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in Scam Awareness
hive.rochesterregional.org
· 2025-12-08
Healthcare scams are proliferating across text messages, emails, and phone calls, targeting patients, staff, and executives alike through phishing links, voice imitation AI, and spoofed domains designed to mimic legitimate healthcare providers. Common tactics include malicious QR codes, fake multifactor authentication prompts, and business email compromise schemes where scammers build relationships with executives to request unauthorized payments. To protect yourself, verify sender domains carefully, question unexpected messages, and be wary of urgent requests containing links or attachments.
lakeonews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides an overview of common scams affecting Okeechobee residents, including account hacking, impersonation fraud, and romance scams. A local man reported his Facebook and Instagram accounts were hacked in June, with the perpetrator attempting to solicit money from his contacts, while another victim lost approximately $200 to someone impersonating a bank employee. The article outlines warning signs and protective measures recommended by the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, emphasizing that scammers use urgency, impersonation, and pressure tactics to obtain personal information and money.
tbrnewsmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** Educational Event/Awareness Program
State Senator Anthony Palumbo and Assemblyman Ed Flood are hosting a Senior Scam Prevention Program at Brightview Port Jefferson Senior Living on June 20 to educate seniors and caregivers about fraud prevention. According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, over 101,000 seniors reported fraud with average losses of $33,915 per person, and those over 60 lost $3.4 billion total in 2023, with tech support scams, data breaches, romance scams, and investment scams being the most common types. The program, developed in collaboration with the
wxxv25.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wiggins Police Department reported an increase in electronic scams targeting community residents, including finance, romance, credit card, and internet fraud schemes conducted via phone calls, emails, and social media. Scammers typically request personal information and demand payment through bank transfers, credit cards, or postal services, though legitimate federal agencies and government entities never solicit money through these channels. Residents are advised to contact the Wiggins Police Department at (601) 928-5444 before responding to suspicious requests or sending money.
mocoshow.com
· 2025-12-08
A ticket resale scam is circulating on local Facebook groups where fraudsters pose as sellers offering concert and event tickets at discounted prices, claiming to have personal or medical emergencies. Scammers use fake ticket screenshots to appear legitimate, request private messages to avoid scrutiny, and block victims after receiving payment. Users are advised to verify sellers through Facebook group administrators and exercise caution when purchasing from unfamiliar accounts, as some fraudulent profiles appear authentic.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
A White Settlement, Texas police officer stopped a scam targeting an elderly woman who had been tricked by a Chase Bank impersonator into withdrawing $40,000 and depositing $23,900 into a Bitcoin ATM machine. The scammer used spoofed caller ID and threats of arrest—tactics common in pig butchering scams—before arranging transportation to a bank and convenience store. Authorities intervened before further losses occurred and are working to recover the deposited funds.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
"Crash for Cash" is a growing insurance fraud scheme in the United States where perpetrators intentionally cause vehicle accidents by running into drivers or slamming on brakes, then file fraudulent injury claims against the victims and insurance companies. This scam costs Americans an estimated $45 billion annually in property and casualty fraud, raising insurance premiums by approximately $900 per consumer per year. Experts recommend installing high-quality dash cameras as a deterrent and practicing attentive driving to protect against becoming a victim of these staged accidents.
krmsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Lake area residents are being targeted by scammers who spoof law enforcement caller ID and claim victims have unpaid warrants, missed jury duty, or failed court appearances, demanding immediate payment to avoid arrest. The Camden County Sheriff's Office advises residents to hang up on suspicious calls and report details to local law enforcement rather than complying with payment demands.
abc15.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple viewers reported receiving unsolicited phone calls from scammers impersonating Publishers Clearing House, claiming they had won between $5.2 million and $8.5 million and demanding upfront payments (ranging from $99 to $9,000) via gift cards or money packs to cover taxes or shipping before releasing winnings. One victim did pay money before being hit with additional demands, while others recognized the red flags—including callers with accents, requests for prepaid cards, and the fact that they never entered a sweepstakes—and reported the fraud to authorities. The legitimate Publishers Clearing House emphasized that it never contacts winners in advance or requests payment to claim prizes.
