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in Robocall / Phone Scam
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13 ON YOUR SIDE
· 2024-12-18
Law enforcement agencies are warning the public about "brushing" scams, where victims receive unexpected packages with QR codes prompting them to scan and discover the sender's identity. While authorities warn that scanning these codes can lead to drained bank accounts, cybersecurity experts clarify that the scams typically involve sellers shipping cheap items to random addresses to post fake positive reviews, with QR codes more commonly directing users to phishing websites that steal personal information rather than directly accessing phone data. Authorities recommend recipients of unsolicited packages verify their existing accounts and change passwords as a precaution.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-12-19
Scammers target gift cards by tampering with them in stores using handheld scanners to capture card information, then checking balances and either creating counterfeit cards or using the information for unauthorized purchases. Consumers can protect themselves by inspecting packaging for signs of tampering (stickers on barcodes, opened packaging, scratched security codes), purchasing cards with minimal identifying information, buying directly from official retailer websites, and avoiding discounted gift card offers on social media that may direct them to fraudulent sites.
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WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore
· 2024-12-19
Delivery scams are the most prevalent business impersonation fraud, with over 330,000 cases reported nationwide last year, half involving shipping. Scammers send fraudulent emails and texts impersonating delivery companies like USPS, FedEx, or DHL, claiming package delivery problems and requesting payment or personal information, with tactics becoming more convincing due to AI. To protect yourself, verify communications by visiting carrier websites directly rather than clicking links, watch for urgent language and suspicious email addresses, and if compromised, reset login credentials and place a fraud alert on your credit report.
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FOX4 News Kansas City
· 2024-12-20
During open enrollment season, scammers are targeting people with unsolicited robocalls and text messages offering free incentives like groceries or housing to enroll in health insurance, then requesting personal and financial information to "confirm eligibility." KC Care warns consumers to avoid these scams by only initiating enrollment themselves and working with licensed, trained insurance navigators rather than responding to unsolicited contacts, with free navigator services available through official channels like GetCovered.org (Kansas) and ShowMeCoverage.org (Missouri).
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-12-20
Local police departments in Bridgeton and Kirkwood issued warnings about an evolving "brushing scam" that combines unsolicited package shipments with QR codes included in the packaging. In brushing scams, online sellers ship random products to real addresses and post fake positive reviews to boost sales, but this new variation includes QR codes that, when scanned, may direct recipients to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information. Authorities advise consumers to avoid scanning QR codes on unsolicited packages, monitor credit annually, and exercise caution with any unexpected shipments requesting online engagement.
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Scripps News
· 2024-12-22
In 2024, scammers are targeting all demographics with increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, as reported losses reached $10 billion—the highest annual total on record. The most common scams include impostor schemes, online shopping fraud, fake job opportunities, and investment scams, with 80% of investment scam victims losing money. The piece highlights how scammers exploit personal information and worst fears, noting that artificial intelligence is making these schemes even more difficult to detect and avoid.
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CBS Mornings
· 2024-12-23
**Summary:**
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers that scammers can steal gift card numbers and PINs before purchase, with gift cards being the most requested holiday item at 53% of shoppers' wish lists. Shoppers should inspect gift cards for signs of tampering such as removed protective stickers or scratched barcodes, and alert store managers if found, as scammers may tamper with cards in batches and drain funds loaded onto them.
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WHNT News 19
· 2024-12-23
This educational segment from News 19 highlights increased scam risks during the holiday season when people shop online and donate to charities. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to verify website URLs carefully (scammers often alter one or two letters), use credit cards instead of debit cards for added protection, and research charities before donating to ensure legitimacy and proper fund disclosure. The BBB offers a free Scam Tracker tool with customized survival kits to help victims of identity theft and account compromise take appropriate next steps.
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FOX 32 Chicago
· 2024-12-24
Police departments nationwide are warning consumers about "brushing scams," in which recipients receive unsolicited packages containing small items and QR codes. Scammers use these QR codes to phish for personal information such as bank account details, credit card numbers, and login credentials. Authorities advise recipients not to scan unknown QR codes and to discard suspicious packages rather than investigate them.
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CNN-News18
· 2024-12-26
Cyber crimes in India surged dramatically in 2024, with the tech-driven region of Hyderabad experiencing a 64% rise in overall crime and an 882% increase in digital arrest scams, reaching losses of 80 crores compared to 6.2 crores the previous year. Cyber fraud cases accounted for 11,900 incidents (23% of all crimes in the region), with citizens losing over 700 crores to fraudsters through job scams, trading frauds, and SMS phishing schemes. The segment emphasizes the importance of avoiding calls from unidentified numbers and highlights ongoing efforts to combat the escalating digital crime problem across the nation.
