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morningstar.com
A reader was invited to join a VIP online investment club that initially showed profits through manipulated small-cap stocks to build trust, then pressured members to invest in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, ether, and dogecoin—causing most participants to lose all their money. The scam, known as "pig butchering," uses confidence tricks to gradually compromise victims' judgment through promises of returns before disappearing with funds, and commonly exploits psychological vulnerabilities through social media solicitations and fake cryptocurrency exchange websites.
villagelivingonline.com
The Better Business Bureau identified twelve holiday season scams consumers should avoid, including misleading social media ads, social media gift exchanges (pyramid schemes), fraudulent holiday apps, phishing emails offering free gift cards, fake job postings, and impostor scams. The BBB advises exercising caution with unsolicited messages and payment requests via wire transfer, third parties, or prepaid cards, and recommends verifying business legitimacy through BBB.org before making purchases or sharing personal information.
wsbt.com
As online shopping increases during the holiday season, experts warn of a surge in phishing scams and fraudulent offers targeting shoppers through emails, texts, and fake shipping notifications designed to steal personal information and money. The Better Business Bureau reports that online scams now comprise 41% of all scams, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated communications to exploit product shortages and consumer urgency. Consumers are advised to verify offers directly on company websites, use credit cards instead of debit cards for better fraud protection, and avoid clicking suspicious links or providing personal information to unsolicited messages.
thereflector.com
Seniors are increasingly targeted by phone scams, particularly those using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones and request money or personal information. In 2023, the FBI reported over 101,000 elder fraud victims aged 60+ lost an average of $33,915 each, with Battle Ground police documenting an 85.3% surge in fraud cases between October 2023 and October 2024. Experts advise seniors to hang up on any unsolicited caller requesting money or sensitive data, verify requests independently through official phone numbers, and avoid untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
gmtoday.com
Investment scams remain the highest risk for adults over 55, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides consumer protection guidance including: avoiding unsolicited calls (especially from spoofed numbers), recognizing red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, hiring only licensed contractors after thorough vetting, being alert to emergency scams targeting grandchildren, and avoiding Medicare fraud schemes involving "free" medical equipment.
states.aarp.org
Identity theft and fraud affect Americans at alarming rates, with the FTC estimating true losses at $137 billion in 2022 despite only $9 billion being officially reported, prompting AARP to urge stronger consumer protections before Capitol Hill lawmakers. Veterans face particular vulnerability, with one in three targeted by scammers who impersonated the VA or pitched fraudulent investments, resulting in $477 million in reported losses in 2023. The article provides practical prevention advice for common scams including holiday shopping fraud, solar panel schemes, and veteran-targeted impersonation scams, recommending consumers type website addresses directly, verify offers through trusted sources, and research companies before providing personal information or
entergynewsroom.com
This educational piece identifies ten common impostor utility scams, including disconnection threats demanding prepaid card payments, fake billing routing numbers, bogus equipment fees, overpayment refund requests, and post-disaster power restoration charges. The article notes that the Better Business Bureau reported a median loss of $463 per victim in 2023 and advises customers that legitimate utilities send written disconnection notices, offer multiple payment methods, handle equipment upgrades proactively, process refunds via mail or account credits, and do not charge for disaster-related power restoration.
kens5.com
Holiday and travel scams spike during the final quarter of the year, with travel scam losses reaching $43 million in Q4 2023—nearly double the previous year. Common scams include fraudulent travel deals, suspicious charities, QR code phishing schemes, and counterfeit gift cards; consumers should verify websites directly, avoid public Wi-Fi for transactions, purchase gift cards from authorized registers, and be cautious of unsolicited packages with QR codes that may direct them to phishing sites.
