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Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
newswire.lk
· 2026-05-19
Indian comedian Ankita Shrivastav lost 900,000 rupees after falling victim to an elaborate "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonated FedEx and police officials, falsely claiming she had received a package containing drugs and keeping her under video surveillance for eight hours while pressuring her into financial transfers. The scam exploits psychological manipulation and fear of legal consequences, and Shrivastav went public with her story to warn others that anyone—regardless of education or street-smarts—can be targeted. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls about packages or legal issues, never transfer money based on phone calls from supposed authorities, and remember that real law enforcement won't demand payment over video calls or keep you under digital surveillance.
advantagenews.com
· 2026-05-18
Illinois lawmakers are pushing legislation that would require banks to implement new safeguards to prevent fraud targeting elderly and disabled adults, who lost an estimated $4.9 billion in 2024 according to FBI data. The proposed bill would allow financial institutions to pause suspicious transactions and contact trusted representatives when exploitation is suspected, with reports sent to the Illinois Department on Aging. Despite support from victims' families and advocacy groups, banks are opposing the measure, though the article suggests the protections are needed as scams become increasingly sophisticated and devastating, with one example being an 83-year-old who lost $69,000 to a phone scam.
themirror.com
· 2026-05-18
Two California residents were arrested after attempting to scam a senior citizen twice using an elaborate con involving fake Apple Store charges and false claims about the victim's bank account being linked to illegal content. The scammers successfully stole money in their first con and then demanded an additional $50,000 during a second attempt, but were caught by police during their scheduled meeting with the victim. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages or calls claiming problems with your accounts, never withdraw cash based on urgent phone requests, and verify any fraud claims by contacting your bank directly using a number from your official bank materials.
themirror.com
· 2026-05-18
Two Los Angeles residents, Shaohua Sun and Yanwen Gu, were arrested after attempting to scam an elderly man out of thousands of dollars in a sophisticated con that initially succeeded in stealing $25,000. The scammers used fake text messages and phone calls impersonating Apple Store and bank fraud officials, convincing the victim his account was linked to illegal content and pressuring him to withdraw cash and hand it over to someone posing as an undercover officer. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited messages about account problems, verify requests directly with their bank using official phone numbers, and never withdraw large sums of cash based on phone instructions alone.
techradar.com
· 2026-05-18
A new F-Secure study found that 56% of Americans encountered online scams at least monthly in 2025, with 52% of victims losing money—double the rate from the previous year. The research estimates 40 million Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with scammers increasingly targeting high-value attacks like fake invoices, investment fraud, and banking scams using AI-powered tools for better targeting and impersonation. To protect yourself, verify information from AI chatbots independently, be cautious of unsolicited invoices and investment offers, and shop only on verified legitimate websites rather than relying on AI recommendations for online retailers.
news.bitcoin.com
· 2026-05-18
An international operation led by the U.S., UAE, and China arrested 276 suspects and shut down nine scam operations targeting victims through "pig-butchering" schemes, where criminals build fake romantic relationships online before convincing victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities. These scams have caused over $75 billion in losses globally since 2020, and the operation signals increased international cooperation to combat this growing threat. To protect yourself, be wary of online romantic connections that quickly escalate to investment opportunities, verify the legitimacy of cryptocurrency investments independently, and never send money to people you've only met online.
mexc.com
· 2026-05-18
Authorities from China, the US, and the UAE conducted a historic joint operation in Dubai that arrested 276 suspects and dismantled nine scam compounds running "pig-butchering" investment schemes, which use fake romantic relationships and fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms to defraud victims worldwide. The criminal networks specifically targeted people in Asia, Europe, and North America, stealing millions of dollars through sophisticated social media manipulation and fake investment schemes. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online that lead to investment opportunities, verify cryptocurrency platforms through official channels before depositing money, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
cryptoadventure.com
· 2026-05-18
Law enforcement agencies from the U.S., China, and UAE dismantled nine cryptocurrency scam centers operating in Dubai, resulting in 276 arrests and charges against six defendants accused of running "pig-butchering" fraud schemes that manipulated victims into fake crypto investments. The scammers targeted people globally by building fake relationships before directing them to fraudulent platforms, where victims lost millions of dollars that were then laundered through various crypto accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities or romantic connections online, verify investment platforms independently, and never transfer funds to unverified sources, especially for cryptocurrency investments.
