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Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
heysocal.com
· 2025-12-07
Medical equipment scams are spreading across California, where fraudsters obtain Medicare numbers from seniors through offers of free equipment or services, then bill Medicare for items the beneficiaries never requested or needed. This fraud not only drains Medicare resources but can prevent seniors from receiving legitimately prescribed equipment in the future when claims are denied due to duplicate billings. Seniors should verify with their doctor if they ordered any unsolicited equipment, report fraudulent claims to Medicare, and contact the Senior Medicare Patrol or 1-800-Medicare for assistance.
digitalterminal.in
· 2025-12-07
Quick Heal Technologies' report reveals that cybercrimes against seniors in India surged 86% from 2020 to 2022, with projected losses exceeding ₹1.2 lakh crore by 2025, as the senior population increasingly adopts digital platforms. The report identifies three primary fraud schemes targeting elders: impersonation and authority scams (fake police arrests, court sessions), technical deception scams exploiting digital unfamiliarity, and investment scams that can devastate life savings, exemplified by a Telangana case where a 75-year-old lost ₹13 crore. The company recommends combating this epidemic through
kcaw.org
· 2025-12-07
A Sitka elder lost $40,000 after receiving a fraudulent call from someone claiming to be a Wells Fargo fraud investigator who convinced her to mail cash to him. Police Chief Chad Goeden emphasized that legitimate financial institutions never request payment via cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, and advised residents to hang up suspicious calls, independently verify the caller's identity, and discuss these scams with elderly family members.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Two Chinese nationals, Yushan Lin and Shuyi Xing, pleaded guilty to defrauding Apple Inc. of at least $16.2 million through a scheme involving the fraudulent return of counterfeit iPhones, iPads, and other devices smuggled from China using serial numbers of genuine Apple products. Xing also pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy related to over $1 million laundered from elder fraud schemes, making him part of a six-defendant operation that operated across Southern California from December 2015 to March 2024.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old Japanese woman lost £5,000 to a romance scammer who posed as an astronaut claiming to be stranded in space and needing money for oxygen. The scammer contacted her on social media in July, built a romantic connection, and eventually convinced her to transfer funds for his alleged distress. Romance scams are surging globally, with Japan reporting over 3,300 cases in 2024 (double the previous year) totaling £173.8 million in losses, while UK victims aged 61+ lost an average of £19,000 in 2024.
asiaone.com
· 2025-12-07
A pregnant DBS bank employee in Singapore prevented an elderly customer from withdrawing $190,000 in cash by recognizing signs of a scam, despite being verbally abused for nearly two hours. The woman, who had already withdrawn $12,000 from another branch, was being coached by scammers posing as bank and law enforcement officials who claimed they needed to examine her money. The employee's intervention, combined with police follow-up that same night, successfully stopped the fraud and protected the vulnerable elderly customer from losing her savings.
**Actionable advice:** Be wary if someone pressures you to withdraw large amounts of cash, especially if they claim to be from banks or law enforcement and insist on examining your money in person or over the phone.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A 67-year-old man lost his entire $400,000 life savings to scammers impersonating federal agents who falsely claimed his identity had been stolen and promised to protect his money if he transferred it to them. This case reflects a troubling trend: seniors age 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to online scams in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year, with the most common scams involving fake federal agents, investment fraud, tech support schemes, and romance scams. To protect yourself or elderly relatives, be skeptical of unsolicited contact from supposed government officials, never transfer money or cryptocurrency based on identity theft claims, and verify any official communication by contacting the agency directly using a phone number from their official website rather than one provided by the caller.
sltrib.com
· 2025-12-07
U.S. Senators John Curtis and Richard Blumenthal introduced the QUIET Act, which would require AI-generated robocalls and text messages to disclose that artificial intelligence is being used and would double penalties for scammers using AI to impersonate humans. Older Americans are disproportionately targeted by these robocall scams, and organizations like AARP are backing the legislation. If you receive a call or text that seems suspicious, be cautious about sharing personal information, and remember that legitimate organizations will typically disclose upfront if they're using automated systems.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
A 67-year-old man lost his entire $400,000 life savings to scammers impersonating federal agents who claimed his identity had been stolen and promised to protect his money if he transferred it to them. This case highlights a growing problem: seniors lost $4.8 billion to online scams in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year, with impersonation scams being among the most common. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact from government agencies, remember that legitimate federal agencies will never ask you to transfer money or buy gift cards, and verify any claims by contacting official agencies directly through their published phone numbers.
