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duanemorris.com
The IRS's annual 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list warns taxpayers about prevalent tax scams that use both sophisticated and simple social engineering tactics to steal sensitive financial information. The most common scams include phishing and smishing attacks (fake IRS emails and texts designed to trick people into sharing personal data) and social media tax scams promoting false credits and loopholes. The IRS emphasizes that awareness alone is insufficient—taxpayers must proactively protect themselves by verifying communications directly through official sources and consulting trusted tax professionals rather than relying on unsolicited messages or unverified social media advice.
billingsgazette.com
This article explains two types of online scams: catfishing and phishing. Catfishing involves creating fake online personas to deceive victims emotionally and financially, often starting as romance scams that lead to requests for money or gifts. Phishing attacks use fraudulent links, emails, and websites impersonating trusted organizations to steal personal information like passwords, bank details, and Social Security numbers for identity theft or financial exploitation.
bucks.crimewatchpa.com
This educational piece from a Bucks County Sheriff addresses the rising threat of fraud targeting seniors, particularly grandparent scams, government impersonation schemes, tech support fraud, romance scams, and phishing attacks. The article emphasizes that seniors are vulnerable targets and provides concrete prevention strategies including verifying contacts independently, protecting personal information, resisting pressure tactics, and reporting suspected fraud to local police. The key message is that protecting seniors from fraud is a community-wide responsibility requiring awareness and vigilance.
yahoo.com
Grandparent scams targeting seniors in Niagara County involve fraudsters posing as family members in distress and requesting money via gift cards or cash to avoid legal consequences; one local victim lost $24,000 after being told a family member was in jail. According to law enforcement, these scams are widespread across multiple states and increasingly use artificial intelligence to clone victims' voices, with perpetrators often operating from outside the region and employing local accomplices to collect payments. Sheriff officials recommend hanging up to verify claims directly with family members and note that legitimate law enforcement never requests gift cards or cash over the phone.
richmondobserver.com
Local law enforcement agencies in Hamlet, North Carolina are warning residents about persistent financial scams, including gift card scams, prize scams, and imposter schemes involving government agencies, tech support, and family members. One resident lost $16,000 in a relative-in-trouble scam in January 2024 when a suspect posing as the victim's grandson claimed to be in jail and arranged a cash pickup at a restaurant; the suspect, Bryan Buonjiovanni, 19, of Canada, was later arrested and charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. Police recommend residents verify requests through independent contact with family members, never purchase gift cards for payments, and create secret family passwords to prevent
kdhlradio.com
A Wisconsin resident was targeted by a scammer impersonating Geek Squad who claimed her computer was compromised and required remote access to fix it. After obtaining her banking information under the pretense of payment, the scammer falsely claimed to have deposited $10,000 into her account and instructed her to withdraw cash and send it via Bitcoin ATM. A vigilant grocery store manager intervened and prevented the transaction from completing.
yahoo.com
Scammers exploit psychological vulnerabilities and human behavior to deceive victims, using tactics like "spray and pray" messaging to catch people when distracted, tired, or stressed. The FTC received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, with research showing that nine in ten Americans have been targeted by fraud attempts, and cognitive impairment—whether temporary or chronic—significantly increases susceptibility to scams. Key protective insights include recognizing that truth bias makes people inherently inclined to believe what others tell them, and that remaining alert and verifying requests independently are essential defenses against fraud.
newscentermaine.com
Text message scams cost Americans over $330 million in 2022, with banking-related phishing messages being the most common type. Experts advise never clicking links or calling numbers in suspicious texts, instead independently verifying contact information with banks or organizations directly, and emphasize that banks never request personal information via text. Additional protective measures include using antivirus software on all devices, reporting suspicious messages to the FTC or FCC, and maintaining healthy skepticism toward unsolicited messages, particularly during tax season when scammers intensify their efforts.
