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fashionjournal.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This article provides dating safety advice from a dating expert for travelers using dating apps during holidays. The piece covers 11 essential tips for avoiding romance scams, catfishing, and harassment—including not oversharing personal information, verifying matches, avoiding suspicious links, video calling before meeting, and meeting in public places while keeping friends informed of plans.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo proposed legislation that would impose jail sentences of three to six years and fines of at least P500,000 on scammers who target senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) through internet and telecommunications fraud. The bill aims to protect vulnerable populations who depend on pensions and savings and are frequently victimized by fraudsters and criminal syndicates. Tulfo cited numerous complaints from elderly and disabled victims whose life savings have been depleted through scams.
filipinotimes.net
· 2025-12-08
A Philippine legislative bill is advancing to protect senior citizens and persons with disabilities from internet and telecommunications fraud targeting these vulnerable populations. If enacted, the law would impose penalties including fines of at least PHP 500,000 and imprisonment of three months to six years or more for scammers, with severity depending on the amount stolen. The bill aims to address the growing number of fraud complaints against seniors and PWDs while promoting safer use of digital platforms.
readingeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud targeting older adults has significantly worsened, with reported losses from investment scams reaching $147 million in 2022—a 213% increase compared to 2020, according to FTC data. Scammers continue to exploit seniors by attempting to steal personal and financial information for fraudulent purposes.
inquirer.com
· 2025-12-08
American consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with seniors particularly vulnerable, losing over $3.4 billion to romance, grandparent, and technical support scams. While Congress designated May 15 as National Senior Fraud Awareness Day, the editorial argues that symbolic gestures are insufficient and calls for substantial federal funding and coordinated legislation to combat fraud, as current efforts remain disjointed and banking institutions lack adequate support to prevent these crimes.
wset.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Better Business Bureau warned consumers ahead of Amazon Prime Day (July 16-17, 2024) to watch for scams, including fake websites and phishing emails promoted through social media. The BBB recommended shoppers protect themselves by using encrypted websites, avoiding clicking on suspicious links and ads, and paying with credit cards for fraud protection.
newsfirst.lk
· 2025-12-08
The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) warned of a surge in financial fraud scams where criminals impersonate government agencies through fraudulent emails bearing official letterheads and requesting payments. In the past five months, SLCERT received nearly 7,900 social media-related complaints, with 1,830 specifically involving financial fraud, representing a significant increase in recent days.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam involving fraudsters impersonating process servers has been reported to the Better Business Bureau, where callers claim to represent non-existent lawsuits, liens, or legal matters to intimidate victims into providing personal information like Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and addresses. The scammers use pressure tactics, threats of legal action, and sometimes reference family members by name to create urgency and extract sensitive data. To protect themselves, consumers should verify any claims through their local court websites, avoid confirming information to unsolicited callers, and never share personal details about themselves or family members over the phone.
afr.com
· 2025-12-08
Nina Merrilees lost $11,600 in 2022 after falling victim to a "hey mum" texting scam, where criminals impersonated her daughter to trick her into transferring money to a fraudulent account. Despite the transaction being processed through major banks, she was not reimbursed for the loss, leaving her shocked at the banks' refusal to take responsibility for the fraudulent transfer.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
During Amazon Prime Days sales events, scammers increase phishing and fraudulent website activity, with Amazon being one of the most commonly impersonated companies. Experts advise consumers of all ages to avoid clicking suspicious links or attachments from unknown sources, shop only on verified websites, and report suspicious activity to the Better Business Bureau. Those who fall victim should place a fraud alert on their payment methods immediately.
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2024 election season, scammers are impersonating political campaigns by sending unsolicited text messages to voters, using phishing tactics known as "smishing" to steal personal information or credit card details. These fraudulent messages often request survey participation or promise prizes, requiring victims to click links or enter financial information for shipping costs. Recipients should not respond to or click links in unsolicited political texts and can report suspicious messages to local election offices or the Better Business Bureau.
