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mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending text messages impersonating toll service agencies like E-ZPass, FasTrak, and regional DMV offices, claiming recipients have unpaid tolls and threatening consequences to create urgency and pressure them to click malicious links. The scam has spread across the U.S., prompting warnings from multiple state governors and agencies, with messages originating from suspicious phone numbers or email addresses and redirecting to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information. Recipients should never click links in these messages, report them as junk, and contact their local tolling agency directly if they have concerns about legitimate unpaid tolls.
nbcnewyork.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It appears to be a promotional piece about consumer reporter Lynda Baquero and her commitment to responding to consumer inquiries. It contains no information about fraud, scams, elder abuse, or consumer harm that would be relevant to the Elderus database.
wiscassetnewspaper.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses of $452,356 to local residents, with romance and family emergency scams accounting for the highest losses at $222,780, followed by technical support scams at $94,300 and cryptocurrency fraud at $55,000. Detective Jared Mitkus reported a recent spike in grandparent/bail scams (March 2025), including two cases where victims lost $63,000 total to couriers collecting cash at their homes, and emphasized that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement never collect bail payments in person. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency calls by directly contacting the family member
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses totaling $452,356 for local residents, with romance and family emergency scams causing the highest losses ($222,780), followed by technical support scams ($94,300) and cryptocurrency fraud ($55,000). The office is seeing a recent spike in grandparent and bail scams, including cases where scammers sent couriers to victims' homes to collect cash in person, with two separate victims losing $63,000 combined in the first quarter of 2025. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency claims by calling the person directly and to be aware that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement will never
bitcoinke.io
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised alarm over a surge in "cyber slavery" and organized scam operations targeting vulnerable Nigerian youth, particularly those lured abroad with false job promises in crypto-related fields. Perpetrators force victims into "419 cyber-scam factories" where they conduct mass fraudulent communications under coercive conditions targeting international victims. Recent enforcement actions include the EFCC's arrest of 792 individuals in December 2024 (including 148 Chinese nationals training Nigerian accomplices in romance and investment scams) and an ongoing investigation into the CBEX crypto platform collapse affecting users across multiple African countries.
kesq.com
· 2025-12-08
The Palm Springs Police Department is warning seniors in the Coachella Valley about increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting older adults through phone calls, emails, text messages, and QR codes to steal personal and financial information. The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert is combating these scams by offering weekly "Teach Tech" classes that educate seniors on how to identify and avoid common fraud tactics, and is seeking volunteers to expand these educational programs to meet growing demand.
columbiamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this content. The article appears to be a local community magazine webpage containing directory listings, advertisements, and a brief reader letter rather than a substantive news article about fraud. While reader Vicky Pike mentions receiving a scam text message and expresses concern about seniors being targeted, no specific details about the scam itself, affected individuals, dollar amounts, or outcomes are provided in the text presented.
hercampus.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a first-person account from a college student describing her experience with a suspected fraudulent internship opportunity, not a completed elder fraud case. The student was recruited via LinkedIn by a marketing firm with vague credentials, red flags including a LinkedIn profile with no members and communication via text rather than email, and was invited to multiple interview rounds. While the article does not detail financial losses or confirm the scam was completed, it serves as a cautionary tale about job recruitment fraud targeting vulnerable populations—in this case, desperate job-seeking students rather than elders.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
Immigration attorney Alma Rosa Nieto warned her 200,000+ Instagram followers that scammers have been using her photos and impersonating her to target undocumented immigrants online. One victim, Cecilia, was scammed out of $2,500 after a fake Nieto page convinced her to send payments via Zelle for immigration case assistance. Nieto advises the public to call her office directly to verify any communications and notes that her legitimate office never requests Zelle payments.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Barbara Trickle, 80, of Las Vegas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a prize notice scam from 2012 to February 2018 that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly, of over $15 million. Trickle and her co-conspirators mailed fraudulent notices claiming victims had won cash prizes and would receive them upon paying $20-$50 fees; victims instead received worthless reports or trinkets and were subsequently inundated with additional fraudulent mailings. The scheme was shut down following a U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigation and court order.
