Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
11,660 results
in Scam Awareness
kimt.com
· 2025-12-21
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is warning residents about cryptocurrency ATM scams, where fraudsters trick victims into sending untraceable money through these machines, with losses skyrocketing from $12 million in 2020 to $250 million in the first half of 2025—far exceeding typical scam losses. Victims should be especially wary if a government agency requests payment via cryptocurrency ATM, as this is a major red flag for fraud. If scammed, report it immediately to local law enforcement or the Minnesota Department of Commerce, as refunds may be available if reported within 72 hours of account creation.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-21
# Pig Butchering Scam Summary
A 51-year-old New Jersey father lost $280,000 in a "pig butchering" scam after a woman contacted him on Facebook claiming to be interested in his life, gradually building a romantic relationship with him through messaging apps, then convincing him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. This type of scam targets vulnerable individuals emotionally, earning their trust over weeks or months before pivoting to investment opportunities that appear to show quick returns but are actually fake. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances from strangers online, never share financial information or investment access with people you haven't met in person, and verify any investment opportunity through independent financial advisors rather than trusting links provided by new connections.
capitalethiopia.com
· 2025-12-21
The scam industry has evolved from petty crimes into a sophisticated, borderless operation that costs the global economy billions annually and now funds organized crime and destabilizes communities. Digital technology—including social media, cryptocurrency, AI deepfakes, and gig economy platforms—has made it easier for scammers to operate at scale, from forced labor operations running romance scams in Southeast Asia to boiler-room fraud targeting North Americans and pyramid schemes preying on economically vulnerable communities worldwide. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited messages and offers that seem too good to be true, verify contact information independently before sharing personal or financial information, and report suspected scams to local authorities.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-21
Thirty-one Malaysians who were trapped in Myanmar after falling victim to an online job scam syndicate have been successfully repatriated to Malaysia after negotiations with Thai and Myanmar authorities resolved immigration complications at the border. The victims, who arrived at a Kedah immigration complex in late December, were handed over to Malaysian police for investigation and received consular support including temporary travel documents and assistance throughout their journey home. To avoid becoming victims of similar scams, people should be cautious of unsolicited online job offers, especially those based abroad, and verify job opportunities through official channels and established employers.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-21
A cryptocurrency trader lost nearly $50 million in USDT after copying a fraudulent wallet address from their transaction history—the fake address matched the first three and last four characters of the legitimate one, making it nearly impossible to spot at a glance. The broader crypto industry is experiencing a security crisis, with $90 billion in total losses to scams and hacks since inception, including over $9 billion lost in 2025 alone, as attackers increasingly target human error rather than exploiting code vulnerabilities. To protect yourself, always independently verify wallet addresses before any transaction, use address book features instead of copy-pasting, enable security features like transaction confirmations, and consider transferring only small test amounts first.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-20
Scammers are increasingly targeting people with fake financial-relief schemes, such as phony calls claiming unclaimed relief checks or government assistance payments, asking victims to share personal information—with the BBB receiving over 800 complaints in just two months in 2025. Older adults and people facing financial hardship are particularly vulnerable, and experts warn that these scams will likely intensify in 2026 as AI-generated deepfakes make it harder to distinguish legitimate from fraudulent communications. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages offering easy money or requesting personal information, verify any claims directly with official government agencies or companies, and report suspected scams to the FTC or BBB.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-20
# Holiday Scam Summary
During the 2024 holiday season, scammers are targeting shoppers with five main schemes—including fake shipping alerts, non-delivery scams, and too-good-to-be-true deals on social media—that cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars in losses. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying links by going directly to retailer websites rather than clicking suspicious messages, being wary of urgent demands for payment, and checking URLs for signs of fraud. If a deal seems too good to be true or a message pressures you to act immediately, it's likely a scam designed to steal personal information or install malware on your device.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-20
During the holiday shopping season, cybercrimes surge as scammers target rushed shoppers through fake text messages, emails, and websites designed to steal money and personal information. Common scams include fake package delivery notices that redirect victims to fraudulent sites asking for credit card details, and fear-based scams that pressure victims into buying gift cards. To protect yourself, slow down before clicking links, verify sender information carefully, avoid urgent or too-good-to-be-true offers, and use a credit card rather than a debit card when shopping online.
