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in Robocall / Phone Scam
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
clarechampion.ie
· 2025-12-08
This Irish awareness article highlights the rising sophistication of financial scams and provides protective measures for potential victims. Key scam types targeting young people include money muling (using personal bank accounts to launder stolen funds, which carries criminal penalties), ticket fraud for sold-out events, and phishing schemes, with victims losing €8.6 million in the first half of 2023. The article advises protecting finances through strong passwords, two-factor authentication, vigilance against unsolicited contact, and using only official vendors for ticket purchases.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource outlines common investment scams including Ponzi schemes, boiler room scams, pump-and-dump schemes, advance fee fraud, crypto scams, and affinity fraud that exploit trust within specific communities. Key red flags to avoid include guaranteed returns, artificial urgency, unclear information, unsolicited offers, and promises that seem too good to be true. Consumers are advised to conduct independent research, request verified financial statements, and report suspected scams to authorities.
pentictonherald.ca
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Canada recorded 41,111 fraud victims, prompting the Essex County OPP to host a community awareness event on recognizing and preventing scams. Key recommendations include avoiding unsolicited calls and emails, keeping personal information private, and recognizing urgency tactics—with common current scams including romance scams, grandparent/emergency scams, and Canada Revenue Agency impersonation. Officials emphasized that fraud cases are underreported due to embarrassment and encouraged victims to report incidents to help protect others.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational awareness piece from AARP Florida highlighting fraud prevention resources for older adults in Florida. AARP offers a 24/7 Fraud Watch Network hotline, community shredding events for secure document disposal, partnerships with law enforcement and financial institutions, and educational materials through the AARP Florida Fraud Resource Center to help seniors recognize and avoid common scams like phishing and grandparent fraud. The article emphasizes that fraud prevention requires ongoing vigilance, community collaboration, and staying informed about evolving scammer tactics.
kstatecollegian.com
· 2025-12-08
A recent study found that Generation Z members experienced more financial losses and data theft from online scams than older adults, contradicting the common perception that scams primarily target seniors. The article provides practical fraud prevention advice including using secure payment methods, verifying caller identities by calling back directly, avoiding suspicious links and remote access requests, and being cautious of impersonators posing as banks, retailers, landlords, and tech support providers.
witn.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, imposter scams remain the most commonly reported fraud category, with emerging threats including AI scams, synthetic identity fraud, and fake charity schemes. One Pitt County resident lost over $12,000 after scammers posed as Microsoft support and convinced her to call a fraudulent number, highlighting how scammers use fear tactics to manipulate victims. Experts recommend staying calm when receiving suspicious emails or calls, avoiding clicking links or calling provided numbers, and contacting legitimate technology professionals for verification.
thethaiger.com
· 2025-12-08
A 51-year-old South Korean fugitive was arrested in Thailand after orchestrating a sophisticated call centre scam from China that defrauded six South Korean victims of approximately $150,000 (200 million won) in just two weeks through manipulated phone calls and text messages. In related enforcement actions, Thai authorities dismantled a major call-centre syndicate operating across Thailand, China, and Russia, arresting 71 suspects (52 Chinese nationals and 19 Thai accomplices), and also arrested five individuals for operating a romance scam that swindled a Thai millionaire of over 63 million baht over six years.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses April Fools' Day marketing pranks and the increased risks they pose with AI technology. It highlights past corporate pranks that backfired, including Volkswagen's "Voltswagen" rebranding announcement that confused media outlets, Yahoo News's false report about Trader Joe's closing all stores in 2016, and Deliveroo's fake $750 food delivery confirmation emails in 2021 that alarmed thousands of customers. Experts warn that generative AI tools like ChatGPT make it easier for companies to create convincing promotional content, raising concerns about distinguishing jokes from facts and deepfakes, and recommend companies disclose when AI-generated content is involve
vancouverislandfreedaily.com
· 2025-12-08
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the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
The WhatsApp Gold scam, circulating since 2016, tricks millions of users by promising an exclusive upgraded WhatsApp version through fraudulent links that actually sign victims up for costly premium SMS services costing around £30 per month. Security experts warn users to avoid clicking links or providing phone numbers in messages offering special WhatsApp downloads, and to be vigilant against related scams including impersonation fraud, phishing links, tech support scams, and romance scams on the platform.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
