Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
3,332 results
in Tech Support Scam
waka.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over a billion dollars annually, with scammers using tactics like fake "meet-cute" encounters, impersonating military personnel, and requesting money or banking information under the guise of plane tickets or other expenses. To protect yourself, perform reverse image searches on photos, avoid using the same profile photos across platforms, and inform trusted friends and family about online contacts, as anyone—from young people to lonely seniors—can fall victim to these increasingly sophisticated schemes.
northcentralpa.com
· 2025-12-08
Highmark's Financial Investigations and Provider Review department partnered with the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office in 2024 to launch an elder fraud awareness campaign, reaching over 650,000 seniors with information about common scams (romance, tech support, grandparent, and lottery schemes) that cost Americans over 60 approximately $3.1 billion annually. The initiative earned the 2024 Excellence in Public Awareness Award and complemented Highmark's broader anti-fraud efforts, which have saved over $2 billion since 2017 through billing error corrections and programs addressing prescription fraud and substance use disorder.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting fake Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems—automated phone systems used by banks and government agencies—to trick victims into revealing sensitive financial information through spoofed caller IDs and professional voice cloning. Recent incidents include a woman in Bengaluru who lost Rs 2 lakh and a man in Sri Vijaya Puram who lost Rs 80,000 after responding to fraudulent calls mimicking their bank and government agencies. Legitimate IVRs never request OTPs, CVVs, or passwords; senior citizens, non-English speakers, and new online banking users are most vulnerable, and people should hang up and independently verify contact numbers when
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of rising romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023 according to the FTC. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, build trust quickly, and manipulate victims—sometimes impersonating celebrities or military personnel—to send money or invest in cryptocurrency, with one victim losing $850,000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt. Red flags include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or video chat, and inconsistent stories; prevention through identity verification and caution about rapidly escalating relationships is the best defense.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies nursing home residents as vulnerable targets for fraud due to limited technology familiarity and describes common scam tactics including phishing, Medicare fraud, prize scams, and investment schemes. According to LA County District Attorney data, one in five older adults experiences financial fraud, with California seniors over 60 filing over 11,000 fraud complaints in 2023 totaling $620 million in losses (averaging $57,000 per victim). The article emphasizes that education is the primary prevention method and recommends immediate legal action if a loved one becomes victimized.
news24.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams and cyber threats targeting couples are increasing around Valentine's Day, with 43% of people in committed relationships feeling pressured to share logins and passcodes. The article details cautionary tales like Nkateko Dladla's experience with investment fraud via a dating app, highlighting how scammers use "love-bombing" and social engineering to exploit trust and manipulate victims into financial schemes. Experts recommend couples maintain individual accounts and passwords, avoid sharing sensitive information, use password managers, and prioritize open communication about online safety to protect themselves from these threats.
racq.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, RACQ Bank identified marketplace scams, remote access scams, and investment scams as the most prevalent threats to its members, with investment scams causing the largest financial losses; Queenslanders reported over $51 million lost across 46,734 scams during the year. Scammers primarily used phishing tactics via text, phone calls, pop-ups, and social media, with one in four Queenslanders contacted by suspected scammers yet 86% unaware of reporting options. RACQ Bank recommends members practice "stop, check and report" protocols and access the Be Connected program, an Australian Government initiative offering free online courses to help older
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated with the use of generative AI and deepfake technology, with scammers using AI-crafted personalized messages and realistic videos to deceive victims. Over $46 million has been stolen across Taiwan, Singapore, and India through these scams, which particularly target vulnerable groups including the elderly, former military members, and those seeking financial connections, often through tactics like fake investment schemes ("pig butchering") that build trust over weeks before requesting money. Recovery of stolen funds is extremely difficult, especially with cryptocurrency, and victims are cautioned to verify identities and never send money to people they haven't met in person who request payment.
