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wilcosun.com
· 2026-06-10
Anne Marshall lost her life savings to a tech support scam that began with a fake pop-up warning about expired Geek Squad support, which she called to dispute—giving scammers remote access to her computer and leading to escalating demands for money. Her story, shared at a Sun City community fundraiser breakfast, highlights a widespread problem affecting approximately 50,000 Americans annually, with victims over 50 accounting for more than half of all scam losses totaling $20.9 billion in 2025. Residents should be cautious of unsolicited pop-ups and calls, avoid granting remote access to their computers, and remember that scammers deliberately target people when they're tired or busy—falling victim doesn't mean you're stupid, according to law enforcement.
prnewswire.com
· 2026-06-10
A new study found that Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.748 billion to internet-enabled fraud in 2025—a 59% jump from the previous year—with the average victim losing about $38,500 and over 12,000 people losing more than $100,000 each. The actual total losses are likely much higher, potentially between $10.1 billion and $81.5 billion when accounting for unreported cases, and scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance schemes, and government impersonation. Older adults should be cautious about unsolicited contacts, verify requests for money independently, and report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commission.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2026-06-10
Scam operations have become increasingly sophisticated, operating like organized businesses with budgets and dedicated teams, and they've shifted from email to social media as their primary attack method. According to Bitdefender's 2026 report, one in seven consumers fell victim to scams in the past year, with phishing, investment fraud, and fake shops being the most common types, often using impersonation and malvertising tactics. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited messages and ads on social media, verify financial institution communications directly through official channels, and avoid clicking links or downloading files from suspicious sources, especially around major events or trending topics where scammers often strike.
sg.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-10
Singapore's Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is warning the public about two growing scam variants: one where criminals impersonate ICA officers via phone or video calls using fake uniforms and agency logos, and another where they pose as friends or family claiming someone has been detained and demanding money. ICA emphasizes that legitimate officers will never request bank details, app installations, or payments via transfer, and victims should verify caller identity through the official number 6391-6100 or lodge a police report immediately if targeted. With government impersonation scams more than doubling in 2025, residents should avoid sending money to unverified individuals and be especially cautious of unsolicited calls claiming legal or detention issues.
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-06-09
Americans lost nearly $900 million to AI-powered scams in 2025, according to the FBI, with criminals using voice cloning, deepfake videos, and AI-generated scripts to execute sophisticated fraud schemes including romance scams, government impersonation, and extortion calls. The reported losses came from over 22,000 complaints, though the actual total is likely much higher since many victims don't report being scammed. To protect yourself, the FBI recommends verifying identities through official contact channels rather than trusting communications that appear official, especially when government agencies or financial institutions are involved.
blog.google
· 2026-06-09
Global fraud losses reached an estimated $580 billion in 2025, with about one in five adults falling victim to scams, according to Google's latest fraud advisory. The most concerning threats include sophisticated phishing attacks like Adversary-in-the-Middle (AITM) and "Quishing" (QR code phishing) that can bypass multi-factor authentication, as well as scammers abusing trusted cloud services like Google Calendar and Docs to hide malicious content from security filters. To stay safe, users should be cautious of unexpected calendar invitations and document shares, verify login pages before entering credentials, and avoid clicking QR codes from untrusted sources.
realtor.com
· 2026-06-08
A woman in Utah lost nearly $850,000 in a sophisticated romance scam that began with a fake LinkedIn message from someone posing as an oil rig engineer named "Pedro." The scam is part of a larger trend called "pig butchering" where international fraud rings (often based in Nigeria and Ghana) use stolen photos or AI-generated faces to build trust with victims before manipulating them into fake investments. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances on professional platforms, verify identities independently, and never send money to people you've only met online.
sfchronicle.com
· 2026-06-08
Scammers are impersonating Indian consulate staff in the Bay Area, calling residents and claiming they need to pick up documents or that their phone number is linked to criminal activity in India—a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam targeting Indian immigrants and visa applicants. The fraudsters use local San Francisco area codes to appear legitimate and pressure victims into providing personal information or money to "prove their innocence." Residents should hang up immediately if they receive such calls, verify any consulate communications directly through official channels, and report suspected scams to local authorities rather than engaging with the callers.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-07
Police departments across the country are warning drivers about the "screw method" gas pump scam, where fraudsters insert a screw into a pump's nozzle cradle to prevent the transaction from ending, allowing them to fuel up for free on a victim's card. This scam has been reported in multiple states including California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, and can result in hundreds of dollars in fraudulent charges. To protect yourself, inspect the nozzle cradle before fueling, stay by your pump while filling up, and always wait for the transaction to fully complete (with a receipt prompt or zero balance display) before leaving.