sun-sentinel.com
· 2025-12-07
Florida launched Operation Senior Shield, a free statewide alert system designed to warn seniors about emerging scams targeting their phones, computers, and homes before criminals can exploit them. The program provides education from cybersecurity experts and "ethical hackers" who teach seniors how scammers operate, helping them recognize and avoid common fraud tactics like utility shutoff threats, fake accidents, and insurance scams. Seniors are encouraged to stay informed through community conversations, report suspicious activity, and remember that hanging up on unknown callers is acceptable and may protect their savings.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-07
A pregnant DBS bank employee in Singapore prevented an elderly customer from withdrawing S$190,000 in cash by recognizing signs of a scam and refusing the transaction despite the woman's verbal abuse and demands. The customer was being coached by scammers posing as bank and law enforcement officials who had already tricked her into withdrawing S$12,000 from another branch. The employee's quick thinking and willingness to protect a vulnerable customer—even at personal cost—prevented a significant financial loss and demonstrates the importance of banks implementing fraud detection measures and customers being skeptical of unusual withdrawal requests.
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
A 75-year-old man in Hyderabad lost ₹1.09 lakh after clicking on a fake D-Mart discount offer on Facebook, downloading a malicious APK file that gave fraudsters access to his banking credentials and enabled them to drain his account. The incident highlights a growing trend of cybercriminals impersonating e-commerce brands through social media to target vulnerable users, particularly seniors. Authorities advise citizens to avoid clicking suspicious links, never download APK files from unverified sources, and remember that legitimate companies never distribute apps through messaging platforms or social media offers.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A 67-year-old man lost his entire $400,000 life savings to scammers impersonating federal agents who claimed his identity had been stolen and promised to protect his money if he transferred it to them. This case reflects a troubling trend: Americans age 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to online scams in 2024, with impersonation scams being among the most common types targeting seniors. To protect yourself or older relatives, be skeptical of unsolicited contacts claiming to be from government agencies, remember that the FBI and IRS will never ask you to transfer money or buy gift cards, and verify any suspicious claims by contacting official agencies directly using numbers from their legitimate websites.
hindupost.in
· 2025-12-07
Over 100 girls and women have gone missing from Bihar's India-Nepal border region in six months, with a recent rescue exposing an organized trafficking network that uses social media romance scams to target young women. A 16-year-old girl was intercepted at the Raxaul border after being lured online into a fake romantic relationship, sexually exploited, pressured to convert religions, and prepared for trafficking into Nepal. To protect themselves, young people should be cautious of online relationships with strangers who quickly profess love or make promises of marriage and jobs, and should report suspicious activity to local authorities or the SSB anti-trafficking unit.
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
Recent cybercrime incidents across India reveal a surge in sophisticated scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly citizens and residents. Criminals are using intimidation tactics—including fake "digital arrests," SIM-blocking threats, false legal accusations, and impersonation of police and bank officials—to coerce victims into transferring substantial sums of money. To protect yourself, never share personal details (Aadhaar, OTPs) in response to unsolicited calls, verify requests by contacting official agencies directly using known phone numbers, and remain skeptical of threats demanding immediate payment or isolation.
latestly.com
· 2025-12-07
# India Immigration Fraud Summary
Police in Chandigarh arrested a former immigration company employee who defrauded approximately 809,000 rupees from clients by issuing fake work-permit visa offer letters and diverting their money to personal accounts. The accused, Neha Bhagotra, was apprehended following swift police action after a complaint was filed, with authorities now investigating to trace the misappropriated funds and identify other victims. To protect yourself from such scams, verify immigration services through official channels, avoid paying large sums upfront, and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
catalannews.com
· 2025-12-07
# Scam Call Summary
Scammers are increasingly targeting people through phone calls impersonating legitimate companies like utility providers, using personal details and artificial urgency to pressure victims into accepting fraudulent deals. The Catalan Cybersecurity Agency reported over 3,300 cybercrime incidents in 2024 (a 26% increase from 2023), with around 300 scams reported daily to Catalan police, though many go unreported. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls from unknown numbers, watch for pressure tactics and urgency, verify caller identity independently through official company channels, and never confirm personal details or make immediate decisions during these calls.
