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thirteen.org
At an AARP fraud prevention summit in Edison, New Jersey, experts including AARP's Kathy Stokes challenged the misconception that older adults are the most vulnerable to phone, text, and social media fraud. The summit, attended by more than 250 people, highlighted various fraud prevention strategies and raised awareness about the actual risk factors for financial exploitation.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
This article identifies common red flags for financial scams, including unsolicited communications, poor grammar, unfamiliar sender information, requests for specific personal data, and time-sensitive offers. Financial experts explain why people still fall victim despite these warning signs: scammers use increasingly sophisticated techniques, AI-generated messages, spoofed contact information, and psychological pressure tactics to appear legitimate. Additional red flags include too-good-to-be-true investment promises, lack of online presence, pressure tactics, requests for unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, and impersonation of trusted organizations.
postandcourier.com
Imposter scams were the FTC's top-reported fraud type in 2023, resulting in $2.7 billion in losses, with a current trend of deceptive emails and texts falsely claiming subscriptions are expiring or have been renewed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing payment information. Victims who click these links risk fraudulent charges, identity theft, and malware installation on their devices. To avoid these scams, consumers should verify messages independently by logging into accounts through official channels, scrutinize sender email addresses and message language for red flags, contact businesses directly using verified phone numbers, and avoid providing payment information in response to unsolicited messages.
foxnews.com
Moving scams are prevalent, with the Better Business Bureau receiving 5,918 complaints against moving companies in 2023, and victims losing a median of $350. Common scams include stolen belongings, false quotes with inflated prices on moving day, non-refundable deposits where movers never appear, hostage loads where movers refuse to unload until additional payment is made, and unexpected charges for labor or supplies. To protect yourself, research companies using the FMCSA database and BBB, verify they have a physical address and U.S. DOT number, obtain multiple in-home estimates, keep detailed written documentation, use credit cards for payment, and supervise the move while using
media.anz.com
ANZ reported a 49% reduction in customer scam losses between October 2023 and June 2024, preventing over $100 million in funds from reaching cybercriminals, while implementing multiple protective measures including AI-based scam detection, cryptocurrency payment restrictions, and enhanced customer education. The bank identified online platforms as the most common scam source (45% of reports), followed by telephone/SMS and email, and emphasized that community awareness and victim willingness to share experiences are critical to combating increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
au.finance.yahoo.com
A 68-year-old NAB customer lost $10,000 after scammers impersonating Microsoft gained remote access to his computer and convinced him they needed his help catching fraudsters at his bank. A vigilant NAB fraud analyst detected the suspicious transaction and helped recover the full amount after the customer disconnected immediately. The incident highlights the sophistication of remote access scams, which have cost Australians over $4.7 million this year as part of $134 million in total scam losses.
wsaz.com
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actionnews5.com
According to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center's Elder Fraud Report, seniors lost over $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with more than 100,000 complaints filed by people over 60—representing an 11% increase from the previous year. The article provides general awareness about common senior scams and includes expert commentary from Brookdale Senior Living's general counsel on how to identify and prevent fraud targeting older adults.
japantimes.co.jp
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2news.com
Washoe County is hosting a free scam prevention presentation by the Better Business Bureau on August 28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Washoe County Senior Center. The event aims to educate local seniors about common scams and scammer tactics as a defense against fraud.
fbcnews.com.fj
During Fiji's National Scam Awareness Week, police revealed that retired women are being targeted in romance scams, with one victim losing approximately $500,000 after being manipulated through WhatsApp by a perpetrator posing as an overseas resident. Nine cases have been reported, with scammers employing tactics such as requesting nude photos and threatening to expose victims on social media unless they provide money. Retired women, particularly those aged 60-70, are identified as vulnerable targets for these fraudulent schemes.
abilene-rc.com
Detective Kevin Landers of the Abilene Police Department outlines common scams targeting seniors, including romance, lottery, sweepstakes, and government impersonation schemes where callers demand payment via gift cards or bitcoin. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes, and maintain good credit, though scammers prey on people of all ages. Landers recommends protecting oneself by verifying unsolicited offers online, resisting pressure to act quickly, monitoring credit reports annually, and stopping communication with suspected scammers immediately.
kwqc.com
The Coalition Against Financial Crime is hosting a scam awareness event on September 12 in Bettendorf, Iowa to educate financial institutions, law enforcement, and businesses about evolving fraud tactics. Common scams discussed include romance scams, check fraud, work-from-home schemes, and back-to-school scams, with experts advising the public to slow down before making financial decisions and learn to verify information to avoid victimization.
