Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
3,102 results
in Crypto Investment Scams
news.harvard.edu
· 2025-12-08
Online scams cost American consumers $12.5 billion last year, a 22 percent increase, with cybercriminals using sophisticated psychological tactics that can affect anyone regardless of age, intelligence, or education. According to cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier, scammers' methods are fundamentally unchanged from historical cons, but technology has dramatically increased the scale and speed of attacks through fake social media ads, phishing emails, and AI-generated content. Cryptocurrency has made scams more profitable and harder to prevent because transactions cannot be reversed or monitored by traditional banking safeguards.
cftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The CFTC charged individuals including Bai and Lan Bai and their entities Aipu and Fidefx with defrauding at least 32 customers, primarily Asian Americans, of at least $3.6 million through a fake commodity trading platform scheme operating from February 2023 onward. Solicitors contacted victims via social media platforms claiming insider knowledge to generate 10-30% profits per trade, but no actual trading occurred; instead, victims' funds were immediately transferred to offshore accounts. The CFTC is seeking restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, trading bans, and a permanent injunction against the defendants.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin ATMs are increasingly exploited by fraudsters to steal money from victims, particularly seniors in San Diego County, where victims lost over $5 million in 2023. Scammers convince victims through tech support scams and other fraud schemes to withdraw cash and convert it to cryptocurrency at these machines, then transfer the funds to encrypted addresses; the stolen money can be moved globally within minutes, making recovery nearly impossible. Law enforcement and senators are calling for stronger safeguards at Bitcoin ATM operators to prevent victims from depositing funds in the first place, as the window for intervention is extremely narrow.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams are increasingly common and take multiple forms, including romance scams where perpetrators build relationships then direct victims to fraudulent investment sites, tech support scams with fake pop-ups, and schemes impersonating authorities demanding payment in cryptocurrency. According to South Dakota's Attorney General and digital forensics experts, consumers should only use reputable cryptocurrency platforms independently, never send cryptocurrency or payment information to unsolicited requestors, and report suspected scams to protect others and aid law enforcement investigation.
heritagefl.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors have risen sharply, with fraudsters impersonating federal agents and falsely claiming victims' bank accounts are compromised, then pressuring them to deposit money into cryptocurrency ATMs for purported "government protection." The article provides four key preventative measures: verify communications through official government channels, educate yourself on common scammer tactics, use only reputable cryptocurrency exchanges with security features, and exercise caution with cryptocurrency ATMs. Resources like the Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) are available to help seniors and families identify potential fraud.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Lexington men, Kenneth J. Brown Jr. and Nicholas R. Shepard, pleaded guilty in September 2024 to wire and mail fraud after scamming at least five victims across five states out of over $500,000 through email and romance scams between December 2021 and 2022. The pair operated Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange and converted stolen funds into cryptocurrency, facing potential sentences of up to 20 years in federal prison and $250,000 fines.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Lexington men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud after scamming at least five victims across five states out of more than $500,000 through email and romance scams between December 2021 and late 2022. Kenneth J. Brown Jr. and Nicholas R. Shepard, who owned Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange, converted stolen funds into cryptocurrency and face up to 20 years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines. The scams targeted individuals from Colorado to Florida, with victims losing thousands of dollars each in schemes involving false claims about money transfers and fraudulent romance solicitations.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma ranked 27th nationally with 955 elder fraud complaints according to FBI data, part of a broader trend where Americans over 60 lost nearly $3.5 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts advise victims to report fraud immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov), as there is a 7 in 10 chance of recovering funds if reported quickly, and recommend hanging up on suspicious callers and telling family members rather than keeping requests secret. Cryptocurrency scams and pressure tactics to conduct immediate financial transactions are common red flags.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
