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pymnts.com
AI-powered scams targeting travelers have surged, with fraudsters using generative AI to create convincing fake travel websites and listings that steal credit card information or install malware on devices. According to a McAfee report, 30 percent of adults have fallen victim to or know someone who has fallen victim to online travel scams. Experts recommend paying only through official websites, avoiding suspiciously low prices, researching unfamiliar sites, and being wary of generic reviews and missing contact information to protect against these increasingly sophisticated threats.
nypost.com
Gotham Restaurant in NYC fell victim to a $45,000 payroll cyberscam when a fraudster impersonated their payroll company administrator and requested banking information via a spoofed email with a nearly-identical URL. The restaurant's co-owner, unable to recover the funds through his bank and facing seasonal revenue loss, temporarily closed the business in June; he has filed an FBI report and now warns other businesses to verify all banking changes through multiple methods and obtain cyber insurance.
goldrushcam.com
In June 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office and San Diego FBI recovered over $3.3 million in a coordinated operation targeting fraud schemes against seniors, obtaining more than 40 seizure warrants for $5.6 million since January 2024. The effort highlights California's disproportionate cyber fraud problem, with the state leading the nation in both victim count (over 77,000 in 2023) and losses ($2.1 billion), and emphasizes the need for early reporting of suspected fraud to interrupt transactions before funds are transferred. Common schemes targeting elderly victims include cryptocurrency investment scams (highest losses) and tech support/government impersonation scams
fox4news.com
An 84-year-old woman in White Settlement, Texas was targeted by a scammer who impersonated her bank's security team and threatened her into depositing $40,000 via Bitcoin ATM. Police intervened when a Good Samaritan called authorities, recovering $23,900 that the victim had already deposited, which was returned to her by officers. The case underscores that legitimate banks and law enforcement never call to demand money or payment.
abc.net.au
Harriet Spring lost $1.6 million of her elderly mother's life savings to scammers impersonating ING bank over several months of phone calls and emails, with the funds eventually transferred through multiple Australian banks and becoming untraceable. Despite her mother's bank questioning the unusual transfer to a Westpac "holding account" and confirming ING was not offering the advertised rate, the bank did not warn her of potential fraud before processing the transaction. Spring is now advocating for government action and bank accountability, as Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in the previous year.
moneylife.in
A 70-year-old senior citizen in Mumbai lost over Rs2 crore (approximately $240,000 USD) to an online investment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp with promises of high returns in share trading; the fraudster provided app download links and bank account details for transfers, using a Ponzi scheme disguised as legitimate investment. The article explains that such cyber fraud schemes targeting seniors operate by paying early investors to build trust before disappearing when victims attempt to withdraw profits, and recommends potential investors verify that entities are registered with India's Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) and conduct proper due diligence before investing.
gulfnews.com
A Dubai resident fell victim to a phishing scam where a caller impersonating a bank employee obtained an OTP and accessed the victim's account, resulting in a loss of 100 AED (prevented from larger loss due to account structure). A 2023 Deloitte survey reveals that Gen Z is three times more likely to fall for online scams than other generations, with experts attributing this to lower caution during internet use and higher online activity creating greater susceptibility to fraud tactics like phishing links and account impersonation.
justice.gov
**Summary:**
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI in San Diego recovered over $3.3 million for elderly fraud victims through a data-driven operation launched in January 2024, obtaining more than 40 seizure warrants for $5.6 million in total. The effort targets sophisticated scams affecting seniors, particularly cryptocurrency investment schemes and tech support/government impersonation scams, with California leading the nation in both number of victims (77,000+) and losses ($2.1 billion) in 2023. Authorities emphasize that early reporting is critical to interrupting transactions and recovering victims' funds before scammers disappear with the money.
