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in Scam Awareness
abc7chicago.com
This educational article alerts consumers to a growing scam targeting online shoppers who receive "card declined" messages, which may be part of fraudulent schemes. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying website security (https), avoiding fake look-alike sites, being cautious of urgency tactics and requests for specific payment apps, and contacting banks immediately if payment information is compromised. The article emphasizes checking with financial institutions beforehand about fraud protections before making online purchases.
vermontbiz.com
Comcast and the nonprofit Technology for Tomorrow (T4T) held an educational session during National Digital Inclusion Week to teach internet safety and digital literacy, particularly serving older adults, immigrants, and workforce development participants in Vermont. T4T and Comcast partnered to expand digital skills training and launched a Digital Navigator program providing personalized guidance on cybersecurity, recommending two key safety practices: enabling Two-Factor Authentication on accounts and using minimal phone greetings to prevent voice cloning scams.
decrypt.co
A Keystone, Colorado resident lost over $6,000 in Bitcoin to scammers impersonating law enforcement who threatened arrest for missed jury duty, with an additional $4,000 transfer prevented by deputies. Similar incidents have occurred across Colorado, including a Denver woman who lost nearly $5,000 in Bitcoin through the same scheme; the state documented over 1,300 crypto fraud cases totaling $81 million in losses during 2023. Law enforcement warns that scammers use number spoofing to appear legitimate and target crypto because transactions are irreversible and difficult to trace.
communityjournal.net
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, recovering nearly $700 million and disrupting major transnational schemes. High-profile cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying records to hide inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey veterans' facilities for constitutional rights violations and unsafe conditions. The DOJ also addressed fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through cases ranging from romance scams to government impersonation schemes, stopped $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and expanded prevention efforts through nearly 1,000 elder justice events and a National Elder Fraud Hotline that received over
yahoo.com
The Elmira Heights Police Department is hosting a free scam prevention educational class on November 11 at Village Hall, presented by the Upstate Elder Abuse Center at Lifespan of Greater Rochester. The presentation will teach seniors how to recognize and avoid common scams targeting older adults, including impersonation, romance, tech support, virtual kidnapping, military, charity, and check scams.
planetradio.co.uk
A survey of over 5,000 Essex residents found that fraud victims lost an average of £839 and spent 70 hours resolving their cases, with 88% believing fraud is a significant problem. Virgin Media O2 and campaign partners are calling on the government to establish an independent national anti-fraud body and appoint a dedicated fraud minister, citing that police lack adequate resources (with only 84 fraud convictions per force annually) and that fraud accounts for 40% of all crime in the UK. The campaign emphasizes that without stronger action and prosecution, professional fraudsters will continue targeting the public with minimal consequences.
abc6.com
Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating as "couriers" in grandparent scams targeting seniors across multiple states including Rhode Island and Massachusetts. The scammers impersonated grandchildren in legal trouble, convincing victims to wire money for bail and legal fees, with one Rhode Island couple losing $18,000 before being asked for an additional $40,000; police arrested both men during a sting operation and recovered over $60,000 in cash, with evidence suggesting they targeted victims in at least 14 cities across nine states.
portageonline.com
On October 30, the RCMP received multiple reports of grandparent scams across Manitoba, with seniors in Portage la Prairie, MacGregor, Minnedosa, Kleefeld, and East St. Paul targeted by callers posing as lawyers claiming their grandchildren were in jail and needed bail money. Victims ranging from one to several individuals handed over cash to suspects who either picked it up at their homes, met them on the street, or drove them to banks to withdraw funds. The RCMP suspects scammers are obtaining personal information from social media and urges seniors to verify emergency calls by hanging up and calling family members directly, never to hand money to stran
inkfreenews.com
Indiana's older population lost nearly $38 million to fraud in the past year, with imposter scams being the most frequently reported type, including schemes using AI-generated voice cloning and fake charity requests following disasters. The FBI ranks Indiana 25th among the most scammed states, and experts recommend that residents verify suspicious requests through trusted contacts before taking action and report suspected fraud to the FTC.
wboc.com
The Delaware Judiciary warned the public about phone and text scams in which callers impersonate court officials or law enforcement and demand immediate payment for arrest warrants, fines, jury duty failures, or other court matters, sometimes sending fake arrest orders and directing victims to non-government addresses for cash payments. The state emphasized that legitimate courts and government agencies never demand immediate payment by phone and urged citizens to report such calls to local law enforcement while documenting caller information.
