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in Identity Theft
kfiz.com
In 2024, military consumers filed over 200,000 scam reports with the FTC, with 31,833 reporting financial losses totaling $584 million (median loss of $700). Scammers target servicemembers, retirees, and their families through two main housing scams: home loan fraud (impersonating VA officials to demand immediate payment or property transfers) and rental housing fraud (advertising fake properties with military discounts to collect deposits before renters discover the fraud). Consumers are advised to verify all housing-related requests through official channels, avoid unrealistic discounts, tour properties in person, and use legitimate military housing resources like Military By Owner and Homes.mil.
observer.co.uk
Fraud has evolved from rare, high-profile crimes into a pervasive problem affecting all age groups, with the UK experiencing 4.1 million fraud incidents in the year ending 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year—and identity fraud alone costing the nation approximately £1.8 billion annually. Contrary to stereotypes, younger people (18-24) are slightly more vulnerable than seniors, likely due to greater online activity, though common fraud types now include identity theft, purchase scams, authorized push payments, and romance scams. Modern criminals exploit technological advantages including malware, cryptocurrencies, AI deepfakes, and organized "scam factories" operating
news.sky.com
Children as young as seven are being referred to Britain's cyber crime intervention program, with an average referral age of just 15, as young hackers steal millions from major UK companies. Former cybercriminals Ricky Handschumacher and Joseph Harris—who each served prison sentences for stealing millions in cryptocurrency—warn that teenagers are increasingly exploiting gaming platforms and social engineering tactics to commit cyber attacks, with gaming being a major pathway into crime for vulnerable youth. Insurance payouts to hacked UK businesses have increased 230%, with teenagers and young adults suspected in major attacks on companies including Marks & Spencer (£136m loss), Co-op (6.5 million customer records stolen),
ainvest.com
Three major U.S. banks—Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America—denied reimbursement claims from customers who lost funds to sophisticated scams, including impersonation fraud ($20,000), phishing and malware attacks, and a taxi fraud scheme ($450). The cases highlight gaps in fraud prevention and reimbursement policies, as banks rely on transaction verification methods that scammers increasingly bypass through social engineering and malware, leaving victims with limited recourse despite clear evidence of fraud.
consumerbankers.com
Consumer Bankers Association Vice President Brian Fritzsche argues that while banks invest in fraud prevention technologies and coordinate with law enforcement, combating financial fraud and scams requires a broader, coordinated national response involving government agencies, telecommunications providers, social media platforms, and fintech companies. Fritzsche emphasizes that modern fraud schemes are sophisticated criminal enterprises using AI voice cloning, phishing emails, and social media manipulation that extend beyond traditional banking channels, affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans annually with significant financial and psychological impacts, including reported suicidal ideation among identity crime victims.
inquirer.com
Job scams have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020. These scams typically begin with personalized texts or WhatsApp messages offering easy remote work (such as liking videos or rating products), display fake earnings on platforms, and ultimately ask victims to deposit their own money in cryptocurrency before disappearing with the funds. Job-seekers new to the workforce, career re-entrants, and immigrants are particularly vulnerable, and experts advise rejecting unsolicited job offers, never paying upfront fees, and being skeptical of positions requiring online ratings without legitimate product use.
hospicenews.com
Five California hospice operators pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare of approximately $16 million by operating sham hospice companies, misusing deceased doctors' identities, and using foreign nationals' personal information to submit false claims. The scheme involved healthcare fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, with defendants spending fraudulently obtained funds on real estate and vehicles; sentences ranged from 10-12 years in prison, with additional penalties including potential deportation.
states.aarp.org
AARP and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation are offering free educational webinars throughout August designed to teach consumers how to recognize and prevent common scams targeting older adults, including tech support scams, identity theft, imposter fraud, and financial abuse. The sessions provide expert guidance on spotting warning signs and protecting personal information and finances.
foxnews.com
Microsoft 365 and Outlook users are being targeted by a phishing scam that injects fake billing alerts directly into calendars via meeting invites, bypassing traditional email filters. The scam uses official-looking payment failure or account suspension notices, sometimes with malicious attachments, and exploits default calendar settings to appear without user interaction, creating urgency and panic. Users should avoid interacting with suspicious calendar events and verify their subscription status independently rather than responding to or deleting invites, as these actions may confirm their email is active to scammers.
yahoo.com
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 amount. Scammers use personalized texts or WhatsApp messages to build trust with job-seekers before directing them to fake platforms where they display fake earnings and demand deposits in cryptocurrency to withdraw non-existent pay. Vulnerable targets include new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, and the FTC advises ignoring unsolicited job offers, never paying to get paid, and being skeptical of positions that promise payment for rating or liking content online.