welivesecurity.com
Phone scams exploiting voice calls remain highly effective because scammers leverage human psychology and social engineering techniques, with callers having less time to verify legitimacy compared to written communication. In 2023, approximately 28% of unknown calls globally were fraud or spam, affecting 16% of consumers who lost an average of $2,257—a 527% increase from the previous year—while scammers obtain phone numbers through data breaches, social media scraping, and data brokers. Common phone scams include impersonation of authorities (vishing), remote access/tech support fraud, investment schemes, and prize draw scams, with consumers advised to heed "scam likely" warnings from their
everythingzoomer.com
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with scammers increasingly using advanced technology like voice simulation, AI, and fake profiles to perpetrate sophisticated schemes. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent fraud (2,494 Canadian victims lost $9.4 million), romance scams (Canadians lost $59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks (approximately $58 million in losses in 2022). Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel very confident with technology despite 67% using the internet), and accessible savings, making protection strategies essential as emotional manipulation often overrides caution.
firstpost.com
Virgin Media O2 developed Daisy, an AI chatbot designed to mimic an elderly British woman and engage scammers in lengthy conversations to waste their time and prevent them from targeting real victims. Created with input from YouTube scambaiter Jim Browning, Daisy can autonomously hold scammers on the phone for up to 40 minutes by engaging them with fictional stories about family and hobbies, and has already wasted hundreds of hours of scammers' time while collecting data for law enforcement.
tori.ng
Patrick Akpoguma, a 28-year-old Nigerian internet fraudster, admitted to conducting romance scams, identity theft, and cryptocurrency fraud over three years, accumulating over $500,000 in illicit gains. He operated by impersonating high-profile individuals (including a U.S. Army officer and cryptocurrency expert) using fake accounts and a purchased silicone face mask to deceive victims into sending cryptocurrency payments, and later attempted to bribe police with $100,000 to avoid arrest. Akpoguma was arrested following complaints from residents in Lagos and faces court arraignment.
the-sun.com
A cybersecurity expert warns against scam-baiting and revenge pranks targeting fraudsters, cautioning that engaging with scammers can provoke retaliation including threats, identity theft, or cyberattacks, and increases exposure to malware and phishing attempts. Instead of interaction, victims are advised to ignore scammers entirely and report suspicious tactics to authorities. The article also provides guidance on identifying scam emails and protecting oneself from fraud.
abc7chicago.com
A Wisconsin woman lost $433,279.53 in a gold bar investment scam after scammers impersonated Apple and FTC officials, falsely claiming her identity was stolen and bank account hacked. Across Wisconsin, 49 people reported similar scams to the FBI, losing approximately $13 million total, with couriers like Gourav Patel and Junjie Liang arrested for collecting the purchased gold bars from victims' homes. The scam operates by convincing victims their accounts are compromised and instructing them to buy gold bars supposedly for protection at the Federal Reserve, which couriers then collect and never return.
staradvertiser.com
Two Aiea, Hawaii women were federally charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy for stealing a credit card number and check from a man in his 90s between February and March, using them to make over $20,000 in unauthorized purchases at spas, car dealerships, jewelry stores, and other businesses. Kalehuaiwilliamekamaile "Maile" Montez and Totie Tauala also allegedly used stolen identities of a California woman and an Arizona woman to facilitate the fraudulent transactions. The scheme was discovered when the victim's caregiver and daughter were contacted by a credit card company
kbtx.com
The Texas Better Business Bureau and Bryan police are warning that holiday scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, including gift card fraud, cloned websites with typos designed to steal information, and social media schemes disguised as charitable campaigns. Beyond online threats, police report vehicle burglaries increased significantly during the holiday season last year (78 reports October-December) and recommend shoppers lock vehicles, hide purchases, and protect personal information to avoid identity theft, which can take 3-4 years to resolve.