lamilano.it
· 2026-05-18
An 84-year-old man in Bologna was targeted by scammers who called posing as municipal employees, promising him an "advantageous" offer for seniors and arranging to visit his home on Grandparents' Day 2023. His alert son verified the offer with the actual municipality, discovered it was fake, and contacted police, who set up a sting operation that caught two suspects attempting to solicit money from the elderly man under the guise of a fake vehicle assistance program. The incident highlights the importance of verifying unsolicited offers through official channels and alerting authorities when something seems suspicious, particularly for vulnerable populations like seniors.
thehill.com
· 2026-05-17
Seniors across the United States lost approximately $27 billion to scams in 2024, with Arizona, Delaware, and Colorado experiencing the highest rates of fraud targeting people over 60, according to a new analysis of Federal Trade Commission reports. Business impostor scams and government impostor scams are the most common types affecting older Americans, who are particularly vulnerable to fraudsters reaching them through phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media. To protect themselves, seniors should verify the identity of anyone contacting them, avoid sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, and report suspected scams to the FTC.
wmar2news.com
· 2026-05-17
Americans lost nearly $21 billion to fraud last year, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated AI-powered tactics through texts, emails, calls, and social media to impersonate trusted contacts and create false urgency. To protect yourself, experts recommend learning to recognize warning signs of common scams, verifying requests through independent contact with the organization, and using digital security tools to safeguard your personal information and finances. Being skeptical of unexpected messages—even from seemingly familiar sources—and taking time before acting on urgent requests are key defenses against these evolving threats.
pcmag.com
· 2026-05-17
During peak travel seasons, scammers target vacation planners through phishing text messages that impersonate toll services, claiming unpaid fees and urging you to click a link to avoid additional charges—but these fake websites steal your payment and personal information. To protect yourself, adopt healthy skepticism toward urgent messages from unfamiliar sources, verify toll charges directly through official carrier websites or phone numbers, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts. Taking time to verify requests before responding is your best defense against these scams.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-17
When you Google your name, scammers can easily access the personal information that appears in the top search results—including your address, social media profiles, phone number, and details about relatives—all without hacking or paid tools. This publicly available information helps fraudsters personalize their scams through calls, texts, and emails to make them seem more credible and trustworthy. To protect yourself, you should Google your own name to see what's publicly visible, run a personal data exposure scan to identify information already circulating online, and consider removing your details from people-search sites or requesting that search engines de-index pages containing your personal information.
wfmd.com
· 2026-05-17
When you Google your name, scammers can easily access the same public information that appears in search results—including your address, LinkedIn profile, photos, and relatives' names—without needing any hacking skills or paid tools. This readily available personal data becomes a "seed" that scammers use to target you with precision, researching details about your location, employer, and family to craft convincing fraud schemes. To protect yourself, Google your own name to see what's publicly visible, consider using personal data exposure scans to identify information already circulating online, and be cautious about what personal details you share on social media and public platforms.
lamilano.it
· 2026-05-17
A 44-year-old man was arrested in Italy after defrauding an elderly pensioner through a common scam where he impersonated a police officer, claiming the victim's daughter was in a serious accident and demanding €5,000 in compensation. An accomplice then visited the victim's home, stealing his debit card and using it to withdraw cash and make purchases totaling approximately €2,000 in damages. Investigators used video surveillance footage to identify the suspect, and authorities warn elderly residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls from people claiming to be officials requesting money or personal financial information.
startupfortune.com
· 2026-05-17
Myanmar is proposing severe penalties—including the death penalty and life imprisonment—to combat large-scale online scam compounds that operate across Southeast Asia, which use cryptocurrency and fake investment schemes to defraud victims while exploiting forced labor. These criminal operations, far larger than typical fraud, use tactics like romance scams and fake trading platforms to manipulate victims into sending cryptocurrency that can be quickly moved across borders. The harsh legal response reflects how governments now view cryptocurrency-enabled fraud as a major security threat rather than just a consumer protection issue.
poststar.com
· 2026-05-17
A Queens man was arrested for stealing over $3,000 from an elderly Saratoga County resident by instructing them to mail cash to a Bronx address under the pretense of it being "evidence" in a fraud investigation. The scam is part of a broader pattern of elder fraud targeting seniors in the region. Elderly residents should be cautious of unsolicited calls or requests for cash, and should verify any claims directly with official agencies before sending money.
