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in Scam Awareness
thebaynet.com
· 2025-12-08
Government impersonation scams targeting older adults in Maryland have surged, with fraudsters posing as federal agents and law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring funds via untraceable methods like gold bars, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. Montgomery County alone reported over $5 million in gold-related scam losses in the past year, including a Bethesda woman who lost $1.1 million and a man sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for collecting nearly $800,000 in gold bars. The FTC warns that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or ask people to buy gold, and urges victims to hang up, report incidents at ReportFraud.ftc
wboc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dorchester County Sheriff's Office warned of a spike in scam calls where impersonators claiming to be deputies use the department's official number to tell victims they have outstanding warrants or missed court dates, then demand payment via gift cards or digital payment apps like CashApp, Venmo, or Zelle. Authorities emphasized that the sheriff's office never calls to demand payment for legal matters and urged residents to hang up, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement.
ttrweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk warn of rising fake visa websites and phishing scams targeting holidaymakers as countries digitize visa applications. Scammers create convincing copycat government portals, charge inflated fees for fake or unnecessary documents, and use phishing emails impersonating immigration authorities to steal personal information and payment details. The article provides guidance on avoiding these scams, including using only official government websites, verifying HTTPS security, avoiding pressure tactics, and paying with credit cards for fraud protection.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
**Rental Fraud Overview**
Young people account for three-quarters of rental fraud cases, with approximately £9 million lost across 5,000 reported incidents last year. Scammers typically pose as landlords on low-cost listing sites and social media, offering cheap properties and requesting deposits before viewings, using tactics like fake videos and artificial urgency to pressure victims into payment.
**Key Prevention Advice:** Never pay deposits without viewing the property in person, verify landlord credentials and ownership proof, scrutinize profile creation dates and multiple similar listings, and trust instincts when details seem suspicious.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Michael Shannon Sims and Juan Carlos Reynoso were charged with wire fraud and money laundering for operating OmegaPro, a fraudulent forex trading platform that defrauded investors of over $650 million between 2019 and 2023. The scheme operated as a Ponzi scheme with pyramid scheme elements, using lavish promotional events and social media displays of wealth to lure victims with promises of up to 300% returns, while no actual trading occurred and the defendants used stolen funds for personal expenses. The scam eventually collapsed in 2023 when victims were told their accounts had been "hacked" and were directed to a non-existent successor platform, leaving them unable
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple scams are currently targeting Oklahomans, including fake bank fraud calls where scammers impersonate financial institutions to obtain personal information and conduct unauthorized wire transfers, as well as grandparent scams where callers impersonate relatives claiming to be in emergencies. To protect themselves, Oklahomans are advised to hang up on unsolicited calls, avoid sharing personal information like passwords or account numbers, independently verify emergencies by directly contacting the person or institution involved, and report suspected scams to police, banks, and the state attorney general's office.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
A Belgian man drove 472 miles to meet French model Sophie Vouzelaud after being romantically deceived online, only to be confronted by her actual husband at her door. The victim had sent approximately $35,000 to someone impersonating Vouzelaud over the course of their online "relationship," a classic romance scam that exploited his emotional vulnerability. Vouzelaud subsequently warned her followers on Instagram about fake accounts using her identity and images, highlighting the risks of online romance fraud.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Advanced fee job scams in the UK surged 237% since the start of the year, with victims losing up to £5,000, according to Lloyds Bank. These increasingly sophisticated scams, predominantly targeting job seekers aged 18-34 through social media platforms, lure victims with fake remote work opportunities before demanding upfront payments for processing fees, training, or other fictitious costs; the average loss per victim is £1,420, with scammers sometimes manipulating victims into making multiple payments or unknowingly participating in money laundering schemes. Fraudsters employ tactics ranging from simple fake task postings (liking TikTok videos, writing fake reviews) to elaborate schemes
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Dubai Police arrested a cybercrime gang that defrauded victims through fake investment and trading schemes promoted on social media and via phone calls. The gang falsely claimed to represent legitimate investment platforms, convincing victims to transfer funds to offshore accounts with promises of high quick profits. Dubai Police warns the public to verify investment offers through authorized institutions only and report suspicious activity through official channels.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office issued a public alert about a surge in fraud targeting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors and small business owners, including romance scams, bank impersonation, fake government texts (DMV, law enforcement), and business invoice schemes that pressure victims to pay via Bitcoin, gift cards, or money apps. Common red flags include unsolicited requests for personal information, urgent threats, and payment demands via untraceable methods, with victims urged to verify requests directly with official sources and report fraud to law enforcement and agencies like the FTC and IdentityTheft.gov.
