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in Identity Theft
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Frank Lassen Garay, 45, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for bank fraud after he created fraudulent checks based on banking information from a legitimate $15,066.95 settlement check and used them to purchase over $400,000 worth of vehicles, jewelry, and services between November and December 2022. Over a span of just two weeks, Garay passed fifteen fraudulent checks to dealerships and businesses, making no attempt to conceal his identity and often leaving with the purchased items before the checks were discovered to be fake. Garay has a lengthy criminal history spanning over 15 years with prior convictions for theft, fraud, forgery, and receiving
qns.com
· 2025-12-08
Lisa Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for operating a nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting senior citizens through impersonation of government officials and companies. Between February and July 2023, she fraudulently obtained approximately $548,000 from a 92-year-old Hawaii resident and an 83-year-old Kentucky man through coordinated phone scams claiming their identities were stolen, with the victims wiring money to bank accounts under Rossopoulos' name that she promptly emptied. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.
al.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warns that misleading tax information circulating on social media—particularly on TikTok—poses a growing concern during the 2025 tax season, with fraudsters promoting non-existent credits like the "Self-Employment Tax Credit" and falsely claiming people qualify for payments up to $32,000. Taxpayers who file fraudulent returns based on this bad advice risk significant civil penalties or criminal charges, while other prevalent scams include email phishing schemes, fake IRS account setup services, and bogus charities seeking personal information. The IRS advises people to obtain tax information only from trusted sources such as tax professionals, the agency itself, or verified organizations rather than
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James released data on the top 10 consumer complaints filed by state residents in 2024, with tens of thousands of New Yorkers falling victim to scams and fraud. Retail sales complaints topped the list at 5,150, followed by landlord/tenant disputes (3,856), automobile issues (3,761), and internet fraud (3,708), while credit, banking, and mortgage complaints ranked fifth at 3,560. The Attorney General's office encourages consumers to stay vigilant, follow fraud prevention tips available on their website, and report any scams or deceptive practices.
fox13memphis.com
· 2025-12-08
52-year-old Nooruddin Bhai Narsuddin of India was sentenced to five years in prison for wire fraud after participating in a phone scam operation where he impersonated a federal agent to collect money from victims. Operating with co-conspirators, Narsuddin convinced victims that their personal information was compromised, then instructed them to withdraw cash or purchase Bitcoin, promising their money would be safeguarded by the government—with Narsuddin personally collecting the funds in at least two known cases. Narsuddin was ordered to pay $104,000 in restitution and will serve five years of supervised release.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Restoro and Reimage will pay $25.5 million to settle FTC claims that they defrauded over 736,000 consumers, particularly older adults, by using fake antivirus pop-up alerts to trick users into purchasing unnecessary computer repair services costing up to $499. The companies have been prohibited from future deceptive practices, and affected consumers will receive PayPal refunds averaging $21, with payments scheduled for March 13-14.
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS is warning taxpayers about its 2025-26 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams that increase during filing season, including email phishing, smishing via text messages, misleading social media tax advice, fake charity schemes, and false claims for fuel tax credits and non-existent self-employment credits. These scams can lead to identity theft, fraudulent tax credit claims, and other financial harm if taxpayers are not vigilant. The IRS emphasizes that scammers exploit tax season urgency to trick people into divulging personal information or filing false returns.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Elon Musk claimed he could cut up to $700 billion in fraud and waste from Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, but independent evidence does not support this assertion. Social Security's Office of Inspector General reported approximately $72 billion in improper payments between 2015-2022 (about 1% of total benefits), while Medicare and Medicaid combined made roughly $100 billion in incorrect payments in 2023, totaling approximately $170 billion across all three programs—far below Musk's claims. Achieving Musk's stated goals would likely require slashing benefits for recipients rather than eliminating fraud alone, as most program spending goes directly to benefici
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, older adults lost a record $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25 percent increase from 2023—with adults in their 70s reporting median losses of $1,000 compared to $417 for those in their 20s. The most common scams were imposter schemes (particularly government impostors, which surged from $171 million to $789 million), followed by online shopping, job opportunity, and investment scams, with investment fraud being the most lucrative for criminals at $5.7 billion in reported losses. The FTC notes that fraud's impact on older adults is often catastrophic, affecting retirement security and forcing
news24.com
· 2025-12-08
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are surprisingly twice as likely to fall victim to online scams, phishing, and social media account hacks compared to baby boomers, despite being digital natives. In the workplace, younger employees prioritize cybersecurity on personal devices over work-issued ones, creating organizational vulnerabilities, while older workers demonstrate greater caution and compliance with security protocols. The research suggests that younger generations' overconfidence in their digital skills and comfort with online sharing leaves them more exposed to cyber threats than older, more security-conscious populations.
