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finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, 2.6 million U.S. consumers reported $12.5 billion in losses to fraud—a 25% increase from 2023—with investment scams ($5.7 billion) and imposter scams ($2.95 billion) comprising the largest categories. Notably, government imposter scams and business/job opportunity fraud showed significant growth, and consumers lost more money through bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments than through all other payment methods combined.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
A two-stage phone scam is circulating where criminals first defraud victims, then pose as FTC agents claiming to recover their money while stealing additional personal information and funds. The scam exploits victims' desperation to recover losses and uses fake badges and official-looking credentials easily created from internet images. The FTC warns that legitimate agents never call unsolicited, request money, or ask for personal information—victims should hang up and call agencies directly to verify identity, avoid payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and report suspected scams to local police and the FTC.
newscop.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Women aged 50 and older account for the majority of crypto ATM scam victims in Australia, with 150 reports received over 12 months (January 2024-2025) totaling $3.1 million in losses, averaging over $20,000 per report. The most common scams involved investments (63 cases), extortion emails (35), and romance scams (24), with authorities warning that actual losses are likely significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment or lack of awareness. The AFP recommends vigilance against common warning signs including unsolicited requests to use crypto ATMs, promises of guaranteed high returns, and pressure from new romantic partners or strangers to invest
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A travel expert nearly fell victim to a Booking.com phishing scam when scammers impersonating a "guest relations manager" contacted him via WhatsApp, claiming to verify his card details after a security flag. According to UK Action Fraud, this scam has resulted in 532 reports and £370,000 in losses between June 2023 and September 2024, with incidents reportedly increasing 500-900% across the travel market. The vulnerability stems from Booking.com's reliance on third-party hosts with weak security measures and minimal vetting requirements, which allowed hackers to access customer information through compromised host websites.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warned of investment scams on social media where hackers compromise victims' accounts to post bank account screenshots and fake investment opportunities promising quick returns with little risk, typically requesting a few hundred dollars via cryptocurrency or payment apps before blocking the victim. The FTC advises consumers to resist pressure to act immediately, research companies using terms like "scam" or "fraud," and remember that no legitimate investment guarantees returns. Victims should alert their compromised contacts directly in case their accounts have been hacked.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article from Verywell Mind explains that phishing scams and fraud are widespread in the digital age, using psychological manipulation tactics that can deceive even intelligent individuals. The piece emphasizes that banks never initiate contact about suspicious account activity, and advises readers that falling victim to scams is not a reflection of intelligence or gullibility but rather a result of sophisticated criminal tactics. It also stresses the importance of self-compassion for scam victims and introduces a series covering common fraud types, psychological vulnerabilities exploited by scammers, and prevention strategies.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
Joe Subach lost over $1 million after calling a fake Apple customer service number found through an online search, which connected him to a scammer posing as "Daisy from Apple." The scam evolved from a fake account breach alert (requesting gift card purchases) into a romance scam, eventually leading Subach to surrender $780,000 in gold and silver to someone claiming to pick them up at his home. The FBI noted this case is unusual for combining financial, romance, and in-person theft elements, and emphasized that individuals are the best protectors of their own assets.
nwestiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Sioux Center banks—American State Bank, Northwest Bank, Peoples Bank, and Primebank—are partnering with local police to present a free fraud awareness education event on June 11, aimed at helping community members recognize and prevent scams. While the presentation targets the 55+ demographic, organizers emphasize that all age groups are vulnerable to fraud, with data showing adults 18-59 are actually 34 percent more likely to report fraud losses than older adults. The event will address common scam tactics including impostor scams, romance scams, and cryptocurrency fraud, teaching attendees to recognize red flags like urgency, unnerving pressure, and unexpected contact.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old Malaysian retiree lost RM161,000 (approximately $49,000) to an online romance/financial scam after responding to a social media advertisement claiming a woman in Hong Kong needed a sperm donor and would pay HK$2 million. The victim was deceived into making multiple payments for purported air tickets, protection services, and medical monitoring, despite warnings from his bank and police, and never met the scammer or the woman in person. The scammer likely used stolen photos of an unwitting woman to perpetrate the fraud.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission estimated that criminals stole approximately $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023, with elder financial abuse coming from both known perpetrators and stranger scams. AARP highlights preventive measures including adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, freezing credit to prevent unauthorized accounts, and using robocall/text blockers to reduce exposure to phone-based scams. The article emphasizes that these proactive steps can significantly protect older adults' financial security.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays UK released research revealing the top 10 scams affecting British consumers in 2024, finding that one in five people were scammed and a third know someone who was. The most common scams include fake delivery notifications (51%), HMRC impersonation (42%), purchase fraud (40%), and online marketplace scams (38%), with the bank advising consumers to verify companies, avoid pressure tactics, and be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. Barclays and tech companies like Google are implementing better detection tools, though consumers must remain vigilant with strong passwords and skepticism to protect themselves.