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in Tech Support Scam
techzim.co.zw
· 2025-12-08
MetaMax was a global Ponzi scheme that promised cryptocurrency-based returns through a fake "media manipulation" service where members would supposedly earn money by rating YouTube videos and social media posts. The scheme collapsed after swindling people from multiple countries, including Zimbabweans who invested approximately US$146,396, using a compensation structure that relied on recruiting new members rather than actual product services. The fraud operated similarly to the previous E-creator scam, offering daily returns of 3-20 USDT and fixed investment plans with daily returns up to 1.2%, with an arrest reported in Cyprus.
elizabethton.com
· 2025-12-08
A 50-year-old man from Brooklyn seeking asylum in the U.S. was arrested and charged with fraud and financial exploitation of a Carter County woman in a tech support scam scheme. The victim was deceived by a fake virus notification that led her to withdraw $30,500 from her bank account and hand the cash to the suspect at her residence. The arrest was aided by photographs and identification information the victim provided to authorities, and investigators coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security after discovering the suspect's temporary visitor status and pending asylum application.
autoremarketing.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned car dealerships to remain vigilant against phishing and smishing scams where fraudsters impersonate IRS representatives to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or providing personal and financial information. The agency advised businesses to avoid clicking unsolicited email and text links, enable multi-factor authentication, and verify sender identity through independent contact methods to protect against these attacks and potential ransomware infections.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Fake job offer scams using generative AI have surged 118% in the US between 2022 and 2023, with scammers creating convincing job ads on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter to steal applicants' personal data. To protect yourself, verify company details before applying, never share personal information (address, Social Security number, bank details) with unverified contacts, and be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true; scammers are also using AI deepfakes in romance scams to appear authentic during video calls.
centraloregondaily.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation issued a holiday season alert warning consumers about gift card scams, where criminals contact victims via phone, text, email, or social media to trick them into purchasing gift cards and surrendering the card numbers and PIN codes. Common scammer tactics include creating false urgency, impersonating government agencies, tech companies, family members, or utility providers, and remaining on the phone while victims purchase cards to prevent discovery. Consumers are advised to ignore pressure to act quickly, never share gift card numbers or photos, and verify emergency claims by contacting the person directly.
nptelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, with the problem projected to worsen as the U.S. population ages and technology advances, yet most perpetrators evade capture and conviction. Victims—particularly older adults—rarely recover their money, losing life savings to romance scams, grandparent scams, technical support fraud, and other schemes, while law enforcement agencies lack sufficient resources to investigate and prosecute the overwhelming volume of cases. The challenge is compounded by difficulty tracking stolen funds converted to cryptocurrency or transferred to foreign bank accounts, leaving authorities struggling to keep pace with what experts describe as a "crisis level" crime wave.
dailyprogress.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas scammers are stealing tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans, with the crime wave projected to worsen as the U.S. population ages and technology advances, yet law enforcement agencies lack resources to catch perpetrators and most victims never recover their money. Common scams targeting Americans include romance schemes, grandparent fraud, technical support fraud, and other confidence schemes, with particular vulnerability among older adults who have lost life savings. The challenge is compounded by the ease of committing fraud without consequences, the difficulty of investigating international crimes and cryptocurrency transfers, and the overwhelming volume of cases that stretch thin police and prosecutorial resources.
my.uq.edu.au
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide provides steps for victims of cybercrime, hacks, scams, and data breaches to contain risks and recover. Key actions include: immediately contacting your bank, changing passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, reporting the scam, and seeking support through services like IDCARE or employee assistance programs. The resource also outlines warning signs of compromised accounts (unauthorized login attempts, suspicious charges, device performance issues) and specific recovery procedures for work accounts, personal accounts, and situations involving organizational data breaches.
techbullion.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired engineer from Düsseldorf, Hans Müller, invested a substantial portion of his retirement savings in a fraudulent pig farming investment scheme that promised high returns but ultimately ceased all communications when he attempted to withdraw funds. With assistance from Midwessex Investigations, a private investigation firm specializing in fraud recovery, authorities conducted forensic analysis, cybersecurity tracking, and international law enforcement collaboration to identify the scammers and successfully recover Müller's financial losses.
