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in Scam Awareness
wtae.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Pittsburgh field office and Highmark are warning of a surge in scams targeting people over 60, which represents a $3 billion annual problem nationally affecting thousands of victims. Common schemes include romance scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, all designed to exploit vulnerable populations. The agencies recommend never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, resisting pressure to act quickly, verifying caller identity through independent contact with authorities, and reporting incidents to law enforcement and financial institutions.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud schemes cost the FBI-reported $3 billion annually, with losses to victims over 60 rising 84% between 2021-2022, prompting the FBI and Highmark to launch a public awareness campaign. Common scams include romance fraud, tech support impersonation, grandparent scams, and fake sweepstakes or charity schemes that exploit seniors' trust and desire for companionship. Protective measures include verifying caller information, resisting pressure to act quickly, and never sharing personal or financial information with unverified contacts.
foxrgv.tv
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Better Business Bureau has issued a public alert about a bail impersonation scam targeting senior citizens in which fraudsters pose as grandchildren or other relatives in legal distress and request urgent bail money via untraceable digital payment platforms like CashApp or WhatsApp. Seniors should be alert to warning signs including unsolicited calls requesting money, urgent payment demands, and pressure to act quickly; those targeted can report incidents to the BBB at 956-969-1804 or bbb.org/scamtracker.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
A joint FBI and Highmark Health initiative reports that elder fraud targeting people 60 and older is rising, with over 88,000 complaints involving romance scams, tech support fraud, and grandparent schemes, though most cases go unreported due to shame and uncertainty about reporting. The report emphasizes that seniors are vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, and scammers use emotional manipulation—invoking joy, hope, or fear—to extract money and personal information, often victimizing the same person repeatedly. Key prevention advice includes hanging up on unsolicited calls, never providing financial information to unknown callers, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement and financial institutions.
29news.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are impersonating Social Security Administration officials in phone scams, claiming victims' Social Security numbers have been suspended or offering higher monthly benefits to obtain personal information. AARP Virginia warns that scammers, who often already possess the last four digits of victims' numbers from dark web sources, are targeting people daily to steal complete Social Security numbers for fraud; imposter scams resulted in over $617 million in reported theft in 2023.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams impersonating the U.S. Postal Service generate traffic volumes nearly equal to the legitimate USPS website, particularly during holiday shopping seasons, according to Akamai research. Scammers use "combosquatting" techniques—adding keywords to fake domain names—to deceive victims into revealing personal information or sending money, with smishing (SMS phishing) attacks impersonating delivery services ranking among the top three most common fraud methods globally. The FTC reported over 330,000 business impersonation scams in 2023 resulting in $1.1 billion in losses, with delivery service impersonation attacks being especially lucrative for fraudsters
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens are increasingly targeted in digital fraud schemes, with scammers using sophisticated methods including automated IVR systems, social engineering, and fear-based tactics to manipulate victims into revealing OTPs or sensitive information that enable unauthorized bank transfers. The article identifies the banking system as both the vulnerability enabling these crimes and the potential chokepoint for stopping them, noting that current systems lack the speed and integration needed to trace and recover stolen funds effectively. The author recommends immediate protective measures including education about common scam tactics, two-factor authentication, avoiding sharing sensitive information over phone or email, and regular financial monitoring while calling for systemic improvements to banking and cybercrime infrastructure.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians aged over 65 experienced a 13.3% increase in scam losses totaling $120 million, bucking the national trend of overall scam losses declining by 13.1% to $2.74 billion. Seniors were disproportionately targeted by investment scams discovered on social media and via phone calls, with one elderly woman losing her life savings after clicking a deepfake Elon Musk video that promised investment returns she could not withdraw. The ACCC reports that scammers specifically target older Australians with retirement savings, while text message scams increased 37.3% overall and job scams more than double
choice.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia reported $2.74 billion in scam losses in 2023, a 13% decline from 2022, though people aged 65 and over bucked this trend with losses increasing 13.3% to $120 million, often involving social media-based investment scams targeting retirement savings. Investment scams led all fraud types at $1.3 billion in total losses, while job scams surged over 150%, disproportionately affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The ACCC's coordinated multi-agency approach is credited with helping reduce overall losses, though advocates call for stronger consumer protections and greater accountability from tech platforms facilitating scam activity.