sctonline.net
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about a surge in impersonation scams targeting seniors nationwide, particularly in Mississippi, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use sophisticated tactics including spoofed caller IDs, false claims of tax debt or lottery winnings, and pressure for immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls, verify contact through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report suspicious communications to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
messagemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through pressure tactics and threats of arrest or deportation. Scammers demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps while manipulating caller IDs to appear legitimate; the IRS emphasizes it never demands immediate payment through these methods and advises recipients of suspicious calls to hang up and contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify legitimacy.
northernvirginiamag.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3 billion from older Americans last year, with fraud targeting seniors rising due to larger senior populations, artificial intelligence capabilities, and Medicare system complexity. Scams range from romance and investment schemes to "grandparent" scams using voice cloning technology and impersonators posing as Medicare specialists seeking personal information to order medical equipment fraudulently. Protection strategies include treating Medicare cards as securely as credit cards, being wary of pressure to act quickly, limiting social media sharing of personal information, and verifying the identity of callers and online contacts.
lexingtonchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government agency representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics such as caller ID spoofing, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The IRS advises that legitimate tax issues are initiated by mail, and anyone receiving unexpected calls from alleged IRS agents should hang up immediately and report the incident.
mainepublic.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, adults aged 50 and older lost at least $28 billion to fraud according to FTC data. AARP Maine hosted an educational event featuring expert panelists to discuss the prevalence of financial elder abuse, methods to identify it, and resources for seeking help. The free public program aired from Husson University and included speakers specializing in elder law, justice advocacy, and fraud prevention.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics including spoofed caller IDs, false claims of tax debts or prizes, pressure for immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and threats of arrest or deportation. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact via phone, email, or text about tax issues, and victims should hang up immediately and verify communications by calling 800-829-1040.
lexingtonchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money. Scammers use tactics such as caller ID spoofing, fabricated urgent debts or prize claims, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The warning is part of broader World Elder Abuse Awareness Day efforts and the IRS's ongoing Security Summit partnership to educate seniors and protect them from these schemes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI in San Diego recovered over $3.3 million for elderly fraud victims through a data-driven operation launched in January 2024, obtaining more than 40 seizure warrants for $5.6 million in total. The effort targets sophisticated scams affecting seniors, particularly cryptocurrency investment schemes and tech support/government impersonation scams, with California leading the nation in both number of victims (77,000+) and losses ($2.1 billion) in 2023. Authorities emphasize that early reporting is critical to interrupting transactions and recovering victims' funds before scammers disappear with the money.
kqed.org
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Alhambra woman lost her life savings in a text-based romance scam after making seven bank withdrawals over three weeks, prompting her to sponsor Senate Bill 278 with California Sen. Bill Dodd. The bill would require financial institutions to delay transactions over $5,000 by at least three days if elder fraud is suspected, mandate employee training on fraud red flags, and require banks to notify designated emergency contacts or joint account holders of suspicious activity. With annual elder fraud losses exceeding $23 billion, the bill passed the California Senate with support from major senior advocacy groups, though initially faced opposition from banking and business lobbies over concerns about liability
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases in the United States increased significantly in 2023, with over 100,000 scam complaints resulting in nearly $3.5 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the prior year. Kentucky residents reported over 900 instances of elderly scams in 2023 totaling $13 million, with 2024 tracking at $12.7 million already. The FBI advises seniors to review financial statements, shred personal documents, avoid clicking unknown links, and contact authorities or trusted family members if contacted by unfamiliar people, as scammers increasingly use tech support schemes, romance fraud, and data breaches.
wkyt.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP Kentucky hosted a "Scam Jam" educational event at the Lexington Senior Center that attracted over 200 attendees to learn about fraud prevention tactics. The event featured presentations from law enforcement agencies and emphasized that over 141 million adults have been affected by fraud, with seniors being particularly targeted due to their larger savings and retirement accounts. One documented case involved a woman who lost $1.7 million to a scam, highlighting the devastating financial impact these crimes can have.
wokv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Central Florida woman missed her husband's funeral in Wisconsin after falling victim to an airline scam while attempting to book a last-minute flight from Orlando-Sanford International Airport. The scam was sophisticated enough to initially deceive the airline itself as well. The woman had to rebook her travel separately after a medical emergency prevented her from joining her family on their originally scheduled June 1 flight to attend her late husband's funeral service.
