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sandiegouniontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day highlights the widespread problem of elder abuse, with approximately 5 million older adults abused annually in the United States, though only 1 in 14 cases are reported. Financial fraud is the most common form of elder abuse, with victims losing roughly $30 billion yearly, and can be prevented through awareness of common scams (lottery schemes, identity theft, phishing), use of technology safeguards (bank alerts, account monitoring), and maintaining social connections. Older adults and their supporters are encouraged to report suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services, local law enforcement, or resources like the National Center on Elder Abuse and the Eldercare Locator (1-800
jcsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elder fraud reports to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center rose 14 percent, with over 101,000 victims aged 60 and older losing more than $3.4 billion—an average of $33,915 per victim. The most common scams included tech support fraud, investment schemes (costing $1.2 billion alone), government impersonation, romance scams, and cryptocurrency fraud, with scammers often using spoofed caller IDs and posing as agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration. TARCOG hosted a Fraud & Scam Summit in Alabama to educate the community about these schemes and provide resources to
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud investigators in Guilford County are warning senior citizens about a court-related scam in which callers falsely claim victims missed jury duty or failed to appear in court, demanding payment of fines to resolve the alleged offense. Detective Chris Malloy emphasized that law enforcement does not collect money over the phone and advised potential victims to recognize this as a fear-based scam; scammers accept payment through gift cards, cash, cryptocurrency, and gold, and are difficult to prosecute, especially when operating from overseas. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office offers a senior academy program to help residents protect themselves against fraud.
sandiegouniontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
At a California senior scam awareness seminar, officials warned that seniors remain the primary target for financial fraud due to their assets, with losses exceeding $3.4 billion reported to the FBI in 2023 alone. Common scams targeting older adults include online romance fraud (median loss over $9,000 for those 70+), annuity schemes, imposter calls impersonating government agencies and companies, tech support scams, and home remodeling fraud. Experts advised seniors to verify caller information independently, recognize high-pressure sales tactics and false urgency, and remember that government agencies do not initiate contact by phone.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Summer fraud incidents surge during peak travel season, with consumers losing over $10 billion to fraud annually, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Common scams include fake vacation rentals, phony hotel payment decline calls, counterfeit concert tickets, fraudulent cruise offers, and smishing texts about unpaid tolls—with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints related to toll collection scams. Experts advise using reputable booking sites, calling businesses directly to verify suspicious communications, purchasing tickets from official venues, and monitoring bank and credit accounts regularly for signs of identity theft.
colorado.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides international students—particularly those seeking employment through OPT programs—with guidance on identifying and avoiding common scams including threatening calls impersonating government officials, employment scams, phishing, spoofing, and gift card payment requests. The article advises students to report any scams to local police and federal agencies such as the FTC and ICE, and to immediately contact their financial institutions if they've already sent money to attempt reversal of fraudulent transactions.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
On July 24, 2024, decentralized exchange MonoSwap advised users to withdraw all funds immediately after discovering a security breach where hackers compromised a developer's machine through a phishing scam posing as venture capitalists, resulting in theft of the platform's staked liquidity. The incident occurred after a developer accidentally installed malware during a call with fraudsters, giving attackers access to MonoSwap's wallets and contracts. This breach is part of a broader wave of cryptocurrency platform hacks, including WazirX's $235 million loss and Compound Finance's phishing attack, highlighting escalating security vulnerabilities in the crypto industry.
today.rtl.lu
· 2025-12-08
A middle-aged Luxembourg resident lost €30,000 in a "spoofing" scam in which criminals using spoofed Luxembourgish phone numbers impersonated Luxtrust and Payconiq employees, manipulating him into surrendering his bank cards and security codes through a two-hour call. The scammers exploited the victim's compliance after a fake Payconiq message about an expired certificate, then convinced him fraudulent charges had been made and instructed him to enter credentials on a fake Luxtrust page. Despite filing a complaint, recovery is unlikely as the perpetrators operate from abroad and the transferred funds (€10,000 withdrawn from ATM, €
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Type:** Asset liquidation scam (posing as tech support, finance, or government officials)
**What Happened:** Scammers called senior citizens claiming their financial accounts were hacked or at risk, then convinced victims to convert assets into cash, gold, or silver, which the scammers then collected via courier or took control of remotely. The FBI reported over $55 million in losses nationwide from this scam in the second half of the previous year, with recent activity reported in the Rochester area.
