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kdhlradio.com
Minnesota Department of Public Safety issued a warning about scam text messages threatening residents with fines and license suspension for alleged outstanding traffic tickets. The texts falsely claim to be from the "Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles" or "DPSMN," include fake official language and links to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information, and demand payment via wire transfer or similar methods. Officials recommend not responding to or clicking links in these messages, deleting them, and contacting Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) directly through drive.mn.gov if verification is needed; anyone who has already provided information or money should contact their bank and report the incident to law enforcement.
abc.net.au
Consumer Protection WA warned of escalating scratchie mail scams involving fake scratch-off tickets offering $US240,000 prizes sent via registered post from Kuala Lumpur, which request personal identification details and payment to claim winnings. Five West Australians lost $30,550 total to these scams over the past year, with scammers using collected personal information for identity theft, loans, and other fraudulent purposes. Since 2020, Australians have lost more than $5.8 million to unexpected winnings scams overall, and authorities advise recipients to never share ID documents and remember that legitimate prizes never require payment to claim.
nbcphiladelphia.com
Joe Subach lost over $1 million after calling a fake Apple customer service number found through an online search, which connected him to a scammer posing as "Daisy from Apple." The scam evolved from a fake account breach alert (requesting gift card purchases) into a romance scam, eventually leading Subach to surrender $780,000 in gold and silver to someone claiming to pick them up at his home. The FBI noted this case is unusual for combining financial, romance, and in-person theft elements, and emphasized that individuals are the best protectors of their own assets.
businessinsider.com
Text message job scams have surged dramatically, with reported losses reaching $470 million in 2024—five times the 2020 amount—making job offers the second most common scam after fake package delivery. Scammers pose as recruiters from well-known companies, using increasingly sophisticated AI-crafted messages to lure vulnerable job seekers with unrealistic offers, then steal personal information (Social Security numbers, IDs, bank details) or trick victims into sending money for supposed work equipment. The problem is expected to worsen as economic uncertainty and remote work demand increase, making people more susceptible to these plausible-seeming frauds.
yahoo.com
Nirav Patel was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded multiple elderly victims across the Midwest of thousands of dollars in life savings. Patel, operating from Chicago, would collect money and gold from victims after scammers impersonating federal agents threatened them with identity theft and legal consequences, sometimes calling up to 12 times daily; the collected funds were then sent to accounts in India. In 2024, gold bar schemes similar to this operation stole $219 million nationally, making imposter scams the most common type of criminal scheme as of March 2025.
lptv.org
Minnesota's Department of Public Safety is warning residents of a scam involving fake text messages impersonating the state's motor vehicles department, falsely claiming unpaid traffic tickets and threatening legal action to pressure recipients into payment. The scam texts often escalate in threatening language across multiple messages and direct victims to click links that steal personal information. DPS advises residents not to open any payment links in unsolicited texts and notes that the department never requests payment via text message; victims should report incidents to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
mirror.co.uk
A travel expert nearly fell victim to a Booking.com phishing scam when scammers impersonating a "guest relations manager" contacted him via WhatsApp, claiming to verify his card details after a security flag. According to UK Action Fraud, this scam has resulted in 532 reports and £370,000 in losses between June 2023 and September 2024, with incidents reportedly increasing 500-900% across the travel market. The vulnerability stems from Booking.com's reliance on third-party hosts with weak security measures and minimal vetting requirements, which allowed hackers to access customer information through compromised host websites.
freepressjournal.in
A 65-year-old woman from Beed lost Rs 83 lakh in a digital arrest scam when fraudsters impersonating Mumbai police claimed her Aadhar card was used for money laundering and terrorism financing, then coerced her into transferring funds across multiple bank accounts over nine days. Mumbai police have registered 84 digital arrest cases this year, with 23 detected and 30 perpetrators arrested; charges filed include cheating and identity theft under Indian law.
yahoo.com
**Summary:**
A Google and Morning Consult survey found that over 60 percent of Americans report increased scam attempts in the past year, with email and text being primary channels; the FBI has documented a 33 percent year-over-year spike in online scams. Google is combating this threat with AI-powered detection tools that block 99.9 percent of phishing attempts, expanded scam flagging on Android, and safer login options like passkeys and two-factor authentication. Consumers can further protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, using password managers, and learning to identify red flags such as urgent language and suspicious links.
spectrumnews1.com
Scammers in Wisconsin are impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation DMV by sending text messages claiming unpaid traffic violations or final notices, attempting to trick recipients into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. The Wisconsin DMV received a large volume of complaints on June 2 and noted similar scams had recently targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. The DMV advises residents not to respond to unsolicited texts, avoid clicking links, and warns to be suspicious of communications requesting money or creating urgency.