**Celebrity Impostor Scams Enhanced by AI Technology**
Criminals are leveraging artificial intelligence to make celebrity impostor scams increasingly convincing, moving from fake social media profiles and messaging to deepfake videos that impersonate celebrities like Dolly Parton, Elon Musk, and Tom Hanks. Scammers use these fraudulent schemes to establish false connections with fans, offering personal access, investment opportunities, or charity support to steal money. Consumers should be cautious of any personal contact claims from celebrities and report suspected scams to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Hingham woman lost $9,500 in a "grandparent scam" in which a caller impersonated her grandson claiming he needed money after a car accident, followed by a second caller posing as a federal agent who arranged for pickup of the cash via ride-share driver. When the scammers attempted to solicit an additional $5,000 the next day by claiming a miscarriage and legal involvement, the victim became suspicious and contacted police, who intercepted the second payment and apprehended the unknowing ride-share driver. Hingham Police note this mirrors a 2022 incident in which an 87-year-old lost $
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing (text message phishing) scams are widespread, with about one in three Americans having received such texts and roughly one-third falling victim without immediately realizing it. The FBI reported 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 resulting in nearly $19 million in losses, with cybercriminals increasingly using AI to craft convincing fraudulent messages. To protect yourself, verify you've opted into bank text notifications through your official bank account settings, watch for red flags like requests for personal information or urgent calls to action, and always contact your bank directly using the number on your card rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
During the first three months of 2024, Bhopal's district cyber crime cell documented 43 voice cloning fraud cases totaling Rs 14 lakh, where criminals used AI-based apps to imitate victims' voices after collecting voice samples through hoax calls, then impersonated them to extort money from their relatives. Despite victims' distress and ongoing investigation efforts, the cyber crime cell achieved zero arrests in these cases and lacks adequate forensic equipment to effectively probe voice cloning fraud.
kezi.com
· 2025-12-08
Eugene Police Officer Colin Woolston created a free scam prevention course to educate the public about increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, emphasizing that knowledge is the best defense against scams. The most prevalent scam he identified involves fake tech support pop-ups that lead victims to unknowingly transfer money to scammers posing as bank representatives, with losses ranging from thousands of dollars that can impact rent, food, and groceries. Woolston encourages scam victims to share their experiences with others to help prevent additional people from becoming victims, and offers free presentations on fraud awareness and identity protection.
mainstreetdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old widow named Mary from Gainesville was scammed out of $90,000 by a man claiming to be named "Bill" who contacted her through LinkedIn and posed as an oil company engineer, eventually claiming he wanted to marry her but needed money due to frozen assets in China. The article also details a separate grandparent scam targeting 78-year-old Alfred Dorsett, who lost $5,000 after being told his grandniece was in legal trouble, and notes that the FTC reported 853,935 imposter scams nationwide in 2023 resulting in $2.7 billion in losses, with romance scams being a common t
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Wells Fargo customer Julia Gibson lost $2,500 through a Zelle scam after fraudsters impersonated bank employees and convinced her to transfer funds; she initially received a provisional credit but the bank later reversed it, leaving her account at $0 with overdraft fees. The article notes that scammers use Zelle and similar money-transfer apps because transactions cannot be reversed once sent, and banks often fail to reimburse victims since customers technically authorize the transfers themselves. Key prevention advice includes being skeptical of urgent requests, never sending money to unknown contacts, and knowing that legitimate banks will never ask customers to send funds via Zelle or to overseas accounts.
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Hingham woman lost $9,500 in a "grandparent scam" after receiving a call from someone claiming to be her grandson who needed money for a pregnant woman's medical expenses; a second caller posing as a federal agent arranged for pickup via a ride-share driver. The victim became suspicious when the scammer called again requesting an additional $5,000, prompting her to contact police, who apprehended the ride-share driver (who was unaware of the scam and faced no charges). Hingham police note that grandparent scams remain common and increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using personal information from social media and even AI voice-cloning technology
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
At 64, Madam Esah Ali is a tech-savvy senior who narrowly avoided a scam four years ago when a fraudster impersonated an immigration officer requesting payment for a purported overseas parcel. Motivated by this experience, she joined Project PRAISE, a Singapore Police Force and RSVP partnership, and now conducts anti-scam awareness presentations to seniors at community centers, emphasizing the importance of not sharing personal information online and warning that even IT-savvy individuals can fall victim to scams. In 2023 alone, Singapore reported over 46,000 scam cases resulting in losses exceeding $650 million.