businessinsider.com
The American Bankers Association is calling for federal action to combat online financial fraud, which resulted in over $10 billion in losses last year and affected nearly 1 in 3 Americans with an average loss of $1,600 per person. ABA CEO Rob Nichols proposed creating a national scam prevention strategy, establishing a federal Office of Scam and Fraud Prevention, and developing financial crimes intelligence centers, while the government simultaneously pressures banks to increase reimbursements to fraud victims. The conflict highlights disagreement over responsibility, with banks seeking government prevention efforts and regulators demanding better customer compensation from financial institutions.
nbcmiami.com
This educational article warns that while QR codes are convenient for payments and menus, scammers exploit them to steal personal information and money through fake codes placed over legitimate ones or by directing users to malicious websites and apps. The article advises users to watch for signs of tampering (such as stickers), verify URLs and apps before using them, use physical payment methods when available, and use free verification tools like the "Genie" app to check QR codes for scams.
wisn.com
Scammers are targeting voters ahead of Election Day with text messages and emails containing false claims about voter registration and internet voting, while requesting personal information like Social Security numbers or offering fake prizes. The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau warns that emotional intensity around elections makes people vulnerable to clicking suspicious links with misspellings and poor grammar, with over 100 political scams reported in Wisconsin since 2023. Victims are encouraged to report scams to the BBB Scam Tracker to help prevent further fraud.
hawaiinewsnow.com
Scammers in Hawaii spoofed phone numbers from the Hilo Courthouse to impersonate court officials and demand personal information or immediate payments from residents. The State Judiciary Office warned that legitimate courts never call to demand personal details or payments, and advised residents to hang up on such calls and ignore similar texts or emails.
fstoppers.com
A scam targeting freelance photographers uses impersonation of wealthy art promoters and magazine editors to lure professionals with promises of high-paying assignments in Indonesia, then demands unexpected upfront fees (taxes, permits, driver payments) once victims arrive. The perpetrator, Hargobind Tahilramani (the "Con Queen"), employed elaborate psychological manipulation including constant communication, background "staff," and industry jargon to build credibility and pressure photographers into committing financially before the scheme unraveled. Additionally, hobbyist photographers over 70 are targeted by scammers claiming to purchase images for NFTs at inflated prices ($4,500 each), copying the images without permission and sending
firstpost.com
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with sophisticated scams exploiting technological vulnerabilities and seniors' social isolation. Common schemes include grandparent fraud ($9.4 million in losses from 2,494 victims), romance scams (Canadians lost $59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks ($58 million in losses in 2022), all enhanced by AI and voice simulation technology. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, seniors remain vulnerable due to lower digital confidence (only 26% feel very confident with technology) and emotional manipulation that overrides caution.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A woman in her 60s from Noida lost Rs 50,000 in a money transfer scam when a caller impersonating her husband's client convinced her to transfer funds; the scammer deactivated their phone number before she realized the fraud. Money transfer scams exploit trust and urgency through impersonation, emotional manipulation, and complex schemes, with seniors increasingly targeted. Protection strategies include verifying caller identity through independent channels, avoiding urgent payment requests, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities.
westerniowatoday.com
Senior citizens in rural areas are prime targets for scams due to isolation, with scammers primarily seeking money or personal information. The "Grandparent Scam" is one of the most common schemes, where fraudsters impersonate grandchildren, medical professionals, or law enforcement to pressure seniors into sending money via wire transfers or gift cards. Experts recommend families establish code words to verify caller authenticity and prevent falling victim to these frauds.
timesnownews.com
A 34-year-old man from Anand, India lost Rs 3 lakh (approximately $3,600 USD) in a cyber scam after searching online for escort services to address loneliness following his 2015 separation. The scammer, posing as "Manik Gaus," repeatedly charged the victim for fictitious fees (insurance, police protection, social security, hotel entry) and directed him to various hotels over a week without providing any actual services. The victim reported the fraud to Mahemdavad police, who initiated an investigation under India's Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Information Technology Act.
spectrumlocalnews.com
During election season, scammers use fake surveys, polls, and spoofed campaign emails to steal personal information from voters, sometimes employing voice cloning technology to impersonate candidates and pressure people into donations or data sharing. The Better Business Bureau warns that legitimate pollsters do not request Social Security numbers, birth dates, or financial information, and advises consumers to verify organizations before clicking links, avoid rushing into decisions, and report suspicious activity. Key protective measures include checking email links carefully, treating prize offers as red flags, and contacting local election offices when in doubt.
