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in Government Impersonation
disb.dc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource from DISB (District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking) provides information on common scam types to help consumers protect themselves during financial transactions. The tracker includes detailed examples of advance fee scams, affinity scams by licensed professionals, and credit card phishing scams, with specific case narratives and protective strategies such as verifying information directly with legitimate agencies and being cautious of unsolicited financial offers.
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
Two unlicensed contractors, John Francis McDonough (31) from Philadelphia and James Anthony Eugene Ward (25), were charged with operating a home improvement scam targeting elderly and vulnerable Long Island homeowners under the business name "Top Line Masonry." The men would deliberately damage properties and falsely report existing damage to solicit repair work, with Nassau County police reporting 31 home improvement scams this year—22 involving elderly victims—including one case where a homeowner was defrauded of $239,000. Both men face multiple felony charges including first-degree scheme to defraud, and investigators are still determining the total number of victims and amount defrauded by this pair.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian internet fraudster Marcel, a 26-year-old "Yahoo boy" based in Abuja, destroyed evidence by hiding his phone in a toilet pipe when Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials raided his apartment building in May following a tip-off about suspected cybercriminals in the area. Though officers searched his room and discovered his phone charger, they did not locate the hidden device, and Marcel was not arrested during the raid, though he admitted to using the phone for "bombing and grinding" (finding and defrauding online victims) for over two years.
nationthailand.com
· 2025-12-08
The #ThaisAware campaign is a collaborative effort between TikTok and Thai government agencies (including the Bank of Thailand, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Consumer Protection Board) to combat rising online fraud through educational content and user-generated awareness videos. Thailand reported approximately 700 scams daily, with 19,960 online complaints in the first half of the year, primarily involving e-commerce fraud (43.44%), illegal websites (31.27%), and investment scams. The initiative aims to enhance digital literacy among Thai consumers to reduce vulnerability to online deception and support government efforts against cybercriminals.
openaccessgovernment.org
· 2025-12-08
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals exploited vulnerable populations through phishing emails (up 220%), fake vaccine offers, and impersonation scams, with older adults particularly targeted due to limited digital literacy and social isolation. Impersonation scam cases doubled to 39,394 in 2020, romance scams increased 38%, and investment scams rose 32%, resulting in £479 million in Authorized Push Payment fraud losses in the UK with victims recovering only £206.9 million. Financial services firms are urged to implement continuous fraud awareness campaigns and change communication practices to avoid inadvertently training customers to fall victim to scams.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing scams use text messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or calling scammer-operated numbers, often impersonating legitimate delivery services or popular companies to steal login credentials and personal information. These scams are cheap and effective for criminals, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, and malware installation on victims' devices. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication, contact companies directly using verified numbers, and report suspicious texts to the FTC by forwarding to 7726.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
From May to December, the FBI received over $55 million in complaints related to gold scams in which fraudsters impersonated government officials, falsely claimed victims' accounts were hacked, and sent couriers to collect cash or validate transactions. The agency warns that individual losses often exceed $500,000 and recommends protecting personal information, avoiding unsolicited pop-ups and unknown callers, and never allowing strangers computer access, with scam reports available at IC3.gov.
wxxinews.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning about a scam targeting seniors nationwide in which fraudsters impersonate bank or government officials and convince victims to withdraw cash or purchase gold bars to "protect" their accounts, then send a courier to collect the assets and disappear. From May to December 2023, the Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded losses exceeding $55 million from this scheme, with individual victims losing up to $1 million or more. The FBI advises that legitimate officials never request account liquidation and urges people to refuse requests to meet unknown individuals for cash or precious metal transfers.
picketfencemedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Assemblymember Laurie Davies hosted two senior scam awareness seminars in Oceanside and Vista that drew over 300 participants, highlighting that seniors in San Diego County lost $97.3 million to scams in 2023. The article outlines six common elder fraud schemes—including tech support, romance, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, and home repair scams—and advises seniors to verify suspicious calls directly with institutions, never share financial information over the phone, and report scams to local police to increase recovery chances and help law enforcement stop fraudsters.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
Eight major digital tech companies (Google, Meta, Yahoo, X, Snap, TikTok, Discord, and Twitch) have voluntarily adopted an Australian Online Scams Code to combat fraud while the government develops mandatory legislation, committing to verify advertisers, screen for suspicious content, and increase intelligence sharing with regulators. The code addresses growing scam losses, particularly social media scams which reached $95 million in reported losses in 2023—a 250% increase since 2020—with most fraud originating from WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and online dating platforms.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Taichung police issued a warning about a sextortion scam targeting young people on dating and video chat sites, where victims are persuaded to strip naked on camera and then blackmailed for money with threats to distribute the footage. Since the start of the year, police handled 718 cases of online sexual exploitation and blackmail, with male victims comprising over half, predominantly young adults and teenagers; in one case, a high school student was threatened for NT$60,000. Police urge victims to report incidents immediately, preserve evidence, and strengthen privacy settings, emphasizing that some victims have tragically taken their own lives due to pressure from repeated blackmail.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing scams use text messages to trick people into clicking malicious links or calling scammer numbers, often impersonating delivery services or well-known companies to steal login credentials and personal data. These scams can result in identity theft, financial loss, and malware installation on devices. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication, contact companies directly using verified numbers, and report suspicious texts to the FTC by forwarding to 7726.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received over 192,000 fraud reports from military consumers (active service members, veterans, retirees, and families), resulting in $477 million in total losses, with nearly one-third of reports involving actual financial loss. The most common scams targeting this population included imposter scams, online shopping fraud, investment schemes ($147 million from under 4,000 reports), identity theft (over 39,000 reports), housing scams, and fake government benefits schemes. Wisconsin officials emphasized that military consumers are disproportionately targeted by scammers and highlighted July as Military Consumer Protection Month to raise awareness.
gainesvilleregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration sent legitimate emails last month notifying recipients about updates to their online "My Social Security" accounts to align with federal authentication standards and improve security. The article warns seniors to verify any Social Security-related emails by checking the official SSA website (www.ssa.gov) rather than clicking links in emails, as scammers create fraudulent websites mimicking the agency's format to steal personal information.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In June, 63 people in Singapore lost at least $10.6 million to scammers impersonating bank officers and government officials in a multi-stage fraud scheme. Victims received unsolicited calls from fraudsters claiming to be bank officers who reported suspicious transactions, then were transferred to additional scammers posing as police or Monetary Authority of Singapore officials who accused them of money laundering and pressured them to transfer funds to fake "safety accounts." Authorities stressed that government officials never request money transfers, personal information, or clicks to banking websites over the phone or text, and advised victims to enable two-factor authentication and verify suspicious claims through official channels.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports between March-April and May-June 2024, with scammers targeting victims through dating apps, websites, and social media. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 compared to £3,500 for men), and female reports increased 43% during the period studied. The bank advises verifying the identity of online romantic interests before sending money and emphasizes that victims should report scams without shame, as scammers use sophisticated tactics to build trust.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that children are increasingly vulnerable to online scams due to their inexperience and trust, with more than half of American children under 11 now owning smartphones. Common scams targeting kids include social media contests requesting personal information, deceptive free ringtone offers with hidden subscription fees, malware-infected video games, and webcam security breaches. The BBB recommends parents educate children about scams, establish internet safety rules, monitor downloads, use security software, and report suspected fraud to the BBB Scam Tracker or FTC.
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, banks reported over $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity, with FBI reports indicating average losses exceeding $33,000 per case, driven partly by advanced AI technologies like voice cloning that enable realistic impersonation. Common scams targeting elders employ two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering attractive opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted confidants about unusual requests.
birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% year-on-year increase in romance scams from March-June 2024, with female victims losing significantly more money on average (£8,900) compared to male victims (£3,500), despite men representing the majority of romance scam reports. The scams typically originate on dating apps, social media, and dating websites, where perpetrators build trust before manipulating victims into sending money or personal information. The bank urged customers to verify the identity of new online contacts before transferring funds and emphasized the importance of reporting incidents without shame, as scammers use sophisticated tactics to exploit victims.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams peak during summer months, with a 139% increase in reported scam value from May to June compared to March to April, according to Barclays analysis. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money per incident—averaging £8,900 compared to men's £3,500—as scammers build trust to extract financial assistance. The bank also warns of wedding-related invoice scams and advises online daters to verify identities and be cautious of money requests from people they haven't met in person.
gbnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays Bank warns of a sharp rise in romance scams, with a 139% increase in reported cases between March-June 2024 and losses reaching up to £9,000 per victim. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 vs. £3,500 for men), with female victims reporting a 43% increase in cases. The bank advises potential victims to verify the identity of online dating contacts before sending money, perform reverse image searches on profile photos, and seek advice from trusted contacts before transferring funds for urgent-sounding requests.
chroniclelive.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports comparing March-April to May-June 2024, with women losing significantly more money on average (£8,900 versus £3,500 for men), though men report these scams more frequently. The bank found that romance scams, where perpetrators build false relationships to extract money or personal information, frequently originate on dating apps, social media, and dating websites, with a 43% increase in reports from women during the peak period. Barclays urged potential daters to verify identities before transferring money and emphasized the importance of reporting scams without shame, while calling for industry-wide collaboration to prevent fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays bank reported a 139% increase in romance scam claims between March-April and May-June 2024, with a 43% rise specifically among female victims who lose an average of £8,900 compared to men's average loss of £3,500. While men report romance scams more frequently, the analysis found that men are more willing to send money to newly-met online contacts, and the bank urged people to verify identities before transferring funds, emphasizing that scammers use sophisticated tactics and victims should not feel ashamed to report incidents.
halesowennews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam claims between March-April and May-June 2024, with women losing an average of £8,900 compared to men's £3,500 per incident, despite men reporting scams more frequently. Romance scams involve fraudsters posing as romantic interests to manipulate victims into sending money or personal information, often originating on dating apps, social media, and dating websites. The bank advises people to never send money to unmet individuals, verify identities before transfers, and report suspected scams to their bank and Action Fraud.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60+ lost more than $11 million to scams in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, making them attractive to scammers who use impersonation tactics (posing as bankers, government agents, IT experts, romantic partners, and relatives) and increasingly sophisticated online methods like phishing and email scams. Tech support scams were the most common type nationally, while romance and confidence scams caused the highest losses in New Hampshire
du.edu
· 2025-12-08
The Paul Freeman Financial Security Program at the University of Denver expanded the Colorado Older Adults Financial Justice Coalition to combat elder financial fraud, which costs older Americans over $20 billion annually. The coalition brings together state agencies, advocacy organizations, and researchers to develop prevention tools and frameworks that address the complex relationship between cognitive health, financial decision-making, and vulnerability to exploitation. The team is creating a financial vulnerability scale and training programs for frontline workers to identify and protect at-risk individuals across the lifespan.
standard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays Bank reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports between March-April and May-June 2024, with scammers posing as romantic interests to manipulate victims into sending money or personal information. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 versus £3,500 for men), and reports from female victims increased 43% during the period. The bank urged people to verify the identity of online romantic interests before sending money and emphasized that romance scams often originate on dating apps, social media, and websites.
moneyweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam losses during May and June compared to the previous two months, with men averaging £3,500 in losses and women £8,900 per incident. Romance scammers create fake online profiles on dating apps and social media to build false romantic relationships before requesting money for claimed emergencies. To protect against these scams, people should verify online profiles through reverse image searches, ask probing questions, never send money to online-only contacts, and report suspicious accounts immediately.
bestlifeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Geek Squad scam is a phishing scheme where fraudsters impersonate Best Buy's legitimate tech support service, sending fake renewal invoices or emails claiming a membership is about to be charged or has already been renewed for a substantial amount. When victims call the provided number to cancel, they reach scammers posing as Geek Squad representatives who attempt to extract personal information, financial details, or computer access. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying communications directly through official Geek Squad channels, being skeptical of unsolicited renewal notices, and never providing sensitive information or remote access to callers they haven't independently verified.
richmondregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration sent legitimate emails in recent months notifying recipients of updates to their online "my Social Security" accounts, which align with federal authentication standards and provide safer account access. The article advises recipients to verify emails by visiting www.ssa.gov directly and warns against fraudulent websites mimicking SSA links that attempt to steal personal information, recommending suspicious emails be reported to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at 800-269-0271.