aarp.org
AARP ElderWatch, a joint program between AARP and the Colorado Attorney General, surveyed 907 Colorado residents in June 2024 and found that fraud and scam concerns have reached crisis levels, with 75% of adults viewing these issues as a critical problem. Identity theft incidents among Coloradans increased from 15% in 2020 to 21% in 2024, with financial losses nearly doubling from 12% to 23%, though younger adults using online accounts and P2P payment platforms (89% usage) are less vigilant about account monitoring compared to older adults. The survey recommends continued education and awareness, noting that residents prefer phone contact with specialists
thesun.ng
A 28-year-old internet fraudster, Patrick Akpoguma, was arrested in Lagos after police rejected his $100,000 USD (N174 million) bribe offer during investigation into his crimes. Akpoguma confessed to operating romance scams, identity theft, cryptocurrency fraud, and other cyber crimes over three years, during which he allegedly defrauded victims of over $500,000 USD and used proceeds to purchase multiple properties including houses and a vehicle worth N100 million.
thenationonlineng.net
A 28-year-old internet fraudster named Patrick Akpoguma was arrested in Lagos after defrauding multiple victims through romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and identity theft, earning over $500,000 in three years by impersonating prominent figures like a U.S. Army Colonel and cryptocurrency expert using fake social media accounts and masks. During his arrest on November 7, 2024, Akpoguma attempted to bribe police with $100,000 to secure his release, but officers rejected the bribe, documented it as evidence, and proceeded with prosecution.
cleveland19.com
A 76-year-old South Euclid woman lost $23,000 in an elaborate scam that began with a fraudulent email claiming to be from Discover and involved impersonators posing as a LifeLock customer service representative, bank fraud expert, and FBI agent. Within 90 minutes, the scammers convinced the victim to withdraw the entire amount from her checking account across three bank locations and hand over the cash to a man in a Starbucks parking lot. Police emphasize that legitimate federal agents never ask victims to provide their own money during investigations, and recommend contacting authorities, family, or an attorney before responding to unsolicited requests for funds.
usatoday.com
Bank fraud affected 29% of bank customers in the past year, with 45% of those victims experiencing multiple incidents, according to a J.D. Power study. Fraud proliferates through peer-to-peer payment apps, data breaches that expose personal information to scammers, and social engineering tactics where fraudsters impersonate banks. Experts recommend customers proactively protect accounts through security centers, complex passwords, and fraud alerts rather than only reactively monitoring transactions.
browndailyherald.com
In early March, a Warwick grandparent couple lost $18,000 to a "grandparent scam" in which fraudsters impersonated their grandson needing bail money; when asked for an additional $40,000, the couple recognized the scheme and contacted police, leading to the arrest of two out-of-state men who were found with $60,000 in cash and allegedly collected $230,000 from similar schemes. Rhode Island has experienced a 22% growth rate in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023—the third-highest in the nation—prompting increased law enforcement investigations, legislative proposals to combat scams, and awareness campaigns by organizations like
nysenate.gov
This is an educational webinar on elder fraud prevention held on November 14th featuring experts from AARP, the New York County District Attorney's Office, and NYPD Crime Prevention. Participants learned about emerging scam tactics and protective measures against phone scams, internet fraud, and identity theft, with resources provided including the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, FTC fraud reporting, and the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline.
wisn.com
A gold bar scam has defrauded 49 Wisconsin residents of approximately $13 million, with victims averaging losses exceeding $250,000 each. Scammers impersonate bank officials and federal authorities, convincing victims their accounts are hacked and instructing them to purchase gold bars for "protection," then deploy couriers to collect the gold before disappearing with it. Two couriers, Gourav Patel and Junjie Liang, have been arrested in connection with the scheme, which operates across the upper Midwest.
news.trendmicro.com
This week saw a surge in phishing and smishing scams targeting personal and financial data, including fake Xbox console purchase offers using the phishing site xblgo[.]com, fraudulent X (Twitter) login alerts directing users to fake login pages, and 1,127 fake Lowe's text messages with bogus order updates and delivery notifications. All three scam types aim to steal credentials, account access, or financial information by tricking users into clicking malicious links or entering personal details on fake websites. Protection strategies include verifying sender information, avoiding clicking unknown links, and checking legitimacy directly through official websites and apps rather than through provided links.
