Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
10,275 results
in Robocalls / Phone Scams
thestandard.com.hk
· 2026-06-01
China's "beng laotou" scam targets middle-aged men through fake romantic relationships, where scammers—often posing as young women—build emotional connections online and then request frequent small payments for everyday expenses like milk tea or rent. Unlike traditional romance scams that involve large sums, this scheme relies on numerous low-value transfers across dozens or hundreds of victims simultaneously, exploiting loneliness and emotional needs in an increasingly digital society. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly request money, verify identities before sending payments, and recognize that genuine companions won't frequently ask for cash through messaging apps.
aol.com
· 2026-06-01
A 20-year-old named Marlon Ferro was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for his role in an international cryptocurrency theft ring that stole $263 million from victims over two years. The sophisticated crime operation used various tactics including phishing, hacking, impersonation, and burglary—with Ferro specializing in physically breaking into homes to steal hardware wallets containing cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, use strong security measures for crypto accounts, enable two-factor authentication, store assets in secure offline wallets, and be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities or calls from people claiming to be government officials.
aol.com
· 2026-06-01
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina has seen a surge in cryptocurrency and payment scams, with police investigating over 130 fraud cases this year resulting in more than $2.5 million in losses to residents. Scammers typically pose as law enforcement, claiming victims missed jury duty or court dates and demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or in-person courier pickup—methods chosen because funds are transferred instantly and irretrievably. Police advise residents to hang up and independently verify any such claims before responding, and to remember that legitimate agencies never request payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or courier services.
theguardian.com
· 2026-05-31
Scammers are sending fake antivirus renewal emails impersonating companies like McAfee, using urgent language, fake expiration warnings, and steep discounts to trick people into clicking malicious links and revealing financial information. The fraudulent emails are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI technology and often contain telltale signs like poor grammar, suspicious sender addresses, and pressure to act immediately. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited renewal emails, verify directly with the company's official website rather than clicking email links, and never call phone numbers provided in emails or texts.
pcmag.com
· 2026-05-31
Scammers are targeting World Cup 2026 fans with various schemes including fake tickets, counterfeit merchandise, phishing websites impersonating FIFA, and fraudulent cryptocurrency investments designed to steal financial data and money. The scams are spreading through fake apps, websites, social media ads, and phishing messages via email and text, with criminals using AI tools to create convincing fake marketing materials. To stay safe, fans should verify the legitimacy of websites and apps before entering any personal or financial information, purchase tickets only through official channels, and be cautious of unsolicited ads and messages related to the World Cup.
incrypted.com
· 2026-05-31
The FBI announced a record $8 billion cryptocurrency seizure during Operation Blackout, an international crackdown that arrested approximately 300 suspects involved in investment scams, romance scams, and extortion targeting American citizens, while also rescuing about 2,000 human trafficking victims. The operation, which targeted criminal networks allegedly connected to Cambodia-based Prince Holding Group and a Myanmar-based militant organization, involved cooperation with Starlink to suspend over 7,000 terminals used for fraudulent communications. To protect yourself, remain vigilant against unsolicited investment opportunities and romance overtures online, verify the legitimacy of any cryptocurrency investment platforms before sending money, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
noticias.foxnews.com
· 2026-05-31
Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, with victims averaging losses of nearly $38,500—almost double younger victims' losses—making seniors the most defrauded age group according to FBI data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they typically have multiple financial and government accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that scammers can exploit, and new threats like AI voice cloning now allow fraudsters to impersonate loved ones convincingly. To protect aging parents, adult children should help them implement credit freezes, secure their sensitive personal information (like Social Security numbers and birthdates) used for account verification, and remain vigilant about phone calls from grandchildren or others requesting money, especially when voice authenticity seems uncertain.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-31
Seniors are losing a record $7.7 billion annually to financial scams that typically begin with unsolicited phone calls or text messages creating false urgency. Common scams include fake bank fraud alerts asking victims to verify account information, Medicare renewal schemes requesting personal details, and other schemes exploiting seniors' retirement savings and established credit. To protect yourself, never respond to unsolicited messages asking for passwords or personal information, remember that legitimate banks and Medicare won't request sensitive data unexpectedly, and verify any suspicious communications by calling your institution directly using a number from their official website.
