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in Scam Awareness
kktv.com
Text message phishing scams are among the most common fraud tactics targeting potential victims, with scammers impersonating shipping companies like USPS, UPS, or FedEx to claim packages are undeliverable and trick recipients into clicking links or calling numbers to provide payment or device access. Experts advise recipients to avoid clicking links or calling numbers in unsolicited texts, delete messages from unknown senders, and expect an increase in such scams during the holiday season. Those who encounter fraud can report it to AARP ElderWatch at 1-800-222-4444 (option 2).
wccbcharlotte.com
Scammers are sending extortion emails that include photos of victims' houses obtained from Google Street View, threatening to expose supposed explicit content videos and demanding Bitcoin payment within a short timeframe. The emails falsely claim the scammers have stolen passwords, installed malware, and recorded victims through their cameras, but these threats are fabricated—the scammers have no actual compromising videos or camera access. Victims should not pay the ransom or respond to emails, and should instead report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Division at IC3.gov.
wbbjtv.com
Scammers are sending sextortion emails that include photos of victims' houses obtained from Google Street View, claiming to have compromising videos and demanding Bitcoin ransom while threatening to expose the content to contacts. The scams exploit data from previous breaches to personalize threats and create false credibility, though scammers do not actually possess any videos or camera access. Victims should not pay ransom or respond to emails but instead report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Division, monitor their credit, and check for unauthorized charges.
news.trendmicro.com
This article identifies three active scams: the PayPal invoice scam (fraudsters impersonating "Exceed in Coding LLC" send fake invoices to obtain personal financial information via phone), hotel phishing scams (scammers contact victims through legitimate travel agency chat systems with malicious links to steal credentials), and fake payment scams on marketplace sites (scammers send fraudulent payment confirmations to trick sellers into releasing items without payment). The article advises readers to verify sources, avoid clicking suspicious links, and remain skeptical of unexpected payment requests.
cnet.com
Credit card fraud affects approximately 60% of US credit card holders, with 52 million Americans experiencing fraudulent charges totaling over $5 billion last year, particularly during high-spending periods like Black Friday. Common scams include gift card fraud (where criminals pose as officials demanding payment via gift cards), fake charity websites, cloned shopping sites with nearly identical URLs, phone scams requesting card information, and credit card skimmers on unattended payment terminals. To protect themselves, consumers should monitor credit reports weekly through annualcreditreport.com, only shop on secure encrypted sites (https://), verify charity legitimacy through the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search tool, and be suspicious of unsolic
thealpenanews.com
A caller impersonating "Jack Jones" from Dish Network convinced the author's wife to provide her debit card information by claiming a mandatory $149.99 software update fee was required within 24 hours to maintain service, with a promised $15/month credit over 36 months. The author discovered the scam after returning home, confirmed it with Dish Network customer service, and took immediate protective measures including moving funds and canceling the debit card, noting that the scam's sophisticated nature—mimicking legitimate service procedures—would be particularly dangerous for elderly or cognitively declining seniors.
prnewswire.com
A married senior couple lost $30 million in a coordinated fraud scheme involving impersonation, cryptocurrency transfers, and alleged negligence by Charles Schwab, Bank of America, and Unchained Trading. Scammers used confidential information from Schwab's 2023 data breach to convince the victims their investment accounts were compromised, then directed them to liquidate assets and convert funds to cryptocurrency. The lawsuit alleges that all three institutions failed to implement proper Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) protocols despite clear red flags of elder financial abuse and identity theft, and instead attempted to upsell additional services rather than halt the fraudulent transactions
wthr.com
A 90-year-old in Noblesville, Indiana, received a threatening letter claiming to be a "Final demand for payment" from a fake "Tax Processing Unit" demanding $8,000 for unpaid taxes, which her family identified as a scam by noting the urgency, lack of online payment option, and absence of verifiable contact information. The FBI reports that scams targeting people 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with victims averaging $33,915 in losses, as scammers exploit seniors' politeness, savings, and reluctance to report fraud.
