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24-7pressrelease.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated in 2025, with fraudsters using artificial intelligence to create convincing phishing emails, deepfake videos, and fake dating profiles that manipulate victims into sharing financial or personal information. The scams span investment fraud, identity theft, and romance schemes, affecting millions worldwide. Protection requires strong cyber hygiene practices including multi-factor authentication, security software, profile verification through reverse image searches, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Halifax police issued warnings about two suspects involved in multiple "grandparent scams" targeting seniors in the area, where callers impersonated arrested family members and demanded bail money, arranging to collect cash in person or via mail. Police emphasize that law enforcement and court officials never collect bail money at residences and urge seniors to hang up on such calls, avoid providing personal information, and verify caller identity before responding to money requests.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns of four common tax season scams: tax identity theft through phishing and data breaches, email phishing impersonating the IRS, IRS impersonation via spoofed phone calls demanding payment under threats of arrest, and fraudulent "ghost" tax preparers who charge high fees and disappear. According to the IRS, taxpayers lost $5.5 billion to tax scams and fraud in 2023, and the BBB recommends verifying businesses, using personal accounts for deposits, and filing early to protect against these schemes.
newsbug.info
· 2025-12-08
Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational program featuring DeMotte police officials who presented information on elder financial abuse, which affects over 13% of American seniors annually and costs victims more than $3 billion yearly. The presentation covered eleven common scam types targeting seniors—including grandparent scams, charity fraud, phishing, and tax scams—while noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women and those living alone, are most vulnerable, and that only 1 in 44 incidents are reported due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Attendees learned protective strategies such as verifying requests before sending money, monitoring financial statements, and reporting scams to the FTC or calling
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The American Bankers Association Foundation launched its 2025 financial education campaigns as part of a three-year commitment to reach five million Americans, celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary. The Foundation's four national initiatives—Teach Children to Save, Get Smart About Credit, Safe Banking for Seniors, and Lights, Camera, Save!—provide free resources to banks and their employees, with new content for 2025 including updated materials on fraud prevention, cryptocurrency investment scams, money mule scams, and check fraud. Since 2023, nearly 40,000 bank volunteers from 1,115 banks have reached 1.7 million people through these programs.
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
A French woman, Anne, lost approximately $850,000 in an 18-month romance scam in which a cybercriminal impersonated Brad Pitt and his mother on Instagram, using AI-generated fake images to build an emotional relationship and eventually convince her to fund fake medical and legal expenses. After discovering the deception when the real Brad Pitt appeared at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Anne reported the crime and shared her story publicly to raise awareness, but subsequently suffered severe cyberbullying and depression. The case highlights the prevalence of romance scams, which cost victims over a billion dollars in 2023, and demonstrates how fraudsters exploit emotional vulnerability and celebrity admiration to manipulate
cxtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A CloudSek study found that Zendesk's free trial offering is vulnerable to abuse by scammers who create fake brand-impersonating subdomains to conduct phishing attacks and "pig butchering" investment scams. The research identified several cases over six months where Zendesk clients were targeted by fraudulent domains, demonstrating how attackers could exploit the platform's lack of email verification to deceive employees into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data. The report recommends blacklisting unverified Zendesk instances, using detection tools to identify suspicious subdomains, and implementing employee phishing awareness training to mitigate the risk.
citybeat.com
· 2025-12-08
Pamela Moore, a 66-year-old grandmother with no prior criminal record, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in August 2024 for money laundering related to online romance scams. Between 2020 and 2023, Moore's bank accounts received over $8 million in criminally derived funds from romance scammers nationwide, and she personally converted approximately $1.7 million to Bitcoin at the scammers' direction. Moore herself had initially lost six figures to the same scammers after becoming emotionally vulnerable following her husband's death in 2015, eventually being manipulated into laundering their illicit proceeds through a fraudulent shell company.
hoodline.com
· 2025-12-08
Kaua'i County's Agency on Elderly Affairs organized an educational event on February 12 featuring Kupuna Alert Partners to teach seniors about fraud and scam prevention, including Medicare fraud, identity theft, securities fraud, and prescription drug misuse. The free community event included presentations and resource tables from multiple government agencies, with pre-registration encouraged and accessibility accommodations available upon request.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
mainlinemedianews.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Chris Pielli and the Housing Authority of Chester County hosted a "Scam Jam" educational program featuring experts from state and local law enforcement to help residents identify and avoid fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly seniors. The program covered multiple scam types including grandparent scams using emotional triggers, caregiver fraud involving isolated victims, romance scams, and impersonation schemes that exploit technology and social media information.
