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nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 level—according to the Federal Trade Commission. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering commission-based tasks like rating videos or liking images; victims see fake earnings accumulate in an app before being asked to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw funds they never actually earned. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the workforce, people re-entering employment, and immigrants, with only about 5% of victims reporting their losses to authorities.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting work-seekers, particularly through text or WhatsApp messages promising easy online tasks like "product boosting," have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020. Scammers build trust before directing victims to deposit money (often cryptocurrency) to access fake earnings that appear in apps, resulting in complete financial loss. The scams disproportionately target job-seekers new to the market, homemakers re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, exploiting economic vulnerability through offers of remote work with no interviews and immediate start dates.
mainlinemedianews.com
· 2025-12-08
Con artists continuously develop new scams targeting seniors, with recent tactics including AI-based fraud, unpaid toll/fine texts, investment schemes, and romance scams, while older methods like the grandparent scam remain prevalent. One in ten older adults in the U.S. experience financial exploitation annually, losing billions in retirement savings, prompting support for the bipartisan Senior Security Act of 2025. Experts advise seniors to never share information via unsolicited calls or texts, verify requests independently through official channels, and remain skeptical of requests that seem too good to be true or create urgency through fear.
amityvillerecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with the percentage of victims who lost money jumping from 27% to 38% according to FTC data. While seniors are frequently targeted through "elder fraud," financial scams affect consumers of all ages across the internet and smartphone platforms. The FTC recommends verifying requests before sharing money or personal information, avoiding wire transfers and unsolicited payments, using credit cards for stronger fraud protection, and never trusting unverified caller IDs or sharing sensitive information in response to unexpected contact.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 total—according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers typically contact victims via text or WhatsApp, build trust, and eventually ask for cryptocurrency deposits to complete fake "tasks" like rating videos or liking products, after which victims lose their real money while the promised earnings never materialize. The scams primarily target vulnerable populations including new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, and the FTC advises ignoring unsolicited job messages and never paying money upfront to secure employment.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 losses—according to the FTC. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering "product boosting" or task-based work that displays fake earnings until victims are pressured to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw non-existent profits. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the market, re-entering workers, and immigrants, and the FTC advises never paying upfront for work and ignoring unsolicited job offers via text.
dnronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams exploit trust and fear through phishing, vishing, quishing, and tech support schemes, increasingly using AI to create realistic fraudulent communications that pressure victims into quick decisions. Phishing scams trick users into revealing passwords and financial data through fake emails and websites, while tech support scams use scare tactics and remote access requests to steal information and install malware. Protection requires skepticism toward unsolicited contact, verification of sender identities through official channels, multi-factor authentication, and awareness that legitimate companies never request sensitive information via email or unsolicited calls.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 amount. Scammers use personalized texts or WhatsApp messages to build trust with job-seekers before directing them to fake platforms where they display fake earnings and demand deposits in cryptocurrency to withdraw non-existent pay. Vulnerable targets include new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, and the FTC advises ignoring unsolicited job offers, never paying to get paid, and being skeptical of positions that promise payment for rating or liking content online.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Microsoft 365 and Outlook users are being targeted by a phishing scam that injects fake billing alerts directly into calendars via meeting invites, bypassing traditional email filters. The scam uses official-looking payment failure or account suspension notices, sometimes with malicious attachments, and exploits default calendar settings to appear without user interaction, creating urgency and panic. Users should avoid interacting with suspicious calendar events and verify their subscription status independently rather than responding to or deleting invites, as these actions may confirm their email is active to scammers.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP and the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation are offering free educational webinars throughout August designed to teach consumers how to recognize and prevent common scams targeting older adults, including tech support scams, identity theft, imposter fraud, and financial abuse. The sessions provide expert guidance on spotting warning signs and protecting personal information and finances.
hospicenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Five California hospice operators pleaded guilty to defrauding Medicare of approximately $16 million by operating sham hospice companies, misusing deceased doctors' identities, and using foreign nationals' personal information to submit false claims. The scheme involved healthcare fraud, identity theft, and money laundering, with defendants spending fraudulently obtained funds on real estate and vehicles; sentences ranged from 10-12 years in prison, with additional penalties including potential deportation.
inquirer.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020. These scams typically begin with personalized texts or WhatsApp messages offering easy remote work (such as liking videos or rating products), display fake earnings on platforms, and ultimately ask victims to deposit their own money in cryptocurrency before disappearing with the funds. Job-seekers new to the workforce, career re-entrants, and immigrants are particularly vulnerable, and experts advise rejecting unsolicited job offers, never paying upfront fees, and being skeptical of positions requiring online ratings without legitimate product use.
