phishing scams where scammers impersonate county officials or police, claiming victims owe fees or have outstanding warrants and demanding immediate payment through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. The Maui Police Department warns that the county will never request payment through these methods and advises residents to verify any payment requests by contacting official county departments directly through legitimate phone numbers or websites. Anyone who believes they've fallen victim to a scam should report it immediately to the Maui Police Department at 808-244-6400.
weeklyblitz.net
· 2025-12-25
I don't see a complete article in your message—only a title and a list of unrelated headlines. The title mentions Palau as a hub for global scam operations involving foreign workers and local sponsors, but the actual article text is missing. Could you please provide the full article content so I can summarize it accurately for you?
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-25
Scammers are targeting new iPhone owners with fake calls impersonating major carriers, claiming a shipping error requires immediate return of the phone and pressuring victims to leave their devices on their porch for pickup. The scam exploits the vulnerable window right after activation when owners are least suspicious, and relies on urgency and repeated calls to override logical thinking—red flags include unrealistic offers like gift cards and pressure tactics. To protect yourself, always verify unexpected caller claims directly by calling the carrier's official number independently, ignore pressure to act immediately, and remember that legitimate companies won't ask you to ship unopened products or offer suspicious compensation.
wlky.com
· 2025-12-25
A Louisville woman lost $400,000 to scammers who impersonated Amazon fraud detection and FTC officials, convincing her over seven weeks to withdraw cash and cryptocurrency under the pretense of documenting her assets for legal protection. The scam exploited a common tactic where fraudsters pay for ads to appear as top search results for legitimate company numbers, making fake contact information seem authentic. To protect yourself, directly call company support numbers from official websites rather than searching online, and be aware that legitimate agencies like the FTC will never ask you to transfer money or send cash via couriers or cryptocurrency.
times-advocate.com
· 2025-12-25
# Charity Scams Summary
Scammers exploit people's generosity by impersonating legitimate charities through emails, texts, social media, phone calls, and fake websites, particularly during holidays and after disasters. To protect yourself while still giving, verify that charities are registered with the California Attorney General and have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS, avoid organizations that pressure you to donate immediately, and research unfamiliar charities through trusted resources like Charity Navigator before giving.
theoaklandpress.com
· 2025-12-25
Scammers are increasingly using texts, calls, and emails to target Oakland County residents by impersonating trusted sources like businesses, government agencies, and even celebrities, with recent victims losing anywhere from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald advises people to hang up on unknown callers and be cautious of urgent requests for money, threats of legal action or arrest, and demands for sensitive information like Social Security numbers. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited contact demanding immediate payment and never share personal information with callers you cannot verify.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-25
A man named Thomas lost his entire Bitcoin savings (1 BTC) to a "pig butchering scam," where a scammer posing as an attractive woman and investment trader convinced him to send his cryptocurrency despite multiple warnings from his Bitcoin adviser. Thomas, a divorced father who had carefully saved this money, was emotionally manipulated through romance and false promises of doubling his investment, and refused to listen to repeated pleas to stop. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited investment offers from people you meet online, especially those combined with romantic interest, and always verify opportunities through independent research before sending any money or cryptocurrency.
klfy.com
· 2025-12-25
Thieves are exploiting tap-to-pay technology, which was initially considered more secure than traditional card swiping, by either tapping cards against victims' phones and wallets in crowded public spaces like festivals and concerts, or by posing as vendors and charging significantly more than advertised prices while accepting only tap-to-pay with no transparency about transaction amounts. Consumers affected include shoppers in neighborhoods and at public events who lost between $500 to $1,100 in some reported cases. To protect yourself, be cautious in crowded areas, insist on seeing transaction amounts before paying, demand alternative payment options from vendors, and avoid rushing through the checkout process even if a seller creates a sense of urgency.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-25
Scammers are targeting holiday travelers with multiple schemes during peak travel season, including fake rental car websites that steal personal information and payment details, fraudulent text messages about toll fees, wireless card skimming at airports, and impersonation scams posing as airlines. Millions of Americans traveling this season are at risk of losing money and having their personal data compromised. To stay safe, travelers should verify website security by checking for "https" in URLs, avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts or emails, use protective credit card sleeves, monitor bank statements regularly, and always verify flight information directly through official airline websites or apps.
