Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
5,829 results
in Government Impersonation
communicationstoday.co.in
· 2026-05-29
Telecom fraud operators from Cambodia and other countries are increasingly moving their operations to Indonesia, prompting the Chinese embassy to warn of rising scams targeting Chinese citizens. Common schemes include impersonation of government officials, currency exchange and visa fraud, investment scams, and "pig butchering" romance scams, with Indonesian authorities dismantling multiple fraud operations and detaining over 550 suspects in recent weeks. Chinese citizens are urged to remain vigilant, verify requests for money or personal information, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
threatfabric.com
· 2026-05-28
Becky Holmes, an author and fraud expert, discusses how romance and fraud scams are evolving and why preventing them requires more than just technology—it demands human understanding and empathy. She became interested in this topic after observing romance scammers on Twitter during the COVID-19 lockdown and subsequently wrote books exploring fraud trends through interviews with victims, experts, and even perpetrators. Holmes emphasizes that effective fraud prevention depends on collaboration between organizations, law enforcement, and communities rather than relying solely on technical tools, since scams exploit trust and emotion that systems alone cannot counter.
mysuncoast.com
· 2026-05-28
Scammers posing as federal law enforcement agents defrauded an 80-year-old Bradenton veteran of $1.4 million by convincing him to purchase gold bars as part of a fake investigation. The scheme was part of a nationwide elder fraud conspiracy; one perpetrator was sentenced to 15.5 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.7 million in restitution. Elderly people should be wary of unsolicited contact from supposed government agents demanding immediate financial action, and should independently verify any claims by contacting official agencies directly.
thenews.com.pk
· 2026-05-28
Investment fraud has surged 87% over two years, with losses nearly doubling from $4.6 billion to $8.6 billion, making it the most lucrative crime for hackers according to the FBI's latest report. Seniors over 60 are particularly vulnerable, losing over $3.5 billion to investment scams last year, though younger investors are increasingly targeted as criminals refine their tactics using AI-generated impersonations and deepfakes. To protect yourself, verify any unsolicited investment opportunities through official regulatory channels, consult a licensed financial advisor before investing, and be wary of promises of unrealistic returns or pressure to act quickly.
aol.com
· 2026-05-28
An 80-year-old Florida veteran lost his entire life savings of $1.4 million in a nationwide gold bar scam where fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials and claimed he had a warrant, convincing him he was assisting in an investigation. The scheme involved multiple perpetrators across several states who used fake government agents and supervisors to gain victims' trust, ultimately directing them to purchase gold bars and deliver them to predetermined locations. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited contact from government agencies claiming you have legal issues, verify any such claims directly with official government offices using independently confirmed phone numbers, and remember that law enforcement will never ask you to purchase items or deliver cash/valuables as part of an investigation.
patch.com
· 2026-05-28
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran lost $1.4 million in a gold bar scam where fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials, convincing him he was assisting with an investigation while pressuring him to convert his life savings into gold bars and hand them over at predetermined locations. The scam has been linked to a nationwide conspiracy involving multiple victims across several states, with one perpetrator sentenced to over 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.75 million in restitution. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited visits or calls from people claiming to be government agents, especially those requesting immediate financial transactions or unusual forms of payment like gold bars.
thestandard.com.hk
· 2026-05-28
Telecom fraud operators are increasingly relocating from Cambodia to Indonesia, prompting the Chinese embassy to warn citizens after receiving multiple reports of financial losses from scam victims. Common scams targeting Chinese nationals include impersonation of officials, visa fraud, investment schemes, and "pig butchering" cons, with Indonesian police recently detaining over 550 suspected fraudsters across major cities. The embassy advises Chinese citizens to stay vigilant, verify requests for money or personal information, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
thecentersquare.com
· 2026-05-27
Democratic state attorneys general declined to attend a White House roundtable discussion on welfare fraud, citing that they received the invitation only late Friday for a Tuesday event—what California's Attorney General Rob Bonta called a "disingenuous last-minute invitation" that signaled they were either an afterthought or unwelcome. The Democratic AGs, representing states like California, New York, and New Jersey, argued that fraud is a bipartisan issue affecting all states, and they emphasized their own track record of recovering billions in taxpayer dollars rather than participating in what they characterized as politically motivated "staged stunts." The disagreement reflects broader partisan tensions over how to address fraud, with Democrats calling for genuine collaboration while questioning the administration's focus on blue states specifically.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-27
An 80-year-old man and 79-year-old woman in California died in what authorities suspect was a murder-suicide after the woman fell victim to an elaborate "Tom Selleck" romance scam that lasted months and cost her at least $30,000. The scammer, who contacted her through Facebook, used personal details from her profile to build trust and gradually escalated requests from small gift cards to thousands of dollars, despite family members attempting to restrict her access to money. This case highlights how modern scams are evolving—increasingly using AI to create convincing fake photos, videos, and cloned voices—making them harder for families to detect and stop early, particularly among vulnerable elderly individuals.
