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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
thesun.ng
· 2026-06-27
Twelve members of a Nigerian organized crime group linked to the Black Axe confraternity were sentenced to 3-8.5 years in prison by a German court for operating an international romance scam that targeted vulnerable victims—primarily women, elderly people, and individuals with disabilities—through fake identities and fabricated romantic relationships on social media and dating apps. The scammers would build trust with victims before requesting money for false emergencies like medical bills or travel costs, with stolen funds funneled back to the criminal organization in Nigeria. To protect yourself, be cautious of online suitors who quickly develop emotional connections, avoid sending money to people you've never met in person, and report suspicious profiles to social media platforms and law enforcement.
chicagotribune.com
· 2026-06-26
According to recent polling, about 3 in 10 Americans have lost money or personal information to scams, with many experiencing daily scam attempts through calls, texts, and emails. Despite the widespread problem, few victims report scams to authorities, primarily because they don't believe reporting will help them recover their losses. Experts and victims suggest that banks, social media companies, and the federal government need to take greater responsibility in protecting consumers and helping recover stolen funds.
wesh.com
· 2026-06-26
A Florida couple lost nearly $12,000 when they booked airline tickets through a fraudulent third-party travel website for a Caribbean vacation, receiving only 3 of the 14 tickets they paid for in March 2024. After two years of failed refund promises and even encountering a scam attempt when a fake "agent" tried to get them to download an app to verify their identity, they remain out nearly $9,800 with no resolution. To protect yourself, book directly with airlines or use established, verified travel agencies rather than third-party booking websites, and be wary of any requests to download apps or provide sensitive information to verify refunds.
berkeleyside.org
· 2026-06-26
Scammers are impersonating PG&E and telling customers their service will be disconnected unless they pay via QR codes or barcodes sent by email or text, with victims in the Bay Area losing over $211,000 so far this year and averaging $969 per incident. PG&E advises customers to hang up on suspicious calls, never provide financial information over the phone, and verify billing details by calling 1-833-500-SCAM or logging into their account at PGE.com. If you suspect fraud, contact your local police department, and remember that PG&E will never request payment through QR codes, barcodes, prepaid cards, or money transfer services.
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-06-26
Scammers are recruiting people into "parcel mule" schemes through fake job offers promising easy money for receiving and reshipping packages from home—a tactic called the "Parcel Expert" scam. Victims unknowingly handle stolen goods and help criminals launder merchandise by forwarding packages, thinking they're doing legitimate logistics work for companies like Amazon or Walmart. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited job offers with unusually high pay ($5,000+), requests to use your home address, and pressure to forward items internationally or to unknown distribution hubs.
fox13news.com
· 2026-06-26
Manatee County detectives uncovered and dismantled an organized elder fraud network that scammed over 40 victims out of $3.5 million across Florida through phone and online schemes. The operation targeted elderly residents with fake emergency messages and impersonations of federal agents, with couriers like 40-year-old Xin Liu collecting cash in person; Liu was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison. Residents should be wary of unsolicited calls or messages creating urgency and requesting immediate payment, and should verify requests by contacting official agencies directly.
hometownstations.com
· 2026-06-26
A multi-agency investigation dubbed "Operation Money Trap" resulted in the arrest of 22-year-old Anurgdeep Singh, who allegedly collected money as part of an elder fraud scheme targeting a 72-year-old Ohio woman. Scammers had contacted the victim claiming her computer was compromised with illicit material and threatened to expose this information unless she paid them; she complied initially but alerted police when asked for additional payments. Police advise that if you receive similar threatening calls about compromised devices or fabricated material, do not pay and contact law enforcement immediately, as legitimate companies and authorities will never demand payment this way.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-26
Scammers operating a statewide elder fraud network in Florida targeted at least 40 victims and stole over $3.5 million by impersonating government officials and convincing seniors to withdraw cash for couriers to pick up from their homes. One courier, Xin Liu, was caught after a vigilant victim photographed her and was sentenced to 27 months in prison, though the broader criminal network remains under investigation. To protect yourself: be suspicious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies like the FTC, never withdraw large sums of cash for unknown people, and contact authorities immediately if someone asks you to transfer money or hand over cash in person.
