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ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam text messages are increasingly prevalent, with the FTC reporting $470 billion stolen via text scams in the past year, up significantly from $372 million in 2023. Common scams include fake fraud alerts (like Apple Pay warnings), bogus toll notices, and phony job offers, which scammers distribute at scale using AI-powered automation and personal information harvested from the dark web. To protect yourself, avoid replying to or clicking links in unexpected texts, verify requests directly with companies using known contact information, and report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
statesmanjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oregon DMV warned residents of a phishing scam involving unsolicited text and email messages falsely claiming outstanding traffic violations and threatening vehicle registration suspension or credit damage unless payment is made via a provided link. The DMV emphasized it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications and advises recipients to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.
kgun9.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona residents are receiving fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from ADOT, threatening suspended licenses and vehicle registration cancellations unless unpaid traffic tickets are paid immediately. This "smishing" scam uses fear-based tactics to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links; ADOT clarifies it does not collect tickets or send payment demands via text, and advises recipients to delete messages and avoid clicking links or replying.
kjzz.org
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes held town halls to educate seniors about increasingly sophisticated scams, including grandparent scams using AI-generated voice clones that impersonate relatives and demand thousands of dollars, as well as text scams impersonating government agencies. According to a 2024 Federal Trade Commission report, older adults lost over $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023. Mayes advised seniors to establish code words with loved ones and to recognize red flags such as requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, warning that legitimate government agencies never contact people unsolicited for money or personal information.
madriverunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Online Fraud Protection for Seniors
Seniors face increasing risk from online fraud due to their trust and limited tech experience, with common scams including phishing, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. The article recommends protective measures such as verifying sender identity, confirming requests through known contacts, never granting device access to unsolicited callers, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected scams to banks, the FTC, or local authorities. The McKinleyville Senior Center offers free computer assistance and is hosting a fraud prevention seminar with Coast Central Credit Union on June 27.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Illinois is offering a free two-part virtual educational series called "Fraud Watch 101" scheduled for June 23rd and 27th to help older adults recognize and avoid scams. The program covers common fraud tactics, emerging threats like cryptocurrency scams, red flags in suspicious communications, and psychological manipulation techniques used by fraudsters. This is an awareness and educational initiative designed to equip seniors and their families with knowledge to protect themselves from fraud.
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece highlights common scams targeting older adults, including phishing texts (such as fake toll fee notices), grandparent scams, and email fraud. Key protective measures include not clicking links from unknown senders, avoiding payment via gift cards or digital transfer apps, verifying suspicious requests with trusted contacts, and reporting scams to banks, local authorities, and the FTC. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation and the scammers' use of urgent language and emotional manipulation to bypass critical thinking.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old Troy woman lost $8,400 in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonated her son and claimed he was in jail, then sent someone to her house to collect cash as a fake bail bond. The victim realized the scam when she was later asked for an additional $9,200, at which point she contacted police. This incident is part of a broader wave of scams targeting Metro Detroit residents.
financialpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in Canada, with experts warning of rising vulnerability as the country's aging population holds over $1.1 trillion in assets. While digital scams targeting seniors are increasing, the greater threat comes from trusted individuals—family members, friends, and those with power of attorney—who exploit their positions, with approximately 81 percent of reported cases perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Seniors with cognitive decline, women, and those from marginalized communities face heightened risk, and many victims remain silent to avoid disrupting family relationships.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Actor Chris Carmack and his wife Erin partnered with McAfee to raise awareness about AI-powered scams after both were recently targeted by fraudsters; Erin lost approximately $2,000 to a fake online furniture vendor, while Chris nearly fell victim to a tollway phishing scam. McAfee launched a free Scam Detector tool that uses AI to analyze URLs, text messages, and emails to identify scams, with similar tools now offered by Norton 360, Bitdefender, and Google. Experts advise people to verify website URLs (checking for "https" and ".gov" endings), pause before clicking links or sending money, and contact trusted sources before responding to financial
digit.fyi
· 2025-12-08
Nearly half of mobile users (44%) encounter scams daily, with the highest rates in the US (51%) and UK (49%), yet 66% struggle to distinguish scams from legitimate communications. Over half of victims experience financial loss (52%), while Gen Z faces particularly high rates of extortion and sextortion scams (28% victimization rate), and 75% of all victims report serious emotional consequences including anxiety and depression. Despite widespread impact, only 17% of victims report scams to authorities, and the rise of AI-powered scams makes detection increasingly difficult.
