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in Scam Awareness
rockislandtoday.com
State Representative Dan Swanson reported on a community scam awareness event held in Alpha, Illinois, organized in collaboration with Farmers State Bank, the Illinois Attorney General's office, and local sheriffs to educate residents—particularly seniors—about various fraud schemes ranging from local to international operations. Swanson emphasized that awareness and simple precautions, such as avoiding unknown calls and protecting personal information, are the best defenses against becoming a scam victim. Additionally, an upcoming senior and veterans fair was announced for September 9 in Macomb to provide health screenings and information from senior service agencies.
liherald.com
Nassau County police arrested two Bronx men in July 2024 after they attempted to scam a 73-year-old East Meadow resident by falsely claiming his bank account was compromised; the investigation revealed they were responsible for numerous additional scams. The county is warning residents about prevalent scams including home improvement fraud, fake relative arrest schemes, Social Security and IRS impersonation scams, lottery fraud, and computer remote access scams, which collectively cost victims thousands of dollars. Officials urge residents, particularly seniors, to remain vigilant, verify caller identities, avoid unsolicited services, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
dfpi.ca.gov
Cryptocurrency scams have surged 900 percent since the pandemic began, with over 46,000 Americans losing more than $1 billion to crypto fraud in 2021 alone. Common scams include phishing attacks, Ponzi schemes, fake ICOs, and fraudulent exchanges that exploit crypto's decentralized and hard-to-trace nature. Consumers should exercise caution by only investing what they can afford to lose, verifying information through credible sources, using secure storage methods, and consulting state and federal watchdog organizations like California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).
helpnetsecurity.com
In the first half of 2024, Hiya detected nearly 20 billion suspected spam calls globally, with spam flag rates exceeding 20% of unknown calls in 25 of 42 countries, alongside a significant rise in AI deepfake voice-cloning scams—including a January robocall impersonating Joe Biden in New Hampshire. Medicare, health insurance, and tax scams dominated in the United States, while France and Spain experienced the highest European spam rates (53% and 51% respectively), Brazil received the most spam calls per capita (26 monthly), and Canada and the UK saw surges in Amazon and tax authority impersonation scams. Researchers anticipate voice
infosecurity-magazine.com
Liverpool supporters were identified as the primary victims of football ticket scams during the 2023/24 English Premier League season, losing over £17,000 collectively, followed by Arsenal fans who lost £12,000, according to a NatWest Bank report. Individual losses averaged £180.66 per victim, with the highest single loss reaching £900, and April 2024 accounting for the largest monthly theft at £9,925.50. The bank urged fans to purchase from official sources, verify sellers, use secure payment methods, and avoid suspiciously low-priced offers to protect themselves from ticket fraud.
theconversation.com
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently
wral.com
Scammers create fake sports streaming links during high school football season to steal personal information, credit card details, and social security numbers from fans seeking online game streams. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to verify links come from official school or media accounts, check account creation dates and URLs for suspicious details, and access streams directly from official websites rather than through social media links.
americanbanker.com
A neobank called Charlie is intentionally slowing payment processing speeds to combat the rising tide of financial fraud, implementing "Speed Bumps"—strategic pauses combined with real-time alerts and education—at vulnerable transaction moments. The company highlights that while most financial institutions prioritize faster payments, fraud has significantly increased with AI-enabled scams targeting all demographics, with elderly customers particularly vulnerable to long-con schemes like impersonation fraud and romance scams. Charlie's approach also allows customers to set custom transaction rules and designate family members as "fraud alert co-pilots" to monitor accounts, recognizing that even small frauds under $1,000 can have material consequences for those living pay
forbesafrica.com
Elder fraud losses exceeded $3.4 billion in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly employing long-term relationship-building tactics rather than quick schemes targeting seniors aged 60 and older. Beyond elder fraud, the IRS has initiated over 460 criminal investigations into Employee Retention Credit (ERC) abuse, including a case where a preparer filed over $124 million in false claims, while also offering a second voluntary disclosure program through November 2024 for businesses to repay incorrectly claimed credits at 85% of the amount received.
yahoo.com
A Wilkes-Barre woman fell victim to a romance/impersonation scam in which a fraudster posed as Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees via text messaging. The scammer requested the victim purchase six Apple gift cards and provide both the card information and her credit card details. The Wilkes-Barre City Police Department investigation into the incident is ongoing.