wftv.com
An Orlando man lost $2,500 to a tech support scam that used fake pop-up warnings, fake Microsoft specialists, and impersonated bank managers to convince him to purchase Sephora gift cards as part of a fraudulent "duplicate charge" recovery scheme. Although the victim realized the scam before providing the gift card PINs and never actually lost money to the scammers, Sephora froze the cards and has not refunded his purchase or reactivated them. Experts warn that requests to purchase physical gift cards are a guaranteed sign of scam activity.
cointelegraph.com
A White Settlement, Texas police officer stopped a scam targeting an elderly woman who had been tricked by a Chase Bank impersonator into withdrawing $40,000 and depositing $23,900 into a Bitcoin ATM machine. The scammer used spoofed caller ID and threats of arrest—tactics common in pig butchering scams—before arranging transportation to a bank and convenience store. Authorities intervened before further losses occurred and are working to recover the deposited funds.
wftv.com
An Orlando man lost $2,500 in a tech support scam after scammers impersonating Microsoft and a bank manager convinced him to purchase Sephora gift cards, claiming fraudulent charges had been made to his account and that duplicate purchases would trigger an alert to recover the money. Although the victim realized the scam before providing the gift card PIN numbers and never gave the scammers any card details, Sephora froze the cards and has not issued a refund, leaving him unable to use or gift the cards. Experts advise that requests to purchase physical gift cards are a guaranteed sign of scam, and victims should verify contact by independently calling the company's official number.
mb.com.ph
Scammers increasingly target older adults through deceptive text messages and calls impersonating government agencies, family members, and romantic interests, exploiting the belief that seniors have substantial savings and are less tech-savvy. The article identifies three main fraud types—government impersonation, family-related, and romance scams—and advises seniors to avoid clicking links, sharing personal information, or taking immediate action; instead, they should verify claims directly with banks or family members using known contact numbers. With 9.22 million Filipinos aged 60 and above, educating elders about these scams is critical, as even unreported fraud can be devastating and leave victims in vulnerable financial positions.
al.com
**Summary:**
Quishing (QR code phishing) is an emerging scam where fraudsters post QR codes in public locations or send them via email/text to direct victims to fake websites impersonating legitimate organizations, collecting personally identifiable information like Social Security numbers and financial details for identity theft and fraud. To protect yourself, verify the source of QR codes before scanning, avoid scanning codes from unsolicited messages, contact relevant organizations to report suspicious codes, safeguard personal information, and block spam messages through your carrier.
timesnownews.com
A 68-year-old retired chemical engineer from Pune lost Rs 81 lakh in a sophisticated online scam involving impersonators posing as police and CBI officials who falsely accused him of illegal advertising and money laundering. The fraudsters used fake police credentials, video calls with official logos, and threats of asset freezing to manipulate the victim into transferring the funds as alleged "security deposits." The article advises citizens to verify caller identities through official channels, never share financial information with unknown callers, and report suspicious calls to authorities.
shoredailynews.com
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) prompted Virginia State Police to highlight common scams targeting older adults, including a software update scam that defrauded one Virginia senior of $36,000 and the "Grandparent scam" using AI voices to impersonate grandchildren in distress. The advisory recommends independent verification of requests, avoiding gift card or cryptocurrency payments, establishing trusted "buddy systems," and regular financial audits to help vulnerable adults protect themselves from fraud and identity theft.
au.finance.yahoo.com
An Australian woman lost $2,500 after a scammer impersonating Virgin Money tricked her into providing a one-time passcode via SMS that appeared to come from the bank's official number. The scammer used technology to spoof the bank's phone number, making the fraudulent message appear in the same conversation thread as legitimate bank communications. The incident highlights growing bank impersonation scams, with Australia's National Anti-Scam Centre recording over 6,800 such reports in 2023 resulting in $18 million in losses, and experts warn scams may increase during tax season when fraudsters impersonate the Australian Taxation Office.
wmtw.com
Seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers using phone calls impersonating banks or relatives to steal personal information and money. According to FBI data, older Americans lost $1.6 billion to fraud from January-May 2024, with Maine victims alone losing $7.2 million in 2023 (397 cases averaging $18,040 per victim). Experts recommend pausing to verify unexpected urgent calls through known phone numbers and educating older adults about common scams, with organizations like Kennebunk Savings partnering with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to provide fraud prevention resources and support.