blog.google
A 2025 survey conducted with Morning Consult reveals that U.S. consumers are increasingly aware of rising online scams, with over 60% perceiving an increase in scam attempts and one-third having experienced a data breach, while the FBI reported online scams reached a record $16.6 billion in losses the previous year (up 33% annually). The study found that security practices vary significantly by generation, with older Americans (Gen X and Baby Boomers) relying on traditional passwords and two-factor authentication, while Gen Z is adopting more modern authentication methods like passkeys and social sign-ins that offer better protection against phishing and data breaches.
wired.com
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes in real-time video calls to conduct romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other schemes, with experts reporting a dramatic rise from approximately 4-5 cases monthly in 2023 to hundreds per month currently. Notable victims include a Hong Kong finance worker who lost $25 million to a deepfaked CFO impersonation and a New Zealand retiree defrauded of $133,000 through a cryptocurrency scam using a deepfaked government official. As AI tools become more accessible and capable of creating realistic faces and voices, deepfake fraud is expanding to encompass job interview scams, identity theft for banking and housing
publicnewsservice.org
Medicare loses $60 billion to $80 billion annually to fraud, with common scams including callers requesting Medicare numbers under the pretense of issuing new cards, unsolicited medical equipment deliveries, and strangers offering fraudulent free services like house cleaning that are billed to the government. The Senior Medicare Patrol advises beneficiaries to regularly check their Medicare summary notices on MyMedicare.gov and remain vigilant for red flags such as charges for services never received or from unfamiliar providers, and warns that some scammers trick people into unknowingly enrolling in hospice care, which can result in Medicare denying essential surgeries or medications.
capitol-beat.org
Christie Edwards, a 47-year-old bookkeeper at a Glynn County accounting firm, was indicted for stealing over $380,000 from an elderly client through fraudulent ATM withdrawals, point-of-sale transactions, checks, and credit card payments. The case highlights the vulnerability of seniors to financial exploitation by trusted individuals with access to their accounts, and Georgia's Attorney General urged families to establish oversight systems and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
law.georgia.gov
Christie Edwards, a 47-year-old Florida bookkeeper, was indicted in Glynn County, Georgia on charges of Racketeering and Theft by Taking for allegedly stealing over $380,000 from an elderly client through fraudulent ATM withdrawals, point-of-sale transactions, checks, and credit card payments while employed at a local accounting firm. The case was investigated by the Attorney General's White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit and highlights the vulnerability of seniors to financial exploitation by trusted individuals with direct access to their finances.
explodingtopics.com
In 2025, scams affect billions globally: approximately 608 million people fall victim to scams annually worldwide, while in the US alone, 34% of adults experienced scams in the past year with losses exceeding $12.5 billion (a 25% increase year-over-year). The most common scam methods are phone calls and SMS messages, followed by email, with romance scams causing the highest average losses at $2,000 per victim, while identity theft remains the most prevalent scam type in the US.
fox11online.com
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning residents of a phishing scam where fraudsters send unsolicited text messages impersonating WisDOT/DMV officials, claiming unpaid traffic violations or issuing "final notices" to trick recipients into sharing personal information. The scam has surged in recent weeks, with the DMV experiencing an influx of customer inquiries; residents are advised to ignore unsolicited messages, avoid clicking links, and sign up for official eNotify alerts to monitor account activity. Victims should report incidents to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, or IC3.gov.
sandiegouniontribune.com
Digital thieves increasingly exploit phishing tactics through three emerging methods: HTML email attachments that trigger fake login pages designed to steal credentials, manipulation of multifactor authentication systems, and deceptive calendar invites. Experts recommend users avoid clicking links or opening unfamiliar HTML attachments, verify requests directly with organizations through official phone numbers or in-person visits, and remain cautious even when using security tools like multifactor authentication, which scammers are learning to circumvent.
