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digitalinformationworld.com
A Better Business Bureau report reveals that Gen-Z (ages 18-24) loses the most money to scams despite being the most tech-savvy generation, averaging $155 per victim in employment, online purchase, and cryptocurrency scams. Seniors over 65 are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, losing an average of $3,600 in 2023—a 300% increase from 2022—with scammers increasingly using cryptocurrency as part of these schemes. Children ages 7-18 are also emerging targets, with 16% of surveyed parents reporting their children have been scammed, and common impersonated companies include the U.S. Postal Service, Amazon
cbsnews.com
Online blackmail scams are rising, with scammers sending mass emails that threaten to expose embarrassing footage or information, often personalized with publicly available details like names, addresses, and street view images to appear credible. These emails can be identified as fraudulent by looking for red flags such as urgent deadlines, awkward wording, generic language, and a lack of specific details about the alleged compromising content. Recipients should not reply to or pay these emails, instead reporting them as phishing or spam to their email provider or IT department, as legitimate blackmailers would provide specific evidence of their claims.
wokv.com
Scammers are using fake QR codes placed on parking meters or sent via text and email to trick people into scanning them, with the goal of stealing personal information or installing malware on devices. The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to scrutinize unexpected QR codes for suspicious URLs with misspellings, avoid scanning codes from unsolicited messages, and maintain strong passwords and updated software to protect themselves from this fraud method.
entergynewsroom.com
Following hurricane season, scammers impersonate Entergy utility representatives to defraud customers by demanding fees for power reconnection, sending malicious emails and texts, and visiting homes to steal money or personal information. Customers are advised to hang up on callers demanding reconnection fees, avoid clicking suspicious links, verify in-person visitors' identification, and report scams directly to Entergy and the Federal Trade Commission.
cbsnews.com
This educational article provides expert guidance on avoiding debt relief scams as credit card debt in the U.S. continues to rise. Key warning signs include unsolicited calls with pushy sales tactics, upfront fees before services are rendered, and unrealistic promises of complete debt elimination. Experts recommend conducting thorough research through online reviews and the Better Business Bureau, exploring alternatives like debt consolidation or negotiating directly with creditors, and only working with established companies that offer free initial debt analysis.
cbsnews.com
Online blackmail scams are sending hundreds of thousands of personalized emails threatening to expose embarrassing footage or compromising information, often including victims' names and addresses obtained from public databases. These scams can be identified by vague language, urgent deadlines, and lack of specific details about alleged misconduct—legitimate threats would include evidence. To protect yourself, use email filters and spam reporting tools offered by providers like Gmail or Outlook, never reply to or pay blackmail emails, and report them as phishing.
shawlocal.com
According to the National Council on Aging, financial scams targeting seniors cost approximately $3 billion annually, causing both monetary losses and significant emotional distress to victims who are often targeted for their perceived vulnerability and trust. Common schemes include Medicare/health insurance fraud, phishing scams, investment fraud, and grandparent scams, all of which rely on deception to steal sensitive information or money. Seniors can protect themselves through education and awareness, with resources available including a free community workshop offered by Home Instead on September 12, 2024, at the DeKalb Public Library covering fraud prevention strategies and protection techniques.
theprogressnews.com
State Rep. Mike Armanini hosted two Senior Scam Jam educational events in Pennsylvania's 75th District in partnership with the Department of Banking and Securities to teach older adults how to recognize and avoid common scams leading to identity theft and financial fraud. The interactive seminars, held in DuBois and Ridgway in September, aimed to help seniors identify red flags, protect themselves and their families, and report suspected fraud cases.
patch.com
Communities First Initiative, Jewish Community Housing Corporation, and Valley National Bank held a 2-hour educational workshop in South Orange, New Jersey to teach senior citizens how to avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft, addressing a significant rise in financial crimes targeting older adults. According to the FBI and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023 with victims losing an average of $33,915 each, totaling over $3.4 billion, with many seniors failing to report incidents due to embarrassment or fear of losing independence. The presentation aimed to provide seniors with tools and resources to recognize and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams, including phone and internet fraud.