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte provided guidance on protecting oneself from financial scams, emphasizing the importance of skepticism toward unverifiable communications and resisting artificial urgency tactics. He outlined why seniors are vulnerable targets—including accumulated assets, trusting nature, and isolation—and recommended verification strategies such as calling organizations back using independently verified numbers and questioning requests for information companies should already have on file. Perrotte stressed protecting Social Security numbers, avoiding text-based financial requests, and remaining aware that exploitation often comes from trusted individuals like family members and caregivers rather than strangers.
abc17news.com
Phishing scams reached a record high in 2023 with 9,288 reports to the Better Business Bureau, and 2024 is on track to exceed this with 3,363 reports in the first quarter alone. One victim, Stacy Keys, lost $800 after clicking a fraudulent Hertz rental website and being instructed to load money onto prepaid cards by phone; scammers are increasingly using technology and AI to mimic legitimate websites and conduct phishing via email, phone calls, and text messages. Since 2021, the BBB has received 23,126 phishing reports with a median loss of $300 each, and victims are advise
lavanguardia.com
Digital fraud targeting seniors in Spain has surged dramatically, with scam cases against people over 65 increasing 78% between 2019 and 2022 (from 7,568 to 13,479 cases), and digital fraud cases alone rising 21.73% in 2022 compared to 2021. Seniors are vulnerable targets due to lower technology familiarity, trustfulness, and susceptibility to social engineering tactics such as fake investment schemes and fraudulent shopping charges, with 15% of victims losing over €10,000 according to one survey. Experts emphasize that enhanced digital education and protection measures are needed to help older adults navigate the internet safely and avoi
fincen.gov
FinCEN released an analysis of elder financial exploitation (EFE) showing approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity reported by financial institutions between June 2022 and June 2023, based on 155,415 filings. The agency reminds financial institutions to remain vigilant in identifying and reporting EFE, which damages victims' savings, retirement accounts, and overall financial security, and directs victims and reporters to resources including the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-FRAUD-11), the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the FTC.
finance.yahoo.com
Gary and Cindy Wilbur fell victim to two separate elder fraud scams: a utility company impersonation call attempting to extract credit card information, and a fake Amazon customer service scam accessed through a fraudulent Google search result that resulted in unauthorized bank withdrawals. After reporting these incidents to their bank, attorney general, and credit bureaus, the family adopted an open dialogue about finances and regularly communicate about emerging scams, helping them avoid future victimization.
azfamily.com
Senior citizens lost $3 billion to financial scams and fraud in the past year, with an average loss of $33,915 per victim, according to the FTC and FBI. Scammers target adults 60 and older through imposter scams (posing as banks, utilities, or the IRS with false urgency claims) and romance scams (developing fake relationships on social media before requesting payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency). Experts recommend that families discuss these fraud tactics with older relatives as a preventive measure, particularly during June's Elder Abuse Prevention Month.
kare11.com
A Maple Grove senior lost $20,000 in a phone scam after accidentally dialing an incorrect number and reaching scammers posing as Xfinity customer service. The scammer convinced the victim that his accounts had been hacked and pressured him to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM; a gas station clerk intervened during the final transaction, preventing the loss of an additional $5,000. Brooklyn Park police report that residents lost over $1 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2024, with recovery being nearly impossible once funds are transferred between digital wallets, particularly when scammers operate overseas.
denver7.com
A Commerce City woman fell victim to a loan scam when fraudsters impersonated her bank (Navy Federal Credit Union), obtained a loan in her name, and then called her claiming suspicious activity on her account—instructing her to transfer $12,000 back through Zelle transfers, which she did before verifying the call. Despite her attempts to dispute the loan, Navy Federal is holding her responsible for the $400-monthly payments on the fraudulently obtained loan, leaving her facing potential bankruptcy.