consumerbankers.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumer Bankers Association Vice President Brian Fritzsche argues that while banks invest in fraud prevention technologies and coordinate with law enforcement, combating financial fraud and scams requires a broader, coordinated national response involving government agencies, telecommunications providers, social media platforms, and fintech companies. Fritzsche emphasizes that modern fraud schemes are sophisticated criminal enterprises using AI voice cloning, phishing emails, and social media manipulation that extend beyond traditional banking channels, affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans annually with significant financial and psychological impacts, including reported suicidal ideation among identity crime victims.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
Three major U.S. banks—Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America—denied reimbursement claims from customers who lost funds to sophisticated scams, including impersonation fraud ($20,000), phishing and malware attacks, and a taxi fraud scheme ($450). The cases highlight gaps in fraud prevention and reimbursement policies, as banks rely on transaction verification methods that scammers increasingly bypass through social engineering and malware, leaving victims with limited recourse despite clear evidence of fraud.
news.sky.com
· 2025-12-08
Children as young as seven are being referred to Britain's cyber crime intervention program, with an average referral age of just 15, as young hackers steal millions from major UK companies. Former cybercriminals Ricky Handschumacher and Joseph Harris—who each served prison sentences for stealing millions in cryptocurrency—warn that teenagers are increasingly exploiting gaming platforms and social engineering tactics to commit cyber attacks, with gaming being a major pathway into crime for vulnerable youth. Insurance payouts to hacked UK businesses have increased 230%, with teenagers and young adults suspected in major attacks on companies including Marks & Spencer (£136m loss), Co-op (6.5 million customer records stolen),
observer.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Fraud has evolved from rare, high-profile crimes into a pervasive problem affecting all age groups, with the UK experiencing 4.1 million fraud incidents in the year ending 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year—and identity fraud alone costing the nation approximately £1.8 billion annually. Contrary to stereotypes, younger people (18-24) are slightly more vulnerable than seniors, likely due to greater online activity, though common fraud types now include identity theft, purchase scams, authorized push payments, and romance scams. Modern criminals exploit technological advantages including malware, cryptocurrencies, AI deepfakes, and organized "scam factories" operating
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, military consumers filed over 200,000 scam reports with the FTC, with 31,833 reporting financial losses totaling $584 million (median loss of $700). Scammers target servicemembers, retirees, and their families through two main housing scams: home loan fraud (impersonating VA officials to demand immediate payment or property transfers) and rental housing fraud (advertising fake properties with military discounts to collect deposits before renters discover the fraud). Consumers are advised to verify all housing-related requests through official channels, avoid unrealistic discounts, tour properties in person, and use legitimate military housing resources like Military By Owner and Homes.mil.
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting work-seekers have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020—according to the FTC. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages from fake recruiters offering easy online tasks (like liking videos or rating images) that promise commissions; victims are shown fake earnings tallies before being asked to deposit their own money in cryptocurrency to withdraw their nonexistent pay. The scammers disproportionately target vulnerable populations including new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, exploiting economic uncertainty and the appeal of remote work
cyprus-mail.com
· 2025-12-08
Since early 2025, Cyprus has experienced a surge in cyber fraud cases, including a Limassol man who lost €56,283 to a cryptocurrency investment scam and a 55-year-old woman who lost €230 to a phishing email impersonating Etsy. Scammers employ sophisticated tactics such as impersonating government officials, creating fake websites, and using urgent messaging with links to fraudulent sites, while exact figures on total reported scams remain unavailable from police. Experts advise the public to recognize warning signs including urgency, spelling errors, requests for personal information, and unfamiliar senders, though vigilance alone provides only partial protection against increasingly professional frau
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reflects on how scams have evolved over the past 20 years, using a 2006 book called "Scamorama" as a reference point. The classic Nigerian 419 scam—featuring poorly written letters promising large sums of money in exchange for small fees—was relatively easy to identify and became the subject of "scam baiting," where victims would intentionally waste scammers' time with absurd requests. Today's scams are far more sophisticated, utilizing artificial intelligence to eliminate grammatical errors and leveraging modern technologies like text messaging, social media, and cryptocurrency, making them significantly more difficult to detect and more effective at defrauding victims.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers uncovered a large-scale international investment scam operation using 17,000 fake news websites impersonating major outlets like CNN, BBC, and ABC News across 50 countries, with the US being the primary target. The scam operates by buying social media ads featuring local celebrities, directing users to counterfeit news sites that promote fake investment platforms (such as Eclipse Earn and Solara Vynex), collecting personal information, and pressuring victims to deposit money that appears to grow on fraudulent trading platforms before disappearing along with the "friendly advisor" when victims attempt withdrawal. Key protective measures include verifying platform legitimacy through official regulators, avoiding unsolicited links, checking for red flags like
staysafeonline.org
· 2025-12-08
