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kcra.com
· 2025-12-11
# Holiday Scams Summary
During the holiday season, scammers exploit shoppers through various schemes including fake social media ads that lead to counterfeit products or subscription traps, illegal pyramid schemes disguised as gift exchanges, and suspicious apps that collect personal data or contain malware. The Better Business Bureau warns that these scams particularly affect holiday shoppers, families, and pet owners who are eager to find deals and gifts online. To protect yourself, research unfamiliar retailers before purchasing, avoid "Secret Sister" and similar gift exchange schemes that promise unrealistic returns, carefully review app permissions and privacy policies before downloading, and stick to trusted retailers and gift-giving with people you know.
kcci.com
· 2025-12-11
# Holiday Scams Summary
During the holiday season, scammers exploit shoppers through various schemes including fake social media ads that deliver counterfeit or non-existent products, illegal pyramid schemes disguised as gift exchanges, and suspicious apps that collect personal data or contain malware. The Better Business Bureau warns that these scams affect holiday shoppers and families across the country, with fraudsters using fake websites, subscription traps, and deceptive gift-exchange posts to steal money and personal information. To stay safe, consumers should research unfamiliar retailers before purchasing, read reviews and privacy policies, verify app permissions, avoid gift exchanges with strangers, and only use trusted retailers for their holiday shopping.
fox21online.com
· 2025-12-11
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers about 12 common holiday scams, including fraudulent social media ads, fake job postings, misleading donation requests, and pyramid schemes like "Secret Santa" exchanges that trick people into sending money to strangers and sharing personal information. Consumers are frequently victimized through online purchase scams, counterfeit goods, unauthorized subscription charges, and payment methods like wire transfers and gift cards that are difficult to reverse. To protect yourself, research businesses and read reviews on BBB.org before making purchases or donations, avoid clicking suspicious social media ads, never pay strangers through untraceable methods, and be skeptical of unsolicited messages and "too good to be true" holiday deals.
wataugademocrat.com
· 2025-12-11
During the holiday season, scammers target shoppers and donors through misleading social media ads, fake gift exchange schemes, and deceptive holiday apps that steal personal information or charge unauthorized fees. Consumers affected include online shoppers, social media users, and charitable donors who may unknowingly participate in pyramid schemes or receive counterfeit items. To protect yourself, research before buying anything online, avoid suspicious social media ads and direct messages from strangers, and never send payments via wire transfer, prepaid cards, or gift cards—especially to unknown recipients.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-11
# Holiday Scam Summary
This holiday season, scammers are using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake websites, social media ads, and celebrity endorsements that trick shoppers—with one in five Americans falling victim and losing an average of $900. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying websites by typing addresses directly into your browser, being skeptical of deeply discounted prices and urgent "buy now" offers, avoiding payments through money apps, and not clicking links in suspicious delivery emails or texts. Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
qchron.com
· 2025-12-11
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act to address the rising tide of fraud targeting seniors and Americans, with over $16 billion stolen through scams in 2024. The bipartisan legislation would consolidate efforts from 13 federal agencies under FBI leadership to better combat increasingly sophisticated scams using AI and voice deepfakes. Seniors are advised to stay vigilant during the holidays and should report suspected scams to local law enforcement and the FBI.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-11
During the holiday season, scammers increasingly target senior citizens through charity fraud, fake online shopping websites, and phone impersonation schemes, exploiting the elderly's trust and less familiarity with modern technology while people are distracted by festivities and shopping. West Virginia's Secretary of State warns that fraudsters use emotional appeals and urgency to manipulate victims into donating to fake charities or providing credit card information for nonexistent purchases. To protect yourself, verify charities using the official list at erls.wvsos.gov, be cautious of unsolicited donation requests, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never share payment information without independently confirming the legitimacy of the organization or seller.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-11
# Article Summary
A 77-year-old Brattleboro volunteer named Elliot Greenblott fights cybercriminals by deliberately exposing himself to scams and tracking their tactics as coordinator for AARP Fraud Watch in Vermont. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI technology, and Greenblott emphasizes that no one is too smart to be victimized, even warning that personal information is widely available regardless of precautions. To protect yourself, Greenblott recommends putting up barriers to impede criminals' use of your information—such as monitoring credit cards closely, verifying website URLs before entering sensitive data, and staying informed about the latest scam tactics through community resources.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-11
# Holiday Scam Summary
The FBI is warning holiday shoppers about a surge in scams two weeks before Christmas, including fake shopping emails with malicious links, fraudulent charity donation requests, and romance scams that exploit seasonal generosity. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated AI-generated emails and texts that look legitimate to steal personal and financial information from victims. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in promotional emails, go directly to official websites to verify sales, research charities before donating, and take time to pause and verify suspicious messages rather than acting out of urgency.
