Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
10,158 results
in Scam Awareness
yourthurrock.com
· 2025-12-08
HM Revenue and Customs warns property buyers to avoid tax agents offering to secure Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) repayments by claiming newly purchased properties are non-residential due to needed repairs. A recent Court of Appeal judgment confirmed that properties requiring repairs but retaining dwelling characteristics remain subject to residential SDLT rates, and repayment claims based solely on property condition are invalid, leaving homeowners liable for the full SDLT amount plus penalties and interest. The warning is illustrated by an example where a homebuyer who accepted an agent's repayment claim of £9,250 later owed HMRC that amount plus interest and penalties after a compliance check, while the agent refused to
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A DBS Bank teller in Singapore prevented a woman in her 60s from losing $70,000 through a scam after noticing her nervous demeanor during a large cash withdrawal. The victim had been targeted by scammers posing as an insurance agent, police, and authorities who claimed her account was linked to criminal activity and demanded she withdraw funds for an "investigation." The teller's intervention—locking the customer's account and explaining the scam—stopped the fraud, demonstrating how staff training and attentive customer service can identify and prevent elder financial abuse.
thevibes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 54-year-old senior university lecturer in Malaysia lost RM172,170 across two separate scams: RM162,170 to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platform called "cryptoproe" he was lured into via a fake Hong Kong woman on social media, and RM10,000 (partially) to a parcel delivery scam orchestrated through an online romance. In a separate incident, a 67-year-old engineer lost RM230,000 to a fake stock market investment scheme called "Elite Group" promoted via WhatsApp, which promised unusually high returns but repeatedly requested additional payments. All cases are being investigated under Malaysia's Penal Code Section
stacker.com
· 2025-12-08
This editorial piece highlights rising scam trends identified in July news coverage, including romance scams (which affected over 70,000 people in 2022 with $1.3 billion in losses), AI-powered impersonation scams (which increased 148% between April 2024 and March 2025), and counterfeit drug schemes. The author emphasizes the value of scam awareness journalism in helping readers protect themselves and vulnerable populations like elderly relatives from evolving fraud threats across technology and dating platforms.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Malaysian authorities reported a significant wave of AI-powered scams in 2024, including voice-cloning fraud and deepfake video investment schemes. Voice-cloning scams used AI to impersonate employers, family members, and friends via phone and WhatsApp, with documented victims losing between RM3,000 to RM49,800; police investigated 454 deepfake fraud cases totaling RM2.72 million in losses. Deepfake videos falsely featured prominent figures including the Prime Minister, business leaders, and celebrities endorsing fraudulent investment schemes, with Malaysians losing RM2.11 billion to such scams across 13,956 reporte
manchesterjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece explains why intelligent people fall victim to scams, attributing victimization not to lack of intelligence but to social engineering tactics that exploit basic human emotions like fear, love, greed, and trust. The author emphasizes that criminals are skilled professionals who succeed by targeting the right person at the right time and that self-defense requires self-awareness, emotional control, and a team approach rather than going it alone. The piece concludes by urging readers not to shame victims and notes that fraud awareness presentations are available through AARP Vermont.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. The text you've provided appears to be a navigation menu or site structure from the American Bankers Association website, not an article or transcript about a scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case.
To help you, please provide an actual article, news story, or transcript that describes a specific fraud or scam incident.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Chicago senior, Diane Carli, was billed $233,439.90 for water usage at a vacant, unplumbed home she inherited, despite the property having no active plumbing for years. After the city installed a new water meter against her wishes, the account showed over 500,000 gallons of usage within six months, and the city threatened to garnish her pension when she disputed the charge. The article notes that utility billing errors affecting homeowners nationwide can stem from faulty meters, clerical errors, or undetected leaks, and recommends disputing such charges in writing, requesting meter inspections, and involving local representatives or legal
ujs.sd.gov
· 2025-12-08
Court scams involve fraudsters impersonating judicial officials or law enforcement via phone calls, texts, or emails to demand money or personal information by threatening arrest for missed jury duty, court appearances, or unpaid traffic tickets. Courts and law enforcement never demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency or apps, threaten people over the phone, or request sensitive information through electronic communication. Victims should refuse requests, avoid engaging with scammers, verify claims directly with local court offices, and report incidents to local law enforcement, the South Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, or the Federal Trade Commission.
jsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsinites are being targeted with phishing text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming items failed quality inspections or are subject to recalls and offering full refunds without returns if recipients click provided links. The FTC issued an alert warning consumers to recognize red flags such as unexpected orders, unfamiliar sender numbers, and suspicious URLs, and to report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Those who accidentally engage with scam links should immediately contact their bank and credit card companies, change passwords, and freeze their credit with the three major bureaus.
slate.com
· 2025-12-08
This article documents an investigation into "task scams," a rapidly growing fraud scheme where victims are recruited via text messages with promises of earning $50-$400 daily for minimal work like testing products or rating images online. According to the FTC, task scam reports skyrocketed from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in the first six months of 2024, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in that period alone, though actual losses are believed to be significantly higher since most victims never report the fraud. These scams typically seek personal information or money from victims through fake checks, gift card purchases, or other schemes, despite appearing to offer legitimate remote work
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide presents 12 tips for recognizing and preventing fraud and scams, which evolve constantly and target both finances and personal data. Key recommendations include verifying unexpected bank contacts through official channels, questioning urgent messages, staying alert to scams tied to current events, regularly monitoring account activity, setting up transaction alerts, using strong passwords, and enabling multifactor authentication. The advice emphasizes that while fraud is prevalent—ranging from phishing calls to credit card theft—proactive vigilance can help individuals sidestep many scams and quickly identify compromised accounts to minimize damage.
amlintelligence.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, criminals increasingly exploited cryptocurrency ATMs to steal from victims, with the FBI receiving nearly 11,000 complaints resulting in $246.7 million in losses—a 99% increase in complaints and 31% increase in losses from 2023. The U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) warned financial institutions to monitor suspicious activity at crypto kiosks, noting that scams involving these terminals disproportionately impact older adults and commonly include tech support, customer service, and bank imposter schemes. FinCEN emphasized that inadequate oversight by kiosk operators increases the risk of illicit activity and called on financial institutions to recognize re
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft and financial scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with AI-generated emails, deepfakes, and voice-cloning technologies making fraudulent communications difficult to distinguish from legitimate ones. In 2024, consumers lost $27.2 billion to identity fraud (a 19% increase from 2023), with older adults suffering median losses of $1,000 compared to $417 for people in their 20s, despite younger people reporting fraud at higher rates. The article advises protecting sensitive personal information and recognizing common scam tactics, particularly impersonation scams, which were the most reported fraud category with losses reaching $789 million in government impersonation schemes alone.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pew Research Center survey of 9,397 adults found that while 66% of adults aged 65+ reported experiencing at least one scam, they were less likely than younger age groups to report financial losses (15% vs. 20-26% in other age groups). However, research shows cybercriminals intentionally target older adults, with frauds and scams costing seniors nearly $5 billion in 2024 according to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and 84% of survey respondents believed older adults were extremely or very likely to fall victim to online scams.
