Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
3,505 results
in Identity Theft
newindianexpress.com
The call merging scam is a phishing method where fraudsters pose as acquaintances or professionals and trick victims into merging phone calls, then exploit the merged line to capture one-time passwords (OTPs) from banking apps and complete unauthorized transactions. The scam works by timing the call merge with a victim's bank OTP verification, causing the victim to unwittingly share sensitive authentication codes that enable account theft. The National Payments Corporation of India warns users to avoid merging calls with unknown numbers, never share OTPs over the phone, and immediately report suspicious OTP receipts to prevent financial loss.
ttnews.com
Double-brokering scams in the trucking industry involve fraudsters using identity theft to impersonate legitimate trucking companies and brokers, bidding on freight loads through load boards, and then diverting shipments to cross-docks where cargo is laundered and stolen. The scam exploits the legitimate practice of co-brokering by operating covertly, causing loss of communication and visibility while organized cargo criminal rings use industry knowledge to deceive drivers into picking up loads destined for theft. Detection methods include monitoring for impossible travel patterns, unusual account activity, and behavioral analytics, with load board operator DAT closing over 12,000 fraudulent accounts between 2022-2023.
scmp.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps to target at least four elderly men between 2021 and 2022, drugging them with prescription sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through a scheme the FBI called a "romance scam on steroids." Three victims died, including one whom Phelps allegedly sedated, transported across the U.S.-Mexico border in a wheelchair, and abandoned in a Mexico City hotel room; she also stole their vehicles, drained bank accounts, used credit cards for luxury purchases, and attempted to access their social security and retirement accounts. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud,
ktnv.com
A 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, Aurora Phelps, was arrested in Mexico for operating romance scams targeting older men across multiple states from 2019-2022. Phelps met victims on dating sites, gained their trust, drugged them with sedatives, and stole their financial information and bank accounts, with one victim allegedly losing millions in liquidated stock; the FBI identified at least four victims (two from Nevada, one each from Arkansas and Mexico) and believes three U.S. citizens died as a result of her crimes. Phelps faces 21 federal charges including bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, and is awaiting extra
kcci.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble) to lure at least four older men between 2021-2022, then drugged them with prescription sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars, including approximately $3.3 million in Apple stock from one victim's E-Trade account. Three of the men died, and Phelps faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death; she is currently in custody in Mexico pending extradition. The FBI is seeking additional victims and has created a website for the public to report information about this "romance scam on ster
wmtw.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps including Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to lure at least four older men to meet her between 2021-2022, then drugged them with prescription sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars through a "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, and Phelps—currently in custody in Mexico—has been charged with 21 counts including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death, with stolen assets including approximately $3.3 million in Apple stock, vehicles, bank account withdrawals, and luxury goods. The FBI is seeking
mor-tv.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps including Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to lure at least four older men to meet her in 2021-2022, then drugged them with prescription sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars through a "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, and Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 counts including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death; she allegedly stole vehicles, drained bank accounts, used credit cards for luxury purchases, and attempted to access retirement accounts, with one victim losing approximately $3.3 million
championnewspapers.com
Identity theft and consumer fraud are growing significantly in the digital age, with the FTC receiving over 5.7 million fraud reports in 2021 and the ITRC documenting a 68 percent increase in data compromises compared to 2020. Common scams targeting North Americans include phone scams impersonating government agencies, phishing emails with malware, text message links requesting personal information, Medicare card verification schemes targeting seniors, and large-scale data breaches at major companies. Consumers should never share personal information over the phone unless they've verified legitimacy, avoid clicking suspicious links, be cautious of emails from apparent legitimate sources, and monitor credit regularly for unauthorized activity.
themirror.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, a Nevada woman currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 counts including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death for operating what the FBI called a "romance scam on steroids." Using dating apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble, Phelps targeted at least four men between 2021 and 2022, luring them to meet in person before secretly drugging them with sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through theft of vehicles, bank withdrawals, credit card purchases, and unauthorized access to investment accounts—with three of the victims dying and one victim being transported across the U.