California Governor Newsom vetoed Senate Bill 278, which would have required banks to establish emergency contact programs for elderly accountholders and delay transactions over $5,000 for three days if fraud was suspected. The bill was introduced by State Senator Bill Dodd in response to Alice Lin, a Southern California widow who lost $200,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after her bank failed to stop seven wire transfers despite red flags. The banking industry initially opposed the measure over liability concerns but removed its opposition after amendments were made, though the bill's enforceability against federally chartered banks remained uncertain due to federal law preemption.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide examines why scam victims face blame and shame, explaining that psychological biases—including the "just world" belief, hindsight bias, and defensive attribution—cause people to wrongly hold victims responsible for being scammed. The article emphasizes that victim blaming is harmful and counterproductive, noting that scams are increasingly common (the FTC reported $76 million lost to government impersonation scams in 2023, up 90% from 2022) and that anyone can fall victim regardless of intelligence or caution.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational lesson for intermediate English learners about online scams and phishing, not a news report of fraud. The lesson teaches vocabulary and phrases related to scams (such as phishing emails and suspicious messages), demonstrates the passive voice construction in discussing being victimized, and provides a real-world example of someone nearly falling for a fake Australian Taxation Office phishing message before recognizing warning signs.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering crypto scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims through fake identities and relationships on social media platforms like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Instagram before directing them to fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms and stealing their money. The SEC filed its first enforcement actions against these scams in September 2024, charging eight defendants in connection with fake platforms NanoBit and CoinW6, while the CFTC and other federal agencies have partnered to distribute educational materials warning consumers that these scams cost Americans billions annually. Victims are advised to ignore unsolicited messages from strangers and report suspicious contacts to prevent becoming targets of this rapidly growing fraud scheme.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Jill Gogel, vice president of fraud services at Dupaco Community Credit Union in Iowa, has implemented a comprehensive fraud prevention program that requires all employees to receive annual training on spotting suspicious transactions and unusual withdrawal patterns among the credit union's 170,000 members. Since launching the initiative 10 years ago, Dupaco has increased its fraud prevention from $300,000 to an estimated $10 million in blocked losses annually, using proactive measures such as employee communication, customer outreach, and coordination with local law enforcement. The credit union's approach is being highlighted as a model that larger banking institutions should adopt, particularly given that victims over 60 lose $28.3 billion
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research reveals that romance scams affected over 66% of survey respondents, with 10% losing more than $10,000 and 3% losing $100,000 or more—yet 94% of victims recovered none of their money. The scams disproportionately target people over 55 (74% of victims), often through social media (38%) and dating platforms (31%), with 26% of victims engaged with scammers for extended periods, including 5% in year-long relationships. The study emphasizes the need for awareness, identity verification, and reporting to law enforcement, as stigma and shame prevent many victims from seeking
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational language lesson, not a news article about an actual scam or fraud case. The material teaches intermediate English learners about online scams through vocabulary, grammar (passive voice), and a dialogue example involving a phishing email impersonating the Australian Taxation Office. The lesson provides practical phrases for discussing scams and emphasizes how to recognize suspicious messages, verify sender identity, and report incidents to authorities.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation that would require banks to flag suspicious transactions—such as overseas wire transfers—and freeze them for several days while alerting law enforcement and potentially trusted family members, targeting protection for residents age 60 and older. The bill addresses a growing wire fraud problem where scammers trick elderly victims into transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars through elaborate schemes like romance scams and fake investment offers, with nearly 60% of stolen money in financial fraud cases originating from wire transfers and most never being recovered. The measure passed the Pennsylvania House in July with bipartisan support and is currently under Senate consideration.