catalannews.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are conducting increasingly frequent phone fraud across Catalonia, with around 300 scams reported daily to police, using tactics like impersonating utility companies, citing personal details to build credibility, and creating false urgency to pressure victims into immediate decisions. The Catalan Cybersecurity Agency reported a 26% increase in cybercrime incidents in 2024, affecting both institutions and individual citizens. To protect yourself, hang up on unsolicited calls offering limited-time deals, independently verify any company claims by calling their official number, and be suspicious of callers who already know personal information like your address or ID number.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-07
During the holiday season, scammers are targeting online shoppers through fake text messages, emails, and phone calls impersonating delivery companies like USPS, FedEx, and UPS, asking victims to click malicious links or share personal information. The schemes also include delivery fee scams and package theft, with thieves stealing over $18 billion in merchandise last year. To protect yourself, the Better Business Bureau recommends tracking your orders, avoiding unsolicited links, never providing sensitive information via text or email, and ensuring packages aren't left visible on your porch.
spokesman.com
· 2025-12-07
# Medicare Scam Summary
Tim Parkey, a 76-year-old man in Elk, receives 15-20 Medicare scam calls daily from fraudsters posing as benefits specialists, offering fake Medicare opportunities or rewards like $185. He feels forced to answer every call since his wife has Stage 4 lung cancer and is on home hospice care, so he can't risk missing critical medical calls from doctors or nurses. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited Medicare calls offering benefits or money, verify caller identity by hanging up and calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE, and report suspicious calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-06
New Hampshire's Attorney General is investigating four major voice service providers—Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Peerless, and Lumen—for allowing billions of illegal robocalls to flow through their networks despite years of warnings. These companies own the telephone infrastructure that carriers use to transmit calls, giving them the ability to block repeat scam offenders but failing to do so. Consumers can protect themselves by being cautious of unsolicited calls, not engaging with robocallers, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
islandernews.com
· 2025-12-06
Florida has launched Operation Senior Shield, a statewide initiative to protect senior citizens from scams and financial exploitation after numerous incidents this year, including cases where elderly victims lost over $100,000 to fake tech support alerts and pop-up scams. The program provides free, real-time scam alerts to families and coordinates cybersecurity experts with law enforcement to combat fraud targeting seniors. Seniors and their families should take advantage of the free alert system and educational resources being offered to learn how to identify and avoid common scams targeting their age group.
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-06
Americans lost over $16 billion to scams last year, with seniors being disproportionately targeted by increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes using AI and voice deepfakes. Senator Gillibrand introduced bipartisan legislation requiring the FBI to develop a coordinated national strategy to combat scams, as currently 13 different federal agencies work independently on anti-fraud efforts without unified coordination. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, verify requests through official channels before sharing personal information, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-06
A DBS bank employee in Singapore prevented an elderly woman from withdrawing $190,000 in what turned out to be a scam, despite the customer's angry protests and verbal abuse lasting nearly two hours. The assistant service manager, Fionice Teoh, recognized red flags including the customer's evasiveness, inconsistent explanations, constant phone contact with someone coaching her, and reluctance to make eye contact. To protect vulnerable customers from scams, banks recommend listening to staff concerns about large withdrawals, being cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, and verifying requests directly with trusted contacts rather than following instructions from unknown callers.
tbrnewsmedia.com
· 2025-12-06
# Article Summary
An elderly Port Jefferson Station woman lost $15,000 to scammers who claimed to help resolve fraudulent Apple Pay charges, prompting the Suffolk County Police Department to warn residents about increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. Scammers are using tactics like caller ID spoofing, creating artificial urgency, and impersonating banks, bail agents, and legal authorities—exploiting seniors' social isolation and trust in institutions. To protect yourself, authorities advise being skeptical of unsolicited calls or texts about account problems, avoiding sharing sensitive information during panic moments, and verifying caller identity through official channels before taking action.
loveballymena.online
· 2025-12-06
Northern Ireland's Trading Standards Service is warning consumers about increasingly sophisticated Christmas scams targeting online shoppers during the busy holiday season, with fraudsters using fake deals, counterfeit goods, and non-delivery schemes to steal payment details and money. Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald urges shoppers to exercise caution, verify trusted sellers, and carefully protect personal payment information before making online purchases. To stay safe, consumers should shop only from reputable retailers, be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and avoid sharing sensitive details with unverified sellers.