courier-journal.com
· 2025-12-08
Juan Carlos Arcena Cabrera, a New York resident, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison for defrauding a Kentucky senior of $59,000 through a "grandparent scam" in which he posed as the victim's grandson claiming an emergency need for money. Cabrera, who pleaded guilty to targeting multiple victims over years, coordinated with others to fabricate scenarios such as car accidents or legal troubles, then repeatedly contacted victims impersonating attorneys and professionals to extract additional funds. The case is part of a national trend of grandparent scams that the U.S. Justice Department has prioritized, with some scammers using voice-cloning technology to increase authent
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60 and older lost more than $11 million to fraud in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own their homes, making them attractive victims for scammers who pose as bankers, government agents, IT experts, and romantic partners. Tech support scams are the most common form of elder fraud, while romance and confidence scams result in the largest financial losses, though experts note these crimes are vastly underreported due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 400 New Hampshire residents age 60 and older lost over $11 million to scams in 2023, with tech support fraud being the most common type and romance scams causing the highest financial losses. Seniors are disproportionately targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, while scammers increasingly use online tactics like phishing and email scams targeting Baby Boomers with computer skills. Experts attribute the rise in elder fraud to increased online activity that exposes personal information, scammers' use of impersonation and research tactics, and significant underreporting due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Kelly Mitchell, 58, had her Facebook account hacked and used to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme through fake images and religious messaging—a tactic combining impersonation and "pig butchering" scams where criminals pose as trusted contacts to solicit ongoing investments. According to FTC data, cryptocurrency scams cost Americans $1.41 billion across 47,537 reports in 2023, with experts recommending basic security measures like two-factor authentication and strong passwords as essential protection against these increasingly common social media fraud attacks.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has ordered all phone companies to block international scam calls that spoof UK landline numbers, with implementation required by January 2025, after fraudsters have exploited this technique for years to impersonate banks and government departments. Spoofed number scams contributed to £1.17 billion in unauthorized and authorized fraud across the UK in 2023, with one 2019 investigation revealing a dozen victims collectively lost £290,000 to this scam method.
home.barclays
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are rising seasonally, with claim values up 139% in May/June 2024 compared to March/April, and July 2023 accounting for 12% of all annual romance scam claims. While men represent 59% of romance scam victims, women lose significantly more per incident (averaging £8,900 versus £3,500 for men), with a 43% increase in reports from women during the peak period. The majority of romance scams originate on dating apps (35%) and social media (44%), with one-third of British consumers reporting they've avoided online dating due to scam fears.
motor1.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer used deepfaked audio to impersonate Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna in WhatsApp messages and a phone call to another company executive, attempting to manipulate them into approving a "big acquisition" requiring discretion. The executive became suspicious due to the unusual phone number used for the messages and, when asked to verify details during the call, the imposter hung up after failing to answer a security question. The incident highlights the emerging threat of voice deepfake technology being used for corporate fraud and espionage, with companies needing to develop new employee training protocols to detect such scams.
birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays issued a warning about romance scams, revealing that while men account for 59% of reported cases, female victims lose significantly more money—averaging £8,900 compared to £3,500 for men. The bank urged customers to verify the identity of new romantic interests before transferring money and called for tech companies and governments to implement stronger anti-scam measures, particularly on social media platforms and dating apps where these scams primarily originate.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud is rapidly rising globally, with UK banks reporting 20% increases in cases, predominantly targeting women (43% more victims than men) through dating apps and social media platforms. Fraudsters build trust over time before manipulating victims into sending money via cryptocurrency, which they believed was irretrievable; however, recent legal developments have enabled courts to freeze and potentially recover stolen cryptocurrency through blockchain-based legal orders. Victims should recognize warning signs including reluctance to video call, fake profiles, sudden requests for money, and excuses preventing in-person meetings, and should report cases despite feelings of embarrassment.
fintech.global
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reports a 139% surge in romance scam claims in May-June 2024 compared to March-April, with men representing 59% of victims but women losing significantly more money (averaging £8,900 versus £3,500 for men). The bulletin highlights that 32% of consumers avoid dating apps due to scam fears, and emphasizes that stigma around reporting these scams—with 30% of Brits hesitant to disclose victimization—increases vulnerability and hinders fraud prevention.