eugeneweekly.com
· 2026-06-26
Scammers are targeting people of all ages through phone fraud schemes that pressure victims to buy Bitcoin at ATMs to pay fake "fines" or "investments," with elderly individuals being particularly vulnerable. A liquor store owner in Eugene, Oregon keeps a Bitcoin ATM on premises specifically to intercept and stop victims before they complete transactions, successfully preventing an estimated 90% of attempted fraud at their location. If you receive unexpected calls demanding immediate payment in Bitcoin or other untraceable methods, hang up immediately and contact law enforcement, as legitimate authorities never demand cryptocurrency payments.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-26
Multiple Australians have lost their life savings—including one woman who lost $150,000 and a 74-year-old who lost $320,000—to a sophisticated investment scam that fraudulently used Commonwealth Bank branding and images of former investment guru Tom Piotrowski. The scam operated through fake social media ads and WhatsApp groups that promised high returns and free stock advice, targeting vulnerable people including retirees and those saving for medical procedures. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment offers on social media, verify any investment opportunity directly with the actual financial institution (not through links in ads), and remember that legitimate financial advisors won't recruit clients through Facebook ads or private messaging groups.
ladbible.com
· 2026-06-26
Ticket scams are surging across the UK, with fraudsters posting fake listings on social media and using counterfeit resale sites to steal money from desperate event-goers—Halifax and Lloyds report the average victim loses around £272. To protect yourself, the banks recommend only purchasing through official ticket partners and verified resale sites, paying via debit card, credit card, or PayPal rather than bank transfers, and verifying the ticket's authenticity before paying. With high-demand events like concerts and sporting tournaments creating urgency, scammers are exploiting FOMO (fear of missing out) to catch people off guard.
floridadaily.com
· 2026-06-25
A Chinese national living in Apopka was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for participating in an elder fraud scheme that targeted seniors across Florida through phone calls and electronic messages, attempting to steal over $95,000 from vulnerable victims between July 2025 and July 30, 2025. The scheme caused significant financial hardship to at least one victim in an assisted living community, highlighting a growing problem of foreign nationals orchestrating elder fraud operations in the state. Federal prosecutors urge seniors and their families to be cautious of unsolicited calls and messages requesting money, and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.
256today.com
· 2026-06-25
Social media scams cost Americans $2.1 billion last year, with fraudsters using fake investment schemes, phishing attacks disguised as party invitations, and counterfeit shopping ads to steal money and personal information across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited friend requests, investment promises offering "guaranteed" returns, and suspicious links in messages or texts—verify requests directly with contacts and use strong, unique passwords for your accounts.
money.com
· 2026-06-25
A criminal group called "Outsider" has been using AI to create thousands of fake websites and send millions of deceptive text messages impersonating mobile carriers, banks, and delivery services, resulting in $1.9 billion in losses since July 2023. The scam typically lures victims to counterfeit sites through texts about expiring rewards or undelivered packages, where they're tricked into entering banking credentials and one-time passwords that fraudsters use to steal their information. To protect yourself, verify any alerts by contacting your bank or carrier directly using official phone numbers, never click links in unsolicited texts, and be skeptical of urgent requests to log in or claim prizes.
apnorc.org
· 2026-06-25
A new survey finds that 58% of American adults receive suspected scam attempts daily through texts, calls, emails, or online messages, with seniors aged 60+ experiencing them at higher rates and facing particular vulnerability to tech support, investment, and impersonation scams. While 24% of adults report being tricked into sharing personal information and 17% have lost money to scams, only 15% reported incidents to federal law enforcement, suggesting many victims don't pursue formal reporting. Experts recommend that people stay vigilant about unsolicited contacts, verify requests through official channels directly, and report scams to both their financial institutions and relevant authorities rather than relying solely on informal complaints.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-25
Scammers are targeting families through phone calls impersonating law enforcement and other authorities, creating fake urgency to trick victims into withdrawing cash from banks to send to strangers. According to the FBI and FTC, impostor scams caused $3.5 billion in losses in 2025, with scammers often coaching victims on what to say to bank tellers before they arrive. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls demanding immediate wire transfers or cash withdrawals, especially from people claiming to be police or government officials, and contact your bank directly if you're unsure about a request.
bbc.com
· 2026-06-25
If you've been scammed, the article advises staying calm and acting quickly—contact your bank immediately to potentially stop the transaction and freeze compromised accounts. You should gather all details about the scam (scammer contact info, what information you shared, money lost, and payment method) and report it to the appropriate authorities: call 101 or your local police if the scammer is nearby or payment was recent, Report Fraud (0300 123 2040) if you're in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, or Police Scotland if you're in Scotland. Getting a crime reference number from these reports can help your bank assist with recovery.