agrinews-pubs.com
· 2026-05-17
A 17-year-old Texas teen named Tejasvi Manoj, honored as Time magazine's Kid of the Year, is teaching seniors how to protect themselves from cyber scams after her own grandfather nearly fell victim to a scammer impersonating a family member. Seniors lose billions annually to scams—$4.8 billion in one year alone from 860,000 reported incidents—because scammers target them as perceived wealthy targets who are less familiar with technology and tend to be trusting. To protect yourself, learn about common scams through the Federal Trade Commission website (ftc.gov) and consider resources like Manoj's Shield Seniors program.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-17
A retired local news anchor in Hawaii lost nearly $70,000 of her retirement savings to a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes scam, where she was tricked into paying taxes and fees for a fake $5.5 million prize. The scam, which the FBI reports cost Americans close to $200 million last year, uses convincing fake documents and kind-sounding scammers to prey on victims of all ages, though older adults tend to lose larger amounts. Experts advise being skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications and remembering that legitimate lotteries never ask winners to pay upfront fees or taxes before claiming winnings.
cnn.com
· 2026-05-16
A Tennessee woman named Gabryele Watson was sentenced to 20 months in prison for running an elaborate adoption scam targeting thousands of couples over seven years. She would impersonate pregnant teenagers on social media, build relationships with hopeful adoptive parents by discussing baby names and sending fake ultrasound photos, then emotionally abuse them with threats of harming the babies or their children. The scam caused significant psychological harm to vulnerable couples desperate to adopt, though Watson never actually solicited money—instead profiting through identity theft of the pregnant teenagers she impersonated.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-16
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages impersonating the California DMV to trick people into paying fake traffic violation fees, using urgent language and official-looking links to pressure quick action. The texts contain several red flags, including coming from a Philippine phone number (+63), using generic greetings like "Dear Driver" instead of personal information, and linking to fake websites rather than legitimate government domains. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited traffic violation texts, verify any notices directly through official government websites or phone numbers, and never click links or provide payment information from unsolicited messages.
theguardian.com
· 2026-05-16
Scammers are increasingly targeting wealthy athletes through sophisticated schemes ranging from phishing and AI-enabled cyberattacks to fraud by trusted advisers, making sports fraud a billion-dollar criminal enterprise. Notable cases include Shohei Ohtani's interpreter stealing $17 million for gambling debts and an investment adviser defrauding NBA players of $5 million through unauthorized transfers and inflated insurance sales. Athletes and fans attending major sporting events are advised to be cautious with ticket purchases, verify communications from trusted contacts independently, and carefully vet financial advisers and inner-circle members handling their money.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2026-05-16
Linda Coble, Hawaii's pioneering first female TV newscaster, lost nearly $60,000 to an elaborate sweepstakes scam in which a caller claiming to be from U.S. Customs convinced her she'd won $5.5 million from Publishers Clearing House and needed to pay taxes and fees upfront. Hawaii residents lost nearly $80 million to fraud last year—a 25% increase—and Coble is publicly sharing her story to warn other seniors, emphasizing that scammers build trust through consistency, daily contact, and involving multiple accomplices posing as government officials. To protect yourself, never send money for "taxes" or "fees" on prizes you've won, verify claims directly with official organizations using independently confirmed phone numbers, and be skeptical of unsolicited calls—legitimate contests don't require upfront payments.
thehill.com
· 2026-05-16
Cambodia has become a global hub for massive online scams worth $50-75 billion annually, with an estimated 100,000 human trafficking victims forced to run "pig butchering" and cryptocurrency fraud operations from fortified compounds in coastal cities. The scam industry—which generates nearly half of Cambodia's legitimate GDP—emerged after the government banned online gambling in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic left vacant high-rises that were repurposed for cybercrime, with victims often trafficked through fake job advertisements and sold between operations. The Cambodian government pledged in 2025 to shut down all illicit compounds by April 2026 following international pressure, though U.S. citizens alone lost over $20 billion to these scams in a single year, making vigilance against unsolicited job offers and cryptocurrency schemes especially important.
wbay.com
· 2026-05-16
Scammers in Winnebago County, Wisconsin are escalating their tactics by showing up in person at residents' homes, posing as federal agents, police officers, or IRS officials to demand payment for fines or pose as couriers. Victims of all ages have lost significant sums to these in-person scams as well as online schemes like identity theft, cryptocurrency cons, and romance scams, with some cashing out entire retirement accounts. The sheriff's office urges residents to verify any claims by closing the door, calling local authorities to confirm legitimacy, and exercising caution even when dealing with someone face-to-face, since physical presence can make scams seem more credible.