panewslab.com
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency investment scam originating from mainland China spread to Hong Kong in 2025, affecting at least 118 victims aged 33-80 who lost approximately HK$3.2 million through a fraudulent platform called "DGCX Xinkangjia." Hong Kong police arrested four local suspects in July 2025 for organizing promotional dinners that recruited victims and collected HK$3.89 million, though most funds remain unrecovered as the fake trading platform never invested the money and used funds to maintain operations and process other victims' withdrawals. The use of USDT stablecoin for transactions has complicated investigation, fund recovery, and victim compensation efforts.
siasat.com
· 2025-12-08
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau warned of fraudulent "RTO Traffic Challan" APK files being circulated via WhatsApp that impersonate official traffic department communications and contain malware designed to steal banking and personal information from victims. Cybercriminals target random users, particularly in evenings, with convincing-looking messages containing malicious links that, when installed, enable unauthorized access to financial accounts and can result in significant financial losses. Authorities recommend downloading apps only from official sources like Google Play Store or Apple App Store and advise victims to report incidents immediately to the cybercrime helpline at 1930.
gbnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Television personality Ore Oduba, a former Strictly Come Dancing champion and host of BBC's Claimed and Shamed fraud awareness program, fell victim to an elaborate online scam in which fraudsters impersonated self-help expert Mel Robbins using AI-generated correspondence. After publicly endorsing Robbins on ITV's Loose Women, Oduba received fake emails from a Gmail account posing as Robbins' podcast team, which he initially believed before noticing red flags like misspelled email addresses and inconsistencies that he confirmed with Robbins' official PR team. Oduba publicly shared his experience in an emotional video to raise awareness about how scams can deceive
people.com
· 2025-12-08
Sharon Brightwell of Florida lost $15,000 to scammers who used AI-cloned audio of her daughter's voice in a fake emergency scheme. On July 9, Brightwell received a call mimicking her daughter's number where she heard AI-generated crying claiming a car crash occurred; a fake attorney then demanded $15,000 bail, which she paid, and scammers attempted to extort an additional $30,000 by claiming the daughter had caused a miscarriage. The daughter's son intervened and confirmed via a three-way call that she was safe at work, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Presenter and actor Ore Oduba fell victim to an impersonation scam after publicly expressing admiration for life coach Mel Robbins on ITV's Loose Women. Scammers posing as Robbins' podcast team sent a convincing email inviting him onto her show, manipulating his emotional connection to her work; Oduba nearly fell for the scheme before noticing the Gmail address and misspelled name. Oduba, who previously hosted a show about scams, emphasized that the AI-assisted deception was highly convincing and stressed that anyone can be vulnerable to fraud, particularly when emotionally invested in the target.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Toll road scams have proliferated across the US over the last 18 months, with fraudsters sending phishing emails and text messages impersonating legitimate toll agencies like E-ZPass and FasTrak to trick drivers into paying fake fees through fraudulent websites that harvest personal and financial information. These schemes exploit urgency and fear of fines to prompt immediate action, and victims' compromised data may be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web. The best defense is to avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify toll charges through official channels, and report suspicious messages to authorities.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Banking phone scams are increasing in sophistication, with criminals impersonating bank representatives and even FBI agents to steal sensitive information and money from victims, resulting in millions of dollars lost in 2024 according to FBI and FTC data. The article provides protective practices including never sharing personal information or MFA codes, letting unknown calls go to voicemail, contacting your bank directly using verified numbers, and monitoring accounts for unauthorized activity. Victims should immediately contact their bank, report fraud to law enforcement and the FTC, change passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Yes, scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, leveraging artificial intelligence to create convincing text messages and scam schemes that exploit financial hardship and emotional vulnerabilities. One Baltimore resident lost over $230 after being lured by a fake work-from-home opportunity that initially paid small amounts before demanding Bitcoin transfers, illustrating how modern scams use gradual trust-building tactics. In 2024, over $1 trillion was lost globally to fraud, with U.S. losses from scam texts alone jumping from $86 million in 2020 to $470 million by 2024, prompting experts to urge greater vigilance as AI technology enables scammers to eliminate traditional re