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old man from Delhi lost Rs 11 lakh in a work-from-home job scam that began with a WhatsApp message offering easy tasks and evolved into a fake trading scheme requiring prepaid investments. The scammers initially built trust by paying small amounts and commissions, then demanded increasingly larger payments under the guise of completing final tasks before allowing withdrawals. The victim filed a police complaint after realizing the fraud and the article advises verifying employer legitimacy, never paying upfront fees, and reporting suspicious offers immediately.
dnronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scammers target people of all ages and backgrounds, not just seniors, with Americans losing $10 billion to fraud in 2023, according to Park View Federal Credit Union officials. Common scam tactics include creating false urgency, impersonating legitimate organizations (banks, the IRS, Norton Antivirus), and using AI to mimic voices in grandparent schemes, though one customer recovered $250 after scammers gained access to her account. Key defenses include pausing before clicking links, recognizing red flags like grammar errors and mismatched email addresses, and remembering that legitimate financial institutions will never request passwords or usernames.
thefintechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams have caused over $1.14 billion in losses, with victims losing an average of $2,000 each, and criminals are now using AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic identities to make these scams more convincing and personalized. Debbie Fox, a widow seeking companionship, was defrauded of $58,000 by a scammer using a fake identity who posed as a man named Russell and eventually requested money claiming to be in legal trouble. As generative AI becomes mainstream, fraudsters are increasingly exploiting the technology to automate romance scams, phishing attacks, and impersonation schemes, making them harder to
engadget.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta has removed over 116,000 accounts in 2025 linked to romance scams where fraudsters impersonate celebrities or U.S. military members to build relationships and solicit payments via gift cards and cryptocurrency. The scams, which cost victims over $500 million in 2021 according to the FTC, often originate in West African countries and operate across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with AI technology making it increasingly easier for scammers to create convincing fake identities and deepfake videos.
about.fb.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day and other occasions by impersonating military personnel, celebrities, or fake dating agencies across social media and messaging platforms to build trust with victims before soliciting money via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. A tech company disrupted multiple romance scam networks operating across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and other platforms, with schemes originating from Nigeria and Kenya targeting users in the US, UAE, Japan, Africa, and other regions. The company recommends users verify identities, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and use platform safety tools to protect against these schemes.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Kate Kleinert, a 71-year-old widow, lost $39,000 over four months to a romance scammer posing as a UN surgeon named "Tony" who built trust by involving his supposed children and eventually requesting money for medical emergencies and legal bail. Romance scams cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023 across 64,003 reported cases, with scammers using sophisticated psychological manipulation to build emotional investment before exploiting targets for money, often via cryptocurrency which is difficult to recover.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, an elderly woman lost approximately $550,000 in a computer support scam where criminals impersonated Microsoft customer support; she promptly reported the crime to police, enabling ICE Homeland Security Investigations to trace and seize the remaining funds after one wire transfer was reversed by the bank. Through a civil asset forfeiture action coordinated with the U.S. Attorney's Office, $328,573 was recovered and returned to the victim in February 2025, representing a rare successful recovery of nearly all stolen funds.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, an elderly woman lost approximately $550,000 to a computer support scam impersonating Microsoft customer support through two wire transfers. Following a quick report to local police, ICE Homeland Security Investigations traced and recovered $328,573 in seized funds, while the bank reversed an additional $221,000, ultimately returning nearly all the victim's money by February 2025. This case demonstrates the importance of reporting cyber scams immediately to law enforcement, as quick action enabled recovery of most of the stolen funds through coordinated federal and banking efforts.
advisorhub.com
· 2025-12-08
Marjorie Kessler, a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, lost nearly $1.75 million to scammers impersonating government officials who convinced her to withdraw funds for safekeeping in a U.S. Treasury account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages for failing to investigate her unusual withdrawal requests and neglecting to establish a trusted contact on her account as required by regulations, though the arbitration panel deducted the first transfer amount due to insufficient evidence of negligence.