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of a surge in investment scams, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, with reports hitting an all-time high in 2023. Con artists typically use social media, dating apps, or hacked Facebook pages to pitch fraudulent investment opportunities, exploiting confusion around cryptocurrency to avoid detection. Average losses per victim rose from $1,000 in 2021 to nearly $6,000 in 2023, with consumers losing over $4.6 billion to investment scams across all categories in the prior year.
kelly.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
During a Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly discussed the escalating threat of sophisticated fraud targeting seniors, including AI-generated voice cloning, cryptocurrency schemes, and "pig butchering" scams orchestrated by organized crime networks operating internationally, with reported losses totaling $100 billion. Law enforcement and consumer advocates emphasized the need for increased investigative resources, industry engagement, and a comprehensive national strategy to combat these crimes. Kelly highlighted his legislative efforts to protect seniors, including the Stop Senior Scams Act (2022) and the EdCOPS Act (2024), while discussing successful collaborative models like San Diego's Elder Justice Task Force.
milwaukeeindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, a crisis-level problem projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology increase vulnerability and perpetrator access. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and underfunded, with relatively few scammers caught or convicted, stolen funds rarely recovered, and many victims reluctant to report crimes—illustrated by an Ohio case where an 81-year-old man fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer threatening to extract $12,000 in supposed bond money, while the actual perpetrator remained at large. Key challenges include difficulty investigating overseas fraud, rapid conversion of funds to cryptocurrency, some police dismiss
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Houston and nationwide are increasingly using cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, to defraud victims through fake law enforcement calls claiming warrant arrests related to missed jury duty. Lt. Abraham Alanis of the Harris County Sheriff's Office reports receiving daily complaints about these calls, where criminals use spoofed phone numbers and real officer names to pressure victims into sending untraceable Bitcoin payments. According to the FBI, cryptocurrency scams resulted in 69,468 complaints nationwide in 2023 with $5.6 billion in losses, with Texas accounting for 4,770 complaints and approximately $411.9 million in losses.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-08
A middle-aged woman lost $120,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam despite conducting thorough research, including verifying the broker's credentials through FINRA and confirming their association with Fidelity. The scammer had stolen the identity of a legitimate broker and used social engineering tactics, including fake tax demands and international permit fees, to manipulate the victim into transferring money through Crypto.com. Security experts note that sophisticated scams like this create convincing illusions and recommend meeting investment advisors face-to-face to verify their legitimacy, as the FBI reports cryptocurrency scams resulted in over $12 billion in losses.
newsnationnow.com
· 2025-12-08
An Austin woman lost thousands of dollars in a warrant scam when a caller impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed she had missed jury duty and needed to send money via Bitcoin to avoid arrest; a bank manager intervened and prevented further losses. The FBI reports that Texans over 60 lost more than $278 billion in elder fraud last year, with common schemes including investment fraud (using fake cryptocurrency accounts and withdrawal fees) and tech support scams (pop-ups claiming virus infections to trick victims into sending money for gold, cash, or crypto). Law enforcement advises victims to pause and independently verify requests before acting, and recommends reporting fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
milwaukeeindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas criminals steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone scams, with the problem projected to worsen as the aging population and AI technology make fraud easier to perpetrate and harder to prosecute. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and under-resourced, with perpetrators rarely caught or convicted, and victims—particularly older adults—often unable to recover stolen funds from romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud. The article illustrates the crisis through cases including an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being manipulated by a scammer, while the perpetrator remained at large, highlighting how inadequate law enforcement
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in "grandparent scams" targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claim a relative has been arrested and demand cash payment delivered by a courier to the victim's home. Law enforcement identified a suspect as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark four-door SUV with possible Minnesota plates, and advised seniors to hang up, verify information independently, and report suspicious calls to local police. The FTC recommends protecting yourself by remembering that legitimate businesses don't demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards, law enforcement won't threaten arrest over the phone, and government agencies won't solicit sensitive information through unsolicite