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Westpac's analysis of customer transaction data revealed that Tuesday at 4pm is the most frequent time for scams to occur in Australia, with 80% of scams happening from lunchtime onwards during work weeks. Remote access scams are the most common type at this peak time (29%), followed by investment scams (20%) and buying/selling scams (13%), with remote access scam victims losing an average of $17,943 in early 2024. The research suggests scammers exploit late-afternoon timing when people are multitasking and less vigilant about suspicious messages and requests.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating state DMVs via text messages, claiming recipients have overdue traffic tickets and threatening to suspend licenses, report them to violation databases, and impose additional fees unless they pay immediately. The scam aims to extract money and personal information from victims through urgent, threatening language and fraudulent links. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unexpected texts, verify claims directly with your DMV using official contact information, report suspicious messages to your carrier, and report scams to the FTC.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers targeted a news station twice using spoofed caller IDs displaying "Verizon Agent" to impersonate legitimate company representatives and claim fraudulent iPhone charges on the victim's account. The scam was notable for explicitly stating no personal information would be requested—an unusual tactic that makes the fraud harder to identify using standard warning signs. Verizon confirmed the calls were fraudulent, originating from spoofed numbers, and advised consumers to verify legitimate calls through official numbers, check for verified checkmarks on caller IDs, and use call-blocking tools.
news.outsourceaccelerator.com
· 2025-12-08
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration warns that Filipino workers are being targeted by fake overseas call center job scams that actually operate as human trafficking schemes, forcing victims to impersonate romantic partners on dating apps to defraud users into cryptocurrency investments. Authorities have intercepted hundreds of Filipinos at borders and rescued victims including a 24-year-old man who was forced to work as a "love scammer" in Cambodia while facing physical intimidation from Chinese employers. The government advises citizens to verify employment opportunities through trusted sources, avoid sharing personal information early, and report suspicious job offers to authorities.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Military families lost $584 million to scams in 2024, a $100 million increase from 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission, with scammers targeting service members and veterans for their stable pensions and financial assets. Common schemes include the "update your file" scam (requesting personal information via calls, texts, or emails), PCS rental fraud (fake military housing listings demanding upfront deposits), and predatory lending offers targeting military members with unusually favorable terms that hide high interest rates and fees. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service partnered with AARP to launch Operation Protect Veterans, a crime prevention program providing education on recognizing and avoiding these scams.
dakotanewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
North Dakota residents experienced the highest per-capita losses from romance scams and confidence fraud in the nation between 2021 and 2024, totaling over $16 million. Authorities attribute the vulnerability to limited fraud awareness, particularly among residents in isolated areas.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams exploit emotional vulnerability and trust, with the FTC reporting at least 70,000 cases annually resulting in approximately $1.3 billion in losses. Common tactics include catfishing (using fake profiles and personas), military impersonation scams, oil rig worker schemes, and sugar daddy/mama cons—all designed to build trust before requesting money or sensitive information from victims. The article provides educational guidance on recognizing these scam variations to help people protect themselves when online dating.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors aged 60 and older face significant financial fraud threats, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to coordinate education and prevention efforts. Common scams targeting older adults include Social Security impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to demand fund transfers to gift cards), tech support scams (requesting remote device access and fabricating charges), lottery scams (claiming foreign winnings while requesting fees), and romance scams (exploiting dating platforms to solicit money). Additional resources on these scams are available through the Justice Department's elder justice website.