hcamag.com
· 2025-12-11
A new report reveals that half of small and medium-sized businesses fell victim to scams in the past year, with scammers deliberately bypassing technical security by targeting employees through social engineering, phishing, and deception rather than sophisticated cyber attacks. Despite 64% of businesses reporting increased scam activity, 45% don't prioritize cybersecurity training, leaving staff vulnerable to manipulation when rushed or distracted. Businesses should implement employee training programs and use available security tools like two-step authentication and dual-approval payment processes to protect themselves, as victims lose an average of over $5,000 per scam incident.
sea.mashable.com
· 2025-12-11
In 2025, text message-based scams have become increasingly prevalent, with the E-ZPass toll scam being the most common—scammers falsely claim you owe unpaid tolls and threaten license suspension to pressure you into clicking malicious links. Other widespread scams include DMV scams, fake job offers, romance scams, and malware schemes that affect anyone with a phone or internet access. To protect yourself, never click links in unsolicited texts, don't respond to suspicious messages, and if you have legitimate concerns about tolls or other issues, contact official agencies directly rather than through text communications.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-11
A manager at a successful 80-person company received what appeared to be a phishing email requesting a mandatory $100 Venmo payment from each of 17 managers to buy the company owner a luxury fish subscription—a request that turned out to be legitimate and came from the president/owner's nephew. The incident sparked widespread criticism online, with business owners and commenters agreeing that soliciting expensive gifts from employees is inappropriate and that gifts should flow downward from management, not upward from staff.
**Actionable advice**: Be cautious of unsolicited payment requests even if they appear to come from company leadership, and remember that employee gifts should never be mandatory or pressure-laden; if you're a manager, avoid putting staff in awkward positions by requesting contributions for gifts.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-10
During the holiday season, scammers exploit busy and stressed shoppers by impersonating trusted contacts and requesting payment through gift cards, which function like untraceable cash once the code is shared. To protect yourself, slow down when responding to unexpected calls, emails, or texts; verify the sender's identity independently; and never buy gift cards or share their codes with unfamiliar people, as this is one of the most common and costly scams year-round. Getting a second opinion from a trusted family member before responding to suspicious requests is an effective way to avoid becoming a victim.
thisismoney.co.uk
· 2025-12-10
A UK resident lost £488.88 to a Winter Fuel Payment scam after clicking a seemingly legitimate gov.uk link in a text message and entering their bank details, but their bank HSBC refused to reimburse them despite being notified of the fraud immediately. These scams have been widespread throughout 2025, particularly targeting pensioners worried about losing the crucial £300 winter heating allowance, with about 14% of targeted individuals losing money or personal data. To protect yourself, verify any government payments through official channels directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts, and contact your bank immediately if you suspect fraud, as quick action may help prevent unauthorized transactions.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-10
Half of New Zealand's small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) fell victim to scams in the past year, losing an average of $5,000 per incident, with some experiencing additional costs including data loss and personal financial damage. The Bank of New Zealand warns that despite business owners feeling prepared, nearly half of SMEs don't prioritize cyber security training for staff, leaving them vulnerable as scammers increasingly bypass technology to manipulate employees directly. To protect themselves, business owners should invest in regular staff education on recognizing scam tactics rather than relying solely on technological defenses, since scammers are exploiting the human element—busy employees clearing invoices or answering phones—rather than breaking through security systems.
androidpolice.com
· 2025-12-10
Google has added a new security feature to Android that uses Circle to Search to help users identify scams and fraud messages in real time—users can simply highlight suspicious messages, and the tool will indicate whether they're genuine or fraudulent. This feature addresses a common problem where scammers send deceptive messages through Google Messages and social media, and complements Android's existing protections like on-device fraud detection and call-blocking capabilities. To protect yourself, use this new Circle to Search feature whenever you receive questionable messages before responding or clicking any links.
