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timesrepublican.com
· 2026-03-01
As Chief of Police, our agency remains vigilant in providing information to our community members when we observe increasing crime trends. We look to track these occurrences not only to ensure we have...
ktar.com
· 2026-03-01
DATA DOCTORS
Feb 28, 2026, 5:00 AM | Updated: 11:36 am
BY DATA DOCTORS
KTAR.com
Q: What are the latest tax scams to watch out for?
A: Tax scams aren’t new — but the technology behind them has cha...
kucoin.com
· 2026-03-01
HF 3642 proposes a Minnesota-wide prohibition on cryptocurrency self-service terminals, often marketed as Bitcoin ATMs, by barring the installation and operation of physical kiosks that convert cash i...
nytimes.com
· 2026-02-28
The New York Times reports on how banks and investment firms are emerging as the first line of defense against elder fraud. The article profiles cases where bank employees trained through AARP's BankSafe program intervened to stop seniors from withdrawing life savings under scammer instruction. With Americans 60 and older losing more than $28 billion annually to financial exploitation, financial institutions are implementing new protocols to detect and prevent fraud targeting older customers.
cryptorank.io
· 2026-02-28
Share:
BitcoinWorld
Cryptocurrency Kiosks Face Devastating Ban in Minnesota as Elder Fraud Cases Surge to $540,000
ST. PAUL, Minnesota — February 2025 — Minnesota legislators have initiated a groun...
abc.net.au
· 2026-02-28
Topic:Indigenous Australians
Financial abuse can include being coerced to hand over cash to loved ones. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft)
There are concerns the extent of the financial abuse of First Nation...
yellow.com
· 2026-02-28
The U.S. Justice Department's Scam Center Strike Force froze and seized more than $578 million in cryptocurrency over its first three months of operation, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced ...
rstreet.org
· 2026-02-27
On a normal summer day in June, Manny Guerrero, a soft-spoken Vietnam War veteran living in Las Vegas, picked up the phone and was told he had beaten the odds and won. The voice on the other end claim...
va.gov
· 2026-02-27
By Melanie Nelson, Public Affairs Officer
February 26, 2026
In today’s digital world, you are more likely to have your identity stolen than your car stolen or your home burglarized.
As a Veteran, y...
wlwt.com
· 2026-02-27
Sheriff's offices in Warren and Butler counties are warning residents about a rise in imposter scams involving callers posing as officials and demanding payment.
A lieutenant with the Warren County S...
independent.com
· 2026-02-27
Two 21-year-old suspects were arrested Tuesday after sheriff’s deputies intervened in what authorities described as an attempted scam targeting an elderly Santa Barbara resident for tens of thousands ...
patch.com
· 2026-02-27
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Middletown Township Police Department is reporting a concerning trend in elder fraud cases within the community.
Recently, there have been numerous instances where perpe...
livebitcoinnews.com
· 2026-02-27
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US agents seize $61M USDT tied to crypto romance scam, highlighting enforcement efforts, asset forfeiture actions, and blockchain tracking success.
US federal agents seized more than $61M worth of...
trmlabs.com
· 2026-02-26
Romance and “investment” scams are not random. They are engineered — built on trust, pressure, and highly scripted manipulation. And while crypto is often the payment rail, the underlying crime is fam...
enews.wvu.edu
· 2026-02-26
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Tax season is here, and so is a surge in phishing attacks, fake IRS messages and tax-related identity theft attempts.
Whether you file on your own or work with a tax pro...
ncsl.org
· 2026-02-26
A retailer’s gift card display includes a sign warning consumers about fraud. (Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images)
Gift card scams and fraud are on the rise.
The Federal Trade Commission received more than...
hawaiipublicradio.org
· 2026-02-26
Maui residents gathered on Tuesday morning to discuss why cases of fraud are up in Hawaiʻi and what can be done about it.
They spoke with Doug Shadel, a fraud expert who spent years in law enforcemen...
cbsnews.com
· 2026-02-26
As taxpayers start gathering forms for the 2026 filing season, financial experts warn that scammers are getting more aggressive — and faster — at stealing refunds before people even file.
In the late...
techflowpost.com
· 2026-02-26
In fraud parks, a single ChatGPT account handles over half of the work.
Author: Kuli, TechFlow
OpenAI recently released a report detailing how individuals have misused ChatGPT for malicious purposes...
dailyrecord.co.uk
· 2026-02-26
Angela Scanlon and Ben Shepherd on This Morning(Image: ITV)
A woman, who asked not to be named, featured on Tuesday's This Morning to reveal how she fell victim to a con artist she'd fallen for and i...
straitstimes.com
· 2026-02-26
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The amount lost to scammers also dipped from the record high of $1.1 billion in 2024 to $913.1 million in 2025, the police said on Feb 25.
