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clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel warned that scammers are impersonating IRS officials to target seniors, claiming outstanding tax debt through phone calls, texts, or emails with fake caller IDs and urgent deadlines. Seniors over 60 lost a combined $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with IRS impersonation being the most common senior scam, though it occurs year-round. The IRS never initiates contact by phone, text, or email, never leaves urgent messages, and never demands immediate payment—legitimate tax notices arrive by mail only.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old NAB customer lost $10,000 after scammers impersonating Microsoft gained remote access to his computer and convinced him they needed his help catching fraudsters at his bank. A vigilant NAB fraud analyst detected the suspicious transaction and helped recover the full amount after the customer disconnected immediately. The incident highlights the sophistication of remote access scams, which have cost Australians over $4.7 million this year as part of $134 million in total scam losses.
media.anz.com
· 2025-12-08
ANZ reported a 49% reduction in customer scam losses between October 2023 and June 2024, preventing over $100 million in funds from reaching cybercriminals, while implementing multiple protective measures including AI-based scam detection, cryptocurrency payment restrictions, and enhanced customer education. The bank identified online platforms as the most common scam source (45% of reports), followed by telephone/SMS and email, and emphasized that community awareness and victim willingness to share experiences are critical to combating increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams were the FTC's top-reported fraud type in 2023, resulting in $2.7 billion in losses, with a current trend of deceptive emails and texts falsely claiming subscriptions are expiring or have been renewed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing payment information. Victims who click these links risk fraudulent charges, identity theft, and malware installation on their devices. To avoid these scams, consumers should verify messages independently by logging into accounts through official channels, scrutinize sender email addresses and message language for red flags, contact businesses directly using verified phone numbers, and avoid providing payment information in response to unsolicited messages.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article identifies common red flags for financial scams, including unsolicited communications, poor grammar, unfamiliar sender information, requests for specific personal data, and time-sensitive offers. Financial experts explain why people still fall victim despite these warning signs: scammers use increasingly sophisticated techniques, AI-generated messages, spoofed contact information, and psychological pressure tactics to appear legitimate. Additional red flags include too-good-to-be-true investment promises, lack of online presence, pressure tactics, requests for unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, and impersonation of trusted organizations.
thirteen.org
· 2025-12-08
At an AARP fraud prevention summit in Edison, New Jersey, experts including AARP's Kathy Stokes challenged the misconception that older adults are the most vulnerable to phone, text, and social media fraud. The summit, attended by more than 250 people, highlighted various fraud prevention strategies and raised awareness about the actual risk factors for financial exploitation.
wfmynews2.com
· 2025-12-08
Online shopping scams exploit consumers by creating fake websites that closely mimic legitimate retailers like Amazon, with 50% of victims reporting they fell for the deal because the price seemed too good to resist. Scammers use cheap phishing kits and domain registration services to build convincing fakes with URLs like "Amazon-id.net" instead of the legitimate "Amazon.com." Consumers can protect themselves by carefully scrutinizing URLs and remembering that legitimate company sites use the format "companyname.com" without hyphens or extra words before the domain extension.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake QR codes placed over legitimate parking meter codes to redirect drivers to fraudulent payment websites that steal credit card and personal information. In San Clemente and Redondo Beach, California, victims entered their payment details on fake sites mimicking legitimate parking apps, resulting in unauthorized charges detected within minutes. The FTC warns consumers to verify QR code destinations for misspellings, as fake codes can also install malware or direct users to phishing sites designed to harvest personal data.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission is warning of ongoing "smishing" (SMS phishing) scams where fraudsters impersonate toll authorities via text messages to trick drivers into clicking malicious links and revealing personal financial information. The scams, which first emerged in April 2024, are particularly relevant ahead of the Labor Day weekend when travelers are on toll roads; the Ohio Turnpike reminds customers that it never requests payments by text and that only ezpassoh.com and ohioturnpike.org are legitimate payment websites. To protect themselves, drivers should avoid clicking unknown links, delete suspicious texts, keep devices updated, and report any smishing attempts to the FBI's IC3
dispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Turnpike warns of a resurgence of "smishing" scams where fraudsters impersonate toll authorities via text messages to collect payment for fake unpaid tolls and obtain personal financial information. The scam, first identified in April 2024, targets drivers across Ohio and Michigan with fake text links to fraudulent payment websites; the Ohio Turnpike clarifies it never requests payment by text and only uses ezpassoh.com and ohioturnpike.org for legitimate transactions. Consumers are advised to avoid clicking unknown links or replying to suspicious texts, report scams to the FBI's IC3, and verify toll accounts through official websites and customer service numbers.
