Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
6,239 results
in Phishing
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
PAN card fraud—where scammers misuse individuals' Permanent Account Numbers to commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts, secure unauthorized loans, or file fake tax returns—is rising in India, with recent high-profile victims including actor Rajkummar Rao and actress Nagma Morarji who lost Rs 1 lakh. To protect yourself, regularly monitor credit reports, bank statements, and tax filings for unauthorized activity, and report suspected misuse immediately to police (FIR), your bank, and the Income Tax Department through their e-filing portal or by contacting your Assessing Officer.
coconutcreektalk.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 90s in Coconut Creek fell victim to a gift card scam after receiving a fraudulent email claiming her iCloud payment failed and her Social Security number was compromised, with a warrant issued for her arrest. The scammers convinced her to purchase multiple gift cards and provide the card numbers to resolve the issue. Coconut Creek Police are investigating and urging residents to recognize that requests for gift cards to fix problems are always scams.
newschannel5.com
· 2025-12-08
The Tennessee Attorney General's Office and Secretary of State issued a warning about scammers impersonating celebrities through fake charities, bogus product endorsements, and phishing schemes on social media. Victims are targeted to donate money or provide personal information under the false pretense of legitimate charitable organizations or celebrity endorsements. Authorities recommend verifying charities through tools like Charity Navigator, contacting organizations directly using known contact information, and never sending money or personal details to unknown individuals regardless of their claimed celebrity status.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, identity crimes overall declined 16%, but job scams on legitimate platforms like LinkedIn surged 118%, with scammers creating fake job postings and interviews to collect sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers. While job scams represented only 9% of total identity theft cases (with Google Voice scams leading at 60%), the ITRC noted that criminals are becoming more effective and damaging through AI-assisted tactics, resulting in fewer reported victims but greater impact per incident, with 30% of victims being seniors aged 65 and older.
knopnews2.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for this content. The article excerpts provided do not contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. This appears to be a collection of unrelated news updates about celebrity announcements, weather preparedness, college sports, tourism grants, and parenting discussions—none of which fall within the scope of elder fraud research for the Elderus database.
If you have an article about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse, please share that and I'll be happy to summarize it.
lowndessignal.com
· 2025-12-08
Internet-enabled scams like spoofing and phishing allow criminals to impersonate trusted sources and steal personal and financial information from victims. Law enforcement recommends three prevention strategies: never provide personal information or payment via gift cards to unsolicited callers, avoid engaging with unknown calls and suspicious links, and verify caller identity by independently contacting the organization through official channels. Victims can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or 877-382-4357, or to local law enforcement.
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Phishing—where scammers impersonate financial institutions via phone, text, or email to steal personal information—is the leading cause of data breaches. Financial coach Cherry Dale advises people to be suspicious of any unsolicited communication asking for account numbers or clicks on links, and to recognize that pressure to act quickly is a common scammer tactic. If uncertain about a caller's legitimacy, hang up and call the number on your debit or credit card directly, and report any confirmed scam attempts to your financial institution.
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
Operation First Light 2024, a global police operation spanning 61 countries, disrupted transnational online scam networks by freezing 6,745 bank accounts, seizing USD 257 million in assets, and arresting 3,950 suspects involved in phishing, investment fraud, romance scams, and impersonation schemes. Notable successes included recovering AUD 5.5 million (USD 3.7 million) for an Australian impersonation scam victim and saving a 70-year-old Singapore resident from losing SGD 380,000 (USD 281,200) in a tech support scam, while also rescuing 88 you
theintermountain.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has issued a warning about impersonation scams increasingly targeting seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) via phone calls, emails, and text messages to steal personal information and money. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake caller IDs, and demands for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, often threatening arrest or deportation to coerce immediate compliance. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming tax issues, verify communications directly at 800-829-1040, and never provide sensitive information or make payments without confirming legitimacy through official channels.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses in the Boston FBI Division (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island) totaled $89.6 million across 2,689 victims in 2023, with national losses reaching $1.6 billion from January to May 2024—a significant increase from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, with investment scams involving cryptocurrency showing a particularly sharp rise of 419% in losses between 2021-2023. The FBI emphasizes that actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting and recommends elders be cautious of unsolicited contact, resist pressure
santaclaritamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-driven scams targeting seniors employ various deceptive tactics including robocalls impersonating banks, fake tech support claims, AI-generated personas, fraudulent websites, and healthcare fraud schemes that exploit older adults' unfamiliarity with technology. Protection strategies include verifying unsolicited calls through official channels, using only reputable tech support, avoiding sharing personal information online, shopping only from trusted sources, and establishing family passwords to verify the identity of callers claiming to need help.
