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in Tech Support Scam
presidentialprayerteam.org
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission updated its Telemarketing Sales Rule to include inbound calls for technical support services, targeting a major fraud scheme where consumers are tricked into paying for unnecessary tech support through misleading ads and pop-ups. Older adults aged 60 and above lost over $175 million to these scams in 2023, making them disproportionately vulnerable to this type of fraud. The regulatory expansion aims to hold businesses accountable and recover funds for victims of tech support scams.
theriver953.com
· 2025-12-08
The Frederick County Sheriff's Department issued a public awareness alert about the $10 billion in fraudulent losses nationwide in 2023, highlighting common scams including employment schemes, gift card fraud, pop-up messages, text/phone impersonations, and sweepstakes cons. The department advises residents to remain skeptical of unsolicited communications, hang up on suspicious calls, verify information through official sources, and contact local law enforcement with concerns.
lamilano.it
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old man named Bruno Abbruzzese was arrested in Terzigno, Naples, for attempted extortion and fraud involving a "mirror scam." The scheme involved damaging a victim's vehicle (using rocks or fake damage created with black wax), falsely claiming the victim caused the damage, and demanding cash compensation while threatening the victim with a jack as a deterrent. Carabinieri arrived during the incident and arrested Abbruzzese, who is awaiting trial.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a public warning about an advanced tech support scam targeting South Carolina seniors, where scammers pose as tech support and instruct victims to liquidate assets and purchase gold bars for courier pickup to resolve fabricated device or financial account issues. South Carolina residents aged 60 and older reported losses exceeding $9 million from January through November, with similar cases occurring nationwide, and the multi-layered scheme often involves networks of criminals working together over weeks or months. The FBI advises seniors to avoid clicking unsolicited links, never provide computer access to unknown individuals, and verify suspicious claims by visiting financial institutions in person rather than contacting provided phone numbers.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations issued a holiday season warning about phone scams targeting seniors and vulnerable populations, including grandparent scams, charity scams, tech support scams, banking scams, and government impersonation scams. The agency recommends protecting yourself by avoiding sharing personal information, verifying caller identity, being skeptical of urgent requests, staying alert online, and reporting suspicious activity to HSI or local authorities.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers exploit shoppers' stress and excitement through various schemes, including package delivery scams that use fake links mimicking legitimate carriers (like "uspsts.top" instead of "usps.com") to steal personal information or payment, and charity scams where fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations to solicit donations. The article advises consumers to verify packages through original shipping confirmations, independently research charities before donating, maintain antivirus software, and watch for red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-enabled voice cloning tools are increasingly used in "grandparent scams" to impersonate loved ones and pressure victims, particularly seniors, into sending money quickly; in 2023 alone, senior citizens lost approximately $3.4 billion to financial crimes according to FBI data. Cybersecurity experts recommend families establish a unique "safe word" or phrase (at least four words, not easily researched online) and require callers requesting money to verify their identity using this phrase before any funds are transferred. The strategy exploits fear-based emotional responses that impair judgment, but can be effectively countered through proper family communication about the safe word protocol.
prunderground.com
· 2025-12-08
"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams" is an educational resource released by financial expert Andy LaPointe that teaches seniors to recognize and prevent fraud across multiple platforms, including phishing emails, social media scams, cryptocurrency schemes, romance scams, and door-to-door deception. The guide provides step-by-step explanations, real-world examples, and actionable strategies for responding to scams, with particular emphasis on protecting seniors during high-risk periods like the holiday season when scammer activity increases.
