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in Phishing
iharare.com
· 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old Zimbabwean woman, Sherlyn Sims, was convicted in Atlanta for money laundering related to romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded dozens of victims of over US$1.2 million between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims created fake businesses like "Grace Trading, LLC" and opened fraudulent bank accounts where she received stolen funds, which she then quickly transferred internationally, withdrew as cash, or spent. Victims included romance scam targets who were deceived by fake online suitors into sending money—one victim alone lost nearly US$100,000 after being told her "boyfriend" needed bail money
thedrum.com
· 2025-12-08
Age Concern New Zealand and ANZ Bank launched a scam prevention awareness campaign featuring the iconic 1980s TV show CHiPs to educate seniors about fraud protection. The campaign addresses findings that 80% of New Zealanders over 65 believe older people are too trusting and vulnerable to scams, using nostalgia and humor to encourage older adults to reject unsolicited calls, texts, and emails. The initiative includes TV spots, an ANZ Scam Academy website, and educational toolkits distributed through community centers and rest homes across New Zealand.
statista.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, U.S. individuals aged 60 and older filed numerous complaints about phishing and personal data breaches, with cryptocurrency crimes showing a significant increase compared to 2023. The data reflects a growing cybercrime threat targeting seniors, tracked by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Beaver County woman in her 70s lost $87,000 in a phishing scam after clicking on a fake Apple security alert that froze her computer and prompted her to call a number where scammers posed as Apple support staff. The fraudsters convinced her that her banking information was compromised and instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it through a Bitcoin machine, falsely claiming it was a federal government-funded recovery program. Detective James Degori notes that elder fraud cases are rising in the area, with phishing, romance, and grandparent scams being most common, and advises seniors to avoid clicking emails, answering unsolicited calls, and sharing personal information.
wpxi.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases are increasing in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, with a woman in her 70s losing $87,000 to a tech support scam in which fraudsters posed as Apple security personnel, convinced her that her computer and banking information were compromised, and directed her to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin. Police Detective James Degori notes that scammers target elderly individuals because they typically have substantial savings, and the most common scams are phishing, romance, and grandparent schemes originating from outside the country. The Beaver Police Department is conducting community education seminars on fraud awareness at local venues to help prevent these crimes.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Criminal syndicates operating in Southeast Asia (particularly Cambodia and Myanmar) traffic and enslave people to conduct "pig butchering" scams—a fraud scheme where scammers build trust with victims to convince them to invest money before disappearing with their funds. Victims like Billy, a 41-year-old Ethiopian man, are deceived into traveling for fake jobs, then held captive in compounds, beaten, and forced to send scam texts impersonating wealthy individuals to defraud hundreds of people. This multi-billion-dollar cyber fraud industry involves systematic human trafficking, torture, and labor exploitation by organized criminal networks targeting both the scam victims and the enslaved workers forced to perpet
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
Zelle, the payment app owned by major U.S. banks including JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, faces a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigation over fraud vulnerabilities, with Zelle's chief fraud risk manager arguing the app has adequate safeguards while placing responsibility on users, lawmakers, and law enforcement to combat scammers. Between 2019 and 2023, the percentage of reimbursed Zelle fraud claims declined from 62% to 38%, according to Senator Richard Blumenthal, though Zelle reports a 50% decrease in fraud reports from 2022 to 2023 and attributes this partly to its anti
news-leader.com
· 2025-12-08
Utility impostor scams involve fraudsters impersonating utility company representatives via phone, email, or in-person visits, claiming customers have overdue bills that must be paid immediately to avoid service shutoff, or requesting home access under the guise of repairs or energy audits. To protect yourself, avoid paying by prepaid card or wire transfer, resist pressure to pay immediately, verify requests by calling your utility company directly using a number from your actual bill, and never allow strangers into your home without a scheduled appointment and valid identification.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating whether banks offering Zelle are adequately protecting customers from scams, with JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo disclosing they've been contacted by the regulator. Zelle, which processed $806 billion across 2.9 billion transactions in 2023, is vulnerable to fraud because payments cannot be reversed once sent; while scams represent a small percentage of transactions (0.05% in 2023), the massive transaction volume means hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of users are affected, and banks currently refuse to reimburse victims who authorize payments to scammers.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial experts identify seven prevalent money scams targeting Gen Z, including phishing schemes, fake job offers, scholarship scams, online marketplace fraud, student loan forgiveness scams, and "get rich quick" investment schemes. Gen Z faces particular vulnerability due to their digital integration and inexperience with financial matters. Experts recommend verifying legitimacy of offers, avoiding unsolicited links, researching opportunities thoroughly, consulting certified financial advisors, and using strong passwords to protect against fraud.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
A security researcher discovered a massive smishing campaign impersonating the USPS to steal credit card information, tracking down a Chinese-language group operating 1,133 fraudulent domains that collected 438,669 unique credit cards and over 1.2 million pieces of personal information from U.S. victims. The researcher hacked into the scammers' systems, gathered evidence, and provided victim data to USPS investigators and banks to prevent fraudulent charges, though he estimates the actual scale of the operation is significantly larger as the same group has conducted similar scams in multiple countries. The campaign demonstrates the widespread nature of smishing fraud, with some fraudulent websites collecting thousands of victims' personal details
commercialappeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers create fake passport renewal websites that mimic official government sites to trick consumers into paying fees for free services or stealing personal information. The Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission warn consumers to verify they're using the official government website (Travel.State.Gov ending in .gov), avoid paying fees for passport forms or appointments, and be suspicious of requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. One senior citizen lost $89 after unknowingly submitting personal information to a fraudulent site that provided no actual service.
reviewjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration legitimately notified recipients that accounts created before September 18, 2021 must migrate to Login.gov for continued access to online services. However, scammers may send fraudulent emails mimicking this notification with fake websites designed to steal personal information, so seniors should verify they're on the official ssa.gov or ssa.gov/myaccount before updating their accounts, and report suspicious emails to the SSA's fraud hotline at 800-269-0271.
itweb.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Authorised payment fraud, including romance and investment scams, is increasing globally through sophisticated scam centres that generate billions in revenue annually, according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions' 2023 Cybercrime Report. Romance scams targeting lonely individuals generated £92.8 million in losses in London alone between 2022-2023, with fraudsters using money mule networks to quickly move stolen funds across multiple accounts before detection. These well-organized scam centres, often located in border regions of Southeast Asia and concealed as legitimate businesses, exploit instant payment systems and emerging technologies like generative AI to conduct fraud at scale.
1440wrok.com
· 2025-12-08
Illinois residents are receiving phishing text messages and emails falsely claiming to be from the Illinois Tollway, requesting payment for alleged unpaid tolls and attempting to collect personal information for identity theft. The Illinois Tollway has confirmed these messages are scams and advises customers to delete such texts, verify account information directly through the official website or customer service line, and report the phishing attempts to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
hamlethub.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational event announcement rather than a news report about a specific scam or fraud case. Detective Victoria Ryan of the Ridgefield Police Department will present information to seniors on how to protect themselves from common scams including romance, grandparent, pop-up, phone, email, and text scams, as well as utility scams and local crimes such as mail theft and pickpocketing. The free hybrid event is scheduled for September 10, 2024, and will include information on reporting scams.
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
ANZ has launched a new scams awareness module within its MoneyMinded financial education program to help over 8,000 accredited coaches educate community members on identifying and preventing scams. The module covers multiple scam types including investment, romance, phishing, remote access, and employment scams through animations, coaching guides, and participant materials. ANZ's fraud prevention systems blocked over $100 million in fraudulent transactions in the 12 months to March 2024.
theindependent.sg
· 2025-12-08
A Singapore-based commodity firm lost $42.3 million in a July 2024 Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam when fraudsters sent a spoofed email redirecting payment to a fake account in Timor-Leste. INTERPOL's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism recovered $39 million within one day and led to the recovery of an additional $2 million following the arrest of seven suspects, marking the largest-ever BEC fund recovery. The article also highlights related cybercrime enforcement actions, including the indictment of Cryptonator's founder for processing $1.4 billion in criminal proceeds through cryptocurrency
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A financial planner identifies four prevalent scams targeting baby boomers: government impersonation scams (which increased 32% last year), voice impersonation scams using AI technology to impersonate family members, phantom hacker scams where fraudsters pose as tech support to gain computer access and steal funds, and email phishing scams that have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. The FBI reported a 14% increase in complaints and 11% increase in losses from those over 60 in 2023, with boomers particularly vulnerable due to less digital experience and reliance on retirement income that may be targeted by scammers.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Facebook Marketplace hosts common scams including seller fraud (fake or non-existent listings), buyer fraud (posers with no intent to pay), verification code phishing, and payment/identity theft schemes. Users can protect themselves by verifying identities, meeting in person before payment, using secure payment methods like PayPal, never sharing verification codes or personal information, and reporting suspicious activity. The article emphasizes avoiding unusually low prices, unconventional payment methods, and requests to complete transactions outside Facebook's integrated tools.
knoxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with recent examples including attacks exploiting Microsoft365's "First Contact Safety Tip" feature through CSS manipulation and fake Amazon verification links embedded in Google Drawings graphics that steal personal information. These scams trick users into revealing passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data by impersonating legitimate companies. Victims should verify breach alerts, contact financial institutions to freeze accounts, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, monitor statements, and change all passwords immediately.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article Title:** Scott Hermann on AI-Powered Scams
This educational piece identifies the top AI-enabled scams targeting consumers, including deepfakes (AI-generated videos and images impersonating real people) and AI-generated voice phishing (realistic synthetic voices used in fraudulent calls). The article provides protective measures such as verifying unsolicited video calls through trusted channels, approaching shocking online content with skepticism, and being cautious of urgent messages demanding money or personal information.
thesnaponline.com
· 2025-12-08
This Better Business Bureau alert identifies seven scams targeting college students during the back-to-school season, including phishing emails impersonating school financial departments, fake credit card offers, fraudulent rental listings, identity theft, scholarship scams, online shopping scams, and test preparation blackmail schemes. The BBB recommends students verify offers through official sources, check credit reports regularly, view apartments in person before paying, and research companies on BBB.org before providing personal information or funds. College students should remain vigilant about sharing personal data online and monitor BBB's ScamTracker for reports of current fraud schemes.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies 11 common Instagram scams in 2024, with a focus on fake brand accounts and fake follower schemes. The FTC reported that $2.7 billion was lost to social media scams between 2021 and mid-2023, with online shopping scams comprising 44% of fraud reports; scammers use imposter accounts for luxury brands like Gucci and Nike to sell counterfeit goods or steal funds. The article advises users to verify accounts are officially verified, check URLs carefully, and avoid purchasing from sellers offering unrealistic discounts or unusual payment methods, while also warning against buying fake followers or likes as it violates Instagram's terms and harms
vancouversun.com
· 2025-12-08
Vancouver police are investigating 26 reports of three distinct scams targeting the Chinese Canadian community, resulting in nearly $6 million in losses since January. The scams include: impersonation of Chinese police officers demanding payment to Hong Kong to resolve fake legal troubles, "blessing scams" preying on elderly victims' spiritual beliefs through threats of misfortune unless they surrender cash or jewelry, and fake job postings in traditional Chinese that escalate into romance or investment schemes. Police urge community members to warn vulnerable friends and family and report suspected scam contact to Vancouver police.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
McAfee research reveals a 380% increase in suspicious links targeting back-to-school shoppers this year. The advisory recommends consumers shop only at legitimate retailers with HTTPS security, avoid deals on social media and unsolicited messages, and use caution when sharing personal information online or shopping on public Wi-Fi.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminal scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities online, creating realistic videos and fake social media profiles to defraud fans through fraudulent investment opportunities, product endorsements, and ticket sales. Consumers should be skeptical of any personal connection or financial opportunity presented by celebrities on social media, as these are likely scams. AARP recommends reporting suspected scams to the Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360 or visiting aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
etvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece advising seniors on a legitimate Social Security Administration email notifying users to migrate old "my Social Security" accounts created before September 18, 2021 to new Login.gov accounts for improved security and simpler access. The article warns readers to verify they are visiting the official SSA website (ssa.gov) rather than fraudulent scam sites mimicking the legitimate portal, and provides the SSA's fraud hotline (800-269-0271) for reporting suspicious emails or links.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Nationwide building society branch in Codsall, Staffordshire reopened after rebranding to continue offering face-to-face banking services to the community. The branch staff reported an increase in romance scams, fake HMRC emails, and investment fraud in the area and are working to educate customers about these threats. The reopened branch also serves as a community hub, supporting the local food bank and providing essential in-person banking access for residents.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud or scams. It is an advice column addressing grief and bereavement, with a brief mention of romance scams as a resource tip. The content focuses on helping a widow process complicated grief after her husband's death from dementia-related illness, and does not document any actual fraud case, scam incident, or elder abuse.