cbsnews.com
A Massachusetts woman lost thousands of dollars in a sophisticated impersonation scam when callers posing as Border Patrol and U.S. Marshals convinced her that a package with her name contained drugs and contraband. Despite verifying the callers' names and phone numbers on official federal websites (a technique called "spoofing"), she was directed to deposit money into a Bitcoin machine under the false premise that freezing her accounts would protect her assets. The scam, which uses advanced technology including AI voice replication and data scraping, has been reported nationally, and the victim now struggles to afford rent at her affordable housing complex.
m.economictimes.com
"Digital arrest" scams have become a widespread fraud in India where perpetrators pose as law enforcement officials via video call, falsely accusing victims of crimes and ordering them to remain isolated at home while transferring money to avoid arrest. Victims reported losing approximately Rs 120.3 crore during the first quarter of 2024 alone, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently warning the public that digital arrests do not legally exist in India and legitimate agencies never request personal information via phone or video call. The scam exploits fear-based social engineering tactics, often initiated with calls about overseas parcels containing drugs, misused identification, or family members in legal trouble.
yahoo.com
Southern California residents are being targeted by a sophisticated email extortion scam that uses personal information—including names, addresses, phone numbers, and photos of homes—obtained from data breaches to threaten victims with exposure of alleged pornography browsing history, typically demanding approximately $2,000 in Bitcoin. The Ventura County District Attorney's Office warns this is a nationwide boilerplate scam perpetrated by scammers often based outside the country, who rely on creating fear and urgency rather than actual device hacking. Authorities recommend ignoring such emails, enabling two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts for suspicious activity, and reporting incidents to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
techradar.com
Job scams targeting finance (35.45%), IT (30.43%), and healthcare (15.41%) sectors have surged, with scammers using sophisticated tactics including suspicious contact information (41.1%), unrealistic salary offers (25.7%), and upfront payment requests (25.08%) delivered primarily via email (30.75%) and social media (20.19%). Beyond financial losses, victims experience significant emotional distress, with 35.29% reporting distress, 23.53% anxiety, and many feeling shame and injustice. Job seekers are advised to verify company information, check reviews, confirm email domains, and approach offers cautiously to avoid these scams.
effinghamradio.com
Visa's Fall 2024 report documents a rise in physical theft schemes where criminals use stolen payment information to purchase gift cards and merchandise for resale or money transfers. The report also highlights an increase in digital pickpocketing, where thieves use mobile devices to trigger contactless payments in crowded spaces, and recommends that people remain aware of their surroundings to avoid becoming victims.
journee-mondiale.com
The United States observes National Slam the Scam Day on March 7th annually, an awareness campaign established by the Federal Trade Commission in 2020 to educate the public about fraud prevention. Common scams include phishing emails, fake charities, tech support schemes, romance scams, and grandparent scams targeting the elderly—such as the case of 78-year-old Martha, who lost $5,000 after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from her grandson. The FTC recommends protecting oneself by verifying information, never sharing personal details unsolicited, monitoring credit reports, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
cbc.ca
At least four Manitoba seniors fell victim to "grandparent scams" within one week, where fraudsters impersonated lawyers claiming their grandchildren were in jail and needed bail money. In some cases, scammers made in-person contact, including driving one East St. Paul senior to a bank and collecting money from victims' homes, with police reporting "significant" amounts were lost in multiple incidents. RCMP noted the increasing sophistication and boldness of perpetrators who use social media information to target victims, and urged Manitobans to verify such claims by contacting family members directly rather than sending money to unknown callers.
weirtondailytimes.com
Utility scams targeting seniors use threatening calls about immediate service shutoffs to extort money through fear and intimidation. The article advises recipients to hang up immediately, call their utility using the legitimate number on their bill, and report the scam to both the utility company and the FTC, emphasizing that real utilities do not operate this way and that money sent to scammers is nearly impossible to recover. According to ABC News and FBI data, people over 65 lost nearly $1 billion to scams in 2020, with seniors representing most of the 23,000 victims, particularly in California, Florida, and Texas.
cbc.ca
At least four Manitoba seniors fell victim to "grandparent scams" within one week in late October and early November 2024, in which fraudsters impersonated lawyers and claimed the victims' grandchildren were in jail and needed bail money. The scams escalated to include in-person contact, with perpetrators either coming to seniors' homes or driving them to banks to withdraw "significant amounts" of money. RCMP noted the scammers' increasing confidence and use of social media information, and urged the public to verify such claims by contacting family members directly before sending money.