luxtimes.lu
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece providing advice on protecting oneself from online scams. The expert outlines common scam types—including phishing emails, fake websites, investment schemes, romance scams, tech support scams, lottery scams, and job scams—and recommends protective practices such as being cautious with personal information, verifying requests directly with service providers, using strong passwords, and remaining skeptical of unexpected messages. The key message is that staying informed and vigilant about evolving fraud tactics significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to online fraud.
securityweek.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers filed 2.6 million fraud reports totaling over $12.5 billion in losses—a $2 billion increase from 2023—with investment scams ($5.7 billion) and imposter scams like romance and government fraud ($2.95 billion) being the largest loss categories, according to FTC data. The majority of scammers contacted victims via email, followed by phone calls and text messages, while bank transfers and cryptocurrency were the most common payment methods used in fraudulent transactions. The FTC is actively pursuing enforcement actions and refunding victims, including sending over 736,000 PayPal payments to consumers scammed by computer repair service companies.
army.mil
· 2025-12-08
This article educates military parents about cyberbullying threats facing their children, noting that nearly half of U.S. teens ages 13-17 experience it. Cyberbullying—which includes online harassment, impersonation, surveillance, and threats—is a criminal offense in most states, yet approximately 81% of youth underestimate its severity. Parents are advised to maintain open communication, create safe spaces for children to report incidents, and educate themselves on state-specific cyberbullying laws and support resources.
barchart.com
· 2025-12-08
Online dating platforms face escalating risks from AI-driven romance scams and deepfake deception, with over half of online daters reporting being scammed or pressured to send money, and celebrity impersonation scams averaging nearly $2,000 in losses. LatamDate.com recommends safety practices including keeping conversations on-platform, using video verification features early, protecting personal information, and avoiding financial transactions in favor of secure in-app gifting features to help users distinguish authentic connections from sophisticated digital fraud.
law.georgia.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's Consumer Protection Division secured nearly $80 million for Georgia taxpayers and consumers combined, including $3.3 million in restitution for nearly 500 older and disabled adults who were defrauded into purchasing unproven stem cell products. The division assisted over 26,755 consumers and conducted extensive education and outreach efforts, reaching more than 980,000 people through speaking engagements, webinars, and educational resources to help Georgians recognize and avoid scams and fraud.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
While younger adults (ages 20-30) are more than twice as likely to fall victim to scams than those over 60, older adults lose significantly more money per incident, accounting for approximately $61 billion of the estimated $158 billion in total consumer fraud losses last year. Scammers tailor their tactics by age group, targeting seniors with tech support and gift card scams while exploiting younger people through romance, shopping, employment, and sextortion schemes. The persistence of the misconception that older adults are the primary victims masks the reality that vulnerability to fraud affects all age groups, requiring vigilance across demographics.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has warned of a widespread "smishing" campaign using fraudulent text messages to steal personal and financial information from iPhone and Android users across the United States. Cybercriminals have registered over 10,000 malicious domains impersonating toll services and delivery companies (like DHL and FedEx), initially targeting victims with fake unpaid toll notifications and later expanding to fake delivery alerts; Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orlando report the highest incident rates, with a fourfold increase in scams since January. The FTC advises recipients to delete suspicious messages, verify claims through legitimate company websites, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center,
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in his 90s fell victim to a romance scam that began on WhatsApp, with scammers posing as a romantic interest and subsequently soliciting money for purported investment opportunities. According to the Federal Trade Commission, fraud losses totaled $12.5 billion in 2024, with "pig butchering" investment scams accounting for $5.7 billion of that total. The article provides guidance on how family members can help victims by approaching with empathy rather than criticism, validating their feelings, and using trusted sources to demonstrate the scam patterns.
