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businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Parkinson's patient lost approximately $50,000 to scammers impersonating baseball player Trea Turner after she defended him on social media. The fraudsters convinced her over Google Chat that Turner needed financial help with personal and property issues, using persistent and convincing tactics that exploited her trust. Law enforcement believes the scammers may be operating outside the United States, and authorities recommend avoiding engagement with unsolicited messages from celebrities and being cautious about posting on public figures' social media pages.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting Instacart's system by posing as customers or hacking legitimate accounts to request that shoppers purchase high-value gift cards (often $100+) and share the codes before checkout, allowing fraudsters to spend the money while leaving shoppers and customers liable for the charges. Affected parties include Instacart delivery workers who risk account deactivation for violating company policy, legitimate customers whose accounts are hacked, and Instacart itself facing chargebacks, despite having an explicit policy prohibiting gift card purchases.
walb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Tifton Police Department warned residents about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim victims have outstanding warrants and demand payment to resolve them, using phone spoofing techniques to appear as legitimate numbers and sometimes impersonating real officers. Residents were advised not to return calls or send money and to report such calls to police. This warning followed another cyber scam that cost the city of Tifton nearly $50,000 just days earlier.
au.lifestyle.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
AI technology is making romance scams increasingly common and harder to detect in online dating, with artificial intelligence enabling scammers to impersonate real people more convincingly through chatbots and deepfakes. Australians lost over $5.8 million to dating and romance scams in the first three months of 2024, with 27% of dating app users targeted and nearly 40% of those becoming victims. Experts advise vigilance for warning signs including avoidance of video calls, sparse profile images, and rapid relationship progression to protect against these AI-enhanced scams.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Taiwan's Cabinet approved several anti-fraud bills that would impose 3-10 year prison sentences and fines up to NT$30 million for convicted scammers, while requiring foreign online platforms to register with the government and remove fraudulent content or face penalties. The legislation was prompted partly by a viral Facebook post from a woman whose 76-year-old father lost a NT$30 million house after being scammed through a stock group chat, though the article notes that fraud is rising globally, with Taiwanese losing over NT$8.8 billion to fraud in 37,823 reported cases in the prior year. The article emphasizes that combating increasingly sophisticated scams requires not only legal reforms
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used deepfake technology to target Mark Read, CEO of WPP, creating voice clones and fake accounts using publicly available photos and YouTube footage to impersonate him in Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp communications with senior executives. The fraudsters aimed to extract personal details and money by posing as Read and requesting the setup of a new business, but the attack was unsuccessful due to employee vigilance. Read warned colleagues of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks targeting senior leaders that employ psychological manipulation tactics tailored beyond typical scams targeting vulnerable populations.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A study of 644 older adults in the Chicago area found that 16.4% were vulnerable to government imposter scams, falling for a fictitious Social Security and Medicare benefits fraud attempt by providing personal information or Social Security numbers, while an additional 15.1% engaged but remained skeptical. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that vulnerability to fraud affects many seniors regardless of cognitive status, though those with lower financial literacy and scam awareness were most susceptible. The findings underscore that elder fraud poses significant public health and economic threats, with victimization potentially leading to serious consequences including hospitalization and depression.
mymotherlode.com
· 2025-12-08
Canada experiences significant fraud across multiple schemes, including identity theft, phone scams impersonating government officials, and mortgage fraud, with Canadian authorities estimating over $30 million lost since 2014 from RCMP impersonation and tech support scams combined. A survey found 34 percent of Canadians have experienced at least one type of fraud, with experts recommending protective measures such as creating unique passwords, screening calls, shredding personal documents, and using licensed professionals for financial transactions. Mortgage fraud has risen dramatically in Canada due to vulnerabilities in the borrowing process that rely heavily on borrower-provided information, making it easy for fraudsters to submit false details about income, employment, or
baytobaynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Delaware lawmakers unanimously advanced House Bill 317 in May, a consumer protection measure requiring retailers to display warnings about gift card scams at point of sale. Delaware reported 6,742 fraud cases in the prior year with a median loss of $700 per person, with older adults particularly vulnerable—those aged 70-79 lost a median of $800 and those over 80 averaged $1,500 per incident, as scammers increasingly pose as government agencies to trick victims into purchasing gift cards as untraceable payment.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a record $1.3 billion Powerball win in Portland in April, the Oregon Lottery warned the public about associated scams, including a text message falsely claiming the winner was donating prize money to randomly selected citizens and asking recipients to call a number to claim winnings. The lottery emphasized that unsolicited messages with urgency or requests for personal information are red flags, and stressed that the Oregon Lottery never asks winners to pay fees to access winnings.
manchesterjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece explains how romance and relationship scams differ from other crimes and why victims often experience shame rather than sympathy. Scammers target lonely or grieving individuals through social media, slowly building trust over time before repeatedly requesting money for fabricated emergencies or personal crises—making these scams more psychologically damaging than single-incident crimes like robbery. The article advises early intervention by trusted third parties and provides resources including the AARP Consumer Hotline (877-908-3360) for victims seeking help.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida community has experienced over $2 million in fraud losses in the past year, with one veteran losing $1.5 million in a gold bars scam where criminals impersonated federal agents and convinced him to purchase gold bars as "bait" to solve alleged social security fraud. Bradenton Police Chief Melanie Bevan created a special task force to investigate these crimes and educate seniors, noting that older Americans are disproportionately targeted due to lower tech literacy and that recovery of stolen funds is rarely possible. The FBI reports that in 2023, seniors over 60 accounted for over 101,000 reported scam victims and losses exceeding $3.4
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is hosting two free educational events for seniors to learn scam prevention strategies. The events will be held at Sierra View Library in Reno on May 13 at 11 a.m. and at Northwest Reno Library on May 14 at 1 p.m., both in library meeting rooms.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is offering free scam prevention talks for seniors on May 12, 2024, designed to educate older adults on how to avoid falling victim to scams. The educational program aims to increase awareness and provide protective information to vulnerable populations.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing $3.4 billion across 101,000 reported cases, averaging $33,000 per victim. In Texas alone, over 7,000 seniors lost $278 million, with investment scams, government impersonation schemes, and romance scams showing the largest growth; investment scams averaged $270,000 per victim in Texas. The FBI advises seniors to avoid trusting unknown contacts, verify caller identities independently, and report fraud to enable broader conspiracy investigations.
qns.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP partnered with the Flushing YMCA to host a free document shredding event for older adults as part of 33 statewide events aimed at preventing identity theft and fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, New York experienced over 200,000 fraud reports last year totaling $401 million in losses, with a median loss of $500 per victim. The event drew dozens of participants who sought to safely destroy documents containing personal information, with attendees noting the convenience of professional shredding compared to doing it manually at home.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, older adults reported losing over $1.6 billion to fraud, with the FTC estimating actual losses may reach $48 billion due to underreporting; investment scams, business impersonation, and tech support scams saw significant year-over-year increases, some exceeding 100%. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and colleagues introduced the bipartisan Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, which would require the FTC to create a searchable regional scam database with law enforcement contacts and work with media to distribute fraud information to seniors and caregivers. Senior advocates stress that increasing awareness and understanding sophisticated scam tactics is critical, as isolation and lon
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Seven California residents were federally indicted for operating a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting elderly victims nationwide through tech support scams, romance fraud, and imposter schemes, using fraudulent Taiwanese passports and fake immigration documents to open bank accounts that funneled over $7 million in victim cash through money mules. Three additional conspirators—Bowen Chen, Jiacheng Chen, and Vianne Chen—were added to the indictment on May 8, joining four others previously charged, with the largest deposits ($1.3 million, $615,000, and $440,000 respectively) traced to specific defendants. The case was part of a federal Money Mule Initiative that prosecut
ilmattino.it
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Summonte, Italy, posted used furniture for sale online but was defrauded by a fake buyer who posed as an interested purchaser and convinced her to transfer €550 to a prepaid card. The Carabinieri identified and charged a 55-year-old man from Macerata province with fraud following the victim's report. The police issued a warning about this emerging scam targeting online sellers who are deceived into sending money by individuals posing as buyers.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old woman in Bengaluru lost Rs 18 lakh after receiving a fraudulent scratch card posing as a Meesho e-commerce promotion, which claimed she had won Rs 15.51 lakh. The scammers then convinced her to pay 30% in taxes via multiple RTGS transfers between February and May 2024, exploiting her trust before ceasing communication. The victim filed a police complaint, and a case was registered under IT Act and IPC sections for identity theft and cheating by personation.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old woman from Bengaluru lost Rs 18 lakh after receiving a fraudulent scratch card claiming to be from the online shopping website Mesh; she was tricked into paying taxes and documentation fees after being told she had won Rs 15.51 lakh, only to discover the entire scheme was a scam. Scratch card scams typically use fake or rigged cards to lure victims into paying advance fees for non-existent prizes by impersonating legitimate companies and exploiting the victim's belief they must pay taxes or processing costs to claim winnings. To protect yourself, avoid responding to unsolicited scratch cards, verify promotions directly with companies