winnipeg.citynews.ca
The RCMP investigated multiple grandparent scams in Manitoba where callers impersonated lawyers claiming victims' grandchildren were in jail and needed bail money; victims in Portage la Prairie, MacGregor, Minnedosa, Kleefeld, and East St. Paul lost significant sums, with suspects either collecting cash in person or driving seniors to banks. Police warned that scammers are increasingly confident and using social media information to target vulnerable seniors, recommending victims verify caller identity through direct family contact and report suspicious calls.
midhudsonnews.com
Dutchess County Comptroller Gregg Pulver launched an educational "Don't Get Burned By Fraud" series in partnership with the County District Attorney and Sheriff to inform residents about telephone and internet scams. The initiative includes seminars at community centers targeting senior citizens, covering warning signs, prevention strategies, fund recovery options, and reporting procedures, with plans to continue the program into the new year.
bbc.com
More than 300 people in Scotland reported being victims of online ticket scams in the first nine months of the year, with nearly two-thirds involving fraudulent Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets sold on social media and online marketplaces. Women aged 18-24 were identified as most at risk, and Police Scotland warned the actual number of victims is likely higher due to underreporting. Police advised consumers to purchase only from legitimate ticket sources, verify event details, use secure payment methods, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
straitstimes.com
A 77-year-old woman in Singapore lost $290,000 to a scam involving impersonators posing as a Standard Chartered Bank employee and a Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) officer, who convinced her to transfer savings under the pretense of investigating unauthorized credit card transactions. Police successfully recovered $250,000 of the transferred funds through anti-scam measures and collaboration between multiple agencies, while a 25-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly selling her banking credentials to the scammers for $600.
qcountryfm.ca
Two senior citizens in the Portage la Prairie area of Manitoba fell victim to "grandparent scams" in late October 2024, where callers impersonating lawyers claimed their grandchildren were in jail and needed bail money; the victims transferred funds either at their homes or at bank locations. The RCMP warned that similar scams had occurred across Manitoba and advised the public to hang up on such calls, verify claims by contacting family directly, and never provide money to unknown callers, noting that bail cannot be paid in cash or cryptocurrency under Canadian law.
journalnow.com
This article provides educational guidance on avoiding romance scams, particularly around Valentine's Day when people are more vulnerable to online dating fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost $1.3 billion to romance scams in 2022, with scammers typically cultivating relationships for months before requesting money under false pretenses such as emergencies. Experts recommend moving online relationships slowly, being wary of requests to communicate off dating apps, and recognizing red flags such as requests for money or overly fast relationship progression.
states.aarp.org
This article covers a "Scam Jam" educational event in Richmond, Virginia organized by AARP Virginia where law enforcement and fraud prevention experts educated about 30 seniors on common scams targeting older adults. Presenters from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol discussed various fraud schemes including mail theft, identity theft, durable medical equipment fraud, and AI-powered impersonation scams, while offering practical protective strategies such as mailing checks directly to post offices and shredding personal documents.
pressdemocrat.com
Alfred Mancinelli, a 79-year-old widower, lost approximately $1 million in retirement savings and his granddaughter's college fund to romance scammers impersonating professional wrestler Alexa Bliss and others over several years. Despite his son Chris's attempts to intervene and protect his assets, Alfred remained convinced he was in a genuine romantic relationship and even sued his son, demonstrating how romance scams isolate victims and make them resistant to help. The case illustrates a broader trend where older Americans are disproportionately targeted for costly online scams, with Americans losing an estimated $652 million to romance and confidence scams in 2023 alone.
cagesideseats.com
A 79-year-old man, Alfred Mancinelli, was defrauded of $1 million, including his granddaughter's college fund, by scammers impersonating WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss in a romance scam; Mancinelli believed he was in a romantic relationship with the fake Bliss and died the following summer. The scammers used false stories involving Vince McMahon and medical emergencies to solicit money, exploiting Mancinelli's vulnerability following personal tragedies and social isolation. This case illustrates a broader problem: Americans lost an estimated $12.5 billion to online criminals in 2023,
local.aarp.org
This article presents educational advice from a Scam Jam event in Richmond, Virginia, where experts from organizations including AARP Virginia and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service provided seniors with strategies to protect themselves against fraud. Speakers described various scams targeting older Americans, including durable medical equipment fraud, mail theft, identity theft, phishing, and AI-powered impersonation calls, and advised attendees to avoid unsolicited contacts, protect personal information, and use secure mailing practices. The event emphasized that fraudsters use both low-tech methods like mail theft and high-tech tactics like voice manipulation, and stressed that seniors should be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
consumer.ftc.gov
As mortgage interest rates decline, scammers are increasingly targeting homeowners with false promises of mortgage relief, often impersonating the Department of Veterans Affairs or loan servicers and charging illegal upfront fees while pressuring victims to cut contact with legitimate lenders. To avoid these scams, homeowners should contact their mortgage servicer directly, verify any assistance through official government sources (HUD, VA, CFPB), and remember that legitimate mortgage help is never preceded by upfront fees. Suspected mortgage relief scams should be reported to the state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission.