thefinanser.com
The UK government is implementing new APP (Authorised Push Payment) fraud regulations on October 7 that will require payment providers to reimburse consumers up to £415,000 per case when they are defrauded, addressing losses exceeding £450 million annually (potentially £700 million unreported). The payments industry strongly opposes the law, arguing it will increase moral hazard, attract fraudsters to the UK, raise consumer costs, reduce competition among fintech companies, and potentially destabilize critical payment infrastructure, with some calling for a one-year delay to prepare adequate systems and technology.
fbcnews.com.fj
An eBay online shop recruitment scam in Fiji defrauded over 900 people of approximately $1.7 million, with victims ranging from civil servants to small business owners and individuals with serious illnesses. The Consumer Council launched National Scam Awareness Week in response, noting that underreporting is likely due to shame and fear, and emphasizing that scammers target people across all education and demographic levels through impersonation tactics on digital platforms. The awareness campaign involves partnerships with the Reserve Bank of Fiji, Fiji Police, UNDP, and the World Bank to educate the public on fraud prevention.
knoe.com
Scammers are targeting consumers by posing as government officials and offering free solar panels door-to-door, though the federal government does not provide free solar installations. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to avoid "free" offers that pressure immediate payment, to never provide personal information to unverified sources, and to verify offers through legitimate government resources like the Department of Energy before signing any contracts.
dispatch.com
Amanda Prior-Grissinger, a Westerville mother and Facebook group moderator, is working to prevent scams by screening applicants to local Facebook groups and identifying suspicious fake or hacked profiles before they can target members. Her efforts were motivated after her cousin lost $1,300 in a Facebook marketplace scam selling a dining room table, and she has since created a coalition of local moderators to share information about suspected fraudulent accounts. Experts note that scammers exploit trust in small community groups and use fake identities to pose as trustworthy neighbors, with many operating as professional organized crime rings that research and share successful tactics.
therecord.media
Cybercriminals have expanded text message scams impersonating state electronic toll collection systems across multiple U.S. states (Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington), with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints since early March. The scams use fake government websites and urgent messaging to trick drivers into clicking links and entering personal and financial information, with some scammers also collecting data for additional criminal activities. Symantec researchers recommend state governments increase public awareness campaigns and coordinate with federal agencies to combat these threats, which have also affected Australia, Canada, and Japan.
12news.com
Travel-related scams have surged dramatically, increasing from 25% of all scams in 2023 to 69% in 2024, with artificial intelligence enabling more sophisticated fraud as people prepare for the busy Labor Day travel season. The FTC reports consumers have already lost approximately $50 million to these scams, which include credit card skimming at gas stations, fake vacation rental booking sites with fabricated reviews, and deposit schemes where scammers disappear after payment. Experts recommend using contactless payment methods, booking through reputable agencies with credit cards rather than debit cards, and immediately reporting fraud to banks and law enforcement if victimized.
justice.gov
Dwayne Anderson, a 35-year-old Jamaican national, was extradited to the United States and charged with eight counts of wire fraud for operating a sweepstakes scam targeting a California woman from 2010 to September 2017. Using false identities, Anderson contacted the victim repeatedly via phone, text, and email claiming she had won millions, convincing her to send thousands in supposed fees and taxes, and ultimately luring her to Jamaica in 2017 with instructions to bring $1,600 in cash—money she never recovered. Anderson faces up to 20 years in prison per count if convicted.
mykxlg.com
Dwayne Anderson, a 35-year-old Jamaican national, was extradited to South Dakota and appeared in court facing eight counts of wire fraud for operating a sweepstakes scam that defrauded a California woman over seven years (2010-2017). Using multiple aliases, Anderson convinced the victim she had won money and collected thousands in fraudulent fees and taxes, even persuading her to travel to Jamaica in 2017 where an additional $1,600 was collected, though she never received any winnings. Anderson faces up to 20 years per count, and the case highlights international law enforcement cooperation in prosecuting transnational elder fraud schemes.
thesenior.com.au
Hannah, a woman in her 70s, lost $300,000 in a cryptocurrency scam and nearly lost another $25,000 to a recovery scam perpetrated by the same fraudster posing as an investigator named "David." She avoided disclosing the losses to her family out of fear of losing independence, becoming increasingly isolated until a bank teller identified the second scam attempt. The case illustrates how older adults are vulnerable to follow-on scams exploiting emotional isolation, with people aged 55+ accounting for 47.6% of reported scam losses in the first half of 2024.