wibx950.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York State Thruway Authority is warning residents of a phishing scam targeting EZ Pass and Tolls by Mail customers through text messages and emails that falsely claim an outstanding balance. The fraudulent messages prompt victims to click links and enter sensitive information such as Social Security numbers and credit card details. The authority recommends verifying suspicious messages directly with official channels, reporting phishing attempts to the FTC and US-CERT, and contacting the Tolls by Mail Customer Service Center at 1-844-826-8400 if victimized.
29news.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a cybersecurity breach affecting Virginia school divisions, a UVA cybersecurity expert warns that cyber-scams are evolving with new tools and artificial intelligence, enabling increasingly sophisticated tactics like deepfake impersonations of loved ones. The expert recommends consumers assume their personal information has been compromised, track where they share data, and advocates for stronger consumer protection laws and identity theft management programs including social security number replacement for breach victims. Organizations and schools should work with cybersecurity professionals to implement updated protection measures, as data breaches are viewed as inevitable rather than preventable.
newsbug.info
· 2025-12-08
Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational presentation by DeMotte police on January 8 covering elder financial abuse, which costs seniors over $3 billion annually with more than 13% of American elders victimized yearly. The presentation outlined eleven common scam types targeting seniors (including grandparent scams, charity fraud, identity theft, and tech support scams), noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women living alone, face the highest risk and that underreporting remains severe due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Key protective measures include monthly financial monitoring, verifying requests by calling contacts directly, reporting fraud to the FTC, and consulting trusted advisors before financial decisions.
news3lv.com
· 2025-12-08
Chase Bank and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department are hosting a free educational event on February 5 at Clark County Library to inform the public about romance scams and financial fraud prevention. The session will be led by Chase representatives and a detective from the Theft Crimes Bureau, who will discuss common scam tactics and provide practical advice on protecting personal finances and information, with a special focus on romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Chris Pielli and the Housing Authority of Chester County hosted an educational "Scam Jam" program featuring experts from law enforcement and banking agencies to inform residents about common fraud schemes targeting seniors. The program highlighted various scams including grandparent scams using emotional manipulation and AI voice mimicry, elder financial abuse by caregivers, romance scams, and phishing schemes like fake EZ Pass notifications, emphasizing that scammers exploit social media information and that even intelligent people can be deceived.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud and financial crimes in 2024, with scams expected to peak during the 2025 tax-filing season. Common tactics include scammers impersonating IRS agents or tax preparers to claim taxpayers owe additional taxes or are due larger refunds, with threats of arrest or requests for bank details to steal information. Retired taxpayers and those nearing retirement are frequent targets, and experts recommend taking time to verify communications and avoiding pressure from scammers rather than responding immediately.
manchesterjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Vermont's Attorney General reported 3,533 scam reports in 2024, with "Computer Tech Support" scams leading at nearly 30% of reports—a position it has held for four consecutive years—followed by identity theft and law enforcement imposter scams. Email extortion scams made a concerning return after a four-year absence, now featuring screen-captured images of victims' homes to increase pressure for compliance. The state is strengthening consumer protection by merging its scam alert system with Vermont's existing emergency alert infrastructure, which will reach approximately 72,000 users and offer real-time notifications to help residents identify and avoid fraud.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
An uptick in jury duty scams has been reported across multiple U.S. locations, where scammers impersonate court officials or police officers and threaten victims with fines or arrest for allegedly missing jury duty, demanding immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers. Incidents have been documented in Elkhart County, Indiana and Hopkinsville, Kentucky, with authorities emphasizing that legitimate courts communicate about jury duty through official mail only and never solicit payments or personal information by phone or email. Citizens should verify caller claims independently, avoid immediate payments, and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement or the court clerk's office.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines seven AI-powered scams that are becoming increasingly difficult to detect: voice cloning, deepfake impersonation, investment fraud, phishing, romance scams, and others. The article explains how scammers use AI technology to create convincing fake voices, videos, and messages to manipulate victims into sending money, revealing personal data, or clicking malicious links. It provides practical prevention tips for each scam type, including verifying caller identities with security questions, scrutinizing video quality and facial movements in deepfakes, verifying investment advisors, and avoiding suspicious links and downloads.
island.lk
· 2025-12-08
Sri Lanka's Computer Emergency Response Team warned the public about fraudulent text messages and phone calls falsely offering money, gifts, prizes, discounts, and job opportunities designed to trick victims into sharing personal information that could lead to financial fraud or identity theft. The agency urged recipients to verify authenticity and avoid engaging with suspicious messages, and encouraged reporting of fraudulent activity.