blog.google
Google's Trust & Safety team is launching a regular advisory to track and combat increasingly sophisticated online fraud schemes, which are often orchestrated by transnational crime organizations using combined online and offline tactics. The advisory highlights five current scam trends: deepfake-enabled public figure impersonation campaigns promoting fraudulent investments and apps, crypto investment schemes promising unrealistic returns, app and landing page cloning that deceives users into sharing personal information or downloading malware, tech support scams using fake customer service pages, and credential theft through spoofed employee login portals. Google is implementing countermeasures including updated policies against impersonation in ads, enforcement against crypto fraud, and tools like SynthID to identify AI-
communityimpact.com
The Elder Financial Safety Center (EFSC), formed in 2014 by Dallas County Probate Courts, the District Attorney's Office, and The Senior Source nonprofit, addresses financial exploitation of seniors through prevention, protection, and prosecution. The article details prevalent scams targeting seniors aged 50+, including romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams, and recommends protective measures such as not answering unknown calls and avoiding clicking on unsolicited texts and links. Services are free to eligible seniors in Dallas and surrounding counties, with one case cited involving a victim who lost $545,000 after being groomed through a fake Geek Squad text message scam
mynews4.com
Nevada ranks as the most dangerous state for online dating scams, with the state ranking second nationally in romance scams, fourth in identity scams, and third in fraud overall. In 2023, Nevada residents filed approximately 259 romance scam complaints resulting in $5.8 million in losses, while nationally the FBI recorded nearly 18,000 romance scam complaints with victims losing over $652 million. Scammers use elaborate storytelling and false urgency to manipulate victims into sending money, sometimes totaling thousands of dollars, and victims are often reluctant to report due to embarrassment.
cbsnews.com
A 30-year-old San Leandro woman, Qingyun Chen, was arrested for allegedly running a large-scale tech support scam that targeted elderly victims throughout the Bay Area by convincing them their computers were infected with viruses, then directing them to withdraw cash that couriers collected from their homes. Chen was identified during a September investigation into the scheme and charged with grand theft and theft/embezzlement of an elder adult, with bail set at $2.5 million; investigators recovered significant cash and evidence from two of her homes.
aol.com
Pennsylvania SNAP recipients received fraudulent text messages claiming their EBT cards were deactivated and requesting they call a provided number to reactivate them, according to a warning from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The scam aimed to steal personal and financial information through identity theft, as the DHS confirmed it never requests such information via text message. Residents who receive suspicious texts about benefits should report them to the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-347-8477.
foxnews.com
This educational article explains the rising threat of phishing scams that impersonate legitimate help desk and support teams, often creating false urgency (such as claiming account expiration) to trick victims into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. The article provides guidance on identifying phishing emails by checking sender domain addresses for inconsistencies, and recommends protective steps including avoiding clicks on links or attachments, not engaging with scammers, reporting suspicious emails, and using antivirus software to detect threats.
king5.com
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office launched a new Economic Crimes and Wage Theft division and held a public presentation on fraud prevention, highlighting warning signs and protection strategies. Key advice included avoiding clicking links from unknown senders, being cautious of AI-altered caller IDs, never sharing personal or financial information unsolicited, and recognizing gift card payment requests as scam indicators, particularly during high-risk periods like the holiday season. Prosecutors emphasized that while identity theft protection can help victims recover losses, fraud has broader economic consequences affecting banks and consumers through increased fees.
forbes.com
North Korean state-sponsored actors have infiltrated over 300 U.S. companies by posing as remote IT workers, with thousands believed involved in the operation directed at the highest levels of the North Korean regime. These fraudsters create fake identities using forged documents and stolen information, use VPNs to mask their locations, and once hired, redirect company laptops to offshore "laptop farms" where handlers provide remote access to North Korean hackers for theft, surveillance, and ransomware deployment. Organizations can mitigate risks through updated hiring policies, face-to-face verification when possible, and enhanced security protocols for remote workers.