nbcbayarea.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau reported over 250 cases in the past year of people losing money to text message scams in which fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies like retailers, utilities, and the postal service. Scammers use these impersonations to trick victims into revealing personal information or making payments. Recipients of suspicious text messages should avoid responding or clicking links and can report suspected scams using the BBB's free scam tracker.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A GOBankingRates survey found that Gen Z and millennials fall victim to financial scams at higher rates than older generations, with 35% experiencing phone-related scams compared to 25% of Gen Xers, and 18% of Gen Zers victimized by Social Security scams versus less than 2% of seniors. Fraud prevention experts attribute this vulnerability to younger generations' greater trust in digital platforms, overconfidence in spotting scams, financial pressures, and exposure to recruitment into fraudulent activities on social media, despite 81% of Gen Z believing they can identify AI-generated fraud.
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI and Sarasota County Sheriff's Office warned of an increase in sophisticated scams targeting senior citizens in which fraudsters impersonate tech support or government officials, convince victims to liquidate assets into cash or precious metals, and then dispatch couriers to collect the money before disappearing. Victims have reported losses exceeding $300,000, and authorities recommend hanging up on scammers, avoiding suspicious links, and reporting incidents to law enforcement immediately.
floridatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are frequently targeted by scammers who exploit their trust and financial stability, with elder fraud causing over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 and an average victim loss of $33,915. Common scams include fraudulent phone calls impersonating banks or family members, phishing emails and texts, fake charities, Medicare/insurance schemes, tech support scams, and romance scams (which resulted in $1.3 billion in losses in 2022). The article advises seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify organizations directly before donating or sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC, Department of Justice, or AARP.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Brookdale Senior Living released educational guidance on protecting seniors from fraud, noting that crimes against seniors totaled over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 100,000 complaints filed by people over 60—an 11% increase from the previous year. The article identifies common scam types including tech support scams, romance scams, investment schemes, and non-payment fraud, advising seniors to recognize red flags such as urgent demands for payment, requests for wire transfers or cryptocurrency, and threats from authorities. Resources provided include awareness information at Brookdale.com and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) for reporting suspecte
skynews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Will Clinton and Jessica Greentree lost nearly $48,000 of their house deposit savings when scammers posing as their solicitor sent a fraudulent email requesting wire transfer during their home settlement process in New South Wales, Australia. The funds were transferred to a "mule" account and subsequently moved overseas, with their bank Macquarie offering only a $500 goodwill payment despite their complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority. The couple warns that this rising scam targets first-time homebuyers through impersonation of solicitors and conveyancers, and advises prospective buyers to conduct transactions in person whenever possible.
multivu.com
· 2025-12-08
Crimes against seniors resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 100,000 complaints filed by people over 60—an 11% increase from the previous year, according to FBI data. Common senior scams employ tactics such as demanding urgent payment, requesting non-conventional payment methods (wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards), or threatening to contact authorities. Red flags include unsolicited emails, calls, or texts using pressure tactics, and victims or their families can report suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
krgv.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn travelers to avoid common scams including fake vacation rental listings, fraudulent hotel payment calls, counterfeit concert tickets, and phishing texts about unpaid tolls. To protect yourself, book through reputable sites, verify listings before paying, avoid wire transfers and prepaid cards, call businesses directly to confirm requests, and monitor your bank and credit accounts while traveling. Victims of travel scams can contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at 888-400-5530.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-08
Baystate Health wired $700,000 to a fraudulent account in November 2022 after criminals compromised a settlement counterparty's email in a business email compromise (BEC) scam. After the fraud was discovered, Baystate sued JPMorgan Chase, claiming the bank failed to prevent withdrawals from the fraudulent account and allowed approximately $205,542 to be transferred out after being notified of the fraud, with $420,000 ultimately unaccounted for. Only about $76,000 was recovered through a federal seizure warrant.
choosework.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines five key warning signs to identify work-from-home job scams: positions offering unusually high pay or requiring minimal qualifications, companies lacking an online presence or verifiable information, employers requesting upfront payment during the application process, communication through unofficial platforms like WhatsApp, and job offers extended without conducting interviews. Scammers typically seek personal information for identity fraud and money through fake checks or equipment fees, while legitimate employers maintain professional websites, use standard communication channels, and conduct thorough screening processes.
bankinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Job seekers in cybersecurity are increasingly targeted by fraudulent job postings that exploit the field's high demand and remote work prevalence. Common scam tactics include requests for personal information (Social Security numbers, identification), unusually high salaries with quick hiring processes, vague job descriptions, and unprofessional communication. Job applicants can protect themselves by researching companies directly, contacting employers through official websites, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
smartcompany.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians lost $2.74 billion to scams, with small businesses facing particular risk from phishing, compromised email accounts, false billing, supply scams, and overpayment schemes. ASIC reported removing approximately 20 scam sites daily, highlighting the scale and sophistication of fraud targeting Australian businesses. Key protective measures include verifying email legitimacy, double-checking payment requests, maintaining updated software, training employees to recognize suspicious activity, monitoring online presence, and implementing strong password policies.
lycoming.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance on avoiding internet and social media scams, which have risen significantly in recent years. Key prevention strategies include being skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, protecting personal information, verifying website legitimacy (https://), using strong passwords, and avoiding suspicious links and attachments. For victims who have lost money, the article recommends immediately notifying credit card companies and banks, reporting to police, and provides the Williamsport Police Department's non-emergency contact number for local residents.
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
This awareness piece highlights sophisticated investment scams targeting Australians, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where scammers build trust over weeks or months before soliciting cryptocurrency investments. A Queensland victim lost approximately $244,000 AUD after being befriended on Facebook by a scammer who gradually encouraged increasingly larger investments in cryptocurrency, promising substantial returns; when the victim attempted to withdraw funds, the scammer blocked all contact. Recent data from the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre shows Australians lost at least $180 million to cryptocurrency investment scams in 12 months, with nearly half of all investment scam losses involving cryptocurrency and victims now more likely
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Perth widow Maggie Ayres lost tens of thousands of dollars in a romance scam involving a man named "Bryan" who used deepfake technology to impersonate an American real estate agent on video calls and claimed to work on an oil rig. Ayres discovered the fraud when a technical glitch revealed the scammer's actual face during a video call, and authorities report that deepfake-enabled romance scams have affected multiple Western Australian victims, with the state losing $3.7 million to romance fraud in 2023 and $2.9 million already by mid-2024.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment and cryptocurrency scams pose the highest fraud risk for seniors aged 65 and older, with romance scams ranking as the second most prevalent threat. Senior citizens are increasingly falling victim to scams, according to Better Business Bureau experts who emphasize the need for targeted prevention awareness among this vulnerable population.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Amy lost $16,000 from her ubank account after falling victim to a common scam where fraudsters impersonated bank staff, obtained her security details via a fake verification process, and authorized push payments to steal her savings; only $7 was recovered. Neobanks and digital banking platforms create vulnerability to fraud through instant payments to new accounts, limited customer service accessibility, and the difficulty in detecting and recovering funds once scammers move money overseas or to cryptocurrency platforms. The National Anti-Scam Centre reported ubank appeared in at least 490 complaints in the prior year with total losses exceeding $500,000.
longisland.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Cybercriminals target consumers during Labor Day weekend sales by using imposter scams and fake retail websites, with imposter scams alone costing Americans $2.7 billion in 2023 and totaling $10 billion lost to all scams that year. To protect themselves, consumers should verify retailers before shopping, avoid clicking links in promotional emails or texts, use credit cards for easier dispute resolution, and be suspicious of extreme discounts (70% off or more). Anyone who falls victim should document details and report the scam to the FTC and law enforcement.
ag.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned New Yorkers about deepfake investment scams using AI-manipulated videos of celebrities like Elon Musk and Warren Buffett to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes on social media and messaging apps. Scammers move victims to private encrypted platforms, encourage initial investments on fake websites showing gains, then demand additional fees or taxes before cutting contact, with victims sometimes losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The alert provides red flags including guaranteed return promises, urgency tactics, celebrity endorsements, and requests to move conversations to encrypted messaging, and recommends victims verify investment professional credentials through FINRA's BrokerCheck and report suspected scams to law enforcement.
newyorkfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams targeting children and recommends preventive strategies for parents and kids. Key scam types include phishing (stealing sensitive data via suspicious links and emails), fake websites mimicking legitimate retailers, fake online offers with "free" or "discount" baits, phone scams impersonating authority figures, and in-person scams involving direct requests for money or counterfeit products. Parents are advised to educate children on recognizing these tactics, verifying website addresses for misspellings, and avoiding sharing personal information with unknown sources or suspicious sites.