S...
channelnewsasia.com
· 2026-02-26
Singapore
Government officials impersonation scam cases jumped 123.6 per cent last year, however.
There were 37,308 scam cases in 2025, a 27.6 per cent drop from the 51,501 cases recorded in 2024. (...
asiaone.com
· 2026-02-26
In 2022, Nurul Shifa found a focus group discussion on Telegram that promised rewards for simply sharing her thoughts.
However, she soon found herself embroiled in an investment scam that saw her nea...
usatoday.com
· 2026-02-25
# Romance Scams Summary
Romance scams are surging, with victims losing thousands to thousands of dollars to scammers who pose as love interests or impersonate celebrities on dating apps and social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram. Victims—ranging from individuals to vulnerable populations like the elderly and those dealing with mental health issues—are being manipulated into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, and cash, with some losing entire retirement savings or monthly mortgage payments. To stay safe, be cautious of online romantic connections who quickly ask for money, verify the identity of anyone claiming to be a celebrity, and never send gift cards or wire money to someone you haven't met in person.
bpi.com
· 2026-02-25
American households lost an estimated $12.5 billion to scams in 2024—a 25% increase from the previous year—with sophisticated technology-driven fraud becoming increasingly common, particularly through phones and apps. Most Americans now receive scam calls or texts weekly, often using AI deepfakes and voice cloning that make fraudulent communications difficult to distinguish from legitimate ones, with many scams originating from organized international crime groups. To protect themselves, consumers should be suspicious of unsolicited calls and texts (especially from unknown numbers or international sources), verify requests independently through official channels, and report suspected scams to the FCC, while regulators need to mandate call authentication standards and deploy better anti-spoofing filters.
ksl.com
· 2026-02-25
Online scams and identity theft are widespread problems affecting 73% of U.S. adults, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics like AI-generated phishing emails and cloned voices to trick victims. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying website security by checking that URLs begin with "https://" rather than "http://," adjusting browser settings to only allow secure connections, and carefully checking website spellings and domain extensions before sharing personal information. Taking these preventive steps can significantly reduce your risk of becoming a scam victim.
foxnews.com
· 2026-02-25
Scammers are sending fraudulent emails impersonating Apple, claiming that an unauthorized PayPal charge of nearly $3,000 has been made on your account and urging you to call a support number immediately. The scam targets Apple users by using official Apple branding and urgent language to trigger panic, but can be identified by red flags like the email being sent to a generic recipient address rather than your actual Apple ID email. To stay safe, slow down and carefully examine suspicious emails before clicking links or calling numbers, and remember that legitimate Apple security emails are sent directly to your registered Apple ID address.
wdtn.com
· 2026-02-25
# Fraud Scheme Summary
A 41-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for his role as a courier in a fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of over $500,000. Victims, predominantly seniors aged 65 and older, were targeted through text messages impersonating customer service representatives or government officials who falsely claimed their bank accounts were compromised and warned of arrest warrants or asset seizure to pressure them into withdrawing large amounts of cash or buying gold bars. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact from supposed officials, never withdraw large sums of money based on phone or text claims, verify requests directly with your bank or government agency through official channels, and report suspicious communications to authorities immediately.
yellowhammernews.com
· 2026-02-25
Cybercriminals are increasingly using two sophisticated scams—the "Evolving Trusted Partner Scam" and the "Spoofed Website Scam"—that exploit trust and human error by impersonating legitimate businesses, government agencies, or vendors through phone, email, or text. These "industrialized" fraud schemes affect both businesses and everyday consumers, with fraudsters combining social engineering and digital deception to lower people's guard and steal money or sensitive information. To protect yourself, experts recommend staying alert, asking clarifying questions when contacted about urgent matters, and verifying requests through official channels before taking action—advice that applies whether you're managing company finances or your personal accounts.
amac.us
· 2026-02-25
Americans lost over $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with nearly $3 billion from government imposter scams where criminals pose as Social Security Administration officials to steal money or personal information. Seniors are deliberately targeted through threats of arrest or promises of benefit increases, with scammers demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. The key protection: legitimate government employees will never threaten you or demand immediate payment, so anyone receiving such communications should hang up, ignore it, and report it at ssa.gov/scam.
washingtonpost.com
· 2026-02-25
Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary reports on the surge in AI-powered tax scams during filing season. Criminals now use generative AI to create convincing deepfake voices that impersonate IRS agents, threatening arrest over unpaid taxes. The FTC has warned of a 'big wave' of phone scams using official-sounding agency names. Consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with impostor fraud the second-highest category at $2.95 billion.
today.com
· 2026-02-24
# Spring Travel Scam Summary
During peak spring travel season, scammers target rushed travelers booking flights and hotels, with the FTC reporting over 58,000 travel fraud cases in 2024 totaling $274 million—averaging nearly $1,000 in losses per victim. Airlines expect to carry 170 million passengers in March and April alone, creating ideal conditions for fraudsters who exploit travelers' distraction and quick decision-making on mobile devices. To protect yourself, security experts advise carefully evaluating each booking, using secure payment methods, monitoring your accounts during and after travel, and staying alert rather than rushing through travel arrangements.