shawlocal.com
· 2025-12-08
This letter describes two scams targeting consumers: fake purchase confirmation emails with suspicious attachments designed to trick recipients into clicking links or opening files, and phone impersonators claiming to be from medical facilities who request personal information to "update patient profiles" and likely file fraudulent insurance claims. The writer advises deleting suspicious emails without opening attachments, monitoring bank accounts regularly, and never providing personal information to unsolicited callers—particularly warning that elderly patients with frequent medical visits are vulnerable targets.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 60s was stopped from sending A$2,000 to a scammer posing as her Turkish boyfriend after a quick-thinking NAB bank teller noticed red flags in her story—including that she couldn't name her "boyfriend," had never met him, and was being directed to send money to a stranger in Sydney instead. The scammer had created an emotional narrative about needing money for medical treatment in the UK, with an increasingly coercive tone, and even called during the transaction to pressure her. NAB reported a 29% increase in romance scam complaints, with Australians losing an estimated A$40 million to such scams in 2023, with those
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Suzanne Famula, 39, was defrauded of £20,810 by Christopher Harris, 41, whom she met on the dating app Hinge in November 2020. Harris used a romance scam scheme, repeatedly claiming he had serious health conditions and requesting money for medical expenses, mortgage payments, and bills over their five-month relationship. Harris was sentenced to 30 months in prison in February 2023 after pleading guilty to fraud by false representation, and Famula is now campaigning to establish romance fraud as a specific criminal offense with dedicated victim support.
sourceofthespring.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service warned against scammers impersonating law enforcement officials who use spoofed government phone numbers, fake badge numbers, and names of real judges to demand payment via Bitcoin ATMs, claiming victims face arrest for identity theft or missed jury duty. The agency clarified that legitimate marshals never demand payment by phone or request financial information, credit card numbers, or wire transfers. Victims should report incidents to the Federal Trade Commission and local law enforcement.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies five key indicators of scam websites: unnatural or misspelled URLs that resemble legitimate sites, missing HTTPS security and untrusted certificates, unrealistically low prices with limited payment options, unprofessional content with poor grammar and low-quality images, and negative reviews or absent contact information. Consumers should verify website legitimacy through these checks before making purchases or sharing personal information online.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
East Haven, Connecticut residents were warned about a lottery scam sent via mail claiming they won $500,000 from "Global Link Lottery Inc." and enclosing a fraudulent $6,985 check supposedly for taxes and fees. The scam instructed recipients to call a number to claim their winnings, but police warned that the check is fraudulent and cashing it would make the recipient liable for the lost funds, while calling the number could result in identity theft.
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Massachusetts woman lost $9,500 to a "grandparent scam" in which a caller claimed to be her grandson in need of emergency cash for a car accident involving a pregnant woman. When scammers attempted to extract an additional $5,000 by impersonating a federal agent, the victim became suspicious and contacted police, who intercepted the second pickup and apprehended the driver (who was unknowingly hired through a ride-share app). The case remains under investigation, and police are urging public awareness to help prevent this common scheme targeting seniors.
trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-generated deepfakes and voice cloning technology are increasingly being exploited by scammers to perpetrate fraud against unsuspecting victims. Common schemes include fake celebrity giveaways using deepfake videos, voice cloning to impersonate family members or authority figures for ransom demands and the "grandparent scam," and impersonation attacks via business platforms like Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp that have resulted in significant financial losses (including a $25 million case involving a deepfake CFO). Victims should verify collaborations through official websites and social media accounts, be cautious of unsolicited messages requesting meetings, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A couple in Derbyshire listed a £700 gaming laptop on Facebook Marketplace and were scammed by a man who posed as a genuine buyer, gained their trust by visiting their home and meeting their newborn daughter, then used a fake banking app to trick the husband into providing his bank details before leaving with the laptop and blocking contact. Reports to Action Fraud show Facebook Marketplace scams have surged dramatically, from 4,923 complaints in 2019 to 20,735 in the most recent year, with scammers using tactics like building rapport, fake urgency, and emotional manipulation to deceive victims.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines emerging AI-enabled scams targeting the public, including deepfake celebrity giveaway scams, AI voice cloning used to impersonate family members or demand ransom for kidnapped children, and deepfake video attacks on business platforms like Microsoft Teams (with one Hong Kong firm losing $25 million to fraudsters impersonating their CFO). The article advises consumers to verify collaborations through official websites and social media accounts and warns of AI-generated fake news and romance scams as additional threats.