housingwire.com
· 2025-12-08
A real estate agent was nearly victimized by a property listing scam when a fraudster posed as the out-of-state owner and provided a seemingly legitimate contract, only to be exposed seven hours after the listing went live when the actual owner called to report the fraud. The scammer had previously attempted the same scheme on the property during its last listing, which the prior agent had failed to report to authorities. The article identifies listing scams as increasingly common in land transactions due to the lack of in-person verification requirements, and provides red flags including unlisted phone numbers, spoofed seller email addresses, and suspicious urgency around remote closings.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" tax scam list warning taxpayers about schemes targeting the tax season, including fake emails and texts impersonating tax agencies, fraudulent social media advice encouraging the creation of fake W-2 forms, and scammers posing as helpers to steal personal information and file fraudulent returns. Victims risk identity theft, bank account fraud, and significant delays in legitimate tax refunds, while those knowingly filing fraudulent returns face civil and criminal penalties.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old personal assistant, Catalina Corona, was indicted on wire fraud, bank fraud, and identity theft charges for stealing approximately $10 million from an elderly New York couple between 2017 and 2024. Corona forged checks made out to cash and impersonated the victims to bank representatives, using the stolen funds to purchase luxury items including over $1 million in Louis Vuitton merchandise, designer goods from Cartier and Gucci, and pay personal expenses. The fraud was discovered in April 2024 when a suspicious $1,500 check prompted a bank representative to contact the victims, who confirmed they had not authorized numerous "
bai.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions must implement transaction monitoring systems and staff training to combat elder financial exploitation, which totaled $27 billion in 155,415 suspicious activity reports between June 2022 and June 2023. The most common exploiters are known individuals—relatives or caregivers—who may have legal access to accounts and use manipulation or coercion, though romantic scams and government impersonation schemes targeting the elderly are also on the rise. Banks and credit unions must balance sensitive customer interactions with regulatory reporting requirements under the Bank Secrecy Act to identify and report suspicious transactions that may indicate elder abuse.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Catalina Corona, a personal assistant employed by an elderly married couple, was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court on charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft after forging her employers' signatures to steal approximately $10 million between 2017 and 2024. Corona deposited hundreds of checks to herself from the victims' accounts without consent and posed as one of the victims when contacting their bank, ultimately spending the stolen funds on luxury goods and credit card payments. If convicted, Corona faces up to 30 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of two years for the aggravated identity theft charge.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Canadians lost $638 million to scams in 2024, with impersonation and investment fraud being the costliest types, as fraudsters increasingly use sophisticated technology including AI to create convincing deepfakes and pose as legitimate organizations or celebrities. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that while fewer cases were processed in 2024 compared to 2023, authorities estimate 90-95% of fraud cases go unreported, and recommend Canadians verify unexpected calls or messages and be aware of red flags such as requests for personal information or unsolicited payment demands. Key prevention strategies include trusting instincts, questioning suspicious communications, and educating seniors about evolving scam tactics.
texasattorneygeneral.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Texas Attorney General's Office Consumer Protection Division assists victims of nonviolent financial crimes including identity theft, scams, fraud, and elder financial abuse by accepting complaints, providing guidance, and monitoring trends to inform enforcement priorities. While the division cannot pursue individual cases on behalf of victims, it offers resources on filing complaints, protecting identity, understanding consumer rights, and learning about fraud prevention tactics. Victims can contact the division via their website or helpline at (800) 621-0508.
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old Vietnamese man lost approximately US$196,348 to a romance scam after meeting a woman claiming to be a Singapore-based fund manager on an investment forum. The scammer built trust through romantic attention and personal connection before introducing him to a fake high-return investment scheme that showed false profits, then disappeared when he attempted to withdraw funds. The victim's case illustrates how romance scammers use fabricated identities and emotional manipulation to overcome victims' financial judgment, and serves as a cautionary warning against sending money to online contacts never met in person.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies four common types of tax-related fraud and scams: identity theft (where stolen SSNs are used to file fraudulent returns), ghost preparers (unlicensed tax preparers who charge fees but disappear without filing or file inaccurate returns), phishing/smishing attempts (fraudulent emails and texts impersonating the IRS), and social media scams (misinformation about tax laws and services). The article recommends protecting yourself by filing early, using electronic filing through secure channels, employing professional tax services with verified credentials, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts.
redding.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams that proliferate during tax season, including fake emails and texts impersonating the IRS, misleading tax advice on social media (particularly encouraging fraudulent W-2 forms), scammers posing as helpers to create IRS online accounts to steal personal information, and promotion of non-existent tax credits like bogus self-employment credits claiming payouts up to $32,000. Victims of these scams risk identity theft, unauthorized bank account access, and significant delays to legitimate tax refunds, with those knowingly filing fraudulent returns facing civil and criminal penalties.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Chinese-speaking cybercriminals operating on Telegram are distributing phishing kits that enable widespread text message scams claiming victims owe unpaid tolls or E-ZPass fees, with links to fake payment websites designed to steal credit cards and personal information. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received over 60,000 reports of the scam, which rapidly escalated starting in early February as operators copy each other's tactics and target bulk datasets of hacked phone numbers. The scammers exploit the tactic's effectiveness by requesting small fees that appear reasonable, and victims' stolen information is used to compromise payment methods and digital wallets.
