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abc10.com
· 2025-12-08
Recent high school graduates and young adults are increasingly targeted by scammers offering fraudulent scholarships, fake jobs, loan forgiveness schemes, and bogus rental listings, with Americans losing over $16 billion to scams in 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year. To protect themselves, students should watch for red flags like unsolicited messages and unrealistic offers, verify sources before clicking links, and consult trusted adults before sharing personal or financial information. Victims should immediately report scams to their bank, police, and the FTC, then monitor their credit reports for fraudulent accounts.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses consumer-engaged fraud, which breaks into two categories: "misuse" (when consumers falsely report legitimate transactions as fraudulent, such as buyer's remorse claims) and "persuaded" fraud (when scammers manipulate consumers into unauthorized payments through impersonation, phishing, or other schemes). Consumer-engaged fraud has become a leading source of fraud losses for financial institutions and merchants as criminals have shifted focus from attacking businesses to exploiting consumers, though tracking and defining these fraud types remains challenging across institutions.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scams employ three primary tactics: fake remote job offers that request personal information and upfront fees, phishing emails impersonating the Social Security Administration to direct victims to fraudulent websites, and in-person schemes where imposters posing as government officials convince victims to provide cash or valuables. Recent cases include a victim who gave $2 million in gold bars to someone claiming to be a CIA agent and an Ohio woman who liquidated $500,000 in retirement savings to purchase gold for phone scammers. Protect yourself by avoiding unsolicited job offers and payment requests, verifying emails end in ".gov," and reporting suspicious activity to the Social Security Administration or Office of the Inspector General.
abnamro.com
· 2025-12-08
ABN AMRO bank and a communications expert developed the "ABC of Scams," a plain-language guide explaining 23 common types of fraud for the 2.6 million Dutch people who struggle with reading and writing. The resource simplifies complex fraud terminology and provides practical tips to help vulnerable populations recognize scams, with over 200 ABN AMRO advisers using it to educate customers. The initiative addresses growing fraud threats, including emerging AI-based scams like deepfakes and voice cloning, and represents a collaborative effort between banks and police to make fraud education more accessible.
pewresearch.org
· 2025-12-08
Online scams and internet crimes reached a record $16.6 billion in losses reported to the FBI in 2024, with 73% of U.S. adults reporting they have experienced at least one type of online scam or attack. The most common scams involve fraudulent credit card charges (48%), counterfeit or undelivered online purchases (36%), and hacked personal accounts (29%), with a majority of Americans receiving scam communications via phone calls, emails, and text messages at least weekly. While older adults are perceived as more vulnerable, significant portions of both younger and older adults have been victimized, with Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults reporting higher rates of experiencing multiple types of frau
daijiworld.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior woman doctor in Gandhinagar was defrauded of over Rs 19 crore in a "digital arrest" scam lasting three months, where fraudsters posing as government officials (telecommunications, police, and prosecutors) used fake legal threats and constant surveillance to coerce her into liquidating assets and transferring money to multiple accounts. The scam involved forged ED documents and claims of FEMA/PMLA investigations, with the victim kept under constant contact via video calls and threatened with asset seizure. One suspect, Lalji Jayantibhai Baldaniya, was arrested, though investigations continue to identify other perpetrators and recover funds; authorities note this scam pattern is increasingly common
portal.ct.gov
· 2025-12-08
Attorney General William Tong warned servicemembers, veterans, and their families about scams that specifically target the military community, noting that the Federal Trade Commission reported nearly 100,000 fraud cases in 2024 costing over $580 million. The press release detailed common scams including payday loan schemes, benefits fraud targeting senior veterans, OTP bot scams, loan and credit card fraud, car sales scams, fraudulent use of Military OneSource branding, fake military charities, and job scams. The Attorney General urged military community members to remain vigilant and report suspected fraud immediately, emphasizing that scammers often appear legitimate and exploit detailed knowledge of military incomes and benefits.