theintelligencer.net
· 2025-12-08
Gift card scams are increasingly popular during the holiday season, with American consumers losing nearly $217 million to these scams last year, according to FTC data. Scammers pose as legitimate businesses or government agencies to pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, using tactics such as false tax claims, fake tech support, romance schemes, and prize scams. To protect themselves, consumers should only purchase gift cards from reputable sources, inspect cards before buying, avoid third-party sellers, keep receipts, and remember that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand payment via gift cards.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-enabled scams are projected to cause $40 billion in losses by 2027, up from $12.3 billion in 2023, as fraudsters increasingly adopt deepfake technology, voice cloning, and AI chatbots for romance scams and business email compromise attacks. Criminal activity on fraud-focused channels surged 644% between 2023 and 2024, with scammers now offering "fraud-as-a-service" tools and recruiting workers to create deepfake content. The FBI and fraud experts warn that 2025 will see AI scams become mainstream, particularly in targeted business fraud (like the $30 million Hong Kong Zoom imperson
vietnamnet.vn
· 2025-12-08
Online scams caused Vietnamese citizens an estimated VND 18.9 trillion in losses during 2024, affecting approximately 0.45% of smartphone users (one in 220 people), according to the National Cybersecurity Association's survey of 60,000 participants. The three most common scam types were fake investment schemes promising high returns (70.72% of respondents), impersonation of organizations or government agencies (62.08%), and deceptive prize-winning or promotional messages (60.01%), with fraudsters increasingly using deepfake technology and automated tools. The report emphasizes that only 45.69% of victims reported scams to authorities, and recommends users
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
**"Scam-yourself" attacks** have surged 614% in Q3 2024, with hackers tricking users into unknowingly installing malware by posing as legitimate tech support tutorials, fake CAPTCHAs, YouTube videos, and software updates. These attacks exploit users' natural instinct to quickly fix computer problems by making them feel in control while actually compromising their devices with malware like Lumma Stealer, which steals banking information and browser data. Protection requires verifying URLs and sources, avoiding downloads from suspicious tutorials, never copying commands from unknown sources, and using official channels for updates; if compromised, users should run antivirus
k99.com
· 2025-12-08
Colorado residents face an emerging threat from AI-powered deepfake scams expected to surge in 2025, including deepfake audio and video that impersonate loved ones or celebrities to manipulate victims into sending money. These scams exploit emotional connections by creating convincing fake videos of people the victim knows requesting financial assistance or using fake celebrity identities to build relationships before requesting money. The article advises all Colorado residents to learn to recognize scam warning signs and stay informed about these evolving tactics to protect themselves from financial loss.
theitem.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating an advanced multi-layered tech support scam targeting elderly South Carolinians, where scammers pose as tech support and government officials to convince victims their devices and financial accounts have been compromised, then instruct them to liquidate assets and purchase gold bars for courier pickup. South Carolina seniors aged 60 and older reported losses exceeding $9 million to tech support scams from January through November, with similar cases occurring nationwide. The schemes involve coordinated networks of criminals using fake documents, routing calls between accomplices, and can persist for weeks or months before victims discover their accounts have been depleted.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
earth.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article presents research from Binghamton University showing that normal brain aging affects seniors' financial decision-making abilities by shrinking the prefrontal cortex and disrupting the brain regions responsible for math processing and memory retrieval. The study found that age-related cognitive decline increases vulnerability to financial scams, though financial literacy, language skills, and higher socioeconomic status provide some protective effects. Researchers recommend financial education, math practice, and caregiver vigilance as interventions to help older adults maintain financial independence and protect against fraud.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI Special Agent Edgar Koby highlighted the escalating threat of international scams targeting elderly Americans, particularly from West African and Indian call centers using law enforcement impersonation, romance, and tech fraud schemes. From January to October 2024, victims over 60 in Ohio lost more than $43 million, with some elderly victims losing homes, life savings, and taking their own lives due to shame. Koby urged victims to contact law enforcement immediately, as recovering funds becomes nearly impossible once money is transferred overseas.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old Malaysian woman lost RM2.2 million (approximately Rs 4.3 crore) over nearly a decade in an online dating scam that began in October 2017 when she connected with a scammer posing as an American businessman on Facebook. After he claimed to need travel expenses to relocate to Malaysia, she made 306 bank transfers to 50 different accounts, never meeting or video calling the person despite his repeated requests for money citing various emergencies. The victim only discovered the fraud in November 2024 after discussing the situation with a friend, making this potentially the longest single case of a love scam victim in Malaysia.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scams Expected to Surge in 2025 with Advanced Technology**
