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in Robocall / Phone Scam
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines two prevalent online scams and how to avoid them. The first involves fraudsters sending fake wire instructions via spoofed email addresses during real estate transactions, causing victims to transfer hundreds of thousands or millions to criminal accounts; the second uses spoofed phone calls or emails impersonating legitimate banks to trick people into logging into fake websites or revealing two-factor authentication codes, compromising their accounts. The article recommends countering these scams by enabling two-factor authentication, confirming wire instructions verbally rather than via email, and never responding to unsolicited calls or emails—instead calling the official number on your card or account statement.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, scammers commonly target taxpayers through identity theft, impersonation, and fake tax preparers, exploiting fear, urgency, and promises of money to trick victims into sharing personal information or paying fees. The IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, with affected taxpayers waiting an average of 19 months for refund processing. To protect yourself, recognize scammer tactics, verify that contact from the IRS comes only via physical mail, research tax professionals through official directories, and avoid sharing information with unknown callers.
ny1.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common tax season scams and protection strategies. Scammers typically use fear, urgency, and financial incentives to trick taxpayers into sharing personal information or money, with identity theft being particularly prevalent—the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, leaving victims waiting an average of 19 months for refund processing. Experts recommend verifying the legitimacy of tax professionals, remembering that the IRS contacts people only via official mail and websites, and avoiding sharing personal information with unsolicited callers.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Marin County, California woman lost $30,000 in a phone scam where a caller impersonated her bank's fraud department and convinced her to withdraw cash, which was then collected from her home by the scammer. The suspect, Hao Canh Diep, was apprehended when he attempted to target the woman again for an additional $25,000, and he was charged with financial elder abuse and grand theft. The article also highlights a separate check-washing scam that defrauded a Massachusetts business owner of $13,000 and provides general tips for avoiding scams.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP South Carolina is launching a fraud prevention education initiative to help members protect themselves from financial exploitation. The organization offers resources on preventing elder abuse, identifying Medicare and veterans scams, and evaluating suspicious calls at aarp.org/scfraud, along with a series of upcoming fraud prevention events featuring former prosecutor Paul Greenwood, who specializes in elder fraud cases.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 41-year-old man from Thane, India lost Rs 50,000 after downloading a fraudulent app disguised as the legitimate "Vahan Parivahan" e-challan payment application, which he installed after receiving a fake text message claiming to be from Panvel Traffic Police about a traffic violation. The scammers gained unauthorized access to his bank account and conducted multiple transactions without requiring him to share his OTP, draining Rs 50,000 before he realized the fraud and uninstalled the app. Police registered a case under the Information Technology Act for identity theft and cheating by personation, and advised the public to verify official communications through legitimate channels rather than
cbs2iowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is warning seniors about an evolving "grandparent scam" that uses AI to impersonate distressed relatives and manipulate victims into withdrawing large cash amounts, sometimes picked up by couriers posing as family members. Scammers use social media information and spoofed phone numbers or deepfake voices to create urgency and pressure victims to act quickly without verification. Police recommend establishing a family password system for emergencies, verifying unexpected requests by calling trusted contacts directly, and reporting suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
moneyweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Online purchase scams are increasing significantly, with Santander customers losing £7.3 million in 2023 (a 32% increase from 2022) to fraudsters posing as sellers on online marketplaces, with an average loss of £500 per victim. To protect yourself, remain vigilant for red flags such as pushy sellers, fake or missing images, prices that seem too good to be true, and unprotected payment methods, as sophisticated scammers increasingly use AI to create convincing fraudulent listings for high-demand items like smartphones, gaming consoles, and collectibles.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers continue sending fraudulent text messages to Illinois drivers claiming unpaid tolls of $12 with pending $50 late fees and directing them to fake websites to collect credit card and bank account information, even after authorities shut down the original website. The Illinois Tollway and federal authorities have been working to stop the scheme, but the automated texts persist as scammers use a "shotgun approach" sending mass messages hoping a small percentage of recipients will fall victim. The FTC reports that imposter scams like this remain a top fraud category, with scammers increasingly favoring text messages and emails over phone calls to initiate schemes.
sequimgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
The Sequim Police Department warned residents about IRS impersonation scams, where fraudsters contact people by phone, mail, or email demanding tax payments and personal information. Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars to these scams, and residents are advised to hang up on suspicious calls, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected scams through the Washington State Attorney General's Office website.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
IRS impostor scams peak during tax season, with consumers reporting $5.8 million in losses in 2023, typically initiated through robocalls using spoofed caller IDs that appear legitimate. Scammers demand payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency for alleged back taxes under threat of arrest, or pose as the IRS offering refunds to steal personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details. The key defense is to never trust unsolicited IRS contact, regardless of personal information the caller may possess, and instead verify any tax-related communication through official IRS channels or trusted contact information.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scams targeting the 68 million American beneficiaries use five common tactics: impersonating SSA officials to steal personal information, falsely claiming benefits have been suspended, alleging overpayment and threatening legal action, promising automatic benefit increases that require activation, and offering fraudulent investment schemes to multiply benefits. The Social Security Administration advises recognizing scams by the four "P"s—scammers pretend to be official, present problems or prizes, pressure immediate action, and request specific payment methods—and remembers that SSA will never threaten arrest, demand personal information to activate benefits, or pressure immediate payment.
thepointsguy.com
· 2025-12-08
Advances in technology and social engineering are enabling sophisticated scams that cost consumers billions of dollars annually. Visa's 2024 Threats Report identifies four major scams on the rise, including pig butchering (romance) scams where fraudsters use AI and deepfake technology to build trust with victims over weeks or months before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms—affecting 10% of surveyed adults and resulting in billions in losses. The report notes that beyond financial victims, these scams often involve human trafficking victims forced to participate in the fraud operations.
soyacincau.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old Malaysian civil servant nearly lost her life savings of RM150,000 to a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated Maybank and government officials, instructing her to withdraw cash for alleged unauthorized transactions and mule account activities. A quick-thinking Maybank branch manager recognized the scam during the withdrawal and froze the victim's accounts, preventing the loss. The incident highlights the importance of bank staff vigilance and customer awareness of common scam tactics, particularly unsolicited calls requesting personal banking information or fund transfers to unknown accounts.
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
A 22-year-old Pune product designer and cryptocurrency trader lost Rs 2.5 lakh (approximately $3,000) after a fake employer contacted him on Twitter with a job offer, then directed him to download what was presented as an internal communication app but was actually spyware that drained his cryptocurrency wallet. The scammer, using the handle 'crankybugatti,' initially built credibility by conducting design interviews on Discord before sending a malicious app link through a fake HR representative. The victim has since raised awareness about the scam on social media and advised others to verify employment offers and avoid downloading applications from unverified sources.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A Pune jobseeker lost Rs 2.5 lakh (approximately $3,000) after clicking a malicious link provided during a fake HR interview for a web3 company on Twitter/Discord, which installed malware that compromised his digital wallet and drained his cryptocurrency assets. The scammer posed as an HR representative, built rapport through legitimate-seeming technical interviews, then directed him to download what he believed was an internal communication app. Jobseekers should verify company authenticity through official channels, avoid downloading files from unverified sources, and be skeptical of unsolicited offers on social media.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An 87-year-old woman in Rochester, Minnesota lost $18,000 in a grandparent scam on February 22 when a caller impersonated her son, claimed to be in a car accident, and directed her to a fake attorney who demanded bail money. A man in a medical mask collected the cash from her home, and she only discovered the fraud after calling her actual son to verify. Police noted the in-person collection was unusual for phone scams, and without surveillance footage or a clear suspect description, identification was unlikely.