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Shannon and Kit Abell are retired professionals in Roanoke County, Virginia who volunteer as fraud prevention educators through the Triad program, a partnership between AARP, law enforcement, and community groups designed to reduce crime against older adults. Shannon delivered 52 fraud prevention presentations in 2023 covering scams such as romance fraud, identity theft, and grandparent scams, while the Triad program has expanded from over 200 Virginia locations at its peak to 59 chapters, with AARP and state officials working to revitalize participation. The program emphasizes peer-to-peer education and local law enforcement involvement to build community trust and help victims connect with appropriate resources.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell established a new Elder Justice Unit to combat the frequent and pervasive fraud targeting older residents, with director Mary Freeley coordinating resources across multiple bureaus to enhance prosecution and education. In 2023, Massachusetts consumers reported over 87,000 fraud cases resulting in $142.3 million in losses, though experts note significant underreporting due to shame and lack of awareness. Common scams include impostor fraud targeting bank and government agency impersonation, grandparent scams, and cryptocurrency schemes, with prevention experts recommending victims slow down and avoid emotional reactions that bypass logical thinking.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Medicare scams involve fraudsters impersonating government representatives to trick older Americans into providing personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, and bank account details. Common schemes include false refund offers, free medical equipment promotions, and new card notifications, with government impersonation fraud losses exceeding $136 million in 2022 alone. To protect themselves, Medicare enrollees should verify caller identity through official channels and never provide personal or financial information in response to unsolicited contacts.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Illinois State Police Trooper Jason Wilson and AARP Illinois are working to combat fraud in the state, where consumers reported $244.7 million in losses to fraud in 2023. Wilson highlights common scams like phishing emails and fake refund schemes, and recommends preventative measures including not engaging with unknown callers, avoiding suspicious links, using two-factor authentication, and reporting crimes despite potential embarrassment. AARP Illinois is offering a five-part online fraud prevention series with expert speakers to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding elder fraud.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Two retired Georgia law enforcement veterans with combined 75+ years of experience—Joe Gavalis and Dan Flynn—volunteer with the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force Foundation to combat elder fraud through training, education, and prevention work. They have facilitated over 60 law enforcement trainings and reached approximately 8,000 older adults with fraud prevention presentations covering common scams like credit card fraud, grandparent scams, and romance schemes. Their work addresses a critical gap, as Americans reported 2.6 million fraud incidents in 2023 with $10 billion in losses, with elder victims often experiencing catastrophic financial impact.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello leads an Elder Abuse Unit that has partnered with the FBI and other agencies through the Elder Justice Task Force to combat elder financial fraud, which resulted in approximately $97 million in losses in San Diego County alone in 2023. The unit prosecutes cases ranging from grandparent scams to tech-support fraud, such as a 2023 case where a 22-year-old man stole over $200,000 from a 65-year-old woman through a fake Microsoft pop-up and fraudulent Chase Bank calls. While reported losses nationwide exceeded $1.6 billion in 2022 for adults
theweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) has defrauded U.S. timeshare owners of $288 million over five years through a sophisticated scam operating from Mexican call centers in Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, and Acapulco. Scammers posing as sales representatives contact timeshare owners offering to buy back their properties, then demand upfront fees for listing, taxes, or government fines, with victims wiring hundreds of thousands of dollars before realizing the fraud. The U.S. Treasury Department and FBI have issued warnings about the scheme, which particularly targets elderly U.S. citizens and relies on English-speaking operators,
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warned residents about tax debt relief scams targeting the millions of taxpayers owing the IRS money, as scammers contact victims via email, phone, text, and mail claiming to offer special programs or insider knowledge to negotiate reduced tax settlements. The scammers use high-pressure tactics and promise to settle debts for pennies on the dollar, seeking to exploit victims' financial stress during tax season. Moody advised Floridians to contact the IRS directly, verify any company's legitimacy through research, ignore unsolicited communications, protect personal information, and consult with trusted tax professionals before engaging with relief offers.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