tasteofcountry.com
A Texas woman in her 30s was catfished by a Morgan Wallen impersonator who posed as the country singer on Instagram, eventually convincing her to apply for a fake job with his charity where she provided sensitive personal information including her social security number and bank account details. The scammer then used her credentials to have her purchase high-dollar gift cards, resulting in over $18,000 in debt and fears of bankruptcy. The scam involved deepfake video technology and a fake staffing agency, demonstrating that romance scams targeting celebrities can affect people of all ages and technical backgrounds.
technode.global
Malaysia recorded 770 love scam cases in 2024, down from 935 in 2023, but financial losses increased to RM45.9 million (from RM43.9 million in 2023). Fraudsters are increasingly using AI-generated chatbots and deepfake technology to create convincing fake profiles and manipulate victims emotionally and financially. A global survey found that 61% of respondents worry about encountering bots on dating apps, with 21% experiencing phishing attempts, highlighting the need for stronger user verification systems on digital dating platforms.
daily-tribune.com
Data breaches and financial scams targeting seniors have reached all-time highs, with scammers exploiting seniors' perceived wealth, politeness from older generations, and limited technological skills to commit fraud. The article recommends protective measures including regularly reviewing credit reports from all three bureaus, placing credit freezes, seeking technology safety education, and screening phone calls from unknown numbers to reduce vulnerability to scams.
boredpanda.com
This article is a collection of various scam examples and general awareness advice rather than a single incident report. It showcases multiple types of fraud including restaurant billing schemes, GoFundMe donation fraud using deceased pets, charity scams involving emotional appeals (cancer), fake charity sales, and robocalls targeting business owners. The article highlights that scammers use psychological tactics such as professional language, appeals to trust, fear and urgency, and confusion to manipulate victims, and emphasizes the importance of verifying receipts, checking credentials, and remaining cautious even when feeling pressured.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Scammers impersonate law enforcement officials via phone calls, using spoofed numbers, fake police station backgrounds, and psychological manipulation tactics to convince victims they face arrest or legal penalties unless they immediately pay fines or verify financial information. The scam exploits fear and urgency to extract personal and financial data through untraceable payment methods, and notably affects educated and tech-savvy individuals who are caught off-guard by the perpetrators' sophisticated use of authority, firm tones, and high-pressure tactics. Investigators and psychologists attribute the scam's effectiveness to psychological exploitation rather than victim naiveté, as scammers deliberately create panic and confusion that prevents victims from
hackernoon.com
Gift card scams remain effective because victims are often pressured by scammers posing as authority figures (government agencies, employers, or tech companies) who create urgency and direct them to purchase cards as payment, exploiting victims' fear and trust in perceived authority. The scams succeed because gift cards are difficult to trace once redeemed, and many people—particularly older adults—are unfamiliar with how scammers exploit this payment method. Education about verification procedures and the fact that legitimate organizations never request payment via gift cards is essential to preventing these widespread frauds.
moneycheck.com
An Arizona federal judge ordered crypto platform Debiex to pay $2.5 million in damages after the CFTC proved it operated a "pig butchering" romance scam, in which staff members created fake romantic relationships with victims on social media to convince them to invest in fraudulent crypto trading. Five victims lost approximately $2.3 million total; the court also ruled against an accomplice "money mule" and ordered the transfer of nearly 63 ETH and $5.70 USDT from his wallet to a victim. The case demonstrates how scammers exploit trust-building tactics and cryptocurrency platforms to defraud vulnerable individuals.
mitrade.com
Malaysian authorities warned of a surge in cryptocurrency investment scams targeting professionals and seniors, with one 74-year-old victim's family losing tens of millions of ringgit to a fraudulent syndicate. Phone scams impersonating tax officers, banks, and law enforcement remain prevalent, often using AI and deepfake technology to appear legitimate and pressure victims into transferring funds to fake "safe accounts." Malaysian police arrested over 23,000 suspects in financial scams last year and are using AI and blockchain technology to combat these evolving threats.