northshorejournal.co
· 2025-12-08
The Senior LinkAge Line is offering a free virtual presentation on August 13, 2025, on health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, noting that scams targeting older adults are on the rise. The presentation, delivered via Zoom and informed by the Senior Medicare Patrol program, will cover fraud detection, prevention strategies, and reporting procedures to help seniors protect their personal information. Registration is available through Eventbrite or by calling 800.333.2433.
floridapolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Ashley Moody testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging about her efforts as Florida's former Attorney General to combat elder fraud, citing her establishment of the Senior Protection Team in 2019 to address civil, criminal, and health care fraud targeting seniors. Moody highlighted that while an estimated 1 in 10 seniors experience abuse, only 7% of cases reach law enforcement, and emphasized that financial scams targeting older Americans cost victims over $3.4 billion annually. She and other senators have called for coordinated federal efforts to dismantle international scam networks targeting the elderly, proposing her Florida model as a potential national approach to elder fraud prevention.
soycarmin.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies 11 common "silent scam" billing schemes targeting seniors, including deceptive free trials, fake magazine renewals, hidden medical alert fees, identity protection upsells, and difficult-to-cancel gym memberships. These subtle, recurring charges exploit seniors' trust and digital literacy gaps, accumulating significant financial losses over time despite individual charges being small. The article recommends protective measures such as carefully reading fine print, using virtual credit cards with spending limits, verifying billing sources directly, and scrutinizing contracts before purchase.
wellingtonadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
A Rockwood senior lost $24,500 after seeking help from an online chatbot for computer issues; the scammer gained remote access to the computer, then demanded payment to remove a fake virus and threatened to expose allegedly leaked personal information, with the victim eventually providing cash at a parking lot and gift cards over the phone. Police were alerted on July 28 after a family member became suspicious. The article warns of common scam indicators including unsolicited communications at odd hours, false urgency, poor grammar, and generic company names.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams targeting older adults are increasingly sophisticated and personalized, exploiting seniors' trust, digital inexperience, fixed incomes, and desire to help family members. According to the FBI, older adults lost over $3 billion to scams in recent years, with many victims unaware they've been defrauded or too embarrassed to report it. The article identifies 10 warning signs including urgent demands for action, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), instruction to keep the scam secret, too-good-to-be-true offers, callers claiming government authority, and requests for personal information confirmation.
fox43.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Adams County, Pennsylvania resident was targeted by an impersonation scam in which a caller claiming to be an FBI agent demanded $20,000, stating the resident's account had been compromised and arranging for an Uber driver to transport him to the bank. A vigilant bank teller recognized the scam and prevented the loss. Local police departments are increasing community awareness by reminding residents that government agencies never request cash via unsolicited phone calls and advising people to independently verify any such contact before responding.
gillibrand.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced the GUARD Act, legislation designed to enhance law enforcement's ability to investigate cryptocurrency-facilitated fraud against seniors by providing federal grants for blockchain investigation resources and tools. According to the FBI, seniors lost over $4.8 billion to scammers in 2024, with cryptocurrency involved in over 30,000 fraud reports resulting in $2.84 billion in losses, particularly through "pig butchering" schemes that exploit victims into fake crypto investments. The bipartisan bill aims to strengthen federal-local law enforcement cooperation in tracking and prosecuting scammers who
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) warned the public that oversharing personal information online, particularly about relationship status or romantic interests, makes individuals vulnerable to online love scams. Scammers typically use stolen photos and fake identities to target victims aged 35 and older, especially retirees and pensioners, employing psychological profiling and pretending to share the victim's interests to build trust. The PAOCC advised the public to watch for red flags such as profiles that appear "too good to be true" and to exercise caution when interacting with unfamiliar individuals online.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