northweststar.com.au
Geoff Clark, Australia's only elected leader of Indigenous people and former chairman of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, was convicted of fraud and extortion involving approximately $2.4 million in misappropriated community funds that he used to support his personal lifestyle and legal fees. After a decade-long investigation and prosecution led by Detective Leading Senior Constable Damon Saunders, Clark was charged with 1,170 criminal counts; he was found to have diverted community money meant for local Aboriginal services while maintaining four properties and over $600,000 in superannuation, including spending $115,000 of community funds on a residential deck with a pizza oven and bar
morningstar.com
This educational podcast features AARP's Kathy Stokes discussing how to protect oneself from investment fraud, with particular focus on growing threats from cryptocurrency-related scams and the use of artificial intelligence by fraudsters. The piece emphasizes identifying warning signs of investment fraud and provides resources including AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) and guidance on recognizing common scam tactics targeting investors of all ages, though older adults face heightened risk.
ksal.com
Evergy utility company is warning customers about two escalating scams: one targeting seniors by falsely claiming $200 refunds through the Evergy Cares Kansas Fund in exchange for account information, and another offering discounts in exchange for credit card numbers over the phone. The company emphasizes that legitimate assistance is provided directly to accounts only after customer-initiated contact, and regulated utilities cannot offer unsolicited discounts, advising customers to verify caller identity, avoid sharing personal information, and contact Evergy directly through official channels when suspicious.
kfdi.com
Evergy warned customers about two recent scam attempts targeting both seniors and general customers: one falsely claiming the utility company would return $200 to seniors through its Evergy Cares Kansas Fund in exchange for account and personal information, and another offering immediate discounts in exchange for credit card numbers over the phone. Evergy clarified that its assistance program provides direct account credits (not cash refunds) only after customers initiate contact, and that legitimate rate changes require state regulatory approval rather than phone-based offers. The company provided guidance including verifying employee identity before sharing information, avoiding unsolicited emails/texts about bills, and reporting suspected scams through its website or local law enforcement.
nbcboston.com
Scammers are targeting college students and their families during back-to-school season by impersonating school financial aid or billing department officials, claiming financial aid has fallen through and threatening to drop classes unless immediate payment is made via cryptocurrency, payment apps, or wire transfers. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients to hang up immediately, verify billing through the school's official website or in-person, and never trust caller ID or respond to pressure for urgent non-traditional payments, as legitimate colleges do not operate this way.
digit.in
A 55-year-old woman from Panchkula, Haryana lost Rs 1.47 lakh after clicking a fake net banking link in a text message claiming her points were expiring; she entered her bank credentials and Rs 98,127 was immediately withdrawn, followed by another Rs 49,112 before she could block transactions. The article advises protection through skepticism of unsolicited messages, avoiding unknown links, verifying sources directly with institutions, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly monitoring bank statements for unauthorized activity.
fox10phoenix.com
Sextortion scammers are now incorporating personal information and Google Street View photos of victims' homes into threatening emails to increase intimidation and credibility. The emails claim the sender has compromised the victim's computer and recorded them via webcam, demanding $2,000-$2,200 in Bitcoin within 24 hours or threatening to distribute the video to contacts. The FBI reports these scams originate primarily from West Africa and Southeast Asia, and recommends victims not send money, disable webcams, report the accounts to platforms, and contact law enforcement.
krebsonsecurity.com
A personalized variant of the sextortion scam is circulating via email, claiming to have compromised recipients' webcams and threatening to release fabricated videos unless victims pay approximately $2,000 in Bitcoin within 24 hours. The emails now include recipients' names and photos of their homes obtained from online mapping services like Google Maps, along with threats to contact them physically or distribute videos to their contacts. The FBI advises victims not to send compromising images, to avoid opening suspicious attachments, and to cover webcams; those targeted should report incidents to their local FBI office or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
cbsnews.com
Bitcoin ATM fraud losses reached $114 million in 2023, representing a 900% increase over three years, with losses continuing at $66 million through mid-2024, according to FTC warnings. Scammers typically impersonate government agencies or banks to convince victims—particularly adults over 60, who are three times more likely to be targeted—to withdraw cash and use Bitcoin ATMs to send money to criminals' digital wallets via QR codes. The FTC advises that legitimate businesses and government agencies never require customers to use Bitcoin ATMs to resolve problems or protect money.