trt.global
· 2025-12-08
Nine Chinese nationals were convicted in Lagos, Nigeria and sentenced to one year in prison plus fines of approximately $630 each for their involvement in cryptocurrency investment and romance scams targeting international victims. The arrests were part of a December raid on a fraud operation in Victoria Island that netted 792 suspects total, with authorities seizing computers, mobile phones, and other equipment used in the scheme. The gang recruited Nigerian accomplices to conduct phishing scams primarily targeting Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and Europeans.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, text-based scams have become the most prevalent threat, with the E-ZPass scam leading the way—fraudsters send texts falsely claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license suspension to create urgency and trick recipients into clicking malicious links. Other major scams include DMV impersonation texts using similar tactics, fake job offer texts posing as employers or Indeed itself, and fraudulent Joann Fabric advertisements on Facebook and Pinterest directing users to counterfeit websites. The FTC recommends never clicking links or engaging with suspicious messages, contacting relevant agencies directly to verify claims, and reporting scams rather than responding to them.
freedom.press
· 2025-12-08
A Google and Morning Consult survey found that 60% or more of consumers across the U.S., U.K., and India reported experiencing increased scam exposure over the past year as of March 2025, with text messages and emails being the most common delivery methods. The report highlights that younger generations rely more on passkeys and social sign-ins for authentication, while the Freedom of the Press Foundation recommends using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and verifying requests through trusted channels to protect against scams delivered via multiple platforms including phone, social media, and physical mail.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam text messages claiming recipients owe money to the "Ohio Department of Vehicles" (actually called the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles) are being sent nationwide, threatening suspension of car registration, driver's license loss, credit score damage, and legal charges to pressure victims into clicking malicious links. State Registrar Charlie Norman identified this as a phishing scam with a low cost-to-reward ratio for criminals, recommending that recipients verify claims directly with the BMV, avoid clicking links in unsolicited urgent messages, and report suspicious texts to the Federal Trade Commission.
kwqc.com
· 2025-12-08
Text scams impersonating law enforcement and government agencies are increasing in sophistication, with fraudsters sending threatening messages about unpaid traffic tickets or offering fake government grants to pressure victims into quick payments. Sheriff Tim Lane advises never clicking links in suspicious texts and verifying any claims directly with agencies using official phone numbers, emphasizing that real government agencies do not conduct business via unsolicited text messages. Victims should immediately contact their bank and file a police report if they fall prey to these scams.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Prince George's County are using fake outstanding warrant claims and the real names of sheriff's office employees to defraud residents, with some victims being told to bring cash to the sheriff's headquarters parking lot to resolve the false warrants. The Prince George's County Sheriff's Office warns that they never demand money or financial information by phone and advises residents to verify any such claims by calling 911 or contacting the sheriff's office directly.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Employment scams have surged 118% in recent years, with criminals using fake job postings and AI technology to deceive job seekers into providing personal information, making advance payments, or wiring money under false pretenses. LinkedIn has partnered with the National Cybersecurity Alliance to launch verification features and protective measures, while experts advise job seekers to verify employers independently, avoid sharing sensitive information on unverified portals, and watch for red flags including pressure to decide quickly, vague job descriptions, and requests to move conversations off official platforms.
news.iu.edu
· 2025-12-08
This UITS News article is primarily an educational resource covering IT services and updates at Indiana University, with one fraud awareness component. The article includes tips for spotting scam emails and text messages that impersonate trusted sources and request personal information, alongside announcements about new Microsoft 365 AI tools, VPN upgrades, email domain changes, digital accessibility requirements, and various student and faculty programs.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik highlighted Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June and emphasized the U.S. Attorney's Office commitment to combating financial fraud targeting seniors, noting that scammers use unsolicited communications and impersonation tactics to exploit older adults' savings. The office outlined common scams affecting seniors including cryptocurrency schemes, lottery fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, government impersonation, money mule recruitment, and tech support fraud, and recommends vigilance and reporting suspected elder financial abuse to the FBI or Department of Justice.