thefamuanonline.com
Spam calls and communication fraud have become widespread globally, with scammers frequently targeting older adults aged 65 and up, who lose an average of $35,000 per victim according to Elder Affairs Florida. In response, Florida enacted House Bill 1171 effective October 1, which reclassifies fraud charges targeting seniors, minors, and people with disabilities to more severe felony levels—elevating misdemeanors to third-degree felonies and increasing penalties for higher-level offenses. The law also allows victims whose images or likenesses were used fraudulently to pursue legal action, while the Federal Trade Commission recommends protective measures such as avoiding unknown emails, securing personal information,
theguardian.com
In summer 2020, a 28-year-old woman lost £18,000 to a bank impersonation scam where fraudsters posed as her bank's fraud team and instructed her to move funds to a "safe" account. Though she was eventually reimbursed by her bank, the experience caused severe psychological distress including suicidal ideation. The article highlights growing evidence that fraud victims experience significant mental health impacts—with research showing 60-69% of UK fraud victims report negative effects on mental health including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem—and notes that psychological harm from scams is not simply proportional to financial loss but depends on factors like social support, existing
the-independent.com
A journalist was scammed out of £240 after being contacted via Facebook Messenger by someone posing as a casual acquaintance offering Coldplay concert tickets; the account had been hacked, and the fraudster exploited the victim's desire to help a friend and emotional connection to manipulate the transaction. The scam exemplifies how criminals exploit social media trust networks and personal relationships, targeting people's emotions rather than relying on obviously suspicious tactics, and demonstrates that social media platforms struggle to combat these increasingly sophisticated fraud techniques.
indiatoday.in
A 57-year-old man from Mangaluru lost Rs 56.7 lakh in a task-based scam where he was initially promised small payments for liking and subscribing to YouTube videos, then lured into depositing increasingly larger amounts through a Telegram group with false promises of high returns. After receiving minimal returns totaling Rs 52,000, the scammers stopped responding and disappeared, prompting the victim to file a case with cyber police under the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The incident highlights a growing trend of social media-based fraud where victims are baited with easy money schemes before being exploited for larger deposits.
larimer.gov
An 85-year-old man and 83-year-old woman in California fell victim to a tech support scam after clicking a popup that directed them to call "Microsoft Support Services"; the suspect collected $30,000 from them in person and later attempted to extort an additional $70,000 in gold bars. Arashdeep Dhaliwal was arrested in April 2024 when he returned to collect the gold and subsequently pleaded guilty to felony theft, receiving 30 days jail time at work release, 3 years supervised probation, and ordered to pay $30,000 in restitution to the victims.
kcra.com
Scammers increasingly impersonate major brands including PayPal, Amazon, and Best Buy's Geek Squad to defraud consumers, according to FTC data. While Geek Squad is the most impersonated brand through fake service renewal emails, Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House scams generate the largest financial losses, with $60 million lost to Microsoft impersonation scams in 2023. The FTC recommends verifying suspicious claims by contacting companies directly through official websites or checking accounts directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
allens.com.au
Scammers are increasingly impersonating law firms and other reputable organizations through sophisticated fraudulent emails featuring fake logos, legitimate-looking addresses, and urgent language to deceive recipients into providing personal information, clicking malicious links, or making payments to fraudulent accounts. Common tactics include fake copyright notices, requests for immediate action, and fund recovery offers. To protect yourself, verify sender email addresses carefully, watch for urgent or threatening language and poor grammar, avoid clicking links or attachments from suspicious emails, and report suspicious communications directly to the organization's official contact channels.
democratandchronicle.com
The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles warned of a surge in online car sale scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, where stolen vehicles with altered identification numbers and forged titles are being sold to unsuspecting buyers. As of October 15, the DMV had recovered 228 stolen vehicles, with 149 purchased by victims through online private sales. The DMV recommends buyers verify the seller's identity and title, match VINs, check theft and mileage records, use cashier's checks, and be wary of unlicensed sellers using out-of-state documentation.