theadviser.com.au
Scam Awareness Week 2024 (August 26–30) launched in Australia with the theme "share a story, stop a scam" as part of a broader effort by the National Anti-Scam Centre to equip consumers and businesses with scam prevention tools. In the first half of 2024, over 143,000 scams were reported, resulting in losses up to $134 million, prompting warnings from regulators like ASIC, which found that smaller lenders have "less mature" scam prevention strategies compared to Australia's major banks. Financial institutions are responding with new initiatives including enhanced identity checks, victim support improvements, and community education programs to combat increasing frau
securitybrief.com.au
During National Scam Awareness Week, cybersecurity executives from firms including Qualys, SailPoint, and CyberArk emphasized the growing sophistication of scams enabled by AI and deepfake technology, warning that consumers must adopt a "zero-trust" approach to personal information requests. Industry leaders stressed that organizations must implement robust security measures, strengthen digital identity protections beyond weak authentication methods like SMS passcodes, and provide ongoing education to both employees and customers, as even vigilant individuals can fall victim to evolving threats. The experts noted that businesses are prime targets for cybercriminals due to their collections of personal data, and that personal scams can directly compromise corporate cybersecurity posture through passwor
unisa.edu.au
During Australia's Scams Awareness Week 2024, UniSA expert Dr. Braam Lowies highlighted that despite a 13% drop in scam losses, Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in 2023, with older people over 65 suffering disproportionately—losing $120 million (a 13.3% increase). Investment scams, romance scams, and remote access scams remain prevalent, with investment scams causing the most harm, while scammers exploit psychological tactics and target older adults' retirement savings, often exacerbated by limited digital literacy and cyber security awareness. The campaign emphasized the importance of sharing scam
mortgagebusiness.com.au
Between January and June 2024, Scamwatch received 143,113 reports and documented over $139 million in losses, with people aged 55 and over accounting for 48.7 percent of losses despite representing only a portion of reports. A key finding shows that 30 percent of people do not report serious scams, and social media scams cost Australians $80.2 million in the previous year, with common tactics including fake accounts, fraudulent investment opportunities, and requests for personal information. Banks emphasize the importance of reporting scams and sharing awareness to collectively prevent fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable populations including older adults, non-English speakers, and people with
dailyitem.com
A scammer impersonating "Mr. Anderson from Publishers Clearing House" contacted the victim claiming they had won a $3.4 million prize, but required a $4,300 upfront fee for a confirmation receipt. The victim's spouse became suspicious, researched the legitimate Publishers Clearing House, and discovered they don't require fees and don't validate identities this way—saving the couple $4,300. The article also describes common lottery scam tactics, including fraudulent checks and high-pressure tactics targeting older adults who are less familiar with digital scams.
aa.com.tr
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake videos of celebrities like Elon Musk, Donald Trump, and Jeff Bezos to defraud people, particularly elderly individuals with limited cybersecurity knowledge, by luring them into fake investment schemes promising quick returns on non-existent companies. Victims have lost substantial sums, including an 82-year-old retiree who lost most of his investments in 2023, while the technology has also been misused to impersonate real professionals like doctors to steal account information. YouTube and Facebook have removed millions of fraudulent channels and videos, though experts warn that as deepfake technology improves and becomes more convincing, organized crime groups will
govtech.com
From January to May 2024, online fraud resulted in $1.6 billion in losses—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023, according to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data. Common scams include advance fee schemes, Nigerian letter schemes, Ponzi and pyramid schemes, telemarketing fraud, fake travel websites, and fraudulent debt collector calls using spoofed numbers and fake websites. The FBI advises victims and the public to be skeptical of unsolicited offers with artificial urgency, verify requests independently, and report suspected fraud.