forestparkreview.com
· 2025-12-10
Scams are increasingly widespread, affecting 73% of Americans across all age groups, with adults aged 30-49 being hit hardest at 77%. The author fell victim to a common scam where fraudsters posed as a streaming service after appearing in sponsored search results, gaining remote computer access and opening a $500 Home Depot account in her name before she disconnected. To protect yourself, verify phone numbers directly on official websites rather than through search results, never grant remote computer access to unsolicited callers, and be suspicious of requests for authentication codes—stopping the interaction immediately if something feels wrong.
abc15.com
· 2025-12-10
# Fraud Surge Targets Arizona Seniors
Arizona experienced a 20% surge in senior fraud reports in 2025, with over 7,000 victims losing nearly $67 million to holiday scammers who exploit increased online shopping and charitable giving. The most common schemes include fake online shopping websites, phishing messages about delayed packages, and bogus charity donation requests. Experts advise seniors to verify suspicious communications with trusted friends or family members before taking action, and emphasize that victims shouldn't feel ashamed as scammers are highly sophisticated and specifically target vulnerable populations.
aol.com
· 2025-12-10
Seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers who exploit their savings, home ownership, and relative unfamiliarity with technology to commit fraud. Common scams include unsolicited calls selling unnecessary products like medical-alert devices, lottery/prize schemes requiring upfront fees, and fake mobile health clinics that bill insurance and Medicare using stolen personal information. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls and emails, never pay upfront fees for prizes you've won, verify any medical services through official channels, and report suspicious activity to the FTC.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-10
A Massachusetts couple in their seventies lost their entire life savings after falling victim to a common scam that exploited their concern over fraudulent charges—a scammer posing as their bank convinced them to withdraw $7,000 and purchase Apple gift cards, then disappeared with the codes. Americans aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to scams last year, making seniors nearly twice as vulnerable to fraud as the next age group. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank, never purchase gift cards at a scammer's request, and verify caller identity by hanging up and calling your bank directly using the number on your card.
pontevedrarecorder.com
· 2025-12-10
Florida has launched Operation Senior Shield, a statewide initiative to protect older adults from scams and financial exploitation, which has been increasingly targeting seniors in the state. The program offers free scam alerts, enhanced law enforcement coordination, and tools to help seniors, caregivers, and families stay informed and secure. Residents can sign up for alerts at opseniorshieldfl.com and are encouraged to talk with seniors about suspicious emails and calls, review them together, and share alerts with family and community members.
wflanews.iheart.com
· 2025-12-10
Florida officials have launched Operation Senior Shield, a free alert system designed to help seniors and caregivers identify and prevent scams through phone calls, texts, emails, and pop-ups. The initiative comes as Florida ranks second nationally in elder fraud complaints, with seniors losing an average of $32,000 per victim and totaling about $300 million statewide in 2023. Anyone concerned about scam targeting can sign up for Operation Senior Shield to receive alerts and educational resources that help seniors recognize fraudulent schemes before they result in financial loss.
waff.com
· 2025-12-10
# Franklin County Warns of Growing Scam Problem
Franklin County, Alabama law enforcement is warning residents about a surge in scams targeting people of all ages, including romance scams, fake sheriff's office bail bond offers, and debt relief schemes that have cost victims thousands of dollars—with one elderly person losing over $18,000 in 37 transactions. Authorities urge residents to never send money by phone, share personal information with callers, or conduct business via text or social media; instead, they recommend independently contacting the organization or sheriff's office directly if you're unsure about a request. Many scammers operate overseas and may never face prosecution, making prevention through awareness and family discussions about new technology particularly important.
pcmag.com
# Scam Text Message Protection
Many people receive multiple scam texts daily targeting them with phishing messages about taxes, free gifts, and other schemes. The good news is that enabling your phone's built-in message filtering—available in both iOS and Android—automatically separates texts from unknown senders into a separate folder, making it easy to avoid these scams. Experts recommend staying skeptical of any messages from unfamiliar numbers, never clicking links in suspicious texts, and ignoring offers that don't apply to you, as scammers increasingly use fake "wrong number" tactics and romance schemes to manipulate victims into sending money or joining fraudulent investments.
