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in Scam Awareness
peabodykansas.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare fraud schemes targeting area seniors have included falsified claims for medical supplies, particularly urinary catheters that beneficiaries never received or needed; in one documented case, Medicare paid $14,613.80 to a fraudulent supplier (G&I Ortho Supply based in New York) for 2,000 catheters, leaving the senior responsible for $3,728 in out-of-pocket costs. Seniors are urged to carefully review their Medicare explanations of benefits and report suspicious claims to Medicare at (800) 633-4227 or to Senior Medicare Patrol in Kansas at (800) 432-3535, while also being warned about separate Social Security imposter
altoonamirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Blair, is partnering with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office to host a free Senior Scam Prevention Seminar on March 21 in Altoona, addressing the problem of scammers targeting senior citizens and stealing their money. The seminar will cover identity theft prevention, protecting personal information online, and recognizing identity theft scams, with attendees encouraged to RSVP by calling 814-946-7218 or visiting RepSchmitt.com/events.
winnipeg.ca
· 2025-12-08
The "grandparent scam" has significantly increased across Canada, with scammers impersonating grandchildren in distress to pressure seniors into sending money urgently, often through couriers. In 2022, Canadian seniors lost over $9.2 million to this scam, with Manitoba losses exceeding $313,000. Protection strategies include ignoring unknown callers, verifying requests by calling trusted family members, and remembering that police never demand money directly for bail.
hillsborofreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging and Kansas Legal Services launched the "Scam Scan" educational seminar series, offering free presentations to the public on recognizing and preventing common scams. Two seminars were held in Marion County on March 20, with managing attorney Corinne Petrik providing prevention tips and strategies to help older adults protect themselves, their money, and personal information from fraud.
glasgowcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned residents during National Consumer Protection Week (March 3-9) about three rising scams: law enforcement impersonation scams where fraudsters call claiming victims have arrest warrants and demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards; cryptocurrency investment scams that use threats of arrest to convince people to deposit money into crypto ATMs, which cannot be recovered; and tech support scams involving fake pop-up alerts that trick users into calling scammers who then take control of computers and demand payment. The state's Office of Consumer Protection advises Montanans to avoid third-party payment apps and cryptocurrency ATMs, verify business information, and consult trusted contacts before sending money.
choice.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australians with disability are more than twice as likely to experience romance scams, with scammers exploiting limited romantic exposure and vulnerability. The article follows Chris, a 26-year-old man with disability in Adelaide, who encountered at least eight romance scammers on social media platforms like Snapchat in 2023, where scammers encouraged him to move conversations to encrypted apps (Telegram, WhatsApp) before requesting money or gift cards. Advocates and consumer organizations emphasize that people with disability face disproportionate risk and call for better protections from online dating platforms and related businesses.
arabianbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" romance scams, where criminals build fake romantic relationships to defraud victims of money and cryptocurrency, have surged 85-fold in revenue since 2020, generating approximately $75 billion in illicit gains with victims losing roughly $1 billion to related approval phishing scams since May 2021. These scams exploit loneliness by using messaging apps and social media to establish trust before directing victims toward fraudulent investment schemes, while a single scam address stole an estimated $44.3 million and a U.S. bank CEO lost $47 million to such a scam. The scam ecosystem is compounded by a humanitarian crisis, as many
protos.com
· 2025-12-08
Philippine authorities rescued over 600 workers (383 Filipinos, 202 Chinese, and 73 other foreign nationals) from a compound in Bamban on Thursday after a Vietnamese man escaped and alerted police to the operation. The victims had been trapped and forced to conduct "pig-butchering" romance and cryptocurrency scams, where they used deception to lure victims into investing in bogus crypto platforms, often working long hours under threat and torture. The escaped individual showed signs of electrocution, and similar compounds have been discovered across Asia, with pig-butchering scams generating billions in losses globally—the FBI reported $3.3 billion in losses in the US alone,
businessjournaldaily.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, fraud losses nationwide reached a record $10 billion (a 14% increase from 2022), with Ohio residents alone losing over $154 million to scammers. Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation, with common tactics including imposter schemes (posing as government agencies, banks, or family members), romance-crypto scam hybrids, and employment scams; cryptocurrency investment scams averaged losses of over $3,000 per victim, while employment scams affected young adults (ages 18-44) with average losses of $2,000. Consumers can report suspected fraud to the FTC online or by calling 877-382
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Amazon through spoofed phone calls and text messages claiming suspicious account activity, then using fabricated identity theft threats to pressure victims into transferring money from their bank and retirement accounts. The scam relies on psychological manipulation—creating urgency through false arrest threats and claims that someone opened fraudulent accounts using the victim's Social Security number. Victims should verify account issues directly through Amazon's website or app, never call back suspicious numbers, check their credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, and remember that legitimate organizations will never demand secrecy or immediate money transfers.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission refunded $4.1 million to 27,584 consumers who were defrauded by student debt forgiveness scams operated by Mission Hills Federal and Federal Direct Group since 2014. The scammers charged illegal upfront fees, falsely promised to lower monthly payments or eliminate balances, and often intercepted consumers' loan payments after claiming to take over loan servicing. To protect themselves, borrowers should recognize red flags like urgency, unrealistic promises, and requests for personal information, and instead use legitimate free assistance programs such as income-driven repayment plans offered by the Department of Education.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
· 2025-12-08
A Swiss man lost $149,000 to a Korean romance scammer who posed as a woman via Instagram starting in December 2023, claiming the funds were needed for travel and family emergencies before eventually avoiding in-person meetings. The victim, who had received $250,000 from his late father's life insurance, traveled to South Korea in February 2024 to investigate and worked with police to catch the scammer—a man in his 30s—who was arrested and indicted on fraud charges. Romance scam consultations in Korea increased dramatically from 22 cases in 2019 to 88 cases in 2023, with total damages rising to $3.01 million
itweb.africa
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams are increasingly prevalent in South Africa, particularly targeting middle-aged and elderly women seeking companionship through social media and dating sites, with organized criminals now operating these schemes at larger scale and sophistication. Fraudsters exploit emotional connections to convince victims to send money for fabricated emergencies, and victims often refuse to accept warnings even from financial institutions detecting fraudulent transactions. The article advises potential victims to be suspicious of online romantic interests requesting money, to consult trusted advisors before any financial transactions, and to recognize red flags such as refusal to meet in person or on video.
amp.theage.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Melbourne retiree lost approximately $200,000 to an elaborate catfishing scam that operated using stolen photos and videos of Brazilian photographer and influencer Ike Levy. The scammer, posing as "Franklin Edward," an American engineer, contacted the victim through a cat lovers' social media page, built an emotional relationship with her over weeks, and then requested money claiming to have tax and financial problems. The criminal syndicate behind the scam created multiple fake profiles using various aliases to target vulnerable women over 50, primarily members of animal-focused social media groups, with the victim ultimately seeking mental health treatment after discovering the fraud.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Organized "pig butchering" scam operations in Southeast Asia force tens of thousands of trafficked individuals to conduct romance and cryptocurrency investment fraud targeting foreign nationals, with scammers building trust over weeks before stealing victims' money through fake investment websites and deepfake technology. Federal authorities seized nearly $9 million in one such scheme, and financial institutions are increasingly deploying AI and machine learning solutions to combat these evolving threats, with nearly 70% of large banks now using these technologies to detect fraud.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission identifies 10 common lies scammers use to defraud victims, including creating false urgency, isolating targets from trusted advisors, making arrest threats, and instructing victims to move money, buy gift cards or cryptocurrency, or withdraw cash. These tactics are increasingly sophisticated and sometimes aided by artificial intelligence, as exemplified by a recent $50,000 scam targeting a New York Magazine columnist. The FTC advises people to hang up, delete messages, and report suspicious contact to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
mcafee.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams defrauded Americans of $330 million in 2022, according to FTC data, as scammers increasingly impersonate legitimate brands through SMS, email, and social media. To protect themselves, consumers should familiarize themselves with how organizations say they'll contact them, verify message sources by checking sender information and logging into accounts directly, stay informed about current scam trends through resources like the FTC and AARP, and use protective software with AI-powered text scanning features.
