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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.

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.

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 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.

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

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

**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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dr. Ruby Thomas, a doctor in Lucknow, fell victim to an elaborate digital arrest scam in which fraudsters impersonated Mumbai Police and CBI officials via WhatsApp and video calls, falsely accusing her of involvement in the Naresh Goyal scam and threatening execution if she didn't cooperate. After holding her in a five-hour digital hostage situation with fake arrest warrants and fabricated evidence, the scammers extracted Rs 90,000 from her before disconnecting. Similar cases targeting other high-profile professionals, including Dr. Satvika Rathore (Rs 50,000 extorted), reveal a growing trend of cyber extortion

A LinkedIn scam targeting marketing and communications agencies impersonates real Lancel employees using stolen identities to propose fake brand collaboration deals, sending convincing fake documents and requesting sensitive data or cryptocurrency investments. The perpetrators use social engineering and pretexting techniques, exploiting LinkedIn's lack of employment verification to appear credible, resulting in victims losing sensitive data and financial investments. Lancel has confirmed these contacts are unauthorized and reported the incidents to LinkedIn, highlighting the need for stronger platform verification systems and digital literacy among professionals.

A 48-year-old civil contractor from Pimpri lost Rs 21 lakh in an online share trading scam between July and August after responding to a stock market investment advertisement on social media. The scammer added the victim to a messenger group, promised high returns, and convinced him to transfer Rs 20.9 lakh to multiple bank accounts before becoming unresponsive and blocking contact. The Pimpri Chinchwad police registered a case after the victim filed a complaint with the cyber crime cell and are investigating using the contractor's bank transaction details.

A cybersecurity firm KnowBe4 discovered that a newly hired remote software engineer was a North Korean scammer operating through a U.S. laptop farm, exposed when the company laptop immediately began downloading password-stealing malware. The scheme involved multiple actors including a compromised American citizen whose identity was stolen, fake references with Gmail addresses, and inconsistencies in the hiring process that the FBI has linked to a known North Korean data-stealing operation targeting I.T. positions at American and British companies. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in remote hiring processes and the need for companies to implement stronger verification procedures, in-person interviews, and cross-referenced background checks to prevent foreign threat actors from infilt

This article examines the psychological and safety impacts of dating apps in India, where users are projected to reach 31 million by 2024. Key concerns include addictive patterns of use (31% of Indian users show addiction symptoms), decision paralysis from too many options (42% feel overwhelmed), and psychological harms like ghosting-related rejection anxiety (68% have been ghosted). The article also documents serious crimes associated with dating apps, including a 28% increase in cybercrimes from 2021-2023, romance scams costing users an estimated Rs 150 crore in 2023, sexual harassment (37% of female users received unsolicited explicit images), stal

This is an educational event announcement rather than a news report about a specific scam or fraud case. Detective Victoria Ryan of the Ridgefield Police Department will present information to seniors on how to protect themselves from common scams including romance, grandparent, pop-up, phone, email, and text scams, as well as utility scams and local crimes such as mail theft and pickpocketing. The free hybrid event is scheduled for September 10, 2024, and will include information on reporting scams.

Utility impostor scams involve fraudsters impersonating utility company representatives via phone, email, or in-person visits, claiming customers have overdue bills that must be paid immediately to avoid service shutoff, or requesting home access under the guise of repairs or energy audits. To protect yourself, avoid paying by prepaid card or wire transfer, resist pressure to pay immediately, verify requests by calling your utility company directly using a number from your actual bill, and never allow strangers into your home without a scheduled appointment and valid identification.

This educational article from the Federal Trade Commission outlines common online scams and fraud schemes affecting consumers. Key scams discussed include spoofing (falsifying caller ID to impersonate legitimate organizations), the 809 scam (international callback schemes with high rates), catfishing (creating fake online identities for romance or exploitation scams), cramming (unauthorized small charges on bills), and family emergency scams (targeting grandparents with urgent requests for money). The article advises consumers to hang up on unsolicited callers, verify numbers independently, never share personal information with unknown callers, and be cautious of suspicious requests—noting that while younger adults report romance scams more frequently, older consumers typically lose

Indiana Michigan Power reported a significant surge in utility scams during the first half of 2024, receiving 240 reports by the end of June—125 more than all of 2023 combined. Scammers impersonated I&M using spoofed caller IDs and phone/text messages to demand immediate payment through various methods (prepaid cards, wire transfers, mobile apps) while threatening disconnection, requesting overpayment refunds, or claiming customers needed to pay for meter installations; some scammers also approached customers in person. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying callers by hanging up and calling the official utility number on your actual bill, avoiding payment through prepaid cards or

Utility impostor scams involve fraudsters posing as electric, water, or gas company representatives via phone, email, or in-person visits, claiming customers have overdue bills requiring immediate payment or claiming they need home access for "repairs" or "energy audits." These scams are particularly common during extreme weather when people rely on utilities and are especially dangerous because scammers pressure victims to pay via untraceable methods like prepaid cards or wire transfers, or gain entry to homes to steal valuables and personal information. The BBB advises verifying requests by calling the utility company directly using a number from an actual bill, refusing unsolicited entry to your home, and remembering that legitimate utilities request payment

Utility scammers impersonate water, electric, and gas company representatives via phone, text, or in-person visits, threatening immediate service disconnection unless customers pay outstanding bills urgently, often demanding payment through prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers. The scams may also involve fake meter replacement offers, unauthorized home entry for "repairs" or "energy audits" to steal valuables or personal information, or promises of energy discounts to capture account details. To avoid these scams, consumers should hang up and call the utility company directly using a number from their official bill, never allow unscheduled entry into their home, request proper identification from utility workers,

AARP Pennsylvania has warned of an increase in utility scams targeting older adults during summer months when energy usage and bills peak, with fraudsters posing as utility company representatives and using threats of service disconnection or offers of discounts to obtain personal information or payments. A recent AARP poll found that 62% of Pennsylvania voters aged 50 and older expressed concern about fraud and scams including robo-calls and phishing emails. AARP advises residents to verify any unsolicited utility claims by contacting their utility company directly using the number on their bill, noting that legitimate companies send multiple notices before disconnection and never demand immediate payment over the phone.