timesnownews.com
McDonald's official Instagram account was hacked in August 2024, resulting in a cryptocurrency scam that defrauded users of approximately $700,000 (Rs 5.8 crore). Hackers posted a fake giveaway promoting free cryptocurrency and directed users to a phishing website designed to steal personal information and wallet credentials; the scammers later bragged about the "rug pull" before McDonald's deleted the post and resolved the breach. The incident highlights the risks of cryptocurrency giveaway scams and underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of digital currency offers before sharing financial information.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
McDonald's official Instagram account was hacked, and scammers used it to promote a fake cryptocurrency giveaway that directed thousands of victims to a phishing website, stealing personal information and cryptocurrency wallet credentials and netting $700,000 in Solana tokens in what became known as a "rug pull" scam. McDonald's confirmed the incident, apologized for offensive language posted during the hack, and stated the issue had been resolved. The scam demonstrates how compromised high-profile social media accounts can be weaponized to conduct large-scale fraud by exploiting users' trust in official brand accounts.
columbuscountynews.com
Federal investigators in North Carolina seized approximately $5 million in cryptocurrency tied to a "pig butchering" scam, in which criminals pose as romantic partners to build trust with victims before directing them to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms. The scammers promised high investment returns on these fraudulent platforms, then prevented victims from withdrawing funds and demanded additional payments for supposed taxes and penalties. The FBI traced victim funds through multiple cryptocurrency wallets used to launder the proceeds, with one victim losing an entire individual retirement account to the scheme.
miragenews.com
Since COVID-19, documentaries about true crime and romance fraud have surged in popularity, with filmmakers increasingly shifting focus from perpetrators to victims to provide a platform for survivors to share their stories and warn others. A QUT researcher cautions that while this trend is positive, victims should carefully select filmmakers with a proven track record of treating subjects with empathy and respect, as exclusivity agreements with major streamers may limit where their story can be told. The panel discussion at National Scams Awareness Week will explore how media narratives of victimization can both help and hinder support for fraud victims and what steps people can take to prevent and respond to scams.
windsorstar.com
A 26-year-old Windsor woman was charged with fraud over $5,000 in June after allegedly defrauding an intimate partner of approximately $18,500 by claiming to be pregnant and demanding money for medical expenses. Essex County OPP believe there may be additional victims of this romance scam and are continuing their investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the OPP or Crime Stoppers.
scroll.in
A physiotherapist from Lucknow named Rose Jehan was trafficked to the UAE under false employment promises and enslaved by a Chinese-run cybercrime syndicate operating from Ajman, where she was forced to conduct investment scams against Indian victims while confined in an apartment with other trafficked women from South Asia. Working 13-hour shifts, she and approximately 100 other workers made 700-800 calls daily impersonating company representatives to defraud unsuspecting individuals, with Rose herself extracting Rs 500,000 from a retiree's life savings in one instance. The investigation revealed that the UAE had become a global hub for these operations, with thousands of
finance.yahoo.com
New York's Department of Consumer Protection issued guidance for National Senior Citizens Day warning older adults about reverse mortgage scams, advising that fraudsters may impersonate legitimate lenders, pressure clients to sign contracts without full disclosure, and discourage consultation with financial advisers or family members. The bulletin emphasizes that legitimate reverse mortgage professionals encourage borrowers to seek multiple opinions and conduct thorough research, and notes that federal law requires mandatory counseling for FHA-backed mortgages to protect consumers.
wdbj7.com
The Local Office on Aging in Roanoke, Virginia advises seniors to protect themselves from cyber scams and identity theft by staying informed about their finances, recognizing common scam tactics, and safeguarding personal information. The organization is hosting a free Senior Legal Safety Conference on September 20 featuring presentations on fraud prevention and legal protections for older adults.
yahoo.com
An 83-year-old Maryland resident named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam that ultimately resulted in fraudsters convincing her to purchase gift cards as payment. The article documents how gift card fraud has become a leading payment method in elder fraud schemes, with an estimated $8 billion stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older, yet federal regulators have failed to implement consumer protections for gift cards comparable to those for credit and debit cards. The investigation reveals that while fraudsters, gift card companies, and retailers profit from these schemes, the privately-held technology companies managing the gift card infrastructure are best positioned to prevent fraud but lack legal requirements to do so.