A new Federal Trade Commission rule targeting government and business impersonation scams took effect, as data revealed these frauds generated $1.1 billion in reported losses in 2023—more than three times 2020 losses. The five most common tactics include fake account security alerts, phony subscription renewals, bogus giveaways, fabricated legal threats, and false package delivery issues, with scammers increasingly using text and email rather than phone calls and preferring bank transfers (40% of losses) and cryptocurrency (21% of losses) as payment methods.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, impersonation scams cost victims approximately $1.1 billion—more than triple the 2020 losses—according to FTC data reporting 330,000 business impersonation cases and 160,000 government impersonation cases. The delivery method has shifted, with text messages and emails now accounting for 40 percent of reported scams compared to phone calls (32 percent), and scammers increasingly impersonating multiple organizations within a single fraud targeting fake account alerts, subscription renewals, prizes, and law enforcement impersonation.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season brings heightened risk of scams including "smishing" (phishing via text messages), where scammers impersonate the IRS to trick taxpayers into revealing Social Security numbers and financial information through urgent messages and malicious links. The IRS recommends verifying sender identity through independent communication methods, enabling multi-factor authentication, and remaining skeptical of unsolicited emails or texts, particularly those claiming to be from tax agencies or requesting sensitive information, as the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology, including deepfake videos, to impersonate celebrities and defraud fans by offering fake personal connections, VIP access, investment opportunities, or charity support. Victims should be cautious of unsolicited celebrity contact on social media or messaging platforms, as legitimate celebrity interactions are rare, and should report suspected scams to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, impersonation scams targeting consumers reported more than 330,000 business and nearly 160,000 government impersonation cases to the FTC, resulting in combined losses exceeding $1.1 billion—more than triple the losses from 2020. Scammers have evolved their tactics, shifting from phone calls to text and email communications, increasingly requesting payment through bank transfers and cryptocurrency, and often impersonating multiple organizations within a single scam. The five most common impersonation scams include fake account security alerts, bogus subscription renewals, fraudulent giveaways or government money offers, false legal threats, and fake package delivery notifications—all designed to
techlicious.com
· 2025-12-08
According to Hiya's State of the Call report, the average consumer wastes 9 minutes per week on spam calls, totaling 7.6 hours annually, while those who fell victim to phone scams lost an average of $2,257 in 2023—a significant increase from $360 in 2022. The article recommends protecting yourself by avoiding calls from unknown numbers, never sharing personal or financial information over the phone, and using call blocking apps like Robokiller, Hiya, or Truecaller to filter scam calls.
newstalk870.am
· 2025-12-08
The Benton County Sheriff's Office warns residents of an ongoing phone and text scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officers claiming to be captains with urgent matters requiring payment. The scammers use spoofed phone numbers and automated systems that mimic the sheriff's office to trick victims into calling back and providing personal or financial information. Law enforcement agencies never contact citizens by phone or text requesting money, and residents should never click suspicious links or provide banking information to unknown callers.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Hingham woman lost $9,500 to a grandparent scam in which a caller impersonated her grandson, claiming he needed money for hospital bills after a car accident, then a fake federal agent arranged for a driver to pick up the cash from her home. When the scammer called requesting an additional $5,000 the next day, the woman became suspicious and contacted police, who intercepted the second pickup and arrested no one, though the investigation remains ongoing.
gettysburgconnection.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational article defines scams as trust-based fraud exploiting victims' emotions and provides practical defense strategies against common schemes. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023 (a 14% increase from 2022), with imposter scams and email being the most prevalent fraud type and contact method respectively. Key warning signs include unsolicited calls using spoofed numbers, requests for unusual payment methods (cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency), and high-pressure tactics designed to trigger fear and override critical thinking.
newswire.lk
· 2025-12-08
A Melbourne woman in her 60s was prevented from losing $2,000 to a romance scam when a NAB bank employee identified red flags—including her inability to name the supposed recipient, increasingly coercive messages, and a timely call from the scammer during the transaction. The employee's intervention saved her from joining hundreds of Australians who lost approximately $40 million to romance scams in the previous year, with NAB reporting a 29 percent year-on-year increase in romance scam reports.
wnem.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel visited the Flint Association of the Deaf to warn senior citizens, particularly deaf and hard of hearing individuals, about common scams. The most prevalent scams involve fraudsters impersonating banks, credit unions, or utility companies to steal credit card and bank account information, and Nessel advised never trusting caller ID and instead calling back using verified phone numbers. She emphasized that vulnerable populations across all communities are targeted and urged residents to contact the Michigan Department of Attorney General at 1-877-765-8388 or file online complaints if they suspect scam activity.
thereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, people aged 60 and older filed 88,262 fraud complaints with the FBI resulting in $3.1 billion in losses. Solano County launched the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) to combat a spike in scams targeting local seniors and provide resources for victims and their families. The center offers prevention tips including verifying government communications, identifying fake social media identities and sweetheart scams, skepticism toward prize offers, caution about urgent account compromise notices, and regular financial monitoring, along with reporting resources and assistance from Adult Protective Services.