Smishing is a text message-based scam where cybercriminals impersonate banks, delivery services, government agencies, or other trusted entities to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, sharing personal information, or downloading malware. Common smishing tactics include fake delivery updates, account alerts, prize giveaways, government impersonations, and job offers that create artificial urgency to bypass critical thinking. To avoid smishing scams, recipients should pause before clicking unfamiliar links, verify unexpected messages directly with the claimed sender, and look for suspicious domain names or grammatical errors in the text.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated fraudsters in Kerala are targeting elderly pensioners through phone scams impersonating government officials, using stolen personal data (pension details, Aadhaar numbers, nominee information) to build trust before requesting OTPs to access bank accounts. Kerala's Cyber Operations Division reports 2,000-2,500 daily fraud complaints with approximately 125 resulting in cases, causing an estimated loss of ₹1-1.5 crore daily, though 90% of losses are under ₹1 lakh per victim. The Pension Directorate has warned pensioners that legitimate government officials never contact them by phone or online to update life certificates, and victims should report frau
prweb.com
· 2025-12-08
A July 2025 survey of 2,034 U.S. adults found that 39% have received fake job offer texts, with 14% engaging with the scams—particularly younger men, among whom up to 31% of millennials interacted with fraudulent offers. Of those who engaged, victims lost money through direct payments to scammers (22%), unauthorized bank or credit card charges (30%), or by sharing personal information leading to identity theft (29%), with 12% losing over $1,000 each. The scams have created widespread distrust, causing 45% of recipients to become skeptical of recruiter outreach and 25% to delay responding to legitimate job
lgbtqnation.com
· 2025-12-08
In June, former congressman George Santos and Rep. Eric Burlison fell victim to an identity theft scam when an imposter using an outdated number posing as Rep. Rick Crawford contacted them via Telegram, claiming to offer Santos a "coordinator" position with the First Lady. Santos downloaded a suspicious app and shared a PIN with the imposter before realizing the deception and ending contact, though he reported no information was compromised. This incident is part of a growing trend of scammers using AI-generated messages to target government officials, and Santos has previously been targeted by another scammer who fraudulently claimed to have connections with prosecutors and judges.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece advises military servicemembers, who frequently relocate, on protecting their personal information from identity theft and fraud during moves. Key protective measures include enabling automatic software updates, securely storing sensitive documents, avoiding unnecessary sharing of Social Security numbers, freezing credit, monitoring financial accounts while traveling, and regularly reviewing credit reports for unauthorized activity. The guidance emphasizes using resources like the active duty fraud alert, free credit monitoring, and IdentityTheft.gov for those who suspect identity theft.
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection warns that the military community lost $584 million to fraud in 2024 across 99,443 reported incidents, with service members, veterans, and their families targeted at higher rates than the general population due to their steady income, benefits, and frequent relocation. Common scams include imposter fraud, online shopping scams, and investment-related schemes, though protection strategies such as placing "Active-Duty Alerts" on credit reports, using free FTC credit monitoring, and researching purchases before completing transactions can reduce vulnerability.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tucoemas Federal Credit Union partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to protect its older members and their families from fraud and scams through real-time transaction monitoring, credit activity alerts, and suspicious message analysis, backed by $1M in identity theft insurance. The partnership complements Tucoemas' existing PrimeTimers program for older adults and reflects the credit union's commitment to serving its growing population of members over 65 in California.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
The IRS and Security Summit partners warn tax professionals about evolving phishing and data theft schemes, including spear phishing, clone phishing, whaling, and "new client" scams designed to steal sensitive taxpayer information. Tax pros should be alert for warning signs such as unexpected emails from trusted sources, duplicate messages with new attachments, urgent pressure tactics, and slightly misspelled email addresses or URLs. The guidance is part of the second installment of a five-part summer educational series aimed at protecting the tax system and taxpayers from identity theft and fraud.
it.ucsf.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns students, faculty, and staff about the surge in cyber scams during the back-to-school season, including scholarship fraud, fake tuition processors, IRS impersonation, phishing emails, and fake login pages. The piece provides protective measures such as skepticism toward unsolicited messages, strong password practices, multi-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious emails through institutional channels. The article emphasizes that heightened vigilance is needed during this period when hackers exploit academic community confusion, particularly around student debt relief issues.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas ranks second nationally for internet crime losses, with residents experiencing $1.35 billion in losses in 2024—a $328 million increase from the previous year, according to the FBI. People over 60 experienced the highest financial losses, while Hispanic and Black communities are particularly vulnerable to targeted scams such as family impersonation, phishing, and fraudulent investment schemes. The article provides guidance on recognizing scams (offers that seem too good to be true, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unusual payment methods) and prevention strategies (verifying identities through official channels, using strong passwords, registering with the Do Not Call Registry, and limiting personal information shared online).
