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tillamookheadlightherald.com
A 2023 study analyzing Federal Trade Commission data found Oregon ranked 13th most defrauded state in the US, with $97.5 million lost across 29,002 fraud reports. Imposter scams were the most common fraud type in Oregon at 23% of all reports, followed by identity theft (15%) and online shopping scams (9%). The analysis provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding these common scam categories, emphasizing the importance of never sharing personal information with unknown callers and verifying legitimacy through official channels.
wyff4.com
Global scam losses exceeded $1 trillion last year, with Amazon phishing scams among the most prevalent. Amazon has eliminated over 40,000 phishing websites and 10,000 fraudulent phone numbers impersonating the company, resulting in a 15% decrease in fake Amazon scams. The primary threat involves scammers calling unsolicited claiming a large purchase was made and requesting account information to "verify" it; consumers should verify purchases directly through their Amazon account and report suspicious activity to amazon.com/ReportAScam.
news-leader.com
As the April 8 solar eclipse attracts tens of thousands of travelers to Missouri and Illinois, scammers are targeting consumers with counterfeit eclipse glasses and fraudulent rental listings, exploiting patterns from the 2017 eclipse when fake glasses and rental scams proliferated online. The Better Business Bureau advises buyers to purchase eclipse glasses only from vetted manufacturers meeting ISO 12312-2 safety standards, verify rental properties exist through address research and reverse image searches, and use credit cards rather than cash transfer apps to protect against deposit fraud. Consumers should report suspicious products and listings to BBB Scam Tracker.
hermoney.com
Contrary to common stereotypes, younger adults (ages 18-59) are 34% more likely than older adults to report losing money to fraud, with particular vulnerability to online shopping and investment scams. Financial columnist Charlotte Cowles fell victim to an elaborate scam involving fake Amazon and FTC calls that threatened arrest and her child's safety, ultimately resulting in her handing over $50,000 in cash from her emergency fund. The key takeaway is that victims should speak with a trusted person before transferring money, as interruption by someone else is often what prevents financial loss rather than recognizing red flags.
fortune.com
Scammers impersonating FTC agents are increasingly successful in 2024, stealing an average of $7,000 per victim—more than double the $3,000 average from 2019. The FTC warns that legitimate agents never demand money transfers, direct victims to Bitcoin ATMs or gold purchases, or threaten arrest, and the agency received 228,282 complaints about government impersonation scams in 2023. Overall fraud losses reached a record $10 billion in 2023, with data showing that while younger adults are more susceptible to scams, those over 40 typically lose larger amounts.
businessinsider.com
Regina Smith, a 34-year-old experienced real estate investor, fell victim to wire fraud in January 2023 when she sent a $60,000 down payment to a scammer who had spoofed emails from her title company for a Memphis property purchase. The fraudster had hacked into the title company's system to access transaction details and create a convincing fake email, causing Smith's home purchase to fall through and resulting in a total loss of her down payment. This case illustrates how real-estate wire fraud is increasing significantly, with the FBI reporting that one in 20 homebuyers and sellers experienced such scams in recent years, with median losses exceeding $70
finance.yahoo.com
Scammers impersonating FTC agents are stealing an average of $7,000 per victim in 2024, more than double the $3,000 average from 2019, according to FTC warnings. The scheme typically involves fraudsters posing as government agents who pressure victims to move money to protect their accounts, often directing them to withdraw cash, purchase cryptocurrency or gold, or transfer funds—tactics the FTC explicitly states it never employs. The FTC received 228,282 complaints about government impersonation scams in 2023, highlighting a broader fraud crisis that cost Americans $10 billion in losses last year.
the-sun.com
A renter lost $5,430 to an apartment rental scam after finding a fraudulent listing on Apartments.com and wiring money for first month's rent, security deposit, and last month's rent to a scammer posing as a legitimate realtor. The scammer, who was impersonating someone currently imprisoned for drug trafficking, cut off contact after receiving the payments, and the victim reported the incident to police and the FBI after discovering the fraud. The current tenant had reportedly flagged the listing as fraudulent to Apartments.com a week before the scam occurred, but the website did not remove it in time to prevent the victim's loss.