lawfaremedia.org
· 2025-12-08
National Public Data, a data broker, was hacked by a group calling itself "USDoD," resulting in the theft and public posting of 2.9 billion records containing names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, family member names, and phone numbers affecting hundreds of millions of people in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The breach highlights four critical lessons: data brokers are incentivized to collect ever-expanding datasets for profit, large-scale data aggregation creates compounded privacy and national security risks, the data brokerage industry remains largely unregulated despite recent legislative discussions, and regulatory enforcement alone cannot adequately address the systemic problem of privacy-invasive
maryvilleforum.com
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams, which surge during the school year, involve scammers impersonating distressed family members to solicit emergency money from seniors, often using social media information and increasingly voice cloning technology. Law enforcement in Maryville, Missouri documented cases where seniors were deceived into sending bail money or visiting police stations, with the FBI reporting over 195 complaints and $1.9 million in losses from January to September of the previous year. Seniors are targeted because they are trusting, have financial resources, and are often reluctant to report fraud due to shame or fear of losing family confidence.
baynews9.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranked second in the nation for elder fraud complaints in 2023, with seniors reporting nearly $300 million in losses. A Central Florida woman lost $46,000 from her Chase Bank and nonprofit accounts after receiving a call from imposter scammers posing as bank customer service representatives who tricked her into providing verification codes. Imposter scams lead fraud cases nationwide with over $2.5 billion in reported losses, and the FBI reported an 11% increase in fraud cases involving people over 60 from 2022 to 2023.
zeenews.india.com
· 2025-12-08
Dating app scams are increasingly common due to anonymity, rising platform usage, and scammers' ability to exploit users' emotional vulnerability when seeking companionship. Red flags include overly perfect profiles, story inconsistencies, reluctance to meet in person, requests for money, and use of stock photos; common scam types include fake emergencies, phishing, investment fraud, and blackmail schemes. Users can protect themselves by verifying profiles through reverse image searches, meeting only in public places, guarding personal information, and reporting suspicious activity.
itwire.com
· 2025-12-08
The ACMA warns the public during Scams Awareness Week to be vigilant against romance scams, where fraudsters initiate contact via social media, WhatsApp, email, and SMS to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money or personal information. Romance scammers typically develop relationships gradually, request intimate images for potential coercion, ask for money under false pretenses, and direct victims to malicious links designed to steal financial or personal data. The ACMA recommends verifying unexpected contacts, avoiding sharing personal information with unknown online contacts, not clicking suspicious links, consulting trusted friends or family about money requests, and immediately contacting banks and telecommunications providers if scammed.
ferntreegully.mailcommunity.com.au
· 2025-12-08
During Australia's Scam Awareness Week (August 26-30), authorities highlighted the escalating threat of online scams affecting communities nationwide, including fake missing child posts circulating in social media groups. In 2023, Australians reported over 601,000 scams with losses for people over 65 reaching $120 million (a 13.3% increase), with investment scams, remote access scams, and romance scams causing the most harm; scam calls resulted in the highest reported losses at $116 million. Experts emphasize that victims often experience shame and isolation, and recommend community awareness-sharing, trusted support networks, and mental health services to help
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert warning about deepfake investment scams using AI-manipulated videos of celebrities like Elon Musk and Warren Buffett to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes on social media platforms. Scammers use these convincing fake videos to lure victims into sending money to fraudulent platforms, often moving conversations to encrypted apps and progressively requesting larger investments before cutting off contact and preventing withdrawals. The AG recommends verifying investment opportunities independently, watching for red flags like guaranteed returns and urgency tactics, and reporting suspicious content to law enforcement and social media platforms.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
College students ages 18-24 reported the highest median losses to scams in 2023 for the second consecutive year, according to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report. The most common scams targeting this demographic include employment scams (offering remote work with high pay to collect personal information), online purchase fraud (items never delivered or counterfeit), and investment/cryptocurrency scams (median loss of $3,800), which the BBB warns are now the riskiest. The BBB advises students to scrutinize messages for red flags like poor grammar, misspellings, suspicious job offers requesting sensitive data, and investment opportunities that seem too good to
akron.com
· 2025-12-08
Summit County, Ohio held an update on its "Outsmart the Scam" community education events, with the next event scheduled for October 19 at Tallmadge High School featuring workshops on device safety and recognizing phishing emails. The department plans to expand its scam awareness outreach beyond seniors to include high school students and other age groups, recognizing that younger people are increasingly targeted through social media platforms like TikTok, and will hold events quarterly while developing one-minute educational videos about circulating scams.
times-herald.com
· 2025-12-08
Southern States Bank held a community workshop led by consumer banker Tara Davis to educate seniors on identifying and avoiding financial scams, citing statistics showing 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ experience elder abuse, with financial exploitation affecting 5.2% of older adults. The workshop covered common schemes including phishing emails, social media fraud, and impersonation scams, and highlighted a recent case where a client nearly lost $5,000 to a scammer posing as a neighbor before bank staff intervened. Davis recommended freezing credit, building relationships with bankers, and staying vigilant about reporting suspicious activities, while noting that 60% of elder abuse cases involve family members.
