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in Scam Awareness
donalds.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Byron Donalds' office co-hosted a free scam awareness workshop at the Bonita Springs Library in partnership with regional FBI representatives, providing attendees with guidance on elder fraud prevention and strategies to avoid common scams. The workshop was the third event in the congressman's Community Workshop Summer Series and emphasized that while scams can be life-altering, they are largely preventable.
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosemary Grogan, an 82-year-old Pennsylvania resident, discovered $50,000 missing from her bank account due to fraud in 2024, a experience shared by growing numbers of elderly victims targeted by sophisticated scammers. U.S. cybercrime losses have surged from $4.2 billion in 2020 to $16.6 billion in 2024, yet small police departments lack resources to pursue international criminal networks, leaving most victims unable to recover stolen funds. Community leaders are calling for a coordinated federal response, including better data sharing and a national cybercrime task force, as current state-level and FBI resources address only large-scale patterns
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin is warning residents about a rise in romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, and quickly establish emotional relationships through "love bombing" while claiming to work far away to avoid in-person meetings. The scams rely on AI-generated fake profiles and pictures, and victims are eventually asked to send money to someone they've never actually met.
b105country.com
· 2025-12-08
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, rapidly build emotional connections through love-bombing, and request money from victims who have never met them in person. The scammers use AI-generated photos and fake profiles to appear legitimate while claiming to work far away and asking victims to keep the relationship secret.
irishpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Police reported a surge in romance scams conducted through online dating platforms and social media, where fraudsters build trust with victims over weeks or months before fabricating emergencies and requesting money. Victims, often left emotionally distressed and financially devastated after losing significant savings, are manipulated into sending funds via fabricated medical crises, travel expenses, or personal emergencies. Police warn against key red flags including avoidance of in-person meetings, claims of overseas locations, rapid expressions of love, and requests for money or cryptocurrency, emphasizing that legitimate relationships should never begin with financial requests.
shreveporttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Kenneth G. Akpieyi, 44, from Georgia, was convicted in July 2025 on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering for operating a "fake Romeo" romance scam that defrauded multiple women of over $3 million. Operating under the alias "Phillip Anderson," Akpieyi used social media platforms to build fake romantic relationships with victims, then convinced them to send money for fabricated reasons such as charitable work or family emergencies, funneling the funds through his auto brokerage company to obscure their movement. Eight victims testified during trial, with sentencing scheduled for November 2025.
jacksonvilleprogress.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are among the costliest fraud schemes, with victims losing over $1.3 billion in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers typically create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, build emotional trust, then exploit victims by requesting money, gift cards, wire transfers, or personal financial information under the guise of emergencies. To protect against romance fraud, individuals should be cautious of online dating contacts who quickly establish intimacy, avoid sharing personal or financial details, and verify identities before sending money.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole $390 million from consumers nationwide last year using digital payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App, with schemes becoming increasingly sophisticated through fake profiles, sweepstakes, and fraudulent "accidental transfers," according to a New York Department of State alert. The alert recommends users limit funds held in payment apps, send money only to trusted contacts, avoid linking entire bank accounts, use maximum security settings, and report suspected fraud to the payment app, bank, FTC, and FBI.
wknofm.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South warns of a rising trend in online vehicle scams that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and persists today. Fraudulent websites impersonate legitimate vehicle and equipment dealerships, prompting the Tennessee Attorney General to issue a public warning with guidance on identifying red flags to protect consumers.
wltx.com
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" scams use fake QR codes to direct victims to malicious websites or steal personal information, with over 26 million Americans already having scanned compromised codes. To protect yourself, avoid scanning random QR codes in public places like parking meters and package labels, and verify that website addresses appear legitimate before clicking through.
williamsmullen.com
· 2025-12-08
Email payment scams involving last-minute changes to payment methods and destinations cost parties significant sums, including a $475,000 settlement in Thomas v. Corbyn Rest. Dev. Corp where defendants' attorney wired funds to an imposter's account after receiving a fraudulent email requesting a change from check to wire transfer. Courts have held the party in the best position to prevent fraud—typically through verifying requests via independent phone contact and scrutinizing suspicious email addresses and sudden payment term changes—liable for losses. The key defense against these schemes is to assume the worst when receiving unexpected payment modification requests and verify all changes through established, verified communication channels rather than relying on email alone.