americanbanker.com
A retired Navy commander in Virginia had his estate drained of $3.6 million through 74 wire transfers to Thailand while suffering from diminished mental capacity due to a stroke, with his bank failing to prevent the fraud despite an address as suspicious as "165 alley behind the old Phraya Karai Temple Wat." In a separate case, an 84-year-old Los Angeles man and his 76-year-old wife lost $18.5 million of $29.5 million moved from their accounts after scammers convinced them of a data breach, with Bank of America failing to flag the highly anomalous transactions. These cases highlight systemic vulnerabilities in bank oversight
wsbradio.com
A 78-year-old man in Peachtree City, Georgia lost approximately $500,000 to fraud after spending $32,900 on gift cards in three weeks, obtaining a $150,000 home equity line of credit, and sending wire transfers to scammers. The Peachtree City Police Department is investigating the case and highlights common elder fraud schemes including romance, tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, and family caregiver scams. Protective measures include establishing family passwords, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited contact, and never sharing personal information or funds with unverified sources.
cnet.com
Gift card fraud resulted in $54.4 million in losses during Q3 2024, with 11,743 incidents reported to the FTC, making vigilance especially important during the holiday shopping season. Common scams include thieves draining stolen or tampered physical cards before recipients use them, impersonating friends or family members via text or voice cloning to request emergency gift cards, purchasing fraudulent cards on resale sites, and fake prize schemes requiring gift cards as payment. To protect themselves, consumers should inspect physical cards for tampering, verify requests through direct contact, avoid discounted cards on auction sites, and remember that legitimate prizes never require advance payment.
highlandcountypress.com
Tanya Alahmad, 46, of Cleveland, was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay $46,064.30 in restitution after pleading guilty to mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. From November 2019 through February 2022, Alahmad befriended an elderly victim, forged their power of attorney signature, and used fraudulently obtained credit and debit cards along with unauthorized checks to steal over $46,000 from the victim's bank account, including while the victim was hospitalized. The case was prosecuted under the Elder Justice Initiative Program as part of the Department of Justice's efforts to combat financial frau
foxnews.com
In 2023, cyberscammers stole $477 million from veterans, military personnel, and their spouses—a $63 million increase from 2022—affecting 30,948 military members, according to FTC data. Common scams targeting this population include romance scams (the most prevalent, costing over $40 million in 2020), veterans' benefit scams offering fraudulent benefit increases, phishing emails impersonating government agencies or the IRS, and rental property scams. The article provides details on these five major scam types and advises military members to be cautious of unsolicited offers and suspicious communications requesting personal information or upfront
mcknightsseniorliving.com
From July 2023 to June 2024, the Department of Justice pursued over 300 enforcement actions against 700+ defendants who stole nearly $700 million from 225,000 elder fraud victims, while recovering $31 million and providing services to 230,000+ older adults. Investment scams caused the highest losses at $1.2 billion, followed by tech support scams ($590 million), business email compromise ($382 million), romance scams ($357 million), and government impersonation scams ($180 million), with the DOJ's National Elder Fraud Hotline receiving over 50,000 calls in the past year.
local.aarp.org
Family caregivers play a crucial role in protecting older adults from fraud, as seniors lose billions annually to scams including tech support, lottery, grandparent, investment, imposter, and romance schemes. AARP recommends caregivers maintain open communication with loved ones, educate them about common fraud tactics, establish protective financial measures, and monitor for signs of social isolation that increase scam vulnerability. Resources and guidance are available at www.aarp.org/fraud to help families prevent and respond to fraud targeting older adults.
publicnewsservice.org
Pennsylvania experienced over 3,000 scam victims in the past year with losses exceeding $118 million, according to FBI data. Fraudsters employed various tactics including fake charities exploiting weather disasters, AI-generated voice cloning to impersonate trusted individuals, and impostor schemes where criminals pose as bank employees to trick victims into moving their money. Older Americans reported losses exceeding $1.9 billion to fraud, though actual losses may reach $62 billion when accounting for unreported cases, and the Federal Trade Commission has implemented new impersonation rules to combat these crimes.