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A family in Noida fell victim to a "digital arrest" scam in February when scammers posing as telecom regulators and police officers threatened them with fake arrest warrants and money laundering charges. Over five days, the family transferred Rs 1.10 crore (approximately $132,000 USD) to the fraudsters after receiving intimidating calls and video messages targeting multiple family members. The scam exemplifies the growing sophistication of cyber fraud and highlights the importance of remaining cautious about unsolicited calls claiming to be from government or law enforcement agencies.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, cybercriminals exploited Valentine's Day through romance scams, phishing campaigns, and fraudulent e-commerce offers, with romance scams alone affecting 58,734 Americans and resulting in approximately $697 million in losses. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence to create convincing fake profiles, deepfake videos, and chatbots that bypass traditional detection methods, while Valentine-themed phishing emails surged dramatically, with half of all such spam classified as scams between mid-January and early February. Red flags include requests to move conversations to private channels, quick declarations of love, excuses to avoid in-person meetings, and requests for money or personal information.
nationaltechnology.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A UK Safer Internet Centre study found that 80% of children aged 8-17 encounter online scams at least monthly, with 46% having fallen victim to one at some point; common scams include fake giveaways, phishing, and fake websites, primarily discovered on social media (35%) and emails (17%). While 9% of victims lost money multiple times, the research noted that most young people employ protective strategies like blocking suspicious accounts (87%) and consulting parents (79%), highlighting the need for continued support and stronger online safety regulations.
cronkitenews.azpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Arizona experienced over $47 million in losses from online romance scams during 2022-2023, ranking fifth nationally, with elderly residents particularly targeted by scammers who build false relationships to extract money. Common tactics include professing instant love, moving conversations off dating platforms to private channels, refusing to share photos, and requesting money—sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Authorities warn that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing false identities, and many victims remain unreported due to embarrassment.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia has passed new legislation strengthening protections against online, banking, and telecommunications scams, with businesses facing fines up to $50 million for inadequate scam defences and victims gaining clearer pathways to compensation. The laws establish a sector-specific framework requiring banks to verify payee identities, telecommunications companies to detect scam numbers, and social media platforms to verify advertisers and prevent fake scam ads. Over 10,000 scams were reported in 2023/24, though recent data suggests anti-scam measures are helping reduce complaint numbers.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly adults aged 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics tailored to exploit seniors' wealth and vulnerabilities. The most common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (averaging $2,000 per victim), investment/cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, texting scams, home improvement scams, and imposter scams, with scammers often using social media and high-pressure tactics to build trust before manipulating victims into sending money. Prevention strategies include staying connected with elderly loved ones, remaining skeptical of online connections, and being aware
moodys.com
· 2025-12-08
Moody's identified 1,193 new entities and people globally with potential ties to romance scams in 2024, marking a six-year high and 14% increase from 2023. Romance scammers build fake online identities to manipulate victims into sending money or financial information, with older adults and emotionally vulnerable individuals (such as those experiencing divorce or grief) being particularly targeted. Financial institutions must strengthen their anti-fraud screening processes using advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, robust anti-money laundering protocols, and cross-sector collaboration with regulators and law enforcement to detect and prevent these schemes.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency fraud reached record levels in 2024, with scam wallets receiving an estimated $9.9-$12.4 billion, driven largely by a 40% surge in "pig butchering" romance scams where criminals build fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes. Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and organized platforms like Huione Guarantee (which received $375.9 million in crypto in 2024) while expanding geographically from Southeast Asian compounds to locations like Nigeria, often employing human trafficking victims to conduct the fraud. The report warns that the scam ecosystem is becoming more professionalized, with criminal groups creating specialize
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scammers are targeting desperate job-seekers through platforms like LinkedIn, with a Houston man nearly falling victim to a scheme involving a fake $2,500 check after eight emails of communication without phone or in-person contact. The FTC and job platforms warn applicants to research positions thoroughly, never pay upfront fees, verify recruiter legitimacy, and avoid sharing personal information like résumés with unverified contacts. Red flags include unrealistically high pay for minimal work, lack of phone/video interviews, and inability to find the employer or recruiter online.
kjzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Lehi Police Department officers interrupted an active Bitcoin ATM scam targeting senior citizens when they discovered a woman who had already deposited several thousand dollars with $15,000 remaining, and a second senior man preparing to deposit cash while both were on phone calls with fraudsters. Criminals typically convince elderly victims their bank accounts have been hacked or that family members have been arrested, instructing them to transfer funds via Bitcoin ATMs; the officers were able to seize the ATM through a search warrant and attempt recovery of the deposited cash.
theweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers operating primarily from overseas (notably Nigeria and Ghana) use fake dating profiles with stolen photos to build false romantic relationships with Americans, then manipulate victims into sending money. The FBI and FTC report that romance scams caused over $1 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 64,000 victims, and scammers employ sophisticated tactics including impersonating celebrities and military members. To protect themselves, people should avoid sending money to online-only contacts, verify profile photos through reverse image searches, and be cautious about sharing personal information on social media and dating platforms.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ottawa County, Michigan man lost $23,000 to a tech support scam after a fraudulent Apple security alert appeared on his computer, instructing him to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin. The scammer used shame tactics, falsely claiming the victim had authorized suspicious transactions involving gambling and illegal content, then instructed him to lie to his bank teller about the purpose of the withdrawal. Ottawa County Detective Joe Monger reports handling approximately 40 fraud cases, noting that common scams include romance, grandparent, and tech support schemes, with AI technology making scams harder to detect.
nwasianweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud aided by generative AI is rising sharply, with experts projecting losses could reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027, and deepfake incidents in the fintech sector increased 700% in 2023. Seniors, non-native English speakers, and Asian immigrants are particularly targeted by scammers who exploit loneliness and build relationships before striking. JP Morgan Chase and Seattle police shared prevention advice including verifying identities, being skeptical of sob stories and urgent payment requests, avoiding sending money to online contacts, and protecting personal information.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 61-year-old government official from Shahdara lost Rs 1.2 crore over 78 days in an investment scam involving a fake UK-based online shopping platform that lured her through a fraudulent social media profile posing as a successful seller. The scammers trapped her in a cycle of depositing additional funds (Rs 35 lakh, then Rs 34.5 lakh) by claiming technical issues and credit score problems blocked her withdrawal, leading her to take loans against her provident fund before discovering the fraud was fake. The case highlights the importance of verifying platform authenticity, being skeptical of unsolicited social media investment offers, and consulting trusted financial experts
standard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
YouTube warned users of a phishing scam impersonating the platform's creator support team, where fraudulent emails with links to fake private videos direct victims to malicious websites designed to steal login credentials and install malware. At least one YouTube creator with 500,000 subscribers nearly fell victim to the scheme, which uses red flags like misspelled words ("crearors" instead of "creators") and requests for electronic signatures to appear legitimate. YouTube emphasized it never communicates with creators through such methods and advised users to avoid downloading files or accessing links from suspicious emails.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim, and $384 million in the first nine months of 2024 alone. Scammers create fake profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, build emotional relationships with victims, and then request money or investment opportunities; one elderly widow lost an estimated $50,000-$60,000 to seven overlapping romance scams over seven years. To protect themselves, users should verify identities through video calls, be skeptical of requests for money or personal information, and report suspicious accounts to platforms.