commbank.com.au
One in four Australians have been exposed to tax-related scams, with SMS phishing being the most reported scam type during tax season. Scammers impersonate myGov and the Australian Tax Office to trick recipients into clicking fake links and entering bank card details on fraudulent websites that mimic official pages. Australians are advised to verify suspicious messages by contacting organizations directly using verified phone numbers or official websites rather than following links in unsolicited texts or emails.
eyeonannapolis.net
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warns of increasingly sophisticated imposter scams that use AI-generated voices to mimic trusted figures such as government officials, banks, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening legal action, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams, which typically involve unsolicited contact, urgency tactics, requests for sensitive data, or payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Consumers can protect themselves by hanging up on suspicious calls, independently verifying caller identity through official contact numbers, never sharing personal information, and reporting suspected scams to the Attorney General, FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network,
theguardian.com
This article describes a growing scam involving fraudulent QR codes, where scammers place fake QR codes over legitimate ones—such as on parking meters or in messages—to direct victims to phishing websites designed to steal financial information. The article cites the example of David Birch's sister, who nearly lost money after scanning a malicious QR code at a parking facility but was saved when her bank blocked the fraudulent transactions. The US Federal Trade Commission has issued consumer alerts about QR code scams, which have become increasingly prevalent as the technology spreads and criminals exploit the difficulty in verifying whether codes are legitimate.
patch.com
Americans lost over $10 billion to scams last year, with organized criminal networks operating from India and Nigeria using US "cash mules" to launder money through untraceable Bitcoin accounts. Seniors with landlines are particularly targeted through various schemes including romance scams (with victims losing up to $2.5 million), fake emergency calls from supposed grandchildren, phishing emails, suspicious text messages, and fake billing notifications. The article advises never sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, texts, or emails, and recommends blocking suspicious contacts, verifying charges directly with banks, and reporting fraud to email service abuse addresses.
express.co.uk
Research found that travelers aged 18-35 are nearly 20 times more likely to fall victim to holiday scams than those over 55, with 35% of younger travelers reporting scams compared to only 2% of older travelers in the past year. Common holiday scams include booking fraud, social media promotions, ATM skimming, fake pre-paid card schemes, and fraudulent activities. However, experts warn that 22% of older travelers are not taking protective measures, leaving them vulnerable as scams become more sophisticated.
dailymontanan.com
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, stole over $700,000 from her elderly mother while serving as her primary caretaker through forged checks, identity theft, and intercepting bank statements, forcing her mother to sell her home and enter assisted living. Lewis-Stella pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to four years in prison; she also misused her deceased father's credit cards and stole a life insurance check, spending the stolen funds on personal expenses including travel, clothing, and cosmetic procedures. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals dependent on family caregivers and was noted as particularly eg
justice.gov
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for forging approximately 70 checks and stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella also stole other assets including a silver bar, used her deceased father's credit cards, and forged a life insurance check, concealing her crimes by impersonating her mother to banks and intercepting statements. The theft forced her mother to sell her home and move into assisted living, and Lewis-Stella was ordered to pay $725,145 in restitution
kulr8.com
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella forged approximately 70 checks, impersonated her mother to banks, intercepted statements, and also stole jewelry and misused her deceased father's credit cards to fund personal expenses including travel, cosmetic procedures, and shopping. The victim was forced to sell her home and move into an assisted living facility after the thefts were discovered, and Lewis-
nbcboston.com
The FBI and Identity Theft Resource Center report thousands of toll road scams targeting drivers since March, using text messages claiming small unpaid toll balances and directing victims to fake websites that closely resemble legitimate state toll services. If victims click the links and enter payment information, scammers can steal credit card details and personal information, potentially using credential harvesting to access financial accounts at banks and investment firms. To protect against the scam, consumers should ignore unsolicited toll payment messages, never click suspicious links, use unique passwords for each account, and enable two-factor authentication on financial accounts.