theverge.com
Bitcoin ATM scams have surged dramatically, with losses increasing nearly 10-fold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million by 2023, and victims already losing $65 million in the first half of 2024 alone. Scammers impersonate bank or government officials via phone, text, or pop-ups to convince victims their accounts are compromised, then direct them to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs (which they falsely call "safety lockers") by scanning a QR code that transfers funds to the scammer's wallet, with a median loss of $10,000 per victim. Vermont and Minnesota have enacted laws limiting daily crypto kio
bbc.co.uk
The UK's Payment Services Regulator significantly reduced its proposed fraud compensation cap from £415,000 to £85,000 after pressure from financial firms, though the regulator claims this threshold would still cover over 99% of claims. Consumer watchdog Which? criticized the scaled-back protections as "outrageous," while separate data showed fraud complaints to the Financial Ombudsman hit their highest level in six years (8,734 complaints in April-June 2024), with 44% upheld in consumers' favor. The new mandatory refund rules for authorized push payment fraud are scheduled to take effect October 7, 2024.
ottawacitizen.com
A 62-year-old Ottawa woman lost approximately $50,000 through a romance scam and subsequent money recovery schemes. After a man posing as a U.S. military officer on Facebook convinced her to send gift cards and cryptocurrency over three years, she was then targeted by a second scammer claiming he could recover her losses, leading her to borrow an additional $20,000 from family and friends in failed recovery attempts. The victim, who lives on disability payments, is now in debt and sharing her story to warn other vulnerable people about these interconnected fraud schemes.
saultstar.com
A 62-year-old former Sudbury woman lost nearly $50,000 to a romance scam and subsequent money recovery schemes over three years, exhausting her life savings and leaving her $13,000 in debt to family and friends. After accepting a Facebook friend request from someone claiming to be a U.S. military officer, she sent money via gift cards and Bitcoin after being pressured and worn down by promises of repayment and eventual visits. When she attempted to recover her losses through a second fraudster claiming to represent a recovery firm, she lost an additional $20,000 in multiple failed schemes before finally recognizing the pattern.
wdtv.com
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about rising pet scams, particularly puppy scams where fraudsters advertise purebred dogs at discounted prices on websites but never deliver the animals after victims pay fees. To avoid pet scams, consumers should adopt locally to meet sellers in person, thoroughly research breeders, request medical records and pedigree documentation, and watch for red flags like suspiciously low prices, flashy websites, and poorly written communications.
cionews.co.in
Cryptocurrency scams surged in 2024, with billions of dollars in fraudulent inflows, and blockchain analytics show that 43% of year-to-date fraud went to newly created wallets, indicating a significant rise in new schemes. Scammers have shifted tactics from complex Ponzi schemes to more targeted approaches like romance scams and address poisoning, with romance scams experiencing an 85x increase since 2020 and causing the largest financial impact per victim. The average lifespan of scams has compressed from 271 days in 2020 to just 42 days in 2024, making detection harder, though law enforcement and blockchain analysis tools continue to help recover
philomathnews.com
Seniors lose approximately $3 billion annually to scams, making them prime targets due to their savings, home ownership, good credit, and often lower digital literacy. The article identifies 10 common scams targeting older adults, including romance scams (fraudsters posing as romantic interests), funeral scams (exploiting grief over deceased spouses), grandparent scams (impersonating grandchildren in emergencies), phishing (fake emails from financial institutions), Medicare fraud, and tech support scams, among others. Prevention strategies include securing social media accounts, verifying contact information through reverse searches, and calling family members directly to confirm emergencies.