upi.com
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud after clicking a malicious link on her frozen laptop, leading fraudsters to convince her to purchase gift cards worth thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for criminals due to minimal consumer protections and difficulty in tracing funds. Federal regulators have failed to provide gift cards with the same protections as credit and debit cards, while retailers, technology companies, and fraudsters all profit from the scheme at victims' expense.
theitem.com
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam when a fake Apple alert prompted her to contact fraudsters posing as Apple and bank employees, who ultimately convinced her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the payment method of choice for criminals because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards. Federal regulators have failed to adequately protect consumers from gift card fraud despite it being a growing problem, while technology companies and retailers benefit financially from these crimes due to
uppermichiganssource.com
The FTC reported that romance scams cost victims a median of $2,000 each, with total reported losses reaching $1.14 billion—the highest of any imposter scam. Scammers are increasingly using AI and deepfakes to establish fake profiles on dating apps and social media by stealing images and cloning voices to build trust before requesting money. Experts recommend victims never send money to online contacts they haven't met in person, use reverse image searches to verify photos, and monitor their privacy settings on social media.
abc11.com
Back-to-school scams target families and students through multiple methods during the spending season, when families budget approximately $900 for school supplies. Common scams include copycat websites offering below-market prices, fake scholarship applications requesting upfront payment and personal information, fraudulent student loan forgiveness emails, and employment scams (such as the case of an NC A&T student who lost $2,400 after depositing a fake check from someone impersonating a university professor). Consumers should verify website security (https and lock symbol), research reviews across multiple sites, avoid unsolicited loan forgiveness offers, and use credit cards for purchases to dispute fraudulent charges.
wagmtv.com
Aroostook County, Maine has experienced an increase in online scams using fake missing person posts to manipulate people into sending money, with scammers mimicking real emergencies like missing children or natural disasters. Red flags include unfamiliar names, photos from non-local locations, repeated posts asking for donations across multiple platforms, misspellings, disabled comments, and lack of official law enforcement sources. Police recommend verifying posts by contacting local law enforcement directly, checking with Facebook group administrators, and ensuring legitimate posts come from official sources like NCMEC or credible news outlets with specific details about the missing person.
theweek.com
Solar panel scams have surged dramatically, with one-star reviews increasing over 1,000% since 2018, as fraudulent companies use high-pressure sales tactics, misleading financing arrangements, and predatory loans to defraud homeowners. Common schemes include misrepresenting incentives, selling non-functional panels, failing to honor lease obligations after company bankruptcies, and creating fake companies, with both smaller operators like Pink Energy and major companies like SunRun and Tesla facing legal complaints. Federal agencies are now investigating these practices alongside victims to combat the fraud affecting millions of U.S. homeowners.
foxcarolina.com
**QR Code Scams on the Rise**
The Better Business Bureau warned that scammers are increasingly using QR codes to direct victims to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, and malware downloads, with reports of fraud on parking meters, in emails, postal mail, and through romance scams impersonating utility and government officials. To protect against these scams, consumers should verify QR codes before scanning them, avoid scanning codes from strangers (especially those promising urgent opportunities), be wary of shortened URLs, and check for signs of tampering such as stickers placed over legitimate business codes.
journal-news.com
College students are increasingly targeted by financial scams including fake scholarships, bogus apartment listings, and fraudulent credit card offers that seek personal information such as names, addresses, and Social Security numbers. Experts advise students to avoid unfamiliar websites, carefully review forms before completing them, protect sensitive information like phone numbers, and be skeptical of unsolicited scholarship offers via email, text, or social media. The Better Business Bureau recommends using antivirus software, guarding passwords, and having important documents sent to permanent addresses rather than dorms.
freep.com
Metro Detroit police report a surge in scam schemes targeting residents, in which perpetrators impersonate government agencies, tech support, or financial institutions to convince victims to withdraw large sums of cash or cryptocurrency. Victims are instructed to either hand cash to "couriers" or deposit funds into bitcoin ATMs, with one Northville Township woman in her 70s losing $300,000 through a combination of cash, bitcoin, and gold bars in summer 2024. Scammers keep victims on the phone to prevent them from seeking help and often direct them to multiple banks to avoid suspicion.