finance.yahoo.com
A GOBankingRates survey identified common red flags that help people recognize financial scams, including unsolicited communication, poor grammar, unfamiliar sender information, requests for personal data, and time-sensitive offers. Financial experts explain why people still fall for increasingly sophisticated scams despite these warning signs—fraudsters now use AI-generated messages, mimic legitimate companies, exploit memory lapses, and use pressure tactics to cloud judgment. Additional red flags include too-good-to-be-true investment promises, lack of online presence, pressure tactics with confusing jargon, and requests for unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
m.economictimes.com
A dating app scam operating across multiple Indian cities targeted men through fake dates at upscale nightclubs, with victims in Mumbai losing between Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000 after women lured them into ordering expensive items before disappearing. The scheme involved women hired by nightclub networks who matched with men on dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, then used intimidation tactics by club staff and bouncers to force payment of inflated bills. Similar incidents have been reported in Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, with at least 12 victims identified in Mumbai alone and authorities investigating the coordinated network of venues involved.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Men in Mumbai have been targeted in a organized dating app scam where women lure victims to expensive nightclubs via platforms like Tinder and Bumble, resulting in bills ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹61,000; the women allegedly receive 15-20% commissions, suggesting involvement of nightclub management. At least 10 men reportedly fall victim daily at single venues like the Godfather Club in Andheri West, with similar incidents reported across Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other major Indian cities, including one case involving a ₹1.2 lakh bill. Mumbai Police have launched an investigation into the suspecte
news.abplive.com
A Mumbai man lost Rs 61,000 in a dating app scam where a woman met him at an upscale restaurant, ordered expensive items without showing him the menu, then left abruptly, leaving him to pay the inflated bill. The scam operates through dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, with victims reportedly threatened by bouncers if they refuse to pay bills ranging from Rs 23,000 to Rs 61,000, and at least 12 victims have been identified targeting the same venue and perpetrators. Similar schemes have been reported across major Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
timesofmalta.com
A WhatsApp account hacking scam has been circulating in Malta for approximately one week, wherein victims receive messages from compromised contacts requesting they forward a six-digit SMS code, which grants hackers full account access. Notable victims include Kurt Sansone (MaltaToday executive editor) and Andrew Azzopardi (academic and radio host), with the scammers potentially able to access personal messages, contact information, and use stolen data for identity theft or blackmail. Malta Police advise users to never share verification codes, enable two-step verification, and immediately block suspicious contacts.
birminghammail.co.uk
Used car buyers are warned of an emerging scam involving Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) and chassis number tampering, making stolen or cloned vehicles difficult to identify. The scam came to light after Wheeler Dealers host Mike Brewer was victimized by a buyer using false details despite verification checks. Experts advise buyers to verify vehicle history, inspect identification plates and logos carefully, compare chassis numbers against manufacturer records, and look for consistency across all printed VIN locations, with particular caution advised for pre-1980 vehicles where counterfeiting is easier.
eccalifornian.com
Romance scams remain the leading fraud reported to the FTC, with San Diego County alone reporting over $1.3 million in losses in 2023 and nationwide losses exceeding $1.1 billion annually. Scammers, often operating from overseas labor camps, pose as romantic interests and request money for emergencies, investments, or personal situations, using common excuses like illness, military deployment, or business deals. The article advises potential victims to avoid sending money to unmet online contacts, verify photos using reverse image search, and be suspicious of requests to move conversations off dating apps or provide personal information.
the-sun.com
A cybersecurity expert warned that major data breaches—including AT&T's 2024 compromises affecting millions of customers' personal information—enable sophisticated scams orchestrated by state-sponsored actors from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran who use stolen data for social engineering attacks. Victims lose billions annually to romance scams and "pig-butchering" investment scams (particularly in cryptocurrency), with one in four Americans losing an average of $500 to scams in the past year. The expert recommends monitoring for phishing attempts, using unique passwords with a password manager, and enabling multi-factor authentication to protect against fraud resulting from data breaches.
cointelegraph.com
Tether, a stablecoin issuer, has assisted over 145 law enforcement agencies in recovering more than $108.8 million in USDT linked to illegal activities since 2014, including a recent $5 million seizure from "pig-butchering" romance scammers who deceived victims by posing as romantic interests. The company has voluntarily blocked over 1,900 wallets connected to illicit activity and collaborated with the DOJ, FBI, and US Secret Service on investigations, with romance scams showing an 85-fold increase since 2020.
livebitcoinnews.com
Tether, the issuer of the largest stablecoin USDT, assisted the US Department of Justice in recovering approximately $5 million stolen in a romance (pig-butchering) scam, where victims were deceived into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. Since 2014, Tether has recovered $108.8 million in stolen USDT across more than 145 enforcement agencies in 40 jurisdictions by tracking and blocking wallets associated with illicit activity.
mid-day.com
Multiple men in Mumbai were scammed through a coordinated dating app fraud scheme in which women matched with them on Tinder and lured them to the Godfather Club, where inflated bills ranging from Rs 35,949 to Rs 55,248 were presented for modest orders of food and drinks. The victims, including a 34-year-old IT professional who lost Rs 55,248 in a single hour, discovered they had been deceived only after the women disappeared with payment and deleted their profiles, leaving victims with no recourse except credit card statements. Following a news investigation, several victims came forward with evidence, ready to file police reports against the restaurant and the women involved in the sc
abc7news.com
The FBI launched a new public awareness campaign called "Take a Beat" to educate the public about major fraud schemes, including impersonation scams (posing as banks or law enforcement), cryptocurrency investment fraud, grandparent scams using AI voice cloning, and recovery scams targeting previous fraud victims. One Bay Area victim lost $950 to a scammer impersonating a Citibank employee, illustrating how fraudsters exploit emotional urgency and personal information to manipulate victims into sending money or revealing passwords.
