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in Identity Theft
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old Florida woman, Tanya Aboseada, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to 12 counts of wire fraud for scamming her elderly grandmother in Illinois out of $317,049 between November 2021 and August 2022. Aboseada fabricated elaborate stories—including claims about owing IRS money, paying attorney fees, and needing to pay a family after a fatal accident—to convince her grandmother to wire money into her bank account on multiple occasions. She was ordered to pay full restitution of $317,049 and serve three years of supervised release.
louisianaradionetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Kenner Police shut down a phishing scam website (geauxpass.info) that mimicked Louisiana's legitimate toll payment site (geauxpass.com) and targeted residents with text messages demanding $3.75 toll payments. The scammers, operating from a Russian server, were primarily seeking personal and credit card information rather than the toll amount itself. Police advised that government agencies never request payment or personal information via text messages or online links, and legitimate toll payments are only processed through official U.S. Mail communications.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide examines why scam victims face blame and shame, explaining that psychological biases—including the "just world" belief, hindsight bias, and defensive attribution—cause people to wrongly hold victims responsible for being scammed. The article emphasizes that victim blaming is harmful and counterproductive, noting that scams are increasingly common (the FTC reported $76 million lost to government impersonation scams in 2023, up 90% from 2022) and that anyone can fall victim regardless of intelligence or caution.
thecourierexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 50 seniors attended a Scam Jam educational seminar in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, presented by state and local officials to teach fraud prevention and recognition of common scams targeting elders. Presenters highlighted increasingly sophisticated scams including voice cloning via AI, fake tech support calls requesting gift card payments, and impersonation schemes, emphasizing that victims should contact police immediately when suspicious and never provide personal information or payment via non-traditional means like gift cards. A recent local case was cited where timely police contact prevented a $30,000 loss to a potential victim.
eff.org
· 2025-12-08
This article addresses a widespread "sextortion" phishing scam in which recipients receive threatening emails claiming hackers have compromised their computers and possess embarrassing photos or browsing history, demanding payment in bitcoin to prevent the information from being shared with contacts. The scammers use publicly available personal information (names, addresses, house photos from Google Street View) obtained from data breaches to create a false appearance of authenticity, but they have not actually hacked the recipients. The article advises recipients not to pay the ransom and recommends changing passwords, freezing credit, and monitoring for identity theft to protect against future scams using leaked personal data.
thestar.com
· 2025-12-08
A Toronto resident fell victim to a fake taxi scam where a driver with a taxi-style dome light used a rigged payment machine to steal the victim's debit card information and PIN, resulting in $1,471 in fraudulent charges. Toronto police report 493 similar taxi scam incidents in the year with total losses of $914,000, and the scam typically targets young people rather than seniors; detection methods include verifying taxi license plates and never relinquishing control of payment cards. Key prevention tips include checking that cabs have proper taxi identification and remaining vigilant about card security throughout transactions.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old UK resident, Robert Westbrook, was charged with fraud after allegedly using genealogy websites to answer security questions and hack the email accounts of senior executives at five U.S. companies, then trading on nonpublic earnings information to make millions in illicit profits. Westbrook employed multiple concealment tactics including VPNs, Bitcoin payments, and fake email aliases to access the executives' Microsoft Outlook accounts and read confidential financial data before company announcements. The SEC successfully traced his activities through advanced data analytics and cryptocurrency tracking, with his insider trades generating hundreds of thousands to over $1 million in illegal gains.
thevalleyledger.com
· 2025-12-08
Rep. Ryan Mackenzie partnered with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to host a free educational seminar on identity theft targeting older residents in the 187th Legislative District. The October 10 event, led by senior protection director Dave Shallcross, covered how to recognize scams, protect personal information, and respond to identity theft.