billboard.com
# Fraud Summary
Hackers impersonating celebrities like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Sabrina Carpenter scammed fans out of $5.3 billion in 2025, with AI making these impersonation scams increasingly convincing and successful. The scammers target devoted fanbases through social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, offering fake concert tickets, merchandise, meet-and-greets, and cryptocurrency schemes. To protect yourself, verify celebrity announcements directly through official verified accounts and websites, never click suspicious links from unverified sources, and be skeptical of urgent offers requiring immediate payment.
fox13now.com
During the holiday shopping season, scammers are sending fake text messages and emails claiming to be from shipping companies or retailers, asking recipients to click links to update delivery information or warning that packages will be returned if personal details aren't provided. These scams aim to either steal money through bogus fees or harvest personal information and install malware that can be used for identity theft and account fraud. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead go directly to retailer or shipping websites to track packages, and never pay fees to expedite delivery through suspicious links.
kelly.senate.gov
# Scam Losses Hit Record Highs, Bipartisan Bill Proposed to Protect Seniors
Americans lost $16.6 billion to scams in 2024, with seniors particularly vulnerable as they accounted for $4.8 billion of those losses. Four U.S. senators from both parties have introduced the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act, which would require the FBI to develop a coordinated national strategy to combat fraud by working with law enforcement, scam victims, nonprofits, and businesses. To protect yourself, stay vigilant against increasingly sophisticated scams targeting older adults, verify requests for money through official channels, and report suspected fraud to authorities.
wnegradio.com
Georgia's Secretary of State reports that holiday scams remain widespread, with 1,140 cases of senior exploitation reported since the SPEAR Act took effect, including 81 victims in November 2025 alone. Common scams targeting holiday shoppers and donors include gift card fraud, impersonation scams posing as family members requesting money, fake online shopping sites that don't deliver goods, and document fraud. Consumers are urged to stay vigilant by verifying requests for money or gift cards through direct contact, shopping only on secure websites, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities.
theweek.com
# Pig Butchering Scam Summary
A global fraud scheme called "pig butchering" has cost victims an estimated $75 billion, with criminals sending millions of seemingly innocent text messages and social media messages to establish fake relationships before convincing victims to invest money in fake cryptocurrency schemes or investment funds. The scam disproportionately affects vulnerable people seeking romance or easy financial gains, with some victims losing their entire life savings after months of relationship-building with the scammers. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited messages from strangers—especially those offering investment opportunities or romantic connections—and never send money to someone you haven't met in person, particularly for crypto or investment schemes.
uk.news.yahoo.com
# Article Summary
Scammers are increasingly using "spoofing" attacks to impersonate banks, sending text messages that appear to come from legitimate bank numbers and asking victims to confirm personal details like their date of birth through follow-up calls. These scams are rising during the holiday shopping season when people are spending more money and are more vulnerable, exploiting the trust people have in their banks' communication channels. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected bank messages, never confirm personal details over the phone or text, and independently verify any banking communications by calling your bank directly using a number from your statement or their official website.
en.yna.co.kr
Forty-six suspects have gone on trial in South Korea for their involvement in an international online scam ring operating from Cambodia and Thailand that defrauded over 110 victims of approximately $6.4 million through romance scams, impersonation fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes. The defendants, mostly men in their 20s, were repatriated from Cambodia in October as part of a crackdown that arrested 64 suspects total. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited romantic advances online, never trust callers claiming to be prosecutors requesting payment, and be wary of unsolicited cryptocurrency investment opportunities.
uk.news.yahoo.com
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. This is a cookie consent notice from Yahoo explaining how they use cookies and personal data for authentication, analytics, and advertising purposes. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus fraud research database.
themarketperiodical.com
A Venus Protocol user lost $27 million in cryptocurrency through a phishing scam that tricked them into approving a malicious token transfer, prompting the decentralized finance platform to pause operations for security review and investigation. Phishing scams have caused over $1 billion in losses in 2024 alone, with crypto theft and hacks exceeding $2.7 billion in the first half of 2025, surpassing the prior year's total losses of $2.42 billion. Venus Protocol clarified the incident resulted from user error rather than a smart contract vulnerability and stated it would remain paused to prevent further fund transfers to the attacker.
