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saturdayeveningpost.com
· 2026-01-05
# Romance Scams Summary
Romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated and costly, with Americans losing $1.3 billion in 2022 alone—more than double the previous year's losses. Scammers build fake emotional relationships with victims (particularly targeting elderly people, women, and widowed individuals, often through social media) and then request money under false pretenses, with criminals now using AI-generated deepfake videos and voice cloning to appear convincing during video calls. To protect yourself, be skeptical of romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through independent means before sending funds, and avoid sharing personal information or video chatting with people you haven't met in person.
thenightly.com.au
· 2026-01-05
Australian banks like NAB are deploying specialized teams of over 1,000 employees, including behavioral scientists, to help customers recognize and escape romance scams where offshore criminals pose as romantic interests to steal money. Scammers use psychological manipulation and grooming tactics to build trust with victims and often convince them to distrust their own banks' warnings. Customers should be skeptical of online romantic connections that eventually lead to requests for money or investment, and should trust their bank's warnings if staff express concern about their transactions.
ky3.com
· 2026-01-05
# Fraud Summary
Investment and cryptocurrency scams posed the biggest fraud threat to consumers in 2025, with online scams accounting for over 61% of all reported fraud and 78% of financial losses, according to the Better Business Bureau. Scammers primarily target victims through social media ads and posts, often using fake investment opportunities or romantic relationships to build trust before requesting money through untraceable payment methods. To protect yourself in 2026, the BBB recommends trusting your instincts about suspicious offers, never sending money to people you haven't met in person, researching unfamiliar online retailers on BBB.org before purchasing, and adjusting your social media privacy settings.
abc15.com
· 2026-01-05
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is prioritizing consumer protection in 2026, with a focus on combating romance scams that have devastated seniors who are losing their life savings to online predators. She's also targeting corporate consolidation through antitrust enforcement—such as her lawsuit against RealPage for allegedly colluding to artificially raise rents—and plans to crack down on robocalls and spam. Consumers can protect themselves by being cautious of unsolicited online romantic overtures, staying informed about corporate practices affecting their costs, and reporting suspicious calls to authorities.
wgcu.org
· 2026-01-05
Scammers are sending fake emails impersonating the Social Security Administration to trick people into clicking links that steal personal information and damage computers. The fraudulent emails look similar to legitimate government messages but don't come from official ".gov" addresses, and clicking the links can compromise your data and computer security. To protect yourself, never click links in unsolicited emails claiming to be from government agencies—instead, go directly to official websites like ssa.gov to access your Social Security statements, and report any suspicious emails to the SSA Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
fisherphillips.com
· 2026-01-05
AI-generated fraud is becoming the biggest threat to retailers in 2026, with an estimated 30% of retail fraud attempts now using AI technology, including deepfake voices impersonating customers to request refunds and AI-created fake receipts and storefronts. Affected businesses face direct financial losses, damaged brand reputation, and compromised customer data, while employees are also targeted through deepfake impersonation of managers requesting sensitive information. Retailers should immediately strengthen verification protocols for refund requests, implement authentication systems to detect synthetic media, monitor for brand impersonation online, and train staff to verify identities through established channels before sharing access credentials or approving transactions.
travelandleisure.com
· 2026-01-05
# Travel Scam Summary
Scammers are sending sophisticated phishing text messages to travelers claiming they need to verify payment details to keep their hotel reservations, using real confirmation numbers and booking information to appear legitimate. The messages threaten automatic cancellation within 24 hours to pressure people into clicking malicious links and entering personal information. To protect yourself, contact your hotel directly using a phone number you know is real rather than clicking links or replying to unexpected texts, and remember that legitimate companies never request account details via text message.
