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berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
An 88-year-old Dalton man lost $10,000 in a grandparent scam when a caller impersonating a lawyer claimed his grandson had been arrested and needed bail money. The victim handed the cash to a courier who came to his door, but became suspicious when the scammer called back demanding an additional $12,000, prompting him to contact police. Officers arrested 60-year-old Deborah Andrus of Pittsfield, who arrived to pick up money the police had replaced with bread in a box; Andrus claimed she was hired as a courier unaware of the scam, while investigators continue determining her level of involvement.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses a TV episode of "The Unlocking Filer" featuring multiple crime cases, during which cast member Seo Jang-hoon warned viewers about online romance scams and the risks of meeting strangers from social media. Jang-hoon advised people to be skeptical of scenarios where attractive foreigners suddenly take interest in them and cautioned against sending money to unverified online contacts. The episode also covered a 1996 UK sexual assault case and a murder case involving property theft.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chicago woman lost over $100,000 of her life savings in a romance scam after connecting with a man claiming to be a businessman named Gregory on a dating site; he gradually built emotional trust over weeks of communication without meeting in person, then fabricated an emergency requiring financial assistance and continued requesting money through wire transfers, checks, and gift cards to multiple entities. The FBI estimates seniors age 60+ have lost more than $3.5 billion to internet scams, and experts note that scammers use sophisticated tactics to build emotional bonds while remaining evasive about meeting in person, which is a key red flag for potential victims.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions launched a public investment scam tracker in July 2024 after Wisconsinites lost nearly $3.55 million to cryptocurrency fraud and financial grooming between January 2022 and June 2024, with most cases involving pig butchering scams or fraudulent crypto trading platforms. The searchable tracker, populated with consumer complaints, aims to alert the public and deter scammers by increasing transparency, while the DFI advises citizens to avoid sending money to unknown online contacts and to use only registered cryptocurrency services that comply with regulatory standards.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI received more than 147,000 reports of scams and fraud targeting Americans ages 60 and older in 2024, with reported losses exceeding $100,000 more than tripling since 2020. Seniors are targeted because they control over 60% of the nation's wealth, and scammers use sophisticated impersonation, phishing, vishing, and smishing tactics to steal personal and financial information. The article advises awareness of these common scam types and recommends working with financial advisors to identify and protect against fraudulent schemes.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong experienced record fraud losses totaling HK$9.18 billion, with scams evolving through technological innovations including deepfakes, cryptocurrency hoaxes, phishing, and romance scams. The article distinguishes between fraud (unauthorized access to personal information through hacking) and scams (psychological manipulation to obtain information), and emphasizes that individuals and businesses must educate themselves on these increasingly sophisticated schemes to protect themselves.
sowetanlive.co.za
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old South African nurse was defrauded of R500,000 (approximately $27,000 USD) in a romance scam involving a man named Felix Mugi and his aunt, who used elaborate tactics including false prophecies about her personal secrets, a container filled with cash, and promises of marriage to build trust within 25 days of meeting. The victim took out a loan to deposit money into a bank account as instructed, after which both scammers disappeared; she now faces R1 million in total repayment obligations at R14,000 monthly. The scammers employed psychological manipulation techniques, including religious settings and accurate personal information,
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians lost $2.74 billion to scams, with older people experiencing the highest impact of any demographic group. COTA Australia and NAB's Group Security team hosted a Scams Awareness webinar designed to educate older adults on identifying common scams (investment, remote-access, and romance scams), prevention strategies, and secure online practices. The educational session aimed to provide practical guidance and expert knowledge to help vulnerable populations protect themselves against increasingly prevalent fraud.
miaminewtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranks second nationally for fraud incidents with 1,589 cases per 100,000 residents, according to FTC data from April 2023 to March 2024, with scammers taking $171 million from state residents in just the first quarter of 2024. The most common fraud schemes include impostor fraud, online shopping scams, and prize/investment fraud, with romance scams particularly targeting elderly residents in high-senior-population areas like South Florida. A Miami woman was recently arrested for operating a 15-year romance scam that defrauded more than a dozen elderly men of $7 million.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams peak during summer months, with a 139% increase in reported scam value from May to June compared to March to April, according to Barclays analysis. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 versus £3,500 for men), as scammers pose as romantic interests or impersonate wedding vendors to gain trust and extract funds. Barclays advises online daters to verify identities before sending money and urges victims to report scams without shame, emphasizing that sophisticated tactics and time investment by scammers can fool anyone.