justice.gov
Nirav B. Patel, a 44-year-old illegal immigrant from India, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded elderly victims across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana of over $400,000. Patel served as a cash collector for the scheme, which involved fraudsters posing as federal agents and convincing elderly victims that their accounts were compromised, then pressuring them to withdraw life savings into fake government trust accounts; in one instance, he collected $177,000 in gold bars from an elderly woman using a walker at an assisted living facility. The scammers, based in India, use
expressvpn.com
The Nigerian prince scam (also called a 419 scam) is an advance-fee fraud where scammers pose as foreign royalty or wealthy individuals and convince victims to pay upfront "processing fees" or "taxes" for access to promised large sums of money. Originating from 19th-century Spanish prisoner schemes and proliferating via email in the 1990s, the scam continues to victimize people daily despite widespread awareness, sometimes escalating to using victims as money mules for stolen funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers claiming to need financial help, verify identities through official channels, never send money upfront, and avoi
foxnews.com
Cybercriminals have evolved phishing tactics to create sophisticated subscription scam campaigns, with over 200 convincing fake online stores promoting products via Facebook ads to trick users into recurring credit card charges. These scams use tactics like mystery boxes, hidden fine print subscription terms, and layered add-ons (loyalty programs, VIP memberships) to confuse victims, with many sites traced back to a single Cyprus address linked to offshore entities. The fraudsters continuously rotate brands and product types—from counterfeit goods to fake supplements and investment schemes—while employing evasion techniques like rotating ad versions and image swaps to avoid detection.
wdbj7.com
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles warned customers about a text scam in which fraudsters impersonate the DMV and falsely claim money is owed for unpaid fines, directing recipients to click links that steal personal information. The DMV emphasized it never sends text messages demanding payment and advised customers to verify communications through official channels, avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, and report suspicious messages to authorities or the FTC.
wtvr.com
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles warned residents of a text message scam in which fraudsters impersonating the DMV demand payment for fines and threaten license suspension, with links designed to steal personal information. The DMV emphasized it never sends unsolicited text messages requesting payment and advised residents to report and delete suspicious messages using their phone's junk reporting feature.
whyy.org
A Delaware woman lost $701,529 in gold bars between August 2023 and February 2024 after scammers posing as federal agents claimed her identity had been stolen and she was under investigation; they told her the Treasury would safeguard gold bars she purchased to resolve the matter. When authorities caught the scheme, they arrested Rakeshkumar Patel, an Indian national illegally residing in New York, who pleaded guilty after attempting to collect an additional $300,000 in gold in May 2024. The scam was part of a larger fraud operation targeting older affluent adults across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, with a combined loss of $2.1
metrophiladelphia.com
A 36-year-old fiscal liaison at Community Options Inc., a nonprofit serving people with disabilities, stole over $103,000 from 15 Philadelphia seniors over a six-year period by issuing unauthorized checks, forging signatures, and withdrawing funds from clients' accounts. The fraud was discovered during an audit after the employee, Quay Fetherson of Bensalem, left the organization in 2023, and he was arrested and charged with 15 counts of financial exploitation of a care-dependent person, identity theft, theft, and forgery.
tampafp.com
Florida law enforcement launched a coordinated crackdown on scams perpetrated by incarcerated individuals using contraband technology to defraud seniors. Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that recent correctional facility inspections confiscated "dozens and dozens of devices" and revealed victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one 92-year-old who lost over $800,000 over two years. Law enforcement urged seniors to monitor their finances closely and avoid trusting unsolicited callers, while pledging to work with the Department of Corrections to prevent criminal activity from continuing behind bars.
hccommunityjournal.com
A Kerrville Police Department sergeant conducted an internet safety presentation outlining major threats including identity theft, phishing, and romance/grandchild scams, which criminals use to steal sensitive information and money from victims. Key safety recommendations include verifying secure websites (https and lock icons), using strong passwords, enabling stricter social media settings, installing malware protection, and never responding to unsolicited requests for personal information from official agencies.
asiaone.com
A 36-year-old doctor in Singapore nearly fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam when fraudsters posing as Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and police officers convinced her to transfer nearly $4 million for a fake anti-money laundering operation. Bank employees flagged a $29,999 transfer to a suspicious account and alerted real police, who intervened with an SMS from an official government account, helping the doctor recognize the scam and avoid financial loss. The incident highlights the sophistication of such schemes, which use fake credentials, video calls with official backdrops, and psychological manipulation to gain victim trust.
e.vnexpress.net
Sixteen foreign nationals (eleven Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian) were sentenced in Lagos to one year in prison and fines of one million naira (US$629.50) each after pleading guilty to recruiting young Nigerians for identity theft and impersonation schemes. The international cybercrime syndicate used Nigerian accomplices to conduct phishing scams targeting victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, with confiscated devices forfeited to the Nigerian government.
komonews.com
Scammers are conducting door-to-door solar installation fraud across the U.S., promising "free" systems funded by tax credits and rebates while tricking homeowners into signing complex financing agreements worth tens of thousands of dollars—often without fully understanding the terms. Victims report losses of $30,000 to $85,000+, with many receiving poor-quality installations, defective products, or no solar equipment at all, while contracts with forced arbitration clauses prevent them from seeking legal recourse. Consumers should be wary of aggressive sales tactics, pressure to sign digital contracts quickly, and unverified claims about government programs and tax rebates.