cfodive.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2024 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams targeting both businesses and consumers, including questionable employee retention credit (ERC) claims, fraudulent fuel tax credit claims, and phishing scams designed to steal IRS account credentials. The IRS has already protected over $1 billion in revenue from erroneous ERC claims, while warning that unscrupulous preparers are misleading taxpayers about fuel eligibility and creating fictitious documents to support improper credits. Business owners and corporate officers who sign tax returns remain legally responsible for their accuracy, even if they relied on third-party preparers' advice.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, seniors aged 60 and older filed 88,262 fraud complaints resulting in $3.1 billion in losses, according to FBI data. Solano County responded to this spike by launching the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) to educate residents and provide resources for fraud prevention and reporting, offering guidance on identifying government impersonation, social media scams, prize schemes, and urgent account compromise claims. The center provides contact information for filing reports with Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies to help victims respond and protect their finances.
veronapress.com
· 2025-12-08
On March 28, Verona Police arrested 23-year-old Jiale Yang after receiving an anonymous tip that he would commit elder fraud that afternoon; Yang falsely identified himself as an IRS agent and obtained $30,000 in cash from the victim, who had been deceived by a pop-up claiming her computer had a virus and directed her to "Apple Support" where she was told her money was involved in criminal activity. The article also outlines five common types of elder fraud schemes: grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, phishing scams (which increased from 114,702 reports in 2019 to 298,878 in 2
sandiegouniontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
New York City authorities disrupted an online "pig butchering" cryptocurrency fraud operation that stole millions of dollars by gaining victims' trust through dating apps and social media, then directing them to fake investment platforms. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez seized 21 web domains used in the scheme; reported victims in Brooklyn alone lost over $4 million, with individual losses ranging from $22,680 to $118,000, though actual losses likely total billions nationally due to underreporting. Investigators traced stolen funds through multiple cryptocurrency addresses to foreign exchanges, with at least one perpetrator operating beyond U.S. jurisdiction.
theverge.com
· 2025-12-08
Google is suing two app developers based in China and Hong Kong who allegedly uploaded 87 fraudulent cryptocurrency trading and investment apps to the Google Play Store, defrauding over 100,000 users of between $100 to tens of thousands of dollars each through "pig butchering" romance scams since at least 2019. The scheme involved fake initial contact messages that led victims to download the fraudulent apps, which displayed fake investment balances but prevented users from withdrawing their money. Google claims it suffered over $75,000 in damages investigating the fraud and is seeking to hold the developers accountable and recover unspecified damages.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI in North Carolina is warning consumers about a surging cryptocurrency investment scam that has cost North Carolina victims over $65 million in 2023, with investment fraud involving crypto rising 53% nationally from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.944 billion in 2023. Scammers use social media research and fake websites/apps to build trust with victims, displaying fake profits to encourage larger investments, then disappear with all funds when victims attempt major withdrawals. The FBI advises victims not to be embarrassed and to report scams quickly, though recovery is difficult since cryptocurrency is unregulated.
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common tax season scams and protection strategies. Scammers typically use fear, urgency, and money as tactics to trick taxpayers into sharing personal information or paying for fraudulent services, with identity theft being particularly prevalent—the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, and victims wait an average of 19 months for resolution. Experts recommend verifying that contacts are genuinely from the IRS (which communicates only by mail), researching tax professionals through official directories, and avoiding unsolicited phone calls to prevent falling victim to these scams.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
A Naperville woman lost $2,000 to a sophisticated spoofing scam where fraudsters used caller ID technology to impersonate Chase Bank with the bank's actual phone numbers. The scammers claimed to protect her from fraud, obtained her trust by referencing her transaction history, and convinced her to share authentication codes sent to her phone, which they used to transfer $2,000 through the Zelle app. Banks never request personal information or authentication codes via unsolicited calls, and customers should hang up and call their bank directly using the number on their card if they suspect fraud.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A Hong Kong finance worker lost $25.6 million after being deceived in a video conference where the CFO and executives were entirely computer-generated deepfakes, representing a sophisticated AI-enabled fraud scheme. Criminals are increasingly weaponizing generative AI tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E to create convincing fake voices, videos, and identities for various scams including celebrity endorsement frauds, romance schemes, sextortion, and phishing emails. Experts warn that AI technology has dramatically lowered the barrier for fraud perpetration, enabling an "industrial revolution for fraud criminals" with potentially endless victims and losses.