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
David Checkley, a romance fraudster, was jailed again after previously defrauding Sharon Shearer, 70, of over £200,000 during a three-year relationship that left her bankrupt and homeless. The article also reports a significant rise in various fraud schemes in the UK, including an 43% increase in banking complaints about denied refunds (8,700 cases between April-June), a 34% surge in purchase scams totaling £85.9 million in 2023, and a 31% increase in romance scam payments reaching £36.5 million—the highest ever recorded. Common scams highlighted include marketplace fraud, fake ticketing schemes,
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It appears to be a general financial advice landing page or navigation hub for CNET Money's content categories (credit cards, mortgages, insurance, etc.). No summary is applicable for the Elderus database.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
On September 20, hackers compromised the Supreme Court of India's official YouTube channel (217,000+ followers) and rebranded it to promote a Ripple/XRP cryptocurrency scam, featuring a fake livestream with deepfake or impersonated CEO Brad Garlinghouse and phishing links designed to steal cryptocurrency wallet access. YouTube removed the compromised channel for violating Community Guidelines, though the scammers' phishing approach—directing victims to connect wallets and granting hackers full fund access—mirrors similar attacks on high-profile accounts like DidYouKnowGaming and Ben&Ben throughout 2024. These incidents reflect a rising trend of YouTube account breaches used to
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported $10 billion in total consumer fraud losses (up $1 billion from 2022), with older adults losing $3.4 billion according to FBI data, driven primarily by imposter scams, investment fraud (up 400% since 2021), and tech support scams despite scam types remaining largely consistent with previous years. The Senate Special Committee on Aging released its ninth annual fraud book highlighting that common scams targeting seniors include imposter, sweepstakes, lottery, cryptocurrency, and AI-enabled schemes, with tech support scams causing nearly $590 million in losses and investment scams topping $1.2 billion. Between June
miltontimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment fraud losses exceeded $4.5 billion in 2023, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Common scams include cryptocurrency schemes promoted via social media, dubious investment programs claiming "proven" get-rich strategies, fraudulent real estate development offerings, and precious metals sales using pressure tactics and false guarantees. Protection measures include verifying that investment professionals are registered with FINRA, avoiding pressure to make quick decisions, being skeptical of "risk-free" claims, and researching companies online before investing.
denver7.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wheat Ridge Police Department warned of a cryptocurrency extortion scam circulating through the community in which victims receive emails containing personal information (addresses, photos from Google Maps) and threats of blackmail involving fabricated malware and compromising videos, demanding cryptocurrency payment via Bitcoin QR code. None of the Wheat Ridge residents who received these emails fell victim to the scam, though police emphasized the importance of reporting such attempts to raise community awareness. The scam exploits urgency and fear through false claims, reflecting a broader national problem—Americans lost over $5.5 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with Colorado reporting more than 1,300 fraud cases costing residents $81 million
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The SEC filed its first-ever enforcement actions against "pig butchering" scammers, charging five entities and three individuals operating fake crypto trading platforms NanoBit and CoinW6 that defrauded approximately 18 and 11 investors, respectively, of nearly $3.2 million combined. Fraudsters posed as attractive professionals on social media, built romantic relationships with victims, and lured them to fake platforms promising high returns before blocking withdrawals and demanding additional fees or threatening to expose private messages. The SEC is seeking permanent injunctions, penalties, and disgorgement against both entities for violating securities law.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
A March 2024 Interac survey found that nine in 10 Canadians experienced at least one fraud attempt in the past year, with experts warning that AI-enabled scams and upcoming real-time payment systems will increase risks. The most common digital scams targeting Canadians are investment fraud (particularly cryptocurrency schemes responsible for over half of the $309 million in investment fraud losses), imposter fraud targeting financial institutions, and job fraud—often using sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry and fake social media profiles. Experts recommend prevention through Interac's "3-S" approach: stop, scrutinize, and speak up.
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Luetkemeyer held a House Financial Services hearing in September 2024 to examine "confidence scams" (also called "pig butchering"), a multi-billion dollar fraud industry that has surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. Scammers build trust with victims over weeks or months through fake romantic relationships, then convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes by showing fake portfolio gains and instructing them to wire money to Southeast Asian accounts or fake exchanges, systematically draining victims' savings and retirement funds until nothing remains.