**Key Prevention Tips:** Legitimate government agencies and businesses never ask you to convert assets to cash or valuables; avoid disclosing home addresses to unknown cal
gazettejournal.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, in which fraudsters pose as government officials via phone calls, emails, and text messages to steal personal information and money. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel emphasized that combating these scams requires coordination between federal agencies and the tax community to reach and protect vulnerable seniors and taxpayers.
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting senior citizens nationwide has reached the Rochester area, with reported losses exceeding $55 million in the second half of 2023. Scammers pose as tech support, finance, or government officials to convince victims their accounts are at risk, then persuade them to liquidate assets into cash, gold, or other valuables before taking control of the converted assets, sometimes using couriers. The FBI advises seniors not to convert assets based on unsolicited calls, avoid meeting unknown couriers, prevent unauthorized computer access, and report suspicious contacts immediately to ic3.gov or the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines three common cyber travel scams: clone websites that mimic legitimate travel companies to steal financial and personal information, brand impersonation through fake social media accounts and promotional giveaways, and fraudulent customer service accounts that exploit frustrated customers. The article advises travelers to verify website domains carefully, avoid booking through social media messages or unsolicited offers, and contact companies directly through official channels rather than responding to suspicious accounts.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
Amazon is warning consumers about imposter scams targeting Prime members, where scammers send fake emails, calls, or texts claiming unauthorized charges or membership expiration to trick victims into revealing personal and payment information. To protect yourself, verify communications through Amazon's Message Center or Your Account section on Amazon.com, and report suspicious messages at amazon.com/reportascam.
disb.dc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource from DISB (District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking) provides information on common scam types to help consumers protect themselves during financial transactions. The tracker includes detailed examples of advance fee scams, affinity scams by licensed professionals, and credit card phishing scams, with specific case narratives and protective strategies such as verifying information directly with legitimate agencies and being cautious of unsolicited financial offers.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta removed approximately 63,000 Instagram accounts based in Nigeria that were conducting sextortion scams, primarily targeting adult men in the US and some minors, with threats to expose private sexual content unless financial demands were met. The takedown included a network of 2,500 accounts managed by roughly 20 individuals, with most sextortion attempts being unsuccessful, though cases targeting minors were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Meta's crackdown follows multiple tragic incidents where sextortion victims died by suicide, and the company has since developed AI-powered protection tools and automated systems to identify and block sextortion accounts.
connecticut.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
An 18-year-old Deer Park entrepreneur fell victim to a car wrap scam after receiving a fraudulent email posing as NOS Energy drink offering him $750 weekly to wrap his car. When he deposited a fake $3,900 check, Bank of America closed his account and blacklisted him from all financial institutions for five years, mistakenly treating him as a perpetrator rather than a victim. After news investigation intervention, the bank reversed the blacklist decision and reinstated his account once they confirmed he was scammed.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian internet fraudster Marcel, a 26-year-old "Yahoo boy" based in Abuja, destroyed evidence by hiding his phone in a toilet pipe when Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials raided his apartment building in May following a tip-off about suspected cybercriminals in the area. Though officers searched his room and discovered his phone charger, they did not locate the hidden device, and Marcel was not arrested during the raid, though he admitted to using the phone for "bombing and grinding" (finding and defrauding online victims) for over two years.
openaccessgovernment.org
· 2025-12-08
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals exploited vulnerable populations through phishing emails (up 220%), fake vaccine offers, and impersonation scams, with older adults particularly targeted due to limited digital literacy and social isolation. Impersonation scam cases doubled to 39,394 in 2020, romance scams increased 38%, and investment scams rose 32%, resulting in £479 million in Authorized Push Payment fraud losses in the UK with victims recovering only £206.9 million. Financial services firms are urged to implement continuous fraud awareness campaigns and change communication practices to avoid inadvertently training customers to fall victim to scams.
khmoradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Illinois women are being targeted by two prevalent text message scams: a fake banking alert claiming unauthorized charges and requesting account verification information, and a "wrong number" romance scam where perpetrators build emotional relationships before stealing victims' money. The state is also warning of an additional tollway-related texting scam specific to Illinois, emphasizing that victims should not respond to or provide personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing scams use text messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or calling scammer-operated numbers, often impersonating legitimate delivery services or popular companies to steal login credentials and personal information. These scams are cheap and effective for criminals, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, and malware installation on victims' devices. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication, contact companies directly using verified numbers, and report suspicious texts to the FTC by forwarding to 7726.