ajc.com
Cybercriminals increasingly use phishing emails, text messages, and spoofed delivery notifications to steal personal and financial information from victims of all ages during the holiday season and year-round. The Federal Trade Commission advises avoiding urgency-driven scams by verifying sender identities, researching suspicious messages, not clicking unexpected links, never paying for prizes, and hanging up on callers requesting sensitive information like Social Security numbers or banking details. Taking time to verify legitimacy rather than acting on panic is the most effective protection against financial fraud.
bankingjournal.aba.com
Synthetic identity fraud reached record levels in the first half of 2024, with fraudsters opening accounts using fake identities across auto loans, credit cards, and personal loans, exposing U.S. lenders to $3.2 billion in potential losses—a 7% increase from the prior year. The report found an 18% year-over-year rise in synthetic identity accounts and identified a growing "credit washing" scam where criminals file false identity fraud claims to erase negative credit history. Auto loans faced the highest exposure, with balances roughly double those of the bankcard sector.
renfrewtoday.ca
An elderly victim lost nearly $10,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after a phone caller promised high returns and directed them to deposit money into a cryptocurrency ATM. The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment warns that scammers use fake companies with professional websites and high-pressure sales tactics to fraudulently solicit investments. To protect against such schemes, individuals should be skeptical of unusually high returns, research company legitimacy, never share cryptocurrency wallet credentials, and report suspected fraud to local police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
thestar.com.my
Malaysia has experienced a rising wave of scams targeting retirees and senior citizens, causing significant financial harm to vulnerable elderly populations. The article emphasizes the need for government-led training programs and educational resources to help seniors recognize and avoid increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes as the country enters 2025.
sauconsource.com
State Rep. Jeanne McNeill hosted a Senior Scam Prevention Event on November 18 featuring David Shallcross, director of Senior Protection for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, who presented information on identifying and avoiding common scams targeting seniors. The event included a Q&A session and was held at Zentz Community Center in Whitehall.
thesenior.com.au
This educational article advises that scammers increasingly use digital communication (96% of scams) through emails, texts, and social media with sophisticated tactics like fake logos and official-looking addresses to trick people into sharing personal information or money. Key protection strategies include verifying unexpected communications directly with organizations, watching for red flags like spelling errors and urgency tactics, staying informed through Scamwatch, and immediately contacting banks, IDCARE, and cyber.gov.au if victimized.
rcmp-grc.gc.ca
This is not a news article or detailed account of a specific scam or fraud case. Rather, it is an informational webpage from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) outlining their services and areas of focus, including a general mention that Canadians lose millions yearly to fraud and that the RCMP operates an Anti-Fraud Centre to help stop scams. The page provides links to resources and does not contain specific information about victims, scam types, dollar amounts, or outcomes related to elder fraud.
wham1180.iheart.com
A 79-year-old man named Alfred Mancinelli lost nearly $1 million in retirement savings and his granddaughter's college fund to a fraudster posing as WWE superstar Alexa Bliss between 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic, believing he was in a romantic relationship with the impostor. The scammer, whom Mancinelli called "Lexi," requested money for hospital treatments and manipulated him emotionally by fabricating stories about humiliation by WWE leadership. Mancinelli's family was unable to convince him of the fraud, and he subsequently died following complications from neck surgery after a fall.
washingtoninformer.com
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants for elder fraud, abuse, and neglect, resulting in nearly $700 million in recoveries and disruption of major transnational schemes. Key cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh-area nursing homes for falsifying compliance records and an investigation into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes for constitutional rights violations through inadequate care. The DOJ's broader efforts addressed fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through romance and impersonation scams, blocked $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and handled over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline while hosting nearly 1
bankingjournal.aba.com
In 2023, older Americans reported $1.9 billion in fraud losses to the FTC, though the actual figure is estimated at $61.5 billion when accounting for underreporting. Adults ages 60 and older experienced higher median losses than younger groups (ranging from $500 for ages 60-69 to $1,450 for ages 80+) and were significantly more vulnerable to tech support scams (5x more likely), sweepstakes scams (3x more likely), and impersonation scams, with investment scams and cryptocurrency payments causing the largest losses.