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
This article warns consumers about common summer scams including fake vacation rentals, fraudulent hotel payment calls, counterfeit concert tickets, and fake cruise offers that request upfront payments and personal information. Key prevention strategies include using reputable booking sites, verifying listings directly with vendors, avoiding wire transfers and prepaid cards, and regularly monitoring bank and credit card accounts; the article also notes the FBI received over 2,000 complaints about smishing texts impersonating toll collection services. Victims of fraud can contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at 888-400-5530 for assistance.
port.ac.uk
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A University of Portsmouth study of nearly 2,000 UK adults over 75 found that two-thirds experienced at least one telephone fraud attempt in the past six months, with 40 percent facing frequent daily, weekly, or monthly attempts—predominantly via landline calls (75 percent of frauds). The research revealed that these persistent scams cause significant anxiety and fear among older adults, with many reporting constant suspicion of communications and reduced quality of life, though the full psychological impact on this demographic warrants further investigation.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
Over Rs 5 crore was stolen from Bengaluru residents in 2023 through FedEx and other courier company impersonation scams, with 163 police cases filed in the city. Scammers contacted victims claiming packages in their names contained drugs or illegal items, then impersonated police and CBI officials via video calls to coerce victims into transferring money to multiple accounts. Notable victims included a retired Lieutenant Colonel who lost Rs 73 lakh, a lawyer extorted for Rs 15 lakh, and a software CEO defrauded of Rs 2.3 crore.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how artificial intelligence is being weaponized by scammers to create more sophisticated and convincing frauds. Scammers are using AI tools including deepfakes, voice cloning, and chatbots to personalize attacks, automate victim targeting, and make deceptive content more realistic and harder to detect. The article emphasizes that awareness of these emerging AI-powered scam tactics is essential for protecting oneself from increasingly advanced fraud schemes.
gazettengr.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI charged Nigerian tech entrepreneur Kingsley Inegbedion and Efemena Igbe with a 16-count indictment for perpetrating romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded American citizens of $1.5 million between April 2020 and May 2023. The defendants created fake corporate entities and directed victims to wire money into fraudulent bank accounts at institutions including HSBC, Citibank, and Navy Federal Credit Union, then quickly transferred funds to conceal the fraud. Igbe fled to Nigeria before charges were filed, while Inegbedion was arrested and remanded in custody; the FBI is seeking full restit
tori.ng
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals, Kingsley Inegbedion and Efemena Igbe, were indicted on 16 counts of money laundering and internet fraud for operating romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded American citizens of approximately $1.5 million between April 2020 and May 2023. The defendants posed as legitimate businesses, directed victims to wire money into fraudulent accounts at major banks, and quickly distributed the funds to conceal the scheme; Igbe fled to Nigeria before facing charges while Inegbedion remained to defend himself. The FBI is seeking full restitution and forfeiture of all property obtained through the fraud.
thewhistler.ng
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian tech entrepreneur Kingsley Inegbedion was arrested by the FBI on a 16-count indictment for his alleged role in a $1.5 million fraud scheme operating from April 2020 to May 2023. Inegbedion and accomplice Efemena Igbe (still at large) operated fake corporate entities to perpetrate romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting victims. The FBI is seeking full restitution of funds and forfeiture of all property obtained through the fraudulent operation.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Tech entrepreneur Kingsley Inegbedion was arrested and charged by the FBI for orchestrating romance scams and business email compromise schemes between April 2020 and May 2023, working with accomplice Efemena Igbe (still at large) to defraud American citizens using fake corporate entities and laundering funds through multiple accounts. The FBI is seeking restitution of funds and forfeiture of property obtained through the scheme, which involved converting stolen money into cashier's checks and cash withdrawals. The article also highlights similar cases including Nigerian crypto executive Linus Williams arrested for fraud and terrorism funding allegations, and the convictions of scammers Hushpuppi (
nerdwallet.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines key strategies for avoiding financial scams, noting that 54% of Americans have experienced scam attempts in the past two years, with 18% losing money (median loss of $325, though 32% lost $1,000 or more). Experts recommend four main protective measures: hanging up and contacting companies directly using verified numbers, enabling multifactor authentication and monitoring accounts weekly, familiarizing yourself with common scam types, and recognizing that anyone—regardless of education or income level—can fall victim to fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. imposed sanctions on three Mexican accountants and four firms allegedly supporting a timeshare fraud operation run by the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel that targets Americans. Timeshare fraud perpetrated by Mexico-based criminals results in tens of millions in annual losses, with the FBI receiving over 600 complaints in 2022 alone totaling approximately $39.6 million, with elderly Americans being particularly targeted. The Treasury Department and FBI advised banks to remain vigilant against these schemes and reminded consumers to be cautious of unsolicited communications regarding timeshares and high-pressure sales tactics.