wusf.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elder fraud complaints increased 14% with losses totaling $3.4 billion, prompting Sen. Rick Scott and a bipartisan group of lawmakers to urge federal agencies to coordinate efforts against international scams targeting older Americans, particularly those originating from foreign criminal networks operating "scam labor camps" in Southeast Asia. The senators called for increased interagency coordination, stronger international law enforcement partnerships, and expanded public awareness campaigns, noting that over 120,000 people have been trafficked to conduct cyber fraud operations.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has warned of a significant spike in scams targeting elderly residents across the Las Vegas Valley, with FBI officials noting the region's large retirement community makes seniors particularly vulnerable to fraud. Special Agent in Charge Rafaik Mattar emphasized that reporting scams—even small ones—is critical for identifying patterns and investigating fraudsters, while also encouraging victims to overcome embarrassment and contact authorities. The FBI recommends elders verify email addresses, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, protect personal information, and consult trusted family members or the FBI directly when uncertain about suspicious contact.
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational/advocacy piece rather than a news report of a specific scam. The Pennsylvania Shapiro Administration highlights rising financial fraud threats including email, text, phone, and AI-generated deepfake scams targeting Pennsylvanians, and details new protections including criminal penalties for AI-generated fraud schemes and virtual currency transfer regulations. In 2024, state agencies processed 27,000 complaints and returned over $22 million to consumers, with resources available through 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.
dayakdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired businessman in his 70s in Sibu, Sarawak lost over RM800,000 to a fake online investment scheme called "GVD Coins" after discovering it on Facebook in mid-June 2025; despite warnings from family, he made multiple transactions to the scammer's bank account and received no returns. Sarawak Police Commissioner Dato Mancha Ata warned the public to verify investment legitimacy through official sources such as Bank Negara Malaysia and the Securities Commission Malaysia, and urged recent victims to contact the National Scam Response Center at 997.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are frequent targets of relay attacks and phishing scams, particularly those impersonating Google/Gmail. Scammers send sophisticated fake emails appearing to be from Google, using stolen logos and bypassing spam filters to trick users into clicking malicious links and entering login credentials, thereby gaining unauthorized access to Gmail accounts, Google Drive, and connected apps. To protect themselves, seniors should verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, watch for misspellings or unusual characters, independently authenticate requests for personal information, and remember that legitimate companies like Google never ask users to provide sensitive account details via email.
royalexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
**Health Insurance Scams Targeting Seniors**
The FBI has warned of a growing wave of health insurance fraud targeting older adults, typically initiated through unsolicited phone calls from individuals posing as representatives of major insurance companies who pressure victims to pay for full-year coverage upfront with promises of discounts and low costs. Red flags include offers that sound too good to be true, requests for immediate full-year payment, reluctance to provide written information, and aggressive pressure tactics—tactics that legitimate insurance agents do not employ. Seniors can protect themselves by verifying coverage with their healthcare providers, contacting their state insurance commissioner to verify licensing, carefully reviewing complete written policies, avoiding upfront payments, an
thenightly.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A Florida mother, Sharon Brightwell, lost $23,000 in July after scammers used AI voice cloning technology to impersonate her daughter, claiming she had been in a car accident and needed bail money. The scammers obtained audio from the daughter's social media to replicate her voice convincingly, and later attempted to extort an additional $46,000 by claiming an unborn child had died in the accident. The fraud was discovered when the daughter's grandson arranged a phone call that revealed the daughter had been safe the entire time, and the family reported the case to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old Johnston County woman lost $40,000 in a phishing scam after receiving a fraudulent PayPal email directing her to call a number. The scammer, claiming to be "Mike Allen," convinced her to transfer funds via Bitcoin to "protect" her account from being hacked. The victim later discovered the money had been stolen by the fraudsters.