dnronline.com
Modern scams exploit trust and fear through phishing, vishing, quishing, and tech support schemes, increasingly using AI to create realistic fraudulent communications that pressure victims into quick decisions. Phishing scams trick users into revealing passwords and financial data through fake emails and websites, while tech support scams use scare tactics and remote access requests to steal information and install malware. Protection requires skepticism toward unsolicited contact, verification of sender identities through official channels, multi-factor authentication, and awareness that legitimate companies never request sensitive information via email or unsolicited calls.
nbcnews.com
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 losses—according to the FTC. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering "product boosting" or task-based work that displays fake earnings until victims are pressured to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw non-existent profits. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the market, re-entering workers, and immigrants, and the FTC advises never paying upfront for work and ignoring unsolicited job offers via text.
ksl.com
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 total—according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers typically contact victims via text or WhatsApp, build trust, and eventually ask for cryptocurrency deposits to complete fake "tasks" like rating videos or liking products, after which victims lose their real money while the promised earnings never materialize. The scams primarily target vulnerable populations including new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, and the FTC advises ignoring unsolicited job messages and never paying money upfront to secure employment.
amityvillerecord.com
Consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with the percentage of victims who lost money jumping from 27% to 38% according to FTC data. While seniors are frequently targeted through "elder fraud," financial scams affect consumers of all ages across the internet and smartphone platforms. The FTC recommends verifying requests before sharing money or personal information, avoiding wire transfers and unsolicited payments, using credit cards for stronger fraud protection, and never trusting unverified caller IDs or sharing sensitive information in response to unexpected contact.
mainlinemedianews.com
Con artists continuously develop new scams targeting seniors, with recent tactics including AI-based fraud, unpaid toll/fine texts, investment schemes, and romance scams, while older methods like the grandparent scam remain prevalent. One in ten older adults in the U.S. experience financial exploitation annually, losing billions in retirement savings, prompting support for the bipartisan Senior Security Act of 2025. Experts advise seniors to never share information via unsolicited calls or texts, verify requests independently through official channels, and remain skeptical of requests that seem too good to be true or create urgency through fear.
nbcwashington.com
Job scams targeting work-seekers, particularly through text or WhatsApp messages promising easy online tasks like "product boosting," have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020. Scammers build trust before directing victims to deposit money (often cryptocurrency) to access fake earnings that appear in apps, resulting in complete financial loss. The scams disproportionately target job-seekers new to the market, homemakers re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, exploiting economic vulnerability through offers of remote work with no interviews and immediate start dates.
nbcchicago.com
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 level—according to the Federal Trade Commission. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering commission-based tasks like rating videos or liking images; victims see fake earnings accumulate in an app before being asked to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw funds they never actually earned. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the workforce, people re-entering employment, and immigrants, with only about 5% of victims reporting their losses to authorities.
justice.gov
Michel Duarte Suarez, a 50-year-old Cuban national, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a scheme from Panama to steal approximately $803,000 from an 82-year-old victim's bank account over four months using forged checks and fraudulent signatures. Suarez and his South Florida-based co-conspirators laundered the stolen proceeds through his Miami company, Online Electronics, with co-conspirators returning 50% of the fraud to Suarez. He faces up to 30 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud, plus a mandatory additional two years for aggravated identity theft, with sentencing scheduled for September 29, 2025
nzherald.co.nz
As AI advances, traditional scam detection methods like spotting poor spelling and grammar are no longer reliable, according to cybersecurity experts. An Avast survey of 1,001 New Zealand adults found that while 74% worry about older loved ones falling victim to scams and 84% have warned them about online threats, only 53% of seniors actually change their behavior—with common vulnerabilities including writing passwords on paper (44%) and ignoring advice about suspicious links. The most prevalent scams targeting older adults are tech support scams, phishing, and fake invoices, with phone calls remaining a primary entry point for fraud.
pa.gov
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed SB 649 into law, establishing third-degree felony charges for using artificial intelligence to create non-consensual deepfakes or voice clones to defraud or harm residents. The law specifically targets AI-generated scams affecting older adults, such as fake grandchild voice impersonations used to extort money, with Pennsylvania's Department of Aging reporting nearly 18,500 financial exploitation cases in FY 2023-24—nearly double the number since 2017. This legislation strengthens protections for Pennsylvania's fifth-largest older adult population by giving law enforcement new tools to prosecute AI-driven fraud schemes.