ksfr.org
· 2025-12-08
As the 2023-24 election cycle approaches record spending of over $10 billion, scammers are exploiting the climate to defraud citizens through various election-related schemes. Common scams include fraudulent Political Action Committees posing as candidate fundraisers, illegal robocalls using AI-generated voices, impersonation calls claiming to be from county clerk offices requesting personal information, and fake pollster calls offering payment in exchange for personal data. Experts advise verifying legitimacy through proper PAC procedures, refusing unsolicited calls requesting contributions, never providing personal information to unverified callers, and reporting suspicious election-related communications to authorities.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
William J. White, a 63-year-old Arizona resident, was sentenced to 15 months in prison on September 25, 2024, for attempting to cash a forged check at a local bank using false identification. White was also ordered to pay a $100 mandatory assessment fee and will serve two years of supervised release following his imprisonment.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake "card declined" messages on fraudulent websites and in phishing emails to trick consumers into entering payment information and personal details, then charging their accounts without authorization. The BBB and AAA have received multiple reports of consumers being charged unexpectedly despite receiving error messages suggesting their transactions failed. To protect yourself, verify website URLs and security features, research businesses before purchasing, avoid unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true, use credit cards for added fraud protection, and monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Two young adults—Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada and Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut—were arrested on federal charges for operating separate online fraud schemes targeting elderly Rhode Island residents. Liu defrauded a 79-year-old victim of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a fake child pornography investigation pop-up, while Patel scammed a 72-year-old victim of nearly $200,000 using false claims about computer viruses and identity theft; both cases involved impersonation of federal agents and prompted law enforcement intervention to recover assets. Authorities encourage elder fraud reporting via the
latintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Narragansett man lost $35,000 in cash and $135,000 in gold bars to an online scam in which fraudsters falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering, then physically collected the assets from his home. Two men—Jirui Liu of Canada and Kush J. Patel of Connecticut—were arrested and charged with wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy; Liu was caught attempting to collect a final $160,000 payment when police intervened, while Patel separately defrauded a 72-year-old victim of nearly $300,000 in gold bars
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Long Leaf Trading Group, a Chicago-based boiler-room operation, cold-called victims to pitch a fraudulent commodity-trading scheme between 2020 and its prosecution, resulting in customer losses while company traders collected $1.2 million in commissions. The article uses this case to illustrate how consumer fraud has evolved dramatically, with modern scammers now employing AI voice cloning, personal data harvesting, and impersonation tactics that make scams increasingly difficult to detect, contributing to record losses of $10 billion in U.S. consumer fraud in the previous year.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This editorial contrasts traditional scams like Long Leaf Trading Group's $1.2 million commodity fraud scheme with modern consumer fraud that leverages artificial intelligence, voice cloning, and personal data harvesting to create highly convincing imposter scams. Consumer fraud reached a record $10 billion in losses last year according to the FTC, with imposter scams representing the fastest-growing category as criminals exploit social isolation, political divisiveness, and technological sophistication to target vulnerable Americans. Law enforcement efforts have increased but remain outpaced by evolving fraud tactics, though a new generation of tech-savvy anti-scammers on platforms like YouTube are gaining traction in exposing these criminals.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A global survey by Chubb found that 61% of respondents have reduced their use of digital payment platforms due to cyber scam concerns, despite 46% mistakenly believing their payments are already protected. The study across eight countries revealed that 63% have been cyber scam victims or know someone who has, with phishing, impersonation, and fake purchase scams being the most common threats. Results show that 75% of respondents would increase their trust and adoption of digital payments if transaction insurance were available.
icrt.com.tw
· 2025-12-08
A survey of nearly 25,000 Asian respondents found that approximately 30% of Taiwanese scam victims fell for scams within one hour of encountering them, with over 50% reporting weekly scam encounters. Identity theft was the most prevalent scam type in Taiwan at 24%, followed by shopping, investment, and business impersonation schemes, with Facebook (63% of users) and LINE (47% of users) being the primary platforms for fake investment ads and phishing links. Nearly 40% of Taiwanese respondents reported receiving AI-generated scam messages, reflecting a regional trend across Asia.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost $10.3 billion to fraud in 2023, with seniors (ages 60+) among the most vulnerable populations targeted through tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and credential stuffing attacks. OnPoint Credit Union released a 2024 cybersecurity eBook highlighting emerging threats including deepfake phishing, AI-enhanced scams, and smart device vulnerabilities, recommending consumers verify sender information, monitor accounts closely, and remain vigilant against unsolicited communications.
wdtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Following Hurricane Helene, West Virginia's Attorney General and the Better Business Bureau warned residents about charity and disaster scams, in which fraudsters solicit donations for fake charities that redirect funds to personal use rather than relief efforts. To protect themselves, donors should verify charities' legitimacy through established databases, avoid cash or wire transfers, pay by credit card, and research organizations independently before giving. Residents who encounter suspected fraudulent charities can report them to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division at 800-368-8808.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first six months of 2024, Americans lost $65 million to Bitcoin ATM scams, with losses increasing nearly 10-fold since 2023. Scammers use various tactics—such as impersonating law enforcement and threatening arrest—to manipulate victims into depositing cash at Bitcoin ATMs; one Houston man lost nearly $60,000 after being told he had an active warrant. The median loss across all ages is $10,000, though consumers over 60 are more frequently targeted, and the FTC warns that if anyone directs you to use a Bitcoin ATM, it is a scam.
lawyer-monthly.com
· 2025-12-08
Wire transfer scams cost Americans $343.7 million in 2023, with fraudsters impersonating trusted contacts to redirect payments to their accounts through compromised emails, fake documents, or intercepted communications. Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once processed, making them the scammer's preferred method; one victim lost his entire $900,000 life savings intended for a home down payment when scammers hijacked his email conversation with his real estate agent. Common wire transfer scams include real estate fraud, advance-fee loan schemes, fake checks, family emergency impersonations, rental fraud, tech support scams, and business email compromise attacks.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
As Election Day approaches, scammers are impersonating political campaigns and organizations through text messages to steal personal information and money using three main tactics: fake voter registration alerts with malicious links, fraudulent polling requests, and donation solicitation scams. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, verify voter registration through official state websites only, and never respond to unsolicited political texts; additionally, enable spam filtering on your phone by using built-in settings like "Filter Unknown Senders" on iPhones or spam protection features on Android devices.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Tonya Denise Brown, a 48-year-old licensed practical nurse at Tangipahoa Parish Jail, was indicted on nine federal counts in September 2024 for defrauding vulnerable populations. Her schemes included soliciting money under false promises of assistance with criminal cases and disaster benefits (targeting hurricane victims), misusing a notary's identity to defraud FEMA rental assistance and HUD's Restore Louisiana programs, and illegally selling controlled substances including oxycodone online. Additionally, she was charged with making false statements to the FBI and lying to a judge, with potential sentences ranging from 5 to 30 years depending on the charges.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A former Tangipahoa Parish jail nurse, 48-year-old Tonya Denise Brown, was indicted on multiple federal charges including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and perjury. Brown allegedly defrauded victims through four schemes: falsely promising assistance with criminal prosecutions while working at the jail, defrauding HUD-funded disaster relief programs (Restore Louisiana and FEMA rental assistance) by claiming she could obtain benefits for money, using a notary's identity in the rental assistance scheme, and illegally selling prescription drugs online. If convicted, Brown faces up to 30 years in prison depending on the charges.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal officials are warning Hurricane Helene victims of an anticipated surge in fraud schemes, including fake charities, identity theft, and fraudulent contractor scams targeting vulnerable disaster survivors. The National Center for Disaster Fraud has received over 220,000 complaints since 2005, and authorities say criminals exploit disaster victims before, during, and after storms by impersonating government officials, soliciting fake donations, and committing price gouging. Experts advise survivors to verify the identities of helpers, avoid sharing sensitive information, obtain multiple repair estimates, and report suspected scams to FEMA or local authorities.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over age 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with 101,000 complaints filed—a 14.5% increase from 2022. Tech support scams were the most common fraud type, while data brokers' sale of personal information increasingly enables criminals to target seniors. The article recommends protective measures including monitoring financial accounts, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, limiting personal information sharing, and considering data removal services.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel booking scams have surged dramatically, with Booking.com reporting a 500-900% increase in travel scams over 18 months and Lloyds Bank noting a 7% spike in holiday purchase scams, where victims lost an average of £765. Scammers use social engineering tactics including vishing (voice phishing), smishing (SMS phishing), and AI-powered impersonation to trick travelers into revealing sensitive personal information such as payment details, passport numbers, and one-time passwords. Security experts recommend two-factor authentication and call for travel brands to prioritize mobile app security, as nearly 70% of working adults have encountered vishing attacks that exploit human psychology an