scamwatch.gov.au
Criminals are sending emails falsely claiming to have hacked victims' computers or webcams and threatening to release compromising sexual images unless cryptocurrency is paid, using personal details from public data breaches to increase credibility. There is no evidence these scammers actually have access to victims' devices; recipients should delete emails, not pay, and report to authorities if they believe their information has been compromised. Hundreds of people have been targeted with this sextortion scam, and support services are available for those affected.
nbcmiami.com
Wanda Tima, who operated "The Haitian American" Facebook page with over 460,000 followers, fell victim to a phishing scam when she clicked a malicious email link during a fake podcast interview request, allowing a hacker to take control of her account and post political content. Cybersecurity experts note that phishing attacks are increasingly difficult to detect because scammers exploit publicly available personal information from multiple sources, and recommend using two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and avoiding suspicious links to prevent such attacks. Tima regained control of her page after nearly two weeks and reported the incident to Meta.
emporiagazette.com
The 22nd annual Senior Life Fair in Lyon County held an educational event focused on scam prevention, attracting hundreds of seniors to learn about fraud risks and community resources. Kansas Assistant Attorney General Melanie Jack delivered the keynote address emphasizing the prevalence of scams targeting seniors, including romance scams and internet-based fraud, while noting that fraud against Kansas residents over 60 is now treated as a criminal investigation. Nearly 40 vendors provided information on senior services, health screenings, and safety topics.
local3news.com
The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office will host a Senior Scam Awareness Seminar on Friday at the Whitfield County Senior Center to educate seniors on protecting themselves from fraud. Detective Brandon Fincher will lead the 45-minute session covering personal safety, crimes of opportunity, email scams, and fraud reporting resources. Interested seniors can reserve a spot by calling 706-278-3700.
newsbytesapp.com
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters employing impersonation, voice-changing technology, and emotional manipulation to steal money and personal information from victims. Common schemes include "nude video call" blackmail on WhatsApp, voice-mimicking scams impersonating distressed family members, fake customs fees for parcels, lottery winnings requiring upfront payments, and romance scams. The article advises verifying caller identities through callbacks, avoiding unsolicited video calls from unknown numbers, confirming with legitimate companies before payments, and exercising caution when sharing personal information with people met only online.
valleybreeze.com
Elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent nationally in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, with Rhode Islanders over 60 losing $7.4 million to scams. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, AARP Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island State Police held an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit to educate older adults on detecting and reporting fraud, emphasizing that tech support, romance, and investment scams are among the most common schemes targeting seniors. Experts stressed that victims should report incidents immediately and stay informed about evolving scams, noting that sophisticated criminals use artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation rather than targeting inherent vulnerabilities in older adults.
emarketer.com
Financial scams targeting seniors have doubled in both victim numbers and financial losses over the past four years, with reported losses reaching $3.4 billion in 2023, though actual figures are likely significantly higher according to the FBI and American Banker. Many elder scams are particularly difficult to detect because victims willingly initiate the fraudulent transactions themselves.
pmg-ky3.com
Scams and fraud have surged nationwide, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting scams more than doubled in 2020, Kentucky alone losing $13 million in 2021, and elder fraud reports to the FBI increasing 62% between 2020-2021. Elderly residents are disproportionately affected but often fail to report incidents due to embarrassment, while criminals employ evolving tactics including skimming devices, robocalls (60% of U.S. calls in 2022), phishing emails, and business impersonation schemes. Detective Dean Hutchinson recommends verifying caller identities independently, ignoring unsolicited bank emails, and being cautious with payment apps
kkam.com
A scam targeting Amarillo and Canyon residents involves individuals posing as representatives of churches or charitable ministries who solicit payment for spaghetti dinner fundraisers, claiming proceeds will support causes like prison ministry or youth drug prevention programs, but never deliver the promised meals. The scam is effective because perpetrators appear legitimate and professional while appealing to victims' charitable instincts. To avoid this fraud, residents should verify organizations independently through phone calls and online research, ask detailed questions, use card payments for dispute protection, and confirm legitimacy before purchasing.