nbcchicago.com
· 2026-06-25
Chicago police have warned senior citizens about an escalating scam where criminals impersonate customer service representatives, tech support, or government officials to pressure victims into liquidating their life savings. Scammers use phone calls and computer access to convince seniors they owe money and demand immediate payment through unusual methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or gold bullion, which are then collected by couriers. Seniors should be alert to warning signs including urgent demands for payment, requests for unusual payment methods, and pressure to keep the situation secret from family and banks—and should power off their computer and avoid downloading software from unknown sources if they suspect a scam.
explorejeffersonpa.com
· 2026-06-25
Pennsylvania State Police are warning residents about a phone scam where fraudsters pose as Comcast representatives and offer bill discounts to trick people into sharing credit card information. An Indiana County man nearly became a victim when he provided his card details to a scammer, though his credit card company caught and blocked the fraudulent transaction. To protect yourself, never give personal or financial information to unsolicited callers—instead, independently verify any offers by contacting the company directly using official contact information.
roseville.ca.gov
· 2026-06-24
Scammers use multiple channels like text messages, phone calls, online ads, and social media to target victims, relying on tactics like urgency and emotional appeals to trick people into lowering their guard. Anyone with a phone or social media account is potentially at risk, making scams a widespread problem. To protect yourself, approach all unexpected communications with caution and verify requests through official channels before responding or sharing personal information.
aspeninstitute.org
· 2026-06-24
Fraud and scams have become a major financial threat to American households, with criminal networks stealing billions of dollars by exploiting communication systems, payment channels, and platforms across borders. The Aspen Institute's National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention—involving over 80 institutions and 300 experts from government, law enforcement, finance, technology, and retail—developed a comprehensive national strategy requiring coordinated action across all sectors to make scams harder to execute and easier to disrupt. The initiative is now moving into implementation phase, focusing on closing gaps that allow scammers to move between systems undetected through stronger federal leadership, public-private partnerships, and modernized legal frameworks.
kucoin.com
· 2026-06-24
The US Department of Justice seized 127,271 Bitcoin (worth $14-15 billion) from the Cambodian Prince Group, the largest crypto forfeiture in DOJ history, after charging the organization's leader with wire fraud and money laundering. The criminal enterprise operated "pig butchering" scam compounds across Cambodia where trafficking victims were allegedly forced to build fake romantic and investment relationships with victims online, then deceive them into sending money to fraudulent crypto platforms. To protect yourself: be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic or investment contacts online, never send money to unknown crypto platforms or people you've only met digitally, and verify any investment opportunity through independent official channels before committing funds.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-06-24
The US government seized 127,271 Bitcoin (worth up to $15 billion) in its largest cryptocurrency seizure ever, targeting Cambodia's Prince Group—a criminal organization accused of operating forced-labor scam compounds that defrauded victims through "pig butchering" schemes, where fraudsters build fake relationships to convince people to invest in fraudulent crypto platforms. The group's alleged leader, 37-year-old Chen Zhi, was indicted on wire fraud and money laundering charges, while the US and UK coordinated enforcement actions against 146 targets connected to the organization. Victims of romance or investment scams should be cautious of requests to transfer money to crypto platforms, especially after building relationships with strangers online, and should verify investment opportunities through official channels before committing funds.
kucoin.com
· 2026-06-24
Thailand's Department of Special Investigations uncovered a major money laundering scheme involving over $300 million in criminal proceeds from phone scams and online gambling that were being funneled through illegal cryptocurrency mining operations. Authorities arrested multiple Chinese and Myanmar nationals involved in the network, seized thousands of mining rigs, and recovered millions in crypto assets, while also investigating implicated Thai officials for potential corruption. If you're contacted about investment opportunities or requests for upfront payments, especially involving cryptocurrency or gambling platforms, be extremely cautious as these are common tactics used in "pig butchering" scams targeting unsuspecting victims.
journal-news.com
· 2026-06-24
Scams have become one of the top crimes affecting communities, with police increasingly unable to help victims after money has already been lost to overseas fraudsters. Common tactics include callers impersonating family members (like grandchildren in distress) or companies requesting payment via gift cards, often with scammers guiding victims through the purchase process. To protect yourself, hang up suspicious calls, independently verify the caller by using contact information from official bills or statements, and never purchase gift cards or send money based on unexpected requests.