alachuachronicle.com
· 2026-05-16
Scammers are targeting Medicare recipients with offers for "free" DNA or genetic testing through phone calls, door-to-door visits, and community events, potentially using stolen Medicare numbers to commit fraud or identity theft. Medicare only covers genetic testing when medically necessary and ordered by a doctor, so unsolicited offers should be treated with suspicion. To protect yourself, verify offers directly with Medicare, never share your Medicare number with unsolicited callers, and report suspected scams to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs at 1-800-963-5337 or through Operation Senior Shield.
thestandard.com.hk
· 2026-05-16
A Hong Kong retiree lost over HK$25 million in an elaborate cryptocurrency scam orchestrated over a year, where fraudsters posing as financial professionals convinced the victim to invest in USDC and then tricked them into authorizing a fake website to drain their digital wallet. Hong Kong police have recorded over 80 similar online investment fraud cases recently and warn the public to be extremely cautious about downloading unfamiliar wallet applications or being asked to link wallets to unfamiliar websites through a wallet's browser. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of financial professionals directly with established institutions, never download apps or access websites based solely on a stranger's instructions, and immediately report suspicious banking activity to your bank.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-15
Scammers are using a "silent voicemail scam" where people receive voicemail notifications without their phones actually ringing, often with no audio content in the messages. The tactic confirms that phone numbers are active and in use, making them targets for future scams, while hoping victims will call back out of curiosity. To protect yourself, avoid returning calls to unknown numbers, use your carrier's call-blocking features, mark suspicious voicemails as spam, and consider registering with the Do Not Call Registry.
news.usps.com
· 2026-05-15
steil.house.gov
· 2026-05-15
A bipartisan group of seven congressmen introduced a resolution to establish May 14th as National Scam Survivor Day, aimed at recognizing victims of fraud and raising awareness about the growing scam epidemic affecting millions of Americans. According to the resolution, scammers stole over $21 billion from Americans in 2025, with seniors, veterans, small business owners, and young people among the most vulnerable targets. The initiative encourages scam survivors to share their experiences to combat stigma and calls for collaboration between government, private sector, and nonprofits to prevent future scams and support those affected.
vocal.media
· 2026-05-15
Romance scammers are targeting people through dating apps and social media, building trust over weeks before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes, often resulting in thousands of dollars in losses. Experts are urging victims to report these scams immediately because criminals quickly move stolen cryptocurrency through multiple exchanges and laundering channels, making the money nearly impossible to trace within hours. If you suspect you're being scammed, report it right away to law enforcement and fraud reporting platforms rather than waiting—delays significantly reduce the chances of recovering stolen funds.
mexc.com
· 2026-05-15
Blockaid has launched a real-time compliance tool designed to help banks, asset managers, and other institutions monitor their cryptocurrency holdings for fraud and regulatory violations as they increasingly operate in decentralized finance. The new system addresses a critical gap where stolen funds and exploited assets can quickly spread through crypto bridges and smart contracts faster than traditional compliance teams can detect them, with over $2 billion in hacks and exploits occurring in just 18 months. Institutions using this technology can now screen transactions and wallets in real-time, automatically flag suspicious activity before accepting funds, and embed anti-money laundering rules directly into their transaction processes to stay compliant with regulators.
edhat.com
· 2026-05-15
Two defendants from the Los Angeles area pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit elder abuse after Ventura Police disrupted their scam targeting a senior citizen in March 2026. The scheme involved fraudulent text messages and phone calls impersonating Apple and credit union officials, convincing the elderly victim to withdraw $25,000 in cash under the false pretense it was needed as evidence for a criminal investigation. Authorities advise families and caregivers to regularly check in with elderly relatives and remind them never to give money to unknown callers, as these scams exploit fear and isolation.
abc12.com
· 2026-05-15
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is warning seniors and their families about scams targeting older adults, noting that over 100,000 older Michiganders fall victim to fraud and exploitation annually. Common warning signs include unsolicited urgent requests, pressure to act quickly, requests for payment via gift cards, and offers that sound too good to be true, with prevalent scams including grandparent emergencies, tech support fraud, and investment schemes. Seniors are advised to block unwanted calls, never share personal information with unexpected callers, and contact authorities if they suspect they've been targeted.