the-independent.com
· 2026-06-07
Americans lost nearly $900 million to AI-powered scams in 2025, with the FBI receiving over 22,000 complaints about schemes involving deepfakes, impersonation, and fraudulent communications that appear legitimate even to trained individuals. Victims have ranged from individuals losing thousands to AI-generated voice impersonations to people losing over a million dollars to fake authority figures, with cybersecurity experts warning that losses will likely increase as AI technology becomes more sophisticated. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unexpected communications requesting financial information or urgent action, verify requests through independent channels (calling known numbers rather than using provided contact info), and be particularly cautious of voice or video communications that seem unusual.
abqjournal.com
· 2026-06-07
New Mexico is experiencing a surge in fraud cases, with over 13,000 reported in 2025 totaling $66.6 million in losses, prompting credit unions across the state to launch a public awareness campaign. One victim, a 70-year-old Albuquerque resident, lost over $200 after falling for a scam where a caller impersonated a credit union agent and tricked him into revealing his account PIN. Experts recommend that if you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from your bank or credit union, hang up and call the institution directly, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your accounts regularly through mobile alerts.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-06-06
Sophisticated scammers are targeting Canadians using tactics like spoofing bank phone numbers and impersonating financial institutions to trick victims into handing over banking information and physical cards, resulting in thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. One 78-year-old victim lost nearly $14,000 in a four-hour con that caused severe physical and emotional stress, and banks are often refusing to cover losses by claiming customers willingly shared their information. To protect yourself, verify caller identity through official bank channels rather than callback numbers provided by the caller, be suspicious of urgent threats about compromised accounts, and never hand over physical cards or banking credentials to anyone claiming to be from your bank.
losbanosenterprise.com
· 2026-06-06
A Los Banos man was arrested in Sonoma County after showing up to collect cash from an elderly couple who had already lost $28,000 in a "courier scam"—a fraud scheme where criminals impersonate government officials and claim a family member has been detained, demanding immediate wire transfers and cash payments. The elderly victims received repeated calls from someone posing as a U.S. Customs officer, and deputies were able to catch the suspect, 40-year-old Marco Antonio Garcia-Hernandez, when he arrived to pick up cash at their home. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited calls from officials demanding immediate payment, never wire money or withdraw cash for unknown parties, and always verify such claims by contacting your family members directly or calling official agencies through their published phone numbers.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-06-05
An elderly San Francisco Bay Area couple lost $28,000 in a "courier scam" where criminals impersonated U.S. Customs officers and falsely claimed a family member had been detained, pressuring them to wire money and withdraw cash for fake legal fees. A 40-year-old man was arrested after authorities caught him arriving at the victims' home to collect the money, revealing he was part of a larger organized fraud ring targeting seniors. Authorities warn that if someone calls claiming a family member is in legal trouble and demanding immediate payment, it's a scam—verify the claim independently by contacting law enforcement or your family member directly before sending any money.
irs.gov
· 2026-06-05
A Jamaican national named Jordan Trought has pleaded guilty to leading an international sweepstakes scam that defrauded over 200 elderly American victims of more than $9 million between 2015 and 2025. The scheme involved scammers calling or texting victims claiming they had won money and prizes, then convincing them to pay "taxes" or "fees" upfront and in some cases gaining access to their bank accounts to steal additional funds. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls or texts about sweepstakes winnings, never pay upfront fees to claim a prize, and verify any legitimate prize claims by contacting the official company directly.
americascreditunions.org
· 2026-06-05
Older adults lost over $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, with investment scams and tech-support fraud being the most common schemes targeting people age 60 and older. Credit unions are fighting back by developing and sharing free educational resources, like the new Elder Exploitation Prevention Toolkit, and working closely with law enforcement to stop fraudulent transactions before they happen. To protect yourself, stay skeptical of unsolicited investment offers and tech-support requests, and report suspicious activity to your financial institution and local police immediately.
english.mathrubhumi.com
· 2026-06-05
Major technology companies including Meta, Microsoft, Coinbase, and Starlink have partnered with law enforcement agencies across multiple countries in a coordinated crackdown on Southeast Asian-based scam networks. The operation targeted "pig butchering" investment scams, romance fraud schemes, and fake job offers that lured workers into forced scam operations, resulting in the removal of over 1.4 million fraudulent accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online, investment opportunities promising quick returns, and job offers from unknown companies—verify opportunities through official channels and never send money to unknown individuals.