1011now.com
· 2026-01-05
A 78-year-old Lincoln woman lost $14,000 after being scammed on Facebook Marketplace by someone claiming to sell a pug puppy; she was convinced to pay additional fees via Bitcoin and gift cards but never received the animal. Law enforcement advises anyone buying pets online to never send money before seeing the animal in person, avoid untraceable payment methods like Bitcoin and gift cards, and instead research sellers carefully or consider adopting from local animal shelters.
newsday.com
· 2026-01-05
Scammers are increasingly using AI-powered emails to impersonate company executives and trick employees into sending money or sensitive information—a fraud scheme known as "fake boss scams" that has become more scalable and convincing with artificial intelligence tools. These scams target workers by exploiting urgency and workplace power dynamics, using publicly available information like LinkedIn profiles to identify victims and the executives they'll impersonate. To protect yourself, employees should verify unusual payment requests by contacting their boss through a known phone number or in person, be skeptical of urgent messages, and report suspicious emails to their company's IT department.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-01-05
Americans lost at least $333 million to Bitcoin ATM scams in 2025, with older adults being particularly vulnerable to fraudsters impersonating government agencies or using fake emergency situations to pressure victims into depositing cash into irreversible cryptocurrency machines. Scammers exploit the fact that Bitcoin ATM transactions cannot be traced or reversed and operate through social engineering tactics like IRS impersonation calls, fake malware warnings, or fake kidnapping emergencies. The key takeaway: no legitimate organization will ever ask you to pay through a Bitcoin ATM, and if a request feels urgent or suspicious, verify it directly with the official organization before taking action.
newson6.com
· 2026-01-04
Tulsa police are warning residents about a new scam where fraudsters call people pretending to collect bond payments and GPS supervision deposits. The scams target individuals or their families who may have someone in the criminal justice system. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment, verify any bond-related requests directly with official court or law enforcement channels rather than through phone calls, and never provide payment information to callers you cannot confirm are legitimate.
newsmobile.in
· 2026-01-04
An 81-year-old man in Hyderabad lost over Rs 7 crore in an elaborate "digital arrest" scam that began with a fake courier company call and escalated into impersonators claiming to be Mumbai police officials accusing him of serious crimes. Over nearly two months, the scammers kept the victim isolated, forced him to transfer funds as "verification" payments, and coerced him into liquidating investments while maintaining control through a messaging app. To protect yourself, be wary of unexpected calls from authorities or companies, never share financial information with callers, verify claims independently through official channels, and involve trusted family members or bank officials if you're asked to make urgent transfers.
the420.in
· 2026-01-04
Cybercriminals in India are increasingly using psychological manipulation tactics like fake reward point expiration warnings, fraudulent product listings, and fake legal threats to trick people into revealing sensitive financial information such as OTPs and UPI PINs, rather than relying on technical hacking methods. The scams disproportionately affect online shoppers and digital payment users who are pressured by urgency and fear into clicking malicious links or making advance payments for non-existent products. To protect yourself, never share OTPs or click links from unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from banks or payment providers, and verify offers directly through official apps or customer service numbers before taking action.
cnn.com
· 2026-01-04
Four major crime families operating scam factories along Myanmar's border with China—allegedly running multibillion-dollar operations involving internet fraud, illegal gambling, and human trafficking—have been arrested and imprisoned in China, with some members facing death sentences. The suspects' confessions, broadcast on Chinese state media, revealed horrific abuses including human trafficking, torture, and murder within their organizations. While the article doesn't provide specific advice for the general public, it underscores the dangers of online scams and the importance of reporting suspicious activity to authorities, as these criminal networks often target victims through internet-based schemes.
straitstimes.com
· 2026-01-04
A man in his sixties lost $723 when he purchased toilet rolls from a fraudulent online store advertised on social media, which never delivered the product and allowed scammers to steal his credit card details. E-commerce scams are currently the second-most reported scam type in 2025, with over 3,200 cases reported in the first half of the year. To protect yourself, avoid clicking on social media ads from unknown sellers, be cautious when using autofill features for payment information, and verify suspicious calls by independently contacting your bank using the official number on their website rather than the number provided by the caller.
yahoo.com
· 2026-01-04
A travel journalist nearly fell victim to a sophisticated hotel booking scam after receiving a WhatsApp message that appeared to be from a hotel manager requesting she confirm her credit card details through a fake Booking.com webpage. The scammers had obtained her personal information by stealing a Dubai hotel's password on Booking.com and using it to access customer contact details. To protect yourself during peak booking season, verify hotel requests through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages, and always access booking platforms directly through your browser rather than through third-party links.