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre data shows fraud losses exceeded $554 million last year, a 40% increase from 2021, with underreporting masking the true scale of the problem. Fraudsters are increasingly using sophisticated technologies, including AI-generated deepfakes and impersonations, to deceive victims across multiple scam types including job scams, which typically involve unsolicited job offers followed by requests for upfront payment for training or uniforms. Financial institutions and individuals can reduce risk through cyber literacy training, skepticism toward offers that sound too good to be true, and verification of job opportunities through official company channels.
republicworld.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Jay Shooster, a Florida State House candidate, revealed that his parents nearly lost $30,000 to a voice-cloning AI scam in which a caller impersonated him, claiming he was arrested and needed bail money. The scammer created a convincing voice clone using just 15 seconds of audio from Shooster's recent TV appearance. Shooster emphasized the need for increased awareness and stricter AI regulations, and highlighted how such technology poses identity verification challenges even in genuine emergencies.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Dolapo Lawal, a 34-year-old Baltimore man, was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for access device fraud and aggravated identity theft targeting elderly victims through a stolen identity tax refund scheme. Lawal fraudulently obtained over $3 million in tax refunds using the identities of elderly victims, loaded the refunds onto debit cards opened in their names, and withdrew cash at ATMs; law enforcement discovered 24 fraudulent debit cards with over $80,000 in cash during an April 2022 traffic stop and over 300 additional cards during a June 2023 home search.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals—Darryl Lamont Young and Aqeelah Ngiesha Williams—were indicted for defrauding seriously ill veterans between December 2021 and April 2023. Young, calling from correctional facilities, posed as a VA employee to obtain personal and banking information from patients at medical facilities, which he and Williams then used to steal approximately $8,000 from over 60 victims across more than 30 facilities through 130 fraudulent transactions. Both defendants face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman named Jane fell victim to a phishing scam when, while emotionally distressed, she received a fraudulent email appearing to be from her bank and unknowingly granted scammers remote access to her smartphone. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, adults over 60 have lost more to tech support scams than all other age groups combined, with some victims remortgaging homes or depleting retirement accounts to cover losses. Wise & Healthy Aging offers a free support group called "Seniors Against Scammers" to help scam victims and provides educational resources and workshops on recognizing and preventing elder fraud and abuse throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
grandforksherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Long Leaf Trading Group, a Chicago-based boiler-room operation announced in 2020, cold-called victims to promote a commodity-trading scheme that promised 6%-12% annual returns; nearly all customers lost money while the company collected $1.2 million in commissions. The article contextualizes this case within a broader fraud epidemic, noting that consumer fraud cost Americans a record $10 billion in the previous year, with AI-enhanced scams using voice cloning, personalized data, and imposter tactics now replacing older low-tech fraud schemes and making it increasingly difficult for law enforcement to combat modern scammers.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Employment scams ranked among the top five most common fraud schemes in 2023, with median losses exceeding $2,000 per victim, often targeting job seekers through fake job listings via text, email, or phone calls that request personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details. Common tactics include fraudsters impersonating real companies, sending fraudulent checks for "supplies" then requesting refunds, and pressuring victims into communication on unmonitored platforms like WhatsApp. Job seekers can protect themselves by verifying company contact information, watching for unrealistic job offers, maintaining records of applications, and avoiding sharing personal information until directly confirming employment with the actual company.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Rose Sherrie Davis, a 66-year-old woman, was arrested in September 2022 and faces felony charges including exploitation of a vulnerable adult and financial identity fraud after allegedly stealing $102,109.04 from a nursing home patient at NHC Healthcare West Ashley between November 2021 and April 2022 using her power of attorney access. Davis used the victim's bank accounts and debit cards for her personal expenses and was released on a $25,000 bond; the charges carry potential prison sentences ranging from six months to 10 years.