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using stolen personal data, AI-powered deepfakes, and auto-dialing software with AI chatbots to target victims with highly personalized schemes. Cryptocurrency scams—including "pig butchering" (romance baiting) and investment fraud—are expected to proliferate in 2025, with victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars on average. Security experts advise approaching unsolicited requests with skepticism and distrust rather than assuming legitimacy, as scammers now have access to information from data breaches and social media to make their schemes appear cre
telus.com
· 2025-12-08
This article highlights the rising prevalence of online fraud in Canada, with over 40,600 fraud reports and $503 million in losses as of October 2024, while noting that victims often experience significant emotional trauma alongside financial losses. The piece features the case of Miriam Edelson, who lost $7,500 to a scammer impersonating authorities and claiming her identity was compromised, emphasizing how shame and silence prevented her from seeking help initially. The article stresses that fraud can happen to anyone, encourages victims to report incidents and speak openly about their experiences rather than suffer in silence, and notes that scammer responsibility lies entirely with the perpetrator, not the victim.
tbsnews.net
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in Bangladesh increasingly use the internet but lack the technical knowledge to protect themselves from scams and misinformation. A 58-year-old widow has been defrauded by at least 10 Facebook-based sellers, a 70-year-old man nearly fell for a fake news hoax about a Myanmar invasion and had his Facebook account compromised, and elderly parents began sharing hateful content after gaining internet access—illustrating how seniors are vulnerable to online fraud, fake news, and manipulation without proper digital literacy and family guidance.
gbhackers.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
INTERPOL has advocated replacing the term "pig butchering" with "romance baiting" to describe scams where fraudsters emotionally manipulate victims into transferring money, often for fake cryptocurrency investments, before abandoning them with substantial financial losses. The organization argues that the new terminology is less stigmatizing and dehumanizing, encouraging victims to report crimes and seek support rather than remaining silent out of shame. This language shift is part of INTERPOL's broader Think Twice campaign to raise awareness about online scams and foster a justice system centered on victim dignity.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old retired lecturer from Edinburgh was defrauded of £17,000 by a romance scammer who used AI-generated deepfake videos to pose as a woman named "Alla Morgan" working on an oil rig. The victim was initially skeptical but convinced by the fake video messages, and subsequently sent money through gift cards and bank transfers before her bank flagged the fraud. The case highlights the growing use of AI technology in romance scams, where scammers create convincing deepfakes to build trust and exploit vulnerable individuals.
newswire.ca
· 2025-12-08
Techie Nesters, an advocacy organization for older adults, is calling on Canadian banks to strengthen fraud prevention measures at bank counters, where seniors are often exploited in the final stages of scams. The organization highlights missed intervention opportunities such as inadequate signage addressing common scams like Bitcoin fraud, failure to question unusual withdrawal patterns, and lack of teller training to identify at-risk customers. Additionally, Techie Nesters advocates for banks to waive fees imposed on fraud victims' accounts and provide specialized support for recovery, citing cases like Mary's, who lost $3,000 to a Bitcoin scam after her bank failed to question a large cash withdrawal despite her six decades of banking history with
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
"Brushing" scams involve cybercriminals sending unsolicited packages containing QR codes to recipients; scanning the code can expose sensitive smartphone data, download malware, or direct users to spoofed websites designed to steal login credentials. The scam serves a dual purpose: criminals may harvest personal information or boost fraudulent seller reviews on platforms like Amazon by posting reviews in the recipient's name. Law enforcement agencies warn consumers to avoid scanning unknown QR codes, verify accounts for unauthorized access, and report fraudulent orders to retailers.