ozarkradionews.com
· 2025-12-20
Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is warning residents about holiday gift card scams, where criminals impersonate government officials, utilities companies, or loved ones to pressure victims into buying gift cards and sharing their codes—money that becomes impossible to recover once spent. These scams exploit urgency and fear during the busy holiday season, targeting popular retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and Apple, with millions of dollars lost nationwide annually. Missourians should remember that no legitimate organization requests payment via gift card, and anyone who suspects they've been scammed should contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222 or report it online at ago.mo.gov.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-20
# Fake Delivery Text Scams Surge During Holiday Season
During the holiday shopping rush, scammers are sending fake delivery notification texts to consumers claiming package problems and urging them to click suspicious links or pay fees—with victims in the Cincinnati area already losing hundreds of dollars, including one woman who lost $180 through Zelle. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in text messages and instead check your packages directly through official carrier websites or apps, remembering that legitimate delivery companies never request payment or personal information via text. If you receive a suspicious delivery text, report it to the Better Business Bureau's scam tracker, and always bring packages inside immediately after delivery to prevent theft.
aol.com
· 2025-12-20
A New York City man has been indicted for allegedly stealing approximately $272,000 from a woman he met on the dating app Bumble through an elaborate romance scam that began in 2019. The perpetrator posed as a Stanford-educated finance professional and convinced the victim to send money for a Brooklyn property auction, claiming he needed funds to maintain their bid position and later to increase their offer. To protect yourself from similar scams, be extremely cautious about anyone you meet online asking for money for investments or urgent financial matters, verify identities independently, and never wire funds or send checks to strangers—especially for property or investment deals you cannot directly verify.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-20
A 74-year-old retired teacher in Tennessee was victimized by an international romance scam in which con artists impersonated a celebrity and later FBI/government officials to extract $86,900 from him—money obtained through loans and savings—before he died by suicide in October 2023. Three perpetrators, including two U.S. residents working with accomplices in Nigeria, were convicted and sentenced to federal prison with orders to pay restitution. Seniors should be extremely cautious about unsolicited online romantic relationships, especially if requests for money follow, and should verify claims about legal matters by contacting official authorities directly rather than responding to suspicious emails or messages.
cp24.com
· 2025-12-20
# Holiday Fraud Alert Summary
During the holiday season, Canadians lose hundreds of millions of dollars to scammers who exploit busy, distracted shoppers through fake websites, tampered gift cards, and phishing emails that impersonate banks. Recent data breaches have given criminals access to personal information they use to impersonate financial institutions and conduct romance scams on social media. To protect yourself, never click suspicious links, enable two-factor authentication, change passwords regularly, and watch for red flags like urgent demands, requests for gift card payments, or calls asking for passwords—remembering that legitimate banks will never request sensitive information over the phone.
citizen.co.za
· 2025-12-20
South African online dating scammers defrauded people of over R125 million in 2022, with criminals creating fake profiles using attractive photos and AI-generated deepfakes to build emotional connections before manipulating victims into sending money through fabricated emergencies. Victims—predominantly women—suffer severe financial losses (sometimes hundreds of thousands of rands) and significant emotional trauma including shame, depression, and difficulty rebuilding trust. To stay safe, be cautious of new matches who quickly build emotional connections, never send money to people you haven't met in person regardless of their story, verify profiles through video calls, and report suspicious activity to dating platforms and authorities.
aol.com
· 2025-12-20
A 51-year-old New Jersey father lost $280,000 after being targeted by a "pig butchering" scam—a sophisticated fraud scheme that combines romance manipulation with fake investment opportunities. A scammer posing as a woman named Ailis befriended him on Facebook, built emotional trust through daily messages and affection, then convinced him to invest in a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme that promised high returns. To protect yourself: be extremely skeptical of unsolicited romantic advances from strangers on social media, never invest based on recommendations from people you've only met online, and verify investment opportunities through independent sources before transferring any money.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-20
# Medicare Scam Summary
Medicare scam calls targeting seniors have surged 40% year-over-year, with fraudsters using personal information stolen from the dark web to impersonate healthcare providers and convince older Americans to verify or share their Medicare numbers. The calls come frequently throughout the day from seemingly local numbers, and scammers use convincing scripts claiming seniors need to confirm coverage, update information, or accept new benefits—though Medicare rarely initiates unsolicited calls. To protect yourself, hang up on unexpected Medicare-related calls, never share your Medicare or Social Security number with callers, and verify any legitimate requests by contacting Medicare directly through its official phone number or website.