theweek.com
· 2026-05-14
Older adults are increasingly targeted by scams, including new schemes exploiting concerns about upcoming inheritance tax changes and traditional tactics like grandchild impersonation scams, with victims over 65 losing an average of £831 per incident. Scammers use emotional manipulation and request untraceable payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers to steal money and personal data, sometimes resulting in victims losing their life savings within seconds. To protect yourself or loved ones, experts recommend staying vigilant by pausing to verify the source of requests, being skeptical of urgent pleas from "relatives" asking for money, and refusing requests for gift cards or wire transfers.
latimes.com
· 2026-05-14
Two con artists from the San Gabriel Valley executed a sophisticated scam targeting a Ventura senior citizen, convincing him to hand over $25,000 by impersonating law enforcement and demanding he provide a secret code. When the scammers attempted to contact the same victim again demanding double the amount, they made a critical mistake by calling while he was already speaking with police detectives, leading to their arrest. Shaohua Sun and Yanwen Gu pleaded guilty to elder abuse conspiracy and face up to four years in prison, with authorities emphasizing the importance of verifying unexpected requests for money by contacting law enforcement directly through official channels rather than using phone numbers provided by callers.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-14
Two Southern California residents, Shaohua Sun and Yanwen Gu, pleaded guilty to orchestrating an elder fraud scheme that tricked a Ventura senior citizen out of $25,000 by falsely claiming his bank account was linked to child exploitation material. The scam began with a fake Apple Store text alert, escalated through calls impersonating bank and police officials, and ultimately convinced the victim to withdraw and hand over cash in person. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited messages about suspicious account activity, never withdraw large sums of cash based on urgent phone calls, verify claims by contacting your bank directly using a known phone number, and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2026-05-14
Three Chinese nationals operating a major scam compound in the Philippines were sentenced to life imprisonment after authorities rescued over 1,200 trafficked workers in May 2023. The operation, disguised as an online gambling company, forced victims from multiple countries to conduct romance and cryptocurrency scams targeting people in the Philippines and abroad. The case highlights the dangers of online scams and human trafficking networks, so people should be cautious about unsolicited romantic contacts online and verify investment opportunities through official channels before sending money.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-14
Financial scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and targeting seniors at alarming rates, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that from 2020 to 2024, reports of older adults losing at least $10,000 to scams increased fourfold, and those losing $100,000 or more increased sevenfold. Seniors are particularly vulnerable because fraudsters believe they have substantial savings, and many victims don't report the crimes due to embarrassment, creating a false sense of low risk for scammers. To protect yourself, stay vigilant about recognizing warning signs of scams and be proactive in verifying any unsolicited financial requests before responding.
phillymag.com
· 2026-05-14
Financial scams are surging across Philadelphia and nationwide, with reported losses hitting $16.6 billion in 2024, using increasingly sophisticated methods like fake text messages impersonating bosses or government agencies to trick people into purchasing gift cards or clicking malicious links. Victims aren't necessarily careless—scammers use stolen data from past breaches and AI technology to make their schemes more convincing and targeted. To protect yourself, experts recommend staying skeptical of unexpected requests (especially those demanding urgency), verifying requests through official channels by calling the organization directly, and being cautious about sharing personal information online.
cnbc.com
· 2026-05-14
Capital One is suing unknown operators of large-scale robocall and telemarketing scams that impersonate the bank and its Discover subsidiary to trick customers into confirming transactions or revealing personal information. The lawsuit uses trademark infringement law as a strategy to gather evidence and trace the scammers through the legal discovery process. Imposter scams like these are the most common fraud complaint in the U.S., with over 1 million reports and $3.5 billion in losses last year, so consumers should be cautious of unexpected calls claiming to be from their bank and verify callers directly using official phone numbers.
abc15.com
· 2026-05-14
Americans lost $2.1 billion to social media scams in 2025, with Facebook being the primary platform where scammers targeted people through fake investment schemes and deceptive shopping ads. Investment scams were the costliest category at $1.1 billion, while shopping scams were most common, with people tricked into buying non-existent products advertised on social media. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment opportunities and shopping ads from unknown sellers on social media, verify seller legitimacy before making purchases, and report suspicious accounts to the platform.