Banks are increasingly using AI algorithms to secretly monitor retirees' accounts for suspicious activity, flagging legitimate transactions like home downsizing, family gifts, or investment transfers as potential signs of elder fraud or financial abuse. Federal elder protection laws have incentivized financial institutions to heighten surveillance on older customers, but the automated systems often lack context to distinguish between normal retirement spending and actual exploitation, leading to age-based profiling and unexplained account scrutiny that erodes trust without the customer's knowledge.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Senate Special Committee on Aging held a hearing to advance reauthorization of the Older Americans Act through fiscal year 2030, with witnesses emphasizing how funded programs protect aging Americans from abuse and neglect. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, which investigated and resolved over 200,000 complaints in fiscal year 2024, was highlighted as needing increased funding (at least $65-70 million) to address the growing assisted living industry. Additionally, senators introduced the GUARD Act to equip state and local law enforcement with blockchain tracing technology to investigate financial fraud and cryptocurrency-facilitated crimes targeting older adults.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
**San Diego County elder fraud losses reached nearly $70 million in the first half of the year, with officials projecting the total will exceed last year's $98 million in losses.** The most prevalent scam type is "tech support fraud," where seniors receive fake pop-up messages instructing them to call a number for device repair. Local authorities have established the Elder Justice Task Force and encourage reporting suspected scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311), though recovery remains difficult especially for international operations.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
In May, a 67-year-old Ohio man was targeted by scammers who falsely claimed his Apple ID was compromised with $27,000 in fraudulent charges, then sent an accomplice to his home to collect cash in person; the victim handed over money before becoming suspicious, leading to the arrest of 42-year-old Liwei Zhang on charges of theft, identity fraud, and telecommunications fraud. Similar in-person collection scams have targeted multiple elderly victims across the country, with perpetrators like Canadian citizen Jia Hua Liu collecting over $300,000 from vulnerable seniors. The article advises victims to verify suspicious texts independently using official phone numbers, never send money
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated malvertising campaign on Facebook has been deceiving users with fake ads impersonating popular cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance and MetaMask, using celebrity faces such as Elon Musk to appear legitimate. When users click these ads, they are directed to counterfeit websites that trick them into downloading malware disguised as desktop applications, which then installs a silent server capable of receiving malicious instructions while evading detection. The campaign, which has been running for several months and involves hundreds of fake Facebook accounts posting thousands of ads daily, primarily targets men interested in technology and finance, particularly in Bulgaria and Slovakia.
legaltalknetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational podcast episode featuring cybersecurity expert Steve Weisman discussing scam prevention and identification strategies. The episode covers various scam types (including VA imposter and "free piano" scams), the role of AI in modern fraud schemes, and protective measures such as a "zero trust" verification approach where all transactions—particularly checks—must be independently confirmed before trusting them.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
Beth Hyland of Michigan lost $26,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a construction project manager on Tinder, claiming he needed funds for legal fees related to a $10 million job payout in Qatar; when he requested an additional $50,000 a month later, her financial advisor identified the scheme. The scammer used stolen photos from a real man in Germany, and Hyland never met him in person despite their plans to marry and build a life together. She found healing through FightCybercrime.org's peer support group, which has served over 600 romance scam survivors in five years, and now emphasizes that victims experience not only financial loss but
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is warning Alabama shoppers about a rising scam involving fake websites and misleading social media ads that mimic legitimate retailers but only accept payment methods with no fraud protection, such as debit cards, Venmo, and Cash App. In the last month and a half, the BBB logged nearly 100 cases of fraudulent online storefronts in the region. Consumers are advised to verify website security by checking for "https" URLs and using credit cards, which offer fraud protection, rather than peer-to-peer payment apps or debit cards that provide little recourse once money is transferred.
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
According to Pew Research Center data, nearly 75% of U.S. adults experience online scams or cyber attacks weekly, with Americans reporting over $16.6 billion in scam losses during 2024. Common attacks include fraudulent credit card charges, counterfeit purchases without refunds, personal information breaches, and scam calls/texts that trick victims into sharing personal data, with young adults aged 18-29 experiencing the highest victimization rates despite the perception that older adults are most vulnerable.