techradar.com
Scammers are impersonating FTC and U.S. government workers to defraud victims, particularly elderly people, by claiming accounts are compromised and directing them to purchase gold bars or withdraw cash to send to couriers. The FTC has issued a warning clarifying it never demands money, threatens arrest/deportation, or directs consumers to Bitcoin ATMs or gold purchases; the FBI received over 14,000 government impersonation reports in the past year, with median losses increasing from $3,000 in 2019 to $7,000 in 2024.
winnipegfreepress.com
A 61-year-old Saskatchewan farmer lost approximately $60,000 to romance scammers over the past decade, including $7,000 in the last year to someone posing as a widowed mother from Utah who promised a romantic relationship in exchange for money for her daughter's medical expenses. Romance scams target vulnerable, isolated individuals through "love bombing"—building trust and affection before requesting money—and affect people across all socioeconomic and educational backgrounds. The Winnipeg Police Service and a local matchmaker partnered to hold a public seminar warning people about these increasingly sophisticated frauds.
independent.co.uk
Labour MP Emily Thornberry admitted she fell victim to a parcel delivery scam via text message in which she provided her bank details to fraudsters before realizing the deception. The incident highlights the widespread nature of fraud in the UK, with 3.3 million offences recorded in the year ending June 2023, accounting for approximately 40% of all crime and costing society £6.8 billion annually.
theatlantic.com
Americans lost a collective $10 billion to fraud in the past year—a first-time benchmark—as scammers exploit social isolation and emotional vulnerabilities using increasingly sophisticated methods targeting romance, finances, immigration, and family emergencies. Risk factors include loneliness and secrecy rather than age alone, with research showing that 10 percent of people aged 18-29 reported being scam victims compared to 9 percent of those 65 and older, though older adults tend to lose higher dollar amounts per incident. Scammers deliberately trigger heightened emotional states to impair rational decision-making and create confidential relationships where victims feel pressured to keep conversations secret.
wuft.org
Scammers are impersonating Federal Trade Commission employees to defraud consumers, with average losses increasing from $3,000 to $7,000 over the past five years. The FTC warns that it never contacts consumers to demand money, request wire transfers, order precious metals purchases, or direct people to cryptocurrency ATMs. Consumers who receive such calls should recognize them as scams and report suspected fraud to the FTC's website.
wmtv15news.com
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud and scams in the previous year, with Wisconsin alone experiencing more than 7,000 complaints resulting in $92 million in losses. The FBI has released a list of common fraud warning signs including cryptocurrency investment schemes, impersonation of banks or government agencies, tech support scams, romance scams, and cash withdrawal schemes to help consumers identify if they may be targeted. Victims or those who suspect fraud are encouraged to report incidents to IC3 at www.ic3.gov.
amac.us
This educational piece outlines four common scam tactics targeting potential fraud victims: scammers impersonating trusted organizations (IRS, Social Security, tech companies) to steal financial or personal information; scammers falsely claiming computer or account problems to instill fear and extract payment or data; scammers posing as family members in emergencies (often using voice-cloning technology) to solicit money for bail or hostages; and scammers claiming victims have won prizes or sweepstakes requiring upfront fees. The article advises victims to block unwanted contacts, never open suspicious links, verify emergencies by calling family members using known phone numbers, and remain skeptical of unsolic
securitymagazine.com
A Visa report analyzing payment fraud from June to December 2023 found that 15% of U.S. adults have been targeted by inheritance scams, where victims are deceived by fraudsters posing as law firms notifying them of inheritances from relatives and requesting upfront payments. The report also highlighted other major scam trends including "pig butchering" scams (targeting 10% of adults through fake cryptocurrency investments), humanitarian relief scams, and triangulation fraud, while noting that fraudsters increasingly use AI to enhance their attacks and that ransomware cases surged 300% compared to the previous year.
lex18.com
Tax season invites cybercriminals to exploit the chaos of online tax forms through phishing emails impersonating TurboTax or H&R Block, fake IRS calls claiming money is owed, and fraudulent links directing victims to fake sites to harvest login credentials. The IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, with cases taking an average of 19 months to resolve. To protect against these scams, individuals should avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts, go directly to official websites through a browser, and remember that the IRS never initiates digital contact to request personal information.