dakotanewsnow.com
Phishing scam complaints nearly doubled in 2023 to record highs, with scammers using emails, text messages, and voicemails posing as familiar businesses like banks or streaming services to trick victims into compromising their account information through urgent or alarming messages. While phishing schemes continue to grow more sophisticated with no signs of slowing down, the Better Business Bureau urges people to report attempted scams to help protect others from becoming victims.
wfmd.com
Frederick Police reported 163 fraud cases in the area so far this year, with scammers targeting residents through phishing emails posing as banks and phone calls impersonating law enforcement claiming arrest warrants exist. Authorities advise citizens to avoid clicking suspicious links, never provide personal information, delete fraudulent emails, verify sender identity by calling institutions directly, and report incidents to police, noting that legitimate police never request money or call about warrants.
the-sun.com
Joe John, an Ontario business owner and TD Bank customer, lost $38,300 after checks from his account were duplicated and fraudulently deposited through a mobile account in September 2023. Although the bank initially withdrew $60,800 and launched an investigation, it refunded only two of eight fraudulent checks and refused to reimburse the remaining amount, citing a 48-hour reporting deadline that John claims he was not aware of. The unresolved fraud has forced John to consider shutting down his business.
fintechnews.sg
ASEAN's banking sector has experienced a significant surge in phishing and fraud scams, with over 200 DBS Bank customers in Singapore losing S$446,000 to SMS phishing in early 2024, and OCBC experiencing losses exceeding S$13 million in a 2021-2022 SMS phishing scheme. Singapore's scam and cybercrime cases increased by 49.6% to 50,376 in 2023, driven by rapid digital banking adoption, low digital literacy among elderly customers, and the cross-border nature of scams. Banks are strengthening defenses through biometric verification, AI-driven fraud analytics, and multi-layere
fingerlakesdailynews.com
**Title:** New York Department of State Warns of Elder Fraud Epidemic
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud following the FBI's 2023 report showing that scams targeting adults over 60 resulted in $3.4 billion in losses (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915. The advisory describes eight common scams affecting older adults—including medical device, grandparent, ghosting, jury duty, funeral notification, sweepstakes, IRS imposter, and free grant scams—and provides prevention tips such as resisting immediate action, verifying caller identity, an
troyrecord.com
New York's Department of State Division of Consumer Protection released guidance on scams targeting older adults, noting that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, with the average victim losing $33,915. The advisory outlines common scams including medical device, grandparent, jury duty, funeral notification, and IRS imposter schemes, and recommends that seniors hang up on unrecognizable numbers, avoid unsolicited links, and verify requests through trusted phone numbers. Officials emphasized that elder abuse is widely underreported and urged anyone suspecting abuse to contact the New York State Adult Services Helpline at 1-844-697-3505.
thenevadaglobe.com
A North Las Vegas woman lost approximately $9,000 in a sophisticated phone scam where a caller impersonated her bank, reported fraudulent charges, and convinced her to surrender her debit card to a fake courier who arrived at her door. The scammer used urgent pressure tactics, spoofed caller ID, and already possessed personal details like her address, ultimately gaining access to her account information after the victim handed over her card. The victim has filed a police report and contacted her bank, though recovery of the stolen funds remains uncertain.
gobankingrates.com
This educational article outlines 11 common scams expected in 2025 and protective measures for consumers. Key scams include AI-powered fraud (voice cloning, deepfakes, phishing, and fake job postings), check fraud through digital alteration, debt relief scams, and fake package delivery schemes, with seniors particularly targeted through "grandparent scams." The article advises consumers to verify identities before sharing information, use secure payment methods instead of checks, contact legitimate financial institutions directly, and remain vigilant as scammers use advancing technology to make frauds harder to detect.