calgary.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old Quebec man was charged with fraud, money laundering, and identity theft after defrauding a Calgary senior of over $300,000 in a cryptocurrency scam. Beginning in June 2022, the suspect impersonated the victim's grandson claiming legal trouble, then posed as a lawyer directing her to make daily bitcoin ATM deposits for fake bail and legal fees over six weeks. Calgary police executed a search warrant in the Montreal area and arrested the suspect, who will appear in court in August.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired US Army lieutenant colonel pleaded guilty to sharing classified military information with someone posing as a Ukrainian woman on a foreign dating site in 2022, in what appears to be a romance scam. The 64-year-old Franklin David Slater, who worked as a civilian contractor for US Strategic Command, disclosed defense secrets regarding military targets and Russia's capabilities after being emotionally manipulated by the scammer, who called him her "secret agent" and asked leading questions about NATO plans. Slater faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, highlighting how romance-based social engineering can exploit emotional vulnerabilities regardless of professional experience or security clearance.
bpi.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud—a 25 percent increase from the prior year—with phone/text scams accounting for $1.5 billion and social media scams for $1.9 billion in losses. Criminals use AI, spoofed calls, and hijacked social media accounts to target victims, with operations often based in Southeast Asia, while telecom and tech companies have financial incentives to monetize rather than prevent fraud. Banks and regulators are calling for stricter collaboration and regulation among tech giants and telecom providers to proactively combat scams at their source.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Quebec man was charged with defrauding a Calgary senior of over $300,000 in a grandparent scam that occurred over six weeks in June 2022, in which he impersonated her grandson claiming to need bail money and then posed as a lawyer directing her to make over 300 cryptocurrency deposits. Jeremy Rattray, 34, faces charges of identity theft, fraud over $5,000, and money laundering, and the victim's funds have not been recovered. Calgary police warn seniors to hang up on callers requesting money transfers and note that legitimate officers will never ask for cryptocurrency or gift cards as part of an investigation.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" (QR code phishing) is an emerging scam where fraudsters place fake QR codes on public surfaces like parking meters, signs, and emails to direct unsuspecting users to malicious websites that steal personal information or money. While QR code fraud remains relatively uncommon in Canada with only 10 reported cases since 2024, experts warn the threat is growing as QR code usage becomes ubiquitous and users scan them without verifying their source. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of QR codes before scanning, check URLs before entering personal information, and use security tools to scan codes safely.
imperialbeachnewsca.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman was targeted by the "California Efficiency Group" (CEG), a fake home service company that used social engineering tactics—including a rigged water test and false health claims—to gain access to her home and pressure her into replacing her functioning water filtration system with a cheap substitute for $48 monthly payments. The scam was interrupted before she signed paperwork, but the scammers photographed her driver's license, likely for identity fraud or unauthorized billing purposes. The case highlights how seniors are vulnerable to manipulation through false authority and emotional appeals regarding health and safety concerns.
mycomoxvalleynow.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 70s lost $1,300 to an identity theft scam after receiving a call from someone posing as her bank, who instructed her from depositing cash into a Bitcoin ATM to "protect" her funds; an alert store employee intervened and prevented the victim from depositing an additional $3,700. The Comox Valley RCMP warns that cryptocurrency machines are never used by legitimate financial institutions, and that scammers create urgency by falsely claiming identity theft or account compromise to manipulate victims into irreversible transactions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 42-year-old Chinese national, Zhigang Lian, was indicted for allegedly orchestrating an imposter scam that defrauded a 76-year-old Belleville, Illinois resident of over $70,000. The scheme began with a fake Apple text message, then escalated when scammers posing as federal agents convinced the victim their identity had been stolen and they needed to withdraw all their bank funds for protection; the victim handed over $25,000 on June 17 and $45,000 on July 1 before Lian's arrest by Illinois State Police. Lian faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud, each carrying
intelligentcio.com
· 2025-12-08
Tucoemas Federal Credit Union partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to provide real-time fraud detection and elder exploitation prevention for its older members and their families. The partnership enhances Tucoemas' existing PrimeTimers program by offering suspicious transaction monitoring, credit activity alerts, a secure document vault, scam analysis tools, and $1 million in identity theft insurance to help protect against the growing threat of elder financial abuse. This initiative reflects Tucoemas' commitment to serving California's rapidly growing population of adults over 65 with proactive financial security and family involvement in fraud prevention.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The DVLA warned drivers not to share photos of their V5C vehicle logbooks on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use the personal information contained in these documents (such as registered keeper addresses and reference numbers) for identity theft. The alert emphasized that drivers should avoid sharing private information online and report suspicious communications to Action Fraud or Police Scotland, with additional guidance provided for those who have already compromised their details, including notifying their banks and changing passwords. The warning was part of a broader government effort to alert the public about various online scams, including a separate bogus "Energy Support Scheme" text message scam from the Department for Work and Pensions.