blog.knowbe4.com
· 2025-12-08
A Resume.org report found that 14% of people targeted by job scams via text fell victim, with younger demographics—particularly Gen Z and millennial men (20-31% victimization rates)—significantly more vulnerable than older adults (4% for Baby Boomers). Victims lost between $100-$500 in most cases, with 48% sharing personal information and 84% paying upfront fees; younger workers' financial pressures and lack of experience recognizing red flags make them susceptible to these fraudulent job offers.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
An Eastern Oregon woman in her 60s lost $600,000—most of her life savings—to scammers who impersonated federal agents and instructed her to buy gold bars and transfer ownership to them for "safekeeping." Authorities intervened after her sister called the state consumer protection hotline and were able to prevent an additional $300,000 in gold bars from being handed over; a similar scam also targeted another eastern Oregon woman who lost $60,000 in silver bars. Oregon officials warn that legitimate government agencies, banks, and tech companies never ask people to purchase precious metals or transfer ownership, and urge the public to hang up on such callers and report suspicious contacts to authorities.
bcdi2030.ca
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns that fraudsters use fake scholarship offers to target potential victims and provides prevention guidance using an "ABC" framework: (A) recognize red flags such as unsolicited contact, upfront payment requests, and suspicious websites; (B) be skeptical of offers claiming guaranteed scholarships without application or creating false urgency; and (C) verify authenticity directly through official channels like BCDI2030.ca before responding.
local10.com
· 2025-12-08
The Broward Sheriff's Office warned of a rising bank impersonation scam in which callers posing as fraud investigators trick victims into withdrawing cash or surrendering debit cards and PINs. In recent months, the Pompano Beach District received over a dozen complaints with losses totaling thousands of dollars—including one victim who lost $15,000 and another couple who suffered over $9,000 in fraudulent charges after handing over their cards. Authorities emphasized that legitimate banks never request customers to withdraw money via ride-share services or surrender debit cards to third parties, and urged residents to hang up on suspicious calls and contact their banks directly using official numbers.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
**"Pig butchering" scam operations run by ethnic Chinese criminal gangs in Southeast Asia defrauded Americans of at least $5 billion in 2024 (a 42% increase from 2023), with global losses estimated at $63.9 billion in 2023.** The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission reports that Chinese government elements implicitly back these operations, which exploit thousands of human trafficking victims and have expanded to target wealthy countries like the U.S. after Chinese authorities cracked down on scams targeting Chinese citizens. The commission warns that without coordinated international action to raise awareness, equip law enforcement, and deter perpetrators
extension.msstate.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide identifies five common warning signs of scams that target people across all age groups through various channels including email, phone calls, texts, social media, and mail. Key red flags include: scammers impersonating trusted figures or organizations (using spoofed caller ID and AI voice cloning), creating false problems or urgent situations, requesting account access or passwords, demanding immediate action under threat, and insisting on specific payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards. The article emphasizes that anyone can be victimized by increasingly sophisticated scams and recommends consulting the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for additional protection resources.
