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fincen.gov
· 2025-12-08
Between June 2022 and June 2023, FinCEN identified 155,415 suspicious activity filings involving elder financial exploitation totaling approximately $27 billion, with approximately 80% involving elder scams (where perpetrators pose as trusted entities to obtain money) and 20% involving elder theft by known individuals. FinCEN's analysis found that account takeover was the most common scam method, adult children were the most frequent theft perpetrators, and perpetrators typically used unsophisticated methods to minimize contact with financial institutions. Financial institutions are encouraged to refer suspected EFE victims to the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) and recommend victims
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Ohio man, William Brock, fatally shot Uber driver Loletha Hall, 61, on March 25, 2024, after both became victims of a bail scam in which he was contacted by scammers claiming a relative was in jail and demanding cash. Brock, who had been threatened by the scammers and was instructed to have Hall pick up a package at his home, confronted her with a gun when she arrived; when she attempted to escape, he shot her multiple times, killing her. Brock was charged with murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, and authorities continue investigating to identify the scammers who orchestrate
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has warned of a widespread smishing scam targeting residents across multiple states by impersonating highway toll services through fraudulent text messages containing fake links and phone numbers. Smishing (SMS phishing) scams have cost victims approximately $300 million, with over 400,000 texts sent daily, and the FBI advises recipients to delete messages immediately, verify toll status through official state websites, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. To protect against future attacks, users should avoid clicking suspicious links, enable multifactor authentication, keep devices updated with security features, and watch for red flags such as urgent language, typos, and requests to act immediately.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Athens residents were victimized by telephone scams in early April: a 69-year-old senior woman lost her complete savings of $20,000 after being impersonated by a caller claiming to be from Vystar Credit Union who instructed her to withdraw cash and transfer it via a bitcoin machine, and an 18-year-old teenager lost $3,500 after receiving calls impersonating Wells Fargo and FBI officials who convinced him to purchase gift cards and send pictures of them. Both victims reported the incidents to Athens-Clarke police, though the woman stated there was no way to recover her funds.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Connie Seddon, a retired radiation technician from Arizona, lost $35,000 to scammers who impersonated McAfee through a phishing email in January. After calling the fraudulent number, the scammer convinced her that money had been incorrectly deposited into her account and instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin machines at gas stations, with the bank teller's concerns dismissed by Seddon's false claim that she was buying a car. Seddon reported the incident to local police, the FBI, and the FTC, though authorities indicated recovery of the funds was unlikely.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Wendy Falconer, 63, lost £400 to a phone scammer who spoofed her bank's phone number in Wales; the fraudster emotionally abused her during the call, mocking her with the words "you're so thick," which traumatized her more than the financial loss itself. Police warn that scammers commonly impersonate banks, Amazon, utilities, tech companies, and even healthcare providers using caller ID spoofing, and advise people never to give personal information or take financial actions based on incoming calls, regardless of the displayed phone number.
wibx950.com
· 2025-12-08
A man's son fell victim to a student loan forgiveness scam after the family called what they believed was the Department of Education to negotiate lower monthly payments. The scammers, posing as a legitimate servicer, collected the son's personal information (Social Security number, driver's license) and bank account details, then made one fraudulent payment of several hundred dollars before the actual Department of Education contacted the son to report he was behind on his loan. The family subsequently had to close their checking account, open a new one, and enroll in identity theft protection services to mitigate the damage from the breach.
waka.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax impersonation scams cost Americans over $300 million last year, with thousands of victims targeted by callers posing as IRS agents who threaten arrest and demand payment via gift cards or personal information. Scammers use caller ID spoofing technology and fear-based tactics to pressure victims, though the IRS confirms it rarely initiates contact by phone and instead communicates through mailed or certified letters. The best defense is to hang up on suspicious calls, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails claiming to be from the IRS or tax software companies, and verify tax matters directly through IRS.gov.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has warned the public about a "smishing" scam affecting Peach Pass toll road users across multiple states, in which scammers send text messages impersonating toll collection services and demanding payment through fraudulent links. Since early March, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received over 2,000 reports of the scam, which uses varying phone numbers and spoofed toll service names to trick recipients. The FBI advises recipients to file complaints, verify charges through official toll authority websites, and monitor financial accounts if they clicked any links or provided personal information.