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans receive approximately 50 billion nuisance and scam calls annually, with scammers responsible for roughly 30 billion of those calls and text messages. The article provides seven key ways to identify scam calls and texts, including checking the official organization's website, understanding what legitimate organizations will and won't do (such as the IRS never calling without sending a letter first), and recognizing common scam characteristics like pressure to act quickly and requests for personal information. While robocalls have declined somewhat since the TRACED Act gave regulators new enforcement tools, individuals remain primarily responsible for protecting themselves from these increasingly common scams.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has issued a nationwide warning about a surge in phone scams where fraudsters spoof official FBI numbers and impersonate federal agents, threatening victims with imminent arrest to pressure them into sending money via prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Scammers have expanded tactics to also impersonate bank investigators, charity workers, and court officials demanding payment, often instructing victims to stay silent and threatening legal consequences if personal information like Social Security numbers is not shared. The FBI advises hanging up immediately on suspicious calls, never sharing personal or financial details, and reporting scams at ic3.gov.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission estimated criminals stole $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023, with financial abuse coming from both known perpetrators like family members and strangers carrying out scams. To prevent elder financial exploitation, AARP recommends adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, freezing credit to prevent unauthorized accounts, and using robocall and text message blockers to reduce exposure to phone-based scams. Victims should report scams to local law enforcement or contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908-3360.
manxradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Isle of Man Cyber Security Centre reported a surge in digital fraud from March to April, including over 700 suspicious emails, advance fee scams, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes targeting residents and businesses through fake websites and social media accounts. Notable cases included a romance scam that escalated to sextortion (£1,500 + £4,000 demanded), deepfake videos impersonating politicians promoting cryptocurrency fraud, business invoice fraud costing £9,000, and marketplace scams resulting in losses ranging from £850 to £965. The Centre advised residents to verify financial claims through official sources and businesses to rely on their own websites rather than social media platforms where impersonation
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $470 million to text scams in 2024, with fraudsters increasingly impersonating banks and credit unions using convincing messaging to trick victims. Experts recommend being skeptical of all unsolicited communications and instead calling your bank directly using the number on your physical card, checking online banking portals independently, or visiting your financial institution in person to verify any suspicious activity before responding to texts or emails.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to online scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with an average loss of $83,000 per victim, according to FBI data cited by Paducah-based cybersecurity firm SOMA Cyber Inc. Investment scams were the costliest fraud type, taking nearly $2 billion from this age group, while romance scams and tech support impersonation schemes also caused significant losses. SOMA Cyber is launching awareness workshops and recommends seniors verify unexpected financial requests independently, use strong password practices, enable two-factor authentication, and immediately contact their bank if victimized.
corporate.vanguard.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, driven by increasingly sophisticated "crossover scams" that combine multiple fraud techniques over extended periods. These scams employ social engineering, impersonation of trusted entities (banks, government agencies), and multi-channel contact methods to manipulate victims into transferring funds through untraceable means, with common variations including tech support/account security scams and fake investment schemes with emotional manipulation. Beyond financial losses, victims experience significant emotional and psychological harm, including depression, relationship problems, and diminished financial confidence.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors age 60 and older face increasing vulnerability to financial scams facilitated by internet and smartphone technology, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to combat elder fraud through education and awareness. The article outlines four common scams targeting older adults: Social Security Administration impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to request money transferred to gift cards), tech support scams (gaining remote device access and charging fabricated fees), lottery scams (requesting upfront fees for fake foreign lottery winnings), and romance scams (conducted through dating sites and social media to solicit money). Seniors should verify caller identities independently, avoid granting remote device access, reject unsolicite
madriverunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Online Fraud Protection for Seniors
Seniors face increasing risk from online fraud due to their trust and limited tech experience, with common scams including phishing, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. The article recommends protective measures such as verifying sender identity, confirming requests through known contacts, never granting device access to unsolicited callers, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected scams to banks, the FTC, or local authorities. The McKinleyville Senior Center offers free computer assistance and is hosting a fraud prevention seminar with Coast Central Credit Union on June 27.
kwqc.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men posing as Federal Trade Commission officials defrauded a 63-year-old Bettendorf resident of $35,000 by claiming their bank account was compromised. When the scammers returned demanding an additional $40,000, police were waiting and arrested 37-year-old Lijin Wang and 39-year-old Chen Xing on charges of conspiracy and felony theft of an elderly individual. This case reflects a broader trend of government impersonation scams targeting seniors, which contributed to over $3.4 billion in elder fraud losses reported to the FBI in 2023.