hellocare.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australian seniors aged 65 and above lost more than $2.7 billion to scams across over 601,000 reported cases, representing a significant increase from 2022's 507,000 reports. Investment scams were the leading threat, accounting for $1.3 billion in losses, followed by remote access scams ($256 million), romance scams ($201.1 million), and phishing scams ($137.4 million), with tactics including deepfake videos and celebrity impersonations. The ACCC reports that the true scale is likely much larger, as an estimated one in three victims never report their fraud, and the government has launche
popsci.com
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams resulted in over $1.1 billion in losses during 2023, with victims losing an average of $2,000 each across all age groups and demographics, though experts believe actual scam incidents are significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment. Match Group, which operates popular dating platforms including Tinder, Match.com, and OkCupid, faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny for inadequate fraud prevention despite claims of $125 million invested in safety measures and removal of 96% of scam accounts daily. The FTC advises users to avoid sending money to online contacts they haven't met in person, conduct reverse image searches on photos, and report suspected scams to
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Yahoo Boys" scam is a sophisticated romance fraud scheme primarily conducted by Nigerian cybercriminals using deepfake technology to impersonate romantic interests via video calls. Scammers use face-swapping software on secondary devices to create realistic digital masks of fabricated identities, which they transmit to victims during video calls to build trust before manipulating them into transferring money. The FBI has reported over $650 million in losses to romance scams of this type, making deepfake-enabled catfishing significantly more dangerous than traditional romance fraud.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Renato Calalang, a 60-year-old Australian warehouse worker, lost nearly $150,000 in life savings to an inheritance scam after receiving an email from someone claiming to be a Philippine bank owner offering him a €3.8 million inheritance from a deceased cousin. The scammer, posing as "Steve Golds," provided forged documents including a death certificate and instructed Calalang to open a new bank account and deposit funds to facilitate the transfer, exploiting Calalang's family ties to the Philippines and his trust in his existing bank. After months of transfers and communication, Calalang realized he had been defrauded and lost his retirement
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau reports an increase in door-to-door sales calls for services like paving, security alarms, and magazine subscriptions, warning that while many salespeople are legitimate, others use high-pressure tactics to make quick sales. The BBB recommends consumers verify licensing and identity, check company legitimacy, carefully review contracts, be aware of recurring subscription costs, know their three-day cancellation rights under FTC rules, and refuse entry or contact police if salespeople become aggressive.
wishtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting new beneficial ownership disclosure requirements by sending fake forms to small business owners and demanding payment to file them. Business owners should ignore unsolicited beneficial ownership notices, avoid opening related emails or scanning QR codes, and instead consult their lawyer or CPA for proper guidance on legitimate filing procedures.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams on dating apps cost Americans over $650 million in 2022, with the FTC reporting even higher losses of $1.3 billion and alleging that 25-30% of daily Match.com sign-ups were scammers. These scams, which primarily target older adults, include phishing attacks and sextortion schemes, and victims rarely recover their stolen funds due to the difficulty of tracing money once it leaves the country. Match Group's CEO acknowledged empathy for victims but emphasized the company's focus on platform safety, though the FTC has filed a lawsuit against the company over inadequate fraud prevention measures.
messagemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
The Senior LinkAge Line offered two educational classes on May 8 covering health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for older adults. Attendees learned to detect and report Medicare fraud and scams, protect their Medicare beneficiary numbers, and review their Medicare paperwork, with instruction provided by the Senior Medicare Patrol federal education program.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Australians lost $2.7 billion to 601,000 reported scams in the past year, representing a 13.1% decrease in losses despite an 18.5% increase in reported incidents, according to the Australian Anti-Scam Centre. Investment scams caused the most harm ($1.3 billion), followed by remote access scams ($256 million) and romance scams ($201.1 million), with people over 65 being disproportionately affected—experiencing a 13.3% increase in losses to $120 million and being particularly vulnerable to investment and social media-initiated scams. Text messages were the most common contact method for scams
jamaica-gleaner.com
· 2025-12-08
Jamaican lottery scammers are adopting new tactics by gaining control of elderly US victims' bank accounts to make fraudulent purchases and transfers, replacing traditional money-laundering methods like remittance companies and money mules. Recent cases include using stolen debit cards to purchase vehicles in Japan and attempting to secure loans in victims' names, with authorities confiscating over 100 debit cards linked to major American banks since the start of the year. According to FBI data, Americans over 60 lost US$3.1 billion to various scams in 2022, a 121 percent increase from the previous year.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses Indian political parties' election manifestos regarding senior citizens' welfare. While BJP and Congress have included some provisions—such as railway concessions, pension increases, healthcare expansion, digital literacy training, and age-friendly infrastructure—NGO representatives argue that neither party has fully committed to implementing the National Policy on Senior Citizens, which encompasses financial security, protection against abuse, and comprehensive support services. The article notes that digital scams targeting seniors are a particular concern, with some elderly voters considering NOTA votes if their demands for complete policy implementation are not assured.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Match Group CEO Bernard Kim stated that while the company invests over $125 million annually to protect customers and removes 96% of fraudulent accounts within a day, he acknowledged romance scams with a dismissive "things happen in life" when asked about victims who lost their life savings. A CBS News investigation found that overseas-based romance scammers stole over $1 billion in 2023, affecting tens of thousands of victims—including younger, wealthier, and better-educated individuals, with an estimated 40% being men—with the FBI attributing the sharp increase since 2017 to the proliferation of dating sites.