pages.motors.ebay.com
· 2025-12-08
The eBay Motors Security Center provides educational guidance to help buyers and sellers avoid scams and fraud when transacting vehicles on their platform. The resource advises users to conduct all transactions through eBay.com and mobile apps, educate themselves on common fraudster tactics like phishing and spoofing, and report suspicious activity to eBay or law enforcement if they suspect scams, pricing fraud, or unauthorized seller behavior.
support.anydesk.com
· 2025-12-08
Remote access software is frequently exploited by scammers who impersonate legitimate companies or technicians and cold-call unsuspecting users to gain device access for theft and data extraction. Best practices for protection include verifying website authenticity, never sharing access codes, demanding identity verification before granting access, and ignoring unsolicited contact requests. Users should report suspicious activity to local authorities and understand that legitimate companies never cold-call for technical support or unsolicited remote access.
wfdd.org
· 2025-12-08
The North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division received over 21,000 complaints in the past year, with scams being a major category. The top three scams in the Triad region included online purchase fraud (255 reports, ~$150,000 in losses), employment scams ($70,000 lost through fake job postings), and phishing schemes targeting personal and financial information via email, text, and phone. Police recommend caution with suspicious contacts and note that voluntarily sent funds to scammers are typically unrecoverable.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Mega Millions and Powerball issued warnings about lottery scams coinciding with nine-figure jackpots, noting that scammers use emails, text messages, social media, and phone calls to deceive people into believing they won prizes and either extract money or personal information. Red flags for lottery fraud include requests for upfront fees or taxes to claim prizes, notifications of wins from lotteries the person never entered, and instructions to keep winnings secret—practices legitimate lotteries never employ.
brooklyn.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
New York City seniors attended an educational session at the Brooklyn Public Library where NYPD's Crime Prevention Division provided information on recognizing common scams targeting older adults, including jewelry scams, purse snatching, ATM fraud, and phone/email schemes that evolve with technology. Officers warned seniors to watch for red flags such as urgent demands, spelling errors, suspicious attachments in emails, and callers impersonating law enforcement or the IRS requesting payment via apps, wire transfers, or gift cards. The department emphasized that tech-enabled scams cause significant financial harm to seniors' life savings and recommended contacting 311 for assistance if victims suspect fraud.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
According to a recent Federal Trade Commission report, older adults in North Carolina and across the country lost $1.6 billion to scammers in the past year, with nearly half of those losses attributable to bogus investment schemes. Common tactics include impersonation scams initiated through text messages and AI-based schemes, which scammers use to build false relationships before requesting money or investments. Experts recommend that seniors and their financial caregivers monitor accounts for suspicious activity, report suspected fraud to their financial institution and police, use strong password practices, and stay informed through resources like the FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
sentinelandenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Two bank branch managers in Massachusetts prevented an elderly couple in their mid-70s from losing $80,000 in March 2024 after scammers posed as law enforcement, claiming the couple needed to transfer funds due to alleged illegal images and money laundering on their computer. Branch Manager Kim Giammasi at Hanscom Federal Credit Union became suspicious and required the couple to complete the transfer in person, allowing her colleague Melody Anoli to contact Billerica police, who confirmed the scam and secured the couple's accounts. The article emphasizes the importance of bank employee vigilance and provides Federal Trade Commission guidance on avoiding such schemes, including never clicking unexpected links, refusing unsolicited payment requests
newstalkkgvo.com
· 2025-12-08
Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Insurance Troy Downing is conducting statewide educational tours to help elderly residents and caregivers recognize and avoid financial scams, which account for 70-75 percent of fraud cases investigated by his office. The tours highlight common scams targeting seniors, including schemes that pressure victims to pay quickly using gift cards or cryptocurrency, and are being held across multiple Montana communities to reach elderly populations, families, caregivers, and law enforcement.
marionrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare fraud targeting area seniors involves billing schemes for medical items not received, particularly urinary catheters; in recent cases documented by county aging officials, one senior's fraudulent claim involved 2,000 catheters with Medicare paying $14,613.80 to a fraudulent supplier while the senior's out-of-pocket cost reached $3,728. Similar scams originating from companies in New York, Texas, and Illinois have also targeted seniors with false claims for back braces and other medical supplies. Authorities urge seniors to review Medicare correspondence carefully and report fraudulent activity to Medicare at (800) 633-4227 or Kansas Senior Medicare Patrol at (800) 432-
winnipegfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
The "grandparent scam" has significantly increased across Canada, targeting seniors through phone calls from scammers impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations (legal trouble, illness, etc.) to pressure victims into sending money urgently via courier or bank withdrawal. In 2022, this scam resulted in losses exceeding $9.2 million nationally, with Manitoba victims losing over $313,000. Protection strategies include not answering unknown numbers, calling trusted family members to verify urgent requests, and remembering that police never demand bail money directly.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Australian losses to social media scams tripled to $95 million in 2023, a 249% increase from 2020, with people aged 65 and over accounting for nearly one-third of all social media scam losses and experiencing a 57% increase from the previous quarter. Scammers primarily targeted older Australians through fake advertisements impersonating retailers, romance scams, and investment schemes, with over 16,000 victims reporting they never received ordered goods. While overall Australian scam losses reached $477 million in 2023, social media scams emerged as the fastest-growing fraud category particularly affecting elderly residents.
lenconnect.com
· 2025-12-08
The Lenawee Department on Aging is hosting a scam prevention workshop on March 14 at the Morenci Senior Center designed to educate older adults on protecting themselves from fraud and scams in both digital and real-world contexts. The free workshop, led by department staff and facilitated through a collaboration with local law enforcement and community organizations (Lenawee County TRIAD), will cover topics relevant to seniors' unique vulnerabilities and include opportunities for participants to share experiences and ask questions. Attendees will gain practical tools and heightened awareness to safeguard themselves against financial exploitation.
keysnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $10 billion to scams and fraud in 2023, a 14% increase from 2022, with investment scams causing the largest losses at $4.6 billion followed by imposter scams at $2.7 billion, according to FTC data from 2.6 million consumer complaints. Fraudsters increasingly used cryptocurrency and bank transfers, while imposter schemes targeting vulnerable populations through government and business impersonation saw significant growth, with Florida ranking among the top states for per capita fraud complaints at 1,563 per 100,000 residents.
fox7austin.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, investment scams (including cryptocurrency) were identified as the riskiest scam type, with over 80% of targets losing money and a median loss of $3,800. Employment-related scams ranked second and more than doubled from 2022, while online purchase scams dropped to third place despite representing roughly 40% of all reported scams. Young adults ages 18-24 reported the highest median dollar losses among all age groups for the second consecutive year.