wthr.com
· 2025-12-20
Scammers are increasingly targeting seniors by impersonating trusted companies like Amazon and Norton, then posing as law enforcement to trick victims into withdrawing their life savings under the guise of "safekeeping." To protect yourself, hang up on suspicious calls and independently verify caller identity by looking up official phone numbers yourself rather than using the number provided by the caller. CarDon & Associates and local police departments recommend consulting trusted resources like their Senior Resource Hub for additional safety information and guidance on recognizing common fraud tactics.
aol.com
· 2025-12-20
# Medicare Scam Summary
Medicare scam calls have surged 40% year-over-year, with fraudsters using personal data stolen from the dark web to impersonate healthcare officials and pressure seniors into revealing their Medicare numbers or personal information. Scammers use deceptive tactics like claiming to offer new benefits, free equipment, or warning of coverage disruptions, often calling dozens of times daily with spoofed local numbers. To protect yourself: remember that Medicare rarely makes unsolicited calls, verify any requests through official channels by calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE, and never share your Medicare or Social Security number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
tbrnewsmedia.com
· 2025-12-20
An 80-year-old woman from North Dakota was tricked by scammers posing as her granddaughter and lawyer who claimed the granddaughter needed bail money after a car accident; she mailed $8,500 in cash, but authorities in Suffolk County intercepted the package before the scammers could retrieve it and returned the money. This "grandchild bail" scam specifically targets senior citizens by creating urgency and requesting secrecy to prevent victims from consulting family members. If you receive a similar call, authorities advise hanging up, verifying the caller's identity independently, and reporting the incident to local law enforcement rather than sending money via mail or wire transfer.
patch.com
· 2025-12-20
An 80-year-old grandmother from North Dakota was nearly scammed out of $8,500 after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating her granddaughter, claiming she had been arrested in Suffolk County and needed bail money. Law enforcement officials intercepted the cash before scammers could access it and arrested those responsible, with authorities emphasizing their commitment to protecting seniors from such predatory schemes. To protect yourself, be suspicious of urgent requests for money from family members, never send cash through the mail for bail or legal fees, and always verify claims by calling your family member directly at a known number or contacting local police.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-20
# Bitcoin ATM Scams Targeting the Elderly
Criminals are using Bitcoin ATMs to steal money from elderly people through scams that typically start with urgent phone calls, texts, or pop-ups impersonating the IRS, Social Security, banks, or law enforcement, then directing victims to withdraw cash and transfer it via Bitcoin ATM where the money cannot be recovered. Older adults are especially vulnerable because scammers create fear and pressure while staying on the phone to guide victims step-by-step, sometimes convincing them to transfer tens of thousands of dollars. To protect yourself or elderly relatives, be suspicious of any unsolicited contact demanding immediate cash withdrawal or cryptocurrency transfers, verify any urgent claims by contacting the organization directly using a phone number from their official website, and remember that legitimate agencies will never ask you to send money via Bitcoin ATM or demand secrecy about financial transactions.
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-20
Thai police have warned seniors and retired government officials about a surge in year-end online scams where fraudsters trick victims into installing malicious apps that allow criminals to remotely steal money from their phones and bank accounts. The scammers exploit leaked personal data and impersonate government officials to appear credible, with victims losing anywhere from tens of thousands to nearly one million baht. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies, never install apps from unverified sources, and contact the Anti-Cyber Scam Centre hotline at 1441 if you suspect you've been targeted.
natlawreview.com
· 2025-12-20
# Scam Summary
Fraud targeting seniors aged 60+ surged to $2.4 billion in reported cases in 2024, though the actual loss is estimated at $61.5 billion when accounting for unreported incidents—with individual victims losing an average of over $83,000. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to isolation, loneliness, and cognitive changes that make them targets for scammers. Two new bills have been introduced in Congress to coordinate federal response efforts by establishing task forces, improving cooperation between agencies, and strengthening partnerships with banks and technology companies to prevent scams and support victims.
blockmanity.com
· 2025-12-20
An 80-year-old woman from St. Charles County lost her entire life savings of $35,000 to a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam that began with a fake PayPal phishing email and escalated through caller ID spoofing and false claims about illegal activity. Scammers manipulated her into withdrawing cash and depositing it into a Bitcoin ATM, after which the funds were transferred to overseas wallets and became irretrievable. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails and calls claiming account problems, never click links in suspicious emails, independently verify alerts by contacting your financial institution directly, and remember that legitimate banks will never pressure you to move money to cryptocurrency or ask you to withdraw cash.