theportager.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns older adults to recognize signs of financial exploitation by family members or caregivers, noting that the FBI reported nearly $4.9 billion stolen from seniors last year with investment scams causing the largest losses at $1.8 billion. The piece outlines warning signs of exploitation—such as sudden asset transfers, forged signatures, and unexplained disappearances of funds—and directs Ohio residents to report suspected elder abuse to Adult Protective Services at 330-296-2273. The article also provides information about the Summer Crisis Cooling Program to help seniors aged 60 and older pay electric bills if they meet income requirements.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
A UPay analysis of 236 major crypto scam cases revealed losses exceeding $60 billion, with the largest single loss being $40 billion from the Luna Yield collapse. The most prevalent scams included fraudulent trading platforms (112 cases), romance scams (46 cases), pig butchering schemes (39 cases), rug pulls (29 cases), and Ponzi schemes (28 cases). Common tactics involved building fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent platforms with inflated balances, fake profit displays, hidden withdrawal fees, brand impersonation, and rug pulls where developers disappear after raising funds—with individual victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in each
southtexasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting QR codes through various fraud schemes including fake parking meter payments, romance scams with cryptocurrency wallets, phishing attacks, and government impersonation, with codes typically shared via unsolicited messages or posted in public places. To protect themselves, consumers should confirm QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from strangers, be wary of shortened URLs that hide destination links, and check for signs of tampering on posted codes. Victims of QR scams should report incidents to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
bizzbuzz.news
· 2025-12-08
BreadXPay is a fraudulent fintech platform orchestrated by Joshua Sneider that targets retirees worldwide with promises of cross-border payment solutions and high investment returns (up to 10% monthly). The scam operates through shell companies registered in jurisdictions like Canada and the UK with puppet directors, funneling victim deposits through offshore accounts where they disappear; one documented case involved a 72-year-old Florida teacher who lost her $25,000 life savings after receiving fabricated account statements and being blocked from withdrawals. Elder financial abuse through schemes like this costs seniors over $28.3 billion annually globally.
mwe.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It discusses recent changes to white-collar crime enforcement policies in the US Department of Justice and UK Serious Fraud Office, focusing on corporate self-disclosure incentives, FCPA enforcement, and anti-bribery measures—topics outside the scope of elder abuse, elder fraud, or scams targeting seniors.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN warned banks that cryptocurrency ATMs are increasingly used for money laundering and elder fraud schemes, with criminal organizations including Mexican drug cartels exploiting these machines' minimal verification requirements. In 2024, the FBI received nearly 11,000 fraud complaints involving crypto ATMs resulting in $246 million in losses, with scammers typically impersonating tech support or government officials to trick elderly victims into withdrawing cash and sending it to untraceable digital wallets. FinCEN is urging financial institutions to monitor suspicious crypto ATM activity and support proposed legislation that would impose transaction limits and require fraud warnings at these kiosks.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
The Liberal Democrats called for urgent regulation of YouTube advertising after scams involving deepfakes, impersonated public figures, and fraudulent investment schemes proliferated on the platform with minimal oversight. Notable examples included AI-generated deepfake ads impersonating consumer champion Martin Lewis to promote cryptocurrency schemes, as well as ads for fake products, scam diet pills, and government grant impersonations that remained online for days before removal. The party is urging the UK government to bring YouTube under the same pre-approval and independent enforcement standards as traditional broadcasters, with Ofcom given powers to levy fines and redirect revenues to scam victims.
wvua23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau reports a rise in work-from-home scams where fraudsters pose as employers on job sites, luring victims to messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram to request personal information and banking details under the guise of hiring and payroll setup. Scammers then send fake checks for office supplies and ask victims to return "leftover" money, which results in thousands of dollars in losses and puts victims at risk of identity theft when checks bounce. The BBB advises job seekers to research companies thoroughly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified employers, and be cautious of any requests to send money before employment begins.