theborneopost.com
· 2025-12-06
Online scams in Sarawak, Malaysia have surged dramatically, with reported cases rising from 1,888 to 2,295 and financial losses climbing from RM78.41 million to RM85.45 million in just over a year, affecting victims across multiple scam categories including love scams, investment fraud, and fake job offers. The article highlights the emotional and financial devastation caused by these crimes, including a tragic case of an elderly woman who lost money to a romance scammer and died still believing his promises, while emphasizing that official statistics likely undercount the true number of victims since many never report their cases. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages from strangers, especially those asking for money; verify job offers and investment opportunities independently; and report suspected scams to authorities rather than suffering in silence, as official reports help track the problem and potentially prevent others from becoming victims.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-06
# Holiday Shopping Scams Summary
Scammers are using advanced AI and social engineering tactics to target holiday shoppers through fake websites that perfectly mimic legitimate retailers, manipulated social media videos promoting fake deals, QR code stickers placed over real codes, and highly realistic fake shipping notifications. To protect yourself, verify website URLs carefully (watch for slight variations), never click links in promotional posts or messages—instead go directly to official websites and manually enter codes, avoid scanning unfamiliar QR codes especially those requesting payments or logins, and never provide credit card or personal information via text messages or emails.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-06
Reshipping scams trick job seekers with fake work-from-home positions that promise easy pay for receiving and forwarding packages, but the items are actually purchased with stolen credit cards and you become complicit in moving stolen goods while criminals disappear. Victims not only risk financial loss and identity theft from sharing personal information during the fake hiring process, but may also face criminal liability since reshipping stolen merchandise is illegal regardless of intent. To stay safe, avoid job postings with vague titles like "delivery operations specialist," requests for personal identification upfront, promises of high pay for minimal work, and pressure to act quickly—especially during holiday shopping seasons.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-06
A San Jose widow in her 70s lost nearly $1 million to a "pig butchering" scam, a romance fraud scheme where scammers pose as potential romantic partners to gain victims' trust before manipulating them into sending money for fake cryptocurrency investments. The victim, Margaret Loke, was connected with a man claiming to be a businessman from Texas through Facebook, and after building what seemed like a genuine relationship through messaging, he convinced her to wire her entire life savings to overseas accounts. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of online romantic connections offering investment opportunities, verify identities through video calls before any financial discussions, and never send money to anyone you haven't met in person—especially for cryptocurrency or investment schemes.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-06
Scammers in Mount Dora are creating fake posters for real city events and fraudulently soliciting vendors, collecting fees through Zelle payments for spots that don't actually exist. At least three vendors have been targeted so far, losing money like the $180 paid by one person who thought they were registering for two events. To protect yourself, be wary of event posters that don't list the hosting organization's name or provide a landline phone number, and watch out for vendors being asked to pay only through Zelle or being skipped the standard requirement of providing a certificate of insurance.
gillibrand.senate.gov
· 2025-12-05
Americans lost $16.6 billion to scams in 2024, with seniors particularly vulnerable—losing $4.8 billion of that total. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tools like AI and voice deepfakes to target victims, prompting Senator Gillibrand to introduce legislation requiring the FBI to develop a coordinated national strategy to combat scams. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contacts requesting money or personal information, verify requests through official channels, and consider using call-screening tools on your phone.
pagosadailypost.com
· 2025-12-05
# Holiday Scams Targeting Seniors Rise This Season
During the holiday season, scammers are increasingly targeting older adults through convincing fake emails, calls, and mailings that impersonate charities, delivery services, and government agencies to steal personal information or money. Seniors and their families are urged to verify all communications directly with official organizations, avoid sharing financial details with unsolicited callers, and be skeptical of urgent payment demands—remembering that legitimate businesses never pressure people into immediate decisions. Staying alert and discussing common fraud tactics with elderly relatives can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these sophisticated scams during the holidays.
nationaltradingstandards.uk
· 2025-12-05
Three men have been convicted in a major fraud investigation targeting elderly and vulnerable people who were deceived into buying unnecessary and overpriced solar panel upgrades through companies Clear Renewables Ltd and Efficient Homes SE Ltd. Scammers used cold-calling, misleading scripts, and high-pressure tactics to convince homeowners their existing solar systems needed urgent repairs or replacements, charging thousands of pounds for equipment that cost the companies a fraction of that price and was sometimes hazardous. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited calls about home energy systems, get independent quotes before agreeing to expensive upgrades, and verify that your current equipment actually needs replacement before proceeding with any work.