rawstory.com
· 2025-12-08
Donald Trump's political campaign reported being compromised through a phishing email scam, resulting in internal campaign documents, including a dossier on running mate J.D. Vance, being sent to Politico by an anonymous individual. The campaign blamed "foreign sources" for the breach, though the incident drew widespread mockery and skepticism on social media, with observers questioning the campaign's cybersecurity practices and credibility.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old national serviceman's suicide in 2021 after losing $10,000 to a scam prompted Singapore's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) to intensify anti-scam efforts. GovTech's Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (Satis) has taken down over 42,000 scam websites since July 2023, including fraudulent sites impersonating government agencies, banks, and concert ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster, which victimized at least 2,000 people of $1 million from January to May alone. GovTech warns that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence an
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
A Connecticut resident lost over $68,000 in a phishing scam involving unsolicited cryptocurrency token offers in April, but state police recovered more than $60,000 using blockchain analytics to trace the stolen funds to the suspect's wallet. The investigation identified multiple victims across the country in this ongoing scheme. Connecticut State Police advise residents to avoid unsolicited investment offers and never share personal or financial information with unknown contacts via text, phone, email, or social media.
malaymail.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers today employ sophisticated social engineering tactics—including scripted phone calls using psychological manipulation techniques and impersonation of trusted institutions—rather than relying on victims' lack of knowledge. Common scam methods include mule account schemes targeting job seekers who are tricked into opening bank accounts and providing personal information, and APK file scams that grant scammers control of victims' mobile phones through fake job or service advertisements. Experts note that scammers may employ actual psychologists to craft these tactics, making them increasingly difficult for victims to detect regardless of their education or experience level.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Cobb County District Attorney Flynn Broady issued a warning about an imposter scam in which fraudsters pose as prosecutors and send emails to defendants and attorneys requesting payment for court costs and fines to close cases and expunge records. The DA's office emphasized that they do not solicit payments via email and will never charge fees to close cases, and advised recipients to verify the authenticity of such emails with their attorney or prosecuting agency before sending any money.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Election officials across multiple states warned about voter registration scams ahead of the 2024 presidential election, where scammers posed as get-out-the-vote groups via text messages and other communications to trick victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal information like Social Security numbers. Voter registration fraud is one of the three most common election-cycle scams, and officials recommend verifying communications directly with local election officials and reporting suspicious contacts to the FTC. No specific dollar amounts or victim counts were reported in the warnings.
wrexham.com
· 2025-12-08
Wrexham residents are being warned about rental scams where fraudsters pose as landlords to steal money from prospective tenants through phantom listings, hijacked ads, or bait-and-switch tactics. Common warning signs include suspiciously low rent, requests for upfront payments, avoidance of in-person meetings, high-pressure tactics, and incomplete property information, with one victim losing £1,400. Residents are advised to use reputable platforms, verify landlord credentials through Rent Smart Wales, meet properties in person before paying, and report suspected scams to Citizens Advice or Trading Standards.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
The Nationwide branch in Codsall has reopened for face-to-face banking and is working to combat an increase in romance scams, fake HMRC emails, and investment fraud affecting local customers. The branch serves as both a banking hub and community resource, supporting local initiatives like the food bank "The Well" while providing customers with in-person financial services and fraud awareness support.
jamaicaobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams, business imposter scams, and internet/email fraud are common schemes targeting older adults. Romance scammers exploit loneliness through fake online profiles to extract money for purported travel or emergencies, while business imposters use caller ID spoofing to pose as legitimate companies or charities to steal personal information and funds. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to internet scams, phishing emails, and fake anti-virus pop-ups due to lower technology adoption rates and unfamiliarity with online security features.
paulfletcher.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud or scams. It is a TechLeaders 2024 conference speech that discusses technology's broader societal impacts, both positive and negative. While the speaker mentions romance scams, fake social media endorsements, and text-based scams ($26.9 million in losses to Australians in 2023) as examples of technology-enabled crime, the document is a general technology policy speech rather than a focused report on elder abuse or fraud.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 101,000 people age 60 and older lost nearly $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report, with common scams including tech support fraud ($590 million in losses), investment fraud ($4.57 billion, up 38% year-over-year), power of attorney abuse, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, and homeowner scams. AI-driven fraud is making scams increasingly sophisticated, with criminals creating convincing fake audio and video to deceive victims. Protection requires vigilance about warning signs such as unusual account activity and suspicious communications, along with education and open family dialogue about financial security.