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports a 25% increase in scam victims and $300 million in additional losses over the past year, with particularly harsh impacts on retirees in Arizona living on fixed incomes. The bureau has launched the "Take a Beat" awareness initiative to combat various schemes including romance scams, phone fraud, and cryptocurrency scams (which alone resulted in $4.5 billion in losses nationally last year). The FBI advises potential victims to pause before sending money, verify requests independently rather than using provided phone numbers, consult financial advisors or law enforcement, and report scams quickly—noting a 70% success rate in recovering wired funds within 24 hours.
citywire.com
· 2025-12-08
The SEC charged three individuals and five entities, including fake crypto trading platforms NanoBit and CoinW6, with operating relationship investment scams from September 2023 to June 2024. NanoBit defrauded at least 18 investors of over $967,000 by falsely claiming affiliation with SEC-registered brokers and major financial institutions, then redirected their cryptocurrency deposits to pool and misappropriate the funds through shell entities, with stolen money spent domestically or wired to Hong Kong.
postregister.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams—an 11% increase from 2022—prompting a unanimously passed Senate Resolution to combat elder fraud. Common scams include romance fraud, tech support scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and investment fraud, with warning signs including unexpected contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, and demands for untraceable payments. Victims are encouraged to end contact with scammers, report incidents to local police, the FTC, FBI, or postal inspection services, and take protective measures such as updating security software and monitoring financial accounts.
sevendaysvt.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2021, 67-year-old Jeanette Voss of Vermont lost her entire life savings of $950,000 to a tech-support scam that began with a fake Microsoft alert on her computer. Scammers convinced her over six months of daily calls that her Social Security number had been compromised and instructed her to transfer her retirement funds, stocks, and certificates of deposit into accounts they controlled before vanishing with the money. The case illustrates a growing threat: Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $3.5 billion to scams in the past year, with older adults targeted for their savings, perceived lack of tech knowledge, and isolation.
nbcboston.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin ATM scams cost victims over $65 million in the first half of 2024, with scammers using government and business impersonation tactics to trick people into depositing cash at these machines. An 83-year-old victim lost $34,000 after a fake Apple security alert directed her to call a number where scammers impersonated her bank's fraud department. The FTC advises people to ignore unsolicited calls and pop-ups, verify company contact information independently, and remember that legitimate businesses never request cash deposits via Bitcoin ATMs or gift cards to resolve account issues.
livebitcoinnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In September 2024, seven Democratic senators led by Dick Durbin urged ten major cryptocurrency ATM operators to implement fraud-prevention measures after the FTC reported $65 million in crypto ATM fraud losses in the first half of 2023, with elderly Americans over 60 being three times more likely to fall victim than younger individuals. The senators cited cases where scammers manipulated seniors into transferring money through Bitcoin ATMs and requested the companies respond by October 4 with details on their anti-fraud protections, including scam warnings, transaction limits, and fraud insurance. Cryptocurrency ATM fraud has surged tenfold since 2020, from $12 million to
columbiagorgenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple online scams were reported in The Dalles in early September, with losses totaling over $105,000 across four separate incidents, including one victim who lost more than $100,000 in cash, gift cards, and Bitcoin to a scammer impersonating someone from Texas since April 2023. Common scam tactics included impersonating law enforcement demanding payment for warrants, fake celebrity fan sites, fake security companies, and requesting payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Police warn that legitimate law enforcement will never request payment by phone, and that scammers typically operate from outside the U.S. using obscured technology, making recovery of funds difficult.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin ATM scams have resulted in $55 million in losses in the first six months of 2024, with total reported losses since 2020 exceeding $110 million, according to FBI and FTC data. Scammers impersonate bank or federal agents, threatening victims with fraud investigations and directing them to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs to "protect" their money—a tactic that is particularly effective against adults over 60, who are three times more likely to be victims than younger adults. A 75-year-old Ohio man lost $24,000 in such a scam after being told his Facebook account was compromised and his checking account faced fraudulent charges.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