abc7chicago.com
· 2026-02-24
During tax season, the Better Business Bureau is warning about a surge in scams targeting taxpayers through IRS imposter calls and texts, phishing emails, and dishonest "ghost" tax preparers seeking to steal money and personal information. To protect yourself, remember that the IRS never threatens arrest or requests gift cards and wire transfers, so hang up on suspicious calls and don't click links in unsolicited texts or emails. File your taxes early, verify tax preparers through official IRS and BBB websites, and remember that legitimate IRS contact comes by mail.
2news.com
· 2026-02-24
# Tax Scam Alert
As the 2026 tax filing season begins, authorities warn that scammers are increasingly impersonating the IRS and tax preparers through phone calls, emails, texts, and fake websites to steal personal and financial information, with common tactics including phishing links, false refund promises, and threats of legal action. The scams disproportionately target people unfamiliar with IRS procedures, and the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media or demands immediate payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, file your taxes early, verify information directly through irs.gov, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and remember that legitimate IRS contact begins with a letter in the mail.
aol.com
· 2026-02-24
A major fraud ring operating in Texas stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them with arrest to coerce them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The scheme is part of a growing crisis of elder fraud, with Americans over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports and losing nearly $2.4 billion to scams in 2024 alone. To protect yourself and elderly relatives, remain skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages from officials making threats, remember that legitimate authorities won't demand payment by gift card or wire transfer, and verify any official claims by contacting the agency directly using a number from their official website.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2026-02-24
Two men have been sentenced to nearly four years in prison in Marin County for posing as licensed roofing contractors and defrauding elderly homeowners out of over $340,000 in 2024. The scammers, who targeted seniors ages 78-85, used fake business cards, invoices, and websites to convince victims to sign contracts and pay large down payments for roof repairs that were never completed. To protect yourself, authorities recommend verifying any contractor's license through California's Department of Consumer Affairs website before agreeing to any work or making payments.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-24
# Fraud Summary
A Texas crime ring stole at least $55 million from elderly victims by impersonating federal agents and threatening them into surrendering gold, cash, and cryptocurrency. The FTC reports that fraud targeting seniors has surged, with people over 60 accounting for 36% of all fraud reports in 2024 and losing approximately $2.4 billion to scams. To protect yourself and older relatives, be wary of unsolicited calls or messages from people claiming to be government officials, especially those creating urgency or threatening arrest—legitimate authorities will never demand immediate payment or asset transfers over the phone.
indiatoday.in
· 2026-02-24
A 23-year-old Indian national, Atharva Shailesh Sathawane, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in January 2025 for his role in wire fraud and money laundering schemes targeting senior citizens in the United States. The case has recently resurfaced on social media, where MAGA-aligned commentators have used it to push anti-immigrant rhetoric and criticize Biden-era immigration policies, claiming it demonstrates systematic fraud by foreign nationals. To protect yourself, seniors should be cautious about unsolicited calls or requests for personal information, verify caller identity independently, and report suspicious activity to authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
tradingview.com
· 2026-02-23
# Pig-Butchering Crypto Scams Summary
Pig-butchering scams are a growing threat in the cryptocurrency world where fraudsters build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims over weeks or months before pressuring them to invest in fake crypto platforms, with reported losses reaching $370.3 million in January 2026 alone. Unlike quick phishing attacks, these scams use psychological manipulation—showing fake profits, requesting escalating deposits, and then blocking withdrawals—to exploit emotional trust and extract large sums of money. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment advice from people you've only met online, never share crypto wallet details with new contacts, and verify investment platforms through official regulatory databases before depositing any money.
dailymail.co.uk
· 2026-02-23
A 34-year-old man named Adam Mowle defrauded a victim of over £9,000 by posing as a woman named "Jenna Smith" on a dating app, claiming to need money due to illness and financial hardship. The victim, devastated by the scam, subsequently lost an additional £93,000 through desperate gambling attempts to recover his money, while Mowle spent the stolen funds on his horse and living expenses. To protect yourself from romance scams, be wary of requests for money from online dating matches, especially early in a relationship, verify identities through video calls, and never send cash to someone you haven't met in person.
sanmarcosrecord.com
· 2026-02-23
Financial advisor Jason Fischer warned that one in ten older adults fall victim to scams—particularly romance, collections, sweepstakes, imposter, and grandparent scams—often perpetrated by people the victims trust, though many cases go unreported due to embarrassment. Common red flags include unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS or utilities threatening immediate action, requests for money from supposed romantic partners built on trust over time, and prizes offered for contests the victim never entered. To protect yourself, Fischer emphasized that legitimate organizations like the IRS never call to demand immediate payment, and you should be skeptical of any request for money from unfamiliar contacts, even if they seem trustworthy.