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Ohio surgeon lost $1 billion to a romance scam involving a fake Ukrainian model within one month of his wife's death, while in New Delhi, a woman lost Rs 5 lakh ($6,000) when scammers impersonated her phone service provider during a family medical crisis. Globally, seniors lost $4.8 billion to cyber fraud in 2024 (US), with India projected to lose Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($14.4 billion) in 2025, driven by psychological manipulation that exploits neurobiological changes in aging brains, cultural conditioning toward authority and politeness, and widesprea
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Elderly adults worldwide are increasingly targeted by sophisticated digital scams using AI, voice cloning, and psychological manipulation, with Americans over 60 losing $4.8 billion in 2024 and India projecting ₹1.2 lakh crore in losses for 2025. Scammers exploit cognitive vulnerabilities, cultural conditioning, and loneliness among seniors—exemplified by cases like a Delhi woman losing ₹5 lakh to an impersonated telecom provider and a 72-year-old Ohio man defrauded in a romance scam. Experts call for urgent systemic interventions including tailored security measures, platform accountability, digital literacy programs
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 lost nearly $5 billion to online scams in 2024, a 43% increase from 2023, with over 147,000 victims averaging $83,000 in losses each according to FBI data. Major scam types include investment fraud ($1.8 billion), tech support scams ($1 billion), and government impersonation schemes ($200 million), increasingly leveraging AI and deepfakes. The article recommends family members and communities take preventive action through regular personal check-ins, education about common scam tactics, and directing seniors to trusted resources like the FTC and FBI rather than relying solely on technology.
9to5mac.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use AI tools and deepfakes to impersonate trusted contacts and commit identity theft, potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in fraudulent loans or credit card debt opened in victims' names. The article advises protecting yourself through multiple security measures: use a password manager to create unique passwords for each account, replace old weak passwords (especially for financial services), adopt passkeys where available, and enable two-factor authentication via authenticator apps rather than text messages.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
UK victims lost over £106 million to romance fraud in the 2024/25 financial year, with 9,449 reported cases representing a 9% increase, according to City of London Police data. The average loss per victim was £11,222, with the 50-59 age group suffering the highest financial impact (£22.1 million total), though male victims slightly outnumbered female victims for the second consecutive year. Police believe the actual figure is significantly higher due to underreporting caused by victim shame and embarrassment, and they have launched a public awareness campaign to educate people about the emotional manipulation and financial exploitation tactics used by romance scammers.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
**Smishing Scams Surge as Mobile Fraud Rises**
Online scams generated $16 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from 2023, with smishing (fraudulent text messages impersonating banks, government agencies, and delivery services) emerging as a prevalent threat. To protect against smishing, individuals should verify sender IDs, never share personal information via text, avoid clicking unsolicited links, enable spam filtering, and take time to pause before responding to urgent requests. Victims should immediately stop communicating with scammers, report the message to their bank and carrier, monitor accounts for unauthorized activity, change passwords, and watch their credit reports for
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pamela nearly fell victim to a tech support scam after receiving a pop-up warning claiming her computer was locked and her IP was being used on pornographic sites. The scammer impersonated both a Microsoft employee and an FTC official, using fake credentials and pressure tactics to try to extract her full credit card numbers, but Pamela avoided the fraud by verifying the FTC official's identity and refusing to share sensitive information. The article warns against pop-up scams impersonating legitimate companies or government agencies and recommends contacting organizations directly through official channels, using strong unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication to protect against such schemes.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County law enforcement warned seniors about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters posing as federal officers contact victims via pop-up ads or phishing texts, claiming their finances are compromised and directing them to purchase gold bars and deliver them to fake "couriers" at public locations. Victims are typically deceived into withdrawing their life savings, with recent cases in Montgomery County alone involving losses of nearly $800,000 and $900,000, and authorities note that recovery of stolen funds is nearly impossible. Authorities advise seniors to avoid answering unknown numbers and clicking suspicious pop-up ads.
bethesdamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County held a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event highlighting scams targeting seniors, including tech support impersonation, government impostor schemes, and gold bar frauds. Maryland reported 1,385 complaints of tech support and government imposter scams in 2024 with nearly $30 million in losses—up 41% in complaints and 15% in losses over three years—while 84% of financial exploitation perpetrators were family members. Officials emphasized prevention through account monitoring, power of attorney transparency, and assertiveness in refusing suspicious requests, noting that recovery of scammed funds is rarely possible.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice seized $225 million in cryptocurrency from a "pig butchering" scam operation—where fraudsters build trust with victims before tricking them into sending large sums of money—marking the largest U.S. crypto seizure of its kind; the funds were traced to a scam compound in the Philippines and laundered through crypto exchange OKX, with investigators identifying over 430 victims including Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, who was sentenced to 24 years for stealing $47 million from his bank to invest in what he believed was a legitimate cryptocurrency opportunity. Cryptocurrency scam losses in the U.S. sur
theprescotttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Since January 1, 2025, the Prescott area has experienced over $2 million in reported scam losses, with seniors particularly vulnerable to romance scams, bank impersonation schemes, warrant scams, and gift card fraud. Notable cases include a $632,000 romance scam and gift card losses exceeding $33,000, with scammers using emotional manipulation and pressure tactics to request untraceable payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic platforms. The Prescott Police Department urges residents to remain vigilant, hang up on suspicious callers, and contact their 24/7 dispatch line at (928) 445-3131 if they suspect fraud.
virginmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing is a phishing scam using fake text messages (SMS and messaging apps) to trick recipients into sharing personal or financial information by clicking malicious links that lead to fake websites. Common tactics include messages impersonating banks or service providers claiming account problems, payment issues, free rewards, suspicious activity alerts, or malicious app updates. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like vague greetings ("Dear customer"), spelling/grammar errors, urgent language, suspicious shortened links, and always verify through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
keralakaumudi.com
· 2025-12-08
Singer Amrutha Suresh lost Rs 45,000 to a WhatsApp account takeover scam after a hacker gained access to her cousin's account and impersonated her requesting urgent money transfer. Suresh discovered the fraud when her cousin called to warn her that her WhatsApp had been hacked through a phishing call posing as a courier delivery inquiry; she immediately reported the incident to police, who froze the recipient's account and recovered Rs 124 of the transferred amount.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old retired Air Force officer in Noida was defrauded of ₹1 crore in a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam where cybercriminals posing as Mumbai Police and CBI officers kept him isolated via video call for 27 days, gradually coercing him to transfer his savings under the pretense of a money laundering investigation. The scam involved doctored documents, impersonation of senior officials, and psychological manipulation to prevent the victim from contacting anyone, and was only discovered when a relative grew suspicious after being unable to reach him. Noida Police have launched an investigation in collaboration with bank authorities and cyber forensic experts, with preliminary
newskarnataka.com
· 2025-12-08
An 18-year-old girl in Bengaluru lost ₹90,000 to an online fraud scheme after posting manga books for sale on OLX in June. A fraudster posing as buyer "Ashok Agarwal" gained her trust by speaking Hindi and initially sending a legitimate ₹1 transaction, then used fake QR codes to debit money from both the victim's and her mother's UPI accounts over multiple transactions. The family reported the scam to police, who froze the perpetrator's bank account.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Garrett County Sheriff Bryson Meyers issued a public awareness reminder about common scams targeting residents in the area, including tech support fraud, grandparent scams, government impersonation, romance scams, investment fraud, AI voice cloning, jury duty scams, and law enforcement impersonation. Residents are advised never to send money or personal information to unknown callers, avoid unsolicited pop-ups, and be alert to payment requests via Bitcoin or prepaid cards, as legitimate officials do not solicit payments by phone.
jambroadcasting.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dietert Center in Kerrville is offering free scam awareness seminars this week, including an Elder Fraud/Exploitation Seminar on June 24 presented by Texas Partners Bank covering how to identify legitimate bank alerts versus scams, and a Scam Awareness Presentation on June 26 by Kerrville Police Department addressing phishing and other criminal scamming tactics. These educational sessions aim to help community members protect themselves from fraud and exploitation.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam robocalls have declined 75% since fall 2021, but financial losses have increased significantly—rising from $692 million in 2021 to $948 million in 2024, with median losses per victim climbing from $1,200 to $1,500. Scammers have become far more efficient by using curated victim lists obtained from data breaches and the dark web, targeting specific customers with convincing impersonation rather than making indiscriminate calls. The article advises individuals to assume their personal information is already exposed and practice skepticism toward unexpected calls by using call-blocking technology and verifying callers through legitimate institutional contact numbers.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
Cindy Burns of Winter Springs, Florida, lost $15,000 to scammers who impersonated bank and Apple employees through a text message phishing scheme, ultimately convincing her to convert the money to Bitcoin. The Federal Trade Commission reported Americans lost $12.8 billion to fraud last year, with imposter scams ranking third; experts emphasize that social engineering exploits trust and manipulation to compromise personal information. To protect yourself, independently verify suspicious account alerts by calling official numbers directly, never provide information to unsolicited callers, and immediately recognize cryptocurrency conversion requests as likely scams.