zdnet.com
Singapore experienced a significant surge in scams from January to June 2024, with 28,751 cases resulting in SG$385.6 million (approximately $294.65 million) in losses—a 24.6% increase from the same period in 2023. Scammers increasingly targeted victims through messaging apps (particularly WhatsApp at 50.2% and Telegram at 45% of cases) and social media platforms (Facebook at 64.4%), using social engineering and deception to manipulate victims into self-executing fund transfers; notably, victims aged 65 and above suffered the highest average losses per incident, with government impersonation sc
androidauthority.com
Phone scams are increasingly sophisticated and cost US consumers $2.7 billion in reported losses in 2023 alone, with numbers rising annually. The article identifies 12 common phone and text scams including the "loved one in need" (grandparent scam), government impersonation (FBI/IRS), and other fraudulent schemes that exploit emotional pressure and official-sounding tactics. Key prevention strategies include verifying caller identity through alternative contact methods, refusing to send money to unknown callers, and being skeptical of urgent payment demands, especially via wire transfers or gift cards.
muddyrivernews.com
According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, approximately 16.4% of children ages 7-18 have been targeted by scams, with social media being the most popular method scammers use to contact them, followed by gaming platforms, email, and phone apps. The article provides parental guidance on protecting children online, including monitoring their online activity, teaching them about personal information sharing, recognizing phishing attempts, understanding app permissions, and considering parental controls to help establish safe online habits.
theverge.com
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank and routing it to cryptocurrency accounts controlled by pig butchering scammers. Between May and June 2023, Hanes made 11 wire transfers using stolen bank funds while also embezzling from a local church, investment club, and his daughter's college savings account, ultimately causing the bank to collapse. Pig butchering scams, which lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investments through relationship-building on messaging apps and social media, have cost victims over $75 billion globally in recent years
1011now.com
A 68-year-old woman in Lancaster County lost $7,000 after receiving a pop-up window on her computer warning of suspicious banking activity; she was directed to withdraw the money and convert it to Bitcoin, a common fraud tactic. In a separate incident, a man was targeted in an attempted sextortion scam via a dating app and Snapchat, where a woman threatened to share explicit photos unless he paid $2,000, though he avoided losing money by hanging up. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office warns residents that anyone instructed to purchase Bitcoin by phone should hang up immediately, as these scams affect people of all ages.
yahoo.com
A Portland woman fell victim to a romance scam after matching with someone on Tinder who posed as "Barton Nathan" and convinced her to send over $40,000 under the guise of needing money for visa fees, medical emergencies, and legal costs. The scammer used emotional manipulation and false promises of meeting in person to extract funds over several months before the victim realized the relationship was fraudulent. Romance scams resulted in over $1.14 billion in reported losses across more than 64,000 cases in 2023, making them the costliest type of online fraud despite being significantly underreported due to victim shame.
securityboulevard.com
Kansas bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for embezzling $47.1 million through wire transfers to cryptocurrency wallets as part of a "pig butchering" scam in which he was the victim-turned-perpetrator. His actions directly caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse, resulting in $9 million in losses to investors, with the FDIC absorbing the remaining $47.1 million. Hanes circumvented internal banking controls with the help of employees to facilitate the fraudulent transfers between May and June 2023.
news5cleveland.com
Two Akron senior citizens—a 75-year-old and a 74-year-old—were defrauded of a combined $156,000 in an online scam that escalated to in-person theft. Scammers used fake pop-up warnings claiming hacked accounts and impersonated Microsoft and federal agencies to convince the victims to withdraw cash and hand it over to couriers who appeared at their homes. The cases have been referred to the FBI and Cyber Task Force, with police urging residents to be cautious of unsolicited demands for large cash payments and to report suspected fraud immediately.
fox61.com
Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection warned residents of a scam targeting Eversource and United Illuminating customers, where scammers impersonate utility company employees and offer fake senior rate discounts while requesting personal information like account numbers and payment details to commit identity theft and financial fraud. The DCP advised customers to hang up on unsolicited calls, verify legitimacy by calling the official number on their bill, and report scams to authorities and credit agencies.