acamstoday.org
During the 2024 holiday season, scammers exploit increased shopping and financial transactions through six primary threats: phishing/smishing attacks impersonating banks and retailers, fake e-commerce sites and social media ads offering unrealistic deals, and charity scams mimicking legitimate nonprofits. Consumers are advised to verify sender authenticity, avoid clicking unsolicited links, research retailers thoroughly, and donate only through verified charity websites, while bank employees should monitor accounts for unusual activity and educate customers about legitimate communication practices.
tribuneindia.com
Fraudsters impersonating police officers are increasingly targeting citizens through calls and digital means, creating panic and extorting money by falsely claiming victims are implicated in criminal activities. Experts recommend multiple preventive measures including: enhanced public awareness about "digital arrest" scams (which are illegal), better police capacity building in cybercrime investigation, stricter sentencing laws, reporting suspicious calls to the national cyber crime helpline (1930), and collaboration between police and telecom providers to combat these scams.
jamaica-gleaner.com
This educational article outlines key strategies for protecting oneself from cyberscams, emphasizing the "three S's": stay suspicious, stop to think, and stay protected. Common scam tactics exploit fear, urgency, and money as bait, with particular vulnerability among seniors and isolated individuals through romance scams, job scams, robocalls, and impersonation schemes; experts recommend verifying contacts through official channels and using reverse-image searches to identify fake profiles.
legalserviceindia.com
India's Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has prohibited transactions through "mule accounts"—bank or brokerage accounts used to conceal the true identity of individuals conducting illegal financial activities such as market manipulation, insider trading, and money laundering. The regulatory action targets a growing threat to market integrity, as rising digital trading platforms have made it easier for criminals to create mule accounts using fake or stolen identities to artificially inflate or deflate stock prices and mislead investors. This 2024 amendment strengthens SEBI's enforcement framework to enhance transparency, accountability, and investor protection in Indian securities markets.
newslj.com
This article covers multiple current fraud and cybersecurity threats: Wyoming residents report receiving suspicious DocuSign phishing emails and fraudulent holiday sale emails (claiming 50% off heaters endorsed by Elon Musk) with spelling errors and fake purchase links. The FBI warns that hackers are bypassing two-factor authentication by exploiting website cookies after users click fraudulent links, while a new "Quishing" scam embeds malicious code in QR codes to direct victims to harmful sites. Post-election scams are also surging, including deepfake videos from foreign sources and phishing attempts disguised as election updates or donation requests, with experts advising users to verify sources
mynbc15.com
The Better Business Bureau is warning seniors about two prevalent scams: holiday shopping scams involving fraudulent package delivery texts (which should never be clicked) and Medicare enrollment scams where criminals steal seniors' Medicare numbers and make fraudulent claims. The BBB advises seniors to verify package issues directly with retailers and monitor Medicare statements for unauthorized services or equipment, and is hosting an educational event in Baldwin County to help prevent victimization.
sentinelandenterprise.com
This article contains two unrelated stories. The first discusses UMass Amherst researchers developing an inexpensive, portable device to detect PFAS (harmful "forever chemicals") in drinking water, reducing testing costs from millions to thousands of dollars. The second describes the arrest of two men accused of operating a grandparent scam courier network that collected approximately $230,000 from elderly victims across Massachusetts and Rhode Island by posing as family members in legal trouble.
lowellsun.com
This article contains two unrelated pieces: The first describes UMass Amherst researchers developing a cheaper, portable device to detect PFAS (toxic "forever chemicals") in water, reducing testing costs from millions to thousands of dollars. The second reports the arrest of two men, Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes, who allegedly served as couriers in grandparent scams targeting elderly victims across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, collecting approximately $230,000 from victims in over a dozen communities.
mychesco.com
Tashina Thompson, 29, of Philadelphia, was issued an arrest warrant for allegedly exploiting an elderly resident of East Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, where she worked as a home health caretaker from January to June 2024. Thompson faces charges including financial exploitation of an older adult, identity theft (25 counts), forgery (5 counts), and related fraud offenses; her current whereabouts are unknown. Police are seeking information on Thompson's location and urge anyone with tips to contact the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department.