fox35orlando.com
The Seminole County Sheriff's Office warned the public about romance scams after the FBI reported that nearly 20,000 Americans lost over $700 million to these schemes in 2022. The advisory outlined two common tactics: "stuck" scammers who build romantic connections then request money for travel emergencies, and "investment" scammers who pose as romantic interests to manipulate victims into depositing tens of thousands of dollars into fake investment accounts that eventually lock. Authorities recommend using dating app verification tools and reporting suspected scams to the sheriff's office.
newsaegis.com
This educational piece outlines cybersecurity best practices for Cybersecurity Awareness Month, emphasizing three core strategies: staying suspicious, stopping to think, and staying protected. The article identifies common scam tactics targeting all consumers—particularly elderly, lonely, and disabled individuals—including fear-based language, artificial urgency, and false promises of money, and recommends protective measures such as using password managers, enabling multi-factor verification, avoiding personal information requests in online quizzes, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC or free resources like the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
einpresswire.com
Nearly 80 million U.S. consumers (30% of the population) lost an average of $545 to scams between 2020-2024, with identity theft being the most common type and romance scams causing the largest financial impact at nearly $2,000 per victim. While 69-74% of victims recovered some losses through their banks or credit card issuers, over half considered switching financial institutions, and consumers identified advanced fraud detection and AI-based monitoring technologies as the most important safeguard against future scams.
kiro7.com
According to the FTC, seniors reported losing more than $1.9 billion to fraud last year, with bank transfers and cryptocurrency being the most commonly exploited payment methods; however, the agency estimates total senior fraud losses could reach as high as $61.5 billion when accounting for unreported incidents. Romance scams and business impostor schemes are prevalent, with victims often reluctant to report due to shame or fear of being perceived as incapable by family members. The FTC has launched the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group and is seeking congressional amendments to strengthen its ability to recover funds for victims and prevent criminals from retaining illegally obtained profits.
bankingjournal.aba.com
Crypto investment scams have cost Americans billions of dollars, typically beginning with confidence or romance scams before escalating to demands for larger investments. FBI and CFTC officials discuss common typologies, warning signs for financial institutions, and how banks can partner with law enforcement to combat these schemes. The agencies have jointly developed educational materials to help identify and prevent crypto investment fraud.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
Older adults reported $1.9 billion in fraud losses in 2023, though the FTC estimates actual losses may have reached $61.5 billion when accounting for underreporting. Adults aged 60+ are significantly more vulnerable to specific scam types, including tech support scams (5x more likely), prize/lottery scams (3x more likely), and investment scams (which increased 34% year-over-year), with romance and business imposter scams also rising notably. The FTC and Senate Special Committee on Aging are expanding consumer education programs and partnerships to combat these increasingly sophisticated scams.
boston25news.com
Seniors reported losing more than $1.9 billion to fraud last year, with actual losses potentially reaching $61.5 billion when accounting for unreported cases, according to an FTC report highlighting romance scams, business impostor schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud as major threats. Older Americans face particular vulnerability due to retirement funds, life insurance proceeds, and assets that criminals target, and many victims avoid reporting due to shame or fear of being perceived as incapable. The FTC is strengthening protections through the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group and seeking congressional amendments to expand refund authority, while experts emphasize the need for banks and law enforcement to deploy advanced technology and increase criminal prosecution efforts.
abnnewswire.net
Research from 2024 found that approximately 30% of U.S. consumers lost money to scams between 2020-2024, with nearly 80 million Americans affected and average losses of $545 per victim. Identity theft was the most common scam type (24% of victims), while romance scams caused the highest financial impact with average losses of nearly $2,000 and longer victim engagement. Nearly 70% of victims recovered some losses through their banks, though 54% considered switching financial institutions following the incident, with 59% identifying enhanced fraud detection technology as the most important fraud safeguard.