therecordnorthshore.org
· 2025-12-08
Two Facebook Marketplace scams were reported in the coverage area: a Winnetka resident was defrauded by a seller who failed to deliver a Lollapalooza ticket, and a Kenilworth resident lost $1,750 to a marketplace seller who did not deliver a purchased item. Additional incidents included vehicle and package thefts across multiple municipalities, and a portable toilet fire in Kenilworth that caused $800 in damage.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns college students that rental scams are prevalent, with young people ages 19-29 being 42% more likely to fall victim than other age groups. Over 5 million people have lost money to rental scams (median loss of $400, though one in three lost over $1,000), with scammers commonly copying legitimate property listings and requesting deposits through untraceable payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers. Students should avoid rentals where owners are unavailable for in-person viewings, advertise below-market rates, or request payment through Western Union, MoneyGram, or gift cards.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a scam involving unsolicited packages with QR codes that, when scanned, prompt recipients to provide personal and financial information or download malicious software that steals phone data. The scam, a variant of "brushing" fraud typically used to artificially boost product ratings, can also facilitate financial fraud, though it remains less widespread than other schemes. The FBI recommends avoiding packages without sender information, not scanning unfamiliar QR codes, and reporting suspected incidents to the IC3, with elderly victims able to seek assistance through the Department of Justice Elder Justice Hotline.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
The "Chinese blessing scam," a decades-old fraud targeting elderly Chinese women, has been operating in Sydney's western suburbs. Scammers use psychological manipulation exploiting traditional Chinese beliefs about curses to convince victims that family members are in danger, then swap their valuables for worthless items during a fake "blessing ritual"—Ms. Su lost $40,000 in cash and jewelry this way. The scam disproportionately affects socially isolated, elderly migrant women with language barriers, and cases are likely underreported due to cultural shame and the victims' fear of family stigma.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
Truecaller and Khyaal, an app for senior citizens, partnered to combat elder fraud by offering Khyaal members a 50% discount on Truecaller Premium membership, which provides advanced caller identification and spam blocking features. The initiative includes educational content such as "New Scam Highlights" sessions, "Spot the Scam" workshops, and success stories from seniors who avoided scams, delivered through digital and in-person formats including Khyaal's "50Above50" event. The partnership addresses the growing sophistication of scammers targeting seniors and aims to equip older adults with knowledge and tools to identify fraud while maintaining their digital independence.
cutoday.info
· 2025-12-08
Representatives Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Jim Himes (D-CN) introduced the bipartisan TRAPS Act to combat rising payment scams affecting Americans, particularly seniors, by establishing a coordinated federal task force involving law enforcement, regulators, and industry partners. Iowa residents lost over $52 million to scams in the past year across schemes including fake investments and romance cons, with the U.S. experiencing a 25% increase in fraud in 2024, prompting support from credit unions and military advocacy groups who note the scams disproportionately affect senior veterans and active-duty families.
afaqs.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors aged 50+ face increasing cybercrime risks as they go online, often falling victim to evolving fraud tactics and losing money and trust. Truecaller has partnered with Khyaal (a senior-focused app) to provide discounted caller identification technology and co-create educational content including "Spot the Scam" workshops, fraud awareness sessions, and safety training delivered through digital and in-person formats. This combined technology and education initiative aims to equip older adults with tools and knowledge to identify and prevent scams.
tribuneindia.com
· 2025-12-08
Truecaller, a communications platform, partnered with Khyaal, India's leading senior citizen app, to combat rising cybercrime targeting adults over 50 who face increased vulnerability due to unfamiliar technology and evolving fraud tactics. The partnership offers Khyaal members a 50% discount on Truecaller Premium's advanced caller identification and spam protection features, alongside educational initiatives including "New Scam Highlights" sessions, interactive fraud-spotting workshops, and practical safety training delivered through digital and in-person formats. This collaborative effort aims to equip India's elderly with both technological tools and knowledge to identify and avoid scams while maintaining confidence in digital communication.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Khyaal and Truecaller have partnered to protect seniors from fraud through a 50% discount on Truecaller Premium membership and co-created educational initiatives including "New Scam Highlights" sessions, "Spot the Scam" workshops, and testimonials from seniors who avoided scams. The program will be delivered digitally through the Khyaal app and in-person at Khyaal's "50Above50" events, combining advanced caller identification technology with fraud awareness education to help seniors identify and avoid scam attempts.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are exploiting the summer holiday season in the UK through sophisticated scams including AI-generated fake travel websites, bogus delivery notifications (parcel scam searches up 400%), and fraudulent accommodation bookings, with victims losing hundreds to thousands of pounds and risking identity theft and account compromise. August is identified as a peak fraud month when people's guards are lowered by holiday distractions, and sharing travel details online—such as boarding passes on social media—further exposes victims to targeted attacks and personal data theft.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency user lost $3.05 million in a sophisticated phishing scam after signing a malicious transaction that granted a scammer long-term wallet access through an ERC-20 token approval; the attacker waited over 458 days until the victim's balance was substantial before executing the theft in August. This incident exemplifies a growing trend of delayed approval-based scams where once users sign approval transactions, the permissions remain active indefinitely unless manually revoked, creating extended vulnerabilities. Security analysts warn that users often lack awareness of active token approvals, and while tools exist to revoke permissions, associated gas fees deter action, leaving victims with limited recourse as blockchain transfers are typically
womansworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Hallmark Channel and actor Tyler Hynes warned fans about a widespread Instagram scam in which impersonators claiming to be Hallmark stars direct-message fans asking for money, often claiming romantic interest and using AI-generated videos and audio to appear authentic. Hallmark advised fans to never send money to anyone claiming to be a celebrity, to verify official accounts are verified and legitimate, and to adjust privacy settings so only confirmed followers can send direct messages.