bbc.com
Police and councils have issued fresh warnings about rising parking scams, which include fake text messages demanding payment for unpaid tickets with malicious links, tampered parking machines with skimming devices that steal card details, and fraudulent parking notices lacking required details like vehicle registration and location. The article provides four protective measures: verify genuine fines contain vehicle registration, offense time, and location; avoid clicking links in unsolicited payment texts; restart devices and change passwords if a suspicious link is clicked; and inspect parking machines for physical tampering before using contactless payment.
wwnytv.com
Scammers increasingly use sophisticated techniques, including AI-generated messages, making it harder to identify fraud through traditional red flags like typos. Key prevention strategies include trusting your instincts when messages seem suspicious, contacting financial institutions directly rather than responding to unsolicited communications, avoiding posting personal information on social media, and securely disposing of financial documents. Being skeptical and cautious about unsolicited messages—even from seemingly legitimate sources—is the most effective defense against modern scams.
live5news.com
Scammers are increasingly sophisticated in crafting deceptive texts and emails, with the typical American receiving nearly 63 spam texts in August 2025, and many now using AI to improve message quality. The primary defense is to avoid engaging with suspicious messages, trust your instincts, contact your financial institution directly through official channels rather than responding to the message, and be cautious about verifying sender email addresses, as they often appear suspicious despite polished message content. Additional protective steps include limiting personal information shared on social media, refraining from posting travel plans, shredding financial documents, and switching to digital statements to prevent scammers from using personal data to target individuals or their loved ones.
wafb.com
This educational awareness piece highlights two prevalent scams targeting consumers: Amazon smishing, where scammers text victims impersonating Amazon to trick them into entering personal and purchasing information through fraudulent links under the guise of refunds or recalls; and fake sports gambling sites, where scammers operating unsecured platforms steal users' private information and refuse payouts or demand money after losses. The article recommends avoiding unexpected message links, using official Amazon customer service channels, and relying only on licensed sportsbooks when gambling online.
pcmag.com
This educational article addresses the widespread problem of spam calls in the US, noting that over 40% of Americans never answer unknown calls due to spam concerns. The piece provides practical guidance on blocking unwanted calls using built-in features on Android and iOS devices, as well as carrier-specific tools like AT&T's ActiveArmor and Verizon's Call Filter, many of which are available for free or at a low monthly cost.
pcmag.com
Cryptocurrency scams resulted in $9.3 billion in reported losses in 2024, with $5.8 billion specifically from investment fraud schemes; seniors over 60 suffered approximately $2.8 billion in losses. Scammers increasingly use AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities and trusted contacts to convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrencies or surrender wallet access. The article advises investors to verify the legitimacy of coins and sources, never share private wallet information, use multi-factor authentication, and carefully examine exchange website URLs before investing.
pymnts.com
A PYMNTS Intelligence study of 10,103 U.S. consumers found that approximately 77 million adults (3 in 10) lost money to scams over the past five years, with many losing more than $500. Modern scammers use mass personalization to tailor fraud schemes by age, income, and habits—targeting Gen Z through social media, older adults via email and phone calls, and selecting contact channels that feel legitimate to each demographic. The study reveals that scams now account for 27% of U.S. financial institutions' fraud losses in 2024 (up from 12% in 2023), highlighting the need for dynamic defenses including behavioral monitoring
kpel965.com
The "Phantom Hacker" scam has stolen over $1 billion from Americans since 2024, primarily targeting seniors age 60+ in Louisiana and nationwide. The sophisticated three-phase operation uses impersonators posing as tech support, bank officials, and government employees to gain access to victims' computers and financial accounts, often resulting in complete loss of retirement and savings accounts. Scammers now employ AI technology to personalize attacks through social media analysis, making their schemes more convincing.