channel3000.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection raised awareness about senior-targeting scams on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, noting that consumers aged 70 and over lost more than $1,000 per scam in 2024—double the losses of younger age groups—with investment, romance, and government imposter scams becoming increasingly sophisticated. The department recommends five preventative measures: staying informed about common scams, planning ahead to identify impersonation attempts, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities or the Consumer Protection Hotline at (800) 422-7128.
positivelynaperville.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly through phishing and spear phishing techniques where fraudsters impersonate legitimate businesses via email, phone, or text to create urgency and pressure victims into sending money via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Crime Prevention Specialist Julie Smith recommends pausing when receiving suspicious communications, independently verifying through official channels, avoiding clicking links, and not hesitating to end the conversation with potential scammers. Common impersonated organizations include Microsoft, Amazon, Social Security, PayPal, and Illinois Tollway/IPASS.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik announced that the Northern District of Ohio is committed to combating financial fraud targeting seniors during Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June, noting that scammers use unsolicited communications and impersonation tactics to steal victims' life savings. The office highlighted common scams affecting older adults, including cryptocurrency schemes, lottery scams, grandparent scams, romance scams, government impersonation schemes, money mule operations, and tech support frauds, and urged seniors to remain vigilant while offering FBI and Department of Justice resources for reporting elder financial abuse.
kktv.com
· 2025-12-08
A voicemail scam targeting El Paso County residents impersonated a real sheriff's sergeant, claiming a victim had missed a court appearance and including a local callback number to increase credibility. A Colorado Springs couple nearly fell for the scam but avoided it by researching the sergeant's name; authorities warn that such impersonation scams are evolving and often use threats of arrest or legal action to pressure victims into paying fines or providing financial information. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office advises never calling back suspicious numbers and instead verifying calls directly through official agency phone numbers.
97x.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers on Facebook Marketplace are posing as eager buyers and requesting sellers' email addresses or login credentials for payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App under the guise of technical errors, with the goal of stealing personal information and accessing financial accounts. The scam, exemplified by a case involving a scammer named "Angela," targets sellers nationwide by building trust before requesting sensitive information that legitimate payment apps do not require. Users are advised to never share email or login information, complete transactions in person with cash when possible, and be wary of urgent buyer tactics or suspicious payment error screenshots.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and social engineering tactics to defraud people online, but victims can limit damage by acting quickly. The article provides ten recommended steps for scam victims: stop communicating with the scammer, secure all online accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, monitor financial statements for fraud, avoid sponsored search results when seeking help, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, attempt fund recovery through chargebacks or bank recalls, gather evidence of the scam, scan devices for malware, report to authorities and relevant platforms, and implement ongoing security protections.
sjcda.org
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams in San Joaquin County have escalated to include in-person cash collection at victims' homes, with scammers impersonating grandchildren in distress and sometimes posing as lawyers. To protect yourself, resist pressure to pay, verify the caller's identity through independent contact with family members, never share personal information or cash with unsolicited callers, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
news.uthsc.edu
· 2025-12-08
Smishing—fraudulent text messages—is increasing as criminals use SMS to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. The article illustrates a common example where someone received a fake Tennessee DMV text claiming an unpaid traffic ticket with a 24-hour payment deadline and threatened license suspension. The key red flags include artificial urgency, unofficial sender information, and the fact that government agencies contact citizens through official mail, not text messages; protection involves verifying sources, avoiding suspicious links, blocking numbers, and reporting incidents to carriers.
wlwt.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles warned residents of a phishing text scam in which scammers impersonate the BMV and claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets, demanding immediate payment to avoid license suspension. The scam, reported by drivers nationwide, is designed to steal personal or financial information, and the BMV emphasized it never sends text messages demanding payment or requesting personal data. Victims are advised to report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and contact local law enforcement if they believe they've been compromised.