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP identifies four emerging scams to watch for in 2024: check cooking (using software to digitally alter stolen checks rather than chemical washing), voiceprint scams (using deepfake technology to impersonate victims' voices for financial fraud), delayed-action sweepstakes scams (collecting personal information for identity theft that may be exploited gradually), and virtual celebrity scams (exploiting fans' connection to online celebrity presence). Prevention strategies include using safer payment methods, avoiding phone calls from unknown numbers, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
minnesotasnewcountry.com
· 2025-12-08
A Minnesota resident nearly lost all their funds when scammers impersonated their bank's fraud department after obtaining a six-digit two-factor authentication code. The victim responded to a text claiming a fraudulent $400 transaction was pending, then provided the verification code to callers posing as bank staff, who subsequently drained both their account and their child's account. The bank confirmed no unauthorized transfers had been made and assured the victim that funds would be replaced, though the victim has since closed all accounts and reported the incident to police and credit bureaus. The key warning is to always call your bank directly using a number from their official materials rather than responding to unsolicited texts or using contact information from the message itself
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
In the past year, 2.5 million Americans lost $10 billion to scams—a $1 billion increase from 2022—with investment scams being the costliest at $4.6 billion despite ranking fourth in frequency, and imposter scams (claiming to be government, banks, or companies) being most common at $2.7 billion in losses. The FTC warns that scammers use increasingly aggressive tactics including promises of guaranteed investment returns, pressure to act quickly, and requests to move money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, while legitimate businesses never unexpectedly contact people asking for money or personal information. Experts estimate these reported figures represent only a
taskandpurpose.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, an E-4 soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, orchestrated multiple online romance and fraud schemes between December 2019 and February 2022, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars by impersonating romantic interests, military personnel, and officials. One victim lost over $150,000 after being convinced by a fake soldier to send money for gold and diamond transfers, while another victim sent over $7,000 after being targeted with a romance scam involving fake inheritance claims. Frimpong was arrested in 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to 40 months in
newscaststudio.com
· 2025-12-08
CBS News conducted a year-long investigation into romance scams, airing a weeklong series from April 21-28, 2024, revealing the epidemic affects victims across the country and constitutes a billion-dollar crime wave. The investigation, led by correspondent Jim Axelrod, features the story of a woman whose mother died after losing her life savings to a romance scam, and includes interviews with victims, scammers, dating app executives, and law enforcement across seven states. The series explores trends in online dating, the role of Match Group, how scammers operate (many originating from Ghana), and the psychological manipulation tactics used to defraud victims.
military.com
· 2025-12-08
Specialist Sanda G. Frimpong, a Fort Liberty soldier, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering related to romance scams that defrauded victims of over $350,000. Frimpong and co-conspirators posed as romantic interests, military personnel, diplomats, and other personas to manipulate victims into sending money, often laundering the funds through contacts in Ghana. The case highlights the prevalence of romance scams targeting vulnerable populations, including seniors and military veterans, with the FTC reporting nearly 70,000 Americans lost $1.3 billion to romantic fraud in 2022.
thestatehousefile.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers Indiana state political appointments, utility rate decisions, and reproductive health policy matters. It does not contain content relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired naval architect lost over $40,000 to a scam in January 2023 when fraudsters impersonating Amazon convinced him to send nearly $29,500 in cryptocurrency via ATM, and later accessed his bank account to withdraw an additional $11,870 through fraudulent checks. His attorney is suing Chase Bank for failing to flag suspicious activity, and supports Senate Bill 278, which would require banks to implement stronger safeguards—such as transaction holds or mandatory review by trusted contacts—to protect seniors' accounts from scam-related losses that are particularly devastating given older adults' limited ability to recover financially.
housingwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Between June 2022 and June 2023, FinCEN reported over $27 billion in suspicious activity across 155,000 filings related to elder financial exploitation (EFE), with account takeovers being the most common typology and adult children perpetrating nearly 40% of documented cases. Perpetrators primarily used unsophisticated methods like compromised passwords and phishing emails to avoid in-person detection, while financial institutions also reported increases in tech support and romance scams targeting seniors. FinCEN emphasized the critical role of financial institutions in identifying, preventing, and reporting suspected EFE to protect older adults' financial security and well-being.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The Metropolitan Police contacted 25,000 UK residents via text and email on April 18 after shutting down "Labhost," an online platform used by over 2,000 criminals since 2021 to create phishing websites impersonating banks, healthcare providers, and postal services. Around 70,000 people in the UK fell victim to the scams, having their card numbers, PINs, and passwords stolen before the operation was dismantled. Recipients of the police notification should verify its authenticity, change passwords on sensitive accounts, monitor for suspicious activity, and report any confirmed fraud to Action Fraud or their bank immediately.
saltwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Omar Zanfi, 25, of Quebec pleaded guilty in December to eight fraud-related charges stemming from a bail scam that targeted seniors in the Halifax area in late 2022, where he and associates impersonated police and lawyers to convince elderly victims their relatives were in custody, then collected cash from their homes—defrauding seven seniors of amounts ranging from $5,000 to larger sums. His sentencing hearing, originally scheduled for May 16, was adjourned after he switched lawyers, as his new counsel indicated potential disagreement with facts related to criminal organization charges and needs time to review evidence. The Crown is seeking a federal penitentiary sentence of at least two years
dailykos.com
· 2025-12-08
A television advertisement by Hearing Life Hearing Centers promoting a "30-day risk-free challenge" for mini digital hearing aids was criticized for using deceptive marketing tactics targeting seniors, including emotionally manipulative language framing the product as a healthcare necessity and omitting clear financial obligations after the trial period. The ad exploits elderly consumers' health anxieties and fear of isolation while concealing high-pressure sales tactics and expensive pricing, representing a broader pattern of predatory healthcare marketing toward vulnerable populations on fixed incomes. Consumer education about deceptive marketing signs and stricter legislative guidelines on healthcare advertising disclosures are recommended to protect seniors from such exploitation.
baytoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
Police in Ontario and Quebec arrested 14 individuals involved in an organized emergency grandparent scam that defrauded seniors across Canada of over $2.2 million since February 2022. The scammers impersonated officers or lawyers claiming victims' grandchildren were in custody and demanded bail money, often using money mules to collect funds and instructing victims not to tell anyone due to fake "gag orders." Between January and April 2024 alone, 126 victims lost approximately $739,000, with investigators successfully preventing or recovering $559,000 in losses through coordination with financial institutions.
readthereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
American Senior Communities partnered with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana to present free educational sessions on avoiding elder fraud, which costs seniors over $5.9 billion annually through scams involving impersonation, romance schemes, and fake investment opportunities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman will teach seniors how to identify common scams, recover from them, and report fraud to appropriate authorities. The series begins April 22 at The Commons on Meridian assisted living community in Indianapolis.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Medicare and conducting a growing phone scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries, falsely claiming to issue new cards and requesting verification of Medicare numbers and personal information. Victims report receiving numerous unsolicited calls daily, with scammers using professional tactics and detailed personal information to build trust. Medicare clarifies that it does not call beneficiaries, already has their information, and completed distribution of new Medicare cards by January 2019; the public should report suspected fraud to the California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Linda Young lost £120,000 to a romance scammer who targeted her through an over-50s dating app following her divorce, using gaslighting tactics to convince her the money was an "investment in their future." The scam was completed in six months, and statistics show romance fraud cases rose 22 percent annually, with women losing an average of £9,083 compared to men's £5,145. Warning signs include declarations of love too quickly, claims to be in military or medical professions, requests for money for emergencies, and reluctance to video-chat or meet in person.
mdjonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force, a nonprofit organization of law enforcement and social service professionals, trains investigators and conducts prevention workshops to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation in Georgia. The organization identifies "romance scams" as the most prevalent type of fraud targeting seniors over 65, in which scammers build fake romantic relationships through social media and dating sites to manipulate lonely, isolated older adults into sending money or serving as money mules for laundering schemes. Victims often delay reporting because they are embarrassed by significant losses and reluctant to accept they were deceived, with only about one in 30 victims filing police reports.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Sri Lankan man named Ravi was trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar under false pretenses of a data entry job, where he and approximately 40 other migrant workers were forced to conduct romance scams targeting wealthy Western men, working up to 22 hours daily and facing torture and sexual violence when they resisted. According to UN estimates from August 2023, over 120,000 people—predominantly Asian men—have been enslaved in Myanmar scam centers that generate billions of dollars for Chinese crime syndicates and armed groups, with romance scams alone accounting for $652 million in losses across 17,000+ US complaints in
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian-based online criminals known as "Yahoo Boys" conduct romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with victims—often elderly people targeted for retirement funds and life savings—losing substantial amounts; the scam has become more sophisticated as perpetrators now use AI-generated deepfakes and video calls to impersonate romantic interests and financial officials. A 69-year-old widow lost $39,000 of her life savings, and in Utah alone, victims lost $3.6 million to these scams in 2022, prompting law enforcement to recommend reverse image searches and caution against sending money to people met only online.