thecentersquare.com
· 2026-05-14
Illinois lawmakers are pushing legislation that would require banks and credit unions to report suspected financial exploitation of elderly and disabled adults and temporarily pause suspicious transactions—a response to the billions of dollars lost to scams targeting vulnerable populations each year, with adults over 60 alone losing $4.9 billion in 2024. The bill faces opposition from financial institutions despite support from victims' families and advocacy groups who say fraud schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and devastating. If concerned about fraud, elderly and disabled adults should work with trusted representatives to monitor accounts, report suspicious activity immediately to banks and authorities, and verify requests for money through independent contact with known organizations.
myupnow.com
· 2026-05-14
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warns that over 100,000 older adults in the state are victims of fraud and exploitation annually, highlighting common scam tactics including unsolicited urgent requests, pressure to act immediately, demands for personal information or unusual payment forms, and threats or promises that sound too good to be true. Seniors and their families should protect themselves by blocking unwanted calls, refusing to share personal or financial information with unexpected contacts, and being suspicious of urgent requests, secret communications, or vague offers. Common scams targeting Michigan seniors include grandparent emergency scams, phishing schemes, investment romance scams, and artificial intelligence fraud.
mercurynews.com
· 2026-05-13
Older adults are losing billions of dollars to increasingly sophisticated scams, with fraud losses rising from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024, according to federal data. Seniors are targeted because they often have retirement savings and assets, plus may be less familiar with evolving technology like AI-powered voice mimicry and phishing schemes. Experts advise older adults and their families to be cautious of urgent requests for money, verify caller identities through independent contact information, and stay skeptical of unsolicited communications—especially those creating emotional pressure.
whec.com
· 2026-05-13
A DoorDash driver in Rochester lost $950 to scammers who called her pretending to be from DoorDash, claiming her delivery order involved a stolen credit card, then instructed her to withdraw cash and purchase mobile banking cards at Walgreens. The scam targeted her while she was working and exploited her trust in what appeared to be a legitimate call from her employer. To protect yourself: DoorDash warns drivers never to follow instructions from unsolicited calls claiming to be from the company, and you should always hang up and contact DoorDash directly through official channels if you receive such a call.
mashable.com
· 2026-05-13
Meta generated approximately $14.3 million in ad revenue during 2025 by hosting scam advertisements targeting seniors, particularly those aged 65 and older in Texas and Florida, according to a watchdog report. These fraudulent Medicare-related ads used false promises of free benefits, AI-generated celebrity deepfakes, and fake enrollment deadlines to deceive elderly users, reaching 215 million impressions across Facebook despite Meta's removal efforts. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited ads promising free Medicare benefits, verify any enrollment information directly through official Medicare channels, and report suspicious ads to Meta and the FTC.
forbes.com
· 2026-05-13
Imposter scams posing as the IRS and other government agencies have nearly doubled in reported losses to $797 million in 2025, with scammers using AI to create convincing fake emails, texts, and calls that exploit people's fear and urgency. A new threat involves fake QR codes mimicking legitimate IRS notices that direct victims to fraudulent websites to steal banking information. To protect yourself, remember that the IRS never initiates contact via text, email, or phone asking for payment or banking details—instead, directly access your IRS account online or contact the IRS through official channels, and be wary of any request for payment via gift cards.
vindy.com
· 2026-05-13
A 25-year-old Indian man pleaded guilty to money laundering in a scheme that defrauded six elderly Americans of nearly $5 million, including a 77-year-old Salem resident who lost $61,000 after responding to a fake Microsoft Security pop-up ad and an 82-year-old New York man who was tricked into sending over $3 million to someone impersonating a U.S. Attorney. The scam operated from December 2022 to December 2023 and involved multiple tactics to convince victims to hand over large sums of money. To protect yourself: be suspicious of unsolicited pop-up ads and phone numbers they display, never trust callers claiming to be government officials without verifying through official channels independently, and always verify requests for large money transfers directly with trusted sources before sending anything.
kjrh.com
· 2026-05-13
AI-powered scams stole nearly $900 million from Americans last year and are rapidly growing as scammers use artificial intelligence to create increasingly convincing fraud—including fake dating profiles, deepfake videos, and realistic ads—with average losses more than doubling to over $2,000 per victim. Experts recommend staying vigilant this summer by questioning unsolicited contacts, verifying requests through official channels, and being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, especially as online shopping and travel bookings increase. The FBI has now flagged AI-enabled scams as a distinct category, warning that these "supercharged" frauds are harder to detect than ever, so consumers should take time to verify authenticity before sharing personal information or money.