inkl.com
· 2026-01-04
Teenage boys are increasingly falling victim to "financial sextortion" scams run by organized criminal networks, often operating overseas through social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. Scammers pose as attractive girls to build trust quickly, then pressure boys into sending compromising photos before threatening to expose them to friends and family unless they pay money immediately. Parents should educate their sons about this tactic, create open communication channels so boys feel comfortable reporting such incidents without shame, and advise them never to send intimate photos or pay extortionists, as doing so only encourages further demands.
agrinews-pubs.com
· 2026-01-03
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to target seniors by cloning voices and creating fake videos from social media photos and posts, allowing them to impersonate family members or pose as people the victim knows. To protect yourself, the article advises removing personal photos from social media, being cautious about sharing vacation details and family names online, and asking friends and family to delete any photos you send them. If you suspect you've been defrauded, report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
wgal.com
· 2026-01-03
In 2025, the most common scams targeting people include Medicare fraud (where scammers impersonate Medicare officials to steal account numbers), romance scams (where criminals pose as attractive individuals online to build trust before asking for money, costing Americans over $600 million last year), fake jury duty demands (using fake USPS labels and impersonating law enforcement), and AI-powered scams that create realistic fake images and videos. Senior citizens and lonely individuals are particularly vulnerable targets. To protect yourself, remember that Medicare will never call asking for your number, courts contact you by mail (not text) about jury duty and don't demand immediate payment, and be cautious of online relationships that quickly ask for money.
grandrapidsmn.com
· 2026-01-03
# Fraud and Scams Prevention Presentation
Minnesota Aging Pathways is offering a free online presentation on February 11, 2026, to help people recognize and prevent fraud and scams, which are increasingly targeting older adults. The two-hour Zoom workshop will cover detection methods, reporting procedures, and protection strategies based on the Senior Medicare Patrol program. Anyone interested can register at the Eventbrite link or by calling 800-333-2433.
yahoo.com
· 2026-01-03
Scammers stole over $333 million from Americans in 2025 by impersonating government agencies and pressuring victims to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, where the money is quickly transferred to untraceable digital wallets. Older Americans are particularly targeted by these schemes, which have surged dramatically—losses more than tripled from 2024 to 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages urging immediate cryptocurrency payments, verify requests directly with official agencies using known contact numbers, and avoid using Bitcoin ATMs for any transaction initiated by someone else.
jcpost.com
· 2026-01-03
# Job Scams Summary
Job seekers are increasingly targeted by fraudulent schemes including fake work-at-home opportunities, phony business ventures, and deceptive multi-level marketing programs that waste their time and money. The Federal Trade Commission has made combating these scams a priority by establishing a Labor Task Force to investigate and track reported incidents. If you encounter a suspected job scam, you can protect yourself and others by reporting it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
baxterbulletin.com
· 2026-01-03
# Elder Fraud Summary
Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $2.4 million to scammers in 2024, making them the group most targeted by financial fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Criminals use elaborate schemes—including imposter, romance, and sweepstakes scams—primarily through phone calls and online contact to gain trust and steal money or misuse personal property. Arvest Bank recommends that older adults and their families stay vigilant by learning about common scam tactics and verifying the legitimacy of unexpected financial requests before sharing any information or money.
actionnewsjax.com
· 2026-01-03
The Jacksonville Humane Society is warning people about two pet-related scams: one involving fake adoption websites that ask for deposits for cats and kittens, and another where scammers call claiming to have found a lost pet and demand payment. Both scams are occurring beyond Jacksonville, and the organization urges people to verify any requests for money by contacting JHS directly through phone, email, or in person, since the legitimate organization never charges deposits online or fees for returning lost pets.
wgal.com
· 2026-01-02
Medicare scams are the most prevalent fraud targeting Americans in 2025, with scammers impersonating Medicare representatives to trick seniors into revealing their Medicare numbers through various tactics including fake card offers, low-cost plan pitches, and fraud alerts. While most people successfully avoid these scams, seniors remain particularly vulnerable and should remember that Medicare will never call unsolicited or ask for personal information. To stay safe, protect your Medicare number and verify any calls directly with Medicare rather than responding to incoming calls or messages.
wiregrassdailynews.com
· 2026-01-02
The Wiregrass region is hosting a free Fraud Summit on January 22 to help seniors recognize and avoid scams and financial exploitation, featuring expert presentations from organizations like AARP and the Alabama Securities Commission. The event, held at the Enterprise Civic Center, is designed to educate older adults on financial safety as scam activity continues rising nationwide. Seniors and caregivers interested in attending should reserve seats by January 12 by calling 334-793-6843 or emailing the provided address, as seating is limited and lunch will be provided.