nltimes.nl
· 2025-12-08
A Dutch survey of over 21,000 adults found that 22 percent have been victims of cybercrime, with phishing being most common but online sales fraud causing the most damage; 51 percent of victims suffered financial losses, and seniors who were victimized lost significantly more money (one in three lost at least 1,000 euros) compared to younger victims. Despite the prevalence of cybercrime, only 36 percent of victims reported incidents to police, and just 12 percent of reports resulted in arrests. The survey revealed that cybercrime affects both younger and older adults equally, though seniors experience greater psychological effects and financial harm, with common scams including dating app romance schemes
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams have surged significantly in recent years, with victims losing over $220 million in the first half of 2024 as scammers impersonate recruiters via text, email, and fake postings on legitimate job sites to steal money and personal information. Experts advise job-seekers to avoid unsolicited offers, never provide sensitive personal data or payment upfront, and be particularly cautious of remote work opportunities promising high pay for minimal effort. The rise of remote work and AI technologies have made these scams easier to execute and harder to trace.
fintech.global
· 2025-12-08
A UK study by Yaspa found that over 40% of fraud victims in the past year recovered no losses, with only 19% retrieving their full amounts—the average loss was £765 with just 34% recovered overall. Men lost significantly more than women (£943 vs. £476 average), and Northern Ireland experienced the highest regional losses at £2,290, while online shopping, fake emails, and Facebook Marketplace were the most common fraud platforms. The research highlights that push payment fraud is particularly difficult to recover from, though emerging AI-powered scams and lack of consumer awareness pose growing threats despite 75% of respondents claiming confidence in identifying fraud.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oregon Department of Justice warned residents of a rising "gold bar" scam targeting Pacific Northwest residents, in which scammers impersonating banks or government agencies convince victims their accounts are compromised and pressure them to purchase gold bars and hand them over to couriers. Recent victims in Eastern Oregon lost significant amounts—one woman lost $600,000 with an additional $300,000 in gold bars prevented by police intervention, and another lost $60,000 in a related silver bar scam. Officials emphasized that no legitimate financial institution or government agency requests customers to liquidate assets into gold and transfer them to strangers.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
WhatsApp removed 6.8 million accounts linked to "pig butchering" scams, which combine romance-baiting with fake investment fraud schemes that often result in cryptocurrency losses. Scammers used AI tools like ChatGPT to generate initial contact messages, then moved victims to Telegram where they were shown fake profits before requesting real money deposits. A study of 236 major cryptocurrency scam cases found total losses exceeding $60 billion, with pig butchering schemes accounting for 39 cases and representing one of the most damaging forms of fraud due to extended manipulation periods lasting months or years.
reddit.com
· 2025-12-08
A Toronto man lost nearly $200,000 in a romance scam that began in March 2025 when he connected with someone posing as "Pierre" on a dating app. After months of building trust through daily communication and video calls, the scammer convinced Aning to invest in a cryptocurrency platform by claiming he could help fund Aning's $120,000 MBA goal, but the funds became inaccessible for withdrawal. This case exemplifies a broader trend affecting over 1,000 Canadians in 2024 alone, with combined losses exceeding $58 million, as scammers use psychological manipulation and organized tactics to exploit victims' basic human needs for connection an
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Bengaluru has experienced a surge in online dating scams where fraudsters build emotional relationships with victims on matrimonial and dating apps before exploiting them through sextortion or fake investment schemes. Recent cases include a 32-year-old software engineer who lost Rs 79.3 lakh investing in a fraudulent trading app and a 37-year-old businessman who lost Rs 5.5 lakh in a sextortion scam. Cybercrime police advise against sharing personal or financial information with online strangers and warn against promises of quick financial returns.