wdsu.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used dating apps including Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble to lure at least four older men, whom she drugged with sedatives and robbed of hundreds of thousands of dollars between 2021 and 2022; three men died, including one she allegedly transported unconscious across the U.S.-Mexico border. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, with authorities believing additional victims exist in both countries. Her victims lost substantial sums including approximately $3.3 million in stolen Apple stock, vehicles, bank account funds, and credit card charges
reviewjournal.com
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, ran a "romance scam on steroids" targeting elderly victims primarily in their 60s and 70s through online dating applications over more than three years, resulting in at least three deaths. Phelps drugged victims with prescription sedatives and controlled substances, then stole their vehicles, bank accounts, and credit cards; in one case, she liquidated $3.3 million of a victim's Apple stock. She faces a 21-count indictment including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping charges, is currently incarcerated in Mexico awaiting extradition, and the FBI has
fox5vegas.com
Aurora Phelps, a Las Vegas woman currently incarcerated in Mexico awaiting extradition, has been indicted by federal prosecutors for orchestrating romance scams targeting older men between July 2021 and December 2022. Phelps allegedly lured victims through online dating applications, drugged them with prescription sedatives, and stole millions of dollars through unauthorized access to their bank accounts, brokerage accounts, credit cards, and vehicles; at least three victims died, including one man she allegedly pushed across the border in a wheelchair. She faces multiple federal charges including wire fraud, bank fraud, kidnapping, and kidnapping resulting in death, with a potential life sentence if convicted.
news3lv.com
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, has been charged in a 21-count indictment for orchestrating a deadly romance scam targeting older men aged 60-70 between 2019 and 2022. Phelps allegedly lured at least 11 victims through online dating apps, met them in person, drugged them with sedatives, and stole their money, vehicles, and identities; at least three victims died, including one she allegedly sedated and transported across the U.S./Mexico border in a wheelchair. She currently faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, with a
justice.gov
**Romance Scam with Drugging and Theft**
Aurora Phelps, a 43-year-old Las Vegas woman, was indicted on 21 counts including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping for allegedly meeting older men through online dating services, drugging them, and stealing money from their financial accounts between July 2021 and December 2022. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces up to life in prison if convicted, and the FBI is actively seeking to identify additional victims through an investigative website.
huffpost.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps to lure at least four older men into meeting her, then drugged them with sedatives and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in what authorities called a "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, including one whom Phelps is alleged to have heavily sedated and transported across the U.S.-Mexico border to a Mexico City hotel where he was found dead; a fourth victim awoke from a coma after being given prescription sedatives over a week. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico and facing 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and one count of kidnapping resulting in death,
wbaltv.com
Aurora Phelps, 43, used online dating apps (Tinder, Hinge, Bumble) to target at least four older men in 2021-2022, drugging them with prescription sedatives and stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars through bank accounts, credit cards, and stock sales in what FBI officials described as "romance scam on steroids." Three of the victims died, and Phelps—currently in custody in Mexico—faces 21 federal charges including wire fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping resulting in death, with investigators seeking her extradition and urging additional potential victims to come forward.
2news.com
43-year-old Aurora Phelps of Las Vegas was charged in a 21-count indictment for running a romance scam targeting older men through online dating services between July 2021 and December 2022, during which she allegedly drugged victims and stole from their bank accounts. Phelps, currently in custody in Mexico, faces charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, identity theft, and kidnapping, with a potential life sentence if convicted on all counts. The FBI is seeking additional victims and has established resources including a dedicated webpage and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) for those 60 and older who may
cardrates.com
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that financial scams against older Americans in 2023 resulted in losses as high as $61.5 billion, with individuals over 60 reporting fraud more frequently than any other age group. Tech support fraud, where criminals impersonate legitimate tech employees to gain access to victims' accounts, is the leading fraud type targeting seniors. Huntington Bank launched a Caregiver Banking program in December 2024 that allows older adults and those needing financial assistance to securely share account access with trusted caregivers or family members to help prevent fraud exploitation.