newsmobile.in
· 2025-12-25
An 85-year-old Mumbai resident lost nearly Rs 9 crore in a sophisticated cyber scam where fraudsters impersonating police officials convinced him he was under "digital arrest" for alleged money laundering crimes. The scammers used psychological pressure, fake police uniforms in video calls, and forged government documents to trick the victim into disclosing his banking details and transferring his assets. To protect yourself, verify any police contact by calling official police station numbers directly, never share banking or personal details over the phone, and be suspicious of requests for secrecy—legitimate authorities do not conduct investigations this way.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-24
During the holiday season, scammers impersonate charities through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails to steal money from generous donors, using high-pressure tactics and emotional appeals while requesting payment through untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, donate only to local organizations you know personally or verify charities through trusted sites like Charity Navigator and give.org, and remember that reputable charities will never ask for payment via gift cards, CashApp, or cryptocurrency. If you can't donate money, consider volunteering your time instead, which provides meaningful support without financial risk.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-24
Scammers are targeting Americans with an increasingly sophisticated debit card scheme where they pose as bank representatives, convince victims their accounts have problems, and trick them into destroying their debit cards while leaving the chip intact—which fraudsters then collect and use along with stolen PIN numbers to drain bank accounts. Debit cards are actually the most targeted payment method by fraudsters according to Federal Reserve data, making them a bigger concern than credit cards. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited warnings about account problems, never destroy your debit card at a stranger's request, and verify any bank communications by calling your financial institution directly using the number on your statement.
news.azpm.org
· 2025-12-24
# Fraud Surge in 2024
Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year, with phone-based scams being particularly prevalent as criminals exploit the constant connectivity of mobile devices to target consumers anytime and anywhere. Older adults are disproportionately affected because they hold significant wealth, making them attractive targets for scammers who use texts, emails, social media, and even fake QR codes to deceive victims. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact on your phone or other devices, verify requests through official channels before sharing information or money, and report suspected scams to the FTC or local authorities.
thekanal.in
· 2025-12-24
An elderly woman in Lucknow nearly lost ₹1.14 crore in a "digital arrest" scam where fraudsters impersonated government officials via video call, threatened her with criminal charges, and demanded she transfer money for an investigation. Alert staff at a Punjab National Bank branch recognized her distress and suspicious transaction request, stopping the transfer and helping her file a complaint with authorities. Elderly people should be wary of unsolicited video calls from officials demanding money and can report cyber fraud to the national helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2025-12-24
India's financial crime agency (ED) has uncovered an organized fraud ring operating fake cryptocurrency investment platforms that deceived both Indian and international investors by promising unrealistic returns and using stolen celebrity photos to build credibility. The scammers used social media to recruit victims, paid early investors small returns to build trust before requesting larger sums, and laundered money through cryptocurrency wallets and shell companies across multiple countries. To protect yourself, avoid investment platforms offering unusually high returns, verify the legitimacy of investment sites independently, be skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches on social media, and never send money to unverified crypto platforms regardless of testimonials or celebrity endorsements.
kalingatv.com
· 2025-12-24
India's Enforcement Directorate has exposed a massive pan-India fraud ring operating 26 fake cryptocurrency investment websites that have been siphoning money from investors since 2015 through sophisticated "pig butchering" and MLM-style scams. The scam operated by building trust through small initial payouts and fake expert testimonials on social media, then demanding hidden fees when victims tried to withdraw funds or stealing their money outright. If you use any of the listed platforms (including goldbooker.com, cryptobrite.com, bitcodeals.com, and others), stop immediately and report the site to authorities—verify any crypto investment platform's legitimacy through official regulatory channels before depositing money.