theapopkavoice.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elder fraud caused more than $3.4 billion in losses nationwide, with the average victim losing nearly $34,000 to scams including tech support schemes, phishing, and fake shopping websites. The Senior Resource Alliance is donating 5,000 downloads of the CyberFence cybersecurity app to Central Florida seniors in 2025 to help protect vulnerable older adults from digital threats while using online services like telehealth and virtual communication.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP educational article provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding common scams targeting consumers. Key fraud tactics covered include sweepstakes scams requiring upfront payment or personal information, fake checks used to exploit processing delays, fake QR codes directing victims to phishing sites, and cybercriminals stealing personal data. The article recommends protective measures such as creating strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping software updated, pausing before responding to urgent communications, and verifying checks through banks before acting on funds.
fox9.com
· 2025-12-08
Texting scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with common schemes including fake unpaid toll notices, prize offers, student loan assistance, and AI-generated celebrity videos (such as Kevin Costner impersonations) that request money. Minnesota ranks 12th nationally for impostor scams with a median loss of $800 per victim, and experts advise recognizing red flags such as urgent requests, unknown senders, international numbers, and requests for gift cards or remote computer access, noting that legitimate government agencies and the FBI never ask for payment via gift cards.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing is a scam tactic in which fraudsters send unsolicited text messages claiming to know the recipient or stating they found their number in an address book, designed to trick victims into responding and potentially compromising personal information. These vague messages are intentional social engineering attempts rather than random mistakes, and awareness of this technique is crucial for protecting oneself from text-based phishing attacks.
presidentialprayerteam.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers lost $470 million to text message scams—a fivefold increase from 2020—despite fewer overall scam reports being filed. The most prevalent scams involved fake package delivery notifications, fraudulent job offers requiring upfront payments, and impersonated bank fraud alerts, with perpetrators also using fake toll notices and "wrong number" schemes that escalated into romance or financial scams. The FTC recommends consumers avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, verify messages through trusted contacts, and report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) or through their messaging app's reporting features.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Giveaway scams on social media, particularly Facebook, lure older adults with fake offers of discounted merchandise (tools, appliances, toys) from major retailers in exchange for completing surveys. These phishing schemes use fraudulent posts impersonating company employees to trick victims into clicking links and providing personal and credit card information. To protect yourself, verify offers directly with companies through their official websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in social media posts.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
Scam emails impersonating WEX or Fleet One fuel card providers targeted Truckers Advantage fuel card holders, instructing recipients to click links and enter login credentials to prevent account closure. OOIDA confirmed these fraudulent messages were not sent by the company or its partners and advised recipients to delete them immediately, while WEX reiterated it never requests sensitive account information via unsolicited communications. The article provides guidance on avoiding phishing scams, including avoiding clicking email links, verifying contact numbers independently, and using multi-factor authentication.
coingeek.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. House lawmakers introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act on April 21 to combat "pig butchering" scams and financial fraud targeting older Americans, particularly through online and investment schemes. The legislation would equip federal, state, and local law enforcement with blockchain technology tools to trace and prosecute scammers, addressing a crisis in which Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024 (a 25% increase year-over-year), with older adults suffering disproportionately higher losses—including pig butchering schemes that accounted for 33.2% of digital asset scam revenue in 2024.
marieclaire.com.au
· 2025-12-08
**Online Romance Scam Leading to Drug Smuggling Conviction**
In January 2023, 58-year-old Donna Nelson, an Aboriginal community leader from Western Australia, was arrested at Tokyo customs after carrying two kilograms of methamphetamine in a suitcase she believed belonged to "Kelly," a man she had been in an online romantic relationship with for two years via a dating website. Nelson claims she fell victim to a calculated romance scam designed to lure her to Japan under false pretenses, but her legal defense was unsuccessful and she was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2024. Her five daughters are now fighting for her release, maintaining her innoc
globenewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a promotional piece for SecretBenefits.com, a sugar dating website, claiming it offers a secure platform with verified profiles, transparent pricing, and fraud prevention measures to protect users from common sugar dating scams. The platform advertises features including identity verification protocols, a flexible credit-based payment system, and enhanced security to distinguish itself from fraudulent dating websites in the sugar dating niche.
ksisradio.com
· 2025-12-08
St. Louis County Police issued an alert about a text message scam impersonating Apple ID security notifications, claiming unauthorized purchases were made and requesting users to verify their account. The scam attempts to steal personal and payment information, with potential for identity theft and financial loss. Police recommend contacting local law enforcement if victimized, and advise recipients to avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts and instead visit Apple's official website directly to check account activity.
