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ky3.com
The Better Business Bureau's 2025 Scam Tracker Risk Report identifies investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest for consumers, followed by employment and online purchase scams, with online-based scams comprising nearly 70% of all reports and social media scams increasing over 56% year-over-year. The BBB recommends consumers adopt fraud-prevention resolutions including avoiding money transfers to strangers, researching businesses before shopping, being cautious with unsolicited emails, protecting personal information, using strong passwords, employing social media privacy settings, keeping computers secure with antivirus software, monitoring financial accounts regularly, obtaining written agreements, and staying informed about current scams.
cbc.ca
A senior from Perth County lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam that began in November 2024 when she clicked on a malicious pop-up claiming to be Microsoft and was instructed to withdraw cash and purchase gold bars for "safekeeping." Suspects later picked up $80,000 in cash and over $240,000 worth of gold bars from her home, claiming they would deposit the items at the "Bank of Canada" for her protection. Ontario Provincial Police are seeking help identifying the male suspects, described as men aged 25-35 with short dark hair driving white and dark sedans.
ncsl.org
Fraudsters steal over $10 billion annually from Americans through evolving scams including identity theft, impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, with scammers increasingly using targeted tactics across email, text, social media, and chatbots rather than indiscriminate methods. Federal agencies including the FTC, FCC, and CFPB are responding with stronger enforcement tools, such as new rules against impersonation scams and data breach settlements, while increasing collaboration with state officials and emphasizing consumer education. Key initiatives focus on combating medical debt exploitation and financial crimes targeting older Americans.
theschoharienews.com
This is an announcement for a senior social club luncheon, not an article about fraud or elder abuse. It mentions that a Social Security Administration official will present information about identity theft and consumer scams at the January 10th meeting, but this is educational content rather than a report of an actual scam incident. This falls outside the scope of Elderus' fraud research database.
cbc.ca
A Perth County senior lost $320,000 in a computer pop-up scam that began in November 2024 when she clicked a malicious pop-up claiming to be Microsoft and was convinced her finances were compromised. The scammer directed her to withdraw cash and purchase gold bars, which suspects then picked up from her home under the pretense of depositing them at the "Bank of Canada" for safekeeping. Police are seeking to identify the suspects described as men aged 25-35 years old driving a white Lexus sedan and dark-colored sedan.
blog.ssa.gov
This educational article provides best practices for protecting against scams in 2025, recommending that individuals safeguard social media privacy settings, avoid scanning suspicious QR codes, use strong passwords and passkeys, verify unexpected requests for personal information before responding, and stay informed about current fraud trends through reliable sources. The article emphasizes that scammers increasingly use social media, fake QR codes, and phishing emails impersonating trusted organizations to access personal data, and encourages readers to contact organizations directly through official channels to verify requests.
southbendtribune.com
The Better Business Bureau recommends adopting ten fraud-prevention resolutions for the new year to protect against scams, which include being cautious with emails, avoiding sending money to strangers, researching online retailers before purchasing, protecting personal information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, being cautious on social media, monitoring financial statements, and staying informed about emerging scams. Online purchase scams rank as the third riskiest scam type, and the BBB urges consumers to report suspected scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker and the FTC to help protect other consumers.
whyy.org
Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania rank among the nation's most vulnerable states for identity theft and fraud in 2025, with Delaware ranking second nationally due to high complaint rates and substantial financial losses, while Pennsylvania reported over 314 theft complaints per 100 residents and average losses of $8,228 per case in 2024. The vulnerability is attributed to rising data breaches from major companies, with U.S. consumers facing an estimated $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, and Pennsylvania's large senior population (2.6 million people aged 65+) identified as particularly susceptible to scams. State officials recommend public education initiatives, strong passwords, verification of websites, and family
komando.com
The nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center predicts a surge in cybercrime for 2025, with criminals actively recruiting "software testers" on the Dark Web to facilitate identity theft schemes. In 2024, 12% of identity theft victims who sought help from the organization reported suicidal ideation due to the severe financial and emotional impact of theft, highlighting the critical mental health consequences of identity fraud.
outlookbusiness.com
Artificial intelligence has become a powerful tool for fraudsters in India, with 64% of respondents reporting increased fraud and 67% struggling to keep pace with evolving threats. Scammers use AI techniques including voice cloning, deepfakes, synthetic identity creation, and personalized phishing to impersonate trusted figures and extract money from victims across all demographics, though senior citizens are particularly vulnerable; notably, 83% of voice scam victims in India have lost money to cloned voice fraud. Financial institutions and individuals must implement more sophisticated detection systems, as the combination of AI with social engineering and offline techniques proves especially dangerous by exploiting human psychology and bypassing traditional security measures.