wfmd.com
· 2026-06-05
Meta, the FBI, and DOJ led a massive two-week anti-scam operation resulting in 63 arrests, millions in frozen cryptocurrency, and the removal of over a million scam accounts—marking the first coordinated effort of its kind involving major tech companies and law enforcement. The operation targeted criminal networks operating from Southeast Asian compounds that steal billions annually through romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud schemes, with some victims being trafficked individuals forced to participate. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online, investment offers with guaranteed returns, and requests to move money to cryptocurrency—verify identities through independent channels before engaging in financial transactions.
cnet.com
· 2026-06-05
Consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud last year—a 25% increase from the previous year—with social media account takeovers being the top threat, affecting an estimated 35% of the public in 2025. Fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated tactics including password theft, impersonation scams, and identity theft to steal money and personal information from victims and their contacts. To protect yourself, experts recommend being alert to suspicious messages from contacts who seem "off," verifying requests through alternative channels before sharing personal information, and reporting compromised accounts immediately to the platform.
theunion.com
· 2026-06-05
Scams cost Americans nearly $21 billion in 2025, with victims losing an average of over $20,000, yet intelligence has nothing to do with falling victim—scammers deliberately manipulate emotions and create urgency to bypass logical thinking before people can verify claims. Smart, educated people across all professions fall for scams because scammers are skilled in human psychology and exploit vulnerable moments when people are tired, distracted, or rushed. To protect yourself, pause before reacting to urgent messages about account problems or security threats, verify any claims directly with your bank or service provider using official contact information, and remember that legitimate companies won't demand immediate action via unsolicited calls or pop-ups.
kiplinger.com
· 2026-06-05
Cybercriminals are exploiting Microsoft's legitimate device code login feature to steal account credentials from Outlook, Teams, and Microsoft 365 users through a sophisticated scam that the FBI recently warned about. Unlike traditional phishing emails with obvious red flags, this "device code phishing" attack appears legitimate and can fool even users with multi-factor authentication enabled if they accidentally approve an unauthorized login request. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected login prompts or emails requesting verification codes, verify requests through official channels before approving them, and review your Microsoft account activity regularly for suspicious access attempts.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-06-05
A Mount Lebanon woman lost $18,000 after scammers used a fake pop-up warning about child pornography on her computer to frighten her into withdrawing cash and sending it via Bitcoin. According to an IRS special agent, criminals increasingly target seniors with sophisticated fraud schemes, including government impersonation scams claiming unpaid taxes or fines, exploiting their trust and inducing panic to bypass rational decision-making. To protect yourself, be wary of urgent demands for immediate payment, unsolicited pop-ups or phone calls claiming legal trouble, and verify any government contact independently by calling official agencies directly rather than using contact information provided by the caller.
justice.gov
· 2026-06-04
During "Disruption Week," a coordinated effort between the U.S. Department of Justice and private tech companies, authorities disrupted millions of fraudulent social media and email accounts operated by organized crime groups in Southeast Asia that were targeting American victims with cryptocurrency and investment scams. The operation resulted in freezing over $3.8 million in stolen cryptocurrency and removed criminal networks from major U.S. internet platforms. To protect yourself, remain vigilant about unsolicited investment offers, verify the legitimacy of online financial opportunities, and report suspected fraud to authorities immediately.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-04
Meta partnered with the FBI, Department of Justice, and other major tech companies in a landmark two-week operation that resulted in 63 arrests, frozen cryptocurrency assets worth millions, and the removal of over one million scam accounts targeting vulnerable Americans. The crackdown, which took place primarily in Thailand and Washington D.C., focused on organized fraud networks responsible for romance scams and cryptocurrency investment schemes that steal billions annually. To protect yourself, remain vigilant about unsolicited investment offers, romantic advances from online strangers, and cryptocurrency requests, and report suspected scams to law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
patch.com
· 2026-06-04
Social Security scams are widespread across the United States, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target vulnerable people, especially the elderly, and trick them into revealing sensitive information or money. To protect yourself, the Social Security Administration recommends creating a personal mySocial Security account, guarding your Social Security card, and reviewing their dedicated scam prevention resources available on their website. If you encounter a scam, you can report it to the Social Security Office of the Inspector General or other government agencies using the resources provided.