trib.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. This appears to be a list of country names and territories rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
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heraldsheets.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, cryptocurrency users lost nearly $2 billion to rug pulls, scams, and hacks, with losses exceeding $1.4 billion in the first half of 2024. Common crypto scams include phishing attacks (fake websites and emails stealing login credentials), romance scams (emotional manipulation leading to fraudulent investment requests), impersonation and giveaway scams (fake celebrity endorsements and deepfakes), and investment scams (Ponzi schemes and pump-and-dump schemes). Users can protect themselves by understanding these scam types, remaining alert, and staying informed about threats in the cryptocurrency sector.
theindependent.sg
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity has become a household concern in Singapore as digital device usage increases, with common scams including phishing, tech support fraud, grandparent scams using deepfakes, romance scams, and charity fraud targeting everyday users. Industry expert Vishak Raman recommends adopting strong passwords, two-factor authentication, regular software updates, separate networks for smart devices, and household education to mitigate risks. The advice emphasizes verifying authenticity of communications, never granting remote access to unsolicited callers, and confirming identities before sending money or sharing personal information.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated investment scam organization operating call centers in Seoul and Incheon targeted previous fraud victims by posing as government compensation agents, then pivoted to selling them worthless cryptocurrency after building trust. The scheme, which stole 5.4 billion won from victims, exemplifies evolving fraud tactics that now include fake trading platforms, purchased victim databases from dark markets, and manipulation through social media channels like Telegram and KakaoTalk to circumvent new financial regulations taking effect in August.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated scam operation with call centers in Seoul and Incheon targeted victims of previous investment fraud by posing as government compensation agents, then resold their personal information to accomplices who impersonated securities employees to solicit cryptocurrency purchases, resulting in 5.4 billion won in stolen funds. Investment scams are evolving to circumvent new capital market regulations by operating through encrypted messaging platforms and creating fake trading systems (HTS) that display fabricated profits; one victim lost 250 million won after depositing funds into a fraudulent trading platform, and police arrested nine members of a virtual asset exchange operation that stole 9 billion won from 133 people.
inquirer.com
· 2025-12-08
American consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with seniors particularly vulnerable, losing over $3.4 billion to romance, grandparent, and technical support scams. While Congress designated May 15 as National Senior Fraud Awareness Day, the editorial argues that symbolic gestures are insufficient and calls for substantial federal funding and coordinated legislation to combat fraud, as current efforts remain disjointed and banking institutions lack adequate support to prevent these crimes.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
Tether froze $29.62 million in stablecoins connected to Huione Guarantee, a Cambodian online marketplace that facilitates cybercriminal operations including pig butchering scams, money laundering, and trafficking-related crimes across Southeast Asia. Researchers documented $11 billion in transactions on the platform over three years, with the freeze occurring at law enforcement's request following investigations linking the marketplace to fraudulent and transnational criminal operations. The action highlights how Tether stablecoins have become the preferred cryptocurrency for regional cybercrime due to their stability and anonymity.
fox19.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio ranked No. 6 nationally for elderly scams in the past year, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion to more than 110,000 reported scams across the U.S., according to FBI data. Law enforcement emphasizes the importance of reporting these crimes, as the sophistication of scams—including tech fraud and grandparent scams—is increasing, though many incidents go unreported. The article highlights tragic consequences, including a 73-year-old victim who robbed a credit union after being scammed for years, and an 81-year-old who fatally shot an Uber driver he mistakenly believed was involved in a bond scam targeting him.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how artificial intelligence is being weaponized by scammers to create more sophisticated and convincing frauds. Scammers are using AI tools including deepfakes, voice cloning, and chatbots to personalize attacks, automate victim targeting, and make deceptive content more realistic and harder to detect. The article emphasizes that awareness of these emerging AI-powered scam tactics is essential for protecting oneself from increasingly advanced fraud schemes.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Tech entrepreneur Kingsley Inegbedion was arrested and charged by the FBI for orchestrating romance scams and business email compromise schemes between April 2020 and May 2023, working with accomplice Efemena Igbe (still at large) to defraud American citizens using fake corporate entities and laundering funds through multiple accounts. The FBI is seeking restitution of funds and forfeiture of property obtained through the scheme, which involved converting stolen money into cashier's checks and cash withdrawals. The article also highlights similar cases including Nigerian crypto executive Linus Williams arrested for fraud and terrorism funding allegations, and the convictions of scammers Hushpuppi (
sunstar.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Over 200 senior citizens in Carcar City, Cebu participated in a digital literacy training session organized by PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. to protect them from text and online scams such as phishing. The program, conducted in partnership with the city's Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs and a French NGO, aimed to improve digital skills, teach fraud prevention, and provide mental health awareness support for navigating technology safely.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by impersonation scammers who pose as the IRS, family members, or trusted businesses to steal money or personal information. The IRS warns taxpayers to be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails claiming money is owed, and to recognize red flags such as requests for payment via gift cards, threats of arrest, and pressure for immediate action—none of which the legitimate IRS employs. Scammers exploit age-related vulnerabilities and use technology like caller ID spoofing to gain credibility, making education about these tactics essential for protecting older adults.