telus.com
· 2025-12-20
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to clone people's voices from social media videos and YouTube, then impersonating loved ones in fraudulent calls to extract money. According to recent research, about one-third of people in North America and Europe encountered deepfake voice scams in 2024, with victims losing an average of $1,479 in Canada and over $6,000 in the U.S. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing videos online, verify unexpected requests for money by calling the person directly using a known number, and alert your bank if someone pressures you to withdraw cash for an "emergency."
liherald.com
· 2025-12-20
# Fraud Alert Summary
Lynbrook Police are warning residents about a surge in sophisticated scams targeting the community, particularly older adults, where fraudsters impersonate IRS agents, FBI officials, and banks to pressure victims into sending money via Zelle, wire transfers, and gift cards—with losses ranging from hundreds to over $30,000. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming urgent account problems, never send money or buy gift cards based on phone requests, and contact authorities immediately if you suspect fraud, as police can only intervene effectively if caught early before money is transferred electronically.
therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-20
Tennessee's Department of Commerce & Insurance is warning residents about a surge in holiday scams using sophisticated technology like AI, which state regulators investigated over 8,800 cases of in 2024, resulting in $259 million in fines and restitution. Common scams include romance-based investment schemes ("pig butchering"), deepfake impersonations of celebrities or trusted contacts, and fake AI trading bots designed to steal money from victims. Investors should be skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches—especially those involving new technologies or celebrity endorsements—and verify the legitimacy of any investment opportunity before sending money.
gloucestertimes.com
· 2025-12-20
Scammers are targeting newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries by impersonating official government agencies and using personal information to gain trust before requesting sensitive details like Social Security numbers and bank account information. A woman named Linda nearly fell victim to such a scam when a caller claiming to be from the "Medicare Benefits Office" contacted her around her 65th birthday. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls about Medicare enrollment, remember that Medicare will never ask for your Social Security number or bank details over the phone, and verify any official communications by contacting Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.
khon2.com
· 2025-12-20
During the 2025 holiday season, scammers are using advanced technology and artificial intelligence to target consumers with fraudulent investment schemes and phishing attempts designed to steal personal information and money. The North American Securities Administrators Association warns that fraudsters are exploiting people's fear of missing out on tech investments, often with schemes unrelated to legitimate technology developments. Consumers should be cautious when sharing personal information online and can report suspected scams to their local Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Securities division.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-19
San Antonio police report a rising tide of scams targeting seniors, with 330 reported crimes against older adults in 2025, though authorities believe many more go unreported due to victims' embarrassment or shame. The most common scam is imposter fraud, where callers pose as law enforcement or government officials and pressure victims to send money via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers—methods that legitimate agencies never use. Experts recommend that seniors slow down before acting on urgent requests, seek education through community awareness programs, and report scams to authorities so patterns can be tracked and others protected.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-19
During the holiday shopping season, scammers are sending fake delivery tracking texts and QR codes that mimic legitimate retailers, tricking busy shoppers into clicking links that steal their personal information and login credentials. The scam works because people are overwhelmed with genuine package tracking during the holidays and may not notice when something looks slightly off. To protect yourself, be cautious about clicking tracking links in unsolicited texts, verify URLs before entering any information, and consider going directly to retailer websites rather than clicking links from messages.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-19
An 86-year-old New York woman lost her entire $700,000 life savings to a scam that began with fake pop-up warnings claiming her bank accounts were hacked, then manipulated her into making unusual large withdrawals disguised as "safekeeping" measures, ultimately convincing her to convert her savings into gold bullion. Despite red flags—including withdrawals far exceeding her typical $5,000 limit and a co-trustee added for oversight—Bank of America and Merrill Lynch failed to block the fraudulent transactions, leading to a lawsuit seeking accountability and policy changes. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent warnings on your computer, verify any account security concerns directly with your bank through official channels, and allow trusted family members oversight of your finances.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-19
# Holiday Shopping Fraud Alert
As Christmas approaches with one week left, scammers are targeting last-minute shoppers both online and in stores through copycat websites, pet scams, and tampered gift cards. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to watch for websites with names similar to legitimate retailers, avoid suspiciously cheap pet listings that often come from puppy mills, and inspect gift card packaging for signs of tampering before purchase. To protect yourself, verify shipping deadlines, research sellers carefully, request veterinary records when buying pets, and always save receipts for gift cards in case of fraud or business closures.