yourlocalexaminer.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Dr. Oliver Guidetti at Edith Cowan University developed the Fake Date Game, an educational simulation that teaches users to identify romance scams by analyzing animated dating app conversations and predicting outcomes. Romance scams cost victims $40 million collectively in 2023 with over 480 reported cases, and the game aims to empower players with skills to recognize manipulative tactics, protect personal boundaries, and engage in respectful online interactions. The tool is planned to expand into a smartphone app with diverse scenarios and demographics to serve as an educational resource in schools and on dating platforms.
al.com
· 2025-12-08
Five men from Alabama and Georgia were arrested on federal money laundering charges for their role in an online sextortion scheme that targeted over 100 teenage boys and young men. The defendants controlled financial accounts used to launder at least $178,658 in extortion proceeds, converting funds to bitcoin and sending them to Nigerian co-conspirators; the scheme resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Michigan in November 2022.
independent.com
· 2025-12-08
Santa Barbara County District Attorney John Savrnoch announced that Chief Investigator Kristina Perkins will become the new host of the weekly "Scam Squad" podcast, which educates the public about fraud schemes targeting seniors, including internet, romance, and telemarketing scams. The podcast, launched in 2017 and produced by Patti Teel, airs on KTMS Newstalk 990 and is available on Apple Podcasts and YouTube, with Chief Perkins available to speak at community events and the District Attorney's Scam Hotline available at 805-568-2442 for reporting fraud.
deadlinedetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
Five men from Georgia and Alabama were charged with laundering at least $178,658 for a Nigerian sextortion scheme that targeted over 100 victims, including 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Michigan, who died by suicide after being blackmailed for $300. The Nigerian scammers posed as females on Instagram, coerced victims into sending nude images, then extorted money by threatening to share the photos with contacts. The U.S. money launderers received victims' funds through cash applications, kept approximately 20 percent, converted the remainder to bitcoin, and funneled it to the Nigerian perpetrators.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
Five men from Alabama and Georgia were indicted for money laundering related to a foreign sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, Michigan. The defendants allegedly laundered at least $178,658 in proceeds from the sextortion operation, with each facing up to 20 years in prison on conspiracy charges. The case highlights how U.S.-based money launderers facilitate overseas predatory crimes targeting vulnerable populations including minors and seniors.
9and10news.com
· 2025-12-08
Five U.S.-based defendants were indicted on conspiracy to commit money laundering charges for facilitating a foreign sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, Michigan and targeted over 100 other victims. The defendants allegedly knowingly conducted financial transactions to conceal proceeds from the underlying sextortion crimes, which carries a maximum 20-year sentence. This case is related to the November 2022 indictment of three Nigerian nationals involved in the scheme, two of whom were extradited and pleaded guilty in 2024.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Five U.S. men from Georgia and Alabama were charged with money laundering conspiracy for facilitating a sextortion scheme that resulted in the suicide of 16-year-old Marquette resident Jordan DeMay. The defendants allegedly received approximately $179,000 from victims, converted funds to bitcoin, and transferred the money to Nigerian co-conspirators, with DeMay sending $300 to one defendant hours before his death. The case involves over 100 sextortion victims and represents a major breakthrough in the two-year investigation into the criminal ring.
tv20detroit.com
· 2025-12-08
Five U.S.-based men have been charged with money laundering in connection to an international sextortion ring that led to the 2022 suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Michigan. The scheme, run by two Nigerian nationals who posed as a woman and extorted victims after obtaining intimate images, involved the U.S. suspects controlling financial accounts, retaining 20% of victim funds, and converting the remainder to bitcoin.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Five U.S. citizens were indicted for money laundering in connection with a Nigeria-based sextortion scheme that resulted in the suicide of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Marquette, Michigan in March 2022. The defendants allegedly collected payments from over 100 sextortion victims totaling $179,000, keeping 20 percent and converting the remainder to Bitcoin sent to Nigeria; DeMay himself paid $300 to one defendant after being blackmailed by Nigerian scammers posing as young women. Two Nigerian co-conspirators have pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting teens and face mandatory sentences of 15 to 30 years, while the five
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Minnesota woman, Gayle J. Ferngren, was sentenced to 1¾ years in prison for her role in a global fraud scheme that victimized over $1.8 million from people across the country through romance fraud and pandemic aid scams. Ferngren was initially targeted by scammers posing as a romantic interest in 2016, but eventually became a knowing participant who transferred stolen funds to co-conspirators in Egypt, South Africa, and other locations. She was ordered to repay $1.76 million to victims and serve 100 hours of community service.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five U.S.-based defendants were charged with money laundering conspiracy for facilitating a foreign sextortion scheme in which Nigerian nationals posed as young women online to extort sexually explicit images from teenage boys and young men, then blackmailed victims for money. The defendants controlled bank accounts receiving victim funds, kept 20% as commission, and converted the remainder to bitcoin for transfer to Nigerian co-conspirators, laundering at least $178,658 in proceeds—including funds from 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Michigan, whose death resulted from the scheme.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Fairfield, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for laundering over $1.1 million in proceeds from a romance fraud conspiracy targeting elderly victims seeking companionship online. The scheme involved conspirators creating fake dating profiles and posing as romantic interests to convince victims to send money and valuables to accounts controlled by Amuzu, who then transferred the funds to Ghana; several victims lost so much money they were forced to declare bankruptcy. Amuzu was ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.