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Hawaii News Now
· 2024-12-26
Honolulu police warn that romance scams are increasingly targeting elderly seniors, particularly during the holiday season when isolation increases vulnerability. Scammers create fake dating or social media profiles to build emotional connections with seniors, eventually claiming to be in love while requesting money. The scheme became especially prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic when seniors were homebound and lonely.
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KVUE
· 2024-12-27
The FBI is warning of an emerging AI-powered "kidnapping scam" where criminals use artificial intelligence to mimic the voices of loved ones—typically claiming they've been in an accident or arrested—to pressure victims into sending money for bail or emergency assistance. A victim named Anthony received a call from what sounded exactly like his son claiming he needed bail money for a drunk driving accident, with a follow-up call from a fake attorney to arrange payment. Law enforcement notes that criminals only need a few seconds of audio from social media to clone someone's voice and create convincing fake conversations, making these scams increasingly difficult to detect.
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ABC11
· 2024-12-28
Federal authorities warn that AI-powered impostor scams are on the rise, with criminals using artificial intelligence to replicate the voices of loved ones claiming to be in emergencies (such as drunk driving accidents requiring bail) to pressure victims into sending money. The scams, also known as "grandparent scams" or "kidnapping scams," require only seconds of audio from social media to generate convincing fake conversations that sound nearly identical to real family members. Experts caution that victims should independently verify emergencies by contacting family members directly rather than responding to urgent calls requesting immediate payment.
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KPRC 2 Click2Houston
· 2024-12-30
The Better Business Bureau warns homeowners in disaster-affected areas to be cautious of home repair scammers who exploit vulnerable property owners seeking contractor services. Residents are advised to research contractors thoroughly through online reviews and the BBB website (bbb.org), verify BBB accreditation to ensure the business is required to respond to complaints, and confirm proper licensing and insurance before hiring.
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wgaltv
· 2024-12-30
Sweepstakes and lottery scams rank as the #5 most common fraud scheme of 2024, claiming hundreds of thousands of victims annually through letters, phone calls, and emails that falsely claim they've won a prize. Scammers use tactics including fake checks (which bounce after victims deposit them), requests for gift card payments for taxes and fees, or demands for cryptocurrency, but victims can avoid this scam by remembering they cannot win a lottery they never entered.
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ABC11
· 2025-01-01
**Summary:**
Experts warn that scammers are increasingly using generative AI in 2025 to create more realistic fraudulent websites, deepfake videos and audio, and fake social media content, making scams harder to detect. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, consumers lost over $1 trillion to scams in 2024, and the FBI has issued alerts about criminals exploiting AI to commit fraud at larger scales and increase the believability of their schemes. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant in protecting their money and personal information as scam tactics continue to evolve.
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FOX 17 WXMI
· 2025-01-03
The Better Business Bureau identified online purchase scams as the top scam type in 2024, where victims visit fraudulent websites that either fail to deliver purchased items or steal their information, with individual losses typically ranging from $20-$50 but affecting hundreds of people across the state. Phishing scams, which doubled in West Michigan last year, are also increasingly prevalent, with scammers sending deceptive text messages claiming packages are late or toll fees are owed to trick victims into providing payment or personal information.
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PBS NewsHour
· 2025-01-04
Pig-butchering investment scams have cost victims worldwide an estimated $75 billion over the past four years, with Americans alone losing $4.6 billion in 2023, through fake romantic relationships that manipulate targets into investing in cryptocurrency on fraudulent platforms. The scams typically begin with a wrong-number text leading to conversation with a fake attractive persona who builds trust over 90 days before pressuring victims to invest increasingly large sums until they lose their life savings. Beyond the financial victims, the scammers themselves are often human trafficking victims forced by Asian organized crime syndicates (primarily Chinese, but including Yakuza and Korean groups) operating from compound cities built specifically to run these
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IRSvideos
· 2025-01-06
This is an educational webinar presented by the IRS and FTC during National Tax Security Awareness Week that covers common identity theft and tax-related scams, methods for identifying and reporting fraud, the IRS Identity Protection PIN program, and resources for protecting against identity thieves. The 75-minute presentation includes technical guidance for participants and a live Q&A session to address audience questions about fraud prevention and recovery.