ahmedabadmirror.com
This educational article outlines common online scams targeting consumers during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, including romance scams (which prey on isolated individuals over extended periods), job scams (impersonating recruiters to steal money or personal information), investment scams (get-rich-quick schemes often involving cryptocurrency), and quiz scams (harvesting personal data for account breaches). The article provides warning signs and protective measures for each scam type, such as reverse-image searching suspicious photos, verifying job offers directly with companies, researching investment opportunities independently, and avoiding online quizzes that collect personal information.
valpo.life
**SMiShing Scam Overview:**
SMiShing is a phishing attack using text messages where scammers impersonate banks, government agencies, and other trusted sources to trick victims into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information like passwords and credit card details. Common tactics include fake bank alerts about account issues, delivery notifications, government refund claims, and prize offers—all designed to exploit urgency and fear. Red flags include unsolicited messages, generic greetings, suspicious links, and requests for sensitive information; victims should verify requests directly with their bank, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, and report suspicious texts to authorities.
foxnews.com
This educational piece warns that AI-powered misinformation poses significant cybersecurity risks during elections, with bad actors using generative AI to rapidly create fake news, deepfakes, phishing emails, and coordinated social media campaigns. A Trend Micro study found a critical gap in consumer awareness: while 79% of U.S. respondents felt confident identifying online scams, 62% actually failed to recognize a specific scam example, suggesting people underestimate the sophistication of AI-generated election-related misinformation. The article advises readers to recognize that election-related scams and misinformation have become increasingly difficult to spot without proper awareness and skepticism of suspicious content.
visionsfcu.org
"Smishing" scams impersonate Visions and other financial organizations via text messages to trick members into revealing login credentials, secure access codes, or account information through fake webpages and fraudulent phone calls. The article provides examples of common scams and prevention strategies, recommending that recipients avoid clicking links, verify sender numbers against official Visions contact information, and call the official contact center at 800.242.2120 to confirm legitimacy.
cbsnews.com
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison shut down two fraudulent debt settlement companies, Financial Solutions Group and Accelerated Debt Settlement, that illegally collected fees and misrepresented their services, securing over $1 million in refunds for affected Minnesota clients. Warning signs of debt settlement scams include substantial upfront fees, promises of specific results, and lack of clear service information; consumers should seek help from legitimate nonprofit credit counseling organizations and be wary of claims that sound too good to be true.
crowell.com
Scammers are increasingly targeting System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registrations used by federal contractors through phishing emails impersonating the GSA and fraudulent access requests, aiming to compromise sensitive banking and tax information or divert government payments. Successful attacks can result in compromised accounts, modified certifications that jeopardize contract eligibility, or complete registration deletion, halting payments and requiring extensive recovery efforts. Companies can protect themselves by maintaining multiple SAM Administrators, carefully verifying all emails and access requests before clicking links, enabling multifactor authentication, and internally confirming any unexpected access requests before granting approval.
cnn.com
Hundreds of elderly Americans, including those with dementia, have been victimized by deceptive political fundraising tactics from both Republican and Democratic campaigns, with vulnerable donors unknowingly giving away millions of dollars through relentless text messages and emails that automatically enrolled them in recurring donations. A CNN investigation identified over 1,000 government complaints and found that elderly donors lost more than $6 million in a small sample alone, with some individuals giving away six-figure sums from their life savings, predominantly to Republican candidates and former President Donald Trump. The predatory practices exploit cognitive decline by making false urgent pleas for money appear to come directly from major candidates, draining bank accounts without donors' knowledge or consent
wpxi.com
During Medicare open enrollment, seniors are targeted by scammers through unsolicited phone calls, texts, and phishing links seeking their Medicare numbers, which are as sensitive as Social Security numbers. Common tactics include offering lower plan prices, requesting payment for plan selection help, or promising free gifts in exchange for personal information. The Better Business Bureau advises seniors to hang up on unsolicited callers, verify requests directly with legitimate companies like Healthcare.gov or Medicare, and watch for red flags such as pressure to act immediately or offers that seem too good to be true.