wsmv.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to scams, with imposter scams being the leading fraud category at $2.7 billion in reported losses, followed by social media scams ($1.4 billion) and investment scams (with median losses rising to $7,700). Tennessee ranked 16th nationally for fraud reports, with email being the scammers' primary contact method and bank transfers and cryptocurrency the most common payment methods exploited.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and investment scams caused over $10 billion in reported losses in 2023, with 64,000 romance scams ($1.1 billion) and 108,000 investment scams ($4.6 billion), though actual losses are estimated at $10-80+ billion annually due to significant underreporting. Scammers use researched targeting and manipulation to build trust with victims through text messages, social media, and dating sites, increasingly leveraging generative AI to create convincing deepfakes and multilingual communications that enhance credibility. Effective prevention requires cross-industry coordination to identify and block scams at their initiation points, particularly on messaging platforms like Telegram an
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
An Auckland man lost $569,000 in a romance scam after meeting a woman on Tinder who posed as a Singaporean investor and convinced him to send money to a Hong Kong bank account for a Bitcoin investment scheme. Despite the victim's complaints that Westpac should have flagged red flags before processing the large international transfer, the bank initially denied liability but later made a confidential "goodwill" settlement payment. The case highlights the challenge victims face when scammers operate offshore—police declined to investigate, the Banking Ombudsman refused involvement due to the amount exceeding their $350,000 threshold, and recovery proved impossible.
theage.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Melbourne retiree lost approximately $200,000 to an elaborate catfishing scam that targeted her after she posted on a cat lovers' social media page. The scammers used stolen photos and videos of Brazilian photographer Ike Levy without consent, creating fake profiles under multiple male names (Franklin Edward, Warren William, Carlos Michaelson, and others) to pose as wealthy professionals with temporary financial difficulties and romantic interest in older, single women. The criminal operation has defrauded dozens of victims globally and continues despite Meta removing some fraudulent accounts, as scammers repeatedly create new profiles using the same stolen images.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Naperville police reported over $750,000 in cryptocurrency losses since February, with four cases involving residents aged 43-83 in March alone. Scammers employed various tactics including hacking, romance scams, arrest scams, and sextortion to manipulate victims into sending funds. Police advise residents to avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure to act immediately, consult trusted individuals before responding, and refuse requests for payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The Lenawee Department on Aging and Lenawee County TRIAD are hosting a scam prevention workshop on March 14 at the Morenci Senior Center to educate older adults on protecting themselves from fraud in digital and real-world contexts. Led by Erica Lamley, the workshop will cover topics relevant to seniors' unique vulnerabilities, provide practical tools, and allow participants to share experiences and ask questions. Light refreshments will be served, and interested residents can contact the department at 517-264-5280 for more information.
cknxnewstoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
Grey Bruce OPP highlighted romance scams as an increasingly reported fraud during Fraud Prevention Month in March, noting that criminals target single or recently unattached individuals through dating websites, social media, and email before requesting money. Some victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars in prolonged online "relationships" that never result in in-person meetings. Police advise against sharing personal information online, verifying a person's identity, and crucially, never sending money to someone you've never met in person.
irishtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams involve criminals who slowly build trust with victims through online dating platforms before requesting money, with initial amounts increasing as the fraudulent relationship deepens; while law enforcement and banking authorities sympathize with victims, they have limited ability to intervene once money is sent, though community gardaí sometimes succeed where family members fail. The article identifies red flags including rapid movement off dating apps to personal messaging, avoidance of video calls despite months of communication, one-sided conversations, and urgent requests for money due to emergencies or travel costs, and recommends protecting personal information, using reputable dating sites, and never sending money to people you have not met in person.
khaleejtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple women in Dubai fell victim to romantic financial abuse and romance scams involving partners who systematically extracted money through various deceptive tactics. A Russian real estate agent lost approximately Dh150,000 over two years to an Arab boyfriend who imposed punitive "fines" for minor infractions; a British restaurateur lost Dh500,000 in a down payment to an Irish boyfriend who evicted her from an apartment; and a marketing director was defrauded of Dh30,000 by a man using a false identity. Financial abuse occurs in 99 percent of domestic violence cases globally, and the cases highlight how romance scams and economic coercion disproportionately
southeastiowaunion.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen conducted a statewide "Stop the Scammers" educational tour in Mt. Pleasant to inform older residents about common fraud schemes including romance scams, grandparent scams, investment scams, and pig butchering scams. Ommen emphasized that scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities and target older Iowans by conducting personal research and creating deceptive relationships to extract thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The campaign aimed to educate residents so they could share protective information with family and friends to help prevent fraud victimization.
chandlernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Joyce Petrowski, president of Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly (R.O.S.E.), will present fraud awareness and prevention strategies at the Sun Lakes Jewish War Veterans post meeting on March 17, focusing on scams targeting seniors including internet imposters, phone/robo calls, IRS fraud, and romance scams. R.O.S.E., a nonprofit founded after Petrowski's personal experience with elder fraud, delivers face-to-face education programs across Arizona to help older adults and families recognize and prevent victimization. The presentation aims to reduce both financial losses and the number of elderly fraud victims in the community.
mustangnews.net
· 2025-12-08
A college student's parents nearly fell victim to a voice cloning scam in which scammers used AI technology to imitate their son's voice, claiming he had been in a car accident and needed $15,000 for bail. The scam involved fake audio of the student, followed by impersonators posing as a police officer and public defender who instructed the parents to withdraw cash for a courier pickup. While voice cloning technology is becoming increasingly common in scams, experts note that scammers cannot replicate a person's unique speaking style and vocabulary, and recommend verifying callers' identities by asking personal questions or calling back at known phone numbers.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma provides financial safety advice for spring break travelers, recommending they use credit cards instead of debit cards for purchases, obtain receipts for all transactions, and research vendors before booking activities to avoid scams and fraud. The BBB also advises travelers to avoid posting vacation photos on social media until after returning home to prevent burglaries, and suggests purchasing travel insurance if plans are uncertain.
lohud.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Hudson Valley region experienced over $2 million in losses from online purchase scams alone, where fraudsters used fake checks and refund requests, with over 1,000 cases reported. The region also faced nine other major scam types including employment scams ($692,389 lost), investment scams ($1.2 million lost), advance fee loan scams ($281,474 lost), and various imposter schemes targeting government agencies and healthcare programs, collectively affecting thousands of residents across the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
Fake job scams are increasingly common, with approximately 14 million people exposed annually, according to the Better Business Bureau. Scammers impersonate legitimate companies and recruiters through emails and texts, often targeting job seekers with work-from-home opportunities, fake check schemes, and requests for upfront fees or personal banking information. To protect themselves, job seekers should verify company websites, conduct video interviews with recruiters, use separate bank accounts, and report suspicious postings to the BBB.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams in Colorado increased 34% year-over-year leading up to the April 15 tax deadline, with the FTC reporting that Coloradans lost $164 million to fraudsters in the previous year. Experts advise consumers not to respond to urgent money requests via messages and recommend freezing credit with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to protect against identity theft, which can take years to recover from.
knoe.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target small business owners by impersonating legitimate government entities like the (non-existent) United States Business Regulation Department to exploit confusion around real requirements such as the Corporate Transparency Act's beneficial owner filing. The Better Business Bureau recommends small business owners protect themselves by verifying websites, authenticating domains, securing connections, confirming web banners, and reporting suspicious communications to prevent fraud.
wvlt.tv
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Tennesseans lost $161 million to scammers, with tech support fraud, investment fraud, and business email compromise being the most prevalent schemes. The FBI reported this represented a significant increase from previous years, part of a nationwide trend where Americans lost $12 billion to fraud in 2023. Experts advise heightened vigilance, recommending that people verify company information independently and report suspected scams to the Better Business Bureau, FTC, or FBI.
fox7austin.com
· 2025-12-08
The Round Rock Police Department warned residents about scammers impersonating law enforcement officers and IRS representatives who contact victims via phone, email, or text to create urgency and extract personal or financial information using tactics like caller ID spoofing and threats of arrest. Police advised verifying caller identity through official agency numbers, never sharing personal information unsolicited, resisting intimidation tactics, and reporting suspected incidents to the Federal Trade Commission, while noting that legitimate government agencies never demand payment over the phone or via gift cards.