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25 News KXXV
· 2025-01-06
Woodway Public Safety Department is warning residents about a rising number of scams in the community, including imposter scams where callers pose as bank representatives to steal personal information and money, bank jugging (where criminals rob people leaving banks), and Facebook Marketplace fraud involving fake items. The department notes that scam frequency is increasing, particularly during the holiday season, with AI technology making imposter scams more sophisticated and harder to detect.
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FOX Carolina News
· 2025-01-06
Laurens County Sheriff's deputies are warning residents of resurgent phone scams in which callers impersonate law enforcement or court officials, claiming victims have missed jury duty or have outstanding warrants and using spoofed caller IDs and real deputy names to appear legitimate. Deputies advise residents to hang up immediately without providing personal or banking information, as the sheriff's office does not conduct business this way.
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ET Now
· 2025-01-06
Digital arrest scams are rapidly proliferating in India, with victims including influencer Ankush Bahuguna (held virtually for 40 hours), a 50-year-old businesswoman (lost 1.6 crore rupees), and a 65-year-old woman (lost 46 lakh rupees). In 2024 alone, Indians lost approximately 120 crore rupees across multiple states, with Karnataka reporting 109 crore rupees in losses from 641 cases. The scam operates through video calls where criminals impersonate authorities and coerce victims into believing they are under digital arrest, demanding payment to resolve fabricated legal issues.
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WGN News
· 2025-01-07
The Better Business Bureau released its top 10 local scams of 2024, with online purchases through fake websites ranking as the #1 threat, followed by phishing scams, employment scams, debt collection scams, and social media shopping scams involving counterfeit products. Consumers are advised to verify companies through the BBB before providing personal or financial information, avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or social media ads, be wary of unsolicited urgent requests, and recognize that legitimate debt collectors must notify in writing before taking action.
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WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7
· 2025-01-08
Jury duty phone scams are increasing across Oakland County, Michigan, with scammers impersonating law enforcement and claiming victims owe money for missed jury duty to frighten them into paying. A Birmingham resident nearly fell for the scam after receiving a realistic voicemail from a local number with prompts mimicking the sheriff's department, though the Oakland County Sheriff's Department warns the public to recognize these calls as fraudulent schemes.
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NBC10 Boston
· 2025-01-09
Hundreds of Massachusetts residents received fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass (Easy Drive MA), requesting payment for tolls, in what authorities are investigating as a "smishing" scam with FBI involvement. One victim clicked the malicious link and was directed to a fake payment page; the scam messages originated from a Philippines phone number and contained spelling errors that revealed their fraudulent nature. Cybersecurity experts advise users not to click links in unsolicited text messages and to verify directly with official sources before providing payment information.
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ABC News 4
· 2025-01-11
A Mount Pleasant woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam in which a caller impersonated law enforcement, claiming she had a failed jury duty summons and a flag on her driver's license for arrest. The scammer, speaking politely and calmly, instructed her to withdraw $5,000 in cash and deliver it to a specific address under the guise of placing it in a safety deposit box. The woman did not complete the transaction, and police are warning residents about this detailed and convincing scam targeting the public.
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Irish Independent
· 2025-01-14
Romance scams (also called "pig butchering") are surging in Ireland, primarily targeting middle-aged women through dating apps where scammers build emotional relationships over time before requesting money for bills, fees, and expenses. Detective Superintendent Michael Crry of Ireland's National Economic Crime Bureau explains that these online fraud schemes rely on social engineering, manipulation, and exploitation, with recent arrests highlighting law enforcement efforts to combat the crime, which is particularly prevalent during vulnerable winter months when people seek connection.
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KELOLAND News
· 2025-01-14
Three people in San Francisco fell victim to a scam involving spoofed caller IDs impersonating Sioux Falls Credit Union and Levo Federal Credit Union, losing a total of approximately $17,000 ($5,000, $11,000, and $1,000+ respectively). The scammers obtained personal information from victims during calls and used it to access their bank accounts. Police advise never providing personal information over the phone and instead independently verifying calls by using a known phone number to contact your financial institution directly.
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Mint
· 2025-01-15
A 53-year-old French interior designer named Anne was scammed out of €830,000 (approximately ₹8 crore) in an elaborate romance fraud scheme that began in February 2023 when a scammer impersonating Brad Pitt contacted her via Instagram. The fraudster used AI-generated videos, poetry, declarations of love, and a marriage proposal to build trust before exploiting her emotionally and financially, ultimately leading her to transfer substantial sums and divorce her wealthy husband before the deception was exposed on French television.