savingadvice.com
· 2025-12-23
# Fraud Prevention or Inconvenience?
Many banks are requiring seniors to visit in person to reconfirm their identity, citing increased fraud targeting older adults during winter months and system upgrades that need updated information on file. While these heightened security measures—including in-person verification for large transactions and accounts with limited activity—are designed to protect vulnerable customers from phishing scams and account takeovers, they're catching many retirees off guard, particularly those with decades-old accounts lacking modern identification. Seniors should take these requests seriously as legitimate security steps, but they can protect themselves by verifying any identity confirmation requests directly with their bank using official phone numbers rather than responding to unsolicited contact.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-23
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison faced widespread mockery on social media after posting about his office's fraud-fighting efforts, while a massive $9 billion fraud scandal involving government welfare programs has unfolded in the state under his watch. The scandal, which reportedly involved stolen taxpayer funds meant to help vulnerable populations, prompted critics across the political spectrum to question how Ellison could tout his anti-fraud work while such a large-scale scheme operated relatively unchecked. For consumers, the incident underscores the importance of verifying the legitimacy of utility calls and loan offers independently, and remaining skeptical of unsolicited contacts claiming to represent government or financial institutions.
jec.senate.gov
· 2025-12-23
# Travel Scams Alert Summary
Bipartisan leaders from Congress's Joint Economic Committee warned consumers about a surge in travel scams during the 2024 holiday season, with fraudulent schemes increasing by nearly 30 percent and costing Americans hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The alert was issued ahead of what's expected to be the busiest holiday travel season on record, affecting anyone booking flights, hotels, or vacation packages. To protect themselves, consumers should be cautious when booking travel, verify websites and companies directly, and watch for red flags like unusually low prices or requests for wire transfers.
timesobserver.com
· 2025-12-23
An elderly couple from Sugar Grove fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam in which a fraudster impersonated a government official and convinced them to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM to "protect" their money. State Police warn that legitimate government agencies, banks, and companies will never ask you to transfer funds through cryptocurrency kiosks, and advise residents to be suspicious of unsolicited calls, texts, emails, or pop-ups claiming accounts are compromised or urgent action is needed. To protect yourself, ignore pressure to act quickly and never deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs based on unsolicited contact.
newsghana.com.gh
· 2025-12-23
# Romance Fraud Summary
Abu Trica, a 34-year-old Ghanaian socialite, has been arrested and appeared in court under heavy security on charges of orchestrating an online romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans of approximately $8 million. Working with accomplices, he allegedly posed as romantic interests to extract money from vulnerable victims in the United States since 2023, and now faces extradition to the U.S. where he could receive up to 20 years in prison if convicted. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic relationships with people you've never met in person, especially those who quickly ask for money or claim financial emergencies, and verify identities through video calls before sharing personal information or funds.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-23
During the holiday season, scammers exploit consumers' generosity, increased online shopping, and decision-making urgency by using tactics like AI-generated fake ads, phishing emails, drained gift cards, and fraudulent job or loan offers. People of all backgrounds are vulnerable, particularly those under financial pressure or seeking holiday deals and charitable giving opportunities. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in emails or ads—instead go directly to official websites or contact companies using verified contact information, and be skeptical of unsolicited offers promising easy money or prizes.
wired.com
· 2025-12-23
Chinese-language scam operations on Telegram are now facilitating approximately $2 billion monthly in illegal transactions, making them larger than traditional darknet markets. These scammers primarily profit from "pig butchering" romance and investment fraud schemes (which generate $10 billion annually from US victims alone) by providing money-laundering services, stolen data, and other criminal tools through markets called Tudou Guarantee and Xinbi Guarantee. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities or romantic relationships that develop online, especially those pressuring you to transfer money or cryptocurrency, and verify any investment opportunities through official channels before sending funds.
bgr.com
· 2025-12-23
# Scammers are increasingly using AI tools to create more convincing phishing emails and execute identity theft schemes that mimic legitimate companies and individuals, affecting anyone with an online presence. The technology allows criminals to craft messages with fewer telltale signs of fraud, such as typos or awkward phrasing, making AI-enhanced scams harder to spot than traditional ones. To protect yourself, experts recommend staying vigilant for subtle inconsistencies in communications, verifying requests through official channels before sharing sensitive information, and relying on common sense safety measures rather than assuming all polished-looking messages are legitimate.
kjrh.com
· 2025-12-23
Text message scams surged 50% in the past year, with Generation Z experiencing the highest rates of fraud attempts—tripled compared to other age groups—because texting is their primary communication method and they have instant phone access to money. Lower-income households and Black Americans were disproportionately affected and more likely to lose money due to having fewer fraud protections than credit card users. To protect yourself, avoid replying to unsolicited texts (which confirms your number is active), block and mark suspicious messages as spam, and use your phone carrier's free filtering tools to reduce scam messages before they reach you.