vocal.media
· 2025-12-08
This is a poetic testimony about healthcare access denial for low-income seniors and disabled adults, not a fraud case. The piece criticizes proposed Medicaid cuts (including $1 trillion over a decade via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) that would implement work requirements and eligibility checks, potentially pushing millions—especially elderly and vulnerable populations—off coverage, while highlighting how seniors are denied necessary procedures like bone grafts due to financial barriers rather than medical necessity.
2urbangirls.com
· 2025-12-08
**Incident:** A wildfire survivor in Ventura County filed a lawsuit against ServPro Global DRT alleging fraud, elder abuse, and property destruction following the November 2024 Camarillo Mountain Wildfire. The contractor allegedly performed unauthorized restoration work on the plaintiff's property, caused significant damage to HVAC systems and structural components, then demanded over $62,000 and filed a fraudulent mechanic's lien against the property when challenged. The California Contractors State License Board identified multiple violations including lack of proper contracts, failure to provide required senior cancellation rights, and use of unregistered sales personnel, supporting allegations of predatory fraud targeting vulnerable disaster survivors.
kclu.org
· 2025-12-08
Santa Barbara County authorities arrested Caihong Lee after she attempted to collect $30,000 from a 77-year-old Goleta woman who had been scammed in a phone fraud scheme claiming her bank accounts were breached. Two other victims in the Tri-Counties lost tens of thousands of dollars in the same scam wave before this attempted theft was stopped. Authorities advise older adults to verify account issues directly with their banks using official contact numbers, avoid urgent money requests, and report suspicious calls immediately.
postcrescent.com
· 2025-12-08
A Grand Chute woman was defrauded of over $2.2 million in gold bars in a scam where she believed she was protecting her money, leading to federal charges against Antonio Peña and Brandi Durst for money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud. The scammers posed as Microsoft representatives, bank officials, and government agents to build trust, isolated victims from family members, and convinced them to convert retirement funds into gold bars, which the defendants would then steal. Gold bar scams have become increasingly common and specifically target elderly populations, as gold is difficult to trace and perceived as secure, making it ideal for money laundering schemes.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting the extreme popularity and scarcity of Labubu plush toys, with the Better Business Bureau receiving 71 reports of Labubu-related scams where consumers received counterfeit products or nothing at all. To protect themselves, consumers should shop from reputable retailers, avoid suspicious sponsored ads with heavily discounted prices, verify customer reviews, use secure payment methods like credit cards rather than peer-to-peer apps, and research websites for scam reports before purchasing.
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
**Labubi Toy Scams**
The Better Business Bureau has warned consumers about fraudulent Labubi toy sales, primarily advertised on social media platforms like TikTok, where victims either received counterfeit dolls or nothing at all. Scammers marketed the fake toys on social media, collected payment, then disappeared without shipping products or refunds. The BBB recommends purchasing Labubi toys only from established toy retailers and verified online stores to avoid these scams.
myeasternshoremd.com
· 2025-12-08
Queen Anne's County Sheriff Gary Hofmann presented a seminar to the Chamber of Commerce outlining common scams targeting businesses and individuals, including phishing emails, stolen credit card fraud, fake invoices, prepaid gift card demands, check washing, and tech support impersonation. He recommended protective measures such as verifying charitable organizations before donating, implementing multi-factor authentication, monitoring accounts with alerts, requiring dual signatures on checks, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. Hofmann emphasized that scammers exploit fear and urgency, so slowing down and validating requests is essential to prevention.
wymt.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to clone victims' voices from social media, voicemails, or brief audio clips, then impersonating those individuals to pressure friends and family members into sending money under the guise of emergencies. Officials recommend verifying the identity of callers through alternative communication methods, being cautious of demanding or pressured requests, and reporting suspected scams to protect others from similar schemes.