vox.com
Text message scams have become a sophisticated and growing threat, with complaints increasing 500 percent from 2015 to 2022 as scammers use AI and personal data to craft convincing, targeted messages about unpaid fines, packages, and other common scenarios. In 2024 alone, phone scammers stole over $25 billion, averaging $450 per victim, with risks increasing when messages include personal details like names or addresses. The article advises consumers to verify suspicious texts independently, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, and recognize red flags like unusual domain extensions, as human vigilance remains the most effective defense against increasingly sophisticated text fraud.
whio.com
Phone scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using text messages and calls to target financial institutions and individuals directly by exploiting data breaches and personal information available online. Members of Wright-Patt Credit Union received fraudulent texts appearing to be from the credit union, prompting them to click malicious links; experts warn the problem will worsen as artificial intelligence enables more convincing, personalized attacks including deepfakes and QR code scams. Financial institutions and cybersecurity experts recommend remaining vigilant by verifying messages through official channels, enabling multi-factor authentication, changing passwords regularly, and educating vulnerable family members about these threats.
usatoday.com
A 30-year-old Florida man was ordered to pay over $1.1 million for operating EmpiresX, a $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors across 50+ countries from 2020-2021. The article explains common crypto scams including Ponzi schemes, pig-butchering scams (which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes), and advises protection strategies such as verifying investment legitimacy, being cautious of unsolicited financial offers, and understanding that cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to reverse or recover.
securityinfowatch.com
A 2025 Tech.co survey of 1,036 US business leaders found that 98% cannot identify all signs of phishing emails, with 47% failing to recognize urgency or threatening tone and 33% unable to spot unknown senders as red flags. Phishing attacks accounted for 40% of business data breaches in 2024 (up 23% from 2023), with the average data breach costing $4.88 million, highlighting a critical need for cybersecurity education across all organizational levels.
ft.com
In 2023, a UK sustainability consultancy lost £324,634 to an authorized push payment (APP) fraud scam where criminals impersonated a client's email to trick an employee into transferring funds; the victim spent 11 months and £100,000 in legal fees attempting recovery and ultimately declared the company insolvent. While new UK regulations implemented in October 2024 now mandate reimbursement up to £85,000 for APP fraud victims, fraud experts and affected individuals report the system remains broken due to police inaction, regulatory gaps, and inconsistent bank treatment of claims. APP fraud accounted for 40 percent of all fraud losses in the UK in 2
cnbc.com
During the 2024 tax season, scammers increased identity theft and refund fraud attempts, with the IRS receiving nearly 300,000 identity theft reports resulting in an estimated $5.5 billion in losses. Common scams include fraudulent IRS communications via phone/text/email, AI-powered voice cloning, fake account setup offers, phishing emails promising unclaimed refunds, and fraudulent tax preparers who steal personal information and refunds. Taxpayers can protect themselves by remembering the IRS only contacts via mail, verifying caller information, researching tax preparers using the IRS directory, and avoiding unsolicited IRS-related communications or links.
cbsnews.com
Scammers are sending mass extortion emails threatening to expose alleged compromising material unless recipients pay money (often in Bitcoin), using publicly available personal information like names and addresses to create a false sense of familiarity and urgency. One Pennsylvania resident received such an email demanding $2,000 after the sender claimed to have malware and webcam access, though experts note that scammers rarely possess actual evidence and send these threats indiscriminately to thousands of people obtained from data breaches. The FBI advises recipients not to respond, not to pay, and to report such emails as spam or phishing.