americascreditunions.org
· 2025-12-23
Credit unions are helping protect members from fraud and scams through their personalized service model and member vigilance, particularly during the holiday season when scams increase. Members can reduce their risk by pausing before acting on requests, verifying sources through official channels, avoiding unsolicited links, and stopping communication if something feels suspicious. Understanding the difference between fraud (unauthorized use of personal data) and scams (deception to obtain consent) can also help people recognize threats and protect themselves.
kxly.com
· 2025-12-23
# Holiday Scam Summary
During the busy holiday shopping season, scammers are targeting shoppers through two main schemes: tampering with gift cards in stores before purchase and sending fraudulent texts and emails impersonating banks and government agencies. Victims can lose significant money when criminals steal card details from tampered gift cards or trick people into revealing personal financial information through fake messages. To protect yourself, be cautious when purchasing gift cards (inspect packaging carefully), never respond to unsolicited texts or emails asking for personal information, and don't be embarrassed if you fall for a scam—even financial professionals have been victims.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-22
# Holiday Scam Alert
Australians lost over A$2 billion to scams in 2024, with losses expected to remain similar this year, particularly during the busy holiday shopping season when people's guards are down. Common scams include fake online stores and phishing messages posing as delivery services, investment schemes involving cryptocurrency, and romance scams targeting lonely individuals. To protect yourself and family, verify online retailers before purchasing, be suspicious of unsolicited investment offers, never send money to people you've only met online, and remain alert to messages creating artificial urgency to act quickly.
publicradioeast.org
· 2025-12-22
# Federal agents in North Carolina seized nearly $8.5 million in cryptocurrency that was stolen through "pig butchering schemes," elaborate scams where criminals pose as romantic interests or trusted advisors on social media to lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investments that promise unrealistic returns. Victims—some of whom lost their entire life savings—are typically contacted randomly via text or social media, build relationships with scammers, and are directed to fraudulent trading platforms where their money disappears when they attempt withdrawal. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited messages offering investment opportunities, verify investment platforms independently before sending money, and remember that legitimate investment firms will never demand additional payments to help you recover losses.
moneytalksnews.com
· 2025-12-22
Americans over 60 lost an estimated $2.4 billion to financial fraud in 2024 (with potential losses reaching as high as $81.5 billion when accounting for unreported cases), with scammers increasingly using social engineering and AI to target retirement accounts through sophisticated schemes like "pig butchering" scams on social media and dating apps. The three most common scams affecting seniors are investment fraud (including fake cryptocurrency and pre-IPO stock schemes), along with other emerging threats, where victims are lured through fake relationships before losing their savings to fake trading platforms or hidden "tax fees." To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities promising guaranteed returns on social media, verify any investment platform independently before transferring funds, and report suspected fraud to the FTC.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-22
# Scam Summary
A phishing scam targeting iPhone and Apple Pay users is spreading via text messages claiming unauthorized charges—a Southgate woman received a fake alert about a $443.74 charge and was nearly tricked into downloading remote-access software that would have given scammers control of her phone. To protect yourself, ignore these texts entirely: don't call the number provided, click links, or download any apps, as legitimate Apple support will never ask you to do these things. If you receive a suspicious message, check your account directly through Apple's official app or website rather than using contact information from the text.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-22
Scammers are sending fake Netflix suspension emails that exploit holiday confusion about billing and subscriptions to trick people into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. The fraudulent emails mimic Netflix's legitimate branding but contain telltale spelling errors like "valldate" instead of "validate" that reveal them as scams. To protect yourself, verify any account suspension alerts by calling the company directly rather than clicking links in emails, and stay alert to these phishing attempts especially during busy holiday seasons.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-22
Inheritance scams are resurging, with scammers contacting people via email, messages, and letters claiming they've inherited money from deceased relatives or unknown wealthy people. The scams typically ask victims to pay upfront fees or provide personal and financial information, promising they can claim nonexistent inheritances worth thousands or millions of dollars. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages about unexpected money, never pay fees upfront for inheritances, and verify claims through official channels rather than trusting the scammer directly.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-21
The FBI is warning about virtual kidnapping scams where criminals steal photos from social media, digitally alter them, and use them as fake "proof of life" to demand ransom payments from victims. These scams rely on fear and urgency—scammers typically text claiming they've kidnapped a loved one and threaten violence if payment isn't made immediately, using timed messages to prevent victims from examining the fake images closely. To protect yourself, slow down and scrutinize any suspicious messages; look for warning signs like missing tattoos or scars, unusual body proportions, or details that don't match reality, and verify claims by contacting loved ones through a known phone number rather than responding to the message.