theatlantic.com
· 2025-12-08
In March 2019, investigators uncovered a fraud scheme at the Professional Career Training Institute in Houston, where the school recruited homeless and vulnerable individuals, fabricated their high school diplomas, and secretly took out federal student loans on their behalf, stealing from taxpayers. The article notes that the U.S. Department of Education's fraud-prevention team, which numbered approximately 220 people at the start of 2025, has been largely dismantled following Secretary Linda McMahon's firing of over 80 percent of the fraud-prevention and quality-assurance staff, eliminating ongoing investigations despite the federal government administering $1.7 trillion in student loans annually. The cuts to anti-fraud oversight
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Job Scams Targeting Military Veterans and Job Seekers**
FTC reports on job scams have tripled from 2020 to 2024, with reported losses increasing from $90 million to $501 million, as scammers target transitioning military personnel and job seekers through online job sites, social media, and direct unsolicited messages requesting personal information or payment. The article provides preventive guidance including using trusted job search platforms, researching companies thoroughly, consulting trusted contacts before applying, and never paying fees to secure employment.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
PayPal and Venmo have launched AI-powered scam alerts for Friends and Family payments that use machine learning to detect fraud risks in real time and escalate warnings based on transaction likelihood of fraud, with the system now live globally on PayPal and across the United States on Venmo. The dynamic alerts adapt to current scam patterns and recipient behavior rather than using generic warnings, and may automatically block high-risk payments. Beyond these new protections, users should strengthen security by using unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, keeping devices updated, avoiding public Wi-Fi for financial transactions, and staying vigilant against phishing attempts.
journal-news.net
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target seniors in the Eastern Panhandle and across the country through phone calls, emails, texts, and in-person visits, impersonating government agencies, tech companies, or family members to trick victims into revealing personal information or sending money. Common schemes include fake arrest/bail demands, Medicare card warnings, and suspicious transaction alerts that create artificial urgency. Experts recommend verifying caller identity independently, never sharing personal information unsolicited, avoiding gift cards and wire transfers, and reporting suspicious activity, while family members can support prevention through regular communication and vigilance.
ket.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational forum featuring experts and fraud victims discusses common scams targeting elderly people, including email/social media schemes, tech support scams, and impersonation of law enforcement or government officials. Seniors are frequent targets because they may be lonely, vulnerable, or less technologically savvy, and scammers exploit urgency and fear to manipulate victims; real victims lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one woman who lost over $400,000 and now owes the IRS $100,000 in additional taxes. The discussion emphasizes that fraudsters use sophisticated, multi-layered schemes designed to be difficult to trace and recommends awareness and verification of unexpected contacts as prevention strategies.
ket.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational forum features elder fraud experts discussing common scams targeting seniors, including email, social media, tech support, and phone-based schemes. Elderly individuals are frequent targets because they have more free time, may be lonely or financially worried, and scammers exploit urgency and fear to manipulate them. The panel shares real victim experiences—including a woman who lost over $400,000 to an imposter federal agent scam and now owes $100,000 in taxes—and emphasizes that scams use multiple layers of deception designed to be difficult to trace before funds are depleted.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
A guitar enthusiast in Orlando fell victim to a fake Guitar Center website after clicking on a Facebook ad, losing $1,231.56 when attempting to purchase a Gibson Les Paul. The fraudulent site used a deceptive URL and collected his payment information before sending it to a scammer named Shane Griffin. Guitar Center's CEO has issued public warnings about increasingly common fake websites and social media accounts, advising customers to watch for red flags including unrealistic deals, suspicious URLs, and accounts with few followers.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman lost approximately $250,000 in Bitcoin after purchasing a preloaded hardware wallet from a third-party marketplace, which had been compromised by scammers who retained access via the original seed phrase. The victim failed to reset the wallet or generate a new seed phrase before use, allowing the fraudster to drain all her holdings within two days of transfer. The article recommends five prevention steps: purchase wallets only from official brand websites, generate new seed phrases, reset wallets before use, test with small transfers first, and educate yourself on how hardware wallets function.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, remained the top cybercrime reported to the Better Business Bureau, with over 80% of reported scams falling into this category and victims losing an average of $5,000. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media, ads, or email, then build trust over weeks or months before offering fake investment opportunities that show false returns until the scammer and funds disappear. The BBB recommends never investing with unknown individuals and verifying investment opportunities through the SEC or FINRA before committing money.
guitarworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudulent websites impersonating Guitar Center have emerged as a growing scam targeting musicians, with one victim, Daren Maas, losing $1,231.56 after clicking a Facebook ad for a Gibson Les Paul and unknowingly purchasing from a fake site. Guitar Center's CEO has issued warnings about red flags including unrealistic deals, suspicious URLs (fake sites don't use guitarcenter.com), and fraudulent social media accounts with few followers promoting these scams. Consumers are advised to verify website URLs and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true when shopping online for musical equipment.
