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briefglance.com
· 2026-06-26
A UK-based organization called Finance Complaint List has launched a new fraud recovery platform designed to help victims of online stock-trading and romance scams by centralizing reports and streamlining asset recovery efforts. The article highlights the growing sophistication of financial fraud schemes—which cost victims over $1.3 billion annually in romance scams alone—and notes that while the platform addresses a real need, success in international asset recovery has historically been difficult to achieve. Victims affected by these scams should report fraudulent activity to official regulators like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities or romantic relationships developed online, particularly those pressuring you to transfer money.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2026-06-26
Barkley Regional Airport in Paducah is warning travelers about online romance scams where scammers pose as people they've met online and request money for airline tickets or travel expenses that never materialize. Local residents have fallen victim to these schemes in increasing numbers, with the Better Business Bureau reporting 123 phishing-style scams across Kentucky in a recent 90-day period. To protect yourself, be cautious about sending money to anyone you've only met online, verify requests through official channels, and remember that legitimate travel companions won't ask strangers for money to purchase tickets.
crowdfundinsider.com
· 2026-06-26
UK's Starling Bank has launched an AI tool integrated into its banking app to help its five million customers identify and avoid romance scams, investment fraud, and deepfake phishing attempts—addressing a sharp rise in fraud losses, including a 23% increase in romance fraud and 40% jump in investment fraud. The AI assistant asks clarifying questions when customers describe suspicious transactions (such as sending money to a new romantic partner) and flags warning signs before money is sent. Customers should use this type of AI-assisted verification when making unexpected financial transfers and speak with their bank's support team if a transaction seems suspicious.
thepaypers.com
· 2026-06-26
Starling Bank has launched an AI-powered Scam Intelligence agent that helps protect its five million customers from over ten types of fraud, including romance scams and investment fraud, by asking targeted questions when customers attempt suspicious transactions. The tool was developed with input from fraud survivor Cecilie Fjellhøy and comes at a critical time, as UK fraud losses surged dramatically in 2025—with romance fraud up 23% and investment fraud up 40%. Customers can use the opt-in feature by simply telling their banking assistant about a planned payment, and the AI will flag potential red flags and recommend speaking with bank support if fraud is suspected.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-26
Scammers operating a statewide elder fraud network in Florida targeted at least 40 victims and stole over $3.5 million by impersonating government officials and convincing seniors to withdraw cash for couriers to pick up from their homes. One courier, Xin Liu, was caught after a vigilant victim photographed her and was sentenced to 27 months in prison, though the broader criminal network remains under investigation. To protect yourself: be suspicious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies like the FTC, never withdraw large sums of cash for unknown people, and contact authorities immediately if someone asks you to transfer money or hand over cash in person.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-26
Multiple Australians have lost their life savings—including one woman who lost $150,000 and a 74-year-old who lost $320,000—to a sophisticated investment scam that fraudulently used Commonwealth Bank branding and images of former investment guru Tom Piotrowski. The scam operated through fake social media ads and WhatsApp groups that promised high returns and free stock advice, targeting vulnerable people including retirees and those saving for medical procedures. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment offers on social media, verify any investment opportunity directly with the actual financial institution (not through links in ads), and remember that legitimate financial advisors won't recruit clients through Facebook ads or private messaging groups.
ladbible.com
· 2026-06-26
Ticket scams are surging across the UK, with fraudsters posting fake listings on social media and using counterfeit resale sites to steal money from desperate event-goers—Halifax and Lloyds report the average victim loses around £272. To protect yourself, the banks recommend only purchasing through official ticket partners and verified resale sites, paying via debit card, credit card, or PayPal rather than bank transfers, and verifying the ticket's authenticity before paying. With high-demand events like concerts and sporting tournaments creating urgency, scammers are exploiting FOMO (fear of missing out) to catch people off guard.
internazionale.it
· 2026-06-25
Thai authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Chinese businessman Wang Yicheng, who is accused of laundering millions of dollars from cryptocurrency investment scams and online gambling operations through illegal crypto mining networks in Southeast Asia. Wang, who had cultivated connections with Thai political and law enforcement officials, is believed to have fled the country, and Thai police are working with international partners to locate him. The case is part of a broader crackdown on Chinese-run scam syndicates operating in Southeast Asia that generate billions annually and often exploit trafficking victims.