thenational.scot
· 2025-12-08
A UK survey of over 3,000 fraud victims found that 43% were scammed in the afternoon, with Wednesday and Thursday being the most common days for fraud to occur. The research revealed that people are more vulnerable to scams when distracted or tired, with nearly 30% of victims reporting negative mental health impacts and 33% becoming less trusting of others. The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign recommends taking time to pause and verify requests before sharing money or personal information, challenging suspicious communications, and immediately contacting banks and Action Fraud if scammed.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau launched an online Scam Survivors Toolkit to help people who have fallen victim to scams by providing personalized step-by-step guidance based on the type of scam and payment method involved. The tool aims to reduce stigma around scam victimization and encourage reporting, as individual reports help the BBB alert the broader community to prevent future incidents.
kgw.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers sent fraudulent text messages impersonating Cheng Saephan, an Oregon resident who won a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot, claiming to offer recipients a share of his winnings in exchange for personal information or payment. The Oregon Lottery confirmed these texts are fake phishing scams and warned the public that lottery winnings are never distributed this way. Victims should not respond to such messages and can report suspicious texts to the FBI, their cellphone provider (via SPAM/7726), or the FTC.
13abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Homeowners in Toledo, Ohio received mail scams claiming their home warranty was expiring and including what appeared to be a $200 check, despite never having purchased such coverage. The fraudulent "final notice" letters used fear tactics to pressure recipients into calling a number, with scammers insisting victims must have had coverage to be on their mailing list. The Better Business Bureau advises people to trust their instincts and avoid responding to unexpected checks or urgent claims from unknown sources, as these tactics exploit fear and greed to hook victims into scams.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Google announced upcoming AI-powered scam-detection tools for Android phones that use its Gemini AI to alert users in real-time when a phone conversation contains suspicious wording commonly used by scammers, with alerts displaying on-screen and an audio notification to warn users. The feature, still in testing with no official release date, processes audio analysis locally on the device to maintain privacy, and comes as Microsoft announced a similar competing feature, while scammers increasingly use AI-generated voice impersonations of celebrities and public figures to deceive victims. On average, phone users receive approximately 14 spam calls per month, prompting regulators like the FCC to declare AI-generated impersonation calls illegal in an effort to
knopnews2.com
· 2025-12-08
A Stanton County, Nebraska couple lost $100,000 after a pop-up warning appeared on their computer claiming illegal content was present; they were instructed to withdraw the money in gold coins and deliver it to unknown individuals while being told not to contact family or law enforcement. The scam exploited the couple's fear of jail time and relied on social engineering tactics to prevent them from seeking help. The case is being investigated by the Stanton County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska Attorney General's office, and FBI.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
An AARP article details election-related scams targeting voters, using a real incident where a fraud expert was approached by a scammer posing as a voter registration volunteer at a Christmas tree lot in Austin, Texas. The article explains that scammers use fake voter registration forms via phishing links, malicious apps, and in-person deception to steal personal data such as Social Security numbers, passwords, and payment information. The piece advises voters to register only through official government channels (online at government websites, by mail, or in person at election offices) and to avoid clicking unsolicited links or downloading apps from unofficial sources.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Narragansett Police Department is hosting a free public seminar on scam awareness and prevention, scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. The seminar will cover common scam types including grandparent, tech support, and romance scams, along with local case studies, prevention tips, and reporting procedures for residents of all ages.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with Florida ranking second nationally for complaints and reported losses. Florida seniors lost over $90 million to investment schemes, $51.5 million to tech support fraud, and over $40 million to romance scams, with the FBI urging victims to overcome shame and report crimes immediately.