southernstar.ie
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide defines scams as illegal schemes designed to steal money or personal information, and describes current fraud methods including "quishing" (fake QR codes at parking meters), fraudulent text messages impersonating government energy credit schemes, and spoofed business emails requesting payment. The article provides protective measures such as avoiding QR code payments, using multi-factor authentication, verifying websites through cybersecurity tools, recognizing warning signs (unsolicited contacts, pressure to act quickly, grammatical errors), and safeguarding personal information by only sharing details in initiated communications and checking website security features.
grandrapidsmn.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines how digital scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread across all age groups. Key tactics include phishing emails and texts impersonating banks or employers, phone scams posing as government agencies or tech support, and online shopping fraud, all enabled by advances in technology like AI-generated messages and deepfakes. The article emphasizes that staying informed about these evolving fraud methods is essential for protecting personal finances and information in an increasingly digital world.
news.abplive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old retired lecturer in Scotland was defrauded of £17,000 (approximately Rs 18 lakh) by a romance scammer who used AI-generated deepfake videos, fake documents, and impersonation to pose as a woman named "Alla Morgan." The scammer exploited the victim's loneliness following personal losses and gradually extracted money through various pretexts, including gift cards and a fake helicopter fare, before the victim's bank detected the fraud and alerted her. Scotland Police is investigating the case, and the scammer has reportedly continued attempting contact by sending false claims that the impersonated woman is imprisoned and needs money.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Eyeyah!, a Singapore-based educational platform, partnered with Meta, Singapore Police Force, and other agencies to create a 44-page illustrated magazine teaching students to recognize and resist scams through interactive activities like spotting fake websites and deepfakes. The initiative, which has reached 35 primary schools and multiple secondary institutions, uses art and animation to encourage students to slow down and think critically rather than panic, countering the artificial urgency that scammers create. Singapore's scam cases surged to 26,587 in the first half of 2024 with losses reaching $385.6 million, making such educational efforts increasingly important for protecting young people.
midfloridanewspapers.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in assisted living was nearly victimized by a deceptive Medicare plan advertisement that would have eliminated crucial health services from his existing coverage, though the policy was reversed within the enrollment window after intervention by a Medicare specialist. The article highlights that seniors lose approximately $2.9 billion annually to scams, with particular vulnerability among those with memory loss who may not remember fraudulent transactions or donations, and emphasizes that awareness, research through the FTC, and proactive caregiver intervention—such as limiting access to financial information—are essential protective measures.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru lost ₹1.2 crore between September and November 2024 in an online trading fraud that began with a WhatsApp message offering free stock market training. The fraudsters added him to a Telegram group where they posed as trading experts, convinced him to invest through a fake brokerage platform, and used fake testimonials from other group members to encourage larger investments; after his account showed ₹1.4 crore in profits, he was blocked from withdrawing funds and the fraudsters disappeared. A case has been registered against the perpetrators under the Information Technology Act and cheating provisions.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old woman lost her entire life savings to an elaborate scam involving impersonation, psychological manipulation, and coercion that drove her to withdraw funds via Bitcoin and max out credit cards, after which scammers posed as FBI agents claiming to "protect" her and later extracted an additional $20,000. The article outlines common elder fraud tactics—including impersonation, prize scams, tech support fraud, romance scams, and emergency schemes—and provides red flags such as unsolicited requests for sensitive information, urgent payment demands, and requests for untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency or gift cards.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service warns of three major holiday scams: "smishing" (fraudulent text messages impersonating USPS to steal personal information), counterfeit postage stamps sold online at steep discounts, and mail/package theft targeting holiday deliveries. Consumers are advised to use only official USPS tracking services, purchase stamps directly from USPS or approved retailers, and promptly collect their mail and packages.
rappler.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams across Asia surged dramatically in 2023, with Singapore reporting a 47% increase to over 46,000 cases, while young people and those with higher education have become primary targets through social media platforms and fake accounts promoting fraudulent investments and schemes. Scammers exploit young people's emotions and trust through influencers and gaming platforms, while also targeting older adults with more complex psychological narratives; traditional awareness campaigns struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving scam tactics, particularly AI-generated content and deepfakes that make fraud increasingly difficult to detect.