the420.in
· 2026-06-25
U.S. and international authorities shut down a massive $31 billion cryptocurrency marketplace operated by Cambodia's HuiOne Group that facilitated global cybercrime, including money laundering, identity theft, and human trafficking—with advanced AI tools like face-swapping and voice-cloning software particularly targeting Indian citizens. The operation affected thousands of Indians who were trafficked to Southeast Asian scam hubs after being lured by fake job postings on social media. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited job offers on social media (especially from overseas), verify employment opportunities directly through official company websites, and enable multi-factor authentication on financial accounts to guard against identity theft and biometric spoofing attempts.
advisorhub.com
· 2026-06-25
Edward Jones has invested in Carefull, a fraud-prevention service that monitors accounts and alerts clients or trusted contacts to suspicious activity, signs of scams, or potential cognitive decline—protecting seniors who lose over $7.7 billion annually to financial fraud. The investment makes Carefull's services available free to Edward Jones' 9 million clients through its 20,000 brokers, and similar tools are now being adopted by other major financial firms. Seniors and their families should consider enabling account monitoring services and setting up trusted contacts who can receive alerts about unusual financial activity.
soloneconomist.com
· 2026-06-25
Iowa's new House File 2232, effective July 1, empowers insurance companies to temporarily freeze suspicious transactions to protect seniors from financial fraud and exploitation. The law was inspired by a similar framework in the securities industry that has proven highly effective—in 2025 alone, financial professionals flagged 42 suspicious transactions with 100% accuracy, preventing $2.59 million from reaching scammers and recovering $1.13 million for victims. Seniors and their families should take action by naming a trusted contact with their financial institutions and staying vigilant against increasingly sophisticated scams involving AI impersonation, social media fraud, and digital asset schemes.
floridadaily.com
· 2026-06-25
A Chinese national living in Apopka was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for participating in an elder fraud scheme that targeted seniors across Florida through phone calls and electronic messages, attempting to steal over $95,000 from vulnerable victims between July 2025 and July 30, 2025. The scheme caused significant financial hardship to at least one victim in an assisted living community, highlighting a growing problem of foreign nationals orchestrating elder fraud operations in the state. Federal prosecutors urge seniors and their families to be cautious of unsolicited calls and messages requesting money, and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.
ctinsider.com
· 2026-06-25
A 72-year-old Connecticut veteran and retired IT recruiter, Regina Stankaitis, fell victim to caregiver theft in 2021 when her hired caregiver stole her identity, checks, and nearly $35,000 in goods within just two weeks—a crime made possible because Stankaitis was vulnerable while recovering from knee surgery and dealing with post-operative complications. The experience left lasting psychological trauma, but Stankaitis has turned her ordeal into advocacy work, publicly sharing her story through AARP to raise awareness about elder financial exploitation and encourage vulnerable individuals to take extra precautions when hiring in-home care. Key advice: thoroughly vet and monitor hired caregivers, especially during periods when you're incapacitated or medicated, and consider implementing safeguards like background checks and financial oversight.
newstimes.com
· 2026-06-25
A 72-year-old Connecticut veteran, Regina Stankaitis, became a victim of caregiver theft in 2021 when her hired caregiver stole her identity, checks, and nearly $35,000 worth of goods within just two weeks—taking advantage of her vulnerability while recovering from knee surgery and experiencing medication complications. Though the trauma has left lasting psychological effects, Stankaitis has turned her experience into advocacy work, publicly sharing her story through AARP to raise awareness and help other seniors recognize warning signs and take protective measures against similar exploitation. The case highlights the risks vulnerable people face when hiring in-home care and underscores the importance of background checks, supervision, and vigilance when selecting caregivers.
kbsi23.com
· 2026-06-25
Barkley Regional Airport in Kentucky is warning the public about online romance and travel scams after multiple local victims lost money to criminals who posed as people needing help paying for airline tickets or travel expenses. The scammers typically build trust over weeks or months before requesting money and promising in-person meetings that never happen. Residents are urged to learn the warning signs of these scams and share information with family and friends to prevent others from becoming victims.