businessjournaldaily.com
· 2025-12-08
People over age 64 are increasingly targeted by financial scams through social media and other channels, with the most common scams involving investments, romance, and home improvement—including door-to-door home repair schemes following storms. According to AARP, about half of American adults report being victims or targets of financial fraud, and elder financial abuse costs older Americans at least $36.5 billion annually. Warning signs include pressure to act urgently, requests for unusual payment methods (Zelle, Venmo, debit cards), and claims of free or unrealistically cheap services; victims should contact their local police, financial institutions, and report scams to the BBB.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in Hamilton County, Ohio lost $4 million to scammers in the past year, with 75-year-old Carol Brown receiving up to 25 scam calls daily—a problem so widespread that some seniors avoid answering their phones and miss medical appointments. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost noted that only one in 44 financial crimes against older adults gets reported, often due to seniors' fear of being institutionalized or having their competence questioned, while FBI data shows people 60 and older lost $3.4 billion nationally to scams last year. Experts recommend connecting more with isolated seniors, using phone apps to filter scam calls, and following verification steps such
trivia.cracked.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a lighthearted compilation of Reddit anecdotes about people falling for common pranks and tricks, rather than elder fraud or scams targeting vulnerable populations. While it mentions email phishing as one example, the piece is primarily focused on humorous personal stories of being tricked rather than documenting actual fraud cases or elder abuse incidents. This does not meet the criteria for Elderus database summarization.
nigeriacommunicationsweek.com.ng
· 2025-12-08
Job recruitment scams targeting South Africans are increasing, with fraudsters using two primary methods: impersonating legitimate recruiters on social media platforms and posting fake job listings on job boards and social media. Red flags include unsolicited job offers with unprofessional communication, unrealistically high remote work salaries, and requests for upfront payments for background checks or application fees (which are illegal under the Employment Services Act) or sensitive personal information like ID numbers and bank details.
techbullion.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has issued a warning about escalating scams targeting seniors, who are particularly vulnerable to impersonation, phishing, spoofing, and lottery scams that exploit trust and create urgency. Common tactics include fraudsters posing as IRS agents via phone, email, or text to threaten legal action or extract personal information and money through gift cards or wire transfers. The IRS recommends seniors verify caller identity before sharing information, report suspicious activity to the IRS and FTC, and stay informed about scam tactics to protect themselves from financial exploitation.
gizmodo.com
· 2025-12-08
In a coordinated international operation called Operation First Light 2024 (March-May 2024), police across 61 countries arrested 3,950 people engaged in online scams including phishing, investment fraud, romance scams, and fake shopping sites, while seizing $257 million in assets and identifying 14,643 additional suspects. The operation recovered $135 million in cash and $2 million in cryptocurrency, plus $120 million in physical assets such as real estate, luxury cars, and jewelry. This global enforcement effort highlights the growing threat of online fraud, with U.S. consumers losing over $10 billion annually, including $76 million lost to
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
International law enforcement from 61 countries conducted Operation First Light, arresting over 3,900 suspects and seizing $257 million in assets obtained through phishing, investment fraud, romance scams, and impersonation scams. The operation identified an additional 14,600 suspects, froze 6,745 bank accounts, and recovered millions for victims, including $3.7 million for an Australian impersonation scam victim and $281,200 saved for a 70-year-old targeted in a tech support scam. Police also rescued 88 youths in Namibia who were forced to conduct scams as part of international criminal networks.
otcnet.org
· 2025-12-08
Unauthorized third-party companies are fraudulently contacting OTC event attendees and sponsors, falsely claiming to offer OTC's attendee list for sale or rent. OTC does not sell or share attendee information, and these companies have no affiliation with OTC; they are simply using publicly available attendee and exhibitor names to conduct mass spam campaigns with frequently changing email addresses to evade reporting.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
More than a dozen residents in Lorain County, Ohio fell victim to phone scammers who spoofed the sheriff's office number and impersonated Captain Robert Vansant, claiming victims had outstanding warrants and demanding bond payments of up to $3,500 via digital payment apps like Venmo or Zelle. The scammers used convincing tactics including legal jargon, gag order claims, and text messages to pressure victims into paying quickly; some victims lost up to $30,000, and even a corrections officer was temporarily deceived. Captain Vansant warned that the sheriff's office never calls to request money and advised residents to verify calls by contacting the office directly.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics to steal banking information and money. The article outlines ten common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake websites, automatic withdrawal schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective measures such as verifying URLs directly with banks, never clicking unsolicited links, and avoiding upfront fee requests. Knowing these common strategies helps consumers recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes before criminals can access their accounts and funds.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned that timeshare fraud targeting senior Americans operates in three phases—fraudsters impersonating brokers demanding upfront payments, then posing as lawyers promising fund recovery for additional fees, and finally impersonating government officials using threats of legal consequences to extort money, with proceeds flowing to Mexican cartels. Seniors are advised to avoid unfamiliar callers, refuse upfront payments for timeshare services, and refrain from emailing legal documents, while financial firms should discuss these scams with clients.