patch.com
· 2026-06-04
Social Security scams are widespread in the United States, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target vulnerable populations, particularly elderly people, to steal personal information and money. The Social Security Administration has released five resources to help protect against these scams, including creating a personal mySocial Security account, learning how to safeguard your Social Security card, and reviewing detailed information about common scam tactics and reporting procedures. Seniors and their families should take advantage of these free resources available on the SSA website and share this information with others to stay protected from fraud.
blog.google
· 2026-06-03
Android is rolling out a new "fake call detection" feature that uses AI to identify when scammers are impersonating your contacts through voice-cloning deepfakes, addressing a growing threat that cost victims over $400 billion globally in 2024-2026. The feature, available on Google's Phone app, flags suspected spoofed calls and aims to protect users from sophisticated scams where criminals pose as trusted family members or friends to steal money and personal information. Users with Android devices using Google's Phone app should enable this protection and remain cautious about any unexpected calls requesting money or sensitive information, even from familiar-sounding callers.
click2houston.com
· 2026-06-03
Over 25,000 job recruitment scams were reported in late 2025, causing victims an average loss of $2,000 each, with scammers increasingly targeting job seekers through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram by promising easy money for simple tasks or requesting upfront fees for background checks. To protect yourself, be wary of job offers requiring immediate upfront payment, verify employer websites directly, and avoid "get rich quick" schemes that ask for fees to unlock earnings or withdrawals. Legitimate employers typically deduct screening costs from future paychecks rather than demanding cash upfront from applicants.
lancasteronline.com
· 2026-06-02
Pennsylvania's Attorney General and a state Senator are pushing lawmakers to strengthen protections for elderly residents against online scams and fraud, citing growing threats from artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Currently, bank employees cannot stop transactions even when they suspect a customer is being scammed, so the proposed legislation would give financial institutions the power to intervene if they believe an elderly client is at risk. The bipartisan bill, which hasn't yet passed, aims to modernize the state's elder protection laws for the first time in decades and would help prevent identity theft and phone spoofing scams.
pcmag.com
· 2026-06-02
Scammers are using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate children or loved ones in kidnapping and emergency scams, extracting audio samples from social media or public videos to create convincing fake voices that demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency. Parents and other targets are particularly vulnerable because these emotionally manipulative calls trigger panic, making people less likely to verify the caller's identity before sending money. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying any urgent requests for money by independently contacting your loved ones through a known phone number, being skeptical of pressure to pay via cryptocurrency, and limiting personal audio and video content on public social media accounts.
aol.com
· 2026-06-02
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran lost his entire life savings of $1.4 million in a gold bar scam orchestrated by criminals posing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, part of a nationwide elder fraud scheme. One conspirator, Syed M. Makki, was recently sentenced to 15½ years in prison and ordered to pay over $4.7 million in restitution after being caught transporting gold bars from multiple victims across several states. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited visits or calls from people claiming to be law enforcement who pressure them to convert assets into gold or other valuables, as legitimate government agencies do not operate this way.
privateinternetaccess.com
· 2026-06-01
Phishing scams—where criminals impersonate trusted sources like banks or coworkers to steal sensitive information—remain the most common cyberattack, with 3.8 million attacks recorded in 2025, capable of causing devastating losses from identity theft to millions in business damages. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated, using AI-generated messages, deepfake audio and video, and near-perfect fake login pages to manipulate people through psychological tactics like urgency and fear. To protect yourself, verify sender identities through official channels before clicking links or sharing credentials, be suspicious of unexpected urgency or requests for sensitive information, and use multi-factor authentication on important accounts.
businesstimes.com.sg
· 2026-06-01
Telecom-fraud networks that were displaced by law enforcement in Cambodia and Myanmar are relocating to Indonesia, where they're targeting victims with various scams including pig-butchering schemes, investment fraud, visa scams, and fake government impersonation. Chinese authorities have reported receiving multiple complaints from citizens who suffered significant financial losses, and Indonesian authorities have already dismantled several scam operations. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited offers with unusually favorable rates, avoid clicking links or downloading software from unverified sources claiming to verify personal information, and be skeptical of investment opportunities promising high returns with minimal risk, especially those using fake screenshots or polished-looking platforms.