stories.td.com
In 2023, Canadian fraudsters targeted thousands of people, with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre processing over 62,000 fraud reports affecting more than 41,000 individuals and resulting in $554 million in losses. Common scams include the "Bank Investigator" scam, where fraudsters impersonate bank officials or law enforcement to trick victims into wiring money or revealing banking credentials, and the CRA scam. To protect yourself, never provide banking information or remote device access to unsolicited callers, verify the legitimacy of calls by contacting your institution directly, and remember that financial institutions will never ask you to withdraw money or share security codes for investigations.
observerlocalnews.com
A 19-year-old Palm Coast man was indicted in January 2025 for federal wire fraud involving over $800,000, following a separate incident in October 2024 where Flagler Schools lost $719,000 to fraudulent transfer. Elderly residents are increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes including tech support scams, investment fraud, and impersonation of government officials, with FBI data showing that victims over 60 reported $3.1 billion in losses in 2022—an 84% increase—and cryptocurrency-related losses among seniors jumping 350%. Law enforcement officials note that most cases go unsolved due to funds being transferred overseas or through multiple accounts
nwestiowa.com
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers a free research-based workshop called "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" designed for adults 60 and older to help them identify and prevent financial scams. The workshop addresses why seniors are targeted by scammers, reviews common fraud schemes in Iowa, and provides strategies to protect finances, as elder financial fraud is the most prevalent form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans age 62 and older. Interested participants can contact their local ISU Extension county office to request the workshop in their community.
cibolacitizen.com
The Social Security Administration and its Office of the Inspector General held the fifth annual "Slam the Scam" Day on March 7, 2024, to combat Social Security imposter scams that disproportionately target seniors and veterans. Scammers use spoofed caller IDs, fake documents, and threats of arrest to trick victims into sending cash, gift cards, or wire transfers by impersonating government officials, with veterans alone losing over $257 million to fraud in 2021. The SSA emphasized that legitimate contact never involves demands for immediate payment, threats, or requests for personal financial information, and urges the public to report suspicious activity to oig.ssa.gov
news4jax.com
The Federal Trade Commission settled a lawsuit against Reimage and Restoro, companies that scammed millions of dollars from consumers—particularly older adults—by using fake pop-ups and phone calls falsely claiming computer security threats and charging $27–$58 for unnecessary repairs, with additional technician fees of $199–$499. As part of the settlement, the companies agreed to pay $26 million in refunds and are now banned from making false statements about computer security. The FTC advises consumers that legitimate tech companies never contact customers unsolicited about computer problems and warns against clicking links or calling numbers in pop-up warnings.
cbs6albany.com
A 24-year-old woman and two 18-year-old men were charged in two separate armed robberies in the Guilderland and Troy areas, where they lured victims through dating apps and robbed them at gunpoint of cars, money, and personal items. The Better Business Bureau reports that online dating and romance scams ranked in the top 5 consumer risks in 2023, with victims losing an average of $3,600 compared to $1,400 in 2022. Police advise dating app users to watch for red flags such as fast-moving relationships, hints of financial trouble, or financial pressure, and encourage reporting suspected scams to authorities and the BBB.
yourvalley.net
Over 100 Sun City residents attended a March 20 scam prevention seminar hosted by Chase Bank and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, where officials reported that fraud and scams are rising nationally and particularly in retirement communities. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Captain Brian Stutsman noted that Arizona ranked 10th nationally for fraud in 2022, with losses reaching over $10 billion in 2023, and that a nine-month period in the Sun Cities resulted in $2.7 million in losses, though actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting caused by shame and embarrassment.
aol.com
Identity theft targeting children under 19 has become increasingly common, with the FTC reporting 22,229 claims in a recent year resulting in over $15 million in losses, often going undiscovered for years. Perpetrators—ranging from online criminals to family members—use children's clean credit histories and Social Security numbers to obtain loans, credit cards, and government benefits, with victims like a 28-year-old experiencing wage garnishment and long-term financial damage into adulthood. Parents can protect their children by freezing credit reports, monitoring for warning signs such as debt collection calls or IRS notices, and safeguarding personal information from data breaches and social media exposure.