(Note: The second article about University of Peradeniya flooding is not elder fraud-related and falls outside the scope of Elderus database summarization.)
island.lk
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Sri Lanka are sending fraudulent text messages and making phone calls claiming to offer cash prizes, gifts, discounts, or job opportunities to trick victims into sharing personal information that could lead to financial fraud or identity theft. The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team urges the public to verify authenticity of such claims, avoid engaging with suspicious messages, and report fraudulent activity to authorities.
androidpolice.com
· 2025-12-08
AI technology is making scams increasingly convincing and harder to detect, with fraudsters using voice cloning, deepfakes, fake investment schemes, phishing emails, and romance scams to target victims. The article outlines seven types of AI-powered scams and provides prevention strategies, including verifying caller identities with security questions, scrutinizing deepfake videos for unnatural movements or audio-visual mismatches, consulting registered investment advisors, and avoiding clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive information with unverified sources.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
During natural disasters, scammers exploit vulnerable victims by impersonating utility companies, FEMA, and contractors to steal personal information or money through pressure tactics and upfront fees. Protection measures include verifying identities by contacting organizations directly, never paying upfront fees for disaster aid or repairs, researching contractors thoroughly, and getting multiple estimates before hiring. If identity theft occurs, victims should immediately report it to the FTC, credit bureaus, and financial institutions to prevent further damage.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In the fourth quarter of last year, Taiwan reported NT$37.19 billion (US$1.23 billion) in fraud losses, with investment scams accounting for 56.9 percent of total losses and affecting 1,242 victims, predominantly women over 50 (516 cases). Criminals used social media advertisements and messaging apps to recruit victims into fake investment groups, while romance scams and impersonation schemes targeting bank/government officials also contributed significantly to losses, with victims taking 2 months to 2 years to discover they had been defrauded.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old retired merchant navy employee from Alibaug, India lost Rs7.16 crore (approximately $860,000 USD) in a shares investment fraud scheme between December 10-17. The victim was added to a WhatsApp group impersonating a known acquaintance that promoted share investment tips, and was directed to download a fraudulent trading app, through which he made eight online transfers to the scammer's accounts. The fraud was discovered when the victim contacted the actual person whose identity had been stolen, leading to a cyber crime case registered under identity theft and cheating charges.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore's Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo warned the public in January about a fake Facebook profile impersonating her under the name "Josephine Teo Li Min" that was sending unsolicited invitations to engage in conversations. She urged users to block the fraudulent account and report it to Meta, characterizing it as identity theft as part of an ongoing pattern of impersonation scams targeting Singapore's leaders.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Australians reported 249,448 scams totaling $318.7 million in losses to the ACCC's Scamwatch, with investment scams being the most damaging at $192.3 million (median loss $9,500), followed by romance and phishing scams. People over 65 were worst affected financially with a median loss of $1,000, while men overall lost more money than women, with email being the most common contact method used by scammers. Key warning signs include promises of easy money, requests from unknown contacts, links in messages, and pressure to act quickly.
english.elpais.com
· 2025-12-08
A Swedish man named Daniel lost €40,000 in a "pig butchering scam," a romance-based fraud scheme where a fake woman named Adele lured him into cryptocurrency investments through dating apps and WhatsApp. The scams, which generated $72 billion between 2020 and 2024, are operated from Southeast Asian compounds by crime syndicates with Chinese roots, where tens of thousands of trafficking victims—potentially 100,000 in Cambodia and 120,000 in Myanmar—are forced to impersonate romantic interests and financial advisors to defraud victims globally.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting Facebook Marketplace sellers with fake Australia Post links and QR codes, claiming payment has been made while actually attempting to steal payment card details and personal information through phishing. Australia Post warned customers in January 2024 that the company never provides prepayment services for marketplace listings or sends links/QR codes related to online sales. This scam reflects a broader trend where Australians lost over $58 million to social media scams in the first 10 months of 2024, making social media the leading contact method used by fraudsters.