states.aarp.org
This is an educational awareness piece, not a news report of a specific scam incident. Here's the summary:
Romance scams are increasingly prevalent on social media, dating apps, and online platforms, with criminals evolving tactics to exploit lonely individuals into money laundering schemes, fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, and other fraud. AARP Texas hosted a Facebook Live educational event on September 4, 2024, featuring federal prosecutors and law enforcement to discuss warning signs of romance scams, protective measures, and resources for victims.
wflx.com
Romance scams cost victims a median of $2,000, with total reported losses reaching $1.14 billion—the highest of any imposter scam category. Scammers are increasingly using AI and deepfakes to create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, stealing images and establishing fictitious identities to build trust before requesting money. Experts recommend victims never send money to online contacts they haven't met in person and use reverse image searches to verify profile photos, while recognizing that shame and embarrassment often lead victims to underreport these crimes.
aol.com
A GOBankingRates survey of over 1,100 Americans found that nearly 40% reported being victims of identity theft, financial fraud, or financial scams. The article identifies 14 common scam types affecting Americans, including phone scams (17% of victims), money transfer scams (12%), online shopping fraud, phishing, imposter scams, Social Security scams, debt collection scams, romance scams, and tax scams, along with practical prevention tips for each. No specific dollar loss amounts are provided, but the survey emphasizes that scams are widespread and offer guidance on how to protect oneself from each type.
wilsoncountysource.com
Police departments and the Better Business Bureau are issuing warnings about a growing wave of QR code scams that direct victims to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, and malware. Common schemes include parking meter payment fraud, cryptocurrency wallet scams, romance scams, utility/government impostor scams, and phishing attacks via email or text. Consumers should verify QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from unfamiliar sources, check for tampering on public codes, and report suspicious activity to the BBB or FTC.
dos.ny.gov
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection released fraud prevention guidance for older adults, noting that financial exploitation is the most prevalent form of elder abuse. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Report, adults aged 60 and older lost at least $3.4 billion annually to fraud, with investment scams accounting for over $1 billion of those losses—a 38% increase from 2022. The agency advises seniors to recognize red flags in investment and reverse mortgage scams, conduct independent research before committing funds, and avoid unsolicited financial contacts.
suncommunitynews.com
This does not appear to be an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. Instead, it is a system notification or website interface message regarding email verification and session management. It is not suitable for summarization in the Elderus fraud research database.
housingwire.com
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection released consumer awareness tips for National Senior Citizens Day warning older adults about reverse mortgage scams, where fraudsters pose as lenders to pressure seniors into signing poorly explained contracts without allowing them to consult trusted advisors or review documentation. Legitimate reverse mortgage professionals encourage clients to seek second opinions and comply with mandatory HUD counseling requirements, whereas scammers discourage outside consultation and rush borrowers into decisions. The advisory recommends seniors research multiple lenders independently and consult resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau before pursuing any reverse mortgage.
hometownsource.com
**Summary:**
The Senior LinkAge Line is offering two educational classes on September 11 to help older adults detect, report, and prevent health care fraud, waste, and abuse. Participants will learn how to identify Medicare scams, protect their Medicare beneficiary numbers, and review their Medicare paperwork, with registration available online or by calling 800.333.2433.
thesenior.com.au
A Westpac bank teller in Horsham, Victoria, prevented a customer from losing $500,000 to a term deposit scam by questioning an unusually high interest rate offer and verifying banking details with ING directly, discovering the BSB number did not match any legitimate ING account. The sophisticated scam promised returns that did not align with actual bank offerings, highlighting how fraudsters create seemingly legitimate investment opportunities to deceive savings-focused customers. Australians lost $1.3 billion to investment scams in 2023, and experts recommend verifying any financial offers directly through official company websites or publicly sourced contact numbers rather than using details provided by the offeror.
usatoday.com
Young adults ages 18-24 are increasingly targeted by scammers during back-to-school season, with this age group reporting a median loss of $155 per scam in 2022—higher than other age groups for the first time. Common scams include textbook fraud, scholarship schemes, and employment offers, which exploit college students' inexperience with financial transactions and life decisions. Protection strategies include verifying websites, using credit cards for purchases (which offer more protection than peer-to-peer payment apps), and being cautious of unsolicited offers and deeply discounted prices.