wbur.org
· 2025-12-08
"Pig-butchering" is a major online scam operation that has generated approximately $75 billion and involves criminals targeting vulnerable people through digital currency exploitation, human trafficking, and international crime networks operating from compounds in Southeast Asia. The scam uses sophisticated social engineering tactics and digital currency to defraud victims, with victims losing substantial sums while perpetrators operate across borders with connections to organized crime groups.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has identified six common tax scams proliferating before the April 15 filing deadline, including phishing/smishing, fraudulent Employee Retention Credit promoters, fake IRS account setup assistance, false fuel tax credit claims, misleading offer-in-compromise "mills," and fake charities. Scammers exploit fear and greed through unsolicited texts, emails, and calls impersonating the IRS—which the agency never does—and should be avoided by remembering that the IRS only initiates contact by mail, never requests payment information by phone, and never threatens legal action or guarantees refunds.
wiltsglosstandard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Five elderly residents in Gloucestershire fell victim to courier fraud on April 2 when scammers impersonated police officers, claiming unauthorized bank card purchases had been made and instructing victims to withdraw cash and buy Euros to hand over to a "police courier" as evidence. The fraudsters used fake names and called local numbers, targeting victims with an average age of 79 years old. Gloucestershire police urge residents to warn elderly friends and relatives about this scam and report suspicious calls to stopthinkfraud.
connexionfrance.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes multiple fraud schemes targeting people in France, including overpayment scams where fraudsters pose as robbery victims to trick people into withdrawing cash on their behalf, and text message phishing scams impersonating official agencies like ANTAI (driving fine collection) and La Poste with fake links to fraudulent websites. The article also mentions that French authorities detected over 40,000 home renovation fraud cases in 2024 and notes that scammers often exploit victims' desire to help others or comply with authority by creating artificial urgency.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 43-year-old auto-rickshaw driver from Thane, India fell victim to an e-challan scam after receiving a text message about a traffic violation and installing a fraudulent app called Vahan Parivahan, resulting in unauthorized transactions of Rs 50,000 from his account despite deleting the app quickly. E-challan scams use phishing messages, fake websites, and malicious apps impersonating traffic authorities to steal personal financial information and login credentials from victims. To protect themselves, people should avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, verify traffic violations directly with official authorities, use only government websites ending in ".gov.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A senior citizen in Delhi lost approximately Rs 3.35 lakh after searching Google for Swiggy's customer care number and calling a fraudulent number, initially losing Rs 35,000 and then having his SIM cloned and credit card details stolen by scammers. His son, Nikhil Chawla, raised awareness on social media and contacted Delhi Police, while Swiggy clarified they offer only in-app chat support and urged customers to report such fraudulent numbers to cybercrime authorities. The incident highlights the vulnerability of elderly populations to tech-enabled scams involving impersonation of legitimate service providers.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old man in India lost over Rs 3 lakh after contacting a fake Swiggy customer service number found through a Google search to report an undelivered order; the scammers initially defrauded him of Rs 35,000, then exploited his attempt to recover the money by extracting his credit card details, cloning his SIM card, and gaining phone access to steal an additional amount. His son, an influencer, shared the incident on social media to raise awareness and sought assistance from Delhi Police, emphasizing the vulnerability of elderly, less tech-savvy individuals to such frauds. Swiggy clarified they do not operate an official customer care number
technode.global
· 2025-12-08
Internet love scams, including "pig butchering" schemes enhanced by AI-generated profiles and deepfakes, are rapidly increasing across Southeast Asia, with victims losing $25.9 million in Singapore (2023), RM43.9 million in Malaysia, and over 476 million baht in Thailand within nine months. Scammers exploit dating apps and AI tools to build emotional connections and manipulate victims into financial investments or divulging sensitive information, causing both financial and psychological harm. Common red flags include rushed declarations of love, refusal to video chat, requests for money, and requests for personal information—victims should remain cautious as scammers use sophisticated emotional manipulation tactics that exploit vulnerability
salemnews.net
· 2025-12-08
Columbiana County Sheriff's Office warns residents of a spoofing scam where criminals impersonate sheriff's deputies using the civil office phone number and real deputies' names, threatening arrest and demanding payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards. Sheriff Brian McLaughlin emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement will never request money for warrants or court dates, and advises residents to hang up and call the sheriff's office directly at 330-424-7255 if they receive such calls. One victim avoided losing money when she encountered the sheriff in person after a scammer directed her not to contact the office.