256today.com
· 2026-06-25
Social media scams cost Americans $2.1 billion last year, with fraudsters using fake investment schemes, phishing attacks disguised as party invitations, and counterfeit shopping ads to steal money and personal information across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited friend requests, investment promises offering "guaranteed" returns, and suspicious links in messages or texts—verify requests directly with contacts and use strong, unique passwords for your accounts.
money.com
· 2026-06-25
A criminal group called "Outsider" has been using AI to create thousands of fake websites and send millions of deceptive text messages impersonating mobile carriers, banks, and delivery services, resulting in $1.9 billion in losses since July 2023. The scam typically lures victims to counterfeit sites through texts about expiring rewards or undelivered packages, where they're tricked into entering banking credentials and one-time passwords that fraudsters use to steal their information. To protect yourself, verify any alerts by contacting your bank or carrier directly using official phone numbers, never click links in unsolicited texts, and be skeptical of urgent requests to log in or claim prizes.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2026-06-25
Santa Clara County is addressing a rising wave of financial scams targeting older adults, with the Department of Aging and Adult Services and AARP hosting educational forums to help residents recognize and avoid fraud schemes like fake IRS demands and fraudulent bank calls. According to a 2025 county report, Adult Protective Services received over 4,200 reports of financial exploitation, with nearly half involving scams and 65% of those reports confirmed as legitimate fraud. Residents are encouraged to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for personal information, verify caller identities independently, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
apnorc.org
· 2026-06-25
A new survey finds that 58% of American adults receive suspected scam attempts daily through texts, calls, emails, or online messages, with seniors aged 60+ experiencing them at higher rates and facing particular vulnerability to tech support, investment, and impersonation scams. While 24% of adults report being tricked into sharing personal information and 17% have lost money to scams, only 15% reported incidents to federal law enforcement, suggesting many victims don't pursue formal reporting. Experts recommend that people stay vigilant about unsolicited contacts, verify requests through official channels directly, and report scams to both their financial institutions and relevant authorities rather than relying solely on informal complaints.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-25
Scammers are targeting families through phone calls impersonating law enforcement and other authorities, creating fake urgency to trick victims into withdrawing cash from banks to send to strangers. According to the FBI and FTC, impostor scams caused $3.5 billion in losses in 2025, with scammers often coaching victims on what to say to bank tellers before they arrive. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls demanding immediate wire transfers or cash withdrawals, especially from people claiming to be police or government officials, and contact your bank directly if you're unsure about a request.
bbc.com
· 2026-06-25
If you've been scammed, the article advises staying calm and acting quickly—contact your bank immediately to potentially stop the transaction and freeze compromised accounts. You should gather all details about the scam (scammer contact info, what information you shared, money lost, and payment method) and report it to the appropriate authorities: call 101 or your local police if the scammer is nearby or payment was recent, Report Fraud (0300 123 2040) if you're in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, or Police Scotland if you're in Scotland. Getting a crime reference number from these reports can help your bank assist with recovery.
nbcchicago.com
· 2026-06-25
Chicago police have warned senior citizens about an escalating scam where criminals impersonate customer service representatives, tech support, or government officials to pressure victims into liquidating their life savings. Scammers use phone calls and computer access to convince seniors they owe money and demand immediate payment through unusual methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or gold bullion, which are then collected by couriers. Seniors should be alert to warning signs including urgent demands for payment, requests for unusual payment methods, and pressure to keep the situation secret from family and banks—and should power off their computer and avoid downloading software from unknown sources if they suspect a scam.
wideopencountry.com
· 2026-06-25
An elderly Florida couple, Merdine and Fritz James (ages 74 and 87), lost over $141,000, their home, and their car to a scam in which a fraudster posing as a Publishers Clearing House representative convinced them they had won a $4 million prize and needed to pay "taxes" upfront to claim it. The scam devastated their finances and forced Merdine to give up her home-based hospice caregiving job just one year before she planned to retire. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications, remember that legitimate lotteries never require upfront payment, and verify any claims directly with the organization by calling their official number.
explorejeffersonpa.com
· 2026-06-25
Pennsylvania State Police are warning residents about a phone scam where fraudsters pose as Comcast representatives and offer bill discounts to trick people into sharing credit card information. An Indiana County man nearly became a victim when he provided his card details to a scammer, though his credit card company caught and blocked the fraudulent transaction. To protect yourself, never give personal or financial information to unsolicited callers—instead, independently verify any offers by contacting the company directly using official contact information.
sowetan.co.za
· 2026-06-24
Romance scammers use emotional manipulation tactics—such as declaring intense love, showering victims with compliments, and creating artificial crises—to build trust and extract money from unsuspecting people online. A 51-year-old South African woman fell victim to this scheme, losing over R300,000 after taking out loans and convincing her sister and colleague to do the same to support her scammer boyfriend's fabricated business needs. To protect yourself, be wary of online relationships that escalate quickly with excessive declarations of love, refuse requests for money especially during "urgent crises," and verify a person's identity and story through independent means before sending any funds.