rcmp.ca
· 2025-12-08
Canadian fraud and cybercrime losses exceeded $638 million in 2024, a significant increase from $578 million in 2023, with investment scams accounting for $311 million of losses, according to the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre. Beyond financial damage, victims report severe emotional and psychological harm including feelings of betrayal, shame, anxiety, and depression, which can be compounded by victim-blaming from others. Experts emphasize that fraud's impact extends across all demographics and fraud types, and that supportive responses from those victims confide in are critical to their healing.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Aurora Phelps, 43, faces a 21-count federal indictment for wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death related to alleged "romance scams" targeting older men, as well as state charges in Benton County for a 2019 incident involving drugging a woman and fraudulently using her credit card to make over $5,000 in unauthorized charges. Phelps was arrested and imprisoned in Guadalajara, Mexico, and her trial has been repeatedly delayed since August 2023, with her next scheduled appearance set for August 13, 2025, pending her return to the United States. The case represents a pattern of
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season 2025 has become a prime target for AI-powered fraud, with cybercriminals using generative AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to create highly convincing phishing emails, fake IRS calls, and impersonations of tax professionals and agents. The IRS identified over $37 billion in tax and financial crimes in fiscal year 2023, with fake IRS calls using voice cloning jumping 150% in 2025, affecting individuals, small businesses, tax professionals, and large firms through personalized attacks that bypass traditional security defenses. Criminals are also creating synthetic identities to file fraudulent returns and claim illegitimate refunds, while deepfake videos
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
As the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches, the IRS warns taxpayers about its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of common scams including email phishing, text smishing, misleading social media tax advice, fake charity donation schemes, and false claims for fuel tax credits and non-existent self-employment tax credits. These scams aim to steal personal and financial information, facilitate identity theft, and trick taxpayers into claiming ineligible tax credits. The IRS recommends taxpayers verify information directly through official IRS channels and remain cautious of unsolicited communications during tax season.
mycouriertribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior scams and data breaches have reached all-time highs, with financial fraud against older adults worsening beyond previous levels. The article discusses current scam trends targeting seniors and offers guidance on how to respond to these increasingly sophisticated attacks.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Stephen Ratchford, 64, and his wife Karen fell victim to a £25,000 identity fraud while on a cruise holiday in October when scammers "SIM-jacked" their mobile phone numbers, gaining control of their accounts and taking out loans and overdrafts in their names. Although the couple ultimately did not lose money as banks cancelled the fraudulent accounts once identified, they faced significant stress during their holiday; their mobile provider iD Mobile apologized and implemented stronger security measures. Ratchford raised awareness about SIM-swapping attacks, emphasizing that two-factor verification is only effective when criminals cannot control a victim's phone number.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported $12.5 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with investment scams ($5.7 billion) and imposter scams ($2.95 billion) leading the categories. The percentage of fraud reporters who lost money jumped from 27% to 38%, indicating scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, particularly through bank transfers and cryptocurrency payments that are difficult to reverse. Job and employment scams saw explosive growth, tripling in reports and skyrocketing from $90 million to $501 million in losses between 2020 and 2024.
digitalreviews.net
· 2025-12-08
Following Cyclone Alfred, cyber security experts warn of a surge in disaster-related scams targeting vulnerable victims, including unannounced contractor fraud, phishing emails impersonating insurers, fake donation campaigns, and imposters posing as government and relief agencies. AUCyber recommends victims file insurance claims through official channels, verify contractor credentials, avoid upfront payments, check email sender addresses, and report suspicious activity to ScamWatch to protect themselves during cleanup and recovery efforts.
howtogeek.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns about a prevalent TikTok scam offering $750 for completing simple tasks, which actually steals personal information through surveys and free trial sign-ups. Scammers create legitimacy through fake influencer endorsements, FOMO tactics ("limited slots"), bot-generated comments, and sending real payments to initial participants to lure victims. The primary dangers include identity theft and sale of personal data (phone numbers, emails, Social Security numbers, credit card details) to other criminals or advertisers.