globalcryptopress.com
· 2026-06-01
Federal authorities seized approximately $8 billion in cryptocurrency in "Operation Blackout," the largest crypto forfeiture in U.S. history, disrupting an international scam network operating from compounds in Cambodia that had stolen funds from American bank accounts and resulted in nearly 300 arrests and the rescue of about 2,000 trafficking victims. The seized funds were primarily connected to romance and friendship scams, where victims are lured through text messages or social media and tricked into depositing cryptocurrency into fraudulent trading platforms. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact from strangers online, verify investment opportunities through official channels before sending money, and never deposit funds into platforms you cannot independently verify as legitimate.
abhs.in
· 2026-06-01
Americans lost over $21 billion to cybercrime in 2025—a 26% increase from 2024—with over 1 million complaints filed for the first time, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center report. Investment scams, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where criminals build trust over weeks before directing victims to fake cryptocurrency platforms, were the largest loss category at $8.6 billion, often involving AI-generated fake identities and voices that make impersonation nearly impossible to detect. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities online, verify identities through independent channels before sending money, and remember that legitimate investments won't pressure you to use cryptocurrency or unfamiliar platforms.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-01
Seniors over 60 are increasingly targeted by identity theft and fraud, filing over 201,000 complaints in 2025 with average losses of $38,500—nearly double younger victims' losses—while total fraud costs to older adults range from $10 billion to $81 billion annually. Scammers exploit the fact that seniors have multiple financial accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that can be breached using publicly available information like birthdates and Social Security numbers, and new AI voice-cloning technology makes impersonation easier than ever. Adult children can help protect aging parents by securing their personal information across all accounts and being cautious of unexpected calls, particularly those requesting verification details or claiming to be family members in distress.
aol.com
· 2026-06-01
A 20-year-old named Marlon Ferro was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for his role in an international cryptocurrency theft ring that stole $263 million from victims over two years. The sophisticated crime operation used various tactics including phishing, hacking, impersonation, and burglary—with Ferro specializing in physically breaking into homes to steal hardware wallets containing cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, use strong security measures for crypto accounts, enable two-factor authentication, store assets in secure offline wallets, and be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities or calls from people claiming to be government officials.
drgnews.com
· 2026-05-31
Imposter scams remain the #1 fraud threat in America, with over 1 million reports and $3.5 billion in losses in 2025—a nearly 20% increase from the previous year. Two major trends are rising: government imposter scams (up 40%) using fake toll collection messages to pressure victims into paying, and romance scams (up 22%) where scammers build relationships online before requesting money for fake investments. To protect yourself, verify requests through official channels using known contact information, never send money to people you've only met online, and report suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
noticias.foxnews.com
· 2026-05-31
Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, with victims averaging losses of nearly $38,500—almost double younger victims' losses—making seniors the most defrauded age group according to FBI data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they typically have multiple financial and government accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that scammers can exploit, and new threats like AI voice cloning now allow fraudsters to impersonate loved ones convincingly. To protect aging parents, adult children should help them implement credit freezes, secure their sensitive personal information (like Social Security numbers and birthdates) used for account verification, and remain vigilant about phone calls from grandchildren or others requesting money, especially when voice authenticity seems uncertain.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-31
Seniors are losing a record $7.7 billion annually to financial scams that typically begin with unsolicited phone calls or text messages creating false urgency. Common scams include fake bank fraud alerts asking victims to verify account information, Medicare renewal schemes requesting personal details, and other schemes exploiting seniors' retirement savings and established credit. To protect yourself, never respond to unsolicited messages asking for passwords or personal information, remember that legitimate banks and Medicare won't request sensitive data unexpectedly, and verify any suspicious communications by calling your institution directly using a number from their official website.
radaronline.com
· 2026-05-31
Celebrities are frequent targets of fraud and scams, just like the general public. High-profile cases include Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber facing a $100,000 extortion attempt involving a fake photo of their daughter, TV host Andy Cohen unknowingly giving scammers access to his bank accounts after a fake fraud alert call, singer Jewel allegedly being embezzled of over $100 million by her own mother and former manager, and actress Anne Hathaway's ex-boyfriend defrauding investors of $6 million while posing as a Vatican official. To protect yourself, never give account access to unsolicited callers claiming to be from your bank—instead hang up and call your bank directly, carefully vet people handling your finances, and be cautious about sharing personal information or photos that could be used for extortion.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams manipulate emotionally vulnerable people—such as those who are widowed, divorced, or lonely—by creating fake online relationships through dating apps and social media, with scammers using stolen photos and practiced backstories to build trust over weeks or months. When victims eventually send money to their "partners" (often for supposed emergencies or travel), banks struggle to intervene because customers are emotionally invested and may view warnings as intrusive skepticism. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that progress quickly, avoid meeting in person, and be especially wary if someone asks for money or financial assistance.