businessghana.com
· 2025-12-08
Recruitment scams involve fraudsters impersonating legitimate recruiters via social media or posting fake job listings to extract money or personal information from job seekers. Common tactics include posing as government employment departments and charging upfront fees for background checks or training, with recent victims in South Africa paying R250 or transportation costs for non-existent positions. Job seekers should avoid offers with red flags such as unsolicited contact, unprofessional communication, requests for payment or sensitive personal details, and salaries that seem too generous, as legitimate employers follow formal recruitment processes and never charge applicants for employment services.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean victim lost 70 million won to an international romance and investment scam that used AI-generated deepfakes of Elon Musk to establish trust before soliciting cryptocurrency transfers. The "pig slaughter" scam is part of a global criminal operation involving 120,000-220,000 forced workers across Myanmar and Cambodia who perpetrate phishing, romance, investment, and shopping scams targeting victims worldwide, with Chinese authorities blocking $157 billion in fraud since 2021—larger than Ethiopia's GDP.
yen.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian musician Hajia4Reall pleaded guilty to romance scams totaling over $2 million and was arrested in the UK in November 2022, subsequently extradited to the US for prosecution. In her sentencing plea, she named the father of her daughter as the person who introduced her to the scam scheme and requested a three-month sentence instead of the potential five-year term, citing the impact on her child's welfare. She was prosecuted in the US and faced sentencing after her February 2024 guilty plea.
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Attorney General's Office reported an increase in government imposter scams in the county, where scammers impersonate local law enforcement or court officials and threaten arrest or jail time unless victims pay immediately, sometimes using fake employee IDs or badge numbers to appear credible. The sheriff's office received 20 calls in one week alone of scams impersonating Captain Jon Vik. Both agencies advise residents to hang up on unsolicited government contacts, never send money through wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps, and instead call government agencies directly at known numbers to verify claims.
uspis.gov
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational awareness piece from the Postal Inspection Service highlighting common mail-related scams and fraud prevention tips. Key advice includes: never sending money to claim lottery prizes, recognizing suspicious mail indicators (excessive postage, unknown senders), protecting children's online communications, signing credit cards immediately upon receipt, and recognizing that social isolation increases vulnerability to scams among older Americans. The piece encourages reporting mail-related crimes to postal inspectors.
timeout.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines five common travel scams and protective measures recommended by McAfee. The scams include impersonation fraud (posing as hotel staff or tour guides), phishing emails from fake travel companies, public WiFi vulnerabilities, and risks of sharing real-time vacation information on social media that can expose your location and home to theft. The article advises travelers to verify identities independently, avoid clicking suspicious links, use VPNs on public networks, delay posting vacation photos until returning home, and strengthen account security with two-factor authentication and unique passwords before traveling.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Unsolicited packages from major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Temu have been delivered to consumers nationwide as part of "brushing scams," where third-party sellers send random items to addresses obtained online to create fake verified-buyer reviews and artificially inflate product ratings. Affected consumers across Minnesota, Illinois, Massachusetts, and other states received unwanted items ranging from baby balloons to military hats and electronics. The Better Business Bureau recommends recipients document incidents, contact retailers to stop deliveries, monitor their accounts for fraudulent reviews and orders, and check credit reports, as the FTC has warned about this deceptive practice for at least a decade.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kansas grandparent received a phone call from a scammer impersonating their grandson in Hope, Kansas, claiming he needed $10,000 due to an accident, but the grandparent avoided the scam by verifying the grandson's actual location. The Better Business Bureau warns that "grandparent" scams use high-pressure tactics to manipulate seniors into sending money quickly without consulting others, and recommends taking time to verify requests before responding, regardless of the claimed urgency.
paymentsdive.com
· 2025-12-08
Cash payment losses to government impersonation scammers nearly doubled in 2023, reaching $76 million compared to $40 million in 2022, with the trend accelerating in early 2024 at $20 million in first-quarter losses with a median loss of $14,740 per victim. Overall losses to government impersonation scams across all payment types totaled $618 million in 2023, as scammers increasingly exploit cash's difficulty to trace and recover. The FTC warns consumers to be cautious of government impersonation requests for cash payments and encourages financial institutions to monitor large cash withdrawals as a potential fraud prevention measure.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Seattle college professor was defrauded of over $400,000 after scammers impersonating an FTC official convinced her that her accounts had been hacked and she needed to liquidate her assets into gold bars and cash to avoid arrest. The scam, which represents a growing trend of criminals requesting payment in precious metals or cash, resulted in collective losses exceeding $55 million from May to December 2023, according to FBI reports, with fraudsters increasingly using real government employees' names to establish credibility.
wmbfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's annual Scam Tracker identifies investment scams, romance scams, and home improvement scams as the top threats to older adults, with those aged 55-64 most frequently paying scammers via credit cards, prepaid gift cards, and checks. Home improvement scams are particularly prevalent in the Grand Strand area, especially following natural disasters when fraudulent contractors pose as legitimate businesses. The report provides guidance on scam avoidance and victim resources.
oakridger.com
· 2025-12-08
A study by Badcredit.org analyzing Federal Trade Commission data found that 78% of Gen Z and Millennials report receiving fraudulent debt collection calls or emails, with 28% expressing concern about becoming victims. Georgia leads states with the highest rate of debt collection scams (77.8 per 100,000 people), while Atlanta, Georgia has the highest rate among cities (102.9 per 100,000), and Memphis, Tennessee ranks fifth among cities most affected. Legitimate debt collectors must provide valid debt information within five days and cannot harass, threaten, or contact consumers more than seven times weekly, while common scam tactics include phishing, identity theft, and mobile
wibw.com
· 2025-12-08
Kansas passed the Protect Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, which requires financial advisors to report suspected fraud involving seniors or dependent adults to the Kansas Insurance Department, strengthening investigative tools to identify illegitimate actors. The law addresses a significant vulnerability, as scammers frequently target older adults for their liquid retirement assets, with only a 7% recovery rate once funds are stolen.
azbigmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with AARP estimates suggesting adults over 60 lose more than $28 billion annually to fraud. Older adults are targeted for their access to substantial savings, available time, and sometimes limited online safety knowledge, with common scams including gift card/refund schemes, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment frauds. Protective measures include verifying communications, guarding personal information, remaining skeptical of unsolicited money requests, and maintaining open communication with trusted networks and caretakers.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
A University of Virginia geriatric physician warns that elder fraud has reached epidemic levels, with Americans 60 and older losing over $3 billion to scams in the previous year and fraud increasing 23 percent year-over-year. The "grandparent scam," where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress requesting bail money, remains one of the most common schemes, exploiting victims' emotional responses and sense of urgency. Dr. Archbald-Pannone advises seniors to stay cautious of unsolicited contacts, take time before responding, consult trusted contacts, and report incidents without embarrassment to help combat the evolving tactics used by scammers.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
Orange County law enforcement agencies are investigating a series of robberies in which men impersonating federal immigration agents target immigrant communities, demanding cash under threat of deportation. At least two victims were robbed of hundreds of dollars in separate incidents in Westminster by suspects posing as ICE agents, displaying fake badges and tactical vests while brandishing weapons. Police emphasize that federal agents do not conduct street detentions and urge Spanish-speaking communities to report these crimes to local police regardless of immigration status.
mishtalk.com
· 2025-12-08
AI tools like ChatGPT are enabling scammers to create convincing phishing emails, imitate voices and identities, and automate fraud schemes that bypass traditional red flags like poor grammar. Criminals can now use AI to target larger groups with personalized information, forge identification documents, and rapidly test stolen passwords across multiple platforms, making these scams significantly harder for individuals and banks to detect. Financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase are deploying AI-based fraud detection systems and increasing customer education, while experts recommend protective measures such as credit freezes and password hygiene to mitigate risk.
wptv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating the My Safe Florida Home program, a legitimate state initiative offering grants up to $10,000 for storm-resistant home improvements, to defraud homeowners by collecting payment for repairs while falsely claiming applicants are enrolled or eligible. Florida officials warn that criminals have left victims responsible for full repair costs after fraudulently claiming to register them with the program, and recommend residents verify contractor credentials, obtain written estimates, and report suspicious activity to prevent being victimized.
dnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Whitman County Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of scammers impersonating deputies and calling residents claiming outstanding warrants exist and demanding payment over the phone to avoid arrest. The agency advises residents to never provide personal information or payment over the phone, hang up on suspicious calls, and contact the sheriff's office directly to verify any legal matters, as legitimate law enforcement will never demand remote payment and always call from official numbers.