thetelegraph.com
· 2026-05-31
Illinois is implementing Senate Bill 3071 to protect seniors from financial fraud and abuse by creating an online reporting portal through the Department on Aging and making financial institution employees mandatory reporters of suspected fraud or exploitation. The legislation addresses a critical gap where bank employees could observe suspicious transactions but had no way to ensure a client's safety or report concerns to authorities. Seniors are advised to be cautious with trusted individuals like caretakers who may commit financial abuse, and to work with their banks—which now have tools to flag and investigate suspicious activity alongside law enforcement.
radaronline.com
· 2026-05-31
Celebrities are frequent targets of fraud and scams, just like the general public. High-profile cases include Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber facing a $100,000 extortion attempt involving a fake photo of their daughter, TV host Andy Cohen unknowingly giving scammers access to his bank accounts after a fake fraud alert call, singer Jewel allegedly being embezzled of over $100 million by her own mother and former manager, and actress Anne Hathaway's ex-boyfriend defrauding investors of $6 million while posing as a Vatican official. To protect yourself, never give account access to unsolicited callers claiming to be from your bank—instead hang up and call your bank directly, carefully vet people handling your finances, and be cautious about sharing personal information or photos that could be used for extortion.
theintelligencer.com
· 2026-05-31
Illinois is implementing new protections for seniors vulnerable to financial fraud and abuse through Senate Bill 3071, which allows bank employees to report suspected fraudulent transactions and abuse to the state Department on Aging. The legislation creates an online reporting portal and makes financial institution employees "mandated reporters," enabling them to flag suspicious activity and trigger investigations by local law enforcement to ensure client safety. Seniors should remain vigilant about monitoring their accounts for unusual transactions and consider trusted family members or caregivers who may have access to their finances, while banks are now required to serve as additional safeguards against both virtual scams and abuse by people in positions of trust.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams manipulate emotionally vulnerable people—such as those who are widowed, divorced, or lonely—by creating fake online relationships through dating apps and social media, with scammers using stolen photos and practiced backstories to build trust over weeks or months. When victims eventually send money to their "partners" (often for supposed emergencies or travel), banks struggle to intervene because customers are emotionally invested and may view warnings as intrusive skepticism. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that progress quickly, avoid meeting in person, and be especially wary if someone asks for money or financial assistance.
en.ilsole24ore.com
· 2026-05-30
Scammers are increasingly exploiting technology and artificial intelligence to commit fraud at scale, with common schemes including deepfake videos for financial fraud, romance scams on social media where victims are manipulated into sharing compromising photos and then blackmailed (sextortion), and company email compromises. According to a UN report on global organized crime, these operations are often run from "scam factories" in areas with weak law enforcement, particularly in Southeast Asia, where thousands of operators work simultaneously—sometimes as trafficking victims forced to participate. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic advances from unknown people online, verify requests for money or sensitive information through independent channels, never share compromising images, and remain skeptical of requests involving cryptocurrency or gift transfers.
256today.com
· 2026-05-30
Deepfake technology is enabling sophisticated scams where fraudsters create convincing fake videos and voice clones to impersonate trusted figures like CEOs or family members, requesting money or sensitive data—with losses already in the billions and projected to reach $40 billion by 2027. Anyone can be targeted, as scammers need only seconds of audio or video from social media to create convincing impersonations. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like artificial urgency, demands for secrecy, requests to switch to encrypted messaging apps, and unnatural audio or video quality, and remember that legitimate organizations don't typically demand immediate action without verification.
timesnownews.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams, where fraudsters pose as attractive strangers online and build emotional relationships to extract money, cost Japan ¥324.11 billion in 2025 alone, with romance scams accounting for ¥55.22 billion across thousands of cases. The scam typically begins with a wrong-number message that evolves into an attentive, patient relationship over weeks, after which the victim is manipulated into sending large sums of money; this pattern is now rapidly spreading to Indian cities like Pune, Lucknow, and Surat. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited messages from strangers, verify identities through video calls or in-person meetings before trusting someone, and never send money to people you haven't met in person.