wpi.edu
· 2025-12-08
WPI Campus Police and the Dean of Students Office warn students of recent scams targeting them through social media, phone calls, and email that have resulted in financial losses over the past month. Scammers use various tactics including impersonating government officials to claim visa or tax problems, fabricating emergencies involving family members, threatening arrest or deportation, blackmail, and demanding upfront payments for jobs. Students should protect themselves by never sending money or personal information to unknown individuals, never confirming personal details even if scammers already possess some correct information, and reporting suspicious contact to campus authorities immediately.
ny1.com
· 2025-12-08
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez warned New Yorkers about "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, in which fraudsters lure victims through dating apps and group chat platforms into fake crypto investments, with documented losses ranging from $118,000 to $420,000 per victim and an estimated $3 billion stolen nationally in the past year. The DA's office has seized over 20 fraudulent crypto websites and domains that collectively defrauded victims of nearly $3 million, though law enforcement faces challenges in tracking perpetrators and recovering funds due to rapid cryptocurrency transfers and non-compliant exchanges. Officials urge victims to report crimes immediately, noting that actual case numbers are
mcafee.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns of "quishing"—a new phishing scam using QR codes to steal personal information—as peer-to-peer payment apps and QR code usage have become ubiquitous among Americans. The article advises consumers to scrutinize QR codes and links from unknown sources, verify sender legitimacy, examine URLs for discrepancies, and use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication to protect against these evolving threats. It also highlights how AI-powered security tools can detect fraudulent patterns in real-time and block malicious sites even after accidental clicks.
longisland.com
· 2025-12-08
A 94-year-old man in Valley Stream was defrauded of $246,968 in September 2022 after receiving a phone call from someone posing as a Publishers Clearing House representative who claimed he had won a prize but needed to pay taxes first. The victim wrote multiple cashier checks before realizing the scam and contacting police; after an investigation spanning nearly two years, 27-year-old Jamario Smellie of Brooklyn was arrested in April 2024 and charged with Grand Larceny in the second degree.
capenews.net
· 2025-12-08
This educational article discusses aging in place and the rising threat of elder fraud, reporting that seniors age 60+ filed 88,262 fraud complaints in 2022 resulting in $3.1 billion in losses—an 82% increase from 2021. Scammers target older adults due to accumulated savings, daytime availability, lower tech literacy, and potential cognitive vulnerabilities, with the five most common scams being government imposter schemes (Medicare, IRS, Social Security), sweepstakes/lottery fraud, phishing/vishing/smishing, tech support scams, and grandparent scams. The article emphasizes that seniors may underreport scams due to fears
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In Greater Manchester, 15,623 fraud cases were reported to Action Fraud in the past year, with online shopping/auction fraud being most common (3,100 cases), followed by advance fee fraud (1,500 cases). Notable cases included serial fraudster Cieran McNamara, who manipulated four women into sending over £300,000 through romance scams before being sentenced to seven years in prison, and a separate case where a man defrauded a woman of £50,000 on a widows' dating site. Other scams included pet fraud, concert ticket fraud, and designer goods schemes targeting victims through emotional manipulation and online platforms.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion in 2023, with common scams targeting older adults including investment, grandparent, romance, tech-support, tax, and business impersonation schemes. The article emphasizes that anyone can fall victim to sophisticated fraud and recommends slowing down and resisting pressure to act immediately as a key protective measure against scammers.