alliancetimes.com
Financial Advisor Dalsey Lambley presented a scam awareness workshop at the Alliance Public Library, highlighting common fraud types including internet scams, romance scams, collection fraud, and computer intrusion schemes that typically begin with unsolicited contact. Lambley advised attendees to recognize red flags, avoid sharing personal information with unverified online contacts, verify contact numbers independently, and consult trusted friends before responding to urgent requests. The presentation emphasized that scammers exploit emotions like loneliness and fear to pressure victims into quick decisions without careful consideration.
thenationaldesk.com
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to Social Security Administration data to identify and combat fraud, with White House officials claiming potential savings of over $1 trillion over a decade through crackdowns on entitlement system fraud. Elon Musk has posted claims of massive fraud in Social Security, citing data showing more eligible social security numbers than U.S. citizens, though a 2023 SSA audit found that nearly 19 million records for people over 100 with active numbers receive almost no benefits. The push for data access has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers concerned about potential data breaches, and reportedly led to the departure of SSA acting commissioner Michelle
aol.com
Mortgage fraud increased over 8 percent in 2024, with one fraudulent application occurring in every 123 submitted applications. Common types include origination fraud (misrepresenting borrower qualifications, with falsified income being most frequent at 42 percent of investigated cases), occupancy fraud (claiming owner-occupancy to secure better terms while actually renting the property), identity fraud (using stolen personal information to apply for mortgages), and churning (unnecessary refinancing by loan officers). Victims of mortgage fraud—whether suspects or unknowing participants—face serious consequences including immediate loan repayment demands and potential foreclosure, while rising fraud also drives up mortgage rates for all borrowers.
express.co.uk
Romance scams using AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating celebrities became the most reported scams in 2024, with criminals creating hyper-realistic videos and audio to trick victims into fraudulent relationships or investment schemes. A recent investigation by London's Proactive Economic Crime Team led to two arrests after victims handed over approximately £200,000, including one individual who lost £60,000, while a similar case involving a deepfake of Martin Lewis and Elon Musk defrauded a tradesman of £76,000. The technology has evolved faster than regulatory measures, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish real from fabricated content, with deepfake attempts occurring every five
nypost.com
A Louisiana woman discovered her inherited family property had been fraudulently sold for $45,000 when she attempted to pay taxes on the lot in December; criminals used identity theft with a forged signature, stolen notary stamp, and fake witnesses to impersonate her and transfer the deed to a company. Although the $45,000 payment was frozen and reversed, Batiste continues fighting to restore her legal title to the property, which has been in her family for over 200 years. Investigators believe this case may be connected to an international crime ring, as similar real estate identity theft schemes are becoming increasingly common across the nation.
wilx.com
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to watch for IRS impersonation scams during tax season, including phishing emails, fake phone calls demanding payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards, and fraudulent mailing scams requesting personal information. To protect themselves, taxpayers should file early, use an Identity Protection PIN, verify they're on the official IRS website, remember that the IRS contacts by mail first, and work with trustworthy tax professionals. Victims of tax identity theft should contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 and file a complaint with the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
pandasecurity.com
Tax season 2025 brings increased fraud risk as over 160 million Americans file returns by April 15th, with scammers exploiting the confusion through multiple tactics including fake charities, dishonest tax preparers, and IRS impersonation calls and phishing emails. The IRS warns taxpayers to verify non-profit status before donating, use honest tax preparers, hang up on unsolicited IRS calls requesting banking information or gift cards, and avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or following unqualified social media tax advice. Installing antivirus software and being cautious of tax debt relief services can help prevent personal information theft and fraudulent refund claims filed in victims' names.
irishmirror.ie
Gmail users are being warned about a sophisticated AI-powered scam targeting Irish and international accounts, where scammers use convincing phone calls and fake Google emails to trick victims into revealing their Gmail recovery codes, potentially leading to account takeover, identity theft, and financial losses. The FBI first warned of these AI-driven scams in May 2024, and the problem has since escalated with attackers using increasingly realistic voice, video, and email impersonations. Security experts recommend users verify alerts directly through official Google accounts, enable multi-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links, and use password managers to protect themselves from these threats.