blocktelegraph.io
· 2025-12-08
Since 2020, cryptocurrency scams have caused billions in losses to elderly victims, with crypto investment schemes defrauding victims of over $2 billion in 2022 and $4.6 billion in 2023. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics such as romance scams and impersonation schemes (posing as professors or financial advisors) to build trust before luring victims into fraudulent investments, often freezing accounts when victims attempt withdrawals. The complexity of cryptocurrency transactions and limited law enforcement resources have made fund recovery extremely difficult for victims.
dakotanewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Online shopping scams are among the top three fraud schemes reported annually, with young adults aged 18-24 being the most targeted demographic despite their technology proficiency. To avoid cyber scams, consumers should verify they're on legitimate websites (checking for "HTTPS" and padlock symbols), use credit cards instead of debit cards, research domain age, and be cautious of phishing emails directing them to cloned websites that mimic legitimate retailers like Amazon.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania House Bill 2064, sponsored by State Representative Joe Hogan, passed the House with bipartisan support (152-49 votes) and is headed to the Senate. The legislation aims to protect seniors from financial exploitation by requiring financial institutions and fiduciaries to report suspected abuse, temporarily halt suspicious transactions, and share information with area agencies on aging, while granting them immunity from liability. According to Hogan, tens of thousands of dollars are lost weekly to scams and fraud in Bucks County alone, making this decade-long legislative effort critical to safeguarding seniors' assets.
idahocountyfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams—an 11% increase from 2022—with common schemes including romance fraud, fake tech support, cryptocurrency conversion, and investment scams. The Idaho Attorney General and FBI provide educational resources and warning signs (unexpected contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for untraceable payments, demands for secrecy, and too-good-to-be-true offers) to help seniors identify fraud. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to local police, the FTC, FBI's IC3, or U.S. Postal Inspection Service despite shame or embarrassment, as reporting is critical to combating senior fraud.
app.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old New Jersey resident and other seniors attended an educational event about protecting themselves from identity theft and online scams, which have become increasingly prevalent in their demographic. According to FBI data, over 101,000 people aged 60 and older reported fraud in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts advise seniors to protect themselves by using strong passwords, shredding sensitive documents, never sharing personal information, and recognizing urgency tactics as warning signs of scams.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Montgomery County, Maryland woman lost $900,000 in a gold bar scam after scammers posing as federal agents convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping" following a fake computer security alert. Zhenyong Weng, 19, of New York City was arrested and charged with attempted theft; prosecutors indicate at least 17 victims in Montgomery County have lost millions of dollars in similar schemes, and recovery of the gold is unlikely due to its untraceable nature.
cfpublic.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud is surging nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes driving dramatic increases in losses. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office formed a dedicated financial fraud unit and launched awareness campaigns, including a screening of the movie "Thelma" that depicted a grandparent falling victim to an impersonation scam—a con that mirrors real schemes targeting seniors' trust and assets. In Volusia County alone, seniors lost approximately $4.6 million over the past year, with detectives recovering only $760,000 of the nearly 575 reported fraud cases.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old Bradenton woman lost nearly $24,000 in a sheriff's impersonation scam after receiving a spoofed call claiming she had missed court; scammers directed her to deposit funds into cryptocurrency ATMs at local stores. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit is investigating the case, which adds to $2.3 million in losses already reported by victims over 60 in the city this year. Police recommend verifying calls by hanging up and contacting law enforcement directly, avoiding cryptocurrency transfers, and using bank security features like two-factor authentication.