amac.us
· 2026-05-26
American consumers lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with older adults particularly targeted because they often have savings and may be less familiar with modern technology. Scammers use unsolicited contact via phone, email, or social media to create false urgency and manipulate people into sending money or revealing personal information. To protect yourself, treat unexpected outreach with caution, verify callers' identities before sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC or other authorities to help stop fraudsters and protect others.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are systematically targeting veterans by mining military records, VA databases, and public data sources to build detailed fraud profiles for identity theft and financial crimes. Veterans are particularly vulnerable because much of their sensitive information—including Social Security numbers, discharge papers, and service details—is scattered across semi-public federal databases and sold by data brokers. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information, monitor your credit reports regularly, verify requests from VA or military-related organizations directly, and consider a credit freeze if you believe your information has been compromised.
kiro7.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are increasingly difficult to detect online because they're using advanced technologies like AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to create convincing deceptions that bypass traditional warning signs. In 2025 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received over one million reports of imposter scams, with reported losses reaching $3.5 billion—a 20% increase. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited demands for money, verify requests through official channels before sharing sensitive information, and be cautious of investment opportunities promising high returns with little risk.
sundaytimes.lk
· 2026-05-26
Sri Lanka's Central Bank has warned of a growing "pig butchering" scam threat, where foreign scammers operating from scam farms target overseas nationals through elaborate confidence and investment fraud schemes. These long-term cons convince victims to invest money under false pretenses before disappearing with their funds. The Central Bank advises people to be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, verify the legitimacy of financial advisors, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
aol.com
· 2026-05-24
A Kentucky woman lost tens of thousands of dollars to a Nigerian romance scam where she believed she was dating a wealthy man named "Michael Oliver," who was actually a scammer operating from New Jersey. Federal investigators discovered the operation had defrauded at least 23 victims across the U.S. of over $700,000 through multiple schemes including romance scams, lottery fraud, and inheritance fraud, with money laundered through numerous bank accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly involve requests for money, verify identities through video calls, and never send cash or valuables to people you've only met online.
huffpost.com
· 2026-05-24
A "Can you hear me?" phone scam has been rapidly spreading since March 2024, where callers ask this question to get you to say "yes"—recording your response to potentially authorize unauthorized charges on your accounts or to identify you as an active target for future scams. The scam typically involves strangers posing as government officials or bank representatives, though they often hang up quickly after confirming someone is listening. To protect yourself, hang up on any unsolicited calls starting with this question, avoid saying "yes" to unknown callers, and monitor your phone and bank bills for unauthorized charges.
tntribune.com
· 2026-05-24
This Memorial Day, the Better Business Bureau warns military members, veterans, and their families to be alert for scams that exploit patriotic emotions and charitable giving, including fake charities, phishing emails, fraudulent moving companies, predatory loans, and fake military discounts. Scammers specifically target service members and veterans through schemes like benefits buyout plans, fake rental listings requiring wire transfers, and high-pressure life insurance sales. To protect yourself, research businesses and charities before donating or purchasing, verify organizations through BBB.org and Give.org, and avoid wiring money to unfamiliar sources.
inkl.com
· 2026-05-24
Inheritance theft is increasing as criminals target aging Americans' substantial assets through forged wills, fake loans, and abuse of power of attorney documents, with victims often unaware of the fraud until after assets have already been transferred. Both strangers using fraudulent paperwork and trusted insiders like caregivers and relatives exploit vulnerable seniors and grieving families who lack the resources or knowledge to verify claims. To protect yourself, verify all wills and financial documents through official channels, maintain detailed records of any loans or promises made to seniors, and consult an estate attorney if anything seems suspicious after a loved one's death.