cybershack.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Research from Trend Micro reveals that 1 in 4 Australians have fallen victim to online scams, with 30% of victims only discovering the fraud after losing money or not receiving goods. Scammers increasingly exploit social media, messaging apps, and mobile phones—which nearly half of Australian users operate without security software—using tactics like fake marketplace products, impersonation, and mid-conversation app switching to appear legitimate. The article recommends Australians verify sources, avoid switching apps during sensitive conversations, use mobile security software, pause before clicking suspicious links, and stay informed about evolving scam tactics.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
**Military Consumer Fraud Alert** - California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer protection alert warning service members, veterans, and their families about targeted scams, noting that military consumers nationwide reported over 99,400 fraud complaints last year, including 44,587 imposter scams costing victims and families over $199 million. The alert identifies common threats including charity scams (fake veteran organizations), predatory schools using high-pressure tactics to exploit GI Bill benefits, and home loan scams impersonating government agencies, advising consumers to pause on seemingly too-good-to-be-true offers and verify legitimacy before engaging.
digitalreviews.net
· 2025-12-08
A June 2025 Trend Micro study of 1,025 Australian consumers found that 65% have been targeted by online scams and 27% have fallen victim, with nearly a third of victims unaware they were scammed until experiencing significant financial loss. Scammers increasingly use social engineering tactics including fake marketplace listings (25% of victims), investment/loan offers (19%), fake official warnings (18%), and impersonation of trusted contacts, often requesting victims switch to less secure communication apps. The research reveals that nearly half of Australians lack mobile security software despite heavy phone usage and reliance on banking apps, with many falsely believing their devices or personal caution provide sufficient protection,
eftm.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from Trend Micro found that 1 in 4 Australian consumers have fallen victim to online scams, with common schemes including fake products on social media (25% of victims), investment scam texts (under 20%), and fake urgent messages from organizations (18%). Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, with 39% of users targeted to switch to unsecured apps during conversations and one-third of victims only realizing they were scammed after losing money or ordered goods never arriving. The research emphasizes that despite nearly half of Australians using phones for banking and shopping daily, nearly half lack mobile security protection, making education and security software essential defenses against evolving scam tactics.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 63-year-old Calgary woman lost approximately $380,000 of her life savings to a romance scam conducted over five years by a man who claimed to work for the U.S. government and promised to relocate to Canada to be with her. She discovered the fraud when she questioned repeated requests for money and became suspicious of a fake photo of a house they were supposedly going to share, ultimately seeking help from an elder support organization. Romance scams affected over 1,030 Canadians who lost $58 million collectively last year, making it an increasingly common form of fraud targeting seniors.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses demographic and investment trends related to aging populations rather than fraud or elder abuse. It presents the "silver tsunami" as a $600 billion investment opportunity, noting that declining financial literacy among seniors (dropping 1% annually after age 65) creates vulnerability, while AI-powered fintech platforms are emerging as solutions to help older adults manage retirement savings and combat fraud. The piece recommends investment allocations across healthcare, senior housing, annuities, and fintech sectors to capitalize on aging populations' growing financial needs.
**Note:** This content is investment-focused analysis, not a case study of actual elder fraud or abuse events.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
This article examines how declining financial literacy among aging populations—evidenced by a 1 percentage point annual decline in literacy scores after age 65—is creating systemic risks including portfolio mismanagement, increased scam susceptibility, and longevity risk, while simultaneously driving investment opportunities in fintech, annuities, and healthcare innovations. The piece presents data showing that vulnerable seniors (with 41% unable to cover a $1,000 emergency) are increasingly targeted by scams, yet new AI-driven robo-advisors and elder-friendly digital platforms are emerging to mitigate these risks. The article frames this demographic shift as an investment opportunity, recommending allocation to annuities, fin
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Calgary woman lost approximately $380,000 in a romance scam that spanned five years, after selling her deceased father's house and moving into a motel while waiting to relocate to the United States to be with a man named "Gilbert" who claimed to work for the U.S. government. Nelson eventually realized the scam when the man continuously requested money and sent her a photo of their supposed future home that appeared fake, leaving her homeless and dependent only on her pension while seeking affordable housing. Romance scams are an increasingly common form of fraud in Canada, with organizations like Unison at Kerby Centre regularly assisting seniors who have experienced similar financial abuse.