aspeninstitute.org
· 2026-06-24
Fraud and scams have become a major financial threat to American households, with criminal networks stealing billions of dollars by exploiting communication systems, payment channels, and platforms across borders. The Aspen Institute's National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention—involving over 80 institutions and 300 experts from government, law enforcement, finance, technology, and retail—developed a comprehensive national strategy requiring coordinated action across all sectors to make scams harder to execute and easier to disrupt. The initiative is now moving into implementation phase, focusing on closing gaps that allow scammers to move between systems undetected through stronger federal leadership, public-private partnerships, and modernized legal frameworks.
ncoa.org
· 2026-06-24
Since the FDA approved over-the-counter hearing aids, scammers have been selling cheap, unregulated fake hearing aids (often called PSAPs) that look legitimate but don't work or are low-quality, targeting older adults on tight budgets with prices that seem too good to be true. Victims risk wasting money, exposing personal information to criminals, and ending up with hearing aids that don't function as promised. To protect yourself, verify FDA registration, watch out for claims that hearing loss can be cured, and be skeptical of suspiciously low prices or high-pressure sales tactics pushing you to buy immediately.
wifr.com
· 2026-06-24
As Amazon Prime Days approach, the Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are creating fake websites and impersonating Amazon to target bargain hunters, with online shopping scams accounting for 30 percent of BBB complaints in 2025 and resulting in losses for nearly 90 percent of victims. Criminals created over 120,000 malicious websites ahead of major Amazon sales designed to steal passwords, financial information, and personal data, exploiting consumers' excitement about deals and sense of urgency. To protect yourself, shop directly through Amazon's official website or app, verify URLs carefully before entering payment information, and be suspicious of unsolicited messages or deals that seem too good to be true.
positivelyosceola.com
· 2026-06-24
Senator Ashley Moody has introduced the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act to combat the rising tide of financial fraud targeting older Americans, proposing to create specialized Elder Justice Task Forces that coordinate efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency, online fraud, and impersonation schemes because they often have substantial retirement savings and established credit. The legislation would expand federal grant funding to give investigators better tools and resources to prosecute criminals exploiting older adults.
kucoin.com
· 2026-06-24
The US Department of Justice seized 127,271 Bitcoin (worth $14-15 billion) from the Cambodian Prince Group, the largest crypto forfeiture in DOJ history, after charging the organization's leader with wire fraud and money laundering. The criminal enterprise operated "pig butchering" scam compounds across Cambodia where trafficking victims were allegedly forced to build fake romantic and investment relationships with victims online, then deceive them into sending money to fraudulent crypto platforms. To protect yourself: be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic or investment contacts online, never send money to unknown crypto platforms or people you've only met digitally, and verify any investment opportunity through independent official channels before committing funds.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-06-24
The US Treasury Department has intensified its crackdown on Southeast Asian scam networks, sanctioning hundreds of individuals and entities responsible for "pig butchering" schemes that defrauded Americans of at least $10 billion in 2024 alone—a 66% increase from the previous year. Under Secretary Scott Bessent's leadership, the department has executed multiple rounds of sanctions targeting operations in Cambodia, Burma, and beyond, seizing over $700 million in digital assets and shutting down hundreds of scam domains. To protect themselves, Americans should be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency, and verify the legitimacy of investment platforms and advisors through official channels before sending money.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-06-24
The US government seized 127,271 Bitcoin (worth up to $15 billion) in its largest cryptocurrency seizure ever, targeting Cambodia's Prince Group—a criminal organization accused of operating forced-labor scam compounds that defrauded victims through "pig butchering" schemes, where fraudsters build fake relationships to convince people to invest in fraudulent crypto platforms. The group's alleged leader, 37-year-old Chen Zhi, was indicted on wire fraud and money laundering charges, while the US and UK coordinated enforcement actions against 146 targets connected to the organization. Victims of romance or investment scams should be cautious of requests to transfer money to crypto platforms, especially after building relationships with strangers online, and should verify investment opportunities through official channels before committing funds.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2026-06-24
The U.S. Department of Justice seized cloud computing infrastructure used by Cambodia's Huione Group, a Telegram-based marketplace that allegedly laundered billions in cryptocurrency stolen through fraud schemes and facilitated trade in stolen financial data. The action targets the technical backbone of crypto crime networks rather than individual bad actors, as cybercrime losses hit $21 billion in 2025, with crypto investment fraud alone accounting for $7.2 billion. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, never send money to unfamiliar cryptocurrency platforms or escrow services, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
journal-news.com
· 2026-06-24
Scams have become one of the top crimes affecting communities, with police increasingly unable to help victims after money has already been lost to overseas fraudsters. Common tactics include callers impersonating family members (like grandchildren in distress) or companies requesting payment via gift cards, often with scammers guiding victims through the purchase process. To protect yourself, hang up suspicious calls, independently verify the caller by using contact information from official bills or statements, and never purchase gift cards or send money based on unexpected requests.