fairfaxtimes.com
· 2026-01-02
Fairfax County launched the "Pause, Question, Protect" anti-scam initiative to help residents recognize and avoid online fraud, which has become increasingly sophisticated and targets people of all ages, not just seniors. The county's Consumer Protection Commission developed the program based on successful models like the U.K.'s "Take Five To Stop Fraud," emphasizing simple, memorable steps to take when something feels suspicious. The key advice is to pause when pressured, question unexpected requests, and take protective action if you suspect fraud.
peoplenewspapers.com
· 2026-01-02
Pig butchering scams are sophisticated cryptocurrency investment frauds where criminals build trust with victims over weeks or months before convincing them to deposit money into fake investment platforms, with the FBI reporting $5.8 billion in losses in 2024, particularly affecting people over 60. These scams typically begin with unsolicited messages from strangers posing as investors, romantic interests, or old friends who lure victims with fake investment returns before stealing their money. To protect yourself, delete unexpected investment messages immediately and never respond to strangers offering financial advice or investment opportunities.
the420.in
· 2026-01-02
A retired elderly man in Lucknow lost ₹90 lakh (approximately $10,800 USD) to cyber fraudsters who kept him under "digital arrest" for 25 days by impersonating a police officer, sending fake arrest warrants, and using psychological pressure to isolate him from his family. The scammers convinced him that he was involved in money laundering and forced him to transfer his life savings, including mutual fund investments, to fraudulent accounts under the guise of "government verification." To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from law enforcement, never transfer money based on threats, and immediately involve trusted family members or contact police directly if you receive such calls—legitimate authorities will not conduct arrests via phone or demand money transfers.
wbay.com
· 2026-01-02
In 2025, Wisconsin consumers fell victim to numerous high-impact scams including bank impersonation schemes (often initiated via text), Medicare fraud targeting seniors, and family emergency scams that exploited emotional panic to steal money. The scams affected people across the state, with victims losing thousands of dollars and experiencing lasting psychological distress, while data breaches raised concerns about future identity theft. To protect yourself, verify requests by independently calling your bank or trusted organizations, be skeptical of unsolicited texts and calls asking for money or personal information, and alert bank employees if you suspect fraudulent activity—they may recognize patterns and stop the scam.
fox10tv.com
· 2026-01-02
# Online Pet Scams Continue to Victimize Buyers
Online pet scams are thriving despite awareness efforts, with fraudsters creating fake breeder and rescue listings that exploit buyers' emotions and urgency to extract money through legitimate-looking websites and paperwork. One Nashville man lost $700 upfront when a supposed AKC-certified bull terrier seller demanded escalating fees totaling thousands of dollars, a scheme that the Better Business Bureau says affects thousands of victims annually. To protect yourself, verify seller credentials independently, use reverse image searches on photos, watch for pressure tactics and mounting fees, and contact the BBB before making any purchases from unfamiliar online sellers.
news9.com
· 2026-01-02
A retired Kingfisher teacher nearly lost $30,000 in a holiday cyberscam after clicking on a malicious pop-up that mimicked her bank's security system and pressured her to keep the incident secret—a common tactic scammers use. Bank officials are now warning Oklahomans to be suspicious of unexpected pop-ups, urgent demands for money or personal information, and any requests to keep transactions confidential. If you encounter such a pop-up, don't click on it or provide any information; instead, close your browser and contact your bank directly using a phone number from your statement or their official website.
yahoo.com
· 2026-01-02
# Holiday Scam Summary
During the 2024 holiday season, thousands of Americans fell victim to scams including fake shipping alerts, bogus discount sites, and non-delivery hoaxes that collectively resulted in over $785 million in losses. If you were scammed, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center urges you to report it now, as victims often unknowingly hand over sensitive personal information or money that becomes difficult to recover. To protect yourself going forward, be cautious when clicking on shipping notifications, verify websites before making purchases, and carefully review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized charges.