wwaytv3.com
Election-related scams exploit voters' emotional investment in candidates and causes by mimicking legitimate campaign emails and phone calls to steal personal information, banking details, and donations. The Better Business Bureau advises verifying email links by typing official URLs directly into browsers, avoiding clicking suspicious links, being wary of pressure tactics, and researching organizations before donating or sharing personal information. Common scams include phishing emails with malicious links, fake surveys requesting Social Security numbers or credit card information under the guise of prizes, and fraudulent donation requests that divert funds to scammers rather than campaigns.
knopnews2.com
Romance scammers are increasingly using AI and deepfakes to deceive victims on dating apps and social media, with the FTC reporting median losses around $2,000 per victim and total losses reaching $1.14 billion—the highest for any imposter scam. Fraudsters create fake profiles using stolen images and AI-generated content to build trust before requesting money, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Experts recommend victims reverse-image search profile photos, never send money to someone met only online, and monitor privacy settings to prevent their own photos and voice from being cloned.
wcpo.com
**Summary:**
College students frequently fall victim to financial scams targeting their personal information, including fake scholarships, bogus apartment listings, fraudulent credit card offers, and online shopping scams. To protect themselves, students should avoid filling out unsolicited forms, guard sensitive information like Social Security numbers and phone numbers, use strong and unique passwords, enable anti-virus software, and direct important documents to their permanent home rather than dorms.
finance.yahoo.com
A 2023 GOBankingRates survey of over 1,100 Americans found that nearly 40% of respondents had experienced identity theft, financial fraud, or financial scams. Common scams included phone scams (17% of victims), money transfer scams (12%), online shopping fraud, phishing schemes targeting personal information, and imposter scams (7%), with the article providing prevention tips such as verifying requests through direct contact, shopping on reputable websites, and avoiding suspicious email links.
newschannel5.com
The Tennessee Attorney General's Office warns that QR code scams are rising, including phishing scams that steal personal information, payment scams using fake codes in public places, package scams directing users to malicious websites, cryptocurrency scams, and donation scams impersonating charities. The office recommends verifying QR code sources, inspecting codes for tampering, using secure scanner apps, previewing URLs before clicking, avoiding unsolicited codes from mail/email/text, and keeping device security software updated.
williamsonsource.com
Police departments and the Better Business Bureau are warning consumers about rapidly growing QR code scams, where fraudsters use QR codes to direct victims to phishing websites, fake payment portals, and malware-infected sites. Common scams include parking meter fraud, cryptocurrency wallet schemes, romance scams, utility impostor schemes, and phishing attacks, with victims experiencing significant financial losses and device compromise. Consumers should verify QR code sources before scanning, avoid codes from unfamiliar sources, check for tampering on public codes, and report suspicious activity to the BBB and FTC.
sonomasun.com
An 88-year-old woman lost $4,600 to a sophisticated scam that began with a fraudulent Norton AntiVirus email. After calling the number in the email, she was socially engineered into sharing a two-factor authentication code, which gave scammers access to her bank account; they transferred $4,000 to her checking account, then intimidated her into sending back $3,600 via Bitcoin and cash to an Uber driver. The article emphasizes the importance of verifying sources, never sharing sensitive information or authentication codes, consulting trusted individuals, and reporting scams to authorities.
tampabay.com
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
aarp.org
Journalist April Helm watched her widowed mother, Sherri Tyson, lose $350,000 to a romance scammer between 2018 and 2020, despite Helm's extensive intervention efforts including presenting evidence, involving family, and arranging federal law enforcement involvement. The article explains that chronic fraud victims like Tyson often cannot reject scammers' lies due to psychological manipulation, isolation, emotional investment, and rationalization traps that make admitting the fraud feel more shameful than continuing to deny reality. Risk factors for chronic victimization include isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and lack of purpose, and scammers deliberately create immersive false realities that prevent rational thinking
bluewin.ch
Scammers stole the identity of Swiss SP Co-President Cédric Wermuth by using his photos to conduct romance scams online, a form of marriage fraud. The fraud was discovered when a bank manager alerted Wermuth that a customer attempted to transfer 100,000 Swiss francs to him after being deceived; Wermuth found his details on at least five Facebook pages used for the scam. Wermuth filed a criminal complaint with Aargau cantonal police, which will be forwarded to the public prosecutor's office.
kdhlradio.com
Scammers in Prescott, Wisconsin are impersonating IRS agents via phone calls and text messages, claiming victims owe back taxes and threatening arrest warrants to create urgency and panic. The Prescott Police Department advises residents to hang up and contact the IRS directly rather than responding to such unsolicited communications.