dailycitizen.news
A senior scam awareness seminar will be held at the Whitfield County Senior Center on Friday from 11 to 11:45 a.m., led by Detective Brandon Fincher from the Sheriff's Office. The seminar will cover personal safety tips, how to recognize scams, and methods to avoid common fraud, with registration available by calling (706) 278-3700.
wnyt.com
A 21-year-old Boston man was arrested for his role as a courier in a tech support scam that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County resident of approximately $420,000 between June and October 2024. The victim was targeted via a computer pop-up claiming to be from Microsoft, then deceived into believing he was involved in money laundering and instructed to withdraw cash in installments and hand it to couriers; the suspect was arrested after delivering a box of cash to an undercover officer posing as the victim. Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and release
consumervoice.uk
Citizens Advice research found that approximately 9 million people in the UK (18% of the population) fell victim to financial scams in the past year, with over three-quarters of victims exposed through social media. The most common scams included fake debt advice (3 million affected), friend-in-need scams (2.5 million), pension scams (2.5 million), investment scams (2.5 million), and parking QR code fraud (2.5 million), with one cryptocurrency trading scam victim losing his savings, home, and health after being pressured into a fake trading platform.
wpsdlocal6.com
During election season, scammers are exploiting heightened emotions to target donors through unsolicited political donation emails, calls, and social media pop-ups that request money and personal information. Local residents have reported receiving 10-20 fraudulent political emails daily from impostors posing as campaigns, with the Better Business Bureau identifying pushy donation requests, unsolicited links, and reward offers as common red flags. Experts advise researching campaigns before donating, avoiding clicking unsolicited links, and verifying requests directly with official campaign channels rather than responding to incoming communications.
news.abplive.com
A woman lost over Rs 87,000 at Bengaluru International Airport after downloading a fraudulent "Lounge Pass" app when seeking airport lounge access in September 2024. The scammers used the app to gain access to her phone, set up call forwarding, and intercept OTPs to authorize unauthorized transfers to a PhonePe account. She reported the incident to the cybercrime department and urged others to be cautious about downloading unfamiliar apps and to remove unused applications from their devices.
inews.co.uk
Hundreds of pensioners lost their life savings to pension scammers in recent years, with 559 reported cases in the last year resulting in £17.75 million in losses and an average loss of £46,959 per victim. Pension scams take various forms—including fake pension reviews, unauthorized early withdrawals, and fraudulent transfer schemes—and have proliferated through social media and online advertising, exacerbated by economic uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis. Experts argue the UK's pension fraud reporting system is inadequate and call for greater preventative measures and bank protections for vulnerable older customers.
nbcboston.com
Over half of Americans have been targeted by election-related scams, with younger voters particularly vulnerable to fake polls, political donation scams, and disinformation. Common tactics include fraudulent donation schemes where money doesn't reach intended campaigns or involves unauthorized recurring charges, survey scams that harvest personal information for phishing attacks, impersonation scams, and robocalls spreading misinformation. Voters should verify sources before donating, research organizations thoroughly, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report suspected scams to authorities.
theguardian.com
Meta announced a trial program using facial recognition technology to combat celebrity investment scam ads, comparing ad images against public figures' profiles to detect and remove fraudulent content in real time. The December rollout will involve 50,000 opt-out celebrities or public figures worldwide, with the same technology also enabling account recovery through video selfies. Meta acknowledged that while early testing shows promising results, some scams will inevitably slip through as scammers continuously adapt their tactics, and the company faces lawsuits from Andrew Forrest and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over its failure to prevent scams using their images.
bbc.com
Meta is deploying facial recognition technology to combat celebrity scam advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, which fraudulently use celebrities like Elon Musk and Martin Lewis to promote investment schemes and cryptocurrencies. The system compares flagged ad images against celebrities' profile photos to automatically delete confirmed scams, with early testing showing promising results. Additionally, Meta is testing facial recognition for account recovery while acknowledging that scammers increasingly use deepfake technology to create more convincing fraudulent endorsements.