kcrg.com
· 2026-01-02
# Fraud Prevention Summary
A fraud prevention team at Dupaco Credit Union in Iowa prevented nearly $7 million in scam losses last year by using monitoring software and trained staff to catch suspicious activity before victims lose money. Over 3,900 Iowans fell victim to fraud in 2024, with scammers using sophisticated social engineering tactics to convince people their requests are legitimate. To protect yourself, trust your instincts—if something seems too good to be true, it probably is—and report any suspicious transactions to your financial institution immediately.
mercatus.org
· 2026-01-02
Journalist Snigdha Poonam's new book "Scamlands" reveals that fraud operations in India, China, and Cambodia are not isolated incidents but rather massive, organized industries with sophisticated labor systems and capital structures that rival legitimate businesses. These transnational scam networks significantly interact with formal economies through banking systems and digital infrastructure, affecting vulnerable populations including young workers who are often recruited through false promises. The book examines how scam operations are embedded in specific Indian states like Jharkhand, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, highlighting that individuals seeking economic opportunity should be wary of unsolicited job offers, verify employment through official channels, and understand that scam networks deliberately exploit aspirations and economic desperation.
fairmontsentinel.com
· 2026-01-02
Banks are increasingly warning customers about fraud and scams, with the most common threats being fraudulent charges and impersonation scams where criminals pose as bank employees using information gathered from social media and LinkedIn. According to banking officials, scammers create artificial urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions, so the best defense is to pause, verify requests by contacting your bank directly through official channels (main number or online banking chat), and avoid sharing unverified information on social media. Additionally, be cautious of suspicious search results and internet ads that may be part of new scam tactics.
fox2now.com
· 2026-01-02
Illinois residents are receiving fraudulent text messages claiming they owe money for tolls or traffic violations and threatening to suspend their vehicle registration or driving privileges if they don't click a link—these are phishing scams designed to steal personal information and money. According to Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, the legitimate government office will never contact residents by text about license or registration issues, only to confirm DMV appointments. If you receive one of these scam messages, ignore it and report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov to help protect yourself and others.
wlns.com
· 2026-01-02
# Scam Alert Summary
Winter and holiday seasons see a surge in scams targeting Michigan residents, including disaster-related fraud and romance scams that exploit people buying gifts, seeking relationships, or filing taxes. Authorities warn that Bitcoin ATM usage is a major red flag for fraud, with 97% of Bitcoin ATM transactions potentially involving scams, particularly romance schemes where victims are tricked into sending money to fake soldiers or other fabricated personas. To protect yourself, be suspicious of requests to send money via cryptocurrency or Bitcoin, verify the identity of people you meet online before sharing personal information or sending funds, and seek advice from trusted community organizations before making unusual financial transactions.
wreg.com
· 2026-01-02
Scammers in the Memphis area are calling people pretending to be police officers and threatening arrest warrants, then demanding payment via Bitcoin or gift cards to resolve the fake warrants. Residents of all ages can be vulnerable to this scheme, which exploits fear of legal trouble. To protect yourself, remember that real law enforcement will never call demanding payment over the phone—if you're concerned about a warrant, contact your local jail directly at the provided number rather than responding to unsolicited calls.
wvnstv.com
· 2026-01-02
West Virginia officials are warning residents about a new scam where cybercriminals create fake government websites to steal login credentials and personal information. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to these schemes, which have become increasingly sophisticated and common since the COVID-19 pandemic, with artificial intelligence now being used to impersonate loved ones and authorities. To protect yourself, only visit official state websites through WV.GOV, never click links from unsolicited emails or texts, and report suspicious activity to the West Virginia Fusion Center.
bworldonline.com
· 2026-01-02
Criminal gangs operating from Southeast Asia are using detailed instructional manuals to conduct "pig-butchering" romance scams, where they create fake personas to build romantic relationships with victims before tricking them into fraudulent investments. These scams, which disproportionately target women, are often carried out by trafficking victims forced to work in scam compounds and are increasingly sophisticated thanks to artificial intelligence tools that make fraudulent appeals more convincing. To protect yourself, be skeptical of romantic connections with people you've only met online, especially those who quickly propose investment opportunities, and verify investment platforms through official channels before sending money.