khou.com
· 2025-12-19
# AI-Powered Holiday Scams Surge
Artificial intelligence is enabling scammers to create highly personalized and convincing phishing emails, texts, and social media ads during the 2024 holiday season, with over 33,000 Christmas-themed phishing emails and 10,000 scam ads already identified targeting shoppers of all demographics. Online shoppers, package delivery trackers, and social media users are all vulnerable, as scammers use AI to analyze data and customize messages that appear legitimate, making them more likely to succeed than traditional mass-mailing scams. To protect yourself, remain cautious of urgent messaging designed to rush you into action, watch for subtle warning signs in communications, and be wary of offers that lack genuine customer support with only chatbots available instead of real contact information.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-19
# Holiday Shipping Scam Alert
Scammers are sending fake shipping notifications via text and email designed to look like official messages from carriers like Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service, particularly during the holiday season when people are rushing to receive gifts. The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office warns that these scams are the most frequently reported fraud during the holidays and can result in financial loss. To protect yourself, verify the source of any delivery notification before clicking links or providing information, rather than acting on urgent-sounding messages.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-19
Scammers in Orange County have been targeting pet owners by posing as law enforcement and calling to claim their missing pet was hit by a car and needs veterinary payment before release. The criminals request payment through digital apps like Zelle or Venmo, sometimes claiming a nonprofit will cover part of the costs. To protect yourself, don't answer calls from unknown numbers, never send money without verifying the caller's identity through your local animal services or sheriff's office, and remember that legitimate agencies won't demand immediate payment via digital payment apps.
usmagazine.com
· 2025-12-19
# Romance Scam Summary
A New York City man was indicted for stealing approximately $272,000 from a woman he met on the dating app Bumble in 2019, posing as a Stanford-educated finance professional. Using a fake property auction scheme, he convinced her to send multiple payments totaling over $270,000 to accomplices posing as real estate brokers. To protect yourself: be wary of online dating matches who quickly push financial decisions, verify property transactions directly with official sources rather than through romantic partners, and never send money to people you've only met online, especially for investments or time-sensitive deals.
wxpr.org
· 2025-12-19
During the holiday season, scammers intensify their efforts to target seniors and other vulnerable people through unsolicited calls demanding money, impersonating relatives, or offering fake investments—with fraud losses reaching over $12 billion in 2024. If you receive unexpected contact with urgent money demands, AARP advises you to pause, reflect, and protect yourself by verifying the caller's identity before sharing any information or money. If you fall victim to a scam, report it immediately to your bank, local police, state attorney general, and the FTC, as reporting is crucial for holding criminals accountable and preventing future fraud, regardless of any shame or self-blame you might feel.
salemnews.com
· 2025-12-19
When Linda turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare, she received a scam call from someone impersonating a Medicare official who used personal information to gain her trust and request her Social Security number and bank account details. Medicare scams targeting new seniors are increasingly common, with fraudsters using legitimate-sounding names and personal data obtained through data breaches to trick people into revealing sensitive financial information. To protect yourself, never give out personal or financial information over the phone unsolicited, verify caller identity by hanging up and calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE, and be aware that legitimate Medicare enrollment doesn't require immediate phone verification of SSN or bank account information.
actionnewsjax.com
· 2025-12-19
An 82-year-old Florida grandmother lost nearly $200,000 in a Facebook scam involving AI-generated impersonation of a well-known autism doctor who convinced her to invest in stocks, money she had been saving for her autistic grandson's future care. The woman, Maurine Meleck, fell victim after the scammer used deepfake technology to replicate the doctor's voice and appearance, exploiting her isolation and lack of local support to verify the scheme. To protect yourself: verify investment opportunities independently with trusted family or financial advisors before committing money, be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers online, and remember that legitimate professionals won't pressure you into quick financial decisions on social media.
firstcoastnews.com
· 2025-12-19
An 82-year-old Florida grandmother lost her entire $200,000 life savings intended for her autistic grandson after being deceived by a deepfake video—an AI-generated impersonation of a trusted doctor—that led her to an investment scam. The FBI reports that fraud cases have surged dramatically, with over 4.2 million reports since 2020 totaling $50.5 billion in losses, as artificial intelligence makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish real content from fake. To protect yourself, experts recommend scrutinizing videos for signs of manipulation like unnatural blinking or mismatched lip movements, and always verify financial requests through independent contact with trusted sources rather than relying on online videos or messages.