messagemedia.co
The Senior LinkAge Line is offering two educational classes on September 11 to help older adults detect, understand, and report healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse, including Medicare scams and how to protect beneficiary numbers. The free online classes, offered in partnership with the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Senior Medicare Patrol program, cover reading Medicare paperwork and identifying potential errors and scams targeting seniors. Registration is available through www.arrowheadaging.org or by calling 800-333-2433 by the registration deadline.
morningstar.com
Investment fraud targeting older adults is growing significantly, driven by emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence that make scams increasingly sophisticated and convincing. According to Kathy Stokes, AARP's director of fraud prevention, Americans lost a record $10 billion to scams and fraud in 2023, with crypto-related schemes and AI-enabled fraud posing particular threats to financial security. Stokes emphasizes the importance of education and awareness as key protective measures for older adults vulnerable to these evolving fraud schemes.
wdrb.com
The Better Business Bureau reported multiple scams circulating in the Kentuckiana region, including fraudulent charity phone calls impersonating firefighters, Facebook scams advertising fake businesses, auction fraud, and RiverLink phishing scams. The BBB advised residents to hang up on unfamiliar charities and verify organizations online, avoid clicking third-party social media links, and visit company websites directly before making purchases. Using credit cards for transactions is recommended as a more secure payment method.
communitynewspapergroup.com
**Summary:**
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach hosted an educational program called "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" at Vinton Public Library on September 24, 2024, designed for adults 60+ and their caregivers. The workshop provided information on identifying common fraud schemes targeting older adults, understanding why seniors are vulnerable to financial exploitation, and learning protective strategies, with the program noting that elder financial fraud is the most common form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans aged 62 and older.
planadviser.com
This article provides guidance on cybersecurity best practices for retirement plan sponsors to defend against fraud, account takeovers, and emerging threats like AI-generated deepfakes. Key recommendations include implementing a comprehensive program covering people (employee training), processes (regular policy reviews and updates), and technology (data protection and incident response plans), along with adding IT representation to plan committees and conducting rigorous vendor due diligence. The article references the SPARK Institute's cybersecurity framework and Department of Labor guidelines as resources for establishing security controls and resilience measures.
southeastiowaunion.com
Iowa County Sheriff Rob Rotter reports that scams are vastly underreported due to victim embarrassment, with an estimated 59 million people scammed annually and $50,000-$60,000 lost yearly in Iowa County alone. Rotter highlighted common scams including lottery/tax schemes (one couple lost $130,000 across multiple scams), robocalls targeting seniors with health insurance offers, and "grandparent scams" where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress, recommending victims report fraud to authorities and verify caller identity by hanging up and calling back known numbers.
hackread.com
**Summary:**
Cybersecurity researchers identified a global phishing campaign since 2023 targeting pizza restaurant chains, particularly in Canada, that uses domain spoofing and typosquatting to create fake order websites and steal customer credit card information and one-time passwords. The scammers registered malicious domains mimicking major chains including Domino's, Pizza Pizza, Boston Pizza, Panago, and Little Caesars, using paid search advertising to boost visibility; as of early 2024, the campaign had claimed multiple victims with documented losses of approximately S$27,000 (Singapore dollars) in one variant alone. Customers can protect themselves by verifying domain names carefully, enabling multi-factor authentication
aol.com
A Georgia family of eight fell victim to a rental scam after paying $1,200 and signing a fake lease for a house they were told they could rent affordably; nine days after moving in, police informed them they were trespassing and the family lost their money and some belongings. Scammers typically locate vacant homes listed for sale, gain access through property showings, create fake leases, and collect deposits before disappearing. To protect yourself, meet landlords in person before paying anything, verify property ownership through public records, and never send money upfront for application fees or deposits.
ca.style.yahoo.com
A woman in Spain nearly fell victim to a romance scam in 2021 when she met a man posing as a currency trader on Facebook Dating who moved conversations to WhatsApp and offered to teach her profitable trading through a fake platform. She recognized the scam before depositing significant money, noting that the con followed the classic pattern where scammers build trust through emotional manipulation and false trading screenshots before requesting escalating deposits. The author notes that in 2022 alone, approximately 70,000 Americans lost $1.3 billion to similar romance and investment scams that use fraudulent trading platforms.