Tammy Williams and Ginger Frady from United Community Bank conducted a senior fraud awareness program at Swain Senior Center, educating older adults on recognizing and avoiding scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older adults lost $1.6 billion to scammers in the previous year, with nearly half lost to fraudulent investments, lottery schemes, phishing, and grandparent scams being among the most common threats. The presenters advised seniors to use credit cards with low limits for online purchases, avoid clicking suspicious links, never send money for prizes they didn't win, hang up on pushy callers claiming to represent government or financial institutions, and consult with their banks when uncertain

Wire transfers and large cash transfers are increasingly targeted by online fraudsters and should be conducted in person at bank branches rather than online, according to banking experts and the Federal Trade Commission. Common wire transfer scams include utility shut-off threats, romance scams, prize scams, family emergency scams (including AI voice cloning), and fake check schemes—all of which exploit the irreversible nature of wire transfers to steal money from victims. The FTC recommends never wiring money to anyone you haven't met in person, and emphasizes knowing both the recipient and the reason for the transfer.

Police Chief Denise McCain and representatives from the FBI, Better Business Bureau, and other agencies presented at an East Alabama Regional Planning Commission Summit to educate seniors about fraud targeting older adults. The presentation covered common scams including jury duty imposters, tech support blackmail, grandparent scams using AI-generated voices, lottery scams, and IRS fraud, emphasizing that older adults with good savings and credit are lucrative targets who often delay reporting due to shame or uncertainty about where to report. Key prevention advice included never providing information over the phone, calling loved ones directly to verify requests, and immediately reporting blackmail to police.

Utility scammers impersonate company representatives through phone calls, texts, emails, and in-person visits to pressure consumers into immediate payments under threat of service disconnection, often using spoofed caller IDs and fraudulent websites designed to steal money or personal information. Common tactics include demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, claiming overpayment refunds, and using high-pressure language and poor grammar as red flags. Consumers should verify requests directly with their utility company by calling the official number, never provide personal or banking information over the phone, and report suspected scams to help protect their community.

An individual was scammed by fraudsters impersonating an Xfinity customer service representative who collected payment information over the phone for a supposedly late bill; the scammer's fraudulent payments appeared to post initially but the account was eventually shut down, requiring multiple lengthy calls with actual Xfinity representatives to resolve. According to an FTC report, scammers impersonating major companies like Best Buy, Geek Squad, Amazon, PayPal, Apple, and Comcast/Xfinity defrauded U.S. consumers of over $200 million, using increasingly sophisticated tactics across email, text, and online channels that mimic legitimate company communications to pressure victims into quick action.

A 79-year-old Navy veteran in Poway, California, lost $15,000 in a door-to-door landscaping scam in which fraudsters quoted him $10 per bag of mulch, then inflated the invoice to $19,000 (claiming 1,900 bags) after completing the work and pressuring him into payment. The victim reported the incident to law enforcement and the Contractors License Board, and later discovered through community posts that the same scam operation, operating under the name "Danilo Martinez Landscaping," had targeted other residents in the area with identical tactics.

A 68-year-old retired chemical engineer from Pune lost Rs 81 lakh in a sophisticated online scam involving impersonators posing as police and CBI officials who falsely accused him of illegal advertising and money laundering. The fraudsters used fake police credentials, video calls with official logos, and threats of asset freezing to manipulate the victim into transferring the funds as alleged "security deposits." The article advises citizens to verify caller identities through official channels, never share financial information with unknown callers, and report suspicious calls to authorities.

Phishing scam reports to the Better Business Bureau nearly doubled in 2023, with scammers using email, text, and phone calls to target victims across all demographics. Common tactics include impersonating the postal service, utility companies, and businesses requesting payment or personal information, with scammers increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to make their communications more convincing. The FBI reports that businesses have lost billions over the past three years due to phishing scams, with small business owners and finance professionals being particularly vulnerable to invoice-themed phishing attacks.

A Mount Zion woman was charged with stealing over $100,000 in cash and property from an elderly female victim between May 2022 and July 2023. Ali L. Fisher, 31, faces two counts including financial exploitation of an elderly person and obtaining control of property through deception, with the alleged theft totaling more than $40,000 in additional cash. Fisher was arrested on May 14 and released on pretrial release pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for June 24 in Macon County Circuit Court.

This podcast episode discusses job board scams and social engineering tactics targeting job seekers. The hosts highlight techniques scammers use to impersonate legitimate companies and government agencies, including spoofed phone numbers and vague claims about background investigations, and emphasize the importance of verifying caller information independently rather than calling back suspicious numbers directly.

Scammers are targeting PECO customers with sophisticated tactics, falsely claiming service disconnection is imminent unless immediate payment is made, often exploiting confusion around recent system upgrades. PECO advises customers never to share account or billing information with unverified callers, texters, or visitors, and instead to call PECO directly at 800-494-4000 to verify any service-related communications.