bocaratontribune.com
· 2026-06-24
A Florida couple in their 70s and 80s lost their home, savings, and car after falling victim to a sweepstakes scam that cost them over $141,000, leaving them homeless in 2025. Senior scams have surged dramatically, with reports of older adults losing $10,000 or more quadrupling since 2020, while law enforcement has provided little assistance and seniors are becoming the fastest-growing homeless population. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls about prize winnings, never pay upfront fees or taxes for legitimate prizes, and verify claims directly with official organizations rather than through caller-provided contact information.
english.newsfirst.lk
· 2026-06-23
Sri Lanka Police have issued a nationwide warning about rising romance scams targeting women, where fraudsters use social media to build fake relationships, manipulate victims into sending money and valuables, and in severe cases, exploit them through sexual assault, robbery, or worse. Victims have been deceived through promises of marriage, drugged without consent, and had their personal photos and videos stolen for further exploitation. Police advise women to be cautious on social media, verify identities of online contacts, avoid sharing personal information or financial details, and report suspicious behavior immediately to authorities.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-23
Scam texts targeting older adults, particularly those with memory issues like dementia, are causing significant financial losses—one 81-year-old woman was charged over $5,000 by a political campaign after clicking malicious links, though the charges were eventually refunded. The article provides guidance on protecting vulnerable seniors by adjusting phone settings, carrier account controls, and payment restrictions to make risky texts and unauthorized purchases harder to complete while still allowing them to use their phones normally. Key steps include enabling text filters, restricting contacts to known numbers, setting up bank alerts, and tightening payment settings to prevent surprise charges.
forbes.com
· 2026-06-23
Cryptocurrency ATM scams have exploded dramatically, with the FTC reporting a 1,000% increase in losses between 2020 and 2023 and $388 million lost in 2025 alone, primarily targeting older adults over 60 who are tricked by scammers impersonating officials into depositing cash. To combat this trend, some states have banned crypto ATMs or imposed transaction limits, and Senator Durbin introduced federal legislation requiring operator registration, customer verification, and fraud warnings. Consumers should never deposit cash into crypto ATMs when requested by someone claiming it's for "safekeeping" or service payments, as these requests are always scams.
wafb.com
· 2026-06-23
The U.S. Attorney's office is warning about government imposter scams, which caused Americans to lose $917 million across more than 375,000 reported cases in 2025. Scammers pose as representatives from legitimate businesses or government agencies and trick victims into transferring money, buying cryptocurrency, or withdrawing cash by claiming there's suspicious account activity or urgent issues with benefits. To protect yourself, remember that the government will never ask you to move money urgently, pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency, or wire funds—if you encounter such requests, report them immediately to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
fox9.com
· 2026-06-23
DoorDash drivers in Minnesota are being targeted by scammers who place fake orders, then call posing as company support staff to trick drivers into sharing account information. Once they gain access, the scammers drain the drivers' earnings and savings—in one case stealing over $400 from a driver named Donna Olheiser. To protect yourself, never share account verification information over the phone, and contact DoorDash directly through the official app or website if you have questions about your account or orders.
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-06-23
Document delivery scams use official-sounding voicemails claiming you need to accept legal documents to frighten victims into calling back and revealing personal information or money. Scammers target a wide range of people and often already have basic details like names and phone numbers; they then use the call to extract additional personal and payment information, sometimes claiming you owe money on old debts and offering fake discounts to pressure quick payment, with reported losses ranging from $100 to $500. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls about legal documents, never give personal or financial information to callers you didn't initiate contact with, and verify any legitimate legal matters by calling official court or government numbers directly.
mexc.com
· 2026-06-23
The FBI is intensifying efforts to combat "pig butchering" scams, a sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud where criminals build trust with victims over time through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake crypto platforms and stealing their money. These scams, which have cost victims billions of dollars globally, typically involve fraudsters posing as romantic interests or investment advisors who gradually encourage victims to deposit increasing amounts into fraudulent accounts before disappearing. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from online contacts, verify any investment platform's legitimacy through official channels, and never transfer money to someone you've only met online claiming to offer guaranteed returns.
paloaltoonline.com
· 2026-06-23
Santa Clara County is addressing a growing problem of financial scams targeting older adults, with county officials reporting 4,226 allegations of financial exploitation in 2025, nearly half involving scams. Common schemes include fraudsters impersonating the IRS or banks to trick victims into revealing personal information or transferring assets, with vulnerable seniors particularly at risk for real estate fraud and exploitation of declining cognitive abilities. To protect themselves, residents should avoid unsolicited financial requests, verify contact by calling official numbers on their cards, establish a family code word for verification during unexpected calls, and report scams immediately to law enforcement—as frozen funds can sometimes be recovered if reported quickly.