tcsheriff.org
· 2025-12-08
Travis County Sheriff's Office warns residents about phone scams impersonating law enforcement and financial institutions to demand immediate payment via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency, wire transfers, and gift cards. Common scams include jury duty fines, grandchild-in-jail schemes, and fake bank fraud alerts that trick victims into withdrawing money or providing personal information. Residents should never send money over the phone to unknown callers and should independently verify requests by contacting official agencies directly rather than calling back spoofed numbers.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams are increasing in sophistication and financial impact, with the Identity Theft Resource Center reporting fewer overall identity crime reports but significantly higher losses per victim. Impersonation scams rose 148% year-over-year, with criminals using AI to create convincing fake websites, emails, and messages impersonating banks and businesses, while also targeting victims through employment fraud and Google Voice scams. The positive trend is growing public awareness, with more people seeking prevention advice before becoming victims.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI's annual internet crime report, seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams last year and are disproportionately targeted by scammers who view them as wealthy, not feeble-minded. The article identifies two major red flags for potential scams: feeling panicked and experiencing pressure to make fast decisions, and recommends that seniors slow down, create mental space to think, and independently verify claims before acting. Various protective services and apps have been developed to help seniors guard against financial exploitation.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource presents a chart detailing common scams targeting consumers, including AI scams (deepfake impersonations), bank text scams (phishing for account information), billing/invoice scams (fake invoices demanding payment), brushing scams (unsolicited items to boost reviews), and charity scams. The guide identifies shared scammer tactics such as impersonation, creating urgency, and pressuring victims to share personal information, while offering specific identification and prevention strategies for each scam type. The material encourages sharing this information with friends and family as a primary defense against fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scams last year and remain prime targets due to their concentrated wealth, according to the FBI. The article identifies five red flags indicating a potential scam: feeling panicked, pressure to make fast decisions, unsolicited contact, requests for personal information, and reluctance to verify claims—noting that scammers rely on emotional manipulation and time pressure to override victims' judgment. Experts advise pausing to think critically when experiencing these warning signs, as scammers count on immediate reactions rather than careful consideration.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five red flags that warn seniors they may be targeted for scams, emphasizing that older adults lose nearly $5 billion annually and are targeted because they hold roughly half of U.S. wealth. The first two red flags discussed are feeling panicked (as in grandparent scams demanding immediate bail) and pressure to make fast decisions (such as investment opportunities or fake retail websites), with experts advising victims to slow down, create mental space, and independently verify claims rather than acting immediately.
fox23maine.com
· 2025-12-08
A new report from the Identity Theft Resource Center reveals that AI-powered scams are becoming more sophisticated and costly, with cybercriminals using AI to create convincing fake websites, emails, and deepfakes to impersonate trusted brands and financial institutions. While the number of identity crime reports declined, victims lost significantly more money per incident, with impersonation scams rising 148% year-over-year and nearly 1 in 4 victims targeted multiple times. The report shows a positive trend: more people are seeking prevention advice, indicating growing awareness of these threats, and individuals are encouraged to use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and verify caller identity before sharing personal information.
vietnam.vn
· 2025-12-08
Gen Z individuals in Hanoi fell victim to sophisticated impersonation scams despite growing up with digital literacy. Multiple cases involved fraudsters posing as police officers or bank employees, using psychological pressure and panic tactics to convince victims to transfer money; a 20-year-old lost 1.6 billion VND, another lost nearly 1 billion VND to fake police calls, and a 30-year-old lost 145 million VND total to a fake bank employee scam. The article highlights that scammers succeed not just through deceiving awareness but by exploiting psychological vulnerabilities and crisis-response confusion with constantly evolving scenarios and impersonation tactics.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
American seniors aged 60 and older reported $4.8 billion in losses to scammers in 2024, making them the primary targets for cybercriminals operating globally, with fraudulent wire transfers often routing through Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Mexico. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to cultural tendencies to trust, limited technological sophistication, and the fact that they control over 70% of American wealth. The FBI advises that education and awareness are the best defenses, recommending seniors verify unsolicited contacts independently, avoid sending money or gift cards in response to urgent requests, and stay informed about common scam tactics.
northyorks.gov.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational advisory warns that fraudsters increasingly impersonate enforcement officers to target council tax and business rate payers. The guidance advises verifying the identity of anyone claiming to be an official, avoiding disclosure of sensitive information in unsolicited calls, and not clicking links in suspicious emails or texts, with instructions to report suspected scams to local authorities.