bitdefender.com
Scammers have used AI-generated deepfake videos of Jennifer Aniston to perpetrate romance fraud for over a decade, with a recent case involving a 43-year-old man from Southampton who sent £200 in Apple gift cards after being manipulated through fake videos and a forged California driver's license. The scam exploited emotional manipulation and false exclusivity claims, using only publicly available photos and free AI tools to create convincing deepfake content. This represents an evolving threat where romance scammers combine classic social engineering with deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities and exploit victims' emotional connections to famous figures.
usatoday.com
Adults over 60 lost over $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with impersonation, romance, tech support, and emerging "grandparent scams" using AI voice cloning being the most common threats. The article provides six protective practices: avoid unknown calls/texts, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, recognize urgency and emotional manipulation tactics, and refrain from sending money to unknown contacts via any payment method.
pcmag.com
Amazon warned customers of a surge in phishing scams ahead of Prime Day (July 8-11), where fraudsters send fake emails claiming Prime membership renewals or requesting purchase verification, attempting to steal login credentials and banking information through fake Amazon login pages. Scammers also use phone calls and spam emails offering fake early deals that redirect users to fraudulent sites, and Amazon emphasized it never requests payment via phone or email outside its official app, website, or stores. Customers can verify legitimate Amazon communications by checking for the Amazon smile logo in email headers and reporting suspected scams to the company.
freep.com
A 56-year-old Michigan woman lost $400 after clicking on a fraudulent Geico phone number in Google search results and unknowingly calling scammers who impersonated the insurance company. The fraudsters obtained her driver's license, VIN, and Social Security number, then instructed her to make a payment via Xfinity using a fake Google Docs form. The victim discovered the scam when she contacted the real Geico and learned no legitimate policy had been created; her bank refunded the $400 pending investigation, though scammers also attempted to contact her adult sons for their personal information.
13abc.com
I don't have enough information to write a summary for the Elderus database based on this content. While one item mentions identity fraud charges against Angus F. Blaze, the snippet lacks essential details such as the victim's age, the amount stolen, the specific fraud method, and the outcome. The other headlines concern weather, homelessness, and drug incidents—none of which relate to elder fraud. Please provide the full article text or a more complete excerpt focused on elder fraud or abuse for an accurate summary.
express.co.uk
A UK poll of 1,000 respondents found that 41% of those with older loved ones believe they would fall for a scam if targeted, with 26% of older Brits having already experienced a scam and 21% falling victim to financial fraud. Common risky online behaviors among seniors include clicking suspicious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), oversharing personal information (55%), using weak passwords (51%), and poor password management practices such as writing them down or reusing them across accounts. Experts emphasize that online safety education and intergenerational conversations about cyber security are critical to protecting vulnerable older adults from increasingly sophisticated threats.
mirror.co.uk
A UK survey of 1,000 adults found that 60% have had to help elderly relatives stay safe online, with 41% believing their older loved ones could be duped by scammers. The study revealed that 26% of older Brits have encountered scams and 21% have been victims of financial fraud, with common unsafe practices including clicking dubious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), and using simple passwords (51%). Experts emphasize that digital safety education and family conversations about cyber threats are essential to protecting vulnerable seniors from evolving online scams.
lincolnparishjournal.com
This article by law enforcement veteran Wesley Harris contrasts traditional in-person scams targeting seniors—such as the "found money" handkerchief scheme, driveway paving fraud, and fake bank examiner con—with modern technology-based fraud that operates remotely via text messages, phishing links, and compromised payment cards. Harris illustrates how contemporary scams are more difficult to combat because criminals operate from abroad and are largely beyond law enforcement reach, while noting that victims often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment. The article advises consumers to scrutinize suspicious messages for red flags before clicking links or providing personal financial information.
vermontjournal.com
Black River Good Neighbor Services hosted a "Fraud Awareness" presentation by M&T Bank's senior branch manager Art Randolph on July 17 in Ludlow, Vermont, covering identity theft, common phone scams, check fraud, email impersonation, caller ID spoofing, and strategies for protecting personal information and recognizing fraudulent schemes.
wgal.com
The FBI warned of phishing scams in which fraudsters impersonate health insurance fraud investigators to solicit protected health information, medical records, and personal financial details from patients via emails and text messages. The stolen data can be used to commit fraud or medical identity theft. The FBI recommends victims remain suspicious of unsolicited contact, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails, use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and verify any communication directly with their health insurance provider.