sfgate.com
· 2026-06-23
Santa Clara County is launching educational efforts to combat rising financial scams targeting older adults, with a 2025 report showing 4,226 reported cases of financial exploitation, nearly half involving scams. Common schemes include scammers impersonating the IRS or banks requesting personal information, as well as real estate fraud targeting seniors with home equity. Residents are advised to verify unsolicited financial institution contacts by calling the number on their credit card, establish family code words for unusual calls, and report scams immediately to authorities, as recovering transferred money is difficult once it's gone.
gulfcoastnewsnow.com
· 2026-06-23
Scammers impersonating Lee County deputies are calling residents claiming they have arrest warrants and demanding payment of thousands of dollars to avoid jail time—two women recently fell victim to the scheme, with one nearly losing $6,000 before police intervened. The scammers use fake warrants, threaten jail sentences, and pressure victims into buying Bitcoin by falsely claiming they cannot tell anyone (citing a "gag order"). To protect yourself: legitimate law enforcement will never demand immediate payment over the phone, threaten arrest via call, or ask you to buy cryptocurrency—if you receive such a call, hang up and contact your local police department directly.
abc.net.au
· 2026-06-23
Scammers are targeting Australians with fake ABC News articles promoted through Facebook ads, using AI-generated images of celebrities and politicians to lure people into fraudulent investment platforms like "Hexonix 365," with some victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The fake articles are nearly identical clones of the real ABC News website, complete with dramatic AI-written stories about public figures promoting secret investment strategies, and include fake "editor's notes" claiming ABC has verified the platforms as legitimate. To protect yourself, be skeptical of sensational investment stories on social media, verify news directly on official ABC News websites rather than clicking ads, and remember that legitimate news outlets never promote specific investment platforms in their articles.
bangkokpost.com
· 2026-06-23
Thai police arrested approximately 30,000 scammers and took legal action against 1,450 proxy companies over nine months, seizing about 24 billion baht in assets as part of a major anti-scam crackdown. The government's efforts have been highly effective, with reported scam cases dropping 69.2% and related damages falling 87.3% compared to the previous year, while authorities also shut down hundreds of thousands of fraudulent accounts and phone numbers used by criminals. Citizens can protect themselves by reporting suspicious calls and transactions to authorities, and being cautious of unsolicited contact requesting money or personal information.
sanjosespotlight.com
· 2026-06-22
Santa Clara County is raising awareness about financial scams that increasingly target older adults, with a 2025 report showing 4,226 reported allegations of financial exploitation, nearly half involving scams. Common scams include fraudsters impersonating the IRS or banks requesting personal information, as well as real estate fraud targeting seniors with home equity. Experts recommend residents be skeptical of unsolicited contact from financial institutions, use code words with family for verification, and report scams immediately—since recovering stolen money becomes difficult once it's transferred.
newsfirst.lk
· 2026-06-22
Sri Lankan authorities have warned of a sharp rise in romance scams targeting women, where fraudsters build fake relationships through social media, manipulate victims into sending money and valuables, and in some cases escalate to sexual assault, robbery, or murder. The scams often involve stolen personal photos and videos used to establish false trust, with some victims being drugged or coerced into handing over financial assets and property. Police are urging women to be cautious of online relationships that quickly turn romantic or involve requests for money, to verify identities independently, and to report suspicious behavior to authorities immediately.
theguardian.com
· 2026-06-22
A Melbourne woman with autism lost over $646,000 to a romance scammer who posed as an attractive man on the dating app Hinge, manipulating her after learning she'd never been in a relationship; her bank refused to refund the money despite her appeal to Australia's financial complaints authority. Romance scams have cost Australians more than $37 million across nearly 4,800 reported cases in the past 18 months, typically beginning on online dating platforms, yet the government's new "world's toughest anti-scam laws" won't take effect until 2027 and aren't expected to regulate dating apps. Consumer advocates and victims like Jane are calling for stronger accountability from banks and dating platforms to prevent and respond to these scams, particularly for vulnerable people.
cnhi.com
· 2026-06-22
Romance scams targeting seniors are on the rise, and the Council for Older Adults is hosting a free educational workshop on Thursday featuring experts who will teach attendees how to identify warning signs such as rapid declarations of love, elaborate excuses to avoid meeting in person, pressure to move conversations off dating apps, and unsolicited investment advice. Key protective strategies include verifying information about the person and trusting your instincts if something feels suspicious. If you suspect you're communicating with a scammer, you should stop all communication immediately and seek guidance on reporting the fraud and exploring recovery options.