wrat.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article from the Federal Trade Commission outlines common online scams and fraud schemes affecting consumers. Key scams discussed include spoofing (falsifying caller ID to impersonate legitimate organizations), the 809 scam (international callback schemes with high rates), catfishing (creating fake online identities for romance or exploitation scams), cramming (unauthorized small charges on bills), and family emergency scams (targeting grandparents with urgent requests for money). The article advises consumers to hang up on unsolicited callers, verify numbers independently, never share personal information with unknown callers, and be cautious of suspicious requests—noting that while younger adults report romance scams more frequently, older consumers typically lose
thetottenhamindependent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Football ticket scams increased by 32% during the 2023/24 Premier League season, with victims losing an average of £177 and some losing over £1,000, according to Lloyds Bank analysis. People aged 25-34 were most vulnerable, and scammers typically created fake social media posts with real ticket images to trick buyers into bank transfers before disappearing. Lloyds recommends purchasing tickets only from official club channels or authorized partners to avoid these frauds.
noozhawk.com
· 2025-12-08
Chief Investigator Kristina Perkins has taken over as host of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's weekly podcast "Scam Squad," which educates the community about scams targeting elderly residents, including internet, romance, telemarketing, and other fraud schemes. The podcast, which launched in 2017 and airs on KTMS Newstalk 990 and multiple streaming platforms, will continue featuring guests sharing personal fraud experiences and providing guidance on identifying and avoiding scams. Residents can report scams or request community presentations by contacting the District Attorney's Scam Hotline at 805-568-2442.
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Operation Spincaster, a joint AFP and blockchain platform Chainalysis initiative, identified over 2,000 compromised cryptocurrency wallets belonging to Australians and targeted "approval phishing" scams that have stolen more than $4 billion globally since May 2021. This tactic deceives victims into signing malicious blockchain transactions that grant criminals access to drain their crypto wallets, particularly through investment and romance scams. The AFP is conducting ongoing investigations into Australian losses and, alongside multiple law enforcement agencies and cryptocurrency exchanges, is implementing training and intelligence-sharing to detect scams in real time and support victims.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Three major criminals were among those jailed in the UK in July: a romance scammer who defrauded women of over £210,000, a former high school headteacher (Neil Foden) convicted of sexually abusing four girls over four years and sentenced to 17 years, and a man who murdered two former partners. The article highlights these and other serious offenders sentenced that month, including a drink-driver who killed a baby and a TikTok terrorist who celebrated 9/11 attacks.
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
A romance scam ring in Vietnam lured vulnerable singles through fake dating service pages on social media and Telegram, creating fictitious profiles of compatible partners and then requesting escalating payments ($39-$788 USD and higher) under false pretenses of meeting fees, compatibility assessments, or prize claims. At least three victims—Thao, Hong Hanh, and Pham Trung—lost between 20 million and 90 million Vietnamese dong (approximately $788-$3,550 USD), with scammers using fake versions of legitimate dating service websites and impersonating real companies like Rudicaf to build credibility.
atlantablackstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Rebecca Adami from North Carolina lost $60,000 in an employment scam where a romantic interest connected her with a fake recruiter offering a charity finance position. The scammer obtained her banking information, made fraudulent charges on her credit cards, deposited bad checks in her name totaling $67,000, and reversed legitimate payments to trap her in debt. Employment scams surged 118% in 2023, with the FTC reporting $367 million in consumer losses in 2022, and the agency recommends verifying employers independently and never providing financial information or prepaying for legitimate job positions.
wibx950.com
· 2025-12-08
**Police Impersonation Scam - Central New York**
Scammers are impersonating Oneida County Sheriff's deputies and calling residents claiming they have outstanding court proceedings and demanding payment, threatening arrest if victims don't comply. The Oneida County Sheriff's Office warns residents never to provide personal information (SSN, birthday, bank details, etc.) over the phone to unidentified callers and advises hanging up and calling the Sheriff's Office directly to verify any such claims.