theitem.com
· 2025-12-21
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to create sophisticated fraud schemes, including voice and video cloning that can impersonate loved ones, as well as automated email and text scams that operate at massive scale. These AI-powered scams are becoming more convincing and harder to detect, with criminals able to create personalized content that tricks victims into sending money or revealing personal information. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls or messages requesting money or personal information—especially from family members—and verify requests through alternative contact methods before responding.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-21
An 86-year-old woman lost $700,000 to scammers who used fake security warnings to convince her to withdraw money from her banks, and she's now suing Merrill Lynch, UBS, and TD Bank for failing to stop the unusually large transactions despite her documented vulnerability to fraud. The scam is part of a broader pattern where criminals impersonate trusted institutions and law enforcement to trick people into transferring their savings. To protect yourself: never withdraw funds based on unsolicited warnings, remember that legitimate banks and government agencies will never ask you to transfer money for safekeeping, and if you're concerned about cognitive decline, consider designating a trusted family member to monitor your accounts as an early warning system.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-21
Criminals are using AI voice-cloning technology to create realistic voicemails impersonating loved ones in distress (claiming accidents, injuries, or robberies) to trick people into sending money quickly. The scammers only need a brief audio clip—as little as three seconds from social media videos or casual phone responses—to generate convincing synthetic voices that exploit emotional urgency and bypass skepticism. To protect yourself, verify unexpected money requests through a different communication channel (call the person back directly), be suspicious of emotional appeals for quick transfers, and never send money based solely on voice messages, even if they sound authentic.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-21
# Scam Safety During the Holiday Season
Australians lost over A$2 billion to scams in 2024, with losses expected to remain similar this year, as scammers intensify their efforts during the busy Christmas period when people are distracted and stressed. Common holiday scams include fake online stores, phishing emails posing as delivery services, cryptocurrency investment schemes, and romance scams targeting lonely individuals. To protect yourself and family, be cautious of unsolicited offers, verify websites before shopping, avoid clicking links in unexpected messages, and never send money to people you've only met online—particularly if they request urgent payments.
aol.com
· 2025-12-21
# Social Security Scam Summary
Scammers posing as Social Security Administration employees have defrauded consumers, including an elderly Pennsylvania couple who lost over $1.3 million in a recent incident. Legitimate SSA representatives will never threaten you, demand immediate payment, or ask for personal information like your Social Security number or bank details over the phone. To protect yourself, verify any unexpected calls before acting, use strong passwords and multi-factor authentication on accounts, and stay skeptical of unsolicited contact from government agencies.
newslj.com
· 2025-12-21
A Laramie resident fell victim to a phishing email impersonating the University of Wyoming that used a realistic DocuSign request to trick them into clicking a malicious link, while a Sheridan resident received a phone call from a scammer posing as a police officer demanding $3,500 for a fake arrest warrant related to missed jury duty. Both scams targeted people during vulnerable moments—year-end business periods and work hours—and used convincing details like official logos, badge numbers, and confirmed personal information to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, verify unexpected document requests and financial demands by contacting the institution directly through official channels rather than using contact information from the suspicious message, and remember that legitimate law enforcement will never demand immediate payment over the phone.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-21
# Pig Butchering Scam Summary
A 51-year-old New Jersey father lost $280,000 in a "pig butchering" scam after a woman contacted him on Facebook claiming to be interested in his life, gradually building a romantic relationship with him through messaging apps, then convincing him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. This type of scam targets vulnerable individuals emotionally, earning their trust over weeks or months before pivoting to investment opportunities that appear to show quick returns but are actually fake. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances from strangers online, never share financial information or investment access with people you haven't met in person, and verify any investment opportunity through independent financial advisors rather than trusting links provided by new connections.