cnn.com
· 2026-05-30
Voice cloning scams using AI technology are rapidly increasing, with scammers using just a few seconds of audio from social media or previous calls to create convincing replicas of family members' voices and demand money by claiming loved ones are in distress or kidnapped. Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year, and experts say the technology has become so realistic that average people can no longer reliably distinguish fake voices from real ones. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent calls requesting money from family members, verify requests through a separate communication channel (like calling the person directly), and be cautious about what audio and personal information you share on social media.
edition.cnn.com
· 2026-05-30
Voice cloning scams using artificial intelligence are rapidly increasing, with fraudsters using just seconds of someone's audio to create realistic voice replicas that impersonate family members, friends, or colleagues in fake emergencies to extort money. Americans lost over $893 million to AI-related scams last year, and experts say the technology has become so convincing that average people can no longer reliably distinguish AI-generated voices from real ones. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected urgent calls requesting money, independently verify claims by contacting loved ones through known phone numbers or in person, and be cautious about sharing audio or personal information on social media that scammers could exploit.
police.boston.gov
· 2026-05-30
Boston Police District B-2 officers partnered with the City's Age Strong Commission to educate seniors about common fraud and scams through mail, email, phone calls, and in-person interactions. The presentation taught attendees how to recognize warning signs, protect their personal information, and identify potential fraud attempts. Seniors should remain vigilant about unsolicited communications, verify requests for personal information through official channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-30
The FBI seized a record $8 billion in cryptocurrency and arrested hundreds of suspects during "Operation Blackout," a major crackdown on international scam compounds and organized crime groups that targeted Americans with online fraud schemes. The operation, which included the arrest of Cambodian Prince Holding Group CEO Chen Zhi, dismantled criminal enterprises across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East that stole millions from U.S. victims and trafficked workers. To protect yourself, remain vigilant about unsolicited online offers, verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities and contacts before sending money, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-05-30
A North Carolina man was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal information of more than 7 million elderly Americans to Jamaican scammers between 2016 and 2023, earning over $5.2 million while victims lost at least $9.5 million to lottery fraud schemes. Elderly Americans aged 60 and older are increasingly targeted by scammers, with over 200,000 fraud complaints filed in 2025 alone—a 37% increase from the previous year. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, never share personal information with unknown callers, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
the420.in
· 2026-05-30
Troy Murray, a North Carolina man, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal data of more than 7 million elderly Americans to scammers between 2016 and 2023, resulting in over $9.5 million in victim losses from lottery fraud schemes. Murray sold detailed lead lists containing names, phone numbers, and addresses to scammers primarily in Jamaica, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually until wire services blocked him and he switched to accepting prepaid gift cards. Elderly Americans should be cautious of unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, verify any winnings through official channels before sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls or messages to authorities.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-30
Washington state residents lost over $18 million to imposter scams in 2025, with scammers frequently posing as government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration to trick victims into giving up money and personal information. People over 60 have been hit particularly hard, with fraud losses in that age group increasing 400% since 2020, while scams targeting family and friends have tripled from 2024 to 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from government agencies or businesses you know, verify caller identity through official channels before sharing information, and never click links or download files from suspicious sources.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-29
A Georgia woman and an Illinois man have been convicted in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded a Bradenton senior of $1.4 million; the scammers impersonated law enforcement and convinced the victim to convert his savings into gold bars, which he then handed over to accomplices at predetermined locations. Syed M. Makki was sentenced to over 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.75 million in restitution, while the conspiracy targeted multiple victims between 2023 and early 2024 using phone calls and impersonation of government officials and law enforcement. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming you have legal problems or warrants—legitimate law enforcement will not demand payment in gold or other goods, and you should independently verify any such claims by contacting official agencies directly.
dutchessny.gov
· 2026-05-29
Dutchess County is offering free workshops in June to teach seniors and caregivers about SilverShield, an AI-powered tool designed to help older adults identify and respond to increasingly sophisticated scams in real time. Scammers are using technology to make their schemes feel personal and urgent, leaving victims feeling shaken or embarrassed, which is why county officials are providing this resource to help seniors stay safe and confident. Interested residents can register for workshops at multiple locations throughout the county by contacting their local senior centers or the Office for the Aging.