livebitcoinnews.com
Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors in Malaysia have resulted in millions of ringgit in losses, with fraudsters impersonating government officials via fake phone calls to convince victims to transfer crypto funds and investments. A 74-year-old investor lost millions after falling victim to these schemes, which promise excessive profits but result in complete loss of deposited funds. Malaysian authorities warn that seniors aged 60 and above should exercise extreme caution with digital asset investments, as scammers increasingly use sophisticated phone tactics and impersonation to target older investors and professional workers.
nbcmontana.com
Montana State University graduate student Connor Green was inspired to create anti-fraud educational content after his grandfather received an AI-generated phone call impersonating Green's voice demanding $15,000. Green and fellow graduate students developed a presentation on common scams (family imitation, tech support, government impersonation, and phishing) that was so well-received at the Bozeman Senior Center that attendees extended it from 15 minutes to two hours with questions, leading to a second presentation to the MSU Alumni Foundation Retiree Association with 70 total attendees. The students emphasized the importance of the work given that seniors shared stories of losing thousands of dollars to scammers.
foxnews.com
Smishing—a phishing scam conducted via text messages—has become increasingly prevalent, with the FBI and multiple U.S. cities issuing warnings about fraudulent campaigns. Scammers impersonating government agencies (parking violations, road tolls) and delivery services have created over 10,000 fake websites to steal personal and financial information from both iPhone and Android users, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving over 2,000 complaints since March 2024. To protect yourself, verify unsolicited messages by contacting organizations directly rather than clicking links, use strong antivirus software, and manually type URLs into your browser instead of following message links.
cnbc.com
In 2024, consumers lost $5.7 billion to investment scams—the highest amount for any fraud type and a 24% increase from 2023—with the typical victim losing over $9,000, according to FTC data. Common schemes include "pig-butchering" scams where fraudsters build trust through relationships before pitching high-return investments in cryptocurrency, often using AI-generated deepfakes and operating from organized crime centers in Southeast Asia. Consumers can reduce their risk by being skeptical of pitches with urgency, unusual payment methods (especially cryptocurrency), and attempts to isolate them from telling others.
forbes.com
Tax season 2025 has become a prime target for AI-powered fraud, with cybercriminals using generative AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to create highly convincing phishing emails, fake IRS calls, and impersonations of tax professionals and agents. The IRS identified over $37 billion in tax and financial crimes in fiscal year 2023, with fake IRS calls using voice cloning jumping 150% in 2025, affecting individuals, small businesses, tax professionals, and large firms through personalized attacks that bypass traditional security defenses. Criminals are also creating synthetic identities to file fraudulent returns and claim illegitimate refunds, while deepfake videos
hackaday.com
A researcher analyzed romance scam emails using technical investigation methods, tracing stolen Facebook photos and fake profiles back to Russian-based scammers operating on monthly cycles. The scam targets vulnerable individuals by establishing fake romantic relationships and eventually requesting money transfers for fabricated emergencies or relocation assistance. The analysis revealed that while scammers use hacked email accounts and VPNs to hide their location, they often leave clues in image metadata and occasionally fail to activate VPN protection, underscoring that human awareness and critical thinking—rather than technological solutions—remain the most effective defenses against these schemes.
nbcnews.com
Chinese-speaking cybercriminals operating on Telegram are distributing phishing kits that enable widespread text message scams claiming victims owe unpaid tolls or E-ZPass fees, with links to fake payment websites designed to steal credit cards and personal information. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received over 60,000 reports of the scam, which rapidly escalated starting in early February as operators copy each other's tactics and target bulk datasets of hacked phone numbers. The scammers exploit the tactic's effectiveness by requesting small fees that appear reasonable, and victims' stolen information is used to compromise payment methods and digital wallets.
winknews.com
An elderly Cape Coral woman fell victim to a romance scam in which she unknowingly acted as a "money mule," depositing fraudulent checks sent by a man claiming to be "Jeff Baker" and transferring over $250,000 through a bank account he convinced her to open. Cape Coral police are pursuing civil forfeiture to recover the funds, and authorities believe the suspect operates from outside the United States and may have additional victims in the area. Experts warn that romance scams are rising and recommend never sending money or depositing checks for people met online, being skeptical of quickly escalating relationships, and maintaining open family discussions about online interactions.