cnet.com
In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to fraud, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money and personal information. The article outlines 10 common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake websites, advance fee schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective measures such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, and avoiding upfront payments for promised services.
wbay.com
"Snowball" scams are multi-layered fraud schemes that start small and escalate through repeated contacts from scammers posing as legitimate agencies, lottery officials, or government representatives, with the goal of extracting money through fear tactics about stolen identities or unclaimed winnings. Wisconsin consumers have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in these schemes, including one victim who paid $155,000 in fake lottery taxes and another who lost nearly $500,000 after being tricked into converting savings to gold bars. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection advises victims to stop contact immediately if transferred between callers, verify legitimacy with trusted contacts, and never pay money or provide personal information, regardless of pressure to
sentinelone.com
Cybercriminals exploit Valentine's Day by launching romance baiting scams, phishing attacks, and fraudulent gift card promotions to manipulate victims through emotional appeals and false investment opportunities. Romance baiting schemes have caused significant financial damage, with investment fraud losses increasing from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023, often resulting in severe psychological trauma for victims beyond monetary losses. The article advises individuals to recognize common scams such as fake dating profiles, malicious e-cards, and spoofed promotions, and emphasizes that awareness, education, and timely reporting are essential to prevent victimization and aid law enforcement.
cnet.com
Criminals exploit legitimate data breach notices by creating fraudulent scams that impersonate companies and ask victims to download malware, click phishing links, or divulge personal information. Red flags for fake data breach alerts include suspicious sender contact information, spelling errors, odd-looking URLs, and artificial urgency in the message. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links or replying to unsolicited breach notices; instead, contact the company directly, and report suspected scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
nbcsandiego.com
Martha lost $32,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man claiming to be a San Diego architect on a dating app who gradually built an intimate relationship with her over a year before requesting money for business emergencies abroad. According to the San Diego County District Attorney, romance scams stole over $1.3 million from local victims in 2023, with scammers using methodical tactics to isolate victims and gain access to their personal data and finances. Red flags include refusal to meet in person, requests for money, and attempts to isolate victims from family and friends.
standard.co.uk
YouTube warned users of a phishing scam impersonating the platform's creator support team, where fraudulent emails with links to fake private videos direct victims to malicious websites designed to steal login credentials and install malware. At least one YouTube creator with 500,000 subscribers nearly fell victim to the scheme, which uses red flags like misspelled words ("crearors" instead of "creators") and requests for electronic signatures to appear legitimate. YouTube emphasized it never communicates with creators through such methods and advised users to avoid downloading files or accessing links from suspicious emails.
enews.wvu.edu
During tax season, identity theft and tax fraud increase when criminals file fraudulent returns using stolen Social Security numbers to claim refunds. To protect against these scams, individuals should file taxes early, obtain an IRS Identity Protection PIN, watch for phishing emails and calls impersonating the IRS or tax preparers, securely exchange tax documents through encrypted services, and maintain encrypted backups of tax records. The IRS never contacts taxpayers by email or phone, and scammers often use threats of arrest or penalties to pressure victims into providing personal information.
abc.net.au
Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day by creating false identities on dating apps and social media to establish emotional connections with victims, then manipulate them into sending money or investing in fraudulent schemes. Red flags include rapid declarations of love, excuses to avoid video calls, requests for money due to emergencies, and overly perfect profile photos (often AI-generated or stolen). A 26-year-old Australian woman lost over $46,000 to a romance scammer in 2024 after connecting on Tinder, highlighting how emotional manipulation and "love bombing" can lead to both financial loss and deep psychological trauma.
businesswire.com
Sextortion has emerged as one of the most devastating romance scams, with fraudsters using fake profiles to manipulate victims into sharing intimate content before threatening exposure and demanding ransom payments. The FBI reported over 12,000 complaints in 2023 resulting in millions in financial losses, severe psychological trauma, and in some cases fatalities, with younger and newer online daters being particularly vulnerable. The article recommends that social media and dating platforms implement stronger identity verification measures, including biometric and government ID verification, to eliminate fake profiles and make it harder for scammers to operate across multiple platforms.