intelligentciso.com
Cryptocurrency scams surged in 2024 with billions in illicit inflows, with 43% of scam proceeds going to newly created wallets, indicating a sharp rise in fresh schemes compared to prior years. Scammers are shifting tactics from lengthy Ponzi schemes to shorter-lived, targeted campaigns like romance scams (pig butchering), which have grown 85-fold since 2020 and cause the worst average victim impact; one fraud shop alone facilitated $10.5 million in romance scam activity from 2022-2024 by selling millions of fraudulent social media profiles. Experts advise vigilance against unexpected communications and immediate caution when money transfers
finextra.com
Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs is consulting on a new Protection from Scams Bill that would authorize police to restrict banking transactions of individuals who refuse to acknowledge they are being scammed despite warnings from authorities, family, and friends. The legislation targets digital scams—particularly romance and impersonation schemes—where 86% of reported cases in the first half of 2024 involved victims voluntarily transferring money to scammers. Restriction Orders would only be imposed after police determine a person is being actively targeted and other intervention attempts have failed.
keyt.com
Senate Bill 278 (SB 278) was approved by the California Legislature and awaits the Governor's signature to become law, establishing clearer requirements for banks and credit unions to combat elder and dependent adult financial abuse. The bill requires financial institutions to create emergency contact programs and delay transactions of $5,000 or more for at least three business days when an elder or dependent adult is involved, allowing time to verify the transaction's legitimacy and contact an emergency financial contact. This legislation aims to close loopholes in current law that allow financial institutions to avoid accountability by claiming ignorance of fraud, thereby better protecting California's vulnerable populations from increasingly common financial scams.
dailyhodl.com
The FTC warned consumers about crypto ATM scams in which fraudsters pose as bank employees, government officials, or tech support to trick victims into depositing cash into Bitcoin ATMs. From 2020-2023, losses from these scams increased tenfold to over $110 million, with victims losing an average of $10,000 each; in the first half of the year alone, $65 million was stolen.
dugout.ph
**Summary:**
This educational article advocates for Media and Information Literacy (MIL) training as a protective tool for senior citizens who face heightened vulnerability to online scams and misinformation due to limited digital skills and age-related cognitive decline. MIL programs teach seniors critical thinking skills, fact-checking techniques, and source evaluation methods to safely navigate digital platforms, with successful initiatives like SUM (Seniors United Against Misinformation) demonstrating the effectiveness of community-based training and family support in empowering seniors to resist fraud and misinformation.
foxnews.com
A woman in New Jersey received a phishing email impersonating the Social Security Administration claiming her Social Security number was compromised and requesting she open an attached document. The article explains that phishing scams use fake official emails with urgent language to trick victims into opening malware-laden attachments or divulging personal information, and provides guidance on recognizing these scams, steps to take if you receive one (flag as spam, don't open attachments, don't respond), and prevention measures such as verifying your Social Security account and using two-factor authentication.
knoe.com
Scammers are targeting parents and students by posing as school representatives and calling about unpaid tuition or remaining balances. The Better Business Bureau advises recipients to hang up and contact their school's financial aid office directly rather than paying over the phone, as these unsolicited calls are typically fraudulent. Victims can report such scams to the Better Business Bureau at (318) 387-4600.
cnbc.com
Reported losses from Bitcoin ATM scams surged nearly tenfold since 2020, reaching over $110 million in 2023, with consumers over 60 being more than three times as likely to fall victim compared to younger adults. Scammers impersonate customer service representatives, government officials, or tech company employees to convince victims that their accounts have been compromised, then direct them to scan QR codes and deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs that immediately transfers the funds to the fraudsters. The proliferation of Bitcoin ATMs in high-traffic retail locations combined with readily available personal data on the dark web has enabled this fraud scheme to flourish.