nbcboston.com
· 2025-12-08
This article warns consumers about scam risks during Amazon Prime Day (July 16) and other summer sales events, when scammers exploit shopping activity with fake websites, fraudulent links, and phishing messages. In June alone, cybersecurity researchers identified over 1,200 suspicious domains impersonating Amazon, with 85% suspected to be malicious, and AI-generated fake sites are becoming increasingly difficult to detect. The article recommends consumers manually enter URLs rather than clicking links, use credit cards for purchases, enable two-factor authentication, and verify prices across retailers to avoid falling victim to fraud.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. imposed sanctions on three Mexican accountants and four firms linked to the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel for operating a multi-million dollar timeshare fraud scheme targeting Americans, particularly elderly victims. Timeshare fraud losses reached approximately $39.6 million in 2022 alone, with scammers using sophisticated tactics including impersonating U.S. Treasury officials and employing high-pressure sales tactics via unsolicited calls and emails. The Treasury and FBI issued guidance to banks and the public to remain vigilant against these schemes, recommending verification of company representatives and avoidance of time-sensitive offers.
apnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During Amazon Prime Day sales events, scammers intensify phishing and fraud attempts targeting shoppers through fake emails, lookalike websites, and unsolicited calls impersonating Amazon and other retailers. Common scams claim account or order issues to steal payment and personal information, with the Better Business Bureau reporting record phishing reports in 2023 and over 1,230 suspicious Amazon-associated websites appearing in June alone. Experts recommend consumers verify purchases directly on Amazon's app or website and remain vigilant against increasingly sophisticated scams that evolve to use artificial intelligence and create false urgency.
sunstar.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Over 200 senior citizens in Carcar City, Cebu participated in a digital literacy training session organized by PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. to protect them from text and online scams such as phishing. The program, conducted in partnership with the city's Office of the Senior Citizens Affairs and a French NGO, aimed to improve digital skills, teach fraud prevention, and provide mental health awareness support for navigating technology safely.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by impersonation scammers who pose as the IRS, family members, or trusted businesses to steal money or personal information. The IRS warns taxpayers to be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, or emails claiming money is owed, and to recognize red flags such as requests for payment via gift cards, threats of arrest, and pressure for immediate action—none of which the legitimate IRS employs. Scammers exploit age-related vulnerabilities and use technology like caller ID spoofing to gain credibility, making education about these tactics essential for protecting older adults.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A University of Portsmouth study of nearly 2,000 UK adults (80% over age 75) found that 40% experience phone-based fraud attempts on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, with two-thirds experiencing at least one attempt in six months. Three-quarters of attempted fraud was conducted via telephone (60% voice calls, 11% texts), with victims reporting significant impacts on mental health and quality of life; one elderly woman lost nearly £100,000 after being targeted following her husband's death. The research highlights phone fraud occurring "on an industrial scale" despite conflicting US data showing a shift toward email and text-based scams between 2020-2023.
gvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is primarily a website navigation/subscription page for a local Arizona news outlet. The substantive content focuses on elder fraud awareness in Arizona, highlighting that behind FBI statistics on elder fraud are real victims with emotional and financial losses, and features stories of three Arizona victims. The piece also mentions that UPS staff in Green Valley stopped scammers from stealing nearly $200,000 over two years, and references R.O.S.E. Resources as a local organization providing senior fraud prevention information.
home.treasury.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned three Mexican accountants and four Mexican companies connected to timeshare fraud schemes operated by the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which primarily targets U.S. timeshare owners in Mexico, including elderly victims. The scammers operate call centers impersonating legitimate brokers and attorneys, defrauding victims through complex multi-year schemes involving fake timeshare exits, re-rentals, and investment offers, with victims often re-victimized through impersonation of law firms and authorities. The stolen funds are funneled through wire transfers to Mexican shell companies and then laundered by cartel-connected money
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A University of Portsmouth study found that 40% of elderly UK adults experienced online fraud, with three-quarters of attacks targeting mobile phones through persistent phone calls (60%) and text messages (11%); the constant harassment negatively affected many victims' mental health. Cybercriminals exploit social engineering tactics like urgency and threats—particularly effective with seniors who fear harm to loved ones or legal penalties—and globally, fraud complaints among adults over 60 increased 11% year-over-year in 2023, with two-thirds of UK respondents experiencing at least one fraud attempt in six months.
arabtimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bangladeshi expatriate in Kuwait lost KD 1,015 after a scammer posing as a bank representative called him, claimed to need Civil ID updates, and convinced him to share his bank account number and OTP, which was then used to drain his account within minutes. Banks and the Ministry of Interior warned the public against such impersonation scams and advised people to never share sensitive financial information over the phone, even when callers claim to represent trusted institutions. The article outlines common scam tactics including phishing, automated withdrawal schemes, impersonation fraud, password cracking, and card skimming, and recommends consumers monitor statements, use strong passwords, and report suspected fraud promptly
leicestermercury.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Leicestershire County Councillor and former police officer Ozzy O'Shea nearly fell victim to a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters gained unauthorized access to multiple accounts (email, Amazon, National Lottery, and his late wife's accounts) and attempted to impersonate his bank. He recognized the scam when a caller claiming to be from his bank used suspicious tactics and hung up when confronted. Trading Standards has used his experience to remind the public of protective measures including never confirming details to unsolicited callers, using unique passwords, enabling two-step verification, and reporting account hacks immediately.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
As of June 30, 2023, Zelle's operator Early Warning Services implemented new reimbursement rules for certain qualifying imposter scams following pressure from federal lawmakers; however, fraud victims report still being denied reimbursements. Amalia Speedone lost $3,452 after scammers impersonated Bank of America, tricked her into sending money via Zelle, and her bank initially refused to help, illustrating the ongoing vulnerability of the near-instantaneous and irreversible payment platform to social engineering attacks.
marbleheadcurrent.org
· 2025-12-08
Retired teacher Doug Fodeman and his neighbor David Deutsch have operated TheDailyScam.com for 12 years to educate people about fraud prevention, inspired after their sons were targeted by online scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with prevalent schemes including "pig butchering" text scams, fake package delivery notifications, romance and sextortion scams, and fake banking texts. Fodeman provides free weekly newsletters and resources to help people recognize and avoid these increasingly sophisticated scams.
standard.net
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how scammers psychologically manipulate victims by exploiting emotions like greed, fear, and need, and by impersonating trusted authorities to create artificial urgency. The piece outlines key fraudulent tactics including social engineering, building false legitimacy through fake websites and documents, and emotional manipulation, then provides protective strategies such as verifying sources independently, resisting pressure to act quickly, and maintaining healthy skepticism toward unsolicited offers.
staffordshire.gov.uk
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Staffordshire consumers are being warned of increased fraud risks as criminals leverage AI technology, including deepfakes, voice cloning, and phishing messages, to make scams more convincing and difficult to detect. Trading Standards officers are concerned that traditional scam tactics are becoming harder to identify when enhanced with AI-generated content such as fake celebrity endorsements and artificial voice recordings. Authorities advise victims to immediately contact their bank and report incidents to Action Fraud or call police on 101.
dakotanewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Online shopping scams are among the top three fraud schemes reported annually, with young adults aged 18-24 being the most targeted demographic despite their technology proficiency. To avoid cyber scams, consumers should verify they're on legitimate websites (checking for "HTTPS" and padlock symbols), use credit cards instead of debit cards, research domain age, and be cautious of phishing emails directing them to cloned websites that mimic legitimate retailers like Amazon.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported that government impersonation scams cost Americans $2.7 billion last year, with a 90% surge in cash payments to scammers between 2022 and 2023, with median losses reaching $14,740 per victim. Scammers pose as federal agencies (FTC, IRS, SSA, FBI) via texts and emails to demand cash payments, which are preferred by criminals because they leave no paper trail. The FTC and partnering federal agencies warn that legitimate government agencies never request money or personal information via text or social media, and urge victims to report scams at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania House Bill 2064, sponsored by State Representative Joe Hogan, passed the House with bipartisan support (152-49 votes) and is headed to the Senate. The legislation aims to protect seniors from financial exploitation by requiring financial institutions and fiduciaries to report suspected abuse, temporarily halt suspicious transactions, and share information with area agencies on aging, while granting them immunity from liability. According to Hogan, tens of thousands of dollars are lost weekly to scams and fraud in Bucks County alone, making this decade-long legislative effort critical to safeguarding seniors' assets.