muskoka411.com
· 2025-12-08
Kaspersky's 2024 survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% overall falling victim to scams. Phishing attacks increased 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering across social media, gaming, banking, and cryptocurrency platforms. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want new privacy regulations and 77% are concerned about AI-generated deepfakes, while experts recommend users employ multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and skepticism when clicking links.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
India registered 1.13 million fraud cases in 2023, with "pig butchering" emerging as a growing cyber scam where fraudsters build trust with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake opportunities or job offers. The scam relies on emotional manipulation and fake investment platforms or job postings, with victims ultimately losing significant sums once trust is established. To protect against these scams, individuals should verify investment and job offers thoroughly, avoid sharing personal financial information with online strangers, resist pressure to make rushed financial decisions, and consult trusted advisors before proceeding with any financial transactions.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
The author, a business journalist, shares a personal experience of falling victim to an elaborate scam where fraudsters impersonated FedEx and Mumbai Cyber Crime officials, keeping him on the phone for over two hours and convincing him his Aadhar number was used to send drugs internationally; he lost personal documents in the process. The piece warns readers that sophisticated scams involving fake video calls with uniformed "officials," automated calls, multiple perpetrators, and forged documents are increasingly common, and advises maximum caution against unsolicited calls claiming to be from authorities like Trai or law enforcement.
e-know.ca
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams, where perpetrators contact elderly individuals claiming to be distressed family members in need of immediate money, continue to affect victims across British Columbia, with scammers now using AI-assisted voice manipulation to increase authenticity. The fraud typically requests payment via wire transfers or cryptocurrency ATMs, making recovery nearly impossible, though anyone can become a target regardless of age. To protect against these scams, people should verify caller identities independently, avoid sending money immediately, and report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
mauinow.com
· 2025-12-08
Following the August Maui wildfires, residents rebuilding their homes face increased risk from fraudulent contractors who exploit disaster survivors' vulnerability through high-pressure sales tactics, fake discounts, and promises of quick completion. A retired San Diego prosecutor warned that post-disaster scams are common and sophisticated, often involving organized crime rings using cryptocurrency payments, and advised victims to obtain multiple quotes, verify contractor licenses, avoid cash payments, and reject time-limited offers. Key warning signs include pressure tactics, unsolicited contact, and claims of special discounts or fake home inspections.
petapixel.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost $50,000 to a romance scam involving a deepfake video call with someone impersonating Elon Musk on Instagram, who convinced her to transfer funds by promising investment returns. The scammer used AI-generated photos of fake ID cards and deepfake video technology to establish credibility, exemplifying the growing trend of AI-enabled romance fraud that cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022 according to FTC data.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Online dating scams have increased 72% since 2023, with 27% of dating app users targeted and 42% of those actually defrauded, as artificial intelligence tools make romance scams easier to execute and harder to detect. Scammers now use AI-generated images and chatbots to create convincing fake profiles, while legitimate daters also adopt AI for profile optimization and pickup lines. Protection strategies include requesting recent photos, avoiding delayed in-person meetings, refusing to click unknown links, and being alert for bot interactions that may lead to malware or blackmail schemes.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old woman was prevented from losing $10,000 after a vigilant NAB bank teller grew suspicious when the customer attempted to transfer funds to a man she had been communicating with on Tinder for 12 months but never met in person. The scammer had posed as an oil rig worker in Malaysia claiming to be locked out of his Australian bank accounts and needing money to return to the country, using romance scam tactics to build emotional connection through messaging. NAB reported a 29% increase in romance scam reports, with Australians losing an estimated $40 million to such scams in 2023, with those over 55 experiencing the highest
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost 70 million won (approximately ₹41 lakh) in a romance scam after being deceived by a scammer impersonating Elon Musk using deepfake video technology. The scammer built trust over Instagram by sharing fabricated details about Musk's life, conducting a deepfake video call to appear authentic, and then convincing the victim to transfer money to a Korean bank account with promises of investment returns. This incident reflects a growing trend of scammers exploiting the identities of high-profile figures like Musk to defraud vulnerable targets.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Duluth couple lost their entire life savings of $49,000 to phone scammers in February 2024 who impersonated Chase Bank employees by spoofing the bank's phone number and text short code. Despite not sharing passwords, Social Security numbers, or account details, the scammers kept Gloria Moss on the phone for approximately 20 minutes while they drained her account via wire transfer to a Wells Fargo account, from which only $700 was recovered. Chase Bank initially refused to reimburse the couple, claiming they had verified the wire transfer was valid, though Gloria Moss disputed this claim.