fraudsmart.ie
· 2025-12-08
FraudSMART is alerting consumers to a sophisticated text and phone scam impersonating banks, where scammers send messages appearing within genuine banking threads and pose as bank security departments to extract personal and financial information or authorization codes that grant account access. The scam often includes urgency tactics, requests to delete banking apps, or claims of delayed login details to prevent victims from monitoring their accounts while fraudsters transfer funds. Consumers should never respond to unsolicited bank communications, should verify contacts using numbers on their bank cards, and should immediately contact their bank and report incidents to authorities if targeted.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The UAE Cybersecurity Council warned of a rising scam in which fraudsters replace legitimate QR codes in public places with fake ones that redirect users to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information or install malware. The Council advised the public to verify QR code authenticity before scanning, watch for warning signs like multiple overlapping stickers, and use link-checking apps, while victims should immediately contact their banks, change passwords, scan devices for malware, and report incidents to authorities.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
A security editor nearly fell for a sophisticated Netflix phishing scam that used a fake "Update Your Payment Method" email with proper formatting and a spoofed Netflix address, which was especially convincing because the recipient had just experienced Netflix login problems. The scammer's malicious link, disguised as an "Update Now" button, actually directed to a Truth Social domain and was flagged as malicious by eight security vendors on VirusTotal. The article advises readers to inspect email content for red flags, analyze URLs by hovering over links before clicking, and verify suspicious requests by contacting companies directly rather than using links in emails.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Police in Fermanagh and Omagh warned of a "fake new bank card" scam in which fraudsters impersonated bank officials, convinced victims their accounts were compromised, and instructed them to enter card details into a fraudulent card reader, resulting in large unauthorized withdrawals. The warning also noted related fraud cases including bogus tradesmen on social media and WhatsApp impersonation scams, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited financial requests regardless of source and to report incidents to police and their banks immediately.
kob.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old Albuquerque server lost her entire life savings of $32,000 in a phishing scam after receiving a fraudulent text claiming to be from Apple about unauthorized account activity. When she called the number provided, scammers convinced her that her bank account was compromised and persuaded her to withdraw all her money and transfer it to a newly-created Bitcoin account. Despite filing reports with police and the FBI, recovery efforts have been unsuccessful, and the victim advises others to verify suspicious messages with trusted contacts rather than calling numbers provided in unsolicited communications.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" (SMS phishing) scams involve criminals sending vague text messages from spoofed numbers to lists of phone numbers obtained through data breaches or random generation, with the goal of getting recipients to respond and confirm their number is active. Once a response is received, scammers build rapport through casual conversation before pivoting to requests for money, investment opportunities, malware links, or personal information for account hijacking. The safest defense is to not respond to suspicious texts, block and report them, and recognize that these carefully crafted messages exploit high SMS open rates (98%) and response rates (45%) to identify and manipulate vulnerable targets.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and above lost $4.8 billion to cybercrime in 2024, a 43% increase year-over-year, with 7,500 seniors each losing $100,000 or more—more than any other age group according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to digital literacy gaps, isolation, financial assets, and trust in institutions that scammers impersonate, with cryptocurrency scams (especially "pig butchering" romance cons) and tech support fraud being especially profitable schemes. The article argues that current regulatory and institutional responses are fragmented and inadequate, placing fraud prevention burden on individuals rather than treating elder cybercrime
gonorthumberland.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old woman in Cobourg lost $300 to an email scam that falsely claimed a family member was hospitalized and needed urgent financial help, which she sent via Amazon gift cards. Cobourg Police Service warns residents to verify emergency messages by contacting family members directly through trusted channels and notes that legitimate organizations rarely request payment in gift cards, while scammers often use emotional language, urgency, poor grammar, and suspicious email addresses. Victims should report fraud to their email provider and law enforcement, or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
kvoe.com
· 2025-12-08
The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) is warning drivers about smishing scams impersonating the agency and demanding payment for unpaid tolls via unsolicited text messages with fraudulent payment links. The KTA clarified that it only sends texts to drivers who have voluntarily signed up for alerts through their DriveKS account and does not request payments through text messages. Residents receiving these scam texts are advised to avoid clicking links and instead report the messages to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and Federal Trade Commission.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters impersonating Microsoft and her bank claimed she had been hacked and threatened arrest, attempting to manipulate her into withdrawing cash to purchase cryptocurrency. The scam exploited heightened emotions and urgency, tactics that have become more effective with AI advancement and access to personal data on the dark web. According to the FTC, Americans lost between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to financial scams in 2023-2024, with cryptocurrency transfers and digital payment methods making these crimes particularly difficult to trace and recover from.
recordcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Ming Long Chen, 46, pleaded guilty to exploiting a 93-year-old Minden resident of $90,375 by impersonating a law enforcement officer and faces up to 20 years in prison at his June 24 sentencing. Two women, Zhu Ping Ge and Cindy Yaohua Guo, are separately charged with attempting to defraud a Gardnerville Ranchos resident of $18,000 through a subscription scam that began with online contact. Local law enforcement is conducting senior fraud protection seminars to educate residents about these schemes.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a news roundup covering multiple security and privacy topics. Key points related to fraud include: cybercriminals stole a record $16.6 billion from US entities in 2024 (a 33% increase from 2023), with phishing, spoofing, extortion, investment scams, and business email compromise being the leading crime types; Google's new end-to-end encrypted email feature for Workspace accounts may create new phishing opportunities through fake invitation scams; and various government privacy and security incidents were reported.
capeargus.co.za
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old Cape Town retiree lost R10.6 million (his life savings and pension investment) to a business email compromise and banking fraud scheme in November-December 2024. Fraudsters impersonated his financial planner via email, convincing him to transfer funds to fake FNB and Capitec accounts instead of the legitimate financial institution, with money ultimately distributed across multiple accounts. The Hawks and South African police are investigating the organized criminal network believed to be operating from other African countries.
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
In September 2024, an employee in Trumbull County Auditor Martha Yoder's office fell victim to an email phishing scam and transferred $80,857.18 from Bazetta Township to a fraudulent Green Dot Bank account in California after a scammer impersonated the township's fiscal officer. Auditor Yoder was ordered by Trumbull County Common Pleas Court Judge Sarah Thomas Kovoor to repay Bazetta Township after refusing to compensate them, despite having received advance warning from Ohio's Auditor of State about such scams targeting government offices and failing to share that information with her staff or implement adequate security measures like
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using "wrong number" text messages, often AI-assisted, to identify active phone numbers and build relationships with potential victims for future financial exploitation. In 2024, consumers lost $470 million to text message scams—five times higher than 2020—with scammers targeting life savings and retirement accounts through prolonged "pig butchering" schemes that exploit people's psychological need for connection. One in four Americans has received these deceptive texts, and experts advise not engaging with suspicious messages, as scammers use data dumps combined with AI to create highly believable, personalized scams.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber scams cost Americans $16 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from the previous year, with California suffering the largest losses at $2.5 billion, according to FBI data. Elderly people accounted for nearly 30% of total monetary losses, with phishing/spoofing being the most common scam type at approximately 193,000 complaints. The FBI recommends verifying sender information, using strong passwords, avoiding wire transfers and gift card payments, and researching businesses before sharing personal or financial information online.
housebeautiful.com
· 2025-12-08
An "upgrade scam" targets Facebook Marketplace sellers by convincing them that a fake payment is pending until they pay to "upgrade" their Venmo or Zelle account—a nonexistent service. Scammers send fraudulent emails impersonating payment platforms, asking sellers to pay fees or refunds before the buyer has actually sent any money, resulting in financial loss for the seller. To avoid this scam, sellers should verify payments directly in their accounts before sending items, ignore pushy buyers, and be skeptical of unsolicited upgrade requests, as legitimate payment platforms process transfers within minutes and have no such upgrade options.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate loved ones in emergency scams, with deepfakes becoming so advanced that even experts struggle to detect them. A Consumer Reports investigation found that four of six popular voice cloning apps lack meaningful safeguards to prevent unauthorized voice replication, and no federal laws currently prohibit this practice. Experts recommend protecting yourself by enabling two-factor authentication on financial accounts, being skeptical of unexpected calls or messages requesting personal information, and maintaining healthy skepticism of anything heard online.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
Between December 2023 and February 2025, the FBI received over 100 reports of scammers impersonating the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to target previous fraud victims with promises of fund recovery. The scammers use fake social media profiles, emails, phone calls, and messaging apps to gain access to victims' sensitive financial information, resulting in repeated victimization. The FBI advises that IC3 will never directly contact individuals through these channels, and people should never send money or share personal information with unknown contacts.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, online scammers stole a record $16.6 billion, a 33% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, which received over 859,500 complaints. People over 60 were hit hardest, accounting for more than 147,100 complaints and $4.8 billion in losses, with investment scams ($6.57 billion), phishing/spoofing (193,400 complaints), and cryptocurrency fraud ($9.3 billion, up 66% year-over-year) among the most prevalent crimes. Cyber-enabled fraud represented 83% of all losses at $13.