uk.news.yahoo.com
Fraudsters stole over £100 million from NHS trusts in England between 2018 and 2024, exploiting IT system vulnerabilities through tactics including email interception, credit card theft, and supplier impersonation scams. Individual NHS trusts experienced losses ranging from £9,835 to £500,000, with limited recovery options since organizational fraud protections differ from consumer banking regulations. Experts warn these losses represent critical funds diverted from patient care—equivalent to over 2,000 nurses' salaries annually—and call for improved NHS cybersecurity and fraud prevention measures.
wtxl.com
Scammers are exploiting cash-sharing apps like Venmo and PayPal by using stolen login credentials from data breaches or password-cracking technology to access accounts, then attempting to reset passwords before victims do by calling with untraceable numbers to extract security codes. Online fraud cases have nearly doubled since 2019 with losses reaching $12.5 billion last year, with tech support impersonation scams growing 175% year-over-year. The FTC recommends enabling two-step authentication on money-sharing accounts and never sharing security codes with anyone, as fraudsters commonly impersonate legitimate companies to trick users into revealing sensitive information.
mayerbrown.com
On December 21, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed six consumer data protection laws designed to enhance online safety and combat fraud, with particular emphasis on protecting against increased fraudulent activity during the holiday season. The legislation includes measures to strengthen protections for medical and health information against identity theft, require businesses to notify consumers of data breaches within 30 days, impose cybersecurity standards on state government devices, and restrict debt collection practices on social media platforms. These laws create expanded requirements across multiple industries and increase oversight by state agencies including the Department of Financial Services and the Attorney General.
lexology.com
On December 21, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed six pieces of legislation to enhance online safety and consumer data protection, strategically timed during the holiday season when fraudulent activities typically increase. The bills include expanded protections for medical and health information against identity theft, stricter data breach notification requirements (30-day mandate and notification to the Department of Financial Services), enhanced cybersecurity standards for state government devices, and restrictions on debt collection via social media. Most provisions take effect immediately or within 90 days, establishing new requirements across multiple industries and expanding oversight by state agencies.
jdsupra.com
On December 21, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed six bills to strengthen online safety and consumer data protection, with particular focus on health information identity theft protections and data breach notification requirements. Key provisions include expanding identity theft laws to cover medical and health insurance information, requiring businesses to notify consumers of data breaches within 30 days (down from "expedient time possible"), and adding the Department of Financial Services to breach notification requirements. These measures aim to address increased fraud risks during the holiday season and provide broader protections across multiple industries and state agencies.
finance.yahoo.com
Baltimore resident Ami Porter avoided an employment scam when she recognized that a supposed remote data entry position with "Northzone" required her to purchase equipment (a computer and iPhone 15) and mail it to the company. Porter remembered the key rule: "you shouldn't have to pay to work," which prompted her to verify the offer and report it to the Better Business Bureau. The article highlights that employment scams have surged during the pandemic, with an estimated 14 million people exposed annually resulting in $2 billion in losses, and advises job seekers to verify companies directly and avoid any offer requiring upfront payments.
seattletimes.com
A Toronto-Dominion Bank employee in New York used her access to customer data to distribute sensitive information to criminals on Telegram, a pattern that reflects a broader vulnerability in US banking where low-paid staff members are selling customer details to fraudsters. The scheme is particularly concerning given that US retirees face over $28 billion in estimated annual elder fraud losses, and con artists with insider information about wealthy customers can more effectively target victims. Banks have resisted stronger regulatory requirements to protect customers despite years of warnings about insider data breaches, with some cases involving sophisticated fraud rings operating on the dark web and social media platforms.
thestar.com.my
A Toronto-Dominion Bank employee in New York used her access to customer data to distribute sensitive information to criminals via Telegram, a case that exemplifies a broader pattern of low-paid bank employees selling customer details to fraudsters across the United States. Detectives found images of 255 customer cheques and personal information on approximately 70 others on her phone, with similar schemes documented at major financial institutions and credit unions. This insider vulnerability is particularly concerning given that US retirees face record elder fraud losses exceeding $28 billion annually, as scammers with inside knowledge of customers' finances can target victims more effectively.
foxbangor.com
Janet D. fell victim to a tech support scam when a fake Windows Defender pop-up with audio alarms froze her computer and directed her to call a displayed number. The scammer instructed her to download UltraViewer, a legitimate remote access tool commonly exploited by fraudsters to gain control of victims' systems. The article outlines key warning signs of this scam type—unsolicited pop-ups claiming to be from Microsoft, urgent audio/visual cues, and requests to install remote access software—and provides protective steps including refusing to call displayed numbers, uninstalling suspicious software, updating passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication.