kmbc.com
· 2025-12-08
An Olathe woman received a fraudulent email impersonating Venmo claiming she had made a $500 Bitcoin purchase, along with two phone numbers to call about the transaction. The scam alert highlights the importance of verifying sender information, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and sending unknown callers to voicemail to protect against such email-based fraud schemes.
wctv.tv
· 2025-12-08
The Thomasville Police Department is warning residents about "brushing scams" in which victims receive unsolicited packages containing cheap jewelry and products with QR codes that, when scanned, install malware enabling scammers to steal personal data and post fraudulent product reviews. Scammers use this scheme to artificially boost product ratings and sales numbers on multiple websites, potentially tricking consumers into purchasing worthless items. Residents are advised not to scan QR codes in suspicious packages, monitor their accounts and credit reports, change passwords, and notify authorities if they receive such items.
tech.co
· 2025-12-08
Microsoft's Vice Chair Brad Smith has called on lawmakers to urgently enact a "deepfake fraud statute" to combat AI-generated deepfakes, warning that senior citizens and children are particularly vulnerable to this technology being used for fraud, abuse, and manipulation. Smith argues that current laws are insufficient and that a comprehensive legal framework is needed to give law enforcement the tools to prosecute deepfake-related crimes as they proliferate. The company released a 42-page report emphasizing that while AI offers societal benefits, deepfakes have made creating deceptive synthetic media easier and more accessible, requiring immediate legislative action.
auto.hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer attempted to defraud Ferrari by using deepfake technology to impersonate CEO Benedetto Vigna through WhatsApp messages and a phone call to another company executive. The fraud was detected when the message came from an unfamiliar number and the executive, suspicious of inconsistencies, asked the caller to verify his identity by naming a book the real CEO had recently recommended; the imposter hung up without responding. The incident highlights the emerging threat of deepfake voice technology in corporate fraud and underscores the need for employee training to identify such attacks.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
An 88-year-old Dalton man lost $10,000 in a grandparent scam when a caller impersonating a lawyer claimed his grandson had been arrested and needed bail money. The victim handed the cash to a courier who came to his door, but became suspicious when the scammer called back demanding an additional $12,000, prompting him to contact police. Officers arrested 60-year-old Deborah Andrus of Pittsfield, who arrived to pick up money the police had replaced with bread in a box; Andrus claimed she was hired as a courier unaware of the scam, while investigators continue determining her level of involvement.
theblast.com
· 2025-12-08
Vicki Gunvalson, star of "Real Housewives of Orange County," was sued by Diane Field in May 2024 for fraud and financial misconduct after allegedly convincing Field to invest approximately $6 million (90% of her combined net worth with her husband) in Allianz annuities and life insurance policies through deceptive sales tactics. Field claims Gunvalson and her business partner Ali misrepresented the investments as safe and tax-advantaged while failing to disclose that the life insurance policy cost $300,000 annually, resulting in Field paying $600,000 in premiums by 2022. The lawsuit also names Alli
tristatealert.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Maryland and Ohio men were indicted on July 31, 2024, for operating a technical support scam that defrauded over 1,000 victims, many of them older adults, of at least $3.5 million by convincing them their computers were infected or vulnerable and required immediate paid repairs. Victims were targeted through unsolicited pop-ups, phone calls, or fake technical support websites that posed as legitimate companies. The defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted on wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Healthcare fraud costs tens of billions annually in the U.S., with identity theft occurring every 2.2 seconds. While young adults (18-24) are typically the most targeted demographic, seniors are also vulnerable; victims should watch for red flags in official-looking documents like grammatical errors and should independently verify contact information rather than using numbers provided in suspicious communications. Georgia has reduced identity theft cases through stricter felony laws targeting exploitation of senior citizens, and resources like BBB survival kits are available to help victims resolve fraud.
jerseyshoreonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 160 Manchester residents attended a fraud awareness forum organized by township officials and local government agencies to address the rising tide of scams targeting seniors. Speakers from Ocean County government and Manchester Police outlined common scam tactics including fabricated urgent scenarios (IRS debts, lottery prizes), pressure for immediate payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards, and unregistered home improvement contractors, while providing guidance on prevention strategies such as verifying contractor licenses, using credit cards over debit cards, and consulting the free Ocean County Consumer Affairs guide for protection against elder fraud and identity theft.