livenowfox.com
· 2026-05-28
The FBI is warning about a phishing scam called Kali365 that tricks people into entering device codes on fake Microsoft verification pages, allowing hackers to steal login tokens and gain persistent access to Microsoft 365 accounts—including email, Teams, and OneDrive—while bypassing multi-factor authentication protections. The scam affects anyone using Microsoft 365 and is particularly dangerous because it's being offered as a subscription service to criminals, complete with AI-generated phishing emails and attack templates that make it easy for less-skilled attackers to launch attacks. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected emails asking you to verify your identity or enter device codes, and organizations should consider disabling or restricting device authentication codes as a security measure.
abc.net.au
· 2026-05-28
The Australian federal government is proposing a new Scam Protection Framework that would automatically reimburse scam victims up to $3,000 through their banks, targeting fraud losses that affect everyday consumers. Banks, telecommunications companies, and digital platforms will be required to implement stronger fraud prevention systems by March 2025 and bear the costs of reimbursing most scam victims under the new framework. The government is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal to strengthen protections across the financial ecosystem and hold major institutions accountable for preventing scams.
wgal.com
· 2026-05-28
A Pennsylvania woman lost $5,400 after scammers used artificial intelligence to mimic her daughter's voice in a fake kidnapping call, instructing her to wire money to Mexico. AI voice cloning technology has become sophisticated enough that criminals can create convincing deepfakes from just seconds of audio or video, exploiting people's emotional panic to bypass their judgment. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying any urgent requests for money by contacting the person directly through known phone numbers or in person, and questioning the authenticity of unexpected calls—especially those creating fear or time pressure.
ocnjsentinel.com
· 2026-05-28
Elder financial fraud is rapidly increasing, with criminals specifically targeting people over 65 who have money, according to an FBI presentation in New Jersey. Common scams exploit this vulnerable population, but authorities stress that victims should report suspicious activity to police without shame, as community awareness and vigilance are key to prevention. If something feels amiss—unusual calls, requests for money, or suspicious transactions—residents should contact their local police department immediately rather than keeping it private.
thenews.com.pk
· 2026-05-28
Investment fraud has surged 87% over two years, with losses nearly doubling from $4.6 billion to $8.6 billion, making it the most lucrative crime for hackers according to the FBI's latest report. Seniors over 60 are particularly vulnerable, losing over $3.5 billion to investment scams last year, though younger investors are increasingly targeted as criminals refine their tactics using AI-generated impersonations and deepfakes. To protect yourself, verify any unsolicited investment opportunities through official regulatory channels, consult a licensed financial advisor before investing, and be wary of promises of unrealistic returns or pressure to act quickly.
patch.com
· 2026-05-28
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran lost $1.4 million in a gold bar scam where fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials, convincing him he was assisting with an investigation while pressuring him to convert his life savings into gold bars and hand them over at predetermined locations. The scam has been linked to a nationwide conspiracy involving multiple victims across several states, with one perpetrator sentenced to over 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.75 million in restitution. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited visits or calls from people claiming to be government agents, especially those requesting immediate financial transactions or unusual forms of payment like gold bars.
klin.com
· 2026-05-28
A 77-year-old Lincoln man lost $1.4 million in a cryptocurrency investment scam, part of a surge that has affected 37 residents in the area with total losses exceeding $2.7 million. Lincoln Police are warning residents to be skeptical of promises for quick investment returns and to verify suspicious opportunities before sending money. Anyone who suspects they've been scammed should contact local police immediately and discuss potential investment opportunities with family members first.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-27
Brett Blackman, founder of HealthSplash, was convicted of orchestrating a $1 billion Medicare fraud scheme that operated from 2015 to 2020 across Florida, Kansas, and Arizona by billing Medicare for unnecessary medical equipment that vulnerable elderly and sick patients were coerced into purchasing. His co-conspirator Gary Cox received a 15-year sentence, while Blackman faces up to 30 years in prison for his role in what prosecutors called "cold, calculated, industrial-scale theft." To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited offers for medical equipment, verify that any recommended medical devices are actually prescribed by your doctor, and report suspicious billing or pressure from medical companies to your insurance provider or local authorities.