news.clearancejobs.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 60,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams last year, though losses have slightly declined as people become more cautious; however, scammers are increasingly using AI-generated images and deepfakes to impersonate romantic interests and extract money through manipulation. These scams follow a pattern of building trust via dating apps or social media, creating excuses to avoid in-person meetings, and gradually requesting money in small increments—a technique called "pig butchering"—while exploiting victims' emotions rather than technical vulnerabilities. To protect themselves, people should pause before responding to urgent requests, verify identities through reverse image searches, and consult trusted friends or family before taking action.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides a three-part financial planning checklist for the new year, emphasizing protection against financial exploitation as the first priority. It highlights that cryptocurrency scams saw the largest increase in elder fraud complaints and losses according to the FBI's 2023 report, and recommends awareness and communication with financial advisers as key defenses. The article also advises developing a diversified investment strategy and conducting regular financial reviews to adjust budgets and eliminate unnecessary expenses.
montanarightnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023, with an average loss of $2,000 per person, and scammers increasingly target middle-aged and older individuals, particularly those who are lonely or widowed. Montana authorities warn that these scams are becoming more sophisticated with AI technology enabling scammers to mimic voices and faces, and advise the public to be skeptical of unsolicited online contact, research profiles thoroughly, and never send money to people met only online or by phone. Nearly 66,000 romance fraud cases were reported in 2023, with approximately 44,000 cases reported in 2024 so far.
newschannel9.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams manipulate victims through fake online profiles, intense flattery, and excuses to avoid in-person meetings, often leading to financial and emotional loss. Scammers use psychological tactics to gain trust and request money or sensitive information from victims. Zelle and other payment services are implementing technology solutions, consumer education, and public-private partnerships to combat these increasingly prevalent scams.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A French woman lost $850,000 to a scammer impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated images and videos in a year-long online romance scheme, with the fraudster claiming to need money for medical treatment. Multiple other women have been similarly victimized by fake celebrity dating scams involving impersonations of Brad Pitt, Keanu Reeves, and other stars, exploiting victims' vulnerability to flattery, loneliness, and difficulty detecting deepfakes and AI-generated content. Experts note that advances in AI technology, combined with victims' common traits of being trusting and susceptible to persuasion, make these scams increasingly effective and difficult to identify using
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
"Snowball" scams are multi-layered fraud schemes that start small and escalate through repeated contacts from scammers posing as legitimate agencies, lottery officials, or government representatives, with the goal of extracting money through fear tactics about stolen identities or unclaimed winnings. Wisconsin consumers have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in these schemes, including one victim who paid $155,000 in fake lottery taxes and another who lost nearly $500,000 after being tricked into converting savings to gold bars. The Wisconsin Bureau of Consumer Protection advises victims to stop contact immediately if transferred between callers, verify legitimacy with trusted contacts, and never pay money or provide personal information, regardless of pressure to
warwickadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational announcement, not a fraud case. SUNY Orange's Encore program is offering spring 2025 courses for adults aged 55 and older, including an "Elder Scam" class taught by Orange County Assistant District Attorney Darlene DeJesus that covers common scams targeting seniors such as technical support fraud, check fraud, AI-powered scams, funeral scams, and government imposter schemes. Classes begin March 7 at the Middletown campus, with registration requiring a $45 annual Encore membership.
governor.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
New York consumers are receiving fraudulent SMS text messages impersonating E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail that request personal information and payment for fake tolls, often originating from international numbers with links to unofficial websites. Legitimate E-ZPass and Tolls by Mail services never request sensitive information like credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, or birthdates via text or email. Consumers should verify suspicious messages by contacting E-ZPass (1-800-333-8655) or Tolls by Mail (1-844-826-8400) directly, and report scams to the New York Department of Consumer Protection or the Federal Trade Commission.
monroenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Monroe Community Credit Union reports that fraud cases in Monroe County are doubling year-over-year, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence and spoofing tactics to target victims of all ages. The latest scams include AI-generated voice clones of loved ones, fake fraud alerts impersonating financial institutions, local number spoofing, and tech support scams, alongside traditional schemes like phishing, romance scams, and grandparent scams. The credit union advises residents to never share full Social Security numbers or online banking credentials with callers, verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling back using verified numbers, and scrutinize email addresses, URLs, and website security features before providing personal information.