losaltosonline.com
Los Altos, where over 20% of the population is age 65+, has experienced significant elder fraud and abuse in recent years, with the police department responding to 12 elder abuse cases resulting in charges, 23 Adult Protective Services reports, and 17 identity theft and check fraud cases involving elderly victims since the beginning of the year. Most elder financial abuse involves strangers using email/text scams impersonating legitimate companies, phishing links, ATM card theft through distraction tactics, and emerging technologies like AI voice cloning and cryptocurrency schemes. Law enforcement emphasizes that seniors should avoid clicking suspicious links, verify caller identities through independent contact, remain cautious of emerging scam technologies
newsbreak.com
A new Social Security scam targets seniors by impersonating Social Security Administration officials through phone calls, texts, and emails, claiming victims must verify their details to receive Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) benefits or face account suspension. Scammers use pressure tactics and threats of benefit loss to extract personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details, or to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The SSA never initiates unsolicited contact requesting sensitive information; legitimate COLA notices are delivered by official mail or through secure online accounts, and victims should hang up, verify the caller independently, and report suspicious contact directly to the SSA.
tradingview.com
Scammers are exploiting the UK's upcoming corporate transparency reform by sending phishing emails and making fraudulent calls to company directors, falsely claiming to represent Companies House and requesting personal information like dates of birth under the guise of identity verification requirements. Starting November 18, 2025, an estimated 6-7 million UK directors and significant shareholders must verify their identity through official GOV.UK channels, but Companies House has warned the public that only GOV.UK should be used for verification and to disregard unsolicited requests. The new identity verification system aims to improve corporate record integrity, though it faces early cyber security challenges as fraudsters exploit the reform announcement.
foxnews.com
Scammers are impersonating local law enforcement officials in a jury duty fraud scheme, calling victims with claims of missed jury duty and threatening arrest warrants to extort payment via wire transfers or gift cards. The scam targets vulnerable individuals by using personal information and blocked numbers to appear credible, though legitimate jury summonses are always delivered by mail. Key protections include never trusting unknown callers demanding payment, verifying claims directly with official court or police numbers, and recognizing that government agencies never request payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency.
states.aarp.org
AARP Maine offers a free monthly virtual scam-awareness series called "Fraud Watch with Phil and Pam," held via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month for 30 minutes. The October session focuses on cybersecurity and is led by retired journalist Phil Chin and retired educator Pam Partridge, with registration available at states.aarp.org/maine/monthly-fraud-watch.
palletenterprise.com
AI-powered scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using AI to craft convincing phishing emails, deepfake videos, and imposter messages targeting personal and financial accounts. Common 2025 scams include AI-generated phishing, imposter fraud on social media, and phone-based attacks like SIM swapping and rigged QR codes. Protection strategies include verifying sender information before responding, enabling two-factor authentication, using strong unique passwords, regularly monitoring account access, and contacting organizations directly to verify suspicious requests.
mytotalretail.com
Back-to-school shopping season creates a surge in retail fraud activity, with fraudsters exploiting the high volume, time pressure, and omnichannel complexity of the period through return fraud, refund abuse, fake storefronts, phishing, and account takeovers. Retailers lost an estimated $101 billion to return-related fraud and abuse in 2024, with nearly 75 percent of retail executives citing this as their top operational concern during peak shopping periods. To combat these schemes, merchants are implementing real-time fraud detection across unified commerce channels, monitoring suspicious patterns in customer behavior, and empowering teams to act quickly on suspicious transactions.
yahoo.com
AI impersonation scams have surged 148% in 2025, using voice cloning and deepfake video technology to fraudulently impersonate trusted contacts—including family members, executives, and government officials—across calls, video meetings, emails, and messaging apps. Notable cases include cybercriminals posing as a UK engineering company's CFO to trick employees into authorizing $25 million in wire transfers. Security experts recommend independently verifying identities through alternate contact methods and implementing multi-factor authentication as key defenses against these increasingly sophisticated frauds.
wnegradio.com
The BBB warns of an ongoing phishing scam where callers impersonate process servers, claiming victims have unpaid debts, liens on their homes, or are involved in fictitious court cases to pressure them into revealing sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers and dates of birth. Scammers use intimidation tactics, threats of arrest, and claims of imminent home visits to create urgency, sometimes also targeting family members and friends; their goal is identity theft rather than legal service. Consumers should be wary of unsolicited calls with scare tactics and verify claims independently through official channels before providing any personal information.