wgrz.com
· 2025-12-08
A new study reveals phishing attacks have surged nationwide and in New York specifically, with upstate New York experiencing a 140% increase in reports last year. These scams, which use email, text messages, and voicemail to trick victims into revealing personal information, are becoming more sophisticated through artificial intelligence technology, with an average loss of $300 per victim. The Better Business Bureau advises against clicking unexpected links or entering personal information, and warns that compromised data can lead to unauthorized bank account access.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Taylor Swift fans, including 28-year-old Aimee Brough and her sisters, lost £620 total after purchasing resale tickets on Facebook from what they believed was a legitimate seller, only to discover the account had been hacked. The scammers later attempted to extort additional money by falsely claiming £200 was needed to change ticket names, when the actual cost on Ticketmaster was £3. This incident is part of a broader problem, with Lloyds Bank estimating British fans lost approximately £1 million in Taylor Swift ticket scams in April.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams are increasing in sophistication, with the Better Business Bureau receiving over 23,000 reports since early 2021, though the actual number is likely much higher. Scammers use multiple contact methods (email, phone, text, fake websites) and increasingly leverage AI to craft convincing messages, making them harder to detect. Key prevention strategies include bookmarking legitimate websites, watching for red flags like poor grammar or generic greetings, and avoiding clicking links or sharing information—instead visiting company websites directly to verify requests.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Stephen Carr from Ontario, Canada, lost nearly $500,000 of his retirement savings to a fake cryptocurrency trading platform he discovered through a YouTube video between October 2022 and January 2023. The scam operated as a simulation showing false profits of $1.3 million, which Carr realized was fraudulent when asked to pay $150,000 to access his funds; he now faces selling his home to rebuild his life. The article also highlights similar investment and impersonation scams targeting online users, emphasizing the need for skepticism toward unsolicited online investment offers and remote access requests.
ask.un.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters frequently impersonate United Nations employees or representatives to solicit money and personal information from victims through social media, email, phone calls, and other channels. Common schemes include falsely claiming the victim has won a UN award or scholarship, or posing as a UN worker requesting financial assistance. The UN advises people to be cautious when contacted by unknown individuals requesting personal data or funds, and to verify claims through official UN channels.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have increased in the Philippines and other Asian countries, targeting vulnerable individuals seeking relationships through dating apps. The Facebook community page Online Alerto provides educational resources listing red flags—such as rapid emotional declarations, requests for money, avoidance of video calls, and pressure to switch to private messaging platforms—and protective measures including reverse image searches, video verification, and meeting only in public places with trusted contacts informed.
southfloridareporter.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece examines why older adults are vulnerable to financial fraud and exploitation. In 2021, over 90,000 seniors fell victim to fraud totaling $1.7 billion in losses (a 74% increase from 2020), with perpetrators often being family members, caregivers, or friends rather than strangers. Research shows that age-related cognitive decline, emotional factors (like loneliness and isolation), lower digital literacy, and reduced ability to detect deception through body signals all contribute to heightened susceptibility, with some evidence suggesting financial exploitability may be an early marker of cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's.
villages-news.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida's Attorney General's office hosted a Cryptocurrency Scams Symposium in The Villages to educate seniors about avoiding fraud while recognizing top Seniors vs. Crime volunteers. The Seniors vs. Crime program recovered over $2.6 million last year alone, assisting more than 9,100 seniors through volunteer efforts, with cumulative recoveries exceeding $10.5 million since 2019. The event honored five regional Super Senior Sleuths and volunteer John McLaughlin, a former law enforcement officer with over 10 years of service helping seniors and solving high-value fraud cases.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Harriet Spring lost $1.6 million of her elderly mother's life savings to scammers impersonating ING bank over several months of phone calls and emails, with the funds eventually transferred through multiple Australian banks and becoming untraceable. Despite her mother's bank questioning the unusual transfer to a Westpac "holding account" and confirming ING was not offering the advertised rate, the bank did not warn her of potential fraud before processing the transaction. Spring is now advocating for government action and bank accountability, as Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in the previous year.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumer group Which? warns that "pig-butchering" romance scams are among the most convincing frauds seen this year, with victims losing thousands of pounds through fake investment schemes. Additional emerging threats include fake missing person appeals on social media, phishing emails impersonating PayPal, and malware-laden apps that compromise smartphone security.