dos.ny.gov
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud awareness, reporting that scams targeting adults over 60 caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with average victim losses of $33,915. The advisory outlined common scams affecting older adults including medical device scams, grandparent scams, identity theft targeting deceased persons, jury duty scams, and sweepstakes scams, while recommending protective measures such as avoiding unsolicited calls, not clicking unknown links, and verifying requests through trusted phone numbers.
ftadviser.com
Geoff Harris lost £3,042.34 to a text scam impersonating his daughter and initially received only £40 reimbursement from HSBC, which he challenged as inadequate. After Harris contacted FT Adviser, HSBC conducted a new review and, considering mitigating circumstances including his diagnosed OCD and anxiety disorder that were triggered by the emotional situation, offered a full refund. The case highlights how banks may initially overlook mental health factors and vulnerable circumstances when assessing scam victim claims.
wxii12.com
Chatham County's Department of Social Services hosted a senior resource fair to address the growing problem of financial exploitation targeting vulnerable adults. In 2022, $3 billion was lost to financial exploitation nationwide, with sweetheart scams and exploitation by trusted individuals (such as those with power of attorney) being the most common types reported in Chatham County, where cases have increased from 25% to approximately 33% of all reports. Officials recommend people "see it, stop it, and report it" by recognizing warning signs like unusual money transfers and gift card purchases, immediately contacting banks and law enforcement, and reporting suspected exploitation to adult protective services or the Federal Trade Commission.
yahoo.com
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning residents of AI-powered scams that impersonate government officials and family members, particularly targeting parents and grandparents with deepfake voice calls claiming a child needs help. The FBI reported grandparent scams alone resulted in nearly $2 million in losses last year, with imposter scams being the most commonly reported fraud type in 2023. Bonta's office provided prevention tips including using family code words, limiting personal audio/video on social media, checking privacy settings, letting unknown calls go to voicemail, and using call-blocking technology.
cjonline.com
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, pleaded guilty to embezzling $47 million in bank funds through a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where he was lured by an unidentified scammer via WhatsApp into making fraudulent cryptocurrency investments with false promises of returns. Hanes made 11 wire transfers to cryptocurrency accounts while lying to bank employees and investors, resulting in shareholder losses of $9-13 million and leading to the bank's insolvency in July 2023. He faces up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and $60.5 million in restit
berkshireeagle.com
Fraud reports exceeded $10 billion in the United States last year, representing a 14% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics including phishing, fake urgency, and AI-enhanced schemes. Key prevention strategies include never sharing personal information or online banking credentials with anyone claiming to be from a financial institution or government agency, avoiding unknown callers, and immediately contacting your bank using numbers from official statements rather than online searches if fraud is suspected. A local couple nearly lost $46,000 in a Microsoft impersonation scam but was protected when a bank manager intervened, highlighting the importance of quick action and institutional fraud prevention measures.
chroniclelive.co.uk
This educational article outlines eight common WhatsApp scams and prevention strategies. The scams include impersonation schemes (where fraudsters pose as family members or romantic interests), verification code theft, cryptocurrency and investment fraud, and malware distribution, with each targeting different types of personal information or money from victims. The key advice emphasizes verifying sender identity through independent channels, never sharing sensitive codes or personal data, researching investment opportunities thoroughly, and reporting suspicious activity to WhatsApp and authorities.
thereporter.com
Nearly 750 senior citizens in Solano County reported financial abuse in the previous year, prompting Solano Public Health's Older and Disabled Adult Services to launch the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center website. The center provides prevention resources, educational materials on five key anti-scam strategies, and a reporting mechanism for fraud cases, while addressing three major fraud categories affecting the county: phone/mail fraud, internet/email/texting fraud, and family/caregiver fraud. Nationally, seniors lose over $3 billion annually to fraud, averaging $35,101 per victim.