businessinsider.com
According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 report, Gen Z (ages 18-24) reported the highest median loss to scams for the second consecutive year, averaging $155 per person, primarily from employment, online purchase, and cryptocurrency scams. While younger people overall lost the most money, people over 65 suffered the largest individual losses to romance scams, which surged dramatically with median losses increasing from $1,411 in 2022 to $3,600 in 2023, with scammers increasingly using cryptocurrency to defraud victims. The report also found that scammers are increasingly targeting minors (ages 7-18), with 16% of
dailyhodl.com
Kenneth Brown Jr. and Nicholas Shepard, operators of Golden Eagle precious metals exchange, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud for their role in a nationwide scam that laundered $600,000 from romance scam victims between 2021 and 2022. The scheme involved victims of "pig butchering" romance scams sending money to Golden Eagle, which was then converted to cryptocurrency on the Voyager platform; Brown's attorney claims both men were unknowingly groomed into participating and that Brown cooperated with authorities upon discovering the fraud. Both face up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines.
pattayamail.com
A 34-year-old man named Supornchai was arrested in Bangkok for fraud and computer crimes after receiving a fraudulent payment of 20,000 baht from a victim who believed they were paying customs fees for a package from abroad, when the scam was actually orchestrated by a woman named Ms. Wan who recruited him to open a bank account for money laundering purposes. Police warned the public about romance and impersonation scams on social media, where perpetrators pose as trustworthy figures to manipulate victims into transferring money, and advised people to avoid trusting online acquaintances, never send money to strangers, and maintain secure accounts with strong passwords.
aol.com
Georgia drivers have been targeted by a scam involving fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid Express Lane fees, with links designed to steal personal and financial information. The messages create urgency to pressure recipients into immediate payments, potentially leading to identity theft and financial loss. Victims should contact their banks, reset passwords, report to the FTC, and remember that the State Road and Tollway Authority never requests personal information via text or email.
dlnews.com
Chainalysis's mid-year crypto crime report revealed that Chinese-language marketplaces, particularly the Cambodian platform Huione Guarantee, have become major hubs for cryptocurrency-based fraud and money laundering in Southeast Asia, processing over $49 billion in transactions since 2021. The peer-to-peer marketplace facilitates illicit activities including pig butchering scams, investment fraud, and money laundering through thousands of independent merchants operating via Telegram, while claiming neutrality and not verifying transaction legitimacy. Criminal operations in the region exploit the platform alongside coerced workers in special economic zones across Cambodia and Myanmar to conduct large-scale crypto fraud schemes.
cryptotvplus.com
Since 2019, crypto ATMs have facilitated at least $160 million in illicit transactions globally, with scammers increasingly targeting elderly victims by impersonating loved ones and directing them to deposit cash into these machines. The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported over 15,000 digital asset scam complaints from people aged 60 and older in 2023 alone, with losses exceeding $1 billion and 2,000 complaints involving Bitcoin ATMs. Law enforcement agencies worldwide have responded by shutting down hundreds of illegal crypto ATMs and prosecuting operators, while researchers have identified patterns of suspicious cross-border transactions to help detect fraudulent activity.
headtopics.com
Romance scams cost Australians $40 million in 2023, with South Australia accounting for $2.1 million of losses, prompting police warnings during Scams Awareness Week. A case study involved Karen from Adelaide, who lost $50,000 to a fraudster she met online who posed as an overseas-based man and eventually asked for money under the guise of educational costs; when she traveled to meet him in person, he never appeared. Scammers typically target people over 55 through fake profiles on dating websites and social media, building trust before requesting money for emergencies or investment opportunities, a technique known as "catfishing" or "romance baiting."
kbsi23.com
The Better Business Bureau warns of bait-and-switch scams on Facebook where scammers post fabricated heartwarming stories (missing children, lost pets, seniors in need) with stolen or AI-generated images in local buy-and-sell groups, then edit the post after users share it to promote fraudulent sales, job offers, rental schemes, or donation requests designed to steal money or personal information. Social media engagement with scammers increased 63.8% from 2022 to 2023, making it the top scam contact method resulting in monetary losses that year. The BBB recommends verifying posts through official sources, performing reverse image searches, checking for red flags like disabled comments