afp.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian authorities are cracking down on money mules who rent or sell their bank accounts to criminals for $200-$500, with the AFP and Australian Banking Association warning that this activity enables money laundering and supports organized crime. Criminals recruit mules through employment scams, romance scams, and threats, routing illicit funds through legitimate bank accounts to obscure their origin; in one case, a Sydney woman was imprisoned in April 2025 for renting 10 accounts used to launder $3.8 million. Renting or selling bank accounts is illegal and can carry life imprisonment charges, and account holders risk being implicated in serious crimes including drug trafficking, extortion, and terrorism financing.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
Voice phishing and its variants—including investment fraud, romance scams, smishing (text fraud), and fake reservation scams—have become increasingly sophisticated over the past 20 years, with the "five major phishing crimes" causing 1.687 trillion won in damages last year, 3.4 times more than robbery and theft combined. Victims of phishing crimes suffer average losses of 48.75 million won per case with less than 3% recovery rates, yet many phishing variants lack legal classification as telecommunications fraud and fall outside the official response system, leaving victims without integrated support channels or adequate online resources for assistance.
kesq.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams exploit victims' emotional vulnerability, with the FTC reporting at least 70,000 cases annually resulting in approximately $1.3 billion in losses. Common types include catfishing schemes using fake profiles, military impersonation scams that justify avoiding in-person meetings, oil rig worker scams that request money for travel or medical expenses, and sugar daddy/mama schemes that solicit intimate photos for blackmail purposes. The article advises potential online daters to conduct background checks and remain vigilant about suspicious requests for money or personal information from new romantic contacts.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
An AARP survey of 1,888 adults age 50-plus found overwhelming bipartisan support (85-88%) for the QUIET Act, legislation designed to combat AI-generated voice robocalls and illegal spam calls that cost Americans an estimated $25 billion annually. Nearly all respondents (95%) received scam or illegal robocalls in the past year, with 84% expressing concern about scammers using artificial intelligence to generate fake voices, and 86% believing Congress should take greater action to address the problem.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old California man lost $3,300 to a fake FasTrak toll text scam that deceived him into providing his debit card information; the scammer subsequently used his information to make an eBay purchase. The scam has affected thousands nationwide, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving over 2,000 complaints about road toll collection service scams, prompting warnings from AARP and the FCC that legitimate toll services never request payment via text links and often use threatening language to pressure quick action.
kesq.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams targeting older adults are increasing in sophistication and frequency, with criminals using fake phone calls, deceptive emails, and online schemes to defraud seniors. Assemblyman Greg Wallis is hosting a free "senior scam awareness seminar" on August 13 in Palm Desert to educate older adults on protection strategies, with state agencies presenting current information on evolving scam tactics, particularly those enhanced by AI technology.
wlrn.org
· 2025-12-08
A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen. Rick Scott, urged federal agencies to intensify efforts against international scams targeting older Americans, citing $3.4 billion in losses during 2023 and a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints. The letter to the State Department, Treasury, and Secret Service highlighted that these scams often involve transnational criminal organizations operating labor camps in Southeast Asia, and called for coordinated investigations, stronger international partnerships, and expanded public awareness campaigns to dismantle foreign fraud networks.
legaltalknetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Legal experts from LSC-funded organizations discuss how civil legal services address critical needs of aging Americans, with LSC programs assisting over 312,000 seniors age 60+ annually with issues including wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives. Seniors face particular vulnerability to scams and fraud, and these legal crises compound other challenges like housing costs and medical issues that threaten their safety, stability, and ability to age independently with dignity.
yorkdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill is hosting a free community event called "Scam Jam" in York County to educate older adults and families about identifying and avoiding scams. The event will feature representatives from state banking and securities, the district attorney's office, police, and AARP, along with fraud prevention games and prizes.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Personal information is the top target for elder fraud, with 72% of cases involving exposed data, making privacy protection critical for older adults who have fixed addresses, long-time phone numbers, and savings accounts. The article recommends enlisting a trusted, tech-savvy family member or friend as a "privacy partner" to help spot phishing scams, adjust security settings, and remove personal information from the web, while cautioning that nearly 58% of financial exploitation of older adults is perpetrated by family members, so trustworthiness must be carefully evaluated. A practical checklist covering phone numbers, addresses, email accounts, bank accounts, medical portals, social media, and shopping accounts helps older adults identify which