paymentsjournal.com
A 2025 Javelin Strategy & Research report examines the TikTok-fueled check fraud scheme—where individuals deposited fraudulent checks and withdrew funds before verification—within the broader context of "friendly fraud" (first-party fraud), where consumers dispute legitimate charges to obtain refunds. The study emphasizes that many perpetrators, particularly younger consumers, don't perceive their actions as crimes and recommends that financial institutions use clear, appropriately-toned communications (tailored by age group and delivery method) and improved transaction descriptions to educate consumers about fraud while avoiding making victims feel accused.
spectrumlocalnews.com
This article provides holiday fraud awareness and prevention tips, noting that 82% of U.S. consumers have experienced or been targeted by at least one form of holiday fraud according to a 2024 AARP report. Key protective measures include shopping only with trusted vendors, monitoring credit reports regularly at creditreport.com, and avoiding deals that seem too good to be true, with the FBI reporting that scams targeting individuals aged 60 and older totaled over $3.4 billion in 2023. Victims of identity theft are advised to seek professional credit repair help rather than attempting to negotiate settlements directly, and can report fraud to their credit bureau, the FTC, or the Consumer Response Center at
bbc.com
An elderly man in his 80s lost £7,450 on Christmas Eve after a fraudster posing as a police officer convinced him to withdraw the money as part of a bogus "undercover operation" targeting bank employees, which he then handed to a courier. South Yorkshire Police reported five similar scams in the preceding week and warned that this type of fraud, which typically involves impersonating police or bank officials and requesting cash for supposed investigations, disproportionately targets vulnerable and elderly individuals. Police advised victims to hang up suspicious calls, verify numbers independently using trusted sources, and never hand over bank cards to strangers.
mb.com.ph
RCBC Executive Vice President Lito Villanueva highlighted the bank's use of artificial intelligence and public-private partnerships to combat rising fraud in the Philippines, where 29 percent of consumers have experienced financial crimes and deepfake cases surged 4,500 percent. AI-powered fraud detection tools have achieved up to 85 percent accuracy in identifying anomalies and suspicious behavior, while RCBC is upskilling senior officers in AI and collaborating with government and industry through initiatives like the "#WagMagpaLokoMagingScamAlerto" campaign to promote financial literacy and fraud awareness. The discussion underscored the importance of technological innovation and multi-sector cooperation in
makeuseof.com
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.
cbs8.com
Scammers are sending text messages to people across multiple states, including California, demanding payment for toll road fees and threatening legal action, with links that can compromise personal information if clicked. The Identity Theft Resource Center reports these toll road scams are rapidly increasing, and California's Attorney General recommends victims delete suspicious messages, file complaints, verify accounts directly through official channels, and secure their financial information.
michigan.gov
This is an informational resource page from the Michigan Department of Attorney General detailing senior protection services. The Health Care Fraud Division investigates fraudulent activity by health care providers in the Medicaid program, including misappropriation of patient trust funds and identity theft in care facilities, while the Elder Abuse Task Force works to prevent financial exploitation of nursing home residents. The page provides contact information for multiple state agencies and resources available to report fraud and abuse or seek assistance.
fcfreepresspa.com
A Cumberland County couple was targeted by a scammer posing as a Medicare employee who obtained both victims' Social Security numbers through a phone call to the 66-year-old woman in December. The Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the identity theft case and advise the public to verify callers' identities before sharing personal information.
publicnewsservice.org
During the holiday season, Mainers face increasingly sophisticated scams including phishing emails impersonating UPS or PayPal, "brushing" scams with fake QR codes on unexpected Amazon packages, and tampered gift cards that scammers drain before they're given as gifts. AARP Maine recommends checking with companies directly before clicking links, placing credit freezes if data is compromised, verifying charities through the IRS or Charity Navigator, and contacting the AARP Fraud Watch Network if targeted, noting that over 80% of Americans have experienced or been targeted by holiday-related fraud.
buckscountyherald.com
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.
cnet.com
The jury duty summons scam, in which callers impersonate police officers and threaten victims with arrest for missing court summons, is becoming increasingly common and convincing, with the FTC reporting over 560,000 fraud cases in Q3 2024 alone. Victims are pressured to withdraw cash from ATMs or purchase gift cards to pay fake fines, with scammers using official-looking forged court documents and aggressive threats to coerce payment. Key warning signs include unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment and threats of arrest—legitimate law enforcement communicates via mail or in-person service, never by phone with demands for immediate payment.