union-bulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
Long Leaf Trading Group, a Chicago-based boiler-room operation announced in 2020, cold-called unsuspecting customers to promote a fraudulent commodity-trading scheme promising 6%-12% annual returns, resulting in nearly all customers losing money while insiders collected $1.2 million in commissions. The article contextualizes this relatively straightforward scam within the broader modern fraud epidemic, where AI-enhanced voice cloning, personalized targeting using social media and data breach information, and imposter schemes have driven consumer fraud losses to a record $10 billion annually, with law enforcement struggling to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated technology-enabled cons.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters in India are impersonating Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) officials and targeting pensioners through WhatsApp, sending fake forms and threatening to halt pension payments to extract sensitive information including bank account details and Pension Payment Order numbers. Pensioners can protect themselves by remembering that government agencies never request such personal information via WhatsApp or phone calls, and should verify any suspicious communications by contacting official agencies directly using verified contact numbers. Reporting these scams to authorities is critical to prevent further victimization of vulnerable senior citizens.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
From 2018 to 2020, Medicare paid out over $1 billion in fraudulent claims for orthotic braces (neck, back, and other supports) that were sold to beneficiaries through unsolicited telemarketer calls and advertisements without required doctor consultations or prescriptions. The scheme involved 24 defendants across 17 federal districts who submitted $1.7 billion in false Medicare claims, often sending unrequested or medically unnecessary braces to seniors, which put recipients at health risk and potentially disqualified them from future legitimate brace coverage.
kq2.com
· 2025-12-08
Nick Gertsema delivered a seminar at Benedictine Living Community in St. Joseph, Missouri, educating senior citizens on preventing identity theft and scams. Key prevention strategies include never sharing personal information with unknown contacts, verifying the identity of those requesting information, and recognizing that requests for payment in cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are scam indicators. Individuals who suspect fraudulent contact should hang up and contact their bank and authorities.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe issued a warning about disaster fraud schemes following Hurricane Helene, urging the public to be vigilant against identity theft, fake charity solicitations, and fraudulent websites targeting hurricane victims and donors. The advisory provides guidelines for safe charitable giving, including donating directly to known organizations, avoiding unsolicited communications, and verifying charity legitimacy, with fraud reports accepted through the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at (866) 720-5721 or online at www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm.
sg.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A new email extortion scam uses photos of victims' homes obtained from Google Maps and data breaches to threaten exposure of alleged compromising videos, demanding Bitcoin payment to prevent release. The scam exploits personal information to create fear and urgency, though scammers typically have no actual footage or access to victims' computers. Victims can protect themselves by verifying images against Google Maps street view, checking email authentication details (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), examining sender addresses for legitimacy, and avoiding clicking unfamiliar links.
fox10phoenix.com
· 2025-12-08
According to an IPX1031 study, 30% of Americans were scammed in the last 12 months, with victims losing an average of $2,647 over their lifetime. The most common scams are credit card fraud (37%), identity theft (34%), and online shopping scams (32%), though only 56% of victims report incidents to authorities. While 80% of Americans take preventive measures like self-education and stronger passwords, significant gaps remain—including 10% who don't use two-factor authentication and 22% unfamiliar with credit freezes—and 76% express concern about AI advancing fraud tactics.
hollywoodreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Computer security company McAfee identified the top 10 celebrities whose identities are most frequently exploited in online scams, with Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, and Johnny Depp leading the list. Scammers use these celebrities' names and likenesses without permission across various fraudulent schemes including fake product endorsements, cryptocurrency investments, ticket scams, deepfake videos, and malware distribution designed to steal financial information or enable identity theft. As AI tools make fraudulent content increasingly convincing, experts warn consumers to exercise caution and verify authenticity before engaging with celebrity-related online offers.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
While elder fraud remains prevalent, scammers are increasingly targeting younger social media users through platform-specific schemes including fake brand ambassador programs, cryptocurrency rug-pulls, and account impersonation. The article advises users of all ages to exercise skepticism, verify information through reliable sources, and wait 24 hours before providing money or personal information online to avoid falling victim to these evolving fraud tactics.
fox10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old man from Georgia was arrested for financially exploiting an elderly Fairhope woman who lost over $100,000 after he gained access to her banking information, installed malicious software on her devices, and used fear tactics to pressure her into payments following a vehicle purchase. The case highlights how seniors are vulnerable to various online scams including tech support fraud, Medicare schemes, and grandparent scams, particularly during Medicare's open enrollment period. Resources like the Senior Medicare Patrol and Better Business Bureau can help verify legitimacy of communications and prevent elder fraud.
macombdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors in Macomb and Oakland counties have access to free workshops and seminars offered throughout October and November 2024 by Gesher Human Services and the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office to help them avoid financial fraud and scams. The programs provide information, resources, and tips on protecting against various forms of elder fraud, including identity theft and caregiver fraud.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are exploiting the names and images of popular Indian celebrities like Orry and Diljit Dosanjh to create malicious content and scams, with a McAfee report identifying them as the most targeted celebrities in 2024. The rise of AI-generated deepfakes has significantly increased threats, with 18% of surveyed Indians reporting they fell victim to deepfake scams, and 31% of victims losing money, including some losing over ₹8 lakh. The report notes that 80% of Indians are increasingly concerned about deepfakes, and 64% find AI-assisted scams harder to detect.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scams targeting adults 60 and older resulted in $3.4 billion in losses—twice the amount of any other age group—with fraud losses increasing 14% from the previous year. Older adults face heightened vulnerability due to greater accumulated wealth and lower technological literacy, making them targets for common scams including grandparent scams, tech support fraud, sweepstakes/lottery schemes, government impersonation, fake checks, and banking account takeovers. Protective measures include staying informed about common fraud tactics, setting up account alerts, and utilizing resources like the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
thenewportbuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 100,000 seniors nationwide reported losing more than $3.4 billion to fraud last year, with Rhode Island residents over 60 losing $7.4 million, increasingly victimized by AI-enabled scams including voice replication and tech support fraud. U.S. Senator Jack Reed partnered with AARP Rhode Island and state police to host a fraud prevention education event offering seniors practical advice: never share personal information with unknown callers, beware of urgent notices, designate trusted contacts, and hang up on suspicious calls demanding immediate payment. Investment scams posed the greatest financial risk to seniors, while tech support scams were the most commonly reported fraud type.
securities.io
· 2025-12-08
This article identifies five prevalent cryptocurrency scams targeting victims in 2024, including phishing, fake exchanges, and Ponzi schemes. According to the Better Business Bureau, approximately 80% of Americans targeted in crypto and investment scams lost money, with a median loss of $3,800, while blockchain analysts report that scammers are adapting tactics to conduct shorter-duration, more devastating schemes. The article emphasizes that the complex nature of cryptocurrency and heightened market activity create ideal conditions for fraud, with scammers using text messages, social media, and fake platforms to manipulate victims into transferring funds.