e.vnexpress.net
A 32-year-old Vietnamese man lost approximately US$196,348 to a romance scam after meeting a woman claiming to be a Singapore-based fund manager on an investment forum. The scammer built trust through romantic attention and personal connection before introducing him to a fake high-return investment scheme that showed false profits, then disappeared when he attempted to withdraw funds. The victim's case illustrates how romance scammers use fabricated identities and emotional manipulation to overcome victims' financial judgment, and serves as a cautionary warning against sending money to online contacts never met in person.
mininggazette.com
The Michigan State Police urge residents to recognize and avoid common scams transmitted through phone calls, text messages, and social media, including romance scams that manipulate victims into sending money through fake emergencies, tech support scams offering fake virus solutions, and toll payment scams. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, artificial urgency, unusual payment demands (cryptocurrency or gift cards), and requests for personal or financial information. Authorities recommend trusting instincts, consulting trusted contacts or law enforcement if something seems suspicious, and not feeling ashamed to report suspected fraud.
americanbar.org
A retired teacher named Daniel was targeted by a scammer named Jim on an online investment forum who posed as a successful investor and offered mentorship on cryptocurrency investments, eventually convincing Daniel to invest substantial retirement savings in a fraudulent scheme promising guaranteed high returns before disappearing with all the funds. Research shows that older adults experiencing social isolation are more susceptible to such fraud due to alterations in cognitive decision-making and risk evaluation, and seniors lost over $240 million to imposter scams alone in 2022.
au.finance.yahoo.com
A 91-year-old Victorian woman lost $130,000 after receiving a phone call from a scammer impersonating her bank, who claimed fraudulent charges had occurred on her card and arranged to collect it in person. The scammer used the card over 130 times across multiple Melbourne locations over five days before it was cancelled. Bank impersonation scams have surged 25% in Australia's first nine months of 2024, with over 8,200 reports recorded, though the overall losses decreased to $9.35 million compared to $14.98 million the previous year.
ca.style.yahoo.com
Canadians lost $638 million to scams in 2024, with impersonation and investment fraud being the costliest types, as fraudsters increasingly use sophisticated technology including AI to create convincing deepfakes and pose as legitimate organizations or celebrities. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that while fewer cases were processed in 2024 compared to 2023, authorities estimate 90-95% of fraud cases go unreported, and recommend Canadians verify unexpected calls or messages and be aware of red flags such as requests for personal information or unsolicited payment demands. Key prevention strategies include trusting instincts, questioning suspicious communications, and educating seniors about evolving scam tactics.
me.ign.com
This article is about video game industry news, not elder fraud. It discusses rumors that Bethesda may announce and release a remake of The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion in April 2025, based on reports from gaming leakers and journalists. The article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.
aba.com
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postguam.com
Docomo Pacific issued a public warning about sophisticated AI-driven scam calls targeting elderly residents in Guam, prompted by an incident where the company's CEO's mother received a call from a scammer impersonating a federal agent demanding personal information and threatening home visits. The warning highlights how artificial intelligence now enables scammers to clone voices of family members and gather personal details from social media to pressure seniors into revealing information or sending money. The advisory recommends residents verify callers through trusted contacts, maintain skepticism of unexpected communications, and report suspected scams to the FCC.
cyberdaily.au
Australia's reported scam losses dropped 25.9% to $2 billion in 2024, with investment scams accounting for $945 million of losses, followed by romance, payment redirection, remote access, and phishing scams. However, experts warn the reported figures likely underrepresent the true impact, as many victims fail to report scams due to shame and embarrassment, with romance baiting scams being particularly devastating when combined with fake cryptocurrency platforms.