championnewspapers.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a community events announcement for Chino Hills, California. The most relevant item to elder fraud awareness is the Chino Hills 55+ Club's 12th anniversary meeting on July 25, which will feature a guest speaker who is an identity theft victim discussing her experiences with elder identity fraud, along with social activities and field trip planning.
thebaynet.com
· 2025-12-08
Government impersonation scams targeting older adults in Maryland have surged, with fraudsters posing as federal agents and law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring funds via untraceable methods like gold bars, gift cards, and cryptocurrency. Montgomery County alone reported over $5 million in gold-related scam losses in the past year, including a Bethesda woman who lost $1.1 million and a man sentenced to 6.5 years in prison for collecting nearly $800,000 in gold bars. The FTC warns that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or ask people to buy gold, and urges victims to hang up, report incidents at ReportFraud.ftc
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Older Canadians should keep five types of information private to protect themselves from fraud and financial exploitation: financial details, passwords and sensitive login credentials, power of attorney arrangements, and estate plans. Seniors are prime fraud targets, losing over $180 million to scams in Canada in 2024, partly because they have a median household net worth of $1.1 million—significantly higher than other age groups. The article advises sharing such sensitive information only with trusted professionals and emphasizes working with qualified attorneys to limit misuse of legal documents like powers of attorney.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Toll road scams have proliferated across the US over the last 18 months, with fraudsters sending phishing emails and text messages impersonating legitimate toll agencies like E-ZPass and FasTrak to trick drivers into paying fake fees through fraudulent websites that harvest personal and financial information. These schemes exploit urgency and fear of fines to prompt immediate action, and victims' compromised data may be used for identity theft or sold on the dark web. The best defense is to avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify toll charges through official channels, and report suspicious messages to authorities.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams exploit emotional vulnerability and trust, with the FTC reporting at least 70,000 cases annually resulting in approximately $1.3 billion in losses. Common tactics include catfishing (using fake profiles and personas), military impersonation scams, oil rig worker schemes, and sugar daddy/mama cons—all designed to build trust before requesting money or sensitive information from victims. The article provides educational guidance on recognizing these scam variations to help people protect themselves when online dating.
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational/advocacy piece rather than a news report of a specific scam. The Pennsylvania Shapiro Administration highlights rising financial fraud threats including email, text, phone, and AI-generated deepfake scams targeting Pennsylvanians, and details new protections including criminal penalties for AI-generated fraud schemes and virtual currency transfer regulations. In 2024, state agencies processed 27,000 complaints and returned over $22 million to consumers, with resources available through 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are frequent targets of relay attacks and phishing scams, particularly those impersonating Google/Gmail. Scammers send sophisticated fake emails appearing to be from Google, using stolen logos and bypassing spam filters to trick users into clicking malicious links and entering login credentials, thereby gaining unauthorized access to Gmail accounts, Google Drive, and connected apps. To protect themselves, seniors should verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, watch for misspellings or unusual characters, independently authenticate requests for personal information, and remember that legitimate companies like Google never ask users to provide sensitive account details via email.
blog.knowbe4.com
· 2025-12-08
A Resume.org report found that 14% of people targeted by job scams via text fell victim, with younger demographics—particularly Gen Z and millennial men (20-31% victimization rates)—significantly more vulnerable than older adults (4% for Baby Boomers). Victims lost between $100-$500 in most cases, with 48% sharing personal information and 84% paying upfront fees; younger workers' financial pressures and lack of experience recognizing red flags make them susceptible to these fraudulent job offers.
kesq.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams exploit victims' emotional vulnerability, with the FTC reporting at least 70,000 cases annually resulting in approximately $1.3 billion in losses. Common types include catfishing schemes using fake profiles, military impersonation scams that justify avoiding in-person meetings, oil rig worker scams that request money for travel or medical expenses, and sugar daddy/mama schemes that solicit intimate photos for blackmail purposes. The article advises potential online daters to conduct background checks and remain vigilant about suspicious requests for money or personal information from new romantic contacts.