fool.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five common Medicare scams targeting seniors: unsolicited contact from fake Medicare representatives, false claims that Medicare plans have been canceled, offers of free products or services not covered by Medicare, requests to replace or activate Medicare cards, and pressure to switch to alternative plans during enrollment periods. The article advises seniors to verify information independently through Medicare.gov, never respond to unsolicited contact, protect personal information like Medicare and Social Security numbers, and call Medicare directly with questions rather than trusting solicitors.
foxreno.com
· 2025-12-08
A Reno resident lost $17,000 in a phone scam that began with a fake Amazon Prime support call and escalated when scammers impersonating the FTC and Wells Fargo threatened legal action and convinced the victim to withdraw cash and convert it to cryptocurrency. Washoe County residents lost over $500,000 to bitcoin scams in 2023, and authorities warn that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request cryptocurrency payments, while scammers increasingly use personal information and threatening tactics to pressure victims.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2020 and December 2023, investment fraud in the UK resulted in £2.6 billion stolen from 98,525 victims, with an average loss of £26,773 per person. Boiler Room fraud and Ponzi schemes were the most common types, accounting for £553 million and £499 million respectively, with 2023 marking the worst year at £527 million lost across 26,740 victims. The FCA advises people to be wary of unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, and promises of unusually high returns as key warning signs of investment scams.
nola.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP highlights that fraud schemes targeting older Americans persist in the digital age, with scammers continually developing new tactics to impersonate legitimate entities and access personal financial information. The organization provides comprehensive protective measures including securing sensitive documents, monitoring credit reports, using strong passwords, and verifying businesses before sharing personal information. In 2023 alone, Louisiana residents lost nearly $47 million to fraud with identity theft being the most common type, reflecting a broader national problem where known fraud losses reached between $10-43 billion.
foxreno.com
· 2025-12-08
A Reno resident lost $17,000 in an elaborate phone scam after searching online for Amazon Prime support and being redirected to scammers impersonating the FTC and Wells Fargo, who threatened legal action and demanded cryptocurrency deposits. Washoe County residents lost over $500,000 to bitcoin scams in 2023, prompting the sheriff's office to warn the public that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment in cryptocurrency and that scammers increasingly use personal information and threatening tactics to manipulate victims.
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides educational guidance on protecting yourself from tax season scams. Common scams include identity theft (where scammers file false returns in victims' names to claim refunds) and IRS impersonation schemes that use fear, urgency, and promises of money to trick people into sharing personal information. To protect yourself, verify that communications are genuinely from the IRS (which contacts people only by mail), research tax professionals through official directories, and avoid sharing information with unknown callers.
chadronradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Nebraska Attorney General's Office warns of an increase in Family Emergency (Grandparents) Scams, where scammers pose as family members or authority figures in crisis and request urgent payments via phone or text. These imposter scams represent the top fraud category nationally, with over 850,000 reports and 21% resulting in financial losses. The alert recommends verifying callers directly with family members, confirming any authority figures' identities independently, refusing payment requests, and staying calm to protect against these emotionally manipulative schemes.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers have stolen tens of millions of dollars in SNAP benefits from EBT cardholders nationwide using card skimming devices placed on payment terminals and phishing scams. To protect themselves, users should inspect card readers for loose or mismatched faceplates, never share their PIN, and utilize the new ConnectEBT app feature that allows them to lock their cards when not in use. New York has approved nearly 12,000 stolen benefit claims and reimbursed over $6.1 million to victims through its benefit recovery program since August 2022.