A grandmother received a deepfake voice call from a scammer impersonating her grandson claiming to be in jail and needing $10,000 for bail, but she verified the call was fake by contacting her grandson directly. The article outlines common scams targeting seniors—including grandparent scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and spoofing—and provides protective strategies such as verifying callers through known phone numbers, establishing family safe words, taking time to think despite pressure tactics, and using unique passwords with one-time passcodes.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance cryptocurrency scams defrauded Americans of $5.6 billion in 2023, with the FBI receiving over 70,000 complaints—a 45% increase from 2022—targeting often educated and affluent victims. A 68-year-old woman named Debbie Fox lost $58,000 from her retirement account after being deceived by a scammer posing as a wealthy businessman on an elite dating app, who built trust over weeks before requesting funds for a fake business emergency and directing the money into cryptocurrency investments. Investment fraud is the most common cryptocurrency scam type, accounting for 71% of complaints and $3.96 billion in losses, leaving victims facing severe
watcher.guru
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams, accounting for approximately 50% of all financial crimes reported to the FBI. Fraudsters employed various tactics including fake gaming apps, "pig butchering" romance scams to gain trust and access to cryptocurrency wallets, and fake investment signal groups on Telegram that promised high returns before blocking victims. The FBI attributed the rise in crypto crimes to technological advances enabling fraud and consumers' vulnerability to "fear of missing out" marketing around digital assets.
techbullion.com
· 2025-12-08
Documentary Plus Stories is seeking victims of cyber fraud—including investment scams, romance scams, and cryptocurrency scams—to participate in a groundbreaking documentary film aimed at raising public awareness and preventing future crimes. Participants will receive compensation including a one-time payment and potential future royalties, and their authentic stories will be featured in a documentary expected to reach millions of viewers worldwide.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office warned residents of an impersonation scam in which a caller claiming to be "Sergeant Eric Roberts" from the department contacted victims demanding payment via cryptocurrency machines to resolve a "failure to appear" warrant and avoid arrest. The sheriff's office emphasized that it never solicits payment by phone and advised residents that requests for payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards are major red flags for scams.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target utility customers by impersonating utility company representatives via phone, email, or in-person visits, demanding immediate payment under threat of service disconnection using untraceable payment methods like prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. To avoid these scams, consumers should independently verify any payment demands by calling their utility company using contact information from their bill or secure account, remember that legitimate utilities send multiple notices before disconnection and offer flexible payment plans, and only use traceable payment methods with fraud protection. Utility scams are particularly effective during extreme weather when customers are desperate to maintain service.
butlerradio.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FBI reported $5.6 billion in losses from cryptocurrency fraud involving over 69,000 complaints, representing 50 percent of all financial fraud losses despite being only 10 percent of complaints. The FBI warns that legitimate agencies never request cryptocurrency payments, scammers impersonate financial institutions, and investments that seem too good to be true typically are fraudulent. Pennsylvania experienced $120 million in losses from cryptocurrency fraud, ranking 8th nationally in complaints and 9th in losses.
pcpatriot.com
· 2025-12-08
Virginia State Police report an uptick in financial scams targeting older adults and vulnerable individuals, including anti-virus software scams (one victim lost $36,000), "grandparent scams" using AI voices to impersonate grandchildren in distress, and cryptocurrency fraud (one woman scammed out of $160,000 in Bitcoin). Police recommend independently verifying requests before responding, establishing a trusted "buddy system," and remembering that legitimate organizations never pressure payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
cbs58.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau reported a significant rise in investment scams, with over 4,000 scam reports filed through their Scam Tracker and a median loss of $4,000 per victim in 2023. The BBB Institute identified investment and cryptocurrency fraud as the riskiest scam type of 2023 due to their interconnected nature.