newsweek.com
· 2026-02-23
The U.S. Treasury Department recently sanctioned a timeshare fraud network allegedly run by Mexico's CJNG cartel, which has been systematically defrauding American retirees through high-pressure call centers that drain their savings. The cartel, led by "El Mencho" who was recently killed by Mexican forces, has diversified beyond drug trafficking into various scams targeting Americans, including elder fraud and cryptocurrency schemes. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited calls about timeshare properties and luxury vacation deals, verify any offers independently through official channels, and never provide personal financial information to unknown callers.
financialexpress.com
· 2026-02-23
# Fraud Scheme Summary
A 23-year-old Indian national was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of approximately $6 million. Operating as a "courier," he convinced seniors to liquidate their retirement accounts and hand over cash and gold, which he then delivered to co-conspirators based in India. Elderly citizens should be cautious of unsolicited requests to withdraw retirement funds or hand over valuables, and should report suspicious activity to authorities immediately—it was a victim's suspicion that helped law enforcement break the case.
abc7chicago.com
· 2026-02-23
During tax season, scammers are impersonating the IRS through calls, texts, and emails to steal money and personal information, either claiming you owe taxes or are owed refunds. Vulnerable taxpayers should remember that the real IRS never threatens arrest, demands immediate payment, or asks for gift cards or wire transfers, and will always contact you by mail first. To protect yourself, avoid clicking suspicious links, file your taxes early to prevent identity theft, and verify any tax preparer through official IRS and Better Business Bureau websites before hiring them.
fox5dc.com
· 2026-02-23
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax filing season, scammers impersonate IRS agents to target taxpayers through phone calls and emails, either demanding immediate payment for supposed back taxes (threatening arrest) or requesting personal information under the guise of issuing refunds. Anyone filing taxes is vulnerable, with college students particularly targeted, and scammers use pressure tactics, fake credentials, spoofed caller IDs, and official-looking emails to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS never demands immediate payment, asks for payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, or requests credit card numbers over the phone—hang up on suspicious calls and verify directly with the IRS before responding.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-23
During tax season, the Better Business Bureau is warning of a surge in scams targeting taxpayers through IRS impersonation calls, phishing emails, and fraudulent tax preparers who promise unrealistic refunds and disappear when issues arise. Scammers use tactics like threatening arrest, requesting gift cards or wire transfers, and directing people to malicious links—methods the real IRS never uses, as it communicates only by mail. To protect yourself, verify tax preparers through official IRS and BBB websites, file your taxes early to prevent identity theft refund fraud, and never click suspicious links or provide personal information to unsolicited contacts.
fourstateshomepage.com
· 2026-02-23
As tax season approaches, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about widespread phone, text, email, and social media scams where fraudsters impersonate the IRS to steal money and personal information. The IRS will never initiate contact by phone—legitimate tax issues are addressed through official mail—so any unsolicited communication claiming to be from the IRS is a scam. To protect yourself, obtain an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) directly from the IRS, which verifies your identity when filing and prevents criminals from filing taxes in your name.
fox32chicago.com
· 2026-02-22
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax filing season, scammers are targeting taxpayers through phone calls and emails impersonating the IRS, using two main tactics: falsely claiming victims owe back taxes and demanding immediate payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, or posing as refund issuers to steal personal information for identity theft. These scams often use sophisticated tactics like fake badge numbers, spoofed caller IDs showing Washington D.C., and official-looking emails with IRS logos to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS will never demand immediate payment, require a specific payment method, or ask for credit card information over the phone—hang up and contact the IRS directly through their official website or phone number if you're unsure about a communication.
mocoshow.com
· 2026-02-22
# Fraud Alert Summary
International call centers operating from India defrauded hundreds of Americans out of nearly $49 million since 2022 through government impersonation and tech support scams, with Maryland residents losing over $6 million. Law enforcement in Maryland and India dismantled the operations and arrested multiple perpetrators, though authorities warn the scams continue to target vulnerable people, particularly seniors. To protect yourself, authorities advise being skeptical of unsolicited calls, texts, or pop-ups demanding urgent payment, and remember that legitimate government agencies will never call demanding money or threatening arrest.
yahoo.com
· 2026-02-22
A 73-year-old woman lost over $150,000 to scams over nine months, with her family only discovering the full extent of the fraud when her bank flagged suspicious activity. The family believes loneliness and isolation made her vulnerable to scammers, and they've taken control of her finances to prevent further losses—though she's become angry about the intervention. For those with elderly relatives, the article suggests monitoring bank accounts for unusual activity and recognizing that isolation can increase vulnerability to scams, while being prepared that financial protections may create family tension.