njjewishnews.timesofisrael.com
Communities First Initiative, the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey, and Valley Bank presented an educational program on avoiding scams, frauds, and identity theft to seniors at a housing facility in South Orange. The bilingual presentation is part of Project Thrive, a response to rising victimization of senior citizens by scams and fraud, designed to provide financial education and resources that help seniors protect themselves.
advisorhub.com
Marjorie Kessler, a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, lost nearly $1.75 million to scammers impersonating government officials who convinced her to withdraw funds for safekeeping in a U.S. Treasury account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages for failing to investigate her unusual withdrawal requests and neglecting to establish a trusted contact on her account as required by regulations, though the arbitration panel deducted the first transfer amount due to insufficient evidence of negligence.
edhat.com
A Santa Barbara County fraud case involved Craig Case, a former private investigator and TV host, and Nancy Coglizer, who held power of attorney for elderly Montecito resident Constance McCormick Fearing, systematically embezzling over $600,000 from the deceased woman's funds through repeated "short-term" loans disguised as small withdrawals to avoid detection. Coglizer pleaded guilty to mismanaging Fearing's finances, claiming manipulation by Case and personal struggles with alcoholism influenced her actions, while Case faces conspiracy and financial elder abuse charges; Coglizer awaits sentencing in a case highlighting vulnerabilities of elderly individuals in financial matters.
dallasnews.com
Dallas tops the list of U.S. cities targeted by scam text messages impersonating toll payment services, followed by Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orlando, according to a McAfee report. Scammers send fraudulent texts claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls and include phishing links designed to steal personal and financial information such as driver's license numbers for identity theft purposes. The FBI has been warning about this scheme since last year, with over 10,000 fraudulent domains registered impersonating toll and package delivery services.
usatoday.com
Skimming scams, which involve criminals stealing credit card data through devices placed on ATMs, fuel pumps, and point-of-sale terminals, increased 96% in 2023 and cost U.S. consumers over $1 billion annually. Major enforcement actions include a three-year FBI investigation targeting Romanian organized crime that resulted in 48 arrests and recovery of 8,000 stolen card numbers and approximately $1 million in seized currency. Consumers can protect themselves by inspecting card readers for tampering, using chip or tap-to-pay technology, monitoring accounts for unauthorized transactions, and choosing well-lit fuel pumps near store attendants.
aol.com
Romance scams are increasingly targeting younger age groups (people in their 20s and 30s), with reported incidents shifting from primarily affecting those aged 50-59 in 2019 to younger demographics by 2023. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams resulted in $469.9 million in losses across all age groups in 2023, more than double the $229.3 million lost in 2019. Scammers typically build emotional connections through dating sites and social media before requesting money or personal information, and victims should be wary of requests for financial help, unusual stories requiring assistance, and fake profiles or AI-generated images.
cnet.com
In 2023, people lost $10 billion to fraud according to FTC data, but consumers can protect themselves by recognizing common banking scams. The article outlines ten prevalent scam tactics—including check-cashing schemes, phishing, fake websites, advance fee fraud, and government imposter scams—and provides specific protective strategies such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, using secure checks, and contacting official customer service lines to confirm requests.
poconorecord.com
Skimming scams—where criminals install devices on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and fuel pumps to steal card data—increased 96% in 2023 and cost U.S. consumers over $1 billion annually. Recent law enforcement operations have targeted organized crime groups, including a three-year FBI investigation resulting in 48 arrests and recovery of over 8,000 stolen credit card numbers. The FBI advises consumers to inspect card readers for tampering, use chip/tap-to-pay technology, pull at keypads for overlays, monitor accounts regularly, and choose fuel pumps visible to attendants.