digitaltrends.com
· 2025-12-08
Dating app Bumble has launched an ID verification feature across 11 countries to combat romance scams and protect user safety, allowing users to filter matches by verified identity and share meeting details with trusted contacts. The voluntary verification feature, which joins similar initiatives by competitors like Tinder, aims to reduce financial scams, catfishing, and potential dangerous situations, particularly for younger users who comprise the majority of dating app users.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Bumble dating app has launched an optional ID verification feature in 11 countries, including the US and UK, allowing users to confirm matches' identities and filter for verified profiles to reduce romance scams and safety risks. The feature joins similar security additions like meeting detail sharing and inappropriate message reporting, positioning Bumble to compete with rival apps while addressing rising concerns about financial fraud and dangerous encounters on dating platforms.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational announcement for a three-part fraud prevention workshop series offered by AARP NJ at the Senior Resource Center in Chester, New Jersey, scheduled for May and June. The sessions cover fraud landscape awareness and prevention tools, government imposter scams with identity protection checklists, and cybercrime safety across various settings including social media and online banking.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target Medicare beneficiaries by offering free genetic testing (for conditions like cancer, dementia, and autoimmune diseases) without doctor orders, then bill Medicare for unnecessary tests or use stolen Medicare information for medical identity theft. Seniors should verify any genetic testing with their primary care doctor before proceeding, review their Medicare Summary Notices and Explanations of Benefits for unauthorized charges, and report suspected fraud to the New York Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, as these scams can result in costs of $9,000 to $11,000 per test.
daily-tribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Data breaches and financial scams targeting seniors have reached all-time highs, with scammers exploiting seniors' perceived wealth, politeness from older generations, and limited technological skills to commit fraud. The article recommends protective measures including regularly reviewing credit reports from all three bureaus, placing credit freezes, seeking technology safety education, and screening phone calls from unknown numbers to reduce vulnerability to scams.
technode.global
· 2025-12-08
Malaysia recorded 770 love scam cases in 2024, down from 935 in 2023, but financial losses increased to RM45.9 million (from RM43.9 million in 2023). Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated chatbots and deepfake technology to create convincing fake profiles and manipulate victims emotionally and financially. A global survey found that 61% of respondents worry about encountering bots on dating apps, with 21% experiencing phishing attempts, highlighting the need for stronger user verification systems on digital dating platforms.
phila.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonate government tax agents via mail, phone, and email to pressure taxpayers into providing personal information or making immediate payments, particularly during tax season. To protect against tax scams, taxpayers should recognize warning signs like threatening language, urgent payment demands, and promises of unusually large refunds, and should never share sensitive information like Social Security numbers or passwords unless they can verify the requester's identity through official channels. The Philadelphia Department of Revenue advises verifying any notices through your online tax account, reporting suspicious contacts, and obtaining tax information only from official government websites.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft remains the most common fraud, but real estate fraud is rapidly increasing, with the industry losing $500 million annually to business email compromise scams. Wire fraud particularly threatens homebuyers and sellers during transactions, with 25% of consumers targeted and 1 in 20 falling victim, resulting in 27% of victims unable to recover their funds. Key protection strategies include verifying wire transfer instructions directly with lenders or title companies using independently confirmed phone numbers, avoiding reliance on email instructions, and confirming property listings are legitimate by visiting in person.
yourpickenscounty.com
· 2025-12-08
The article reports that data breaches and financial scams targeting seniors have reached all-time high levels, representing a worsening trend from previous years. It identifies that scammers deliberately target seniors based on perceptions that they have accumulated significant wealth from their working years, among other factors.
buckscountyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target seniors of all financial means, exploiting their politeness and vulnerability through schemes like grandparent scams, credit card theft, investment fraud, and romance scams. National fraud losses reached $12.5 billion last year, with Pennsylvania ranking sixth in fraud reports; AARP's Consumer Issues Task Force, staffed by 15 volunteers including former postal inspector Tony Wolchasty, educates seniors about common scams and advises victims to report to local police and contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.
billingsgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explains two types of online scams: catfishing and phishing. Catfishing involves creating fake online personas to deceive victims emotionally and financially, often starting as romance scams that lead to requests for money or gifts. Phishing attacks use fraudulent links, emails, and websites impersonating trusted organizations to steal personal information like passwords, bank details, and Social Security numbers for identity theft or financial exploitation.
duanemorris.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS's annual 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list warns taxpayers about prevalent tax scams that use both sophisticated and simple social engineering tactics to steal sensitive financial information. The most common scams include phishing and smishing attacks (fake IRS emails and texts designed to trick people into sharing personal data) and social media tax scams promoting false credits and loopholes. The IRS emphasizes that awareness alone is insufficient—taxpayers must proactively protect themselves by verifying communications directly through official sources and consulting trusted tax professionals rather than relying on unsolicited messages or unverified social media advice.