cryptonews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police identified over 2,000 compromised Australian crypto wallets as part of Operation Spincaster, an international anti-scam initiative involving law enforcement from six countries and blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. Victims fell prey to "approval phishing" scams, where scammers trick wallet owners into signing malicious transactions that grant access to their cryptocurrency assets; globally, this tactic has resulted in over AU$4 billion in losses since 2021. The operation focuses on loss prevention through early identification of compromised wallets and collaboration between law enforcement and crypto exchanges, as prosecuting overseas scammers and recovering stolen funds is extremely difficult.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police partnered with Chainalysis and major cryptocurrency exchanges to identify over 2,000 compromised crypto wallets belonging to Australians as part of "Operation Spincaster," targeting criminals using "approval phishing"—a fraud tactic where scammers trick victims into authorizing transactions that grant wallet control. Since May 2021, bad actors have stolen more than $4 billion in cryptocurrency through approval phishing attacks, often deployed in investment and romance scams, with the collaboration helping prevent further losses among identified victims.
cyberdaily.au
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police's Operation Spincaster has identified over 2,000 compromised cryptocurrency wallets belonging to Australian citizens as part of a global investigation into "approval phishing" scams, where criminals trick victims into authorizing malicious blockchain transactions that drain their wallets. Globally, victims have lost over $4 billion to this technique, which is particularly common in investment and romance scams, with the AFP collaborating with blockchain data platform Chainalysis and major crypto exchanges to disrupt the scam epidemic.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police is investigating cryptocurrency phishing scams affecting at least 2,000 Australian crypto wallets, with victims losing approximately $4 billion since May 2021 through "approval phishing" tactics that trick users into signing malicious transactions. These scams commonly appear as fraudulent investment schemes or romance scams (pig-butchering scams) promising high returns, and authorities are collaborating with blockchain analysis firm Chainalysis and major cryptocurrency exchanges to educate the public and prevent further losses.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud cases are surging across financial institutions, with Kennebec Savings Bank in Maine tripling its fraud cases between 2021 and 2023 and preventing over $430,000 in losses in 2023 alone. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated social engineering tactics—including impersonation, phone number spoofing, and AI-generated content—to manipulate victims into voluntarily transferring funds, making it difficult for banks to prevent losses even with strong security measures. The FTC reported a 14% increase in fraud losses in 2023, with imposter scams accounting for nearly $2.7 billion of the over $10 billion in total annual frau
thelocal.ch
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database. The content discusses general travel advisories for tourists visiting Switzerland from the US, UK, and France, covering topics such as cultural norms, healthcare, altitude sickness, petty theft warnings, and local laws. It does not address elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or financial exploitation of seniors.
ironmountaindailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Five U.S.-based defendants from Georgia and Alabama were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of teenager Jordan DeMay of Marquette. Sextortion involves extorting money or sexual favors by threatening to expose evidence of sexual activity, and the charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. This case is related to an earlier conviction of two Nigerian men involved in the international sextortion ring that led to DeMay's death.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Major dating apps including Tinder, Hinge, Match, and Plenty of Fish launched a public awareness campaign with scam alerts to help users identify romantic fraudsters, advising them to stay on-platform, use photo verification, and avoid anyone claiming crypto expertise. Dating scams caused significant financial losses globally—8,036 UK reports totaling £91.4 million in 2023 and $300 million annually in the US since 2020, with average losses per victim reaching $190,000—prompting Match Group to partner with victim advocates and cyber-crime investigators on the safety initiative.