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KTVE
· 2025-01-16
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about "brushing scams," in which scammers send unsolicited packages containing fake luxury items like rings, beauty products, and Bluetooth speakers to obtain personal information. The scammers use victims' addresses and information to write fake online reviews under their names, potentially leading to identity theft that costs victims time and money to remediate. Victims are advised to change passwords, monitor credit scores, and report incidents to the FTC.
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NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-01-17
A victim lost over $137,000 in life savings after receiving an email falsely claiming her social security number was used for drug trafficking, demonstrating how sophisticated social engineering scams exploit fear and panic rather than relying solely on cyber tactics. According to the FTC, Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023—the highest amount ever recorded—with scammers increasingly using organized crime networks, technology, and social manipulation to target victims through emails, texts, and social media.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-01-21
Utility scammers pose as energy companies and create urgency by threatening immediate power shutoffs unless customers pay bills over the phone, a tactic that increases during cold winter months when people fear losing heat. Legitimate utility providers never demand immediate phone payments and will confirm account issues if you call them directly using a number you know; if forced to pay a scammer, use a credit card rather than debit or gift cards to make fraud charges easier to dispute.
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WBNS 10TV
· 2025-01-21
"Mule scams" targeting job seekers are rising in central Ohio, with scammers posing as legitimate companies to recruit workers for fake remote positions. A 30-year-old single mother in Toledo lost nearly $5,000 after being hired by a fraudulent company called "Skyline Deliveries" that promised $4,000+ monthly for shipping label work, then failed to pay her after four weeks of labor. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers applying for online remote work to verify company legitimacy before providing personal information or completing unpaid work.
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KETV NewsWatch 7
· 2025-01-23
Nebraska's Attorney General announced that the Consumer Affairs Response Team recovered $1.4 million for scam victims in 2024. The Better Business Bureau warns that modern scams increasingly use friendly, helpful messaging to target consumers aged 18-24, who experience more scams than other demographics but are least likely to report them, with experts recommending victims trust their instincts and consult trusted contacts before sharing money or personal information.
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13WMAZ
· 2025-01-26
This educational segment from the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia provides fraud prevention advice for 2025, emphasizing identity theft as a persistent threat. The key recommendation is to monitor credit reports two to three times per year (utilizing the free weekly access available since COVID-era policy changes) to quickly detect unauthorized accounts and address identity theft before significant damage occurs.
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Channel 3000 / News 3 Now
· 2025-01-27
A scam targeting parents of University of Wisconsin-Madison students involved fraudsters impersonating UWPD officers, calling at night (between 2-3 a.m.) and claiming their child had been detained, demanding money for release. Madison Police Department received at least three reports of the scam calls, which used real officer names to appear credible, exploiting the fear and disorientation of parents awakened in the middle of the night.
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WHO13
· 2025-01-29
During tax season, the IRS expects to process over 140 million returns while scammer activity increases significantly; the IRS received nearly 300,000 identity theft complaints in 2023. Experts recommend organizing tax documents as they arrive, being cautious of unsolicited IRS contacts, and verifying any IRS communication by calling the agency directly rather than responding to potentially fraudulent calls or messages.
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WLKY News Louisville
· 2025-02-02
Jefferson County law enforcement officials warned about a rise in scam calls impersonating government agencies, claiming recipients have missed jury duty or have arrest warrants outstanding. Scammers are using local area codes and official names to appear legitimate, but legitimate agencies contact people by mail first and never request credit card or banking information over the phone. The Kentucky Court of Justice launched a website to help residents identify scams and report them to authorities.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-02-04
LinkedIn users face increasing fake job offer scams that impersonate legitimate companies and direct victims to fraudulent websites requesting personal information like Social Security numbers. Common red flags include requests to pay for background checks, training, or equipment upfront, which legitimate employers never require. Users should verify job postings on company websites, use the WHOIS tool to check website legitimacy, and conduct reverse image searches on profile pictures to identify scams.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-02-04
The Huntsville Police Department warned of a dating app scam where criminals pose as government investigators and claim victims face arrest warrants, then pressure them to pay money to avoid prosecution. Police documented two cases of this scam and advise potential victims to hang up, independently verify any claims by calling local police directly, and never pay money to resolve alleged warrants.