honey.nine.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A cyber security expert warns that AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are enabling increasingly sophisticated romance scams on dating apps—described as "catfishing on steroids"—by allowing scammers to create AI-generated or enhanced photos and personalized messages that are harder to detect. One in four Australian singles surveyed reported being targeted by dating scams, with Australians losing over $40 million to dating app and social media scams in the previous year, particularly affecting people over 55. The article provides detection tips including looking for unrealistic photo features, using reverse image searches, and testing text with AI-detection tools, while noting that dating apps employ varying safety measures such as identity
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranked second nationally for elderly fraud losses in 2023, with seniors over 60 reporting over $180 million in losses across investment schemes ($90 million), tech support scams ($51.5 million), and romance scams ($40 million). Nationally, fraud losses to people over 60 exceeded $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022—affecting at least 101,000 victims with an average loss of $33,915 per person, with some victims forced to sell homes, liquidate retirement accounts, or borrow from family to cover losses.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Mark Acklom, a prolific conman dubbed "Britain's most notorious conman," defrauded Carolyn Woods of £850,000 over a year-long relationship beginning in 2012, convincing her he was an MI6 agent and successful businessman while extracting hundreds of thousands in loans for fake property renovations. After admitting to defrauding her of £300,000 in 2019 and serving nearly six years in prison, Acklom was extradited to Spain where he was released in 2023, leaving Ms. Woods with no recovered funds and court proceedings for money recovery delayed until at least December 2024. Ms. Woods,
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
A Stanton County, Nebraska couple lost $100,000 after falling victim to a tech support scam that began with a pop-up warning about illegal material on their computer; they were instructed to withdraw cash, purchase gold coins, and deliver them to scammers while being warned not to contact family or law enforcement. The couple, described as educated and retired, believed the threat of jail time and only reported the fraud after disclosing it to family members. The Stanton County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Attorney General's office are investigating, and authorities warn that legitimate agencies never demand money under threat of jail or require secrecy.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Mark Acklom, dubbed "Britain's most notorious conman," defrauded Carolyn Woods of £850,000 over a 12-year period by posing as an MI6 agent and successful businessman, convincing her to loan him money for property renovations while promising marriage. Acklom admitted to defrauding Woods of £300,000 in 2019 and was extradited from Spain and jailed for nearly six years in the UK; however, Woods believes she will never recover her money as Proceeds of Crime Act hearings aimed at forcing repayment have been repeatedly delayed and are now scheduled for December 2024 at the
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran was defrauded of $1.5 million in a multi-state gold bar scheme in which scammers impersonated federal agents, gained his trust over weeks, and manipulated his military patriotism to convince him to transfer his retirement funds. Swetaben Patel, 42, was arrested as an alleged "mule" in the operation, which involved multiple perpetrators across several states and coordinated drop-off locations. The Bradenton Police Department reports that elder fraud cases in their jurisdiction have increased 50% this year, with the FBI noting that Americans 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to
wflanews.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a 2023 warning that Florida ranks second nationally for elder fraud losses, with fraudsters using AI voice-mimicking technology to impersonate relatives in tech support and impersonation scams. Florida's elderly residents lost over $90 million to investment schemes and $40 million to romance scams during this period.
wflaorlando.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranked second nationally for elder fraud losses in 2023, with elderly residents targeted through tech support scams, impersonation schemes using AI-generated voice mimicry, investment fraud ($90+ million), and romance scams ($40+ million), according to FBI findings shared by Special Agent Zacharia Baldwin. Fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence technology to impersonate relatives, making victims believe they are communicating with loved ones.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Annual Report documented a significant surge in financial exploitation of Americans over 60, who reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022. Tech support fraud was the most commonly reported scam type, while investment schemes caused the largest financial losses; Florida ranked second nationally with seniors losing over $90 million to investment scams, $51.5 million to tech support fraud, and $40 million to romance scams. The FBI emphasizes the importance of timely reporting despite victims' reluctance due to shame, and encourages affected individuals to contact local FBI offices or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
floridadaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida state officials have prioritized combating fraud after FBI data showed seniors lost over $300 million to scams in 2023, the second-highest rate nationally. Governor Ron DeSantis signed new legislation protecting residents who sign up for fraud notification services and allowing deed fraud alerts to combat property theft schemes. State officials warn against common scams including deed fraud, jury duty impersonation, roof scams, and cryptocurrency transfers, urging residents never to respond to unrecognized emails or send money through unsecured methods.
caribbeannationalweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to financial scams—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud and investment scams being the most common schemes. Florida ranked second nationally in elder fraud complaints and losses, with seniors there losing over $90 million to investment schemes alone. The FBI emphasizes that victims should report suspected scams immediately despite feelings of shame, as prompt reporting helps authorities address these crimes.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies two scams particularly affecting seniors: gift card draining, where thieves steal gift cards, scratch off security codes, and reseal them for resale—affecting about one in four Americans according to AARP—and check washing, where criminals steal mailed checks, chemically remove the information, and rewrite them for fraudulent deposits, costing over $815 million annually. Seniors are vulnerable to both scams due to reliance on checks and gift cards as payment methods, with recommendations including purchasing eGift cards, using credit card purchases when possible, and exploring alternative payment methods to reduce fraud risk.
wfhb.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports a significant increase in fraud cases targeting seniors aged 60 and older, while the Better Business Bureau simultaneously found that young adults aged 18-24 are losing more money to scammers than any other age group. Both findings highlight that fraud affects multiple generations, with different age groups experiencing different levels of vulnerability to various scam types.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
National Senior Fraud Awareness Day highlights a concerning rise in elder fraud, with FBI reports showing a 14% increase in complaints and $3.4 billion in losses during 2023. Tech support scams are the leading threat, where fraudsters send emails about fake computer charges and trick victims into granting computer and bank account access under the guise of issuing refunds. Protection strategies include resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited contacts, never sharing financial information with unverified sources, and having open conversations with elderly family members about their online and phone interactions.
natlawreview.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice charged 16 defendants in April 2024 for a scam that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars using impersonation tactics. In 2023, individuals over 60 reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion from elder fraud—an 11% increase from 2022—with common scams involving investment fraud, tech support impersonation, and government impersonation. To prevent losses, experts recommend regular financial account monitoring, setting wire transfer restrictions, and establishing verbal verification processes before sending money.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A joint investigation uncovered at least sixty scam operators on TikTok impersonating pharmacies and medical professionals to defraud Americans seeking Ozempic and other weight loss drugs, collecting hundreds of dollars per victim before failing to deliver the products. The scammers exploit TikTok's algorithms, which recommend weight loss drug sellers to users and facilitate connections between bad actors and vulnerable consumers, using payment apps like Zelle and Venmo to make refunds difficult. The investigation also found that nearly half of Americans using these drugs acquired them without prescriptions, highlighting both the prevalence of scams and the broader problem of illegal drug distribution on social media platforms.
fox9.com
· 2025-12-08
Phone scammers in Minnesota are impersonating major banks like Wells Fargo through spoofed caller IDs to convince victims to send money via Zelle transfers, claiming urgent fraud prevention is needed. The scam uses social engineering and artificial urgency to manipulate people into sending funds to fraudulent "cancellation numbers" rather than stealing banking credentials directly. Experts recommend hanging up and calling the bank directly using the number on your card or statement to verify any fraud claims.
mininggazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Little Brothers — Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) warned the public of a texting scam in which fraudsters impersonated the organization to solicit donations, falsely claiming to represent the group's services. The organization emphasized that all its programs are free and advised residents never to provide personal or financial information via unsolicited calls, texts, or emails, noting that scammers use "spoofing" techniques to appear as trusted sources.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers on TikTok are posing as legitimate pharmacies to sell popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro without prescriptions at lower prices, using fake testimonials and before-and-after photos to lure vulnerable buyers. A joint investigation by Digital Citizens Alliance and Coalition for a Safer Web found dozens of such scam accounts that accepted payments through Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo but never delivered products, exposing victims to fraud, counterfeit drugs, or dangerous unsupervised medication use. Both the drug manufacturers and TikTok have responded by emphasizing that these medications require prescriptions and medical supervision,
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Work-from-home job scams have surged over 500 percent, with scammers increasingly using AI technology to create convincing fake job postings and impersonate legitimate companies on platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Jessica Brown nearly fell victim to a scam impersonating medical consulting firm Synterex, which offered her a $30/hour remote position but required her to cash a $5,000 check for office equipment; the Identity Theft Resource Center reported a 545 percent increase in AI-generated scam reports in one month, noting that AI has made fraudulent documents and profiles significantly harder to distinguish from legitimate ones. The FTC recommends verifying job opportunities by