mebaneenterprise.com
· 2025-12-05
# Romance and Extortion Scams in North Carolina
A tragic case in North Carolina has exposed the deadly risks of online romance scams, where a Jonesborough man was manipulated and extorted by scammers posing as romantic interests before taking his own life in October 2023. North Carolina has seen a surge in various scams affecting over 500 victims and $17 million in losses, including romance fraud, impersonation schemes, and sextortion targeting vulnerable individuals—ranging from elderly residents to teenagers. To protect yourself, authorities advise verifying any unsolicited contact by independently calling known numbers, never sharing personal or financial information with unverified callers, and being cautious of online profiles pressuring you for money, cryptocurrency investments, or wire transfers.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-05
# Holiday Email Scams Surge: FBI Warning
The FBI warns that cybercriminals are exploiting the holiday shopping season by sending realistic phishing emails to Gmail, Outlook, and other inboxes to steal money and personal information, with Americans losing over $785 million to non-delivery and non-payment scams during the holidays and early months following. Common scams include fake purchase confirmations, auction fraud, and gift card schemes, often moving so quickly that victims don't realize they've been compromised until unauthorized charges appear on their bank accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of suspicious links and emails (even ones that look legitimate), verify sender addresses before clicking, and consider enabling two-factor authentication on your accounts.
crr.bc.edu
· 2025-12-04
Seniors ages 60+ lost nearly $5 billion to scams in 2024, with over 140,000 complaints filed to the FBI, and experts believe actual losses are even higher. Scammers specifically target older adults because they typically have more savings, may be less tech-savvy, and are less likely to report fraud, using tactics like impersonating grandchildren claiming emergencies or posing as financial institutions. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails and calls asking for personal information or urgent payments, verify requests by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, and never send money via gift cards or wire transfers to unknown parties.
pagosasun.com
· 2025-12-04
# Holiday Scams Targeting Older Adults on the Rise
During the holiday season, scammers are increasingly targeting senior citizens through convincing fake emails, calls, and mailings that impersonate legitimate organizations and pressure victims into sharing personal information or sending money quickly. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to these schemes because fraudsters exploit the increased volume of holiday communications, charity appeals, and special offers to make their scams seem legitimate.
To protect themselves and their loved ones, families should verify all unexpected communications directly through official channels, remind seniors that legitimate organizations never demand immediate payment or confidential information over the phone, and encourage older relatives to hang up on unsolicited callers requesting financial details.
kens5.com
· 2025-12-04
A San Antonio council member is proposing a plan to protect seniors from holiday scams, which are surging during peak shopping and donation season. The proposal would auto-enroll seniors in Do Not Call registries, ban door-to-door visits after sunset and on Sundays, require door-to-door solicitors to show ID, and provide educational seminars—addressing concerns that over 1,100 cases of senior exploitation were reported in Bexar County last year, though actual cases likely far exceed reported numbers. Seniors should be vigilant about unsolicited calls and visits, verify the identity of anyone requesting payment or personal information, and consider registering on Do Not Call lists to reduce scam exposure.
itweb.co.za
· 2025-12-04
# Romance Scams Summary
Romance scammers create fake online profiles to build emotional relationships with victims, ultimately tricking them into sending money or personal information by exploiting people's desire for connection. Red flags include someone moving too fast in a relationship, requesting money, or refusing video calls—scammers often hide on dating apps and social media platforms where they can easily maintain false identities. To protect yourself, be cautious of online connections who you've never met in person, verify identities through video calls, and never send money to someone you haven't met; according to the FTC, consumers lost over $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023 alone.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-04
Attorney General Kris Mayes has launched Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup, targeting four major voice providers (Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen, and Peerless) that have been transmitting hundreds of millions of suspected illegal robocalls, including imposter scams impersonating Amazon, Apple, Social Security Administration, and the IRS. The crackdown affects millions of Americans who have been bombarded with these illegal calls, following earlier warnings sent to 37 smaller providers in August. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from major companies or government agencies—legitimate organizations typically won't call demanding personal information or immediate payment, and you can report suspicious robocalls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-04
San Antonio's West Side councilwoman is proposing stronger protections for seniors who are frequently targeted by door-to-door scams, including fraudulent solar panel sales and forged signatures. Her proposal includes distributing "no soliciting" yard signs, strengthening city ordinances to require solicitor ID badges and bonding, restricting sales after sunset and on Sundays, and making it easier for seniors to enroll in do-not-call registries. Seniors can protect themselves by being skeptical of unsolicited door-to-door offers, verifying any solicitor's registration with the city through 311, and using do-not-call registries.