khak.com
· 2025-12-08
Amazon warned customers about membership scams involving impersonators who contact users via calls, texts, and emails claiming there are issues with Prime accounts, unauthorized charges, or expiration notices, then request personal or financial information or prompt clicking suspicious links. Amazon advises users to verify account status directly through the official Amazon app or website rather than calling provided numbers or clicking links, and to watch for spelling errors. Users who suspect they've been scammed should report it to Amazon at Amazon.com/ReportAScam.
kpcw.org
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers use multiple tactics to target unsuspecting victims, including fake merchandise ads, phishing texts and emails, fraudulent job postings, and deceptive streaming links on social media. Common scams include job offers asking people to advertise on their vehicles and fake streaming links for events. The BBB advises consumers to never click links or call numbers from unsolicited messages and to verify phone numbers independently before responding.
clarkecountydemocrat.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines three common scam types targeting consumers: investment scams that promise guaranteed returns through fake platforms, employment scams offering easy work-from-home opportunities with little effort, and impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as legitimate businesses or government agencies. The article provides protective measures for each scam type, including researching companies before committing funds, verifying job opportunities through direct company contact, and calling verified phone numbers to confirm requests for money or personal information.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Amazon through text messages, emails, and calls claiming account or payment issues to trick consumers into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Criminals use AI-driven content creation and multi-channel attacks impersonating major brands like Amazon, Bank of America, and federal agencies, with over two-thirds of Amazon scams reported globally in 2023 involving fake billing or account access claims. To protect themselves, consumers should verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking links or attachments, and hover over URLs to confirm legitimacy before engaging.
newstalkkzrg.com
· 2025-12-08
Utility impostor scams involve fraudsters posing as electric, water, or gas company representatives via phone, email, or in-person visits, claiming customers have overdue bills requiring immediate payment or claiming they need home access for "repairs" or "energy audits." These scams are particularly common during extreme weather when people rely on utilities and are especially dangerous because scammers pressure victims to pay via untraceable methods like prepaid cards or wire transfers, or gain entry to homes to steal valuables and personal information. The BBB advises verifying requests by calling the utility company directly using a number from an actual bill, refusing unsolicited entry to your home, and remembering that legitimate utilities request payment
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old Winnipeg senior was charged $146,000 for a water bill through an automated payment system—approximately 1,237 times her typical $118 bill—after submitting an incorrect meter reading; her son successfully had the charge reversed but the city still plans to charge an NSF fee. The incident highlights the lack of fraud detection safeguards in automated billing systems and has prompted calls for consumer protection legislation requiring human oversight when charges significantly exceed historical usage patterns.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
Eight major digital tech companies (Google, Meta, Yahoo, X, Snap, TikTok, Discord, and Twitch) have voluntarily adopted an Australian Online Scams Code to combat fraud while the government develops mandatory legislation, committing to verify advertisers, screen for suspicious content, and increase intelligence sharing with regulators. The code addresses growing scam losses, particularly social media scams which reached $95 million in reported losses in 2023—a 250% increase since 2020—with most fraud originating from WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and online dating platforms.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Taichung police issued a warning about a sextortion scam targeting young people on dating and video chat sites, where victims are persuaded to strip naked on camera and then blackmailed for money with threats to distribute the footage. Since the start of the year, police handled 718 cases of online sexual exploitation and blackmail, with male victims comprising over half, predominantly young adults and teenagers; in one case, a high school student was threatened for NT$60,000. Police urge victims to report incidents immediately, preserve evidence, and strengthen privacy settings, emphasizing that some victims have tragically taken their own lives due to pressure from repeated blackmail.