npnewsmm.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are escalating in Myanmar by exploiting socio-economic hardship, with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated methods including fake lottery wins, investment schemes promising high returns (sometimes up to 100%), stock market manipulation, and fake job ads. A 56-year-old housewife lost approximately 6 million kyats after initially investing 200,000 kyats in a scheme involving fake websites, Facebook pages, and in-person meetings that created false legitimacy. Anti-fraud experts note that lack of public education and scammers' constant adaptation of tactics—including use of foreign images, fake accounts, and deepfake technology—are enabling these crimes to proliferate.
wicz.com
· 2025-12-08
A Binghamton resident fell victim to a tech support scam after clicking a malicious pop-up claiming a virus was present on their computer; the scammer, posing as a Microsoft employee, gained remote access and over several months manipulated the victim into transferring a significant amount of money from investment accounts through cryptocurrency platforms. Binghamton Police are investigating and remind residents to contact authorities or their bank before transferring funds or granting computer access, as these scams often involve international networks and explicit instructions to keep transfers secret.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
Colorado Springs police report that scams are increasingly catching seniors due to both the volume of daily attempts and seniors' particular vulnerability to emotional manipulation. Victims lose anywhere from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with romance scams proving especially devastating—one woman lost her life by suicide after being defrauded of thousands of dollars monthly by a romance scammer posing as her fiancé. Experts identify key red flags including requests for non-traditional payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency, direct bank transfers) and note that seniors' generation-based tendency to trust authority figures, combined with isolation and loneliness, makes them prime targets for scammers posing as law enforcement, banks, or tech companies.
news-leader.com
· 2025-12-08
Emergency scams, often targeting grandparents, involve fraudsters impersonating loved ones via phone, text, or voicemail to request urgent money for emergencies. Newer versions use AI-generated messages and voice cloning to increase authenticity, making these scams harder to detect. The article advises verifying requests by calling the person directly, protecting social media information, trusting your instincts about suspicious requests, and refusing to send money through untraceable methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrency.
ncoa.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how online scams target older adults, using a real case example where 80-year-old Alice Lin lost over $700,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam on WeChat. According to the FBI IC3, people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses in 2023 (up 11% from 2022), with an average loss of nearly $34,000 per victim. The article details five psychological manipulation tactics scammers use against seniors—including targeting social isolation, impersonating authority figures, and exploiting trust—and provides specific protective measures such as consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious requests and verifying organizations through official channels.
leaderadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023. Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonation, sweepstakes, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Prevention strategies include staying educated on evolving fraud tactics, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family members, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and avoiding pressure to send money quickly by hanging up and calling back to verify.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a global tech outage, scammers exploited the disruption by sending fraudulent emails, texts, and robocalls requesting personal information such as passwords, account numbers, and social security numbers. Security experts warned the public to be vigilant against spoofed caller IDs and phishing attempts, noting that Americans lost $2.7 billion to imposter scams in 2023 and fraud is projected to worsen in 2024. Recommended precautions include hanging up on suspicious calls, calling back official numbers from statements or cards, and never surrendering card information to unsolicited callers.
newsmirror.net
· 2025-12-08
Seniors lost over $3 billion to scams in 2023, with losses reaching $1.6 billion in just the first five months of 2024, representing a significant increase year-over-year. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and good credit, making them attractive to con artists. Common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (where scammers pose as romantic partners to extract money) and tech support scams (where fake pop-ups trick victims into calling numbers and granting remote computer access).
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence technologies, particularly generative AI, to create convincing fake content used in various fraud schemes targeting the public. Common AI-enabled scams include deepfake payment redirection scams impersonating company executives, social media investment scams featuring fake celebrity videos, voice-cloning "Hi Mum" scams, sophisticated phishing emails with realistic logos, job scams with fake websites, and romance scams using AI-generated profile pictures and chatbots. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals should verify information independently, maintain strong online security practices, and educate themselves about AI-based scam techniques.