multco.us
· 2026-05-27
Multnomah County is hosting a free document shredding event on May 30, 2026, to help protect community members—especially seniors and Medicare beneficiaries—from identity theft and fraud, which costs Medicare an estimated $60 billion annually and is the most common form of elder abuse. The event, held in partnership with the Senior Medicare Patrol during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, allows residents to safely destroy sensitive documents that could be used for fraudulent purposes. To protect yourself, securely dispose of personal documents containing financial or health information, and learn more about Medicare fraud prevention resources in your community.
aol.com
· 2026-05-27
A Bay Area mother lost thousands of dollars after scammers used AI technology to mimic her daughter's voice in a fake kidnapping scheme, convincing her to wire $5,400 to Mexico before she discovered the hoax. The scammers obtained the voice sample from available audio and used it to create a convincing panic call claiming her daughter had been kidnapped by a drug cartel. To protect yourself, experts advise being cautious of urgent calls demanding immediate payment, independently verifying claims by calling family members directly, and being aware that criminals are increasingly using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate loved ones.
abcnews.com
· 2026-05-27
A San Francisco woman lost $5,400 after receiving a phone call from a scammer who used AI technology to mimic her daughter's voice and claim she had been kidnapped. The scammer convinced her to wire money to Mexico before she discovered her daughter was actually safe at work. Experts warn that voice-cloning AI makes these scams increasingly easy to execute, and advise people to be skeptical of urgent requests for money or personal information, especially those involving threats to loved ones.
wrtv.com
· 2026-05-27
The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about a phishing scam disguised as party invitations sent via text or email, which trick people into entering their email login credentials or personal information by posing as legitimate invitation platforms like Evite or Paperless Post. Scammers use this stolen information to take over email accounts and spread the same fraudulent invitations to the victim's contacts. To protect yourself, avoid clicking on unexpected party invitations and instead verify directly with the host; if you receive a suspicious invitation, report it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group or the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-05-27
A California mother lost approximately $5,400 in an AI-powered virtual kidnapping scam where criminals used a cloned voice of her daughter and emotional manipulation to convince her the girl had been abducted, keeping her on the phone for nearly five hours before she discovered her daughter was actually safe at work. The FBI warns that these scams are increasing, with criminals using voice cloning, spoofed phone numbers, and high-pressure tactics to extort families into sending money. If you receive an urgent call about a family member in danger, hang up and contact that person directly using a known phone number rather than one provided by the caller.
amac.us
· 2026-05-26
American consumers lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with older adults particularly targeted because they often have savings and may be less familiar with modern technology. Scammers use unsolicited contact via phone, email, or social media to create false urgency and manipulate people into sending money or revealing personal information. To protect yourself, treat unexpected outreach with caution, verify callers' identities before sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC or other authorities to help stop fraudsters and protect others.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are systematically targeting veterans by mining military records, VA databases, and public data sources to build detailed fraud profiles for identity theft and financial crimes. Veterans are particularly vulnerable because much of their sensitive information—including Social Security numbers, discharge papers, and service details—is scattered across semi-public federal databases and sold by data brokers. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information, monitor your credit reports regularly, verify requests from VA or military-related organizations directly, and consider a credit freeze if you believe your information has been compromised.
sundayguardianlive.com
· 2026-05-26
Katie Price's missing husband Lee Andrews allegedly had three hidden mobile phones before his disappearance, claiming to Price that police had seized two but he retained a third—a revelation that has sparked online suspicion about his true intentions and whether the rapidly-escalated relationship (they married just days after meeting) may have involved deceptive behavior. Experts note that quick emotional escalation combined with long-distance communication, as in their case, mirrors patterns commonly seen in romance scams, with UK fraud prevention studies showing 40% of romance scam victims experienced unusually rapid relationship progression. People should be cautious of relationships that move extremely fast, especially involving partners with secretive behavior or those who keep significant distance while building emotional bonds.
kiro7.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are increasingly difficult to detect online because they're using advanced technologies like AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to create convincing deceptions that bypass traditional warning signs. In 2025 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received over one million reports of imposter scams, with reported losses reaching $3.5 billion—a 20% increase. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited demands for money, verify requests through official channels before sharing sensitive information, and be cautious of investment opportunities promising high returns with little risk.