kroc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about a prevalent romance scam targeting local residents. The scam typically begins with a fraudster contacting victims on Facebook or Instagram, then moving conversations to private messaging apps, building a rapid romantic relationship through love bombing, and eventually requesting money from the victim while claiming to have reasons (such as a distant job) to avoid meeting in person. Scammers use AI-generated photos and fake social media profiles to appear legitimate, making it crucial for people to avoid sending money to anyone they have not met in person.
njcourts.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating courts and law enforcement agencies to demand bail payments or threaten enforcement action via unsolicited texts and emails, targeting people with claims of missed court appearances or traffic fines. Legitimate courts and law enforcement never demand payment through mobile payment apps (Apple Pay, Zelle, Cash App) or request personal information via unsolicited contact. Victims should hang up and independently call official court or law enforcement numbers to verify any claims, and report suspicious communications to the FTC.
ironmountaindailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan State Police warn of an imposter scam where callers falsely claim to represent MSP and tell residents they have missed court dates or committed violations to pressure them into providing personal information. MSP clarified they never call to request sensitive data or payments, and legitimate law enforcement makes in-person contact for official matters. The advisory recommends never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, hanging up on suspected scams, and reporting incidents to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
moodys.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams emerged as one of the fastest-growing fraud threats in 2025, with reported losses skyrocketing from $90 million in 2020 to over $501 million in 2024, according to FTC data. These scams lure victims through fake job postings with promises of high pay and remote work, then harvest sensitive personal information for identity theft and synthetic identity fraud rather than seeking quick financial gains. The use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake interviews and resumes, combined with AI-driven data manipulation and fraud detection bypass, is making job scams increasingly difficult to detect and enforce against.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Boston Division is warning New Englanders of an increasing surge in scam calls from fraudsters impersonating federal agents and law enforcement officials who use intimidation tactics—threatening arrest, property confiscation, or bank account freezes—to pressure victims into sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, 778 complaints were filed across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, resulting in total losses of $12.9 million. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call threatening arrest or demanding payment, and victims should hang up immediately, contact their financial institutions, and report the scam to local police
tribnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are among the costliest fraud schemes, with victims reporting over $1.3 billion in losses in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers use emotional manipulation through online dating platforms to steal money, personal information, and identities from victims seeking romantic relationships.
yesweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
An increasing wave of AI-generated celebrity romance scams has defrauded Americans of millions of dollars, with victims including a 73-year-old who lost over $100,000 to a fake Kevin Costner on Facebook and an elderly woman scammed by a deepfake Liam Neeson voice. According to FBI data, Americans reported $672 million in losses to romance and confidence scams in 2024 alone, with elderly victims averaging $83,000 per person, though many cases go unreported due to embarrassment. The article emphasizes that while scammers continue to evolve their tactics using new technology and platforms, vigilance and skepticism—particularly about uns
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Emmanuel Ugbaja, a 56-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 5 years probation with 2 years home confinement for money laundering in connection with internet scams that defrauded two victims of $60,000 in 2018—one through a romance scam and one through an inheritance scam. Ugbaja received the fraudulent funds into his bank account, kept a portion for himself, and sent the remainder to a maritime broker as a vessel down payment. In addition to probation, he was ordered to pay over $97,000 in restitution to the fraud victims and over $135,000 to the Small Business Administration
bakersfieldnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Bear Valley Police Department is investigating a surge in romance scams targeting residents, in which criminals create fake dating or social media profiles, build trust with victims, and then request money for fabricated emergencies, medical expenses, travel, or cryptocurrency investments using untraceable payment methods. The department advises victims to stop communication immediately, perform reverse image searches on profile pictures, search online for red flags, and consult trusted friends or family, while recommending residents never send money to online-only contacts and be suspicious of individuals who avoid meeting in person or rush to leave dating platforms.
timesnewsgroup.com.au
· 2025-12-08
The Bellarine Police Station's Community Engagement Unit is conducting educational presentations to help seniors identify and resist scams, with over 50 sessions delivered to local groups and aged care communities. The program addresses the shame and intimidation victims feel, particularly when scammers impersonate tax authorities, and aims to build confidence in recognizing common scams like phishing. Data shows Australians lost $13.7 million to scams in the first four months of 2025, with phishing scams causing the largest losses, prompting warnings for seniors to scrutinize suspicious emails and text messages claiming to be from the ATO.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau launched an educational campaign warning consumers about AI voice cloning scams, where fraudsters use synthesized voices to impersonate loved ones, celebrities, or officials to extort money or solicit fake donations. Common targets include grandparents receiving calls about grandchildren in distress and parents receiving calls about injured children needing bail money. The agencies recommend verifying unexpected emergency calls by hanging up and calling the person directly through a trusted number, establishing code words with loved ones, avoiding unknown callers, and refusing requests for gift card or app-based payments.