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Lakeland PBS
· 2025-02-05
Law enforcement in Grand Rapids arrested an out-of-state suspect accused of running bail scams targeting three residents, including an elderly couple who lost $17,000 after being told their grandson was arrested and needed immediate bail payment. The suspect was found with over $42,000 in cash during the investigation.
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WTNH News8
· 2025-02-04
The FBI and DEA are investigating a widespread impersonation scam targeting healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and veterinarians in Connecticut, with victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases. Scammers impersonate federal agents (DEA, FBI) and state/local police to steal money and personal information from licensed professionals by using partial information to build credibility and extract additional details. The agencies are raising public awareness as criminals operate from boiler rooms conducting research on specific targets to refine their fraudulent schemes.
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KCRG-TV9: Your Trusted Local News Source
· 2025-02-05
Romance scams, also known as catfishing, occur when scammers use dating websites to build false relationships and extract money or credit card information from victims. The Better Business Bureau warns that these scams escalate around Valentine's Day and can result in significant financial losses, sometimes requiring legal intervention such as conservatorships to protect victims' assets. Red flags include unsolicited contact and requests for money or personal financial information.
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KPRC 2 Click2Houston
· 2025-02-05
Scammers exploit Valentine's Day shopping—when consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion—through various fraudulent schemes, with fake jewelry websites being a primary concern. These fraudulent sites imitate legitimate jewelry retailers by copying logos and promotional materials while using nearly identical web addresses (differing by just one letter) to trick consumers into purchasing jewelry they never receive. Consumers are advised to carefully verify website addresses and watch for common Valentine's Day scams that exploit the holiday shopping season.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2025-02-06
Romance scams are prevalent and increasingly sophisticated, with the Better Business Bureau reporting a median loss of $6,000 per victim. Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust over weeks or months before requesting money or pushing cryptocurrency investment schemes, and they now use AI to generate realistic photos and communicate with multiple victims simultaneously. To protect yourself, verify profile photos using reverse image search, trust your instincts if something seems too good to be true, independently research any investment opportunities, and avoid clicking links or sharing financial information provided by potential romantic contacts.
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Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2025-02-07
Romance scammers are targeting people seeking relationships online, with the FTC reporting these scams cost Americans $1.3 billion annually. Scammers employ "love bombing" tactics, building emotional connections over months or even a year before requesting money, increasingly through cryptocurrency to remain untraceable. One Connecticut woman lost nearly $1 million to this type of fraud.
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NBC Bay Area
· 2025-02-08
A Bay Area woman lost her entire life savings of $400,000 to a scam that began with a text message claiming someone was making fraudulent purchases on her accounts. The scammer, posing as a Federal Trade Commission agent, convinced her to withdraw money from her bank accounts over several transactions, exploiting her fear and trust in authority. The victim, who had recently sold her home and was debt-free for the first time, fell for the scheme despite her bank's initial warning about the suspicious withdrawal.
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Sky News
· 2025-02-11
This educational piece features reformed scammer Elliot Castro, who at age 16 began defrauding people by obtaining their personal information to make unauthorized credit card purchases at restaurants, hotels, and shops, ultimately stealing approximately £2.5 million before being caught and imprisoned. Castro now works with companies on fraud prevention, reflecting on how his criminal activity escalated from a single stolen train ticket to international luxury purchases, and emphasizing that scammers persist relentlessly wherever there is value to exploit. The key takeaway is that awareness of scam tactics and understanding scammer behavior are essential to protecting oneself from fraud.
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WLUK-TV FOX 11
· 2025-02-12
As Valentine's Day approaches with consumers expected to spend $26 billion on gifts, the Better Business Bureau warns of common scams including fraudulent online retailers, romance scams targeting vulnerable people, and phishing emails. To protect themselves, shoppers should verify seller legitimacy by calling businesses, checking for poor grammar on websites, and verifying website creation dates through tools like GoDaddy, while avoiding unrealistically cheap deals.
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ABC11
· 2025-02-13
As Americans prepare to spend $27.5 billion on Valentine's Day, scammers are launching phishing emails and malicious websites to steal money and personal information. Checkpoint software identified over 18,000 Valentine's Day-related websites since early 2025, with approximately 1 in 72 identified as malicious, often impersonating well-known brands to appear legitimate. Consumers should protect themselves by verifying sender email addresses, avoiding suspicious links, and checking URLs before clicking to ensure they're on legitimate company websites.