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Text message phishing scams (smishing) affect approximately one in three Americans, with about one-third of those falling victim without immediate awareness; the FBI reported 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 resulting in nearly $19 million in losses, with scams becoming more sophisticated through AI-generated messages. To protect yourself, verify that you've opted into bank text alerts through your account settings, and never respond to messages requesting personal information, urgent action, suspicious links, or money transfers—instead, contact your bank directly using the number on your card.

Scammers increasingly target utility customers by impersonating utility company representatives via phone, email, or in-person visits, demanding immediate payment under threat of service disconnection using untraceable payment methods like prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. To avoid these scams, consumers should independently verify any payment demands by calling their utility company using contact information from their bill or secure account, remember that legitimate utilities send multiple notices before disconnection and offer flexible payment plans, and only use traceable payment methods with fraud protection. Utility scams are particularly effective during extreme weather when customers are desperate to maintain service.

This educational guide examines the psychology behind why people fall for scams, emphasizing that susceptibility is not a matter of intelligence but rather how scammers exploit psychological vulnerabilities. Key findings include that adults aged 35-44 are most likely to be deceived (though older adults remain targeted), those 18-24 lose the most money, and online fraud causes an estimated $2.7 billion in annual losses while also impacting victims' mental health. The article outlines how scammers build trust through impersonation and social engineering, and notes that common scams include phone fraud, phishing, fake job offers, and emergency schemes—increasingly enhanced by AI technology.

Senior citizens are frequently targeted by scammers using untraceable payment methods like prepaid cards and wire transfers, with law enforcement noting these scams are largely preventable through awareness. Documented cases in Sanford included a 77-year-old man defrauded of $3,000 in iTunes cards by someone impersonating his granddaughter claiming to need bail money, and various lottery and inheritance scams sent to residents. Law enforcement agencies advise that any unsolicited request to pay money to receive money is a scam, recommend never sharing personal information over the phone, and note that legitimate government agencies would never demand payment via gift cards or money orders.

Fraudsters are employing AI and sophisticated tactics to target victims across age groups in India, including fresh graduates (fake job offers), middle-aged parents (police threat scams), and retirees (KYC update phishing). From January to May 2024, Indian citizens filed approximately 9.5 lakh cybercrime complaints and lost around Rs 1,750 crore to various scams including TRAI impersonation, fake digital arrests, fraudulent stock trading schemes, and easy money-for-tasks schemes.

On September 30, Taeli Kim, owner of Sonbul Café in Brooklyn, lost over $5,000 to utility impostor scammers who claimed to represent his electric company, threatened service disconnection, and used personal information to appear legitimate. The scammers used a guest payment system to intercept funds before they reached his account, jeopardizing his ability to make payroll for his newly opened restaurant. Kim launched a GoFundMe that raised nearly the full amount within three days, supported by over 100 local donors.

Business impersonation scams were the most reported financial fraud in 2023, affecting approximately 332,000 victims and resulting in over $660 million in losses, according to an FTC report. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating legitimate companies or government agencies to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information, transferring money, or granting system access. Protection strategies include scrutinizing sender email addresses, being wary of urgent-sounding messages, enabling multi-factor authentication, monitoring financial accounts closely, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC.

This educational piece warns seniors about utility scams, where fraudsters impersonate utility companies and demand immediate payment under threat of service cutoff. The article advises recipients to hang up immediately, call their utility using the legitimate number on their bill, and report the scam to both the utility and the Federal Trade Commission. It notes that people over 65 lost nearly $1 billion to scams in 2020, with utility scams particularly prevalent in California, Florida, and Texas, making West Virginia seniors especially vulnerable given the state's high elderly population.

Utility scams targeting seniors use threatening calls about immediate service shutoffs to extort money through fear and intimidation. The article advises recipients to hang up immediately, call their utility using the legitimate number on their bill, and report the scam to both the utility company and the FTC, emphasizing that real utilities do not operate this way and that money sent to scammers is nearly impossible to recover. According to ABC News and FBI data, people over 65 lost nearly $1 billion to scams in 2020, with seniors representing most of the 23,000 victims, particularly in California, Florida, and Texas.

Saskatoon Police Service warned the public about "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, which begin with unsolicited contact via text, email, or dating apps and use romance and fake investment promises to defraud victims. Fraudsters gain trust, direct victims to fraudulent investment platforms showing false returns, then demand additional fees before cutting off contact, often leaving victims with losses of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Police advise Canadians to avoid unsolicited investment offers, consult registered financial professionals, and report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and local authorities.