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI forensic accountant Daniel Booth warns that cryptocurrency scams are increasingly prevalent in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region, representing traditional fraud schemes updated to use digital currency. Three common types include ransomware attacks on businesses (demanding crypto payments for system access), fake tech support scams targeting individuals (gaining remote access to steal financial data), and "pig butchering" schemes (fake investment websites encouraging victims to deposit money with false promises of trading gains, sometimes resulting in loss of life savings). Victims of cryptocurrency fraud are encouraged to report cases to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Las Vegas man exposed a home service scam in which a man posing as an HVAC technician arrived in an unmarked van, claimed his 10-year-old AC unit needed replacement, and offered a $40,000 credit line—a ruse the victim avoided by seeking a second opinion from a trusted company. The scammers impersonated legitimate Nevada energy and air conditioning companies, and authorities believe multiple homeowners were targeted with the same scheme. Victims are advised to request identification, never share personal information over the phone, and report suspicious activity to police or the FTC.
ageuk.org.uk
· 2025-12-08
Age UK's Scams Prevention and Support Programme reports that an average of four people aged 50+ are scammed every minute in England and Wales. Working with over 30,000 older people across 16 local partners, the initiative successfully increased scam awareness and confidence through education and one-to-one support sessions, exceeding its targets. Key challenges identified include older people's reluctance to report scams due to shame, highlighting the need for continued collaboration between community members, policymakers, and industry leaders to combat the fraud epidemic.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2021 and June 2023, Americans lost $2.7 billion to social media scams on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, with investment scams accounting for 53% of total losses despite representing fewer reported incidents than shopping scams. While younger adults and minors are heavily targeted, the article provides protective measures including verifying companies before purchase, using credit cards instead of debit cards, being cautious of unsolicited money requests and romance scams, and avoiding targeted advertising features that scammers exploit.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost over ₹41 lakh to a scammer who impersonated Elon Musk on Instagram using deepfake technology. The scammer built trust by sharing fake work photos, discussing personal details, and conducting a video call using a deepfake video of Musk before convincing the victim to invest money in a fraudulent scheme. This case illustrates the growing threat of deepfake-based romance and investment scams targeting vulnerable individuals globally.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In the first half of 2023, British consumers lost £580 million and US consumers lost $10 billion to various scams including ID theft, bank fraud, police impersonation, and romance scams (which rose 29%). A darker dimension of this fraud involves "cyber slaves"—trafficking victims coerced into scamming others: hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people are tricked into traveling abroad for promised jobs, then imprisoned in compounds where they are forced to conduct scams daily or face starvation and beatings, with their passports and phones confiscated to prevent escape. One Pakistani victim, Ali, was trafficked to Cambodia, paid $5,475 in fees, and force
in.mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost approximately $50,000 (Rs 41.5 lakh) to a scam involving an impersonator posing as Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Instagram. The fraudster built trust by sharing fake identification documents, fabricating details about Musk meetings with South Korean officials, and conducting deepfake video calls before convincing the victim to transfer funds to a bank account allegedly belonging to a Musk employee. The victim initially suspected the impostor but was gradually deceived through increasingly sophisticated social engineering tactics.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated multi-person scam operation targeted an X user in India through impersonation of TRAI and Mumbai Police officials, using an automated call claiming the victim's number would be blocked to initiate an hour-long elaborate scheme involving four different scammers who posed as telecom officials, police officers, and a head constable. The scammers falsely claimed the victim was involved in illegal advertising and a Rs 65-crore money laundering case, attempting to extract personal information including an Aadhaar number, though the victim eventually became suspicious and ended the call. The incident went viral on social media, with multiple users reporting similar scams and sharing fake police identity cards circulated by the
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Birmingham, Alabama woman with medical needs was defrauded of over $200,000 by five individuals employed to care for her, including two live-in caretakers, a house cleaner, and a hairdresser, who were charged with wire fraud and identity theft between December 2020 and February 2022. The perpetrators used the victim's credit card information and banking services to make unauthorized purchases and transfers, with the hairdresser alone charging over $130,000 to her Square account. The case reflects a broader trend of elder financial exploitation in the U.S., with the Treasury reporting approximately $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity in a single year.
ivpressonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Raul Ruiz held a senior fraud awareness seminar in El Centro after his own mother nearly fell victim to a "grandparent scam" in which a scammer impersonated a relative in Mexico requesting $5,000 for bail. The event highlighted that fraud is a national epidemic affecting seniors, with Ruiz noting that 198 fraudulent cases were reported in the prior year (likely representing only a fraction of actual incidents due to underreporting caused by embarrassment and fear), and emphasized the importance of reporting scams to law enforcement and sharing fraud prevention information within communities.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a warning in April 2024 urging consumers attending the NFL Draft in Detroit to watch out for scams including phishing emails, smishing texts, and credit card skimming at ATMs. The advisory provided guidance on avoiding these common fraud tactics, such as not clicking suspicious links, using cash when possible, and monitoring bank statements for unauthorized charges. Victims of fraud were directed to contact local police and the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team for assistance.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for his role in laundering romance scam proceeds, having scammed $2.3 million in funds that he sent to criminal associates in Nigeria using cryptocurrency exchanges. Garcia worked with four other suspects to defraud multiple victims and was ordered to return $464,923.91 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Romance scams have grown significantly, with American victims losing over $1 billion to overseas criminals in 2023, though actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting and the difficulty law enforcement faces in prosecuting transn
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
A Long Island woman lost $468,000 in a romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be an engineer in the Philippines who persuaded her to send money over six months. Compounding her loss, she was subsequently scammed again by fraudsters posing as FBI representatives in online support groups who promised to recover her funds. Experts warn that romance scam money is often irretrievable, particularly when wire transfers or cryptocurrency are used and perpetrators are located overseas.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Lancaster County man lost $165,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being contacted on Facebook by a woman claiming to be "Libby Collins," who persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency. Despite warnings from his bank, Mark Heath sent three wire transfers; investigators have traced $80,000 of the funds to cryptocurrency, with recovery uncertain. The FBI reports romance scams increased 183% last year and often originate from Southeast Asia and China, typically targeting vulnerable individuals living alone.
duanemorris.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2024 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, warning that both simple and sophisticated schemes continue to target taxpayers year-round, with peaks during tax season. The most prevalent scams include phishing and smishing (fraudulent emails and text messages impersonating the IRS or financial organizations to steal personal information) and abusive employee retention credit claims that convince ineligible people to claim false credits. Taxpayers are advised to be cautious of unsolicited communications and verify the authenticity of official-looking emails and texts before providing sensitive information.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kaspersky survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% falling victim to scams overall. Phishing attacks grew 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering to impersonate customer service representatives, daters, and celebrities across dating apps, social media, gaming platforms, and banking sites. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want stronger privacy regulations and that users recognize gaps in their own security habits, with 65% wanting to be more cautious about clicking links and 57
lohud.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Bedford resident was scammed out of $28,000 after responding to a pop-up security alert on their computer and calling the number provided, believing they were contacting Microsoft support. The scammer, identified as Jinguan Li, 48, of Brooklyn, posed as a Microsoft employee and convinced the victim that a cash payment was necessary for computer repairs, which the victim then handed over in person; Li was arrested with over $100,000 in cash and charged with grand larceny. The incident highlights the vulnerability of older adults to pop-up scams and authorities recommend scrutinizing pop-ups before clicking and reporting suspicious activity to banks or police.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
Generation Z Americans are falling victim to online scams at significantly higher rates than older generations, with a 2023 Deloitte survey showing Gen Z is three times more likely to be scammed than baby boomers and twice as likely to have social media accounts hacked; social media scams accounted for 38% of reported losses among people aged 20-29 in 2023. Scammers increasingly use text, email, and social media impersonation rather than phone calls, and exploit victims' familiarity with technology and inadequate cybersecurity education. To protect themselves, people should enable two-step authentication, avoid upfront payment job offers, be skeptical of guaranteed returns