theranch100.com
· 2025-12-08
A Rockwood senior lost $24,500 in an online fraud scam that began when the victim sought computer support through an online chat, allowing a suspect to gain remote access and claim the device had a virus. The suspect subsequently convinced the victim that personal information was compromised and demanded $20,000 in cash at a parking lot meeting, followed by an additional $4,500 in gift cards before a concerned family member alerted police. Wellington County OPP continue warning residents about these types of scams targeting vulnerable computer users.
wealthsolutionsreport.com
· 2025-12-08
Ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals face increasingly sophisticated scams that exploit publicly available data, AI technology, and deep social engineering to target them with highly personalized fraud schemes. The article identifies seven major scam types affecting wealthy Americans: whaling (executive phishing), deepfake-driven impersonation and family emergency scams, synthetic identity fraud, tax and authority impersonation scams, and romance scams—each using tailored personal details and urgent requests to extract sensitive information, authorize fraudulent transfers, or manipulate victims into fake investments. Wealth managers and advisors are advised to educate clients on red flags including unusual communication changes, urgent financial requests from trusted sources, and demands
wtxl.com
· 2025-12-08
Leon County, Florida is developing an educational program in partnership with community leaders to help seniors detect and avoid online scams while learning to use artificial intelligence safely. The initiative will offer 1.5-hour seminars at public libraries and online, addressing the growing threat of sophisticated scams that exploit seniors—who lose an average of $34,000 per incident according to FBI data. The program aims to launch in fall with a focus on digital literacy and building confidence in navigating technology in a trusted environment.
gillibrand.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
New Yorkers lost over $540 million to fraud in 2024. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Stop the Scammers Act to restore Consumer Financial Protection Bureau funding that was reduced by a Republican tax bill, and to authorize the CFPB to reward whistleblowers who report financial crimes and fraud targeting seniors.
oakdaleleader.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, fraud cost Americans an estimated $158.3 billion, with new federal initiatives like the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center launching to combat organized fraud schemes through investigation and prosecution. The article highlights three prevalent scams: fake travel websites that appear in search results, utility company impersonators threatening service shutoff, and increasingly sophisticated grandparent scams enhanced by AI technology that create false emergencies to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
escalontimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Fraud Overview & National Response:**
The Federal Trade Commission reported fraud theft reached $158.3 billion in 2023 ($434 million daily), prompting the creation of the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center to investigate and prosecute fraud criminals at scale.
**Common Summer Scams:**
Three prevalent scams target consumers: fake travel websites appearing in search results, utility company impersonators threatening service shutoff and demanding gift cards or wire transfers, and AI-enhanced grandparent scams using realistic voice manipulation to pressure victims into sending money for fabricated emergencies. Protection strategies include researching unfamiliar companies, contacting official numbers directly, and pausing before responding
iomtoday.co.im
· 2025-12-08
Phishing emails impersonating Manx Telecom have been sent to manx.net addresses, directing recipients to fake billing pages designed to steal personal information and passwords. The scam has resulted in dozens of account compromises, with victims losing access to email and social media accounts. The Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man advises users not to click suspicious links, verify sender authenticity, and avoid responding to time-sensitive requests, and recommends reporting suspected scams to a dedicated email address.
trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a July 2025 Trend Micro survey of over 1,000 Australians, two-thirds have been targeted by online scams and 27% have fallen victim, with nearly 30% of victims only discovering the fraud after significant financial loss or non-delivery of goods. Scammers increasingly use emotional, personalized social engineering on mobile platforms, exploiting the fact that 47% of Australians use no mobile security software despite spending 1-8+ hours daily on their phones. The research highlights that embarrassment prevents many victims from reporting scams, and recommends education, awareness, and mobile security software as critical protective measures.