streamlinefeed.co.ke
· 2026-05-24
A retired teacher in Meru County lost her entire KES 7.5 million pension to a sophisticated fake gold investment scheme run by an international syndicate that used forged documents, fake assay certificates, and corporate office fronts to convince her the investment was legitimate. The scam is part of a broader pattern of gold fraud operations based in Nairobi that has drawn scrutiny from international financial watchdogs and contributed to Kenya's presence on financial crime watchlists. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities promising high returns, verify the legitimacy of any company through official channels before sending money, and never trust deals that pressure you to act quickly or bypass normal banking procedures.
knoxradio.com
· 2026-05-23
Emergency alert systems in the U.S. and Canada are based on outdated assumptions about older adults: while planners long assumed seniors relied on landlines, new federal data shows that roughly 75% of American seniors and 83% of Canadian seniors now primarily use cell phones and the internet. This disconnect means many emergency alerts—which still rely on reverse 911 systems tied to physical addresses—may fail to reach older residents effectively during severe weather or other crises. To stay safe, seniors should ensure their cell phone numbers are registered with local emergency services, opt into mobile alert systems, and verify they can receive emergency notifications on their devices.
dailymail.com
· 2026-05-23
An elderly California couple, Donald and Karen Whitaker (ages 80 and 79), were found dead in their home in an apparent murder-suicide after Karen spent months sending thousands of dollars to an online scammer posing as actor Tom Selleck. Authorities believe this was a case of financial elder abuse that may have contributed to the tragic outcome, though they have not confirmed whether the scammer was directly involved in the deaths. The case underscores the danger of romance and celebrity impersonation scams targeting seniors—people should verify the identity of online contacts independently, never send money to strangers online, and discuss unusual online relationships with trusted family members.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2026-05-23
Federal authorities are warning of an increasingly sophisticated scam where criminals impersonate prosecutors and FBI agents, contacting victims via phone, text, or email and pressuring them to send money or provide personal information by claiming they're involved in a fraud investigation. The scammers use real law enforcement names and details to build credibility and may even spoof phone numbers to appear legitimate. If you receive such contact, do not provide any money or personal information—legitimate federal agencies never request these over the phone—and report the activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2026-05-23
Federal authorities in Ohio are warning the public about an increasing scam where criminals impersonate prosecutors and federal law enforcement officials to pressure victims into sending money or revealing personal information like credit card numbers. The scammers contact people via phone, text, or email, claiming the victim is involved in a fraud investigation, and may use spoofed phone numbers and real official names to appear credible. To protect yourself, never send money or share personal information if someone claiming to be a government official contacts you unexpectedly—legitimate federal agencies never request money or sensitive information this way—and report any such contact to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
welivesecurity.com
· 2026-05-23
Scammers are creating fake FIFA and World Cup websites that mimic official ticket and merchandise platforms to steal money and personal data from eager soccer fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Victims are finding these fraudulent sites through sponsored search results, social media ads, and deceptive emails, often falling for them because they're impatient about securing tickets before they sell out. To protect yourself, verify you're on the official FIFA website by carefully checking the URL, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or ads, and use trusted payment methods rather than direct bank transfers.
abc7news.com
· 2026-05-22
A retired California couple lost $845,000 in life savings after being scammed by criminals impersonating USPS and FBI officials who claimed they were under investigation for shipping illegal guns and could expedite their case for a fee. Over several months, Peter and Diane Hata sent tens of thousands of dollars through cryptocurrency and even took out a home equity loan, convinced by spoofed phone numbers and fake FBI documents. Experts advise that legitimate law enforcement will never call asking for personal information or payment—always verify a caller's identity independently by contacting your local police station directly before taking any action.
wbaltv.com
· 2026-05-22
A congressional committee is pressuring major telecommunications companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile to strengthen their defenses against scams, which cost Americans an estimated $200 billion in 2024. The lawmakers are concerned that consumers can't reliably distinguish legitimate messages from scams and want telecom companies to improve their data collection, monitoring, and enforcement efforts against scammers. While carriers blocked billions of scam texts and calls in 2024, unwanted messages continue to reach consumers in large numbers, prompting Congress to demand better protections beyond previous efforts like the 2019 TRACED Act.