wwnytv.com
· 2025-12-08
Four people were arrested in Oswego County, New York in June 2024 for attempting to defraud senior citizens through phone scams that would have resulted in $78,000 in losses. In the first incident, a 75-year-old woman received a call claiming she was accused of a crime and needed to pay money; she became suspicious and alerted police, who arrested two suspects from Ontario, Canada at her home. A week later, two Brooklyn residents were arrested after attempting to convince a 72-year-old man that his Cash App account was hacked and he needed to withdraw $38,000, but the victim contacted police before handing over the money.
ghanamusic.com
· 2025-12-08
Mona Faiz Montrage, known as Hajia4real, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for her role in romance scams that defrauded over 40 victims, significantly less than the government's requested 37-46 months. Montrage, arrested in the UK in November 2022 and extradited to the US, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money and operated five foreign bank accounts to launder proceeds from the scams through fictitious business entities.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old businessman in Mumbai lost Rs 1.38 lakh to cyber fraudsters while attempting to purchase sweets online for Ganesh Chaturthi after finding a fake contact number for a sweet shop through Google search. The scammer used multiple deceptive tactics—claiming orders weren't confirmed, falsely stating transferred amounts were "codes" with no monetary value, and sending a nominal Rs 50 refund to establish credibility—eventually convincing the victim and his 74-year-old friend to transfer additional funds totaling Rs 29,875 and Rs 45,000 respectively. The Oshiwara police registered a case under the Indian Pe
cxotoday.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common financial fraud tactics and prevention strategies, noting that bank frauds in India exceeded 302.5 billion rupees in fiscal year 2023. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unrealistic investment promises, and demands for payment via unconventional methods. The article recommends staying informed about scams, verifying identities before sharing information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious with app downloads to protect against fraud.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut residents should be aware of common summertime scams, including utility company impostor scams where scammers pose as employees to obtain banking information through fake home energy audits, paving scams involving large deposits for driveway work that is never completed or is substandard, and vacation rental fraud where properties advertised online do not exist. To protect themselves, consumers should verify utility company visits by calling the company directly, research contractors thoroughly, use credit cards for unfamiliar vendors, and avoid payment apps like CashApp outside official platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo.
southfloridareporter.com
· 2025-12-08
In Operation First Light 2024, international police coordinated by Interpol arrested 3,950 people and seized $257 million in assets from online scammers engaged in phishing, investment fraud, fake shopping sites, and romance scams. The operation aims to disrupt transnational organized crime networks at a time when U.S. authorities report consumers lost over $10 billion to online fraud in the previous year.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams targeting Malaysian hoteliers and travelers are rising, particularly through sophisticated phishing emails and fake booking schemes that exploit personal data and credit card information. Industry leaders are calling for stronger government regulation of online travel agencies (OTAs), stricter identity verification procedures, and enhanced cybersecurity measures, while noting that smaller hotel operators are more vulnerable than large international chains that have established security systems in place. Collaborative efforts between hotels, OTAs like Booking.com, and staff training on recognizing fraudulent communications are currently being used to combat these evolving threats.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a growing scam targeting smart TV users, where fraudsters display pop-ups claiming device problems and requesting payment or remote access to fix them. If victims comply, scammers may install malware to steal personal information or convince them to pay fake activation fees. To protect yourself, verify any support numbers directly with the manufacturer's official website, never pay unsolicited activation fees, and refuse remote access requests.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**AI-Powered Scams and Protective Measures**
This educational piece identifies two primary AI-enabled scams targeting vulnerable individuals: voice cloning of family members to solicit emergency financial assistance, and personalized phishing emails using AI-generated text customized with stolen personal data to increase credibility. The article recommends verifying suspicious communications by contacting the person through normal channels, avoiding attempts to detect fake voices, treating unknown contacts as suspicious, and remaining skeptical of personalized messages that reference recent purchases or locations.