wxyz.com
Michigan residents and others nationwide have received phishing text messages falsely claiming unpaid toll bills from services like EZ Pass, with scammers using fake links and professional-looking payment pages to steal credit card information. The Better Business Bureau reported approximately 800 complaints about this scam in 2024, with scammers also impersonating the Michigan Department of Transportation despite Michigan having no toll roads; authorities warn that legitimate toll agencies never request payment via text message and advise victims to report such messages to the FTC or file complaints with state attorneys general.
wpsdlocal6.com
While younger adults (ages 20-30) are more than twice as likely to fall victim to scams than those over 60, older adults lose significantly more money per incident, accounting for approximately $61 billion of the estimated $158 billion in total consumer fraud losses last year. Scammers tailor their tactics by age group, targeting seniors with tech support and gift card scams while exploiting younger people through romance, shopping, employment, and sextortion schemes. The persistence of the misconception that older adults are the primary victims masks the reality that vulnerability to fraud affects all age groups, requiring vigilance across demographics.
law.georgia.gov
In 2024, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr's Consumer Protection Division secured nearly $80 million for Georgia taxpayers and consumers combined, including $3.3 million in restitution for nearly 500 older and disabled adults who were defrauded into purchasing unproven stem cell products. The division assisted over 26,755 consumers and conducted extensive education and outreach efforts, reaching more than 980,000 people through speaking engagements, webinars, and educational resources to help Georgians recognize and avoid scams and fraud.
dorsetecho.co.uk
Dorset Police have issued guidance on romance fraud and dating scams, which involve criminals building trust with victims over time to manipulate them into sending money through emotional appeals (such as claims of medical emergencies or travel costs). Officers conduct safeguarding visits to fraud victims to prevent repeat victimization, and police emphasize that scammers deliberately target vulnerable individuals using manipulative language to exploit them.
barchart.com
Online dating platforms face escalating risks from AI-driven romance scams and deepfake deception, with over half of online daters reporting being scammed or pressured to send money, and celebrity impersonation scams averaging nearly $2,000 in losses. LatamDate.com recommends safety practices including keeping conversations on-platform, using video verification features early, protecting personal information, and avoiding financial transactions in favor of secure in-app gifting features to help users distinguish authentic connections from sophisticated digital fraud.
education.economictimes.indiatimes.com
This educational article provides women with ten cybersecurity tips to protect themselves against digital scams, including avoiding fraudulent job offers, being cautious on social media, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, recognizing phishing attempts, avoiding romance scams, securing devices with passwords, and shopping safely online. The piece emphasizes that women across all professions—from homemakers to CEOs—face sophisticated digital threats and that digital vigilance, not just tech-savviness, is essential to safely navigate the online world.
securityweek.com
In 2024, consumers filed 2.6 million fraud reports totaling over $12.5 billion in losses—a $2 billion increase from 2023—with investment scams ($5.7 billion) and imposter scams like romance and government fraud ($2.95 billion) being the largest loss categories, according to FTC data. The majority of scammers contacted victims via email, followed by phone calls and text messages, while bank transfers and cryptocurrency were the most common payment methods used in fraudulent transactions. The FTC is actively pursuing enforcement actions and refunding victims, including sending over 736,000 PayPal payments to consumers scammed by computer repair service companies.
luxtimes.lu
This is an educational piece providing advice on protecting oneself from online scams. The expert outlines common scam types—including phishing emails, fake websites, investment schemes, romance scams, tech support scams, lottery scams, and job scams—and recommends protective practices such as being cautious with personal information, verifying requests directly with service providers, using strong passwords, and remaining skeptical of unexpected messages. The key message is that staying informed and vigilant about evolving fraud tactics significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to online fraud.
news24.com
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are surprisingly twice as likely to fall victim to online scams, phishing, and social media account hacks compared to baby boomers, despite being digital natives. In the workplace, younger employees prioritize cybersecurity on personal devices over work-issued ones, creating organizational vulnerabilities, while older workers demonstrate greater caution and compliance with security protocols. The research suggests that younger generations' overconfidence in their digital skills and comfort with online sharing leaves them more exposed to cyber threats than older, more security-conscious populations.