abc30.com
· 2026-05-22
A retired California couple lost $845,000 of their life savings in a sophisticated scam where criminals impersonated U.S. Postal Service and FBI officials, claiming an investigation was underway and offering to expedite the case for payment. Over several months, Peter and Diane Hata sent tens of thousands of dollars through cryptocurrency and took out a home equity loan, convinced by spoofed phone numbers and fake documents, before realizing the fraud. Experts advise that legitimate law enforcement will never call asking for personal information, and people should always independently verify a caller's identity by contacting their local police station directly rather than using numbers provided by the caller.
kctv5.com
· 2026-05-22
A courier named Syed M. Makki was sentenced to 15½ years in prison for his role in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that targeted seniors aged 61-80, convincing them to liquidate their savings and retirement accounts to buy gold bars under the false pretense that their money was unsafe. The scammers used malware to place fake Microsoft and government agency phone numbers on victims' computers, impersonating officials to build trust before directing victims to purchase gold and hand it over for "safekeeping." So far, 12 victims have lost more than $6 million to the scheme, and seniors should be wary of unsolicited calls about compromised identities or unsafe bank accounts—especially those pressuring immediate purchases of physical assets like gold.
stratnewsglobal.com
· 2026-05-22
Criminal scam centres from Southeast Asia are relocating to Sri Lanka to exploit the country's relaxed visa policies and weak cybercrime enforcement, with operations hidden in coastal villas and hotel suites targeting vulnerable people through fraud schemes like "pig butchering" and fake cryptocurrency investments. Arrests have already exceeded 50% of 2025's total in just the first three months of 2026, suggesting the problem is rapidly escalating, particularly affecting nationals from countries like India and China who benefit from Sri Lanka's visa-free entry. To protect themselves, people should be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency or romantic relationships with strangers online, and should verify any investment offers through official financial regulators before sending money.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-21
Over 101,000 seniors age 60 and older fall victim to scams annually, losing nearly $5 billion to increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics including fake government agents, romance scams, and AI voice cloning. New AI-powered smart home systems are emerging as a defense mechanism by monitoring phone calls in real time to detect warning signs like urgency, threats, and emotional manipulation, then automatically alerting family members or emergency responders when suspicious activity is detected. For seniors living alone and their adult children, these integrated monitoring systems offer a proactive alternative to traditional education-based prevention by providing immediate alerts when a potential scam is in progress.
inkl.com
· 2026-05-21
Over 101,000 seniors age 60 and older fall victim to scams annually, losing nearly $5 billion collectively to increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics like fake government calls, romance schemes, and AI voice cloning. New AI-powered monitoring systems are emerging as a defense mechanism, automatically detecting common scam tactics during phone calls and alerting family members or emergency responders in real time. For families concerned about aging parents, these integrated smart systems offer an additional layer of protection beyond traditional education-based prevention methods.
bbc.com
· 2026-05-20
Dozens of romance scammers and fraud criminals operating across the UK and Nigeria have been arrested in a major police operation called Operation Seraphim, which involved 31 arrests across Europe and Africa. Romance scammers typically build fake relationships over months before convincing victims to send money—one victim, Kirsty Guest, lost £80,000 after being manipulated by a scammer posing as "Patrick" who claimed to need help during a business emergency. To protect yourself, be wary of new romantic contacts who rush to build intimacy, never send money to people you've only met online, and verify identities through video calls before any financial involvement.
en.bloomingbit.io
· 2026-05-20
Binance Academy released a guide warning cryptocurrency users about increasingly common scams, including fake giveaway promotions on social media where fraudsters impersonate companies or celebrities and ask users to send crypto upfront to receive larger returns. The guide highlights that crypto is particularly vulnerable to fraud due to its accessibility, fast transfers, and irreversible transactions, and warns users to watch for schemes like pig butchering, deepfakes, pyramid schemes, and phishing attacks. Users should be cautious about any investment opportunity requiring advance payments and remember that legitimate promotions never ask for money upfront.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-20
Scammers are increasingly using AI-powered deepfake technology to clone voices and create fake kidnapping scenarios, particularly targeting seniors through emotionally manipulative phone calls that sound like distressed family members demanding immediate payment. The FBI warns that criminals need only a few seconds of audio from social media to create convincing voice imitations, and they often use fabricated videos and photos as "proof" to pressure victims into sending money via cryptocurrency or wire transfers before they can verify the emergency. To protect yourself, pause before responding to urgent requests for money, independently verify any emergency by calling your family member directly, and be cautious about what personal information and audio you share online.