India experienced a significant cybercrime surge in 2024, with approximately Rs 120.3 crore lost to "digital arrest" scams from January to April alone, where criminals impersonate law enforcement via video calls to coerce victims into paying money under threat of arrest. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) warned of related scams involving fake service disconnection threats, while the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal recorded 7.4 lakh complaints in Q1 2024, reflecting a steep increase from previous years. Victims should report suspicious calls through official portals and avoid making payments when threatened with legal action or service interruptions.

This educational piece advises consumers to remain vigilant against evolving fraud tactics, particularly during International Fraud Awareness Week. Southern California Edison received 1,562 fraud complaints in 2023 totaling $251,000 in losses, with scammers increasingly targeting churches through fake past-due bill alerts and fraudulent barcodes; the article provides protective measures including verifying secure websites, safeguarding personal information, and using only authorized payment methods. The positive trend shows a 54% drop in fraudulent complaints between 2022-2023, attributed to improved customer awareness.

Con Edison, joining over 150 energy and water companies for Fraud Awareness Week, warns customers to recognize and avoid utility scams that use pressure tactics and fake payment methods like prepaid cards, Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle. Scammers impersonate company employees, manipulate caller IDs, and use digital tactics including fake payment websites and QR codes to steal personal information and money, with some victims losing thousands of dollars after being told transactions failed and paying repeatedly.

This educational piece identifies ten common impostor utility scams, including disconnection threats demanding prepaid card payments, fake billing routing numbers, bogus equipment fees, overpayment refund requests, and post-disaster power restoration charges. The article notes that the Better Business Bureau reported a median loss of $463 per victim in 2023 and advises customers that legitimate utilities send written disconnection notices, offer multiple payment methods, handle equipment upgrades proactively, process refunds via mail or account credits, and do not charge for disaster-related power restoration.

A Winnipeg woman nearly fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in which fraudsters posed as Manitoba Hydro workers, claiming she had unpaid bills and threatening to disconnect her power within the hour. The scammers obtained her personal information including her name, address, and billing amount ($116), and directed her to pay at a convenience store kiosk equipped with a bitcoin machine that would have transferred her money to an unknown account. The victim reported the scam to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre after discovering the deception when she attempted to verify the claim at Manitoba Hydro's actual headquarters.

Sylvia Camarillo lost $2,000 to scammers impersonating CPS Energy who called threatening to disconnect her utilities before Thanksgiving and instructed her to purchase gift cards for payment. The scammers obtained her personal information including her account number and social security number, demonstrating the sophistication of holiday season fraud targeting utilities. CPS Energy clarified they never demand immediate payment by phone, threaten same-day disconnection, or request gift card payments, and advised victims to hang up and report such calls to law enforcement immediately.

Alfred Mancinelli, a 79-year-old widower, lost approximately $1 million in savings over several years to romance scammers posing as professional wrestler Alexa Bliss and other characters who exploited his loneliness and desire for companionship. When his son Chris attempted to protect his remaining $100,000 by securing it in an account, Alfred sued him, demonstrating how romance scam victims often reject intervention and become emotionally ensnared by their fraudsters. The case illustrates a broader problem: Americans lost $652 million to romance fraud in 2023 alone, with older adults and isolated individuals particularly vulnerable to scammers who manipulate emotional

This personal account describes the author's experience with multiple phone and online scams during the holiday shopping season, including fake credit card offers, IRS threats, and Microsoft Windows license warnings. The author documents various fraudulent calls and contacts from scammers impersonating legitimate companies (Visa, Google, Corporations for Character, the IRS, Social Security, and Microsoft), as well as suspicious emails, highlighting how these schemes remain profitable despite being widely known. The piece emphasizes the importance of educating oneself on scam recognition and avoiding being victimized by these common variations on familiar themes.

The jury duty summons scam, in which callers impersonate police officers and threaten victims with arrest for missing court summons, is becoming increasingly common and convincing, with the FTC reporting over 560,000 fraud cases in Q3 2024 alone. Victims are pressured to withdraw cash from ATMs or purchase gift cards to pay fake fines, with scammers using official-looking forged court documents and aggressive threats to coerce payment. Key warning signs include unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment and threats of arrest—legitimate law enforcement communicates via mail or in-person service, never by phone with demands for immediate payment.

Georgia Power is warning customers about escalating scams as tax season and new year bills arrive, including fake calls, emails, and door-to-door visits impersonating utility representatives demanding immediate payment or personal financial information. The utility also flagged fraudulent Cash App accounts, cryptocurrency payment demands, and fake websites mimicking Georgia Power's official site to steal billing and credit information. Customers should verify any communication by calling Georgia Power's official customer service line at 888-660-5890 and use only legitimate payment methods through the company's official website at www.GeorgiaPower.com.