mugglehead.com
· 2025-12-08
Visa Inc. is using artificial intelligence and machine learning to combat fraud, preventing $40 billion in fraudulent activity from October 2022 to September 2023 by analyzing over 500 transaction attributes in real-time to detect enumeration attacks that cost the industry $1.1 billion annually. Simultaneously, cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging generative AI, voice cloning, and deepfakes to execute romance scams, investment scams, and pig butchering schemes that are more convincing than ever, with scammers able to clone voices from less than three seconds of audio to deceive victims and banking employees.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a privacy notice from Yahoo explaining their cookie and data collection practices. There is no summary relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing scams use text messages to trick people into clicking malicious links or calling scammer numbers, often impersonating delivery services or well-known companies to steal login credentials and personal data. These scams can result in identity theft, financial loss, and malware installation on devices. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication, contact companies directly using verified numbers, and report suspicious texts to the FTC by forwarding to 7726.
gainesvilleregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration sent legitimate emails last month notifying recipients about updates to their online "My Social Security" accounts to align with federal authentication standards and improve security. The article warns seniors to verify any Social Security-related emails by checking the official SSA website (www.ssa.gov) rather than clicking links in emails, as scammers create fraudulent websites mimicking the agency's format to steal personal information.
ifamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from LV= found that young adults aged 18-34 reported more scam victimization than older adults, with 3.8 million UK victims losing money to purchase fraud last year; young adults experienced higher rates across all scam types (phishing, trusted organization impersonation, refund, befriending, and investment scams) compared to those 65 and over, possibly due to greater daily online time averaging 4 hours 35 minutes. The findings highlight that despite increased financial scams over three years, many consumers lack knowledge about reporting mechanisms and that those with financial advisers were more likely to take appropriate action and understand relevant regulatory bodies like the FCA
longisland.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
An 18-year-old Deer Park teenager fell victim to a car wrap scam in which he deposited a fake $3,900 check from scammers impersonating NOS Energy drink, resulting in his bank account being closed and his name placed on a five-year blacklist preventing him from opening accounts at any financial institution. Employment scams like this, which have increased 54% between 2022 and 2023, trick victims into depositing counterfeit checks and sending money to fraudsters; the typical victim loses around $2,000. After a news investigation contacted Bank of America, the bank determined he was a victim rather than a perpetrator and removed him from the black
seattlemag.com
· 2025-12-08
A Seattle magazine intern nearly fell victim to a phishing scam when she received a spoofed email from her CEO's address requesting she purchase $600 in Apple gift cards for employee appreciation; she was stopped from completing the purchase only after calling her mother. The article highlights that phishing attacks are increasingly sophisticated and widespread, with over 500 million attacks reported in 2022 resulting in more than $52 million in losses across 300,000+ victims, and advises readers to be skeptical of unexpected requests, especially those involving urgent financial transactions.
kktv.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado woman lost over $19,000 to scammers who impersonated Best Buy's Geek Squad support services via a fraudulent email claiming her subscription was expiring. The victim followed the scammers' instructions across multiple calls, ultimately transferring the funds before realizing she had been defrauded. Authorities recommend verifying suspicious communications by contacting companies directly using official numbers found on their legitimate websites, rather than using contact information provided in the suspicious message.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that children are increasingly vulnerable to online scams due to their inexperience and trust, with more than half of American children under 11 now owning smartphones. Common scams targeting kids include social media contests requesting personal information, deceptive free ringtone offers with hidden subscription fees, malware-infected video games, and webcam security breaches. The BBB recommends parents educate children about scams, establish internet safety rules, monitor downloads, use security software, and report suspected fraud to the BBB Scam Tracker or FTC.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Jury duty scams remain persistent threats that use spoofed caller ID, personal information verification, and intimidating claims of missed court dates or arrest warrants to pressure victims into paying thousands of dollars via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers may also use variations involving malware-infected email attachments or identity theft, with one recent victim losing $1,000 before recognizing the fraud. To protect themselves, people should verify court summons through official postal mail only, independently confirm any judicial claims by contacting official court numbers, ignore urgent pressure tactics, avoid untraceable payment methods, and consult trusted contacts before responding to suspicious communications.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60+ lost more than $11 million to scams in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, making them attractive to scammers who use impersonation tactics (posing as bankers, government agents, IT experts, romantic partners, and relatives) and increasingly sophisticated online methods like phishing and email scams. Tech support scams were the most common type nationally, while romance and confidence scams caused the highest losses in New Hampshire
english.hani.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake voices to conduct voice phishing fraud, requiring only brief voice recordings (as little as 2-5 seconds) to impersonate victims and defraud their family members. Notable cases include a 2021 incident where a UAE bank was deceived into transferring $35 million based on a cloned executive's voice, and a 2022 case where a Canadian couple lost CA$21,000 to scammers using a deepfake of their son's voice. Experts advise people to avoid speaking during calls from unknown numbers, as even simple phrases like "hello" can provide sufficient audio samples for creating convincing frau
bestlifeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Geek Squad scam is a phishing scheme where fraudsters impersonate Best Buy's legitimate tech support service, sending fake renewal invoices or emails claiming a membership is about to be charged or has already been renewed for a substantial amount. When victims call the provided number to cancel, they reach scammers posing as Geek Squad representatives who attempt to extract personal information, financial details, or computer access. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying communications directly through official Geek Squad channels, being skeptical of unsolicited renewal notices, and never providing sensitive information or remote access to callers they haven't independently verified.
richmondregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration sent legitimate emails in recent months notifying recipients of updates to their online "my Social Security" accounts, which align with federal authentication standards and provide safer account access. The article advises recipients to verify emails by visiting www.ssa.gov directly and warns against fraudulent websites mimicking SSA links that attempt to steal personal information, recommending suspicious emails be reported to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at 800-269-0271.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60 and older lost more than $11 million to fraud in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own their homes, making them attractive victims for scammers who pose as bankers, government agents, IT experts, and romantic partners. Tech support scams are the most common form of elder fraud, while romance and confidence scams result in the largest financial losses, though experts note these crimes are vastly underreported due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 400 New Hampshire residents age 60 and older lost over $11 million to scams in 2023, with tech support fraud being the most common type and romance scams causing the highest financial losses. Seniors are disproportionately targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, while scammers increasingly use online tactics like phishing and email scams targeting Baby Boomers with computer skills. Experts attribute the rise in elder fraud to increased online activity that exposes personal information, scammers' use of impersonation and research tactics, and significant underreporting due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Kelly Mitchell, 58, had her Facebook account hacked and used to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme through fake images and religious messaging—a tactic combining impersonation and "pig butchering" scams where criminals pose as trusted contacts to solicit ongoing investments. According to FTC data, cryptocurrency scams cost Americans $1.41 billion across 47,537 reports in 2023, with experts recommending basic security measures like two-factor authentication and strong passwords as essential protection against these increasingly common social media fraud attacks.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore found that approximately 13% of phishing scams analyzed were likely generated using artificial intelligence, marking the first disclosure of AI usage in such scams. While reported phishing attempts fell 52% to 4,100 cases and overall scam losses declined for the first time in five years, experts warn that scams are becoming more convincing due to generative AI tools like ChatGPT, which enable fraudsters to produce more authentic-looking emails and messages at scale. The agency recommends organizations strengthen cyber-security policies and conduct employee phishing simulations to combat this evolving threat.
local12.com
· 2025-12-08
The AT&T hack exposed customer phone numbers and contact lists, putting even non-AT&T customers at risk for targeted scams impersonating retailers like Walmart. Scammers use the exposed contact information to send fraudulent texts, calls, or voicemails claiming order issues or account updates, appearing legitimate because they reference actual interactions. Consumers should avoid clicking links or calling numbers provided by suspicious messages, instead visiting company websites directly or using verified contacts, and report suspected scams to IC3.gov.
localmemphis.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Nickson General Contractors sued Memphis River Parks Partnership (MRPP) for sending nearly $400,000 to a scammer instead of the contractor in 2020 after hackers compromised the contractor's email and requested a wire transfer to a Michigan bank instead of the usual paper checks. MRPP claimed they discussed the payment change during multiple status calls, but the hacker had set up email rules that diverted payment-related messages to a separate folder, preventing the contractor from seeing the communications. The case highlights the importance of verifying unusual payment change requests through multiple channels, and both parties are scheduled for court in September 2024.
motor1.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer used deepfaked audio to impersonate Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna in WhatsApp messages and a phone call to another company executive, attempting to manipulate them into approving a "big acquisition" requiring discretion. The executive became suspicious due to the unusual phone number used for the messages and, when asked to verify details during the call, the imposter hung up after failing to answer a security question. The incident highlights the emerging threat of voice deepfake technology being used for corporate fraud and espionage, with companies needing to develop new employee training protocols to detect such scams.