sandmountainreporter.com
· 2026-05-20
A seminar at Guntersville Library educated seniors about fraud and scams, which are increasingly targeting this vulnerable population through tactics like imposter scams, fake urgency threats, and AI-generated voices. According to the Federal Trade Commission, reported losses jumped from $10 billion in 2023 to $12.5 billion in 2024, with seniors being disproportionately preyed upon despite younger people reporting losses more frequently. The presentation recommended learning to recognize common scam tactics, verifying caller identities independently, and staying cautious of unsolicited contact that creates pressure or emotional appeals.
rockymountainvoice.com
· 2026-05-20
Older Americans, particularly those in Colorado, are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated financial scams that cost seniors nationwide an estimated $27 billion annually. Scammers use phishing emails, fake business and government imposter schemes to target seniors as digital banking and communication become more prevalent. To protect themselves, older adults should verify requests for personal information by contacting institutions directly through official phone numbers or websites, remain skeptical of unsolicited communications, and report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
hometownstation.com
· 2026-05-19
Americans lost a record $21 billion to scams in 2025, with seniors, veterans, and vulnerable families particularly targeted through phone fraud, romance scams, and impersonation schemes that are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI technology. Rep. Whitesides and anti-scam advocates are pushing for stronger legislative action, including better enforcement from social media companies and financial institutions to combat these growing threats. To protect yourself, stay vigilant about unsolicited calls and messages, verify requests for money through official channels, and report suspected scams to the FBI.
coinlaw.io
· 2026-05-19
Cryptocurrency scams cost victims $5.8 billion in reported losses during 2024, with nearly 150,000 complaints filed to the FBI—a 66% increase from the previous year. The most common schemes include pig butchering (romance/investment scams), high-yield investment programs, rug pulls, phishing attacks, fake exchanges, and impersonation, with pig butchering and investment schemes accounting for over 80% of total losses. To protect yourself, watch for universal red flags like unsolicited investment pitches and pressure to move funds quickly, verify any crypto project or contract before approving wallet transactions, and remember that legitimate investments rarely guarantee high returns or require secrecy.
grafa.com
· 2026-05-19
China, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates jointly dismantled nine scam centers and arrested 276 suspects involved in "pig-butchering" fraud schemes, which use fake online relationships to lure victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. These scams have caused nearly $6 billion in losses in the U.S. alone during 2024, with global losses exceeding $75 billion since 2020, and many operations are linked to human trafficking rings in Southeast Asia. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic connections online that quickly pivot to investment opportunities, verify the legitimacy of cryptocurrency platforms independently, and never send money to strangers or invest based on promises of guaranteed high returns.
mexc.com
· 2026-05-19
Authorities from China, the United States, and the UAE conducted a major international operation called Tri-Force Sentinel that dismantled a cryptocurrency fraud ring operating in Dubai, arresting 276 people across nine scam sites. The criminals ran "pig-butcher scams" where they posed as romantic interests or friends on social media to build trust with victims, then convinced them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms like CoinswiftTrading and SwiftLedger, often pressuring them to take out loans to maximize "returns" before disappearing with the money. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited romantic or investment offers from strangers online, never send money to unfamiliar investment platforms, and verify any investment opportunity through official channels before committing funds.
kjrh.com
· 2026-05-19
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to spoof trusted phone numbers—including news stations and government agencies like Medicare—to trick people into revealing personal information, with a recent incident targeting a Tulsa-area woman. According to the FBI, AI-enabled fraud surged dramatically in 2025, generating $893 million in losses and hitting seniors particularly hard, with those 60 and older losing $7.7 billion that year. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls asking for personal or financial information, verify caller identity independently by hanging up and calling the organization's official number, and remember that legitimate agencies won't ask for sensitive data over the phone.
newswire.lk
· 2026-05-19
Indian comedian Ankita Shrivastav lost 900,000 rupees after falling victim to an elaborate "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonated FedEx and police officials, falsely claiming she had received a package containing drugs and keeping her under video surveillance for eight hours while pressuring her into financial transfers. The scam exploits psychological manipulation and fear of legal consequences, and Shrivastav went public with her story to warn others that anyone—regardless of education or street-smarts—can be targeted. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls about packages or legal issues, never transfer money based on phone calls from supposed authorities, and remember that real law enforcement won't demand payment over video calls or keep you under digital surveillance.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-05-18
Law enforcement agencies from China, the US, and the UAE conducted a joint operation that dismantled nine cryptocurrency fraud operations and arrested 276 people who were running romance scams. The scammers used social media to build fake romantic relationships with victims before tricking them into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic connections formed online, especially those who quickly push you toward investment opportunities, and verify the legitimacy of any crypto platforms before sending money.