**Summary:** Georgia Power warned customers in January 2025 about increasing scams during post-holiday and tax season periods, including threats of power disconnection and requests to update billing information. The utility highlighted evolving tech scams such as fraudulent payment requests through Cash App using fake company logos and fake digital ads directing customers to non-company websites to steal personal information. Georgia Power provided guidance to customers on legitimate payment methods, verification procedures, and reporting mechanisms to protect against scammers impersonating company representatives.

The article outlines three major scams that persist year-round, particularly during the holiday season. "Pig butchering" scams involve fraudsters slowly building trust with victims before stealing money through fake investment schemes, often cryptocurrency-based; Santa Clara County prosecutors charged two suspects in a case where a 66-year-old man lost $170,000 after being targeted by a fake investment banker on Facebook. Travel scams have increased 500-900% with AI-generated fake booking websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent reviews, while utility scams cost PG&E customers over $334,000 in 2024 through threats of service disconnection and demands for immediate payment via prep

Authorities warn that scammers use multiple tactics year-round to defraud victims, including "pig butchering" investment scams where perpetrators gain trust before stealing money (with one recent case involving a 66-year-old who lost $170,000 to a fake Facebook investment banker), AI-generated travel scams that have increased 500-900% and use fake websites and phishing, and utility scams where fraudsters impersonate companies like PG&E to demand immediate payment, causing customers over $334,000 in losses in 2024 alone. Experts recommend verifying suspicious offers directly with companies, avoiding clicking unknown links, paying attention to detail inconsistencies

Scammers posing as Eversource representatives are targeting customers with threats of power disconnection to demand immediate payment, exploiting winter urgency and panic. Eversource and Waterbury Police warn that legitimate utility representatives never demand instant payment via phone, require gift cards or prepaid cards, or solicit personal information unsolicited; customers should hang up and call Eversource directly at 800-286-2000 to verify any contact claiming to be from the company. To protect themselves, residents should remember that caller ID can be spoofed, verify requests independently using contact information from their bill rather than search engines, and report suspected scams to local police.

This AARP educational article outlines five common scams targeting consumers and provides prevention strategies: credit repair scams exploit financial stress with upfront fees and false promises; social media ad scams deceive over one-third of U.S. adults who shop online by directing them to counterfeit retailer websites; utility scams use urgent threats of service shutoff to panic victims into immediate payment; concert ticket scams involve counterfeit digital tickets sold through unverified resellers; and unsolicited calls from unknown numbers may initiate fraud schemes. The article recommends verifying claims through official channels, researching company legitimacy with the Better Business Bureau, using secure payment methods, and avoiding clickable links in

Scammers posing as Eversource energy company representatives are targeting customers in New Hampshire with threats to disconnect power unless they make immediate payments, using scare tactics to pressure victims into handing over money or personal information. Eversource and local police warn that the company never demands instant payment over the phone, requests gift cards or prepaid cards, or asks for personal information in unsolicited communications. Residents are advised to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests through official company channels, and report incidents to local police.

Scammers impersonating Evergy electric utility have targeted Nodaway County residents since January, calling from cloned numbers and threatening immediate service disconnection unless customers purchase prepaid cards from Walmart to pay bills. Evergy warns that legitimate utility companies never demand immediate payment through gift cards, prepaid cards, or other untraceable methods, and advises customers to verify calls by contacting the company directly and avoiding suspicious links and emails. The scams particularly target vulnerable populations including elderly customers, and victims should report fraud to their bank and the utility company immediately.

National Grid is alerting customers to scams in which fraudsters impersonate utility company representatives and demand immediate payment via prepaid debit card, threatening service disconnection. The company clarified that it never requests direct payment by debit card or wire transfer and does not threaten immediate disconnection, urging victims to contact local law enforcement.

Common scams targeting victims include fake attorney calls claiming a loved one needs bail money, utility shutoff warnings, lottery schemes, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Law enforcement advises that when unsolicited callers request personal information or money, recipients should hang up and independently verify the claim by contacting the supposed organization or person directly. Scammers use tactics such as keeping victims on the phone to prevent critical thinking, leveraging personal information like Social Security numbers, and coaching victims on how to send money discreetly to avoid detection by store employees.

This educational piece outlines how to detect utility scams that surge during weather emergencies. Scammers impersonate power companies using spoofed caller IDs and stolen personal information to pressure victims into immediate payments via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency. The key defense is to hang up and independently verify claims by calling the company directly, avoiding payment methods without buyer protection, and resisting urgency tactics.