nigeriannewsdirect.com
· 2026-05-26
British and Nigerian authorities arrested 31 suspected cybercriminals in a coordinated operation targeting organized fraud networks that operated through messaging groups to conduct romance scams, impersonation schemes, and money laundering across both countries. Victims—including British residents who lost significant sums like £80,000—were psychologically manipulated and emotionally exploited by criminals operating sophisticated, transnational criminal enterprises rather than individual scammers. People should be cautious of online romantic relationships that move quickly, avoid sending money to people they've only met online, and report suspicious activity to local authorities and banking institutions.
abc7news.com
· 2026-05-25
A Bay Area mother lost thousands of dollars after scammers used AI technology to mimic her daughter's voice in a fake kidnapping scheme, convincing her the daughter had been taken by a drug cartel and pressuring her to wire $5,400 to Mexico before she discovered the scam. Authorities say this type of AI-based voice cloning fraud is growing, with scammers extracting audio from social media or phone calls to create convincing imitations. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent calls claiming a loved one is in danger, verify by contacting the person directly through a known number, and never wire money based solely on a voice call—no matter how convincing it sounds.
odunews.com
· 2026-05-25
Thai police arrested six Nigerian nationals operating an AI-powered romance scam targeting older Thai women from a luxury Bangkok condominium, discovered after a drug trafficking investigation revealed their broader fraud operation. The scammers used fake profiles with AI-generated faces, posed as pilots and military officers, and manipulated victims into transferring money by claiming customs fees for fake packages, with police finding scripts designed to lower victims' defenses. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly to requests for money, verify the identity of people you meet online through independent means, and never send money to strangers claiming to have packages stuck in customs or similar emergencies.
bangkokpost.com
· 2026-05-24
Six Nigerian nationals connected to a cocaine trafficking network were arrested in Nonthaburi, Thailand, where police discovered they were also running a romance scam targeting older Thai women using AI-generated fake profiles of wealthy foreigners posing as pilots, soldiers, and doctors. The scammers would create fake relationships, claim to send gifts that were supposedly held in customs, and then request money for alleged customs fees. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online relationships with wealthy foreigners, verify identities through video calls with people you know in common, and never send money to strangers claiming to need customs fees or similar urgent payments.
newsnationnow.com
· 2026-05-24
An elderly couple in Riverside County, California, was targeted by a scammer posing as actor Tom Selleck on Facebook, who convinced them to send thousands of dollars over several months despite warnings from friends and family. The couple, Donald and Karen Whitaker (both in their late 70s/early 80s), were later found dead in what investigators believe was a murder-suicide, though the exact circumstances remain under investigation. To protect yourself: be suspicious of unsolicited messages from celebrities or strangers online, verify identities through official channels before sending money, and report suspected scams to authorities and adult protective services if they involve vulnerable individuals.
huffpost.com
· 2026-05-24
A "Can you hear me?" phone scam has been rapidly spreading since March 2024, where callers ask this question to get you to say "yes"—recording your response to potentially authorize unauthorized charges on your accounts or to identify you as an active target for future scams. The scam typically involves strangers posing as government officials or bank representatives, though they often hang up quickly after confirming someone is listening. To protect yourself, hang up on any unsolicited calls starting with this question, avoid saying "yes" to unknown callers, and monitor your phone and bank bills for unauthorized charges.
wgal.com
· 2026-05-24
Scammers are tampering with gift card barcodes and PINs on store display racks to steal funds after cards are activated and purchased. They use scanners to capture card information, monitor balances, and either intercept funds or place fake stickers over real barcodes to redirect money to themselves. To protect yourself, inspect gift card barcodes before purchasing—avoid cards with removed coverings, scratched-off PINs, or suspicious stickers—and report any damage to store management immediately.
the-independent.com
· 2026-05-24
An elderly California couple was found dead in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide, but prior to their deaths, the wife had been targeted by a scammer posing as actor Tom Selleck on Facebook who convinced her to send money via gift cards over the course of about a year. While investigators confirmed financial elder abuse occurred, they stressed there is no evidence the scammer was directly involved in the couple's deaths. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact from celebrities on social media, never share personal information or send money via gift cards to unverified contacts, and report suspicious activity to authorities or the FTC.