the-sun.com
A 76-year-old Georgia widow lost her life savings of approximately $78,700 in a romance scam after meeting a man claiming to be a doctor working for the Red Cross in Yemen on Facebook. The scammer, using the name Caleb, built a months-long relationship with Jennifer Dennis and convinced her to wire money toward purchasing a home in North Carolina together, but the property was already occupied and the scammer disappeared after sending a final photo claiming he had been beaten. Dennis and her son ended up homeless and sleeping in their car until receiving a camper from their church, and she now warns others about romance scam red flags.
fox29.com
A Delaware County family lost $24,557.89 in a bank impersonation scam when a fraudster called posing as a Wells Fargo representative, claimed suspicious activity on their account, and tricked the victim into repeating text codes that actually authorized a wire transfer rather than stopping one. The sophisticated scheme, completed in 12 minutes with three text messages, exploited the victim's trust in the caller's knowledge of his legitimate transactions and familiarity with banking procedures. Despite reporting the fraud to police and the state attorney's office, Wells Fargo held the victim responsible for the authorized transfer, and the money was deemed irretrievable.
rnz.co.nz
New Zealand saw a 24 percent drop in scam losses ($3.6 million) and a 12 percent decrease in reports to CERT NZ during Q4 2023, but authorities warn this decline may reflect underreporting rather than decreased scammer activity. Phishing remains the most common scam type, with fraudsters impersonating banks and postal services via email, text, and phone calls. CERT NZ emphasizes that early reporting is critical for financial recovery and encourages victims to overcome shame and reporting barriers.
straitstimes.com
In 2023, at least 52 people in Singapore lost approximately $2.3 million to scammers impersonating Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) officials, with 79% of cases involving fraudulent tax refund offers and 15% involving fake capital gains or income tax demands. The scams typically directed victims to fake Iras websites to steal payment details and one-time passwords, with six additional victims falling prey since early 2024. Iras advises taxpayers that legitimate refunds are credited via PayNow or registered bank accounts (never debit/credit cards) and that capital gains on investments and shares are not taxable in Singapore.
ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission is warning consumers about scammers impersonating FTC employees to steal money, with median losses increasing from $3,000 in 2019 to $7,000 in 2024. The scammers falsely demand consumers move money to Bitcoin ATMs, purchase gold bars, withdraw cash, or threaten arrest and deportation—tactics the real FTC never uses. Consumers can report suspected FTC impersonation scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
chqgov.com
The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office warned residents of two ongoing scams primarily targeting elderly community members: imposters posing as Department of Social Services representatives going door-to-door to collect sensitive personal information (Social Security numbers, Medicare cards, utility bills) under the guise of distributing free tablets and phones, and fraudsters coercing residents to sign paperwork designating Social Services as their representative payee for Social Security income by threatening cessation of benefits. The Department of Social Services confirmed it does not engage in such activities and urged residents to report any suspicious encounters to local law enforcement.
kiplinger.com
Two Cyprus-based tech support companies, Restoro Cyprus Limited and Reimage Cyprus Limited, agreed to pay $26 million to settle FTC charges for defrauding tens of millions of dollars from consumers, particularly older adults, using fake pop-up warnings claiming their computers had viruses. The companies used scare tactics and false threat claims to trick users into purchasing software ($27-$58) and then pressured them into buying additional services costing hundreds of dollars through phone activation calls. The FTC plans to use the settlement funds to compensate affected victims once the order is approved by federal court.
wtok.com
The Better Business Bureau warns that increasingly sophisticated AI technology enables scammers to create realistic fake images, videos, and text to deceive people, including through phony celebrity endorsements and fake emergency messages from loved ones. The advisory provides guidance on recognizing AI-generated content, such as looking for typos, repetitive phrases, physical inconsistencies in images (distorted hands, melting features), and verifying suspicious content through independent sources before responding.