fredericksburgfreepress.com
· 2025-12-04
Gift card scams are rapidly increasing in Fredericksburg, with scammers impersonating government officials, relatives, or legitimate organizations to pressure victims—particularly seniors—into purchasing gift cards or using cryptocurrency ATMs. Residents should never share gift card numbers or personal information with unsolicited contacts and should always verify urgent requests by calling a trusted family member or official source directly, as legitimate government agencies never demand payment via gift cards. Anyone suspicious of a scam can report it to local police at (540) 373-3122 or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
citizenportal.ai
· 2025-12-04
State officials warned that funding for elder services may decline significantly in the coming year, affecting programs like Meals on Wheels that serve seniors. To help protect vulnerable residents, the district attorney plans to visit the islands and share fraud-prevention resources, as council members discussed common scams targeting seniors. If you receive a call with silence or delay after answering, hang up immediately rather than responding, and watch for other red flags—the council plans to distribute a fraud-awareness checklist in upcoming newsletters.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-04
Holiday scams are surging in sophistication and frequency, with criminals using AI technology to clone voices, create convincing fake texts, and impersonate delivery services and charities—resulting in over $785 million in losses from non-payment and non-delivery scams alone in 2024. The scams disproportionately affect busy holiday shoppers through emotional manipulation tactics like fake "family emergency" calls and deceptive messages about delayed packages. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls and texts asking for urgent action, verify delivery notifications through official retailer apps or websites, and always double-check charity legitimacy before donating, especially during peak giving season.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-03
Scammers are using a technique called "typosquatting" to create fake Microsoft login emails that look almost identical to legitimate ones, with domains like "rnicrosoft.com" instead of "microsoft.com"—a subtle difference that's easy to miss, especially on mobile devices. When users click these deceptive emails and enter their credentials, attackers gain access to their Microsoft accounts and personal data. To protect yourself, carefully examine sender email addresses character-by-character before clicking links, hover over links to verify the actual destination URL, and enable two-factor authentication on your Microsoft account for added security.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-03
Millions of Walmart customers were targeted in a large-scale scam involving AI-generated robocalls impersonating Walmart employees claiming unauthorized PlayStation 5 purchases of $919.45 on their accounts. The FCC ordered the voice service provider SK Teleco to stop these calls immediately or face being cut off from U.S. networks, as online scams have reached record levels with Americans losing $16.6 billion to internet crimes in 2024. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls about purchases you didn't make, never press buttons or call back numbers provided by unsolicited callers, and verify any claims by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers or websites.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-03
During the holiday season, scammers intensify their fraud efforts, costing consumers billions of dollars annually—with victims in Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania losing over $330 million in the first half of 2024 alone. Common scams include phishing emails and texts about package deliveries, gift card fraud, and impersonators claiming to be family members or banks. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls and messages, verify requests through official channels before sharing personal information, and remember that legitimate banks will never ask for sensitive details over the phone.
fox8live.com
· 2025-12-03
Millions of Americans are receiving unwanted robocalls daily, exposing them to scams and fraud, and a new US PIRG report titled "Ringing in our Fears" found that many phone companies have been slow to install required robocall-blocking software—with over 3,600 companies either partially or completely failing to implement it. Consumer advocates argue that regulators and phone companies haven't done enough to combat the problem, though the telecom industry disputes these findings and claims robocalls are declining. If you receive a scam call, report it to the BBB or FTC, and check the FCC's consumer guide for ways to block unwanted calls.
sanantonioreport.org
· 2025-12-03
San Antonio Councilwoman Teri Castillo is proposing new protections against financial scams targeting seniors, including stricter regulations on door-to-door solicitation such as limiting hours to daytime and requiring vendors to wear ID badges and carry bonds. Over 1,100 cases of senior financial exploitation were reported in Bexar County last year, though the actual number is likely much higher since most cases go unreported. The proposal also seeks to improve seniors' access to legal aid and increase coordination between the city, financial institutions, and law enforcement to prevent fraud.