spectrumlocalnews.com
The Better Business Bureau reports that impostors are costing businesses billions of dollars through data theft and fake services, with the FBI documenting nearly $1.4 billion in losses related to data breaches across the United States in 2024. Common red flags include unexpected invoices, requests for gift card or prepaid card payments, and urgent demands to renew licenses or domain names. The BBB recommends businesses implement employee training, verify vendor information, use multi-factor authentication, avoid wire transfers and gift cards, and maintain detailed records to protect against fraud.
freepressjournal.in
A 47-year-old doctor in Mumbai was defrauded of ₹3.2 lakh when a scammer impersonated his friend "Roshni Masad" via WhatsApp using a U.S.-based number, claiming to need money for a financial emergency. The victim transferred the funds through bank and UPI details provided by the fraudster before becoming suspicious when an additional ₹1.8 lakh was requested and the voice call verification failed. The Parksite Police registered a case under IT Act Sections 66(C) and 66(D) against the unidentified accused, with investigations ongoing.
foxnews.com
Social Security Administration phishing scams use urgent, alarming messages impersonating government agencies to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading files that steal personal data or install malware. These scams leverage fear and false authority by falsely claiming SSNs are suspended due to serious crimes like money laundering, and often include multiple geographic references and official-sounding details to overwhelm victims into panic-driven action before they can verify the threat.
golocalprov.com
A Boston truck repair company, Middlesex Truck and Coach, discovered that Chase Bank had fraudulently opened an account under its name without identification verification, which was then used by foreign scammers to collect proceeds from victims of "pig-butchering" schemes—elaborate investment scams that defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The account was part of a sophisticated international money laundering operation linked to Asian crime syndicates that funnel stolen U.S. funds through fake bank accounts and cryptocurrency, with pig-butchering scams alone generating an estimated $44 billion annually across Southeast Asia and affecting millions of victims worldwide.
thegazette.com
A reshipping scam targeting job seekers has resurged, where applicants believe they are hired for remote "warehouse distribution coordinator" positions with attractive salaries ($3,000+) and minimal hours, but are instead asked to share personal information (Social Security cards, driver's licenses) and unknowingly repackage and ship items purchased with stolen credit cards and banking information. The scam provides no actual paychecks while victims become complicit in moving illegally obtained goods, with employment scams ranking second in BBB Scam Tracker reports for 2024. Red flags include requests for personal/financial information, email-only interviews, unrealistic pay-to-work ratios, and the
shawlocal.com
State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel and other Illinois elected officials hosted a fraud prevention seminar for seniors to educate them about common scams and financial exploitation tactics. The program covered protection strategies against scams, fraud, identity theft, and phone spoofing, with a presentation from the Illinois Attorney General's Office included.
vocal.media
This educational guide advises overseas daters on avoiding romance scams in 2025 by emphasizing the importance of using reputable dating platforms with strong security features, verifying profiles through video calls and reverse image searches, understanding cultural differences, and recognizing red flags such as requests for money, avoidance of video calls, and inconsistent personal details. The article notes that scammers increasingly exploit international daters through sophisticated AI-generated profiles, deepfakes, catfishing, and emotional manipulation, taking advantage of language barriers and physical distance.
catholicnewsagency.com
A new anti-fraud initiative called "Protecting the Faithful," led by cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton, has been launched to combat rising scams targeting Catholic parishes and followers of Catholic public figures. Scammers are impersonating priests via email soliciting donations and impersonating celebrities like actor Jonathan Roumie on social media, offering fake promises in exchange for money. The campaign distributes educational materials highlighting red flags such as requests to move conversations to encrypted apps, claims of personal backup accounts, and suspicious links, while urging victims to report incidents to local police and the FBI's IC3.gov without shame.
yahoo.com
Con artists posing as government officials scammed a Washington man out of $500,000 by claiming his Social Security Number had been stolen and pressuring him to liquidate his accounts and hand over cash to a supposed federal courier for "safekeeping." At least 47 victims have come forward across Washington State in what authorities believe is part of a much larger scheme that cost Americans $577 million in Social Security imposter scams during 2024 alone. To protect yourself, watch for three red flags—fear-based messaging, artificial urgency, and demands for secrecy—and never act on such claims without verifying directly with official government sources or trusted contacts.
livebitcoinnews.com
Michael Zidell lost $20 million in a pig butchering scam that began in January 2023 when a scammer impersonating businesswoman "Carolyn Parker" contacted him on Facebook and convinced him to invest in a fake NFT website over several months. Zidell has sued East West Bank, Cathay Bank, and Citibank for negligence, alleging the banks failed to detect or flag suspicious wire transfers totaling $20 million across multiple accounts and violated anti-money laundering regulations, with the lawsuits also alleging elder abuse under California law.