english.newsfirst.lk
· 2026-06-23
Sri Lanka Police have issued a nationwide warning about rising romance scams targeting women, where fraudsters use social media to build fake relationships, manipulate victims into sending money and valuables, and in severe cases, exploit them through sexual assault, robbery, or worse. Victims have been deceived through promises of marriage, drugged without consent, and had their personal photos and videos stolen for further exploitation. Police advise women to be cautious on social media, verify identities of online contacts, avoid sharing personal information or financial details, and report suspicious behavior immediately to authorities.
theguardian.com
· 2026-06-23
Employment scams have doubled in 2025, with fraudsters using AI technology to impersonate employers and send personalized messages to vulnerable job seekers desperate for work. Gen Z applicants have been hit particularly hard, with about 32% reporting they've fallen victim to job scams compared to 15% of Gen Xers. To protect yourself, verify job opportunities directly through official company websites and phone numbers, be cautious of requests for personal information or upfront payments, and remember that legitimate employers typically don't conduct initial interviews via email alone.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-23
Scam texts targeting older adults, particularly those with memory issues like dementia, are causing significant financial losses—one 81-year-old woman was charged over $5,000 by a political campaign after clicking malicious links, though the charges were eventually refunded. The article provides guidance on protecting vulnerable seniors by adjusting phone settings, carrier account controls, and payment restrictions to make risky texts and unauthorized purchases harder to complete while still allowing them to use their phones normally. Key steps include enabling text filters, restricting contacts to known numbers, setting up bank alerts, and tightening payment settings to prevent surprise charges.
forbes.com
· 2026-06-23
Cryptocurrency ATM scams have exploded dramatically, with the FTC reporting a 1,000% increase in losses between 2020 and 2023 and $388 million lost in 2025 alone, primarily targeting older adults over 60 who are tricked by scammers impersonating officials into depositing cash. To combat this trend, some states have banned crypto ATMs or imposed transaction limits, and Senator Durbin introduced federal legislation requiring operator registration, customer verification, and fraud warnings. Consumers should never deposit cash into crypto ATMs when requested by someone claiming it's for "safekeeping" or service payments, as these requests are always scams.
wafb.com
· 2026-06-23
The U.S. Attorney's office is warning about government imposter scams, which caused Americans to lose $917 million across more than 375,000 reported cases in 2025. Scammers pose as representatives from legitimate businesses or government agencies and trick victims into transferring money, buying cryptocurrency, or withdrawing cash by claiming there's suspicious account activity or urgent issues with benefits. To protect yourself, remember that the government will never ask you to move money urgently, pay with gift cards or cryptocurrency, or wire funds—if you encounter such requests, report them immediately to reportfraud.ftc.gov.
bronx.news12.com
· 2026-06-23
Employment scams disguised as work-from-home or "task optimization" jobs are surging, with reports nearly doubling from about 11,700 cases in 2024 to over 23,000 in 2025, according to the Better Business Bureau. Scammers target victims through unsolicited text messages offering quick money for simple tasks, then either steal their bank information or pressure them to pay upfront fees they'll never recover. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited job offers via text, reject positions promising high pay for minimal work, never pay upfront costs, and hang up immediately if anyone uses high-pressure tactics.
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-06-23
Document delivery scams use official-sounding voicemails claiming you need to accept legal documents to frighten victims into calling back and revealing personal information or money. Scammers target a wide range of people and often already have basic details like names and phone numbers; they then use the call to extract additional personal and payment information, sometimes claiming you owe money on old debts and offering fake discounts to pressure quick payment, with reported losses ranging from $100 to $500. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls about legal documents, never give personal or financial information to callers you didn't initiate contact with, and verify any legitimate legal matters by calling official court or government numbers directly.