irishmirror.ie
· 2025-12-08
Gmail users are being warned about a sophisticated AI-powered scam targeting Irish and international accounts, where scammers use convincing phone calls and fake Google emails to trick victims into revealing their Gmail recovery codes, potentially leading to account takeover, identity theft, and financial losses. The FBI first warned of these AI-driven scams in May 2024, and the problem has since escalated with attackers using increasingly realistic voice, video, and email impersonations. Security experts recommend users verify alerts directly through official Google accounts, enable multi-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links, and use password managers to protect themselves from these threats.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old man from Pune was defrauded of Rs77.74 lakh over four months by scammers who lured him with promises of high returns in gold mining and forex trading investments. After registering on a fraudulent trading portal and making 51 transactions, he saw his account balance grow to Rs2.57 crore but was unable to withdraw funds starting in December, when scammers demanded an additional Rs26 lakh as a "risk security deposit." He reported the scam to cyber crime police, and a case was filed under cheating and IT Act violations.
tarmaclife.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Gmail users are facing an AI-powered scam that the FBI identified in May, wherein criminals send convincing fake emails and voice/video messages claiming account security breaches to trick victims into revealing Gmail recovery codes, potentially leading to identity theft and financial loss. To protect themselves, users should avoid clicking suspicious links, use multi-factor authentication, enable password managers, and verify security alerts by visiting Google Account directly rather than through email links.
shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 13, the Shelter Island Public Library hosted an educational Zoom presentation on senior scams led by Tom McCann of Senior Services of North America, covering common fraud schemes including phone scams, sweepstakes/lottery fraud, home improvement cons, and reverse mortgage scams. McCann emphasized that seniors are particularly vulnerable due to loneliness, increased home time, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential disabilities, and recommended protective measures such as recognizing red flags (urgency, requests for money, and offers that seem too good to be true), using the do-not-call list, monitoring credit reports, and enabling two-factor authentication.
thefinanser.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams increased 30% in the previous year, with men comprising 53% of victims and those aged 65-74 most frequently targeted; notable cases include a French woman who lost over $1 million to an imposter and victims featured in the Netflix documentary "The Tinder Swindler." Lovesaid, a non-profit organization founded by romance fraud survivors Cecilie Fjellhøy and Anna Rowe, addresses the issue by providing emotional support and practical resources to victims while simultaneously advocating for systemic changes in how financial institutions and technology companies prevent and respond to romance fraud.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have surged online and offline, with 52% of people who met someone online experiencing scams or being pressured for gifts, while 39% of Indians encountered scammers on dating apps and 77% saw AI-generated fake profiles. Scammers use AI-generated images, deepfakes, and chatbots to create convincing fake identities—such as one case where a 53-year-old French woman lost ₹7.5 crore to fraudsters posing as Brad Pitt—and have expanded to offline "dine-and-dash" schemes where restaurants and hired accomplices pressure victims into expensive bills. The rise of generative AI
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology and stolen photos to perpetrate romance scams on dating apps, with one NBC Chicago journalist discovering his images had been used fraudulently for years to con victims—including one woman in the Philippines out of $10,000. According to a Norton report, 27% of dating app users have seen their own photos used by fake profiles, and less than half of people surveyed could distinguish real images from AI-generated ones. Social media platforms have limited responsiveness to fraud reports, though the article provides protective measures including reverse image searches, private profiles, and reporting impostor accounts directly to platforms.
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season 2025 brings increased fraud risk as over 160 million Americans file returns by April 15th, with scammers exploiting the confusion through multiple tactics including fake charities, dishonest tax preparers, and IRS impersonation calls and phishing emails. The IRS warns taxpayers to verify non-profit status before donating, use honest tax preparers, hang up on unsolicited IRS calls requesting banking information or gift cards, and avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or following unqualified social media tax advice. Installing antivirus software and being cautious of tax debt relief services can help prevent personal information theft and fraudulent refund claims filed in victims' names.