oilcity.news
In 2023, Wyoming residents and companies lost $13.7 million to scams, with investment fraud being the costliest at $5.7 million, followed by business email compromise ($2.3 million) and data breaches ($1.5 million), according to the CyberWyoming Alliance's annual report. Extortion, tech support, and non-payment scams affected the most victims, while impersonation of companies like PayPal, Geek Squad, and Kohl's and spoofing of individuals were common tactics. The report recommends that business leaders educate employees to verify unusual requests through alternative channels before acting on them.
cnn.com
**Obituary Piracy Scam**
Journalist Deborah Vankin discovered fake obituaries about herself posted online in January, complete with AI-generated video "news reports" and morbid imagery, created by scammers seeking clickbait ad revenue. This "obituary piracy" scheme targets high-profile individuals whose deaths would generate web traffic, exploiting the fact that obituaries drive 80-85% of traffic to funeral home websites. Google announced new policies to combat this growing problem, as experts warn AI technology will make such hoaxes increasingly sophisticated and difficult to prevent.
securityboulevard.com
QR code scams exploit users' trust in this ubiquitous technology by disguising malicious URLs, phishing links, or malware within QR codes that direct victims to fraudulent payment sites, credential-harvesting pages, or malware downloads. Criminals use these codes in phishing emails, fake payment systems, and by tampering with legitimate codes to steal financial data, login credentials, and personal information for identity theft or ransomware installation. Users can protect themselves by remaining vigilant for warning signs such as poor code quality, unfamiliar domain names, and suspicious requests for personal information, and by following cybersecurity best practices.
sent-trib.com
Bowling Green is warning residents and businesses about an escalating utility impostor scam where fraudsters impersonate service technicians, physically enter properties, and demand immediate payment. The Better Business Bureau reports numerous complaints about these coordinated scams, which appear to be targeting the region heavily before moving to other areas. Residents are advised to never allow unidentified individuals into their homes, verify utility worker identities by calling the city directly, and report suspicious activity to police, as legitimate utility employees never demand on-the-spot payment or gift card payments.
ossoff.senate.gov
Georgia seniors lost over $775,000 to financial scams in 2022, with the state ranking among the top five most scammed states nationally and the FBI reporting a surge in deceptive practices targeting those over 60. Senator Jon Ossoff launched an inquiry with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to review the effectiveness of their senior protection resources and improve communication, noting that 68% of elderly fraud victims reported substantial emotional impact from their experiences.
presidentialprayerteam.org
The Federal Trade Commission announced an online meeting of the Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group scheduled for April 2, featuring reports from four committees focused on consumer education, industry training, scam detection methods, and research on effective prevention messaging. The advisory group, established under the Stop Senior Scams Act of 2022, comprises officials from government agencies (FTC, CFPB, FDIC, DOJ, HHS, Treasury) and representatives from advocacy groups and private industry working to address fraud targeting seniors. The public meeting will be hosted by Bureau of Consumer Protection Director Samuel Levine on the FTC's website.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
Older adults in Modesto lost thousands of dollars to fraud in 2022, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting a 30% increase in fraud losses nationwide and 3,500 reported incidents in the county. Three prevalent scams targeting seniors locally are romance scams (exploiting social isolation), banking scams (where fraudsters pose as bank IT to gain phone access), and solar scams (linked to the unregulated PACE program). The average loss for victims age 80 and over is $1,500, more than six times the average loss for younger victims, with scammers specifically targeting vulnerable populations including the recently widowed, lonely, or isolated.
thewesternnews.com
Investment scams cost U.S. consumers nearly $5 billion in 2023, prompting Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to host 16 educational events across western Montana in March to help seniors and adults recognize and prevent financial exploitation. The Montana Department of Revenue also warned of tax season scams, including fraudsters using fake 1-800 numbers mimicking the department's call center to solicit Social Security numbers and payments, along with common schemes involving fake refund fees, property seizure threats, and phishing emails.