aarp.org
In 2024, older adults lost a record $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25 percent increase from 2023—with adults in their 70s reporting median losses of $1,000 compared to $417 for those in their 20s. The most common scams were imposter schemes (particularly government impostors, which surged from $171 million to $789 million), followed by online shopping, job opportunity, and investment scams, with investment fraud being the most lucrative for criminals at $5.7 billion in reported losses. The FTC notes that fraud's impact on older adults is often catastrophic, affecting retirement security and forcing
theregister.com
The FTC is distributing $25.5 million in refunds to consumers defrauded by Cyprus-based tech support scam companies Restoro and Reimage, which used fake malware warnings and scare tactics to trick victims into paying for unnecessary computer repairs, with payments averaging $34 per person among 736,375 victims. The companies agreed to a $26 million settlement and were barred from future misrepresentation, with the scam particularly targeting older consumers who lost between $27 and $58 per initial transaction, and sometimes significantly more through follow-up exploitation attempts.
cityofmentor.com
Mentor detectives report scams targeting seniors are at an all-time high, with 2-3 reports weekly in their city alone, though an estimated 87% of cases go unreported due to embarrassment. Recent local cases include a woman who lost $660,000 to a cryptocurrency scam initiated by a "wrong-number" text and a couple who lost $45,000 after clicking a malicious pop-up and speaking with an impostor bank officer. The article advises seniors to avoid unknown callers, never click suspicious links, verify requests through official channels, refuse gift card or cryptocurrency payments, guard personal information, and report incidents immediately to police to maximize recovery chances.
pcmag.com
Restoro and Reimage will pay $25.5 million to settle FTC claims that they defrauded over 736,000 consumers, particularly older adults, by using fake antivirus pop-up alerts to trick users into purchasing unnecessary computer repair services costing up to $499. The companies have been prohibited from future deceptive practices, and affected consumers will receive PayPal refunds averaging $21, with payments scheduled for March 13-14.
thecitizen.com
An 82-year-old woman named Julie from Fayette County was scammed out of approximately $270,000 after receiving calls from people impersonating her bank who claimed there was an insider threat and convinced her to secretly withdraw funds via cashier's checks sent to multiple domestic addresses. Unlike many fraud cases where money is quickly converted to cryptocurrency and lost overseas, this case had a rare positive outcome: a UPS worker recognized one of the destination addresses in Waco, Texas as flagged by law enforcement, leading to the interception of the checks and recovery of all stolen funds. The article introduces an ongoing series about local scams and emphasizes that financial fraud is the most common and financially devastating crime affecting
uk.pcmag.com
Restoro and Reimage will pay $25.5 million to settle FTC charges that they defrauded over 736,000 consumers, particularly older adults, through fake antivirus pop-up ads and misleading telemarketing that falsely claimed computers had viruses and sold repair plans costing up to $499. The FTC will distribute refunds via PayPal starting March 13, with eligible consumers receiving a median refund of $21. As part of the settlement, both companies are prohibited from future deceptive marketing practices and their websites have been shut down.
forbes.com
Scammers are using fake Docusign accounts to send phishing emails impersonating PayPal, leveraging Docusign's legitimate infrastructure to bypass email security filters. The attack uses red flags including fake Gmail sender addresses, non-existent recipient addresses, and documents that don't require signatures—users can verify legitimacy by visiting Docusign.com directly and using the document security code provided in suspicious emails. PayPal and security researchers recommend customers remain vigilant, check accounts directly rather than through email links, and report suspicious activity.
ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission is distributing $25.5 million in refunds to consumers deceived by Restoro Cyprus Limited and Reimage Cyprus Limited, two tech support companies that used deceptive marketing tactics to trick people into purchasing unnecessary computer repair services. The settlement, finalized in March 2024, resulted in 736,375 PayPal payments being sent to eligible consumers, with recipients required to redeem payments within 30 days and warned not to provide personal information or pay money to claim their refunds.