wowt.com
Military personnel and veterans are being specifically targeted for scams at twice the rate of civilians, according to the Better Business Bureau, with common schemes including identity theft, loan scams, and romance scams that often employ bait-and-switch tactics and hidden fees to gain access to personal information. The Department of Defense is now offering free credit monitoring and alerts through major credit bureaus to help protect service members from these threats.
welivesecurity.com
Employment and recruitment scams cost victims over $264 million in 2024, with "task scams" being a particularly prevalent variant where victims are tricked into paying deposits via cryptocurrency to unlock fake earnings. Task scams use gamification techniques—promising easy money for simple online tasks like clicking buttons—then pressure victims to "level up" their accounts by paying money that disappears permanently. The FBI and FTC report significant growth in these scams, driven by factors including remote work normalization, AI-generated convincing websites, breached personal data, and poor economic conditions making people vulnerable to job opportunities.
cnynews.com
In early July, Wappinger Town Supervisor Joseph D. Cavaccini warned residents of a phishing scam in which fraudsters impersonated Planning and Zoning Department officials using fake email addresses to pressure residents into wire transferring money under the false pretense of being added to Planning Board agendas. Fortunately, no community members fell victim to the scheme; the town clarified it never requests wire transfers or online payments for board agenda placement and urged residents to report suspicious communications to Town Hall.
dvidshub.net
Between May 2009 and March 2010, U.S. Strategic Command detected a widespread phishing campaign targeting servicemembers who were financial customers of USAA and Navy Federal Credit Union, with fraudulent emails requesting personal information such as Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords, and identification details. Although the emails contained official-looking logos and headers designed to appear legitimate, both financial institutions confirmed they never request such information via email. Stratcom officials urged servicemembers to protect personal information, verify requests through official channels, maintain updated security software, and monitor bank statements for suspicious activity.
paloaltoonline.com
Palo Alto and Santa Clara County law enforcement hosted educational seminars in spring to help seniors recognize and prevent scams, as the country experienced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. The top five scams targeting seniors involve impersonation: grandparent scams (fake emergencies using AI voice replication), financial services impersonation, government imposter scams, tech support fraud, and romance scams, with warning signs including rushed calls demanding secrecy and threats. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious calls, verify requests directly with the entity, and remember that legitimate institutions never request sensitive information or demand immediate
indianexpress.com
Three men from Jharkhand were arrested for operating a phishing and identity theft scam that defrauded a 49-year-old Delhi resident of Rs 10.8 lakh (approximately $13,000 USD) by impersonating a bank and requesting KYC updates via fake links. The sophisticated operation involved spoofed calls, malicious apps to intercept OTPs, and laundering stolen funds through gaming apps and digital wallets using mule accounts and fake SIM cards. Police recovered multiple devices and linked the accused to additional complaints through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
paloaltoonline.com
Palo Alto police and FBI officials held an educational seminar at Mitchell Park Community Center to help seniors prevent scams, as the nation faced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, led by Deputy Bob Yee, is expanding fraud prevention seminars throughout the region, teaching participants to identify the five most common senior scams involving impersonation: person-in-need/grandparent scams, financial services fraud, government impersonation, tech support scams, and romance scams. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, and remember
mlive.com
Kaushalkumar Chaudhary, 30, from India, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for wire fraud targeting elderly and vulnerable victims, defrauding 14 people of over $500,000. Chaudhary acted as a "money mule" in a scheme where fraudsters posed as FBI agents and government officials, convincing victims their social security numbers had been stolen so they would convert their assets into cash, gold, and silver for "protection." He was arrested in August 2024 when police intercepted him attempting to collect gold and silver from a victim's home, and was ordered to pay $524,947 in restitution.
kmbc.com
Wendy Hopkins, a 54-year-old Kansas woman, was charged on July 2, 2025, with 48 counts including identity theft, computer crime, theft, forgery, and mistreatment of an elder person in connection with an alleged fraud scheme at Rockhill Women's Care. Patients of the women's care center who experienced financial fraud between September 2022 and November 2023 are asked to contact law enforcement, though specific details about the victims and amounts stolen were not disclosed. Hopkins' bond was set at $500,000.
justice.gov
Michael Jerome Wright and Cortney Lashea Young of Princeton, Indiana, were sentenced to 12 and 2 years in federal prison, respectively, for operating a mail theft and identity fraud scheme in 2023-2024. The pair stole hundreds of checks totaling $1,857,460.91 in face value by illegally using arrow keys to open USPS collection boxes, and investigators also discovered dozens of stolen credit and debit cards, personal identifying information, and illegal firearms including a "ghost gun" with automatic capabilities in their apartment.