savings.com.au
Australians over 65 are the primary victims of scams according to federal ScamWatch data, leading in both total losses and report numbers in 2023. The article attributes this vulnerability partly to older Australians' lower adoption of digital banking (26% use mobile apps versus 81% using internet banking) due to cybersecurity concerns and difficulty navigating technology changes, combined with over 2,100 bank branch closures since 2017. While banks have implemented safeguards like biometric checks and new payee warnings through a 2023 Scam-Safe Accord, advocates argue critical gaps remain—including customer requests for transfer delays and stronger consumer protection legislation that would compensate
nzherald.co.nz
A tourist was scammed out of a new DSLR camera valued at approximately $600 in Buenos Aires through the "bird poo scam," in which an elderly couple distracted her by dumping bird excrement on her, then used physical distraction and misdirection while an accomplice stole her camera. The victim's assumptions that the couple were harmless elderly tourists proved to be her downfall, as the coordinated scam involved at least three perpetrators working together to exploit her in a busy public area.
ktul.com
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned of rising Bitcoin ATM scams targeting elderly residents, where fraudsters convince victims their banks are failing and persuade them to withdraw cash and deposit it into cryptocurrency kiosks at retail locations, with funds then sent irreversibly to scammers' wallets. The advisory also outlined related crypto scams including romance scams, pig butchering, fake investment platforms, computer virus alerts, and impersonation of government agencies, urging Oklahomans never to pay anyone demanding cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers as advance payments.
biometricupdate.com
Sumsub's research found that approximately 1 in 100 users on digital platforms are involved in fraud networks, with significant variation by region (Bangladesh at 10.2 percent, U.S. and UK at 0.2 percent each). The company updated its KYC verification platform to better detect and prevent fraud rings, which range from 3 to over 750 members and pose greater risks than individual scammers, with a notable case involving dozens of crypto exchange applicants in Estonia attempting to issue multiple cards to the same address using identical fake documents.
theregister.com
Investment fraud, predominantly cryptocurrency scams, cost Americans $4.57 billion in reported losses—a 38 percent increase from the previous year and significantly more than ransomware losses. The FBI found that these scams often begin with social engineering tactics like romance or confidence cons that evolve into investment fraud, with vulnerable victims subsequently targeted by recovery scams. Victims over 60 were disproportionately affected, accounting for 40 percent of complaints and 58 percent of the $1.3 billion in losses from customer support and impersonation scams.
electronicpaymentsinternational.com
According to global verification platform Sumsub's 2023 research, approximately 1 in 100 digital platform users belonged to organized fraud networks that collectively engaged in multi-accounting, money laundering, and account takeovers. Fraud ring activity varied significantly by region, with Bangladesh (10.2%), Thailand (6.6%), and Vietnam (3.7%) showing elevated rates, while the US and UK reported only 0.2% each; detected networks ranged from 3 to over 750 coordinated members, including a case of Estonian cryptocurrency exchange applicants using identical fraudulent documents. Sumsub warns that fraud rings cause significantly greater damage than individual sc
ca.style.yahoo.com
During the holiday season, cybercriminals exploit increased smartphone use and online shopping to perpetrate various scams including malicious mobile apps, SMS phishing, counterfeit gift deals, fake travel offers, malware-laden e-cards, deceptive games, and fraudulent shipping notifications. These scams aim to steal personal information, credit card details, and compromise accounts through malware downloads or social engineering tactics. Consumers are advised to download apps only from official stores, be suspicious of unrealistically low prices, verify sender information, and monitor bills for unauthorized charges.
chvnradio.com
Southern Manitoba continues to experience widespread fraud, including bogus speeding text messages, romance scams, and impersonation scams targeting utility and tax payments, with scammers typically demanding cash, gift cards, or Bitcoin transfers. Access Credit Union reports that the most common fraud involves compromised online credentials through phishing, malware, and social engineering, though the institution uses multi-factor authentication and transaction alerts to protect members. In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recorded over 66,000 fraud reports totaling $554 million from 44,111 victims, with experts advising awareness during peak scam seasons like tax time.
aba.com
The American Bankers Association and U.S. Postal Inspection Service launched a joint initiative to combat check fraud, which has increased 385% nationwide since the pandemic. Check fraud schemes involve stealing mail, altering checks to change payee and amount information, and draining victims' accounts. The partnership focuses on consumer education, law enforcement collaboration, and employee training, with recommendations including prompt mail collection, use of security envelopes, indelible ink on checks, and monitoring bank statements for unauthorized alterations.