mtb.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource outlines how to protect aging loved ones from fraud and financial abuse, which can be perpetrated by strangers, friends, caregivers, or family members. The piece identifies six common senior scams—suspicious solicitation, counterfeit check schemes, lottery fraud, fake inheritance notifications, romance scams, and internet sale fraud—and provides practical warning signs and preventive advice for each. M&T Bank offers a dedicated helpline (1-800-724-2440) for reporting suspected financial abuse or fraud involving seniors.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Over a three-year period, Columbus Police Department received approximately 2,000 reports of potential elder fraud, with individual losses reaching as much as $250,000 in some cases. The majority of elder fraud in Columbus involves financial exploitation by family members (roughly 85%), though electronic scams such as tech support and phone scams are increasingly common nationally; however, cases involving international wire transfers are difficult to prosecute as they fall outside CPD's jurisdiction. The department's limited resources—with only two certified officers investigating crimes against at-risk adults—allow them to work only seven to ten cases annually, leaving most referrals (such as the five weekly referrals from Wells Fargo alone) un
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder scams cost banks over $27 billion in suspicious activity in 2023, with individual losses averaging more than $33,000 per case, increasingly enabled by AI-powered voice cloning and identity masking technology. Six common scam types target older adults through two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, and grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, and lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted third parties when emotional decisions are involved.
azbigmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses totaling over $3.4 billion in 2023 and averaging $34,000 per victim, using methods like deceptive emails, phone calls, and impersonation scams. Common schemes include government impersonation, sweepstakes scams, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams targeting seniors due to isolation and limited technical knowledge. Prevention strategies include staying informed about evolving scams, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family about finances, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and pausing before responding to urgent requests for money or personal information.
gctelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
This article identifies six common scams targeting older Americans in an era of advancing technology. The piece emphasizes that elders and their families need to remain informed about fraud schemes to protect themselves. The specific scams and detailed advice are not fully visible in the provided excerpt.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder scams cost banks over $27 billion in 2023, with victims losing an average of $33,000 per case, increasingly facilitated by AI-enabled voice cloning and impersonation fraud. Common scams targeting older adults employ two main tactics: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). The most effective prevention involves pausing when pressured, verifying identities through independent channels, and consulting trusted third parties before making financial decisions or sharing personal information.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office reports a sophisticated scam targeting older residents in which fraudsters send pop-up warnings claiming computers are compromised and direct victims to call a number for help. After gaining the victim's trust through multiple conversations and posing as bank fraud departments, the scammers arrange in-person cash pickups at victims' homes using fake "security codes" to appear legitimate. Victims have lost substantial sums, including cases exceeding $60,000 and $120,000, and authorities urge residents to report suspicious pop-ups or money-demanding calls and warn family members about this scheme.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Following the global IT outage on Friday, cybersecurity agencies warn of scammers exploiting the chaos through fraudulent emails and websites, despite no evidence the CrowdStrike outage was caused by malicious activity. Scammers are impersonating legitimate tech support and companies to trick people into clicking malicious links or providing personal information during the period of confusion and system disruptions.
daytonatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud is rising nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with Volusia County reporting $4.6 million in losses over the past year as scammers target older adults through imposter calls, investment fraud, and tech scams. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office created a three-person financial fraud unit and used a screening of the movie "Thelma"—which depicts a grandmother falling victim to an imposter scam—to educate 140+ seniors on fraud awareness and prevention. A 90-year-old attendee avoided a fake son/lawyer scam demanding $10,000 by verifying her son's location, exemplifying the importance of
pasoroblesdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office reported over $150,000 stolen in a tech support scam targeting older residents, with individual victims losing between $60,000 and $120,000 each. The scam begins with pop-up warnings claiming a computer is compromised, directing victims to call a number where scammers pose as bank fraud representatives and eventually arrange in-person cash pickups using fake security codes to appear legitimate. The sheriff's office advises residents to contact law enforcement if they receive suspicious pop-ups or money-demanding calls and to inform family and friends about the scheme.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Following the July 2024 CrowdStrike software outage that disrupted systems worldwide, scammers launched a coordinated campaign impersonating the company through fake websites, phishing emails, and phone calls to steal sensitive information like passwords and bank details. CrowdStrike identified at least 30 fraudulent domains and warned organizations to verify communications through official channels only. Tech support scams typically involve false warnings about computer issues followed by requests for remote access to extract personal data.
katc.com
· 2025-12-08
A Nunez resident narrowly avoided a door-to-door scam when a man impersonating a DIRECT-TV employee attempted to collect personal information and bills from his home; the resident later confirmed with DIRECT-TV that no representative had been sent. The scammer, operating from an unmarked red car, claimed to be addressing customer complaints about pricing, and similar incidents were reported in the area with the suspect impersonating both DIRECT-TV and Dish employees. Sheriff officials advise residents to request valid peddler's licenses, verify caller identity directly with companies, and avoid sharing personal information or documents with unsolicited visitors.