wyff4.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned the public about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters contact victims by phone or email claiming they failed to report for jury duty and face federal arrest warrants, then demand payment via virtual currency to avoid jail time. The scammers enhance credibility by using actual names of North Carolina law enforcement officers, manipulating caller IDs to appear as government agencies, and sometimes claiming offices are closed due to COVID-19 to discourage in-person payment verification. The FBI emphasized that legitimate arrest warrants are never issued via email or text and never require immediate payment, and recommends victims verify any legal claims directly with law enforcement or courts rather than paying unsolicited demands.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scammers are increasingly exploiting job seekers by posing as recruiters on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, either requesting money and personal information or selling fraudulent training courses as prerequisites for employment. The FBI and FTC have issued warnings about these schemes, which often feature red flags including unsolicited job offers that seem too good to be true, vague or confidential job descriptions, lack of standard vetting procedures, and phony interviews conducted via text or video. Job seekers can protect themselves by being skeptical of unusually attractive positions they didn't apply for, verifying legitimate job descriptions, and checking companies' authentic online presence.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting summer travelers through online booking scams, with popular destinations like Fort Myers Beach, Sandusky, and Chicago being the most frequently exploited. Common scams include AI-generated fake accommodations, fraudulent booking websites, impersonation schemes, phishing emails, and public Wi-Fi data theft. According to McAfee research, 25% of Americans have lost over $1,000 to travel scams, 15% experienced fraudulent charges after using fake sites, and 13% arrived to find their booked accommodations didn't exist.
occrp.org
· 2025-12-08
Internet fraud losses in the United States exceeded $12.5 billion in the past year, a 22% increase from the previous year, with common scams including identity theft, phishing, romance scams, and investment fraud. INTERPOL's Operation First Light arrested 3,950 suspects and identified 14,643 potential suspects worldwide while intercepting $135 million in cash and seizing assets worth over $120 million. International collaboration has proven effective in combating cybercrime, including one case where coordination between Singapore, Hong Kong, and local banks prevented a 70-year-old victim from losing $281,200 in savings.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Montrage ("Mona 4 Real") was sentenced to 12 months and one day in U.S. federal prison for receiving proceeds from romance scams targeting elderly Americans between 2013 and 2019. Montrage, a member of a West African criminal syndicate, received money from approximately 40 romance fraud victims through her bank accounts, totaling over $2 million in fraudulent funds, and was ordered to forfeit $216,475 and pay $1,387,458 in restitution. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money and money laundering in February.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Mona Faiz Montrage, a prominent Ghanaian Instagram influencer with 3.4 million followers, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison in June 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money from romance scams. From 2013 to 2019, Montrage received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from approximately 40 vulnerable elderly victims who were deceived into sending money under false pretenses such as gold transport fees and fake FBI investigations. In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to forfeit $216,475 and pay restitution of $1,387,458.
candgnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido held an educational workshop in June to inform the public—particularly seniors—about common scams and fraud tactics, highlighting how personal information shared online is often sold to third parties and exploited by scammers. The workshop identified four key components scammers use (pretend, payment, prize/problem, and pressure) and covered various fraud methods including spoofing, phishing, vishing, and impersonation of authorities, banks, and tech support. Lucido recommended using "opt out" selections when filling out forms and published a 30-page guide called "S.C.A.M.S." to help prevent identity theft and financial fraud in
mcdowellnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to remain vigilant against scams targeting July 4th holiday celebrations, which typically include travel rental fraud, patriotic flag-buying scams, and fireworks purchasing schemes. Common tactics involve fake rental listings that prevent access to booked properties, overpriced flagpole items sold online at below-market prices, and illegitimate fireworks vendors who obtain banking information during transactions. BBB recommends trusting your intuition about deals that seem too good to be true, paying for fireworks with cash at temporary stands, and verifying rental property access before traveling.
heraldguide.com
· 2025-12-08
The Sheriff's Office reports a surge in scams and identity theft cases involving cryptocurrency, romance schemes, impersonation of law enforcement and government agencies, and grandparent extortion. The office provided guidance on common red flags including unsolicited requests for gift cards, wire transfers, remote computer access, and personal financial information, emphasizing verification of caller identity and avoidance of pressure tactics promising prizes or threatening legal action.
drgnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC received nearly 500,000 reports of business and government imposter scams, revealing that fraudsters increasingly use text messages and emails rather than phone calls, persuade victims to pay via bank transfers or cryptocurrency, and often impersonate multiple organizations simultaneously. The five most prevalent imposter scams involve fake account alerts, bogus subscription renewal notices (particularly impersonating Geek Squad), fraudulent discounts or prize offers, false crime allegations paired with payment requests, and fake delivery notifications designed to steal financial information.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
House Bill 692, "Larry's Law," took effect in Virginia on July 1, 2024, requiring financial institutions to train employees to identify and report potential elder financial exploitation and notify seniors' trusted contacts of suspicious activity. The law was named after Larry Cook, a retired Navy commander from Herndon, Virginia, who lost $3.6 million in a phishing scam; his niece and estate administrator, Janine Williamson, advocated for the legislation, which unanimously passed the Virginia General Assembly and aims to strengthen frontline defenses against elder financial fraud.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Wire transfers and large cash transfers are increasingly targeted by online fraudsters and should be conducted in person at bank branches rather than online, according to banking experts and the Federal Trade Commission. Common wire transfer scams include utility shut-off threats, romance scams, prize scams, family emergency scams (including AI voice cloning), and fake check schemes—all of which exploit the irreversible nature of wire transfers to steal money from victims. The FTC recommends never wiring money to anyone you haven't met in person, and emphasizes knowing both the recipient and the reason for the transfer.
graphic.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Real) was sentenced to one year and one day in prison in June 2024 for her role in romance scams that defrauded over 40 elderly American victims between 2013 and 2019. Montrage received more than $2 million in fraudulent funds through fake romantic relationships and fabricated stories about gold transport and military funds, and was ordered to pay $1,387,458 in restitution and forfeit $216,475.
govinsider.asia
· 2025-12-08
Singapore has joined the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) to combat the rising tide of scams in Southeast Asia, with scam cases in Singapore increasing 46.8% from 2022 to 2023 (31,728 to 46,563 cases). The GASA Singapore chapter, led by Mastercard and Amazon with participation from tech, finance, and academic sectors, aims to protect consumers through information sharing, public awareness campaigns, and anti-scam solutions targeting threats including e-commerce fraud, phishing, job scams, and AI-generated deepfake extortion (ranging from S$700 to over S$2,000). The initiative
thesmokymountaintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Tammy Williams and Ginger Frady from United Community Bank conducted a senior fraud awareness program at Swain Senior Center, educating older adults on recognizing and avoiding scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, older adults lost $1.6 billion to scammers in the previous year, with nearly half lost to fraudulent investments, lottery schemes, phishing, and grandparent scams being among the most common threats. The presenters advised seniors to use credit cards with low limits for online purchases, avoid clicking suspicious links, never send money for prizes they didn't win, hang up on pushy callers claiming to represent government or financial institutions, and consult with their banks when uncertain
lawrencecountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned Mississippi seniors about rising impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) via phone calls, emails, and texts to steal personal information and money. Scammers pressure victims into immediate payments using unconventional methods like gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency by creating false urgency through threats of arrest, deportation, or claims of unpaid taxes. The IRS advises recipients of unsolicited calls to hang up immediately, verify communications through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating legitimate job recruiters and staffing companies (including Indeed, LinkedIn, Robert Half, and Kelly Services) to target job seekers with fake work-from-home offers promising $200-$1,000 daily pay. According to the FTC, consumers filed nearly 108,500 complaints about fake job opportunities in 2023, with about 32% resulting in losses averaging $2,169 each, totaling over $500 million in losses. The FBI warns that some scams involve cryptocurrency payment requirements disguised as part of the hiring process, trapping victims in schemes where they see fake earnings but cannot access real money.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans reported losing $10 billion to fraud, with imposter scams, phishing, investment scams, and romance scams being particularly prevalent. The FTC partnered with Houston Ethnic Media to educate community leaders about these threats, emphasizing that underserved and immigrant communities face heightened vulnerability due to language barriers and economic desperation. Experts stress that verification of recipients and sources is crucial to protecting oneself and one's family from fraud.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Door-to-door sales scams proliferate during summer, taking forms such as solar panel offers, magazine subscriptions, or construction services, with scammers using high-pressure tactics to obtain upfront payments or immediate commitments. The key warning sign across all variants is the demand for immediate signing or advance payment, and the recommended defense is to research services independently before making any purchasing decisions. AARP advises consumers to use their Fraud Watch Network resources to identify and prevent these scams.