investopedia.com
This article outlines six common scams targeting users of peer-to-peer payment platforms like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle, including impersonation of trusted contacts, fake "accidental" payments designed to exploit goodwill, fraudulent sellers and buyers using stolen payment methods, fake contest winnings, and impersonation of customer support teams. According to Pew Research, 13% of P2P payment app users have sent money to scammers, affecting millions of users across platforms with 92 million active users on Venmo alone. The key prevention strategies are to verify recipient identity before sending money, report unexpected payments from strangers immediately without cashing out
law.georgia.gov
During May 2025's Older Americans Month, Georgia's Attorney General Consumer Protection Division reached over 1,300 seniors to educate them on recognizing, preventing, and reporting financial abuse and exploitation. The division highlighted common scams targeting older adults—including government imposter schemes, investment/cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams—and provided resources such as their free "Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults" (available in English, Spanish, and Korean) along with reporting contacts for suspected financial abuse.
moneysense.ca
Relationship fraud and romance scams are increasing in Canada, typically beginning when scammers contact victims on social media, dating apps, or email, then gradually build trust over months before requesting money or promoting fraudulent investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency. Victims suffer not only financial losses but also emotional trauma from the betrayal, and scammers may use harvested personal information for identity theft. Key warning signs include pressure and urgency in requests, and protection strategies include verifying requests with trusted individuals and being cautious of AI-generated personas.
oprahdaily.com
Scams targeting consumers are rising dramatically, with phishing, deepfakes, tech-support scams, and spoofing becoming increasingly common. Readers shared varied experiences including fraudulent tax and loan collection calls, fake rental listings, phishing texts posing as delivery services and financial institutions, and sextortion emails with personal information. The advice emphasized by victims includes not answering unknown numbers, immediately deleting suspicious messages, verifying requests independently, and never providing personal information or upfront payments to unverified sources.
wxii12.com
Government impersonation scams stole $789 million in 2024, with scammers now using fake FTC agent credentials and badges to target victims through urgent alerts about viruses, compromised accounts, or identity theft, then pressuring them to transfer money. The FTC warns it has no agents and never requests money transfers, advising victims to verify claims by contacting their banks directly using official numbers and to report suspected scams at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
okcfox.com
This editorial discusses the evolution and pervasiveness of fraud from ancient times to 2024, noting that the FBI received 859,532 online crime complaints in 2024 with losses exceeding $16 billion—a 33% increase from the prior year. The article highlights emerging threats including cryptocurrency fraud ($24.2 billion in illicit transfers in 2023), AI-powered deepfakes (which surged 1,740% in North America between 2022-2023, with one incident targeting a Hong Kong firm for $25 million), and voice-cloning scams targeting individuals through fake calls from loved ones. Williams emphasizes that fraud affects all demographics—not just the
the420.in
In 2024, the UK experienced £12,332 crore in reported fraud losses, with banks blocking even greater unauthorized attempts, yet emerging threats like remote access scams, social engineering, and platform-enabled fraud continue to outpace defenses. Seventy percent of authorized push payment scams originated online, while investment fraud and romance scams increasingly target victims through social media and polished digital ads, often exploiting emotional manipulation or false financial promises. Experts warn that fraud now represents 40% of all UK crime, yet the fragmented regulatory approach places disproportionate responsibility on banks rather than holding tech platforms, telcos, and other enablers accountable, necessitating a unified national strategy
foxnews.com
This educational article explains how large language models like ChatGPT can be exploited to gather personal information about individuals, since these AI tools pull from publicly available online sources including people-search sites, social media, and public databases. The article provides guidance on protecting privacy by opting out of people-search sites individually or using automated data removal services, emphasizing that personal information is already widely exposed online and requires proactive steps to limit access.
wgal.com
Scammers are sending unsolicited text messages impersonating legitimate job websites like Indeed, offering unrealistic wages ($300-$900 per day for minimal work) to lure victims into providing personal information including Social Security numbers for identity theft. These fraudulent messages direct recipients to untraceable messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram and lack legitimate company details, making them easily identifiable as scams. Consumers should recognize that legitimate employers never initiate job contact via text and offers that sound too good to be true are red flags for fraud.
pa.gov
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple free educational events throughout June 2024 aimed at seniors, service providers, and the general public to help them avoid scams, detect fraud, and prevent identity theft. Events include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO" and "$camJam" held at senior centers and community locations across Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvanians encouraged to report scams via 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.