english.vov.vn
· 2026-06-22
Ho Chi Minh City police discovered and shut down multiple large-scale online scam operations run by foreign nationals, with raids in May and June uncovering over 160 Chinese nationals operating from guesthouses and hotels without proper documentation. The scammers were targeting victims primarily in China through e-commerce fraud, investment schemes, and financial scams, using hundreds of computers and mobile phones seized during the operations. For residents and businesses, authorities emphasized the importance of verifying guest identification and properly registering temporary residencies to prevent similar illegal operations from establishing in their properties.
openthemagazine.com
· 2026-06-22
In October, Myanmar authorities raided KK Park, a massive scam compound in the border town of Myawaddy that housed thousands of trafficked workers coerced into running sophisticated online fraud schemes targeting victims worldwide. Approximately 3,000 Indian workers were detained in the raid and eventually returned to India after questioning, revealing a highly organized operation where workers lived in dormitories and were assigned to different fraud teams with clear hierarchical management. The account of one Indian worker suggests that many participants, contrary to earlier reports, may have initially worked voluntarily before becoming trapped in the operation.
itwire.com
· 2026-06-22
Online fraud victims in St. Louis and beyond are increasingly turning to lawsuits to recover losses from scams—particularly romance and investment schemes that use fake dashboards and emotional manipulation to extract money through escalating wire transfers and cryptocurrency purchases. These "pig butchering" and investment grooming frauds typically involve scammers building trust with victims over time, then blocking withdrawals and demanding fake "taxes" or compliance fees before victims realize the gains were fabricated. Affected individuals are pursuing legal action to identify liable parties (including financial platforms that routed funds) and recover damages after traditional dispute methods fail, so victims should document all communications, transaction records, and warning signs they missed, and consult with a lawyer experienced in fraud recovery to understand their options.
cnet.com
· 2026-06-21
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to generate personalized, convincing emails and phishing campaigns that exploit urgency and trust—particularly targeting authors with fake book club offers, though the tactics affect people across all industries. These AI-powered scams can lead to stolen funds, identity theft, malware infections, and extortion, making them harder to spot than traditional scams. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails with suspicious praise or job offers, watch for red flags like all-caps text and generic personalization, verify organizations directly through official websites before clicking links, and never provide personal or financial information to unverified sources.
wxyz.com
· 2026-06-21
A 72-year-old DoorDash driver in Troy, Michigan lost access to his account and thousands of dollars in earnings after a scammer impersonated a DoorDash fraud department representative and tricked him into sharing his debit card information during a delivery run. The scammer used caller ID spoofing to make the call appear legitimate, and once the driver provided his card details, he was locked out of both his DoorDash account and his earnings. Police warn that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and use time pressure and fear tactics to bypass critical thinking—so verify unexpected account alerts by contacting the company directly through official channels rather than responding to unsolicited calls.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-06-21
Seniors lost approximately $16 billion to scams in 2025, with imposter scams being one of the most common type, where fraudsters pose as government agencies, banks, or family members via phone, text, or email to steal financial information and money. These scams often use fear tactics—such as threatening tax penalties or legal action—to pressure victims into quickly sharing credit card details or personal information. To protect yourself, stay aware of imposter scam tactics, verify the identity of anyone requesting personal or financial information through independent contact methods, and remember that legitimate agencies won't demand immediate payment or threaten you over the phone.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2026-06-21
In 2026, cryptocurrency scams evolved dramatically, with $17 billion lost to fraud that now disguises itself as legitimate customer service, compliance checks, and payment systems rather than obvious red flags. Impersonation scams—where criminals pose as trusted figures like exchange support agents, government agencies, or even family members using AI-cloned voices—grew by 1,400% and are significantly more profitable, extracting an average of $3.2 million per operation. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact from companies or individuals, verify requests through official channels directly, and never share sensitive information or make payments based on urgent-sounding messages, even if they appear authentic.
ground.news
· 2026-06-21
FBI Director Kash Patel has announced an intensified crackdown on "pig butchering" scams—cryptocurrency fraud schemes where criminals pose as romantic interests or investment advisors to lure victims, often older adults, into sending money. Scammers are increasingly using cash couriers to collect payments in person to avoid detection by bank security systems, and the FBI's new Operation Level Up aims to intervene early before victims lose more money. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment offers on social media or messaging apps, verify investment opportunities through official channels, and never send cash to couriers or wire money to unknown parties.