expressandstar.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reports on the reopening of a refurbished Nationwide bank branch in Codsall, which the local MP visited to celebrate the branch's commitment to remaining open until at least 2028. The branch staff highlighted their fraud prevention efforts, noting they have stopped over £25,000 in fraudulent transactions in the past year by identifying romance scams, fake HMRC emails, and investment fraud through face-to-face customer conversations. The branch also serves the local community as a collection point for a food bank, underscoring the importance of physical banking locations in combating fraud and supporting vulnerable customers.
lfpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old Ontario man lost $83,000 over two years in a romance scam involving an online woman he married by proxy without meeting in person. The scam escalated when he wired $53,000 to a renovation company she recommended, which turned out to be part of the fraud scheme. Police issued warning signs to watch for, including requests for money, avoidance of in-person meetings, unverifiable online presence, and inconsistent stories.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines six common Craigslist scams to avoid: fraudsters selling non-existent items (tickets, cars, rentals, jobs) at below-market prices to solicit untraceable payments; overpayment schemes where a bounced check leaves sellers out of pocket; Google Voice verification code theft that allows scammers to create accounts linked to victims' phone numbers; phishing emails impersonating Craigslist to harvest personal information; fake cashier's checks that are easier to counterfeit than genuine ones; and fake escrow services. The article advises users to only use secure payment methods, verify items in person before payment, never share verification codes
wbckfm.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Secret Service has warned Michigan residents about "smishing"—text message phishing scams—targeting online shoppers with three main tactics: fake package tracking notifications, undelivered package alerts, and fraudulent purchase warnings, all designed to trick victims into clicking malicious links and surrendering sensitive financial information. The Secret Service recommends avoiding unsolicited messages entirely, never clicking links from unknown sources, independently verifying requests for personal information, and deleting suspicious texts rather than responding to them.
rbcroyalbank.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five common online scams targeting young people: fake contests requiring fees or personal information, fraudulent online shopping deals that harvest credit card and shipping data, social media quizzes designed to collect personal information for password cracking, phishing and smishing scams using enticing offers or false urgency, and job scams targeting graduates through fake job postings and interviews that steal identity or financial information. The article emphasizes that while young people are digitally savvy, they tend to be trusting and vulnerable to misinformation, and recommends educating them about these risks along with key security practices like using strong passwords, questioning online content, and avoiding sharing sensitive information.
wsaw.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau cautions college students to watch out for seven common scams targeting them during the school year: phishing emails impersonating the school's financial department, fake credit card offers, fraudulent rental listings, identity theft, scholarship grant scams, online shopping scams, and test preparation blackmail schemes. The BBB recommends students verify offers through official channels, check credit reports regularly at annualcreditreport.com, view apartments in person before paying, and research companies on BBB.org before engaging with them. Students are encouraged to report suspected scams to BBB's ScamTracker and contact their local BBB office with concerns.
vermontjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece debunks three common myths about fraud victimization: that intelligence protects against scams, that only wealthy people are targets, and that only elderly people are victimized. The article emphasizes that scammers target people across all ages, education levels, and demographics, noting that the FTC reports higher victimization rates among 25-45 year-olds than seniors, though seniors typically suffer larger dollar losses. The piece advocates for fraud defense through behavior change and awareness rather than relying on intelligence alone, and alerts readers to an active scam targeting Justices of the Peace involving fake wedding payments.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A Washington business owner nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam when a fraudster posing as a National Australia Bank representative called his assistant, requesting banking credentials under the pretense that his business credit card had been blocked due to activity in Darwin. The scammer targeted an account containing $3 million, but the business owner and assistant recognized red flags—including the scammer's inability to provide account details or the correct banker's name—and verified the call through official channels, preventing any loss. The article notes that impersonation scams are among the most common fraud tactics, with the Australian Tax Office receiving 22,000 reports of government impersonation scams in the past year, emphasizing the importance of vigilance
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target students and families during the academic season with scholarship scams, typically sending deceptive emails promising tuition discounts or scholarships in exchange for application or processing fees. These fraudulent schemes exploit families' financial anxieties about college costs and may also aim to steal sensitive personal data for resale; red flags include guaranteed scholarships, requests for social security numbers, upfront fees, and wire transfer or peer-to-peer payment methods. Victims should report fraud to authorities and their banks immediately to dispute charges, though recovery options may be limited depending on the payment method used.