13abc.com
· 2025-12-08
A Fostoria, Ohio woman fell victim to a Facebook impersonation scam when hackers posed as her friend requesting her phone number under the pretense of account recovery, gaining access to her Facebook account and a linked debit card that resulted in unauthorized charges of $441 for an airline ticket to Australia and $113 to ARC. The same scammers subsequently used the same tactic to compromise accounts of her friends and family members across multiple states including Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Local authorities advise users to unlink payment methods from social media accounts and verify requests through independent contact methods before providing personal information.
wfmynews2.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Carolina Department of Transportation warned of a "smishing" scam in which fraudsters impersonate tolling agencies nationwide and send text messages to randomly selected phone numbers demanding payment for unpaid tolls. Victims should verify legitimacy by confirming NC Quick Pass never requests payment via text and that official links contain ncquickpass.com, and should report suspicious messages to the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Government impostor scams targeting Social Security impersonation caused victims to report nearly $617 million in theft in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Criminals use emotional manipulation—such as fear about suspended numbers or excitement about benefit increases—to bypass victims' logical thinking and extract money or sensitive information. Victims should hang up on unsolicited Social Security calls and verify contact by looking up official agency numbers at ssa.gov/locator, then report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
manoa.hawaii.edu
· 2025-12-08
The University of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety issued a warning about "financially motivated sextortion," a crime where online predators pose as someone else to coerce victims into creating sexually explicit images or videos, then demand payment or threaten to share the material with the victim's family and friends. Predators typically target victims through social media, dating apps, and gaming platforms by creating fake profiles or hacking legitimate accounts, and may demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Victims are urged to report incidents to law enforcement, block the predator, and avoid paying money, as cooperating with extortionists rarely stops the harassment.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This compilation covers six major elder fraud and scam cases: Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" used AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams causing $650 million in losses (2021), with recent cases totaling $25 million and a Salt Lake City jury indicting seven members for laundering $8 million; a Montreal woman lost $25,000 to a crypto scam featuring a fake Elon Musk deepfake; Greek police arrested nine individuals who defrauded victims of €305,789 through phone impersonation scams; a Myanmar trafficking operation forced victims into romance scams via torture and exploitation; and a UK survey found 22% of young adults
breitbart.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a warning about a "smishing" scam active since March 2024 that uses fake SMS text messages claiming recipients have unpaid toll fees, directing them to fraudulent websites to steal payment information or malware. Over 2,000 complaints were received across three states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, with scammers impersonating legitimate toll services and threatening late fees. Victims are advised to verify toll balances through official channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, delete fraudulent messages, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong has experienced a dramatic surge in investment scams, with online investment fraud cases rising 170% from 1,884 in 2022 to 5,105 in 2023, resulting in HK$3.2 billion in losses. Despite residents being generally knowledgeable about investing, they often forget safety advice as scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics. The Investor Financial Education Council is responding with new educational approaches, including immersive games at its learning center, to help the public better retain and apply smart investing principles.
thehindubusinessline.com
· 2025-12-08
Sterling Holidays and Resorts, a vacation ownership company with over 100,000 members in India, warned members of a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated company representatives and pressured members to sell their memberships at inflated prices. Members reported receiving calls with threats that their memberships would lapse, and became abusive when offers were refused; Sterling Holidays confirmed no data breach occurred and advised members to use only official contact channels and avoid sharing personal information over the phone.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong has experienced a sharp rise in investment scams, with police handling 5,105 online investment fraud cases in the last reported year (a 170% increase from 2022) resulting in HK$3.2 billion in losses. According to the Investor Financial Education Council chairman, while Hong Kong residents possess investment knowledge, they often forget safety advice, and scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. The council is implementing new educational strategies, including immersive games at learning centers, to better educate the public on smart investing and fraud prevention.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Online dating scams surge ahead of Valentine's Day, with dating apps experiencing a 2,087% increase in bot attacks between January 2023 and January 2024, according to Arkose Labs. Scammers use artificial intelligence and bots to create fake profiles and lure victims into romantic relationships before requesting money; in 2022, nearly 70,000 people reported romance scam losses totaling $1.3 billion, with people ages 51-60 most vulnerable. Warning signs include overly formal messages, inconsistent information, odd communication patterns, unrealistic profile photos, and direct money requests.