wdef.com
· 2025-12-08
A Zimbabwe national, Sherlyn Sims, was convicted of laundering approximately $1.2 million obtained through romance scams and other fraud schemes operated from Georgia. Her schemes included romance fraud where victims were deceived into sending money for various fabricated reasons (such as one victim sending $100,000 after being told the scammer needed to pay taxes in Boston), and she also obtained fraudulent COVID relief loans. Sims transferred the stolen funds through third-party countries like China before cashing out, and faces sentencing in November.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfake technology, powered by AI advances, is increasingly used in fraud schemes targeting individuals and businesses. Criminals employ deepfake videos, face-swapping, and voice cloning to impersonate celebrities, executives, and recruiters in romance scams, job recruitment fraud, and investment schemes, with deepfake content increasing 900% between 2019-2020 and an estimated 26% of small companies and 38% of large companies experiencing deepfake-related fraud in 2023. Notable cases include a Japanese manga artist losing nearly $500,000 USD to a fake video call impersonating actor Mark Ruffalo, while experts warn that by
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sherlyn Sims was convicted of money laundering and conspiracy related to romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded dozens of victims of over $1.2 million between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims registered sham businesses, including Grace Trading LLC, to open bank accounts where she deposited stolen funds, then quickly transferred the money to foreign countries, withdrew cash, or spent it; victims included elderly individuals and others who lost significant sums, with one romance fraud victim depleting her life savings of nearly $100,000 after being tricked by an online scammer posing as her boyfriend. Sims was sentenced to be determined at a November 2024
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Sherlyn Sims, a Zimbabwe national, was found guilty of laundering over $1.2 million obtained through romance fraud and business email compromise schemes, using fake Georgia-registered businesses to collect victim funds before transferring money internationally and to personal accounts. Multiple elderly victims were defrauded through fake online romantic relationships, with one victim sending nearly $100,000 after being deceived, and another losing money intended for a home purchase. Sims faces sentencing in November, while her co-conspirators received prison sentences ranging from five years to later sentencing dates.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Johnston County resident lost $1,000 in gift cards after being contacted on social media by someone impersonating "General Douglas" with the United Nations Peace Corps who claimed to be interested in a romantic relationship. The scammer is part of a broader pattern of fraud schemes that falsely claim UN affiliation to obtain money or personal information through romance, employment, and confidence scams via multiple channels including social media, email, and phone calls.
lawfaremedia.org
· 2025-12-08
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Arun Rao discusses the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Branch work, which addresses the growing scale and sophistication of consumer fraud schemes, including elder fraud, that have been enabled by technological advances such as robocalls, texts, emails, and social media. The Consumer Protection Branch brings together criminal and civil cases across federal courts nationwide with nearly 250 staff members and over 100 trial attorneys, partnering with agencies like the FTC, FDA, and CPSC to protect consumer health, safety, economic security, and privacy.
walesonline.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated deepfake videos featuring trusted figures and financial influencers to direct victims to phishing websites and fraudulent investment schemes. Research by Santander reveals that 53% of people don't understand deepfakes and only 17% feel confident identifying them, with 54% concerned about their use in fraud. Experts advise verifying sources through official channels like the Financial Conduct Authority Register and remaining skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities or requests.
santander.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Research shows that over half of British adults (53%) lack awareness or understanding of deepfakes, with only 17% confident in their ability to identify one, while 54% worry about deepfakes being used for fraud and 51% fear family members could fall victim to such scams. Santander partnered with financial influencer Mr Money Jar to create demonstration deepfake videos and raise awareness about this emerging fraud tactic, emphasizing that fraudsters increasingly use AI-manipulated videos to create convincing investment scams and other deceptive schemes. Experts recommend verifying legitimacy through official channels like the Financial Conduct Authority Register and remaining skeptical of opportunities that seem too good to be true
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, an increase of $1 billion from 2022, with elderly people frequently targeted due to their presumed savings. Financial professionals recommend three protective strategies: slow down and verify requests before acting, be selective about who accesses sensitive financial information and documents, and seek assistance from certified financial planners who can monitor accounts and help recover from fraud.
bulawayo24.com
· 2025-12-08
Sherlyn Sims, a Zimbabwean national operating in Georgia, was convicted of money laundering from multiple scams including romance fraud schemes where she solicited victims to send money under false pretenses (such as claiming to need tax payments to visit the US), then transferred the funds to third-party countries like China to cash out. Prosecutors documented that Sims diverted approximately $1.2 million through various bank accounts from her scams, including fraudulently obtained COVID relief loans, with one victim losing $100,000. She is scheduled for sentencing in November 2024.
zimlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Sherlyn Sims was convicted of conspiring to launder and laundering over $1.2 million in proceeds from romance fraud scams and business email compromise schemes that targeted vulnerable elderly victims between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims registered sham businesses, opened bank accounts in their names, and quickly transferred the stolen funds internationally, to China, and through cash withdrawals, while evading detection by opening new accounts when banks closed existing ones. One romance fraud victim lost nearly $100,000 after being deceived online, and another lost their home earnest money deposit to Sims's accounts.
ktul.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wagoner County Sheriff's Office warns of multiple rising scams exploiting social media and artificial intelligence, including fake product listings, romance scams, and deepfake audio/video impersonations that target victims across all ages. Key threats include grandparent scams, charity fraud, peer-to-peer payment app scams, student loan forgiveness schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud, with scammers commonly requesting payment via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. The sheriff's office recommends protecting oneself by adjusting privacy settings, verifying organizations independently, enabling multi-factor authentication, and avoiding unsolicited requests for money or personal information.