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams—which begin with casual text messages and evolve into romantic relationships—are rising in prevalence and causing significant financial harm. Scammers establish trust, often through romance and cryptocurrency investment promises, then direct victims to fraudulent trading platforms where they see initial gains but cannot withdraw funds due to fabricated fees; victims experience both financial loss and emotional trauma from the manufactured relationship. Financial advisors can help by monitoring for unusual withdrawal patterns and having nonjudgmental conversations with clients, while recognizing that many scammers themselves are human trafficking victims forced to operate from compounds in Southeast Asia run by organized crime networks.
womansworld.com
· 2025-12-08
The author nearly fell victim to medical debt scammers who sent repeated texts claiming she owed money for her emergency retinal surgery, with amounts differing from her actual hospital bill. Medical debt scams occur when fraudsters impersonate hospital staff or debt collectors to demand payment for inflated, duplicate, or fabricated medical charges, and can be avoided by verifying bills directly with the hospital through patient portals and contacting legal authorities if contacted by scammers. The CFPB reports that 100 million Americans owe $220 billion in medical debt, and scammers violate federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regulations that carry potential jail time and fines.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational alert warns about phishing scams using fraudulent email attachments disguised as legitimate communications from companies like Microsoft, DocuSign, and PayPal. Scammers use official-looking logos and urgent subject lines to trick recipients into opening malicious PDFs or downloading malware-laden software, and may impersonate customer service agents to steal sensitive account information. The key advice is to avoid opening unsolicited attachments, verify sender information through official websites or apps, and recognize that legitimate companies rarely send urgent messages via attachment.
wezl.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
The Bobby Bones Show highlighted three technology-based scams currently circulating: fake social media accounts impersonating celebrities' family members to solicit private messages; fraudulent artist accounts offering to paint or create murals as a pretext to steal personal information; and text message scams claiming unpaid DMV tickets require immediate payment. The show advises listeners to avoid engaging with suspicious messages, delete suspicious accounts, and verify DMV communications by calling local DMV offices directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
kgun9.com
· 2025-12-08
Technical support scams disproportionately affect elderly victims, representing approximately 60% of cases in Pima County, Arizona. A 62-year-old Green Valley man lost $53,000 after responding to a fake Bank of America text directing him to withdraw funds and mail them to Florida; authorities recovered the full amount by intercepting the packages in New Mexico. The Pima County Sheriff's Department reports 260 tech support scams out of 550 total fraud cases this year and advises residents to avoid clicking unsolicited links, never provide banking information to callers, and hang up immediately on suspected scammers before verifying any request directly with their bank.
bobbybones.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
The Bobby Bones Show highlighted three technology-based scams: fake social media accounts impersonating celebrity family members to initiate contact; fraudulent artist accounts offering to create portraits or murals as a pretext to steal personal information; and text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles claiming unpaid tickets to pressure victims into payment. Listeners are advised to avoid engaging with unknown accounts claiming to be family members of public figures, delete suspicious artist solicitations immediately, and verify DMV communications by calling the local office directly rather than responding to unsolicited messages.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Vineyard Church in Grafton hosted a free community education event called Scam SINGO on August 8, designed to help older adults recognize and avoid common fraud schemes. The interactive bingo-style game combined music with learning about scam types including phishing, romance scams, and fake IRS calls, aiming to empower participants with fraud prevention knowledge.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
**AInvest Newsletter - Financial Exploitation of Elderly Investors**
Adults over 60 reported $4.885 billion in losses to financial exploitation in 2024, a 46% increase from 2023, with 147,127 complaints filed to the FBI's IC3, though actual cases are estimated to be 43 times higher than reported. Elderly investors face exploitation through two main vulnerabilities: undue influence (emotional manipulation by caregivers or advisors) and inadequate estate planning, with a 2024 NAPSA study finding 68% of exploited seniors had no prior cognitive decline but were compromised by dependency relationships. The article recomm
oag.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
California's Attorney General issued a consumer alert during Military Consumer Month warning service members, veterans, and their families about targeted scams, noting that military consumers reported over 99,400 fraud complaints nationwide last year, including 44,587 imposter scams costing over $199 million. The alert identifies key fraud tactics targeting the military community—including charity scams using deceptive veteran-related names, predatory for-profit schools using high-pressure tactics, and home loan scams impersonating government agencies—and advises victims to verify charities through the Registry of Charitable Trusts and to pause before accepting offers that seem too good to be true.
unfilteredwithkiran.com
· 2025-12-08
Louisiana residents are warned of a summer surge in scams including vacation rental fraud, AI voice cloning impersonations, toll violation/DMV phishing texts, and jury duty scams. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics—from fake travel listings requiring upfront wire transfers to AI-generated voices claiming relatives are in emergencies—to steal identities and drain bank accounts. Authorities recommend victims verify requests through official channels, resist immediate action, and never provide personal information to unsolicited contacts.