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
A recent study ranked Florida as the fourth most dangerous state for online dating, with the state ranking second for identity theft and fraud and seventh for romance scams. According to FBI data, nearly 1,500 Floridians lost over $53 million to romance scams, with 387 North Florida victims reporting losses exceeding $15 million. The FBI advises victims to report suspected scams immediately and lists warning signs including requests for money, avoidance of in-person meetings, elaborate sob stories, and pressure for secrecy.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
This article addresses two separate issues affecting young people: delays in the redesigned FAFSA form that are leaving high school students uncertain about financial aid packages before college decision deadlines, and job recruitment scams targeting college graduates. Career expert Francisco Tobon warns that identity thieves posing as recruiters are targeting job-seekers, advising students to be wary of red flags including upfront payment requests, poor grammar, offers after a single interview, and requests to move conversations off professional platforms like LinkedIn.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A widow named Laura Kowal lost $1.5 million in a romance scam before her death, revealing the scope of a growing epidemic that law enforcement has struggled to combat effectively. A CBS News investigation found that romance scammers are operating faster and more sophisticatedly than authorities can respond, with experts warning that cases like Kowal's represent a widespread threat to vulnerable populations seeking companionship online.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old former Army service member, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for running a romance scam in which he impersonated military officials, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One victim, a recently divorced woman, lost at least $100,000 to Frimpong's scheme using the alias "Tom Tanner." Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and disproportionately target older adults and vulnerable populations, sometimes depleting life savings, retirement funds, and inheritances.
beaconjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
An EF-1 tornado that struck Windham, Ohio on April 17 damaged 34 homes, destroying 5 and causing major or minor damage to the others. At a public meeting, officials warned residents to be aware of contractor scams targeting elderly residents and those with cash on hand, advising them not to pay contractors upfront and to verify their insurance coverage. Relief efforts included donations from local businesses and organizations, with volunteers and community support helping residents clear debris while insurance adjusters worked through backlog caused by 43 tornadoes across Ohio since January.
tulsaworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Arvest Bank offered financial literacy guidance to help people avoid fraud scams, emphasizing the importance of spotting potential fraud and managing money wisely. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people reported losing $10 billion to scams in 2023—$1 billion more than 2022—with a median loss of $300 per person, while Oklahoma residents reported $29.8 million in total fraud losses with a median loss of $430 per person. The article highlighted imposter scams as the top fraud category in 2023, accounting for $2.6 billion in losses, and recommended steps such as avoiding suspicious links, contacting official business numbers directly, and researching before
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Maui Police Department warned residents about a recurring scam in which callers using spoofed phone numbers impersonate police and claim victims have pending warrants, missed jury duty, or legal sanctions, then demand payment via gift cards or cash. Legitimate law enforcement never request payment, financial information, or gift cards over the phone to resolve legal matters. Residents are advised not to provide information to such callers, to verify organizations directly through official websites rather than provided contact information, and to report suspected scam calls to the FBI or Maui Police Department.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal, a widowed healthcare executive, lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scammer operating under the name "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through months of calls and emails before pressuring her into fraudulent investments and coercing her to help defraud other victims; she was found dead in the Mississippi River. The FBI and Justice Department reported over 64,000 American romance scam victims in 2023 (with experts believing the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting), with financial losses ballooning from $500 million in 2019 to $1.14 billion in
punekarnews.in
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old woman from Pune lost Rs 19 lakhs in April 2024 to cybercriminals posing as Mumbai police and FedEx, who claimed she was involved in drug trafficking to Iran. The scammers used a fake video call to show her fabricated evidence of illegal substances and threatened her with legal consequences, coercing her to transfer the money immediately. Police registered a case against the unidentified perpetrators under multiple sections including impersonation and cheating.
armaghi.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting vendors has circulated on community Facebook pages, impersonating legitimate craft market organizers and requesting PayPal payments to secure vendor stalls. One woman lost £40 after being pressured into sending money via the "family and friends" PayPal option for a fake market event at the Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre in Keady, Northern Ireland; when she requested a refund, the scammers demanded additional payment. Community group administrators have warned members that similar fraudulent events advertised for June 29-30 at St Andrew's Killyman Parish Hall are not genuine and urged users to report suspicious posts.
boredpanda.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines common online and phone scams while providing prevention advice from SafeWise safety expert Rebecca Edwards. Key recommendations include not answering unknown calls, changing passwords every six months, avoiding suspicious links and unreviewed websites, and recognizing common schemes like extended warranty calls, fake giveaways, and ticket scams. According to Gallup data, 8% of Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with Edwards attributing the rise in scams to increased internet reliance, weak law enforcement consequences, and online anonymity that embolden fraudsters.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
On April 16, Massachusetts' Attorney General issued an advisory notice clarifying that AI developers, suppliers, and users must comply with consumer protection laws (Chapter 93A) to avoid "unfair and deceptive" practices. The advisory identified specific violations including false advertising of AI quality, supplying defective systems, misrepresenting reliability or safety, breach of warranty, and using AI-generated deceptive content such as deepfakes or voice cloning for fraud. The guidance reinforces that consumers are protected against AI-related harms including bias, lack of transparency, and data privacy issues under existing Massachusetts and federal consumer protection statutes.