kbsi23.com
· 2025-12-19
The St. Louis Consumer Fraud Task Force is warning consumers about scams involving digital payment methods, which have become increasingly popular targets for fraudsters, especially during the holiday shopping season when fake sellers lure buyers with unrealistic discounts and demand payment through apps or online platforms. Unlike credit cards, digital payments offer limited fraud protection and function similarly to handing over cash, making it crucial for consumers to thoroughly research sellers before sending money, particularly when digital-only payment is required. Anyone suspecting they've been scammed should report it to the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, or local law enforcement.
wnct.com
· 2025-12-19
Federal agents seized $8.5 million in cryptocurrency linked to "pig butchering" scams, where criminals pose as romantic interests or business contacts to trick victims into depositing money on fake trading platforms that freeze accounts and demand additional "taxes" to withdraw funds. The scammers immediately moved stolen money through multiple cryptocurrency wallets to hide its origins, but the FBI successfully traced and recovered the funds. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited messages from strangers offering investment opportunities, verify that cryptocurrency platforms are legitimate before investing, and never send money to someone you haven't met in person or pay fees to recover lost investments.
governor.hawaii.gov
· 2025-12-19
Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is warning consumers about sophisticated holiday scams, with state securities regulators handling over 8,800 investigations in 2024 that recovered $259 million in fines and restitution. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and new technologies to execute schemes like "pig butchering" (romance scams combined with fake investments) that exploit people's fear of missing out on trending investments. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches, especially those involving new technologies or platforms that build trust through online relationships, and verify any investment opportunities through official channels before committing money.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-18
Two families from Pennsylvania and Scotland are suing Meta after their teenage sons died by suicide following "sextortion" scams on Instagram, where predators posed as romantic interests, extracted intimate images, and threatened to expose them unless victims paid money or sent more photos. The lawsuit alleges Meta knowingly ignored this escalating danger for years, prioritizing profits over teen safety, and joins at least four other similar cases against the company. Teens and parents should be aware of this scam tactic, avoid sharing intimate images online, and report suspicious contacts to platform authorities immediately.
wgem.com
· 2025-12-18
A 27-year-old California man has been sentenced to two years in prison after scamming an Illinois resident out of $40,000 through an impersonation scheme. The scammer contacted a rural Barry resident claiming his Social Security number was compromised and that he needed to pay a "federal officer" $40,000 in cash, then showed up at the victim's home to collect the money in person. To protect yourself from similar scams, be wary of unsolicited messages about account issues, remember that legitimate law enforcement will never demand cash payments at your door, and contact local authorities immediately if you're targeted.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-18
# Holiday Scam Summary
During the peak holiday shopping season, when consumers are expected to spend over $1 trillion, scammers are exploiting distracted shoppers through 12 common schemes including fake social media ads, phishing emails offering free gift cards, fraudulent toll collection texts, and fake job postings. People have lost money to counterfeit items, unauthorized charges, identity theft through gift exchanges, and malware-infected holiday apps. To protect yourself, verify social media products before purchasing, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, never share personal information in gift exchanges with strangers, check app privacy policies, and confirm any fees directly with official agencies rather than through text links.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-18
During the 2025 holiday shopping season, online criminals are targeting American consumers with counterfeit merchandise, fraudulent deals, and stolen goods advertised at suspiciously low prices, exploiting the rush and urgency of holiday shopping. The U.S. government's Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center warns that these scams can result in consumers losing money while also supporting illegal operations that harm legitimate businesses and jobs. To stay safe, shoppers should be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, watch out for phishing scams and fake offers, and verify the authenticity of products before making purchases.
wsls.com
· 2025-12-18
During the holiday season, phishing scams—fraudulent texts, emails, and calls impersonating delivery companies, banks, and government agencies—surge significantly, putting shoppers and account holders at risk of having personal and financial information stolen. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers use tactics like claiming you have undelivered packages or account problems to trick you into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data. To protect yourself, delete suspicious messages without clicking links, independently verify sender information through official channels, enable multi-factor authentication on accounts, and back up your data.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-18
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to target holiday shoppers through fake social media profiles, voice clones, and deepfake videos, with the FBI reporting over 9,000 AI-related fraud complaints in the first seven months of 2025. To protect yourself, experts recommend avoiding suspicious QR codes in unsolicited packages, using a password manager to maintain unique passwords for each account, and enabling multi-factor authentication on all online accounts.