rappler.com
Cybercrime has evolved from isolated attacks into a sophisticated, organized industry using social engineering tactics (phishing, romance scams, identity theft) that exploit human psychology rather than technical complexity. Criminal networks operate like businesses with specialized roles and "crime-as-a-service" models, often employing lower-skilled workers—some coerced through human trafficking—while higher-tier operators profit substantially. Law enforcement faces significant challenges in tracing and prosecuting cybercriminals due to anonymity tools and cross-border operations, as demonstrated by Interpol's Operation Storm Makers II targeting Southeast Asian fraud networks in 2023.
cnet.com
During the holiday shopping season, the IRS warned consumers about increased scam activity, particularly targeting gift card fraud and fake delivery alerts. Scammers impersonate IRS officials and government agents demanding immediate payment via gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfers—tactics the IRS stated it would never employ—while others send phishing emails claiming package delivery issues to steal personal information. Consumers are advised to avoid clicking suspicious links, verify package status directly through official shipping websites, and report suspected scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
oklahoman.com
This educational article warns holiday shoppers about increased scam risks during the busy shopping season, noting that scammers exploit distracted consumers and higher transaction volumes. The piece highlights that U.S. consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, and an estimated $1.03 trillion was stolen globally, while also detailing common holiday scams (fake toy listings, package notification phishing, charity fraud, job scams, gift card schemes) and providing protective measures such as verifying retailer legitimacy, researching charities, avoiding unsolicited links, and comparison shopping before purchases.
wjcl.com
In 2024, the WJCL 22 News investigations team uncovered multiple fraud and crime stories, including a case where an elderly woman was scammed out of approximately $170,000 through five wire transfers before her death in September. The investigative series also covered fentanyl-related deaths, modified firearms in the community, prison violence, ticket resale fraud affecting consumers, and law enforcement's use of new AI-powered technology to combat crime.
npr.org
Criminals are using artificial intelligence tools to create increasingly convincing scams during the holiday season, with phishing attacks being the most common threat. To protect yourself, experts recommend: verifying suspicious emails for subtle red flags (misspellings in domain names, logo variations), establishing secret code words with family members to verify identity during emergency calls, securing social media accounts by setting them to private and limiting personal information, and carefully checking website URLs and encryption before entering sensitive information, as scammers can use AI to create fraudulent websites that appear legitimate.
statesman.com
This educational article warns consumers to remain vigilant against holiday shopping scams, particularly credit card skimming and smishing fraud. Card skimmers are illegally installed devices on ATMs and payment terminals that capture card data and PINs to enable unauthorized purchases; consumers can detect them using the SCAN method (checking for cameras, comparing components, assessing tampering, and nudging readers). Smishing scams use text messages impersonating legitimate institutions like banks or the USPS to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information—recipients should report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM) and relevant authorities without clicking links.
radio.wpsu.org
The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to create more sophisticated and convincing scams, particularly phishing attacks and voice-cloning schemes that target victims during the holiday season. Key vulnerabilities include AI-generated emails and texts that mimic legitimate communications, deepfake voice calls impersonating loved ones (especially "grandparent scams"), and fraudulent websites that appear authentic. Experts recommend creating family code words, securing social media accounts, carefully verifying web addresses and email domains, and screening unfamiliar calls to protect against these evolving AI-enabled frauds.
giant.fm
Criminal organizations are conducting imposter scams targeting older Americans by posing as representatives from legitimate companies (like PayPal) and then connecting victims to fraudsters claiming to be federal agents who convince them to drain their bank accounts for "security." An elderly couple in Williamson County, Illinois lost $121,000 in such a scam before three Chinese nationals were arrested attempting to pick up the cash; the defendants face federal wire fraud charges.
atg.wa.gov
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that Metropolitan Commercial Bank will pay $10 million to the state as part of a fraud recovery initiative that has collected over $52 million from financial institutions that accepted stolen COVID-19 pandemic unemployment funds. Criminals stole more than $15 million from Washington's unemployment fund in 2020 using fake identities and MovoCash, a fintech company sponsored by Metropolitan, which failed to implement adequate anti-fraud and money-laundering safeguards. This marks the second phase of Ferguson's investigation—the first to pursue fintech companies through state consumer protection laws—following an initial phase that recovered $42 million from 26 financial institutions through asset forfeiture.