businesslive.co.za
· 2025-12-08
In the second quarter of 2024, one in 10 South Africans fell victim to fraud, with phishing attacks representing 28% of incidents, primarily through fake online stores (68.4% of financial phishing attempts) that trick victims into providing personal and financial data. Victims reported losses ranging from approximately R1,833 to over R18,329, with stolen information used for identity theft, unauthorized account access, and various types of fraud. Consumers are advised to use verification tools like WHOIS and Google's safe browsing function to identify fraudulent websites, while affected businesses and individuals should report cloning incidents to police under the Cybercrimes Act.
bronx.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
During Labor Day weekend sales, cybercriminals target online shoppers through imposter scams and fake retail websites, with consumers losing $10 billion to scams in 2023 and imposter scams alone costing $2.7 billion. Experts recommend vetting retailers, avoiding email/text links, shopping with credit cards for easier dispute resolution, and being wary of extreme discounts (70% off or more) that often indicate scam sites. If victimized, document details and report to the FTC immediately.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
Actress Tamlyn Tomita and her husband Daniel Blinkoff lost approximately $500,000 to a business email compromise scam in which fraudsters impersonated their theater contractor through spoofed emails with subtle address variations, causing their bank to freeze their account and delay construction of their Outside In Theatre project. The FBI reported that similar scams generated over 21,000 complaints and nearly $3 billion in losses across the Los Angeles area last year, with attackers often operating internationally and using social media research to target victims. Despite the setback, the couple plans to proceed with opening the theater on schedule while working with their bank to recover funds.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Olusegun Samson Adejorin, a Nigerian national, was extradited from Ghana in August 2024 to face federal charges for a $7.5 million business email compromise scheme targeting two charitable organizations—one in Maryland and one in New York. Between June and August 2020, Adejorin gained unauthorized access to employee email accounts, impersonated staff members, and fraudulently requested fund withdrawals, successfully diverting over $7.5 million from Victim 2's investment funds. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison on wire fraud charges, plus additional penalties for identity theft and unauthorized computer access.**
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
An 84-year-old woman fell victim to a sophisticated Publishers Clearing House scam where fraudsters impersonated company representatives and used forged logos from the FDIC, IRS, and Federal Reserve Bank to build credibility and gain access to her investment accounts. Financial experts recommend that advisors protect elderly clients through verification tactics such as calling banks back at official numbers, scrutinizing email sender addresses rather than clicking links, and using account controls like payment holds to prevent urgent transfer requests from succeeding.
bradleyscout.com
· 2025-12-08
coinweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI and Sarasota County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in sophisticated fraud targeting senior citizens, where scammers impersonate tech support or government officials to convince victims to liquidate assets into cash and precious metals, then arrange in-person courier pickups under the pretense of safeguarding the funds in protected accounts before disappearing. Victims have reported losses exceeding $300,000, with law enforcement emphasizing that hanging up on callers, avoiding suspicious links, and immediate reporting are key defenses against these well-scripted, pressure-based schemes.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Bitcoin ATM Fraud Surge Targeting Seniors**
Reported losses from Bitcoin ATM scams rose nearly tenfold since 2020, totaling over $110 million in 2023, with consumers over 60 being more than three times as likely as younger adults to fall victim. Scammers impersonate customer service representatives, government officials, or tech company employees, directing victims to scan QR codes and deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs that converts their money to cryptocurrency immediately transferred to fraudsters. One 76-year-old Indiana woman lost $31,500 after receiving a fake security alert, highlighting how scammers exploit urgency and confusion about
golaurens.com
· 2025-12-08
**QR Code Fraud Schemes**
Scammers are increasingly exploiting QR codes through multiple fraud methods including fake parking meter payments (where victims pay via QR code but still receive tickets or towing), romance scams involving cryptocurrency wallet transfers (victims lose thousands after months of relationship-building), phishing schemes that direct users to malicious websites or malware, and impersonation scams mimicking utilities or government agencies to demand immediate payment. Most QR code fraud victims encounter the codes through unsolicited communications or in public locations, and the difficulty in verifying a code's destination before scanning makes it an effective tool for fraudsters.
tbnweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over $1 billion annually, with older adults frequently targeted by scammers who create fake online identities to build trust and extract money through emotional manipulation. Red flags include profiles less than a year old with few photos, military impersonations, requests for money for business opportunities or visa problems, and grammatical errors despite claimed professional credentials. To protect yourself, conduct background checks and reverse image searches on photos, verify profiles through mutual connections, meet in public places, and use vetted dating services rather than responding to unsolicited social media requests.