mshale.com
· 2025-12-08
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is urging residents to become "scam spotters" in 2025 as the state reports an increase in fraudsters tricking people into sharing financial information and losing money. The department provides key prevention tips including verifying requests directly with the source, resisting emotional manipulation and urgency tactics, avoiding upfront payment demands, and not clicking suspicious links—and offers resources for reporting scams and checking business licenses.
leadertelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
This overview article describes prevalent scams targeting individuals across Wisconsin and the region, including impersonation scams (fake DSPS, IRS, and Microsoft representatives), grandparent scams, and romance scams that exploit personal information and emotional manipulation to extract money from victims. Between January 2022 and June 2024, approximately $3.54 million in scam losses were reported to Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions, though law enforcement suspects the actual total is significantly higher due to underreporting. Scammers commonly target lonely individuals and elderly people, particularly widowed men, using emotional manipulation, personal details from public sources, and fabricated scenarios to convince victims to send money or gift cards
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The Mequon Police Department issued a warning about a spike in fraud cases in its community, noting that scams have become increasingly sophisticated and are targeting vulnerable populations through various methods including phishing, impersonation, tech support fraud, investment schemes, and cryptocurrency-related scams. Victims often lose thousands of dollars through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency with little chance of recovery, and emotional distress frequently prevents reporting. The department recommends residents remain vigilant, verify unsolicited offers, protect personal information, and anticipate that scams will continue to evolve with advancing technology, including AI-driven schemes.
commercialappeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults reported $1.9 billion in fraud losses to the FTC in 2023-2024, with actual losses potentially reaching $61.5 billion, and they suffer significantly higher median losses ($1,450 for those 80+) compared to younger people ($480 for ages 20-29). Older adults are particularly vulnerable to investment scams ($538 million in losses), tech support scams (5 times more likely than younger people), and romance/impersonation scams, with payment methods ranging from gift cards to cryptocurrency and bank transfers. The FTC and Better Business Bureau are working to combat these scams through enforcement actions and prevention messaging, though challenges remain including
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old technician in Johor Baru lost RM172,000 after being lured into a fake investment scheme via WhatsApp that promised 400% returns; he was directed to download a fraudulent app and make 13 transfers before the scammer demanded an additional RM620,000 to release his profits. In a separate incident, a 55-year-old woman was defrauded of RM70,000 by an impostor claiming to be from a police station who tricked her into linking her bank account for a fake money-laundering investigation. Police urged the public to verify unsolicited offers and calls, and reminded scam victims to contact
cxotoday.com
· 2025-12-08
India faces elevated APP (Authorized Push Payment) scam vulnerability due to massive digital payment adoption (129.3 billion real-time transactions in 2023), low consumer awareness in rural areas, and cultural trust in authority figures that fraudsters exploit through impersonation. APP scam losses in India are projected to reach INR 49,626 million by 2028, with businesses of all sizes—from small companies lacking technical resources to large enterprises with fragmented systems—requiring scalable fraud detection tools, employee training, and AI/machine learning solutions to combat evolving threats.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn that scammers intensify efforts during the Christmas holiday season, exploiting festive shopping and emotional vulnerability. Three prevalent scams include: fake sales where fraudsters pose as sellers on social media and demand gift card payments before disappearing; family impersonation scams that hijack accounts or use social engineering to extract money or sensitive information; and fake prize giveaways that collect personal data or processing fees. Defense strategies include maintaining skepticism toward unusual requests, verifying unexpected communications through alternative contact methods, and remembering that legitimate contests never require upfront payment.
buckscountyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
This op-ed advocates for updated Pennsylvania legislation to better protect older adults from financial exploitation, which takes multiple forms including tech support scams, romance scams, investment fraud, and abuse by trusted individuals. The authors call for amendments to the state's Older Adults Protective Services Act to mandate reporting of elder financial abuse and allow banks to temporarily hold suspected fraudulent transactions while notifying authorities. Bank employees are identified as key defenders against elder financial exploitation, and the authors urge older Pennsylvanians to remain vigilant during the holiday season when scammers are particularly active.
leadertelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Siverling of Cadott and Nancy Wheeler of Ladysmith both nearly fell victim to tech support scams involving fake Microsoft alerts and fraudulent bank representatives who gained remote computer access and demanded thousands of dollars in wire transfers or gift cards. While Siverling avoided loss by calling her son and hanging up, Wheeler nearly transferred money before recognizing the manipulation, though she had to compromise her bank account security. Both women's cases highlight how scammers use fear tactics—including false claims of hacking, child pornography charges, and unauthorized withdrawals—combined with pressure to act quickly to manipulate victims regardless of education level or technical literacy.
dig.watch
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old woman lost her life savings to scammers impersonating the FBI who used intimidation, isolation tactics, and false recovery promises to exploit her, ultimately extracting over $20,000 including funds withdrawn via Bitcoin. The article highlights that elderly individuals are increasingly targeted for sophisticated fraud schemes and recommends verification of requests, limited information sharing, strong security measures, and reporting suspicious activity as protective measures.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old IT professional and a civil services candidate in India fell victim to romance scams on dating apps, losing Rs 55,000 and over one lakh rupees respectively. The first victim was lured to an expensive restaurant where his date disappeared after a inflated bill, while the second was manipulated by a fake suitor who promised government job assistance before requesting money under false pretexts. According to a McAfee study, 39% of Indians surveyed reported experiencing online dating scams, which exploit emotional vulnerability through fake personas and social engineering tactics targeting younger people, professionals, and LGBTQIA+ individuals.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 27-year-old businessman lost Rs 57.75 lakh in a fake part-time job scam that began with a Telegram message offering Rs 4,650 daily for online work. The scammers created a fraudulent "Mango Fashion" investment scheme, displaying false earnings in a digital wallet and convincing the victim to transfer funds to multiple bank accounts, though he could only withdraw Rs 30,858 when attempting to access his money. An FIR was filed against 14 suspects in December 2024 following the victim's complaint to cybercrime authorities.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Young Cambodian women from underprivileged backgrounds are being targeted by online romance scammers posing as foreign men seeking marriage partners, resulting in significant financial and emotional harm. The scam typically begins with romantic messaging and promises of inheritance or gifts, escalating to demands for shipping fees or customs payments that victims must pay upfront. One victim, Sreyrath, lost over $900 in savings and borrowed funds after being manipulated into paying multiple "shipping fees" for gifts that never arrived.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six prevalent scams to watch for in 2025: IRS impersonation scams using phishing emails and calls; credit card fraud through skimmers and data breaches; cryptocurrency scams exploiting market hype and fake giveaways; employment scams (which surged 118% in 2023) targeting job seekers; post-holiday prize draw scams requesting payment or personal information; and package delivery scams using phishing links. The article recommends monitoring financial statements, verifying message sources, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and learning to identify fraudulent communications to protect yourself against these evolving threats.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides an overview of the spam and scam call problem affecting US consumers and discusses potential solutions. According to 2023 data, American consumers received an average of eight spam calls per week, with victims losing an average of $2,257 per scam—a 527% increase from the previous year. While the FCC has implemented technologies like Stir/Shaken and passed regulations to reduce unwanted calls, experts indicate these measures are inadequate, and the article advises consumers to employ defensive strategies such as not answering calls asking for confirmation or using call-blocking services.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
While this article primarily focuses on teen vulnerabilities rather than elder fraud, it documents a significant scam trend: teens lost 2,500% more money to scams over a five-year period compared to a baseline, driven by emerging tactics including influencer impersonation, romance scams, sextortion, and fake game rewards schemes. The article emphasizes that open communication between parents and children, coupled with verification practices (reverse image searches, official app stores only), are critical protective measures, as scammers exploit trust and manipulate young people into sharing personal information, money, or explicit images for blackmail purposes.