news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are targeting Facebook Marketplace sellers with a scam involving fake Australia Post QR code links that appear to confirm payment for items, but actually direct victims to phishing sites designed to steal payment card details and personal information for identity theft. Australia Post reissued warnings about this scheme in January after it was first discovered in September, emphasizing that they never provide prepayment services or send payment-related links for marketplace listings. This scam is part of a broader trend in which over 6,000 Australians lost $58.3 million to social media scams in the first 10 months of 2024.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
"Brushing" scams involve criminals sending unexpected packages containing inexpensive items and QR codes to victims' addresses; when scanned, these codes direct recipients to fake websites designed to steal sensitive information like credit card numbers and Social Security numbers, or the packages are used to generate fake positive reviews for third-party sellers. Victims should avoid scanning QR codes, file fraud reports with retailers, monitor their credit reports, and update passwords if compromised. The scam puts recipients at risk of identity theft and reveals their personal information to criminals, even if they keep the free items.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel scams are proliferating in 2025, with criminals using AI to create fake websites, airline emails, vacation rental listings, and social media profiles to defraud travelers. One traveler lost $1,596 after falling for a fake United Airlines cancellation email and phone call scam, though United eventually refunded him after investigation. To protect themselves, travelers should verify listings through reverse image searches and multiple platforms, avoid suspiciously low fares, contact companies directly through official websites or apps, and cross-reference businesses against legitimate third-party sources before providing personal or payment information.
crimestoppers.ns.ca
· 2025-12-08
Halifax Regional Police are warning seniors about an ongoing bail bond scam in which callers impersonate family members claiming to be in jail and demand bail money, with suspects sometimes arranging in-person pickups at victims' homes. Police are seeking public assistance identifying a suspect described as a man aged 30-40 wearing black clothing and a mask, possibly traveling in a white SUV, and remind the public that law enforcement will never collect bail money in person and to hang up on such calls without providing financial information.
rosevilletoday.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns of common tax-season scams including robocalls falsely claiming Social Security cancellation, fraudulent IRS impersonation emails and letters, and "ghost tax preparers" who don't sign returns and may claim unauthorized deductions. The article advises verifying tax preparer credentials through IRS Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTIN), confirming IRS correspondence through official seals and direct contact, and reporting suspected identity theft to local police or the IRS.
geaugamapleleaf.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Attorney General's Office provided guidance on recognizing common scams that disproportionately target seniors, who represent 15% of the population but account for more than 30% of reported fraud. Key red flags include requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or immediate payment; unsolicited calls creating urgency or fear (such as impersonating the IRS or Social Security); phishing for personal information; and contractor scams requiring large upfront payments. The office recommends verifying caller identity independently, remembering that scammers can spoof phone numbers, and following the principle that if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.
dailysabah.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost her life savings of 830,000 euros ($850,000) to scammers impersonating Brad Pitt through fake social media accounts, WhatsApp, and AI-generated images, who convinced her they were in a romantic relationship and needed money for medical treatment. Brad Pitt's representative warned fans against responding to unsolicited online contact and noted that the actor has no official social media presence, while experts highlight that AI technology has increased the risk of identity theft and romantic fraud schemes. Similar scams targeting other women using Pitt's identity have been reported in Spain, with five suspects arrested in September 2024.
wltx.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost her life savings of $850,000 to scammers posing as Brad Pitt through fake social media accounts, AI-generated images, and WhatsApp messages, who claimed the actor needed money for medical treatment. After revealing her story on French television, she faced severe online harassment and mockery, prompting the network to withdraw the interview to protect the vulnerable victim. The case illustrates how artificial intelligence has increased the sophistication of romance scams, with the FTC reporting over $1 billion in romance scam losses affecting 64,000 Americans in 2023 alone.
dailyrecord.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer lost €830,000 (£700,000) to scammers posing as Brad Pitt over an 18-month period beginning in February 2023, after being initially contacted on Instagram by someone claiming to be Pitt's mother. The scammers used AI-generated photos and increasingly elaborate schemes—including fake news reports and claims of kidney cancer treatment—to convince the victim to send money, eventually depleting her entire divorce settlement. Action Fraud warns the public to avoid sending money to online contacts they haven't met in person, use reverse image searches to verify photos, and watch for red flags such as reluctance to video call, emotional
senatenj.com
· 2025-12-08
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs held an educational seminar for over 150 senior residents at Holiday City Berkeley on January 14, providing information on scams and fraud targeting seniors along with state program resources. The event, organized at the request of state legislators, distributed three informational guides on identity theft, consumer shopping, and disaster-related scams. The 9th District Delegation has also introduced legislation (S-1887 and A-4593) to create a new criminal offense for financial exploitation of the elderly, with the Senate having unanimously passed S-1887.