cyberscoop.com
· 2025-12-08
The bipartisan GUARD Act proposes to equip federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement with federal grant funding and advanced technological tools—including blockchain tracing capabilities—to investigate financial fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans. The legislation responds to a 46% surge in financial fraud complaints from people over 60 in 2024, which resulted in over $4.8 billion in losses, with particular concern about emerging scams like pig butchering and SMS phishing targeting toll road violations.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and above lost $4.8 billion to cybercrime in 2024, a 43% increase year-over-year, with 7,500 seniors losing $100,000 or more each—more than any other age group, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to limited digital literacy, isolation, substantial savings, and advanced, personalized scams; cryptocurrency investment schemes ("pig butchering") alone accounted for $2.8 billion in losses. The article argues that existing U.S. regulations fail to address digital threats adequately, unlike European programs, and calls for systemic reform including real-time fraud detection
broadbandbreakfast.com
· 2025-12-08
As broadband adoption among adults 65+ reaches 90%, older adults with significant wealth holdings are increasingly targeted by scammers exploiting online platforms. In 2024, the FTC reported $12.5 billion in consumer losses to scams and fraud nationally, with global losses exceeding $1 trillion, making fund recovery nearly impossible due to money laundering complexities. The article advises older adults to pause before responding to unsolicited communications, verify requests by contacting relatives directly, and avoid "too good to be true" offers, particularly fake employment and quick-cash schemes, while recognizing that scammers now use spoofing, phishing, and AI-generated voice/video imp
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting older adults are increasingly common and exploit their trust, digital unfamiliarity, and desire for connection. Experts recommend protecting elderly loved ones through open communication about online risks, education on common scam tactics (romance scams, phishing, fake investment offers), establishing family safeguards like passwords to verify caller identity, and encouraging skepticism about unsolicited requests for money or personal information. Teaching seniors to authenticate suspicious messages through alternative contact methods and use verification tools like the Financial Conduct Authority's ScamSmart checker can significantly reduce their vulnerability to fraud.
ktbs.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, over 859,000 Americans reported internet scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, resulting in $16.6 billion in losses—a 33% increase from the previous year. Investment scams caused the largest losses at $6.5 billion, while seniors aged 60+ lost $2.5 billion, with tech support scams being particularly devastating for this group at nearly $1 billion. The report emphasizes that awareness and caution—avoiding suspicious links, refusing remote access requests, and verifying urgent requests—are essential defenses against these schemes.
wytv.com
· 2025-12-08
A Newton Falls Township man reported to the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office that he was scammed via Instagram when someone offered him $500 to paint a profile photo, sent him money, then demanded repayment via Cash App before threatening him with images of violence. After the victim refused, the scammer emailed him graphic images including decapitated heads and armed individuals. Police advised the victim to close his social media accounts, delete his email, and contact his bank.
washingtontimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans ages 60 and older lost $4.9 billion to fraud scams in 2024, representing a 43% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report based on 147,127 complaints. Phishing scams were the most common type of fraud targeting seniors, while investment scams proved the costliest at $1.8 billion in losses; cryptocurrency was used in $2.8 billion of fraudulent transactions, with victims averaging $83,000 in losses.
abccolumbia.com
· 2025-12-08
South Carolina seniors over 60 were disproportionately targeted by cybercriminals in 2024, with 2,295 victims losing over $58.5 million according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report—accounting for more than a third of the state's total $146 million in reported cyber losses. The most costly scams targeting seniors included tech support scams, government impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, each resulting in nearly $10 million in losses, while confidence/romance scams accounted for approximately $3 million. Business email compromises and investment fraud were among the most prevalent cyber crimes statewide, with losses totaling $40.8 million and $
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors lost $4.8 billion to scams, part of a total $16.6 billion in fraud losses across the United States—a 33% increase from 2023. The FBI identified investment scams as a major threat, resulting in nearly $6 billion in losses, alongside business email compromise scams ($2 billion) and technology support scams (over $1 billion). Officials noted that actual losses may be higher due to underreporting from embarrassed victims.