wlrn.org
· 2025-12-08
Senator Rick Scott led a bipartisan effort to introduce the GUARD Act, legislation designed to equip local and state law enforcement with advanced tools—including blockchain tracing technology—to investigate and combat financial scams targeting older Americans. The bill addresses a growing crisis: Americans over 60 lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024, while those aged 50-59 lost an additional $2.5 billion, with estimates suggesting total fraud losses affecting seniors range from $28.3 billion to $137 billion annually. The legislation aims to expand federal grant programs for specialized training and improve coordination between federal and local agencies to prosecute scammers and recover stolen funds.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Boston Division has reported a spike in "vishing" scams across New England in which callers impersonate law enforcement and government officials to extort money or steal personal information, with recent cases in Berkshire County demanding $2,500 for fake warrant clearances. In 2024, approximately 17,367 people nationwide reported losses exceeding $405 million from government impersonation scams, with over 500 Massachusetts victims losing around $9.5 million. Legitimate law enforcement agencies never call threatening arrest or demanding immediate payment; victims should verify caller identity, avoid engaging, and report suspected scams to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
newson6.com
· 2025-12-08
Back-to-school season presents opportunities for families to save money, but also increases risks for online scams and fraud. Experts recommend creating shopping lists, researching purchases before clicking ads, verifying technology specifications with schools, comparing prices across retailers, using BBB.org to vet companies, and looking for secure websites (lock symbols) before making payments. Additional money-saving strategies include shopping locally for school discounts, buying in bulk with other parents, and taking advantage of tax-free weekends on items under $100.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Kansas Department of Transportation warned of a text messaging scam falsely claiming to be from KDOT or the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles demanding payment for unpaid traffic tickets. KDOT clarified that it does not collect payments via text message and urged recipients not to click links or share personal information, instead reporting suspicious messages to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wcrz.com
· 2025-12-08
A Michigan couple lost $20,000 in a phishing scam after clicking a malicious link in an email impersonating an antivirus service; scammers then sent a courier to collect cash from their home. Police successfully recovered the stolen funds through quick action and investigation, tracing the scam to a Southeast Michigan residence, though two identified suspects remain unarrested. This recovery is rare, as Michigan saw fraud losses surge to $204 million in 2024 (up from $60 million in 2020), with experts emphasizing the importance of verifying sender identity before responding to communications or sending money.
themortgagepoint.com
· 2025-12-08
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Stop the Scammers Act to restore Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) funding that was reduced under President Trump's tax bill, and to authorize the CFPB to financially reward whistleblowers who report financial wrongdoing. The legislation aims to protect seniors from scams and fraud by ensuring the CFPB has adequate resources and incentivizing insiders to expose bad actors in the financial industry. The bill has support from multiple Democratic senators and proposes restoring CFPB funding to 12% of the Federal Reserve's operating budget.
midhudsonnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in Carmel were scammed out of pensions and savings through gift card fraud, prompting the Sheriff's Department to issue a public warning about the escalating threat. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, utilities, or distressed relatives via phone, email, or social media, pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and surrender the card details. The Sheriff urges residents to reject requests for gift card payments, verify requests through official contact information, and report suspected scams immediately to the Sheriff's Office at 845-225-4300.
thecoinrepublic.com
· 2025-12-08
Indian businessman Sahil Arora defrauded crypto investors of over $30 million through more than 200 fake tokens and pump-and-dump schemes between 2017 and 2023, leveraging celebrity endorsements and social media credibility to artificially inflate token prices before selling his holdings at peak value, leaving investors with worthless assets. Arora's schemes included the FDO token promoted by Soulja Boy, the JENNER token with Caitlyn Jenner, and participation in the $9.57 billion Broccoli token fraud, with police arresting him in Dubai in July 2025 and recovering over $20 million.