wbko.com
· 2026-06-23
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about online shopping scams during Amazon Prime Day, noting that Amazon is the most impersonated company by scammers and that one-third of scam reports in 2025 involved online shopping, with 90% resulting in financial losses. Common scams include fraudulent social media ads and fake emails claiming delivery or payment problems. To protect yourself, avoid paying with gift cards or wire transfers on unfamiliar websites, verify you're on legitimate sites before sharing personal information, use credit cards for purchases (which offer dispute protection), and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
wral.com
· 2026-06-23
A Fuquay-Varina man lost over $753,000 in a "pig-butchering" scam, an international fraud scheme where scammers build trust over months before stealing victims' money through fake cryptocurrency investments. The victim is awaiting potential recovery of $630,000 through federal investigation, as crypto scams surge in North Carolina and authorities report seizing nearly $2.5 billion in crime-linked cryptocurrency in 2025. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency, and verify investment legitimacy through official channels before sending money.
mexc.com
· 2026-06-23
The FBI is intensifying efforts to combat "pig butchering" scams, a sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud where criminals build trust with victims over time through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake crypto platforms and stealing their money. These scams, which have cost victims billions of dollars globally, typically involve fraudsters posing as romantic interests or investment advisors who gradually encourage victims to deposit increasing amounts into fraudulent accounts before disappearing. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from online contacts, verify any investment platform's legitimacy through official channels, and never transfer money to someone you've only met online claiming to offer guaranteed returns.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-23
Over 88,000 elderly Americans fall victim to fraud annually, with Florida ranking second nationally for elder fraud cases—costing seniors over $293 million in losses in 2023 alone. One Martin County couple lost their home, car, and life savings totaling $141,000 to a years-long sweepstakes scam, ultimately becoming homeless. To protect yourself or loved ones, be wary of unsolicited contact, urgent demands for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, claims of prize winnings, and any requests that seem too good to be true.
paloaltoonline.com
· 2026-06-23
Santa Clara County is addressing a growing problem of financial scams targeting older adults, with county officials reporting 4,226 allegations of financial exploitation in 2025, nearly half involving scams. Common schemes include fraudsters impersonating the IRS or banks to trick victims into revealing personal information or transferring assets, with vulnerable seniors particularly at risk for real estate fraud and exploitation of declining cognitive abilities. To protect themselves, residents should avoid unsolicited financial requests, verify contact by calling official numbers on their cards, establish a family code word for verification during unexpected calls, and report scams immediately to law enforcement—as frozen funds can sometimes be recovered if reported quickly.
sfgate.com
· 2026-06-23
Santa Clara County is launching educational efforts to combat rising financial scams targeting older adults, with a 2025 report showing 4,226 reported cases of financial exploitation, nearly half involving scams. Common schemes include scammers impersonating the IRS or banks requesting personal information, as well as real estate fraud targeting seniors with home equity. Residents are advised to verify unsolicited financial institution contacts by calling the number on their credit card, establish family code words for unusual calls, and report scams immediately to authorities, as recovering transferred money is difficult once it's gone.
gulfcoastnewsnow.com
· 2026-06-23
Scammers impersonating Lee County deputies are calling residents claiming they have arrest warrants and demanding payment of thousands of dollars to avoid jail time—two women recently fell victim to the scheme, with one nearly losing $6,000 before police intervened. The scammers use fake warrants, threaten jail sentences, and pressure victims into buying Bitcoin by falsely claiming they cannot tell anyone (citing a "gag order"). To protect yourself: legitimate law enforcement will never demand immediate payment over the phone, threaten arrest via call, or ask you to buy cryptocurrency—if you receive such a call, hang up and contact your local police department directly.
abc.net.au
· 2026-06-23
Scammers are targeting Australians with fake ABC News articles promoted through Facebook ads, using AI-generated images of celebrities and politicians to lure people into fraudulent investment platforms like "Hexonix 365," with some victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The fake articles are nearly identical clones of the real ABC News website, complete with dramatic AI-written stories about public figures promoting secret investment strategies, and include fake "editor's notes" claiming ABC has verified the platforms as legitimate. To protect yourself, be skeptical of sensational investment stories on social media, verify news directly on official ABC News websites rather than clicking ads, and remember that legitimate news outlets never promote specific investment platforms in their articles.
bangkokpost.com
· 2026-06-23
Thai police arrested approximately 30,000 scammers and took legal action against 1,450 proxy companies over nine months, seizing about 24 billion baht in assets as part of a major anti-scam crackdown. The government's efforts have been highly effective, with reported scam cases dropping 69.2% and related damages falling 87.3% compared to the previous year, while authorities also shut down hundreds of thousands of fraudulent accounts and phone numbers used by criminals. Citizens can protect themselves by reporting suspicious calls and transactions to authorities, and being cautious of unsolicited contact requesting money or personal information.