mexc.com
· 2026-05-18
Authorities from China, the US, and the UAE conducted a historic joint operation in Dubai that arrested 276 suspects and dismantled nine scam compounds running "pig-butchering" investment schemes, which use fake romantic relationships and fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms to defraud victims worldwide. The criminal networks specifically targeted people in Asia, Europe, and North America, stealing millions of dollars through sophisticated social media manipulation and fake investment schemes. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online that lead to investment opportunities, verify cryptocurrency platforms through official channels before depositing money, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
thehill.com
· 2026-05-17
Seniors across the United States lost approximately $27 billion to scams in 2024, with Arizona, Delaware, and Colorado experiencing the highest rates of fraud targeting people over 60, according to a new analysis of Federal Trade Commission reports. Business impostor scams and government impostor scams are the most common types affecting older Americans, who are particularly vulnerable to fraudsters reaching them through phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media. To protect themselves, seniors should verify the identity of anyone contacting them, avoid sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, and report suspected scams to the FTC.
abc7chicago.com
· 2026-05-17
Fraudsters nationwide are impersonating lawyers, law enforcement officials, and immigration organizations to scam immigrants and vulnerable people out of money by claiming they need to pay "bonds" to avoid jail or support immigration cases. The FBI has issued a warning after multiple cases, including one Chicago woman who allegedly stole $3.5 million and another victim who lost $10,000 to a fake immigration attorney. To protect yourself, verify any attorney or law enforcement contact directly through official government websites or phone numbers rather than using information provided by the caller.
pcmag.com
· 2026-05-17
During peak travel seasons, scammers target vacation planners through phishing text messages that impersonate toll services, claiming unpaid fees and urging you to click a link to avoid additional charges—but these fake websites steal your payment and personal information. To protect yourself, adopt healthy skepticism toward urgent messages from unfamiliar sources, verify toll charges directly through official carrier websites or phone numbers, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts. Taking time to verify requests before responding is your best defense against these scams.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-17
When you Google your name, scammers can easily access the personal information that appears in the top search results—including your address, social media profiles, phone number, and details about relatives—all without hacking or paid tools. This publicly available information helps fraudsters personalize their scams through calls, texts, and emails to make them seem more credible and trustworthy. To protect yourself, you should Google your own name to see what's publicly visible, run a personal data exposure scan to identify information already circulating online, and consider removing your details from people-search sites or requesting that search engines de-index pages containing your personal information.
wfmd.com
· 2026-05-17
When you Google your name, scammers can easily access the same public information that appears in search results—including your address, LinkedIn profile, photos, and relatives' names—without needing any hacking skills or paid tools. This readily available personal data becomes a "seed" that scammers use to target you with precision, researching details about your location, employer, and family to craft convincing fraud schemes. To protect yourself, Google your own name to see what's publicly visible, consider using personal data exposure scans to identify information already circulating online, and be cautious about what personal details you share on social media and public platforms.
phemex.com
· 2026-05-17
Law enforcement from China, the US, and the UAE jointly dismantled nine scam operations in Dubai, arresting 276 suspects who ran "pig-butchering" schemes—where scammers build fake romantic relationships with victims on social media before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency. The operation represents the first major collaborative effort between these three nations to combat international telecom and online fraud. People should be cautious of romantic contacts pressuring them to invest in cryptocurrency or other high-return schemes, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
theguardian.com
· 2026-05-16
Scammers are increasingly targeting wealthy athletes through sophisticated schemes ranging from phishing and AI-enabled cyberattacks to fraud by trusted advisers, making sports fraud a billion-dollar criminal enterprise. Notable cases include Shohei Ohtani's interpreter stealing $17 million for gambling debts and an investment adviser defrauding NBA players of $5 million through unauthorized transfers and inflated insurance sales. Athletes and fans attending major sporting events are advised to be cautious with ticket purchases, verify communications from trusted contacts independently, and carefully vet financial advisers and inner-circle members handling their money.