inyourarea.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A June 2024 survey by Censuswide commissioned by TSB Bank found that 31% of social media users acted on financial tips from "finfluencers," with 55% of those losing money as a result. Young people aged 16-34 were particularly vulnerable, with two-thirds of 18-29-year-olds following financial influencers and 74% trusting their advice, while these scams often use Ponzi schemes or fake investments promising guaranteed returns through flashy lifestyle imagery. The FCA warns consumers to watch for unrealistic promises, pressure to act quickly, and complicated jargon, and recommends checking the FCA Warning List before investing an
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Sprawling scam compounds in Myanmar (including Shwe Kokko and KK Park) have become major fraud factories where over 120,000 trafficking victims since 2023 are coerced into operating romance scams, crypto fraud, and pig-butchering schemes targeting foreign victims, with Americans losing an estimated $5 billion in 2024. Victims are lured with false job promises, then trapped under threat of violence and forced to commit crimes; while efforts by Thailand, Myanmar, and China have repatriated over 7,000 people, thousands remain stranded and the operations persist due to protection by ethnic armed groups despite U.S. sanctions and international crack
solacebase.com
· 2025-12-08
A Dubai-based businessman from Kano, Auwalu Tijjani Rabi'u, was declared wanted by Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) for alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretense, and money laundering totaling $1,931,700.12. Local stakeholders defended Rabi'u, claiming he was actually the victim who overpaid approximately $3.2 million in a 2023 business transaction with Ifeanyi Ezeokolu and had reported the matter to the DSS; they alleged Ezeokolu escalated the civil dispute to the EFCC to evade refunding the verified overp
annistonstar.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this submission. This appears to be a list of country names and designations rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide an actual article or transcript about a fraud case, scam scheme, or elder abuse incident.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Tampa woman was arrested for operating a "tap-in" ATM fraud scheme via social media, in which she recruited people to allow access to their bank accounts, deposited counterfeit checks, and withdrew cash before the checks bounced. During a July 2025 search warrant, authorities recovered 117 fraudulent credit cards, card-making equipment, $6,292 in cash, and stolen financial documents from her home. The case highlights a growing social media scam trend where fraudsters lure victims with promises of quick money by offering a percentage cut, putting participants at risk of bank fraud charges and identity theft.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudulent "ghost stores" masquerading as Australian businesses have expanded into selling unregulated GLP-1 weight loss products while impersonating real people, including prominent dietitian Lyndi Cohen, to boost credibility. These scams use fake Facebook profiles with stolen photos from real women (including journalists and TV personalities) and AI-generated testimonials to market products like "STDEI GLP-1 Weight Loss Oral Liquid" that are actually sourced from international retailers like AliExpress. Consumer experts warn the scam poses both financial and serious health risks, as the unregulated products may be ineffective or dangerous, while victims struggle with enforcement across international jurisdictions.
abc6.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Boston Division warned of an increase in law enforcement impersonation scams targeting New Englanders, where fraudsters impersonate FBI and government agencies to extort money or steal personal information through unsolicited calls. In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported 17,367 victims of government impersonation scams nationwide with total losses of $405,624,084. The FBI clarified it never demands payment via prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, requests liquidation of assets, or contacts people about frozen Social Security numbers or inheritances, and advised victims to cease contact with scammers, notify financial institutions, and file complaints with local law enforcement and the IC3.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 63-year-old Calgary woman lost approximately $380,000 over several years in a romance scam after being contacted by a man claiming to work for the U.S. government who promised a future together but repeatedly requested money and never met her in person. The scam left Nelson homeless and living in an elder abuse shelter, unable to recover her life savings that would have allowed her to purchase a home. According to Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre, romance scams affected 1,030 Canadians who collectively lost $58 million last year, with such frauds becoming increasingly common among seniors.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" scams exploit QR codes by directing unsuspecting users to malicious websites or phishing pages, with 73% of Americans scanning codes without verifying authenticity and over 26 million people directed to malicious sites. Scammers favor this tactic because QR code generators are freely available and codes can be easily placed on stickers, letters, and signage, making execution simple and low-risk. Only 36% of quishing scams are accurately identified and reported, as security experts note QR codes were designed for convenience rather than security, making them an attractive target as traditional phishing defenses improve.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
TARCOG is hosting a free Fraud & Scam Summit on August 20, 2025, in Athens, Alabama, to educate the community about elder fraud following reports that seniors lost nearly $5 billion to financial scams across the U.S. in 2024. The summit will cover topics including recognizing common scams, identity theft prevention, the role of caregivers in detecting fraud, and reporting procedures, with exhibitors from state programs and community organizations providing resources.