publicnewsservice.org
The U.S. Postal Service warned customers against "smishing" scams, where criminals send fraudulent text messages impersonating the postal service and asking recipients to click links to resolve package delivery issues. These scams aim to steal personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and dates of birth; in 2020 alone, smishing and related fraud schemes affected over 240,000 victims and cost more than $54 million, with average losses around $800 per person. The Postal Service advises customers to never click links in unsolicited texts and to only expect text messages if they have registered for legitimate tracking services on usps.com or through
publicnewsservice.org
The United States Postal Service is warning customers about smishing scams, which involve fraudulent text messages requesting users to click links regarding package delivery issues in order to steal personal information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and dates of birth. In 2020, over 240,000 people fell victim to smishing and related schemes, losing an average of $800 each for a total of $54 million in damages. The USPS advises that legitimate tracking messages only come from users who have registered for text notifications on usps.com and recommends never clicking suspicious links.
aol.com
This article provides six free strategies for protecting finances from fraud, particularly during high-risk periods like the holiday season. The recommended safeguards include staying informed about trending scams (adoption, romance, grandparent, and elder fraud), freezing credit with major bureaus when not applying for loans, enabling multi-factor authentication on accounts, using password managers to create strong unique passwords, avoiding clicking links or calling numbers in unsolicited communications, and monitoring accounts regularly for suspicious activity. These preventive measures require no financial investment but can significantly reduce vulnerability to identity theft and fraud year-round.
justice.gov
A Jamestown, Tennessee pharmacist, Philip Hall, was indicted on nine counts of health care fraud and six counts of aggravated identity theft for submitting false claims totaling over $6 million to Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Blue Cross Blue Shield between 2018 and May 2024. Hall submitted claims for medically unnecessary prescriptions, drugs that were never dispensed, or medications not ordered by physicians, while also using other people's identities without authorization to obtain reimbursement. If convicted, he faces up to ten years in federal prison per health care fraud count and the government is seeking a money judgment of approximately $6.5 million in fraud proceeds
avenuemail.in
Cybercriminals created a fake Facebook profile using the photo and identity of former MP and Congress leader Dr. Ajoy Kumar to defraud unsuspecting individuals, with the imposter contacting people with schemes to sell used furniture under false pretenses. Dr. Kumar filed a formal complaint with cyber police, who are investigating and attempting to trace the fraudster, while authorities urge the public to verify social media profile authenticity and report suspicious accounts immediately.
thesenior.com.au
**Tech Support Scam with Banking Resolution**
John Beagle lost approximately $9,506 after falling victim to a fake Microsoft tech support pop-up scam that convinced him to transfer funds to trap the scammer. When his bank provided poor customer service during the fraud investigation, Beagle escalated his complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, which intervened and prompted the bank to reimburse 50 percent of his losses based on his 80-year customer relationship. The article provides guidance on steps scam victims should take, including contacting their bank immediately, reporting to relevant agencies like ReportCyber and Scamwatch, and accessing support services
wcnc.com
The CFPB filed a lawsuit against Early Warning Services (Zelle's operator) and three major banks—Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo—alleging they failed to protect consumers from fraud on the Zelle payment network, resulting in over $870 million in losses over seven years. The banks allegedly rushed Zelle to market to compete with apps like Venmo and CashApp without implementing adequate safeguards, leading to hundreds of thousands of fraud complaints, with many victims denied reimbursement or instructed to contact fraudsters directly. The lawsuit claims critical failures including inadequate identity verification, slow response to account fraud, and failure to share fraud information
states.aarp.org
**Source:** AARP Hearing Center – AARP Texas 2025 Legislative Agenda
AARP Texas has announced its 2025 legislative priorities, which include preventing elder fraud and exploitation through enhanced consumer protections for solar contracts and cryptocurrency transactions, as well as addressing common scams like identity theft, spoofing, and deed theft. The organization will also advocate for improved emergency preparedness for vulnerable older adults, healthcare access and affordability, and financial security measures including affordable housing and utilities. These initiatives aim to protect older Texans during the 89th regular session of the Texas Legislature.
forbes.com
Google has warned of a surge in phishing and scam emails targeting its 2.5 billion Gmail users, particularly as a second wave of attacks is expected following the holiday season. Three prevalent scams are currently in heavy use: extortion scams threatening physical harm or blackmail using victims' home addresses, fake invoice scams designed to trick users into calling fraudulent numbers to dispute charges, and celebrity impersonation scams. While Google reports blocking over 99.9% of spam and phishing attempts through new AI technology, the company urges users to remain vigilant as attackers intensify their efforts during this period of increased email traffic.
cnet.com
**Summary:**
Scammers are exploiting increased holiday online shopping with fake delivery text scams (smishing), claiming package delivery problems to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal and financial information. According to a CNET survey, 66% of US adults fear falling for holiday scams, with these nondelivery package scams topping the list. To protect yourself, verify delivery notifications directly through official websites rather than clicking links, watch for red flags like typos and urgent language, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages.
telus.com
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.