saga.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams cost UK victims over £612 million in 2023, with people aged 55-64 being disproportionately targeted and losing more than £133 million collectively; the average loss per victim was £25,000, though some lost significantly more. Scammers exploit older adults by targeting those with disposable income and leveraging fears about retirement, inheritance tax, and social care, often attempting multiple frauds against the same victims. Red flags include unsolicited contact, promises of unrealistic returns, and pressure to make quick decisions, with experts advising victims to seek independent financial advice before investing.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior decorator lost €850,000 ($850,000) to scammers who impersonated actor Brad Pitt using fake social media accounts, AI-generated images, and fabricated stories about kidney treatment and frozen bank accounts due to divorce proceedings. After the victim appeared on French television to share her story, she faced severe online harassment and mockery, prompting the network to remove the interview from its platforms to protect her wellbeing. The case illustrates how romance scams, increasingly sophisticated through AI technology, continue to target vulnerable individuals, with romance fraud losses in the U.S. exceeding $1 billion in 2023.
wrhi.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The IRS warns taxpayers to guard against evolving tax season scams including phishing emails, impersonation phone calls, identity theft, fake tax preparers, social media fraud, charity scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Protection strategies include verifying IRS communications through official channels, protecting personal information, using legitimate tax professionals, and reporting suspicious activity to the IRS.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies major online scams targeting people in 2025, including romance baiting (formerly called "pig butchering"), immigration fraud, and AI-generated scams that exploit vulnerable populations. The author advises vigilance against scammers who use social engineering tactics, noting that law enforcement offers limited recourse for victims and recommending awareness of common warning signs to avoid becoming a target.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
The Vermont Attorney General's office reported over 3,500 scams in the past year, with computer tech support scams being the most prevalent, followed by identity theft, law enforcement impersonation, and Medicare card phishing. Residents are encouraged to register for the Vermont Scam Alert System to stay informed about emerging fraud threats and to report any scam victimization to the Attorney General's office.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts drivers are receiving fraudulent text messages impersonating the state's E-ZPass toll system, claiming unpaid tolls of $6.99 and directing recipients to malicious links that steal personal and financial information. The real E-ZPass never sends text messages, so recipients should delete such messages immediately and verify toll balances through official E-ZPass accounts. Anyone who clicked the fraudulent links should contact their bank and credit card company to freeze accounts and change all passwords.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams are prevalent, with fraudsters impersonating the IRS through unsolicited calls, texts, emails, and social media to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest. The IRS only contacts taxpayers by mail, never by phone or electronic messages, and warns against fake tax advice on social media and demands for immediate payment. Filing taxes early, verifying tax preparers with the Better Business Bureau, and filing documents promptly can help prevent identity theft and refund fraud.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer was defrauded of $855,000 over 18 months in an AI-enabled romance scam where perpetrators impersonated actor Brad Pitt and his mother, using AI-generated photos and messages across multiple platforms before claiming he needed money for cancer treatment. The scammers exploited advances in artificial intelligence technology to create convincing fake profiles and communications, a tactic that has become increasingly common—with similar Brad Pitt impersonation schemes in Spain resulting in $350,000 in losses from two women in 2024. Romance scams globally caused over $652 million in losses in the US alone in 2023,
identityweek.net
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article suitable for the Elderus fraud research database. The content is a conference announcement and promotional page for Identity Week Europe 2026, featuring keynote speakers and sponsor highlights rather than reporting on a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case. While the page includes links to various security and fraud-related topics, no detailed incident information is provided to summarize.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
During the Los Angeles wildfires, scammers exploited disaster victims and donors through fake relief fundraisers impersonating celebrities like Kim Kardashian, fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns using stolen photos, fake charity websites, phishing emails posing as FEMA and the Red Cross, fake contractor services, and animal rescue scams. Security experts note that disaster scams proliferate because they combine vulnerability, urgency, and the public's desire to help, with perpetrators ranging from local individuals to organized crime syndicates. Potential victims should verify charities through official channels, avoid clicking unsolicited donation links, and be wary of upfront payment requests or overly urgent appeals