This Reddit discussion highlights various modern scams and exploitative industries that users identified, including: time-share presentations using high-pressure sales tactics; designer furniture brands that purchase mass-produced items and resell them at 5x markup; predatory towing schemes targeting ATM users; health insurance price disparities for medications like insulin; multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes that use deceptive recruitment tactics; mobile gaming designed with addictive mechanics and hidden paywalls; and cryptocurrency projects involving "rug pulls" and casino-like gambling structures. The common thread across these examples is that they exploit consumers through opacity, psychological manipulation, or artificial markup rather than offering genuine value.

Fraudsters in Hyderabad are sending fake SMS messages to electricity consumers claiming their power supply will be disconnected due to unpaid bills and urging immediate payment via phone or WhatsApp; scammers then attempt to collect banking details and make unauthorized withdrawals. The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) has clarified that it never requests banking details via text or uses personal mobile numbers for communications, and advises consumers to verify bills only through official channels and report suspicious messages to authorities.

PSE&G warns customers about utility scams during National Consumer Protection Week, which involve scammers impersonating utility companies via phone calls, texts, emails, and in-person visits to demand immediate payment (often through gift cards, money transfers, or prepaid cards) by threatening service disconnection. Real victims reported losses ranging from $400 to over $2,400, with scammers using tactics like caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate; PSE&G advises customers to hang up and verify by calling the number on their bill, as the company never requires specific payment methods and offers multiple legitimate payment options including online, mobile app, and digital payment services.

Wisconsin Public Service warned customers of a scam in which fraudsters impersonate utility company representatives and demand immediate payment to avoid service disconnection, creating false urgency to panic victims into providing banking information for theft. The scam targeted residential customers, businesses, and religious organizations across Wisconsin, with scammers requesting payment details to steal money and personal identity information. WPS advised customers to hang up suspicious calls and contact the company directly to verify any service issues.

OG&E warned customers about a scam where fake phone numbers appeared in Google search results for "OG&E payments" or "how to pay my OG&E bill," directing callers to fraudsters who posed as company representatives to collect payment information. The utility company advised customers to pay bills directly through OG&E's official website or by calling verified numbers on their official "Contact Us" page.

Florida Power and Light provided tips for National Senior Fraud Awareness Day on avoiding utility scams, which commonly occur through fake websites, suspicious phone calls, and door-to-door solicitors. Key advice includes using only official communication channels, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers or visitors, ignoring demands for immediate payment via gift cards or banking apps, and verifying caller identity by calling the number on your FPL bill rather than searching online. Victims should report suspected scams to FPL, local law enforcement, and the Federal Trade Commission.

The county issued a public awareness warning about ten common phone and internet scams targeting residents, including grandparent scams, government imposter schemes, technology support fraud, romance scams, charity fraud, lottery scams, investment schemes, home repair fraud, phishing emails and texts, and utility payment scams. The advisory educates the public on how to identify and recognize these fraudulent tactics to protect themselves from financial loss and identity theft.

SRP (Salt River Project) and AARP issued a joint warning about utility scams targeting older adults, particularly around the Memorial Day weekend, noting that Arizona has the highest fraud rate against seniors in the country at 289 cases per 100,000. Common scams include fake payment websites, phishing texts/emails impersonating utility companies, and fraudsters posing as utility workers, all designed to create urgency and pressure immediate payment. Customers should protect themselves by calling SRP directly to verify account status, avoiding suspicious links and unusual payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency), and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360

Fraudsters in India are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics—including AI-powered targeting—to deceive people across all age groups, with scams ranging from fake job offers and digital arrest threats to fraudulent investment schemes and fake KYC updates. Between January and May 2024, approximately 9.5 lakh cybercrime complaints were registered in India, with citizens losing approximately Rs 1,750 crore during this period. The article outlines 10 common scam methods including TRAI impersonation, fake digital arrests, false family member arrest schemes, fraudulent stock trading, customs scams, and fake credit card transactions, emphasizing the importance of verification and caution before sharing

Bogus customer service scams are proliferating online, with scammers impersonating legitimate companies (airlines, banks, Amazon, etc.) by planting fake customer service numbers and accounts on social media to target frustrated consumers. Amazon reported a 33% increase in customer service impersonation scams between December 2024 and February 2025, with criminals monitoring public complaints, responding with fake accounts, and directing victims to fraudulent links or requesting personal information and payment. Consumer experts advise against posting complaints on social media and recommend using official company channels instead, as scammers exploit vulnerable moments—such as flight cancellations or lost packages—to manipulate victims into providing money or sensitive data.