ohio.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Ohio are sending fraudulent text messages impersonating state agencies, including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Ohio Turnpike, and Department of Taxation. Ohio residents are advised that legitimate state agencies never contact citizens via unsolicited text messages and should report suspected scams to the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
corporate.vanguard.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, driven by increasingly sophisticated "crossover scams" that combine multiple fraud techniques over extended periods. These scams employ social engineering, impersonation of trusted entities (banks, government agencies), and multi-channel contact methods to manipulate victims into transferring funds through untraceable means, with common variations including tech support/account security scams and fake investment schemes with emotional manipulation. Beyond financial losses, victims experience significant emotional and psychological harm, including depression, relationship problems, and diminished financial confidence.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
State Departments of Transportation in Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin issued warnings about phishing text scams impersonating state agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, with threats of legal action. The scams have already targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, and are becoming more sophisticated by using fear tactics to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. State agencies advise recipients to ignore urgency demands, avoid clicking links or sharing information, block senders, and report scams to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik issued a press release for Elder Abuse Awareness Month highlighting the prevalence of financial scams targeting seniors in the Northern District of Ohio, including cryptocurrency, lottery, grandparent, romance, government impersonation, money mule, and tech support schemes. The statement emphasized that scammers use unsolicited communications and fraudulent tactics to exploit seniors' savings, with some victims losing their entire life savings, and urged vigilance and reporting through the FBI and Department of Justice resources.
kgun9.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes conducted an educational tour across the state, including Douglas, to raise awareness about elder fraud targeting seniors as Arizona's population ages. In 2023, Arizona experienced 289 elder fraud cases per 100,000 seniors, with one in 10 older adults becoming victims of abuse or exploitation; Mayes highlighted that AI-enabled voice cloning is making scams more convincing, as exemplified by an attendee who nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam claiming her daughter needed emergency funds. The Attorney General emphasized that seniors are targeted because they typically have savings and encouraged reporting fraud to her office for assistance.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to online scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with an average loss of $83,000 per victim, according to FBI data cited by Paducah-based cybersecurity firm SOMA Cyber Inc. Investment scams were the costliest fraud type, taking nearly $2 billion from this age group, while romance scams and tech support impersonation schemes also caused significant losses. SOMA Cyber is launching awareness workshops and recommends seniors verify unexpected financial requests independently, use strong password practices, enable two-factor authentication, and immediately contact their bank if victimized.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office co-hosted the 3rd Annual Walk for Awareness in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 11, 2025, ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, to raise awareness about financial, physical, and emotional abuse affecting seniors. According to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crimes Report, adults over 60 suffered $4.8 billion in financial losses and filed 147,127 complaints, with investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and government impersonation being the most common schemes. The U.S. Attorney's Office has prosecuted multiple elder fraud cases involving millions of dollars and continues partnering with community organizations to
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes held a town hall meeting in Douglas to educate seniors about common scams, including voice cloning and romance scams on social media platforms. Arizona experienced nearly 300 elder fraud cases per 100,000 seniors in 2023—the highest rate in the nation—though the attorney general's office recovered $5 million in 2024 out of over $300 million in losses. The event emphasized the importance of contacting local law enforcement for verification and staying informed about fraud tactics targeting older adults.
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes held a town hall in Douglas to educate residents about scams targeting elders, including voice cloning and romance scams increasingly found on social media. Arizona had the highest elder fraud rate in the nation at nearly 300 cases per 100,000 seniors in 2023, with authorities recovering only $5 million of over $300 million in losses during 2024. The discussion emphasized the importance of public education and contacting local law enforcement to verify suspicious communications as protective measures.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Teresa Rogg, a 74-year-old Massachusetts resident, lost approximately $140,000 from her retirement account after falling victim to an evolving "phantom hacker" scam that began with a fake security pop-up and escalated to in-person cash pickups over two months. The scammers convinced her that suspicious activity had been detected on her accounts and instructed her to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using code words, while also sending fraudulent letters impersonating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Tech support scams in Massachusetts have surged dramatically, with reported losses increasing from $1.2 million in 2019 to over $50 million in the most
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $470 million to text scams in 2024, with fraudsters increasingly impersonating banks and credit unions using convincing messaging to trick victims. Experts recommend being skeptical of all unsolicited communications and instead calling your bank directly using the number on your physical card, checking online banking portals independently, or visiting your financial institution in person to verify any suspicious activity before responding to texts or emails.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. adults experienced an 86% year-over-year surge in phone, email, and text scams, with 82% of Americans receiving at least one scam text weekly and over half receiving three or more per week. The most common text scams involve urgent money demands (toll fees, citations, overdue bills), and U.S. consumers reported $470 million in losses to text scams in the prior year. To reduce exposure, experts recommend avoiding sharing phone numbers online when possible, reporting scam texts as spam, blocking suspicious numbers immediately, and avoiding engagement with unknown messages, as responding confirms an active number to scammers.