app.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old New Jersey resident and other seniors attended an educational event about protecting themselves from identity theft and online scams, which have become increasingly prevalent in their demographic. According to FBI data, over 101,000 people aged 60 and older reported fraud in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts advise seniors to protect themselves by using strong passwords, shredding sensitive documents, never sharing personal information, and recognizing urgency tactics as warning signs of scams.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Maryland retiree lost approximately $900,000 after clicking a pop-up ad that falsely claimed Russian spyware had compromised her computer; the scammers, posing as federal agents, convinced her to convert her life savings into gold bars and hand them over to a courier. A 19-year-old suspect from Brooklyn was arrested when he arrived to collect what he believed was a box of gold bars worth millions, but was instead apprehended by a detective posing as the victim. Montgomery County authorities warned residents that legitimate government officials never request citizens convert cash to gold or make similar demands.
gritdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Two elderly men, Naum Lanstman (74) and Aleksey Madan (68), lost their retirement savings—$340,000 and $137,000 respectively—to a sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud scheme operated by "SpireBit." The article reports that over 101,000 U.S. seniors lost $3.4 billion to crypto-related scams in 2023, with loneliness, isolation, and lack of digital literacy making them vulnerable to grandparent fraud, romance scams, and confidence schemes. The piece emphasizes that prevention through education by family members and open communication about digital security is more effective than recovery efforts, as law enforcement and banks
cfpublic.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud is surging nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes driving dramatic increases in losses. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office formed a dedicated financial fraud unit and launched awareness campaigns, including a screening of the movie "Thelma" that depicted a grandparent falling victim to an impersonation scam—a con that mirrors real schemes targeting seniors' trust and assets. In Volusia County alone, seniors lost approximately $4.6 million over the past year, with detectives recovering only $760,000 of the nearly 575 reported fraud cases.
outkick.com
· 2025-12-08
In February 2022, the City of Memphis lost $773,000 in taxpayer funds to a phishing scam targeting payments to Zellner Construction Company. A city employee received what appeared to be a legitimate request to change the contractor's account details and transferred the full amount to an unauthorized account, discovering the fraud only after the money had already been sent.
kob.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting University of New Mexico (UNM) email account holders with phishing emails impersonating professors or supervisors, offering fake job opportunities (advertised as $4,500 weekly positions with limited openings) or requesting gift card purchases. The scams use pressure tactics and urgency to manipulate victims, with at least one UNM student falling victim. UNM officials advise recipients to watch for external email warnings and report suspicious messages to the IT Department.
valleybreeze.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers pressure victims into immediate payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency by fabricating urgent scenarios like fake tax debts or promises of refunds, often using spoofed caller IDs to appear legitimate. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency and verify contact directly at 800-829-1040 rather than using numbers provided by callers.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
Colorado Springs police report that scams are increasingly catching seniors due to both the volume of daily attempts and seniors' particular vulnerability to emotional manipulation. Victims lose anywhere from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with romance scams proving especially devastating—one woman lost her life by suicide after being defrauded of thousands of dollars monthly by a romance scammer posing as her fiancé. Experts identify key red flags including requests for non-traditional payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency, direct bank transfers) and note that seniors' generation-based tendency to trust authority figures, combined with isolation and loneliness, makes them prime targets for scammers posing as law enforcement, banks, or tech companies.
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau Mountain West has launched the Scam Survival Kit, a toolkit designed to help scam victims access recovery resources tailored to their specific type of fraud, including identity theft, romance scams, phishing, and compromised devices. The toolkit provides step-by-step recovery plans for various situations—such as recovering fraudulently transferred funds, securing compromised devices, managing financial hardship, and accessing mental health support—to help survivors feel less isolated and connect them with available assistance.
brantbeacon.ca
· 2025-12-08
A victim lost $34,500 in a romance scam that began on a dating app in April 2024, where a scammer built trust before pivoting to cryptocurrency investment schemes and then exploiting the victim with fake withdrawal fees. The scammer used multiple deception tactics including stolen influencer photos, changing contact information, and creating fake accounts to maintain the illusion of legitimacy. The Brant County OPP advises the public to avoid switching communication platforms with online contacts, never share financial information with people not met in person, and report suspicious activity immediately.
myemail-api.constantcontact.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explains how romance scammers target vulnerable individuals on dating platforms and social media by researching personal information and creating fake profiles to build emotional connections before requesting money. The piece outlines key warning signs including profiles that seem too perfect, requests to move off-platform, fabricated sob stories, and limited contact histories. The article advises users to verify identities through reverse image searches, limit personal information sharing, trust their instincts, and remain skeptical of relationships that develop too quickly.