timesnownews.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams, where fraudsters pose as attractive strangers online and build emotional relationships to extract money, cost Japan ¥324.11 billion in 2025 alone, with romance scams accounting for ¥55.22 billion across thousands of cases. The scam typically begins with a wrong-number message that evolves into an attentive, patient relationship over weeks, after which the victim is manipulated into sending large sums of money; this pattern is now rapidly spreading to Indian cities like Pune, Lucknow, and Surat. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited messages from strangers, verify identities through video calls or in-person meetings before trusting someone, and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-30
Washington state residents lost over $18 million to imposter scams in 2025, with scammers frequently posing as government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration to trick victims into giving up money and personal information. People over 60 have been hit particularly hard, with fraud losses in that age group increasing 400% since 2020, while scams targeting family and friends have tripled from 2024 to 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from government agencies or businesses you know, verify caller identity through official channels before sharing information, and never click links or download files from suspicious sources.
wsmv.com
· 2026-05-29
Senior scams are escalating rapidly in Tennessee's three largest cities—Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville—with reported losses reaching $108 million in 2025 affecting over 3,500 victims aged 60 and older, representing a 39% increase in victims and 75% increase in losses compared to 2024. Investment scams saw the most dramatic rise, tripling from $17.1 million to $51.6 million, while romance scams, tech support scams, and lottery schemes also increased significantly. Seniors should be especially cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities and romance interactions online, verify caller identities through official phone numbers rather than numbers provided in calls, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wnyt.com
· 2026-05-29
An older resident in Moreau, New York was targeted by a scammer who attempted to trick them into sending $20,000 to California hidden in books, though the scam was stopped before money was lost. The Saratoga County Sheriff's Office is hosting two educational events in June to help seniors recognize and avoid similar fraud schemes. Older adults in the area can attend presentations on June 24 at the Halfmoon Senior Center or June 30 at the Clifton Park Elks Lodge to learn how to protect themselves from scams.
santaclaritamagazine.com
· 2026-05-29
Elderly residents across Southern California have become targets of increasingly sophisticated fraud and abuse schemes, including a $17 million identity theft and real estate loan ring that forged documents to steal home equity from seniors, unlicensed care facilities that neglected vulnerable residents, and deed theft that allowed homes to be sold without owners' knowledge. The article advises that the most effective protection involves proactive planning—such as creating durable powers of attorney, funded living trusts, and recording homeowner alerts at the County Recorder—rather than attempting to recover after fraud has occurred, which is significantly more difficult and expensive.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-29
A Georgia woman and an Illinois man have been convicted in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded a Bradenton senior of $1.4 million; the scammers impersonated law enforcement and convinced the victim to convert his savings into gold bars, which he then handed over to accomplices at predetermined locations. Syed M. Makki was sentenced to over 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.75 million in restitution, while the conspiracy targeted multiple victims between 2023 and early 2024 using phone calls and impersonation of government officials and law enforcement. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming you have legal problems or warrants—legitimate law enforcement will not demand payment in gold or other goods, and you should independently verify any such claims by contacting official agencies directly.
wired.com
· 2026-05-29
Cybercriminals have stolen booking information from at least 350 hotels across 50 countries and are using those real reservation details in highly targeted phishing messages to trick travelers into revealing credit card information. The scam, called "reservation hijacking," is particularly effective because it includes legitimate details like guest names, check-in dates, and hotel names, making fraudulent links appear authentic. Travelers should be cautious of unsolicited messages about their hotel bookings and verify any requests for payment or personal information by contacting hotels directly through official phone numbers or websites rather than clicking links in messages.
nbcchicago.com
· 2026-05-29
The FBI has warned of a phishing scam called Kali 365 that targets Microsoft Outlook and 365 users by tricking them into authorizing attackers' devices to access their accounts, allowing hackers to bypass multi-factor authentication and gain full access to email, Teams, and OneDrive. The pre-packaged phishing kit is being distributed through Telegram and makes it easier for less-skilled hackers to launch convincing phishing attacks using AI-generated lures. Users should limit device sign-in options, maintain backup access methods, and report any suspected targeting to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.