moneyweek.com
In 2024, fraudsters stole £144.4 million through investment fraud in the UK—a 34% increase from 2023—despite a 24% reduction in the number of cases, indicating victims are losing larger amounts per scam. Investment fraud involves criminals convincing victims to invest in fictitious funds or fake opportunities (cryptocurrencies, property, commodities, etc.), often amplified through AI deepfaking on social media. Overall UK fraud losses reached £1.17 billion across 3.31 million confirmed cases in 2024, with unauthorised fraud (particularly card fraud and remote purchase fraud) being the most prevalent type.
democratandchronicle.com
The New York State DMV is warning residents of phishing text scams where fraudsters impersonate the agency to steal personal information, often claiming victims have outstanding traffic tickets that must be paid by a deadline or face license suspension. Over 170 such phishing scams were reported across upstate New York regions in 2024, with red flags including poor grammar, threatening language, and suspicious URLs. Victims should avoid clicking links or sharing personal information and can report suspected phishing to the DMV or Federal Trade Commission.
welivesecurity.com
Docusign, a widely-used digital document signing platform with over 1 billion users, has become a target for cybercriminals who send phishing emails impersonating the service to steal login credentials and financial information. These scams typically trick victims into clicking on fake "review document" buttons or scanning QR codes that lead to spoofed login pages, with recent incidents including fake invoice schemes, refund scams, and impersonation of suppliers and government agencies. To protect against Docusign phishing, users should verify destination URLs, look for security codes in legitimate emails, avoid clicking attachments in initial emails, and watch for spelling errors and mismatched sender information.
pennwatch.org
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is conducting educational outreach events throughout June 2024 to help seniors, service providers, and the general public recognize and avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. The programs include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO," "$camJam" (featuring law enforcement and state agency experts), senior expos, and sessions on common scam tactics, offered at various locations across Pennsylvania at no cost to attendees.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The digital arrest scam is a sophisticated fraud tactic where scammers impersonate police officers via spoofed phone numbers to accuse victims of crimes and demand immediate payment or banking information under threat of arrest. The scam exploits psychological manipulation through fear, urgency, and perceived authority, and has successfully targeted thousands of people including tech-savvy and educated individuals who fall victim due to panic and confusion created by high-pressure tactics and fake police station backdrops. Authorities recommend victims verify caller identity independently and never share personal or financial information over unsolicited calls.
moneysense.ca
Older adults in Canada are particularly vulnerable to fraud and identity theft due to their politeness and trust, making them targets for emergency scams, grandparent scams, and deepfake impersonations that create urgency and fear. Common tactics include fake bank calls claiming accounts will be closed, messages from supposed relatives in distress requesting money, fake obituaries with donation links, and attempts to harvest personal information like social insurance numbers. Experts recommend seniors understand they have the right to end conversations, verify requests independently through official channels, and recognize that fraudsters constantly evolve their tactics using new technologies.
investopedia.com
Americans lost an estimated $47 billion to scams in 2024, with investment fraud accounting for at least $5.7 billion of those losses. Contrary to common assumptions, younger adults are 34% more likely than older adults to fall victim to fraud, which takes multiple forms including impostor scams using AI voice cloning, lottery/prize schemes, and phishing attempts. To protect yourself, watch for red flags such as unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, promises of guaranteed returns, unusual payment requests, and demands for login credentials—and always independently verify investment opportunities through official resources like the SEC's EDGAR database before committing funds.
the-independent.com
Cybersecurity experts are recommending that people establish secret codes or passwords with family and close contacts to verify their identity and combat increasingly sophisticated AI deepfake impersonation scams. The advice comes as AI technology makes it easier for fraudsters to create convincing fake videos and messages impersonating loved ones to request money, with particular concern for vulnerable elderly and young users who lack strong digital literacy skills. This recommendation follows recent major data breaches at UK retailers like Marks and Spencer and the Co-op, which have compromised personal information that criminals can exploit to target victims with realistic-looking scams.
wnegradio.com
The Better Business Bureau warns of scams targeting military members and veterans, particularly around Memorial Day, including a case where a veteran small business owner lost $166,515 to a fraudster impersonating a Minority Business Development Agency procurement director. Common scams include high-interest military loans, fake rental properties, PCS moving fraud, phishing emails, misleading vehicle sales, and fake military discounts. The BBB recommends researching businesses before payment, avoiding wire transfers, protecting computers from phishing, and verifying military discounts directly with official sources.