woay.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses three increasingly sophisticated scams enabled by AI and technology: "accidental text" phishing messages designed to validate phone numbers for future targeting, fraudulent QR codes placed in public locations to steal personal information, and SIM swapping where thieves redirect a victim's phone number to access their accounts. The article recommends avoiding responses to unsolicited texts, verifying QR code sources before scanning, and setting up PIN codes with phone providers to prevent unauthorized number transfers.
lufkindailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are warning of an imposter scam in which fraudsters claim to be law enforcement officials and threaten victims with arrest for alleged identity theft, jury duty violations, or false crimes, then demand payment via Bitcoin or other electronic transfers. Scammers use sophisticated tactics including spoofed government phone numbers, real law enforcement names and badge numbers, personal identifying information, and fake court documents to appear credible, often instructing victims to transfer 80% of their assets while staying on the phone. Texas residents have reported losses ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in these scams, and victims are urged to report incidents to their local FBI office and the Federal Trade
cdotrends.com
· 2025-12-08
This Q2 phishing report details three major scam tactics exploiting human trust: fraudsters created deepfake images and false reports about Pope Francis on social media, directing victims to malicious websites that steal personal and financial data; device code hijacking tricks users into authenticating attacker access to accounts through seemingly legitimate service requests; and smishing attacks impersonate government agencies and financial institutions via text messages with official branding to harvest personal information. The report recommends confirming news and payment requests through official channels, avoiding sensationalized social media posts, using URL filtering, and keeping systems updated to prevent these attacks.
manxradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Isle of Man Cyber Security Centre reported a surge in digital fraud from March to April, including over 700 suspicious emails, advance fee scams, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes targeting residents and businesses through fake websites and social media accounts. Notable cases included a romance scam that escalated to sextortion (£1,500 + £4,000 demanded), deepfake videos impersonating politicians promoting cryptocurrency fraud, business invoice fraud costing £9,000, and marketplace scams resulting in losses ranging from £850 to £965. The Centre advised residents to verify financial claims through official sources and businesses to rely on their own websites rather than social media platforms where impersonation
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Fremont manufacturing business lost $180,000 in a vendor impersonation scam on May 28 when employees received a fraudulent email appearing to come from a legitimate vendor requesting updated bank account information. The scammers used spoofed email addresses to appear legitimate, and the business unknowingly transferred funds to the criminals' account. Police warn that fraudsters commonly spoof real phone numbers and email addresses to deceive businesses into sending payments to fraudulent accounts.
komando.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud targeting seniors age 60+ is rapidly increasing, with nearly 72% of scams initiated using personal data scraped from the internet or purchased from data brokers, enabling criminals to conduct highly personalized attacks like AI-powered grandchild impersonation and spoofed bank calls. Texas seniors lost an average of $51,700 per complaint, while Arizona experienced the highest elder fraud rate per capita at 3.5 cases per 1,000 seniors. Protection strategies include freezing credit, using call-filtering apps, employing password managers, discussing scams with family, and utilizing data removal services to scrub personal information from people-search sites and data brokers.
theprint.in
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old man in New Delhi lost Rs 20 lakh (half his life savings) to a cybercrime scheme involving unauthorized bank transfers and fixed deposit withdrawals, forcing his family to postpone a wedding. The incident reflects a broader crisis: cybercrimes targeting elderly Indians increased 86% from 2020 to 2022, with criminals exploiting seniors' digital illiteracy through fraudulent calls, links, and "digital arrest" schemes. In response, police departments and NGOs across India—including Kolkata Police, Bengaluru Police, and HelpAge India—have launched awareness campaigns and digital literacy workshops to educate seniors on cybersecurity an
rismedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam has targeted at least 40 real estate professionals, where fraudsters pose as wealthy cash buyers, build trust with agents, and gradually convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that appear legitimate before disappearing with their money, often including victims' retirement accounts. The U.S. Secret Service warns that these scams, which originated in China around 2016, are likely to increase and recommends victims report incidents to the FBI's IC3.gov within 72 hours for the best chance of asset recovery.