Scammers impersonate legitimate customer service for airlines, banks, retailers, and other companies by posting fake support numbers and accounts online, particularly targeting frustrated consumers posting complaints on social media platforms. Amazon reported a 33% increase in customer service impersonation scams between December 2024 and February, with criminals using fake accounts to direct victims to malicious links, request personal information, or demand payment via gift cards. Consumer watchdogs advise against posting complaints publicly online and warn that red flags include requests for upfront payment, gift card payments, or claims of fraud investigations.

This educational article outlines common cryptocurrency scams and protection strategies. According to the FBI, crypto fraud losses surged 45% year-over-year to $5.6 billion in 2023 based on 69,000 complaints, with scams ranging from phishing attacks to fake ICOs and rug pulls. The article advises crypto investors to verify website URLs, enable two-factor authentication, and remain vigilant about suspicious links and messages to protect their digital assets.

A 65-year-old woman from Beed lost Rs 83 lakh in a digital arrest scam when fraudsters impersonating Mumbai police claimed her Aadhar card was used for money laundering and terrorism financing, then coerced her into transferring funds across multiple bank accounts over nine days. Mumbai police have registered 84 digital arrest cases this year, with 23 detected and 30 perpetrators arrested; charges filed include cheating and identity theft under Indian law.

A voicemail scam targeting El Paso County residents impersonated a real sheriff's sergeant, claiming a victim had missed a court appearance and including a local callback number to increase credibility. A Colorado Springs couple nearly fell for the scam but avoided it by researching the sergeant's name; authorities warn that such impersonation scams are evolving and often use threats of arrest or legal action to pressure victims into paying fines or providing financial information. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office advises never calling back suspicious numbers and instead verifying calls directly through official agency phone numbers.

This educational resource presents a chart detailing common scams targeting consumers, including AI scams (deepfake impersonations), bank text scams (phishing for account information), billing/invoice scams (fake invoices demanding payment), brushing scams (unsolicited items to boost reviews), and charity scams. The guide identifies shared scammer tactics such as impersonation, creating urgency, and pressuring victims to share personal information, while offering specific identification and prevention strategies for each scam type. The material encourages sharing this information with friends and family as a primary defense against fraud.

Police across Australia are warning of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting vulnerable victims, with over 150 reported cases in 2024 resulting in losses exceeding $3 million, including victims who deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars. Scammers manipulate victims—predominantly people over 50—through romance, investment, and employment fraud schemes, directing them to use cryptocurrency ATMs as anonymous cash pipelines after banks block traditional transfers. Authorities emphasize that cryptocurrency ATM transactions are irreversible and advise the public to never send money via cryptocurrency when pressured by unknown persons or promised quick profits.

Wisconsin Public Service warns customers to be cautious of phone and door-to-door scammers impersonating utility company employees who threaten service shutoffs and demand immediate payment via prepaid cards or digital payment apps like Venmo. The company advises verifying employee identity through official ID badges, avoiding response to suspicious calls or texts, and being cautious of unusual payment requests. More information is available on their website's scam safety page.

PG&E customers reported over $190,000 in losses to utility scams during 2025, with scammers impersonating utility representatives and threatening service disconnection unless immediate payment is made via prepaid debit cards or digital payment apps. PG&E has received over 10,000 scam reports affecting residential and business customers, with vulnerable populations including seniors and small business owners being targeted. PG&E advises customers never to provide financial information over the phone or email, and to report suspicious contacts by calling 1-833-500-SCAM or visiting www.pge.com/scams.

Utility-related impostor scams are surging across Pennsylvania, with criminals posing as utility representatives to demand immediate payments via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission received over 70 calls in a single day about scammers falsely claiming service switches were detected and threatening disconnection, though utilities never demand immediate payment or use non-traditional payment methods. AARP Pennsylvania recommends residents verify suspicious calls by contacting the number on their utility bill and report fraud to the PUC, local law enforcement, or the FTC.

A 56-year-old Michigan woman lost $400 after clicking on a fraudulent Geico phone number in Google search results and unknowingly calling scammers who impersonated the insurance company. The fraudsters obtained her driver's license, VIN, and Social Security number, then instructed her to make a payment via Xfinity using a fake Google Docs form. The victim discovered the scam when she contacted the real Geico and learned no legitimate policy had been created; her bank refunded the $400 pending investigation, though scammers also attempted to contact her adult sons for their personal information.