straitstimes.com
· 2026-01-02
Real estate listings on PropertyGuru and other Singapore platforms have been using AI-generated images without proper disclosure to deceive potential buyers, despite the company's claims to prohibit the practice. This reflects a broader 2025 trend where AI implementations in Singapore sparked public controversy but faced little accountability, with AI-generated images appearing across marketing materials and advertisements throughout the country. To protect yourself, consumers should scrutinize property photos carefully for signs of AI generation (unnatural details, distorted features), ask agents directly about image authenticity, and report undisclosed AI content to platforms and regulatory authorities.
ketv.com
· 2026-01-01
Scams targeting elderly people are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect, with AI-generated voices and celebrity imposter schemes causing particular concern—the FBI reported an 11% increase in financial losses among victims over 60 in 2023, with some losing their entire life savings. Common scams include celebrity impersonators requesting money for travel and "grandparent scams" where fraudsters pose as distressed grandchildren needing bail money. Experts recommend involving family members in financial oversight and maintaining healthy skepticism about unsolicited contact, especially when callers request money or sound unusually convincing.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-01-01
Scammers are sending increasingly convincing text messages impersonating banks, delivery companies, and tech services to trick people into clicking malicious links or confirming personal information. Common tactics include fake package delivery alerts, fraudulent card charges, account security warnings, and toll payment threats—all designed to create urgency and bypass your critical thinking. To stay safe, ignore links in unsolicited texts, never reply to suspicious messages, and always verify account issues by contacting companies directly through their official apps or websites or by calling the phone number on your card.
akron.com
· 2026-01-01
While seniors are increasingly active online—with 41% spending five or more hours daily on shopping, banking, and social media—this increased engagement puts them at greater risk for scams, malware, and data breaches. To protect older adults, experts recommend encouraging strong, unique passwords using password manager apps and promoting security software on their devices, while caregivers should play a supportive role in guiding their digital safety practices.
hl.nwaonline.com
· 2026-01-01
A Siloam Springs couple lost $35,000 to a scam last month and is sharing their story as a cautionary tale for others in the community. While the article excerpt doesn't detail the specific scam method, the couple's significant financial loss underscores the importance of verifying unexpected requests for money and being skeptical of unfamiliar contacts claiming to represent legitimate organizations or authorities. Residents should consult trusted sources before sending money or sharing personal information, especially when contacted unexpectedly.
ksnblocal4.com
· 2026-01-01
Grand Island, Nebraska has enacted a new city ordinance requiring cryptocurrency kiosks and ATMs to display fraud warning signs to protect residents—particularly older adults—from scams involving cryptocurrency machines. Businesses operating these machines must comply by displaying standardized warnings with reporting instructions, or face $500 daily fines. If you use cryptocurrency kiosks, look for these warning signs and report any suspected fraud to local law enforcement immediately.
wfmynews2.com
· 2026-01-01
# Robocall Scams Cost North Carolina Residents Hundreds
North Carolina residents lost an average of $400 each to robocall scams in 2024, contributing to $277 million in fraud losses statewide and $12.5 billion nationwide. Scammers typically use foreign robocalls to impersonate legitimate entities and trick people into giving up money or personal information, with the vast majority of these calls originating from outside the United States. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls even if they sound legitimate, use AARP's Fraud Watch resources (including their hotline), and support legislation like the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act, which aims to give law enforcement better tools to block these calls before they reach Americans.
republicmonitor.com
· 2026-01-01
The St. Louis Consumer Fraud Task Force warns that scammers are exploiting digital payment methods, which offer less consumer protection than credit cards and function like handing over cash directly. Common scams include fake online sellers advertising deals on social media, impersonators posing as government agencies demanding payment, and fraudulent sellers who never deliver products—with one Illinois woman losing $330 to a fake weight loss medicine scheme. To protect yourself, research sellers before making purchases, remember that government agencies never demand payment via phone or text, and understand how digital payment apps work before using them.
hayspost.com
· 2026-01-01
Scammers use various false stories—such as claiming you owe taxes, your bank account is hacked, or a family member has an emergency—to pressure victims into quickly giving money or personal information without time to verify their claims. The FTC has created an "Action Plan" tool to help people protect themselves by listing trusted contacts they can consult and keeping direct contact information for their banks and other companies they do business with. Everyone should create and share this action plan with family and friends, posting it somewhere accessible like on a refrigerator, and report any suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.