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in Scam Awareness
thestar.com.my
· 2026-09-23
Cambodia hosted a global anti-cyberfraud summit to demonstrate its crackdown on transnational scam operations that have cost Americans over $10 billion in 2024 alone, with the government claiming to have raided hundreds of compounds and deported hundreds of thousands of people. The country has become a hub for Chinese-led criminal gangs operating large-scale facilities where trafficking victims are coerced into conducting romance scams and police impersonation fraud schemes. However, analysts and opposition figures question the effectiveness of the crackdown, noting that politically connected figures remain untouched while criminal networks continue operating by fragmenting into smaller units and relocating operations overseas.
asiaone.com
· 2026-09-23
Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet declared at a global anti-fraud conference that the country will not serve as a safe haven for transnational scam syndicates, as the government showcases its crackdown on the multibillion-dollar cyberscam industry operating in Southeast Asia. Cambodian authorities claim to have raided hundreds of compounds and deported hundreds of thousands of people over the past year, with the US estimating that Americans lost over $10 billion to scammers operating in the region in 2024 alone. However, analysts and opposition figures express skepticism, noting that high-level figures allegedly protecting these criminal networks have remained untouched while scam operations continue adapting by fragment
mha.gov.sg
· 2026-09-23
Global online scams caused an estimated US$442 billion in losses in 2025, with criminal syndicates increasingly using AI-generated content and deepfakes to deceive victims. Singapore has implemented an "ABC" anti-scam strategy combining agility, legal frameworks, and industry collaboration, recovering over S$97.7 million in scam losses in the first half of 2026 and preventing at least S$127.1 million in potential losses through real-time intervention.
gsma.com
· 2026-09-23
Maxis, a Malaysian telecommunications operator, implemented a multi-layered anti-fraud framework combining SMS/call blocking, malicious website filtering, and fake base station detection to combat scams across Malaysia in coordination with regulators and law enforcement. The initiative achieved a 65% reduction in scam SMS deliveries between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, with technical controls including SMS firewalls, fraud detection systems, and international gateway filtering working alongside government directives and the National Scam Response Centre. While successful enforcement actions have removed rogue infrastructure, scammers are adapting by shifting to over-the-top platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook that operate outside direct operator control.
gsma.com
· 2026-09-23
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison deployed an AI-powered anti-scam system in Indonesia that identifies and blocks fraudulent SMS messages and voice calls at the network level without storing content or requiring human review. Within six months of launch in August 2025, the system identified over 2 billion suspicious communications and detected 124,000 scam phone numbers across Indonesian mobile networks. The solution combines automated threat detection with subscriber education programs to protect users from scams while maintaining compliance with Indonesia's data protection requirements.
gsma.com
· 2026-09-23
Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka's largest mobile operator, deployed a network-level SMS URL screening system in June 2026 to combat scams after finding that 20% of users had been targeted by scammers over two years, with half falling victim and 30% of victims losing more than a month's income. The system screens all URL-bearing SMS messages in real time as they transit the network, blocking high-confidence malicious links outright and attaching visual security warnings to suspicious messages before delivery to alert subscribers before they interact with potentially fraudulent links.
wral.com
· 2026-09-23
Cambodia's prime minister claimed the country has dismantled all large-scale scam compounds, but international experts and governments say the nation has failed to prosecute the criminal organizations and officials behind operations that have defrauded victims globally of tens of billions of dollars. Cyberscam operations flourished in Cambodia during the COVID-19 pandemic, with estimates of combined losses ranging from $88.3 billion to $114.1 billion in 2025, and experts argue that while compounds may have been closed, the underlying criminal structures and complicit political figures remain largely unpunished.
fox10phoenix.com
· 2026-09-23
An Arizona couple's belongings were held hostage for months after contracting with a moving company that demanded additional payments and failed to deliver their items, leaving them scattered across warehouses in Kansas and Missouri. The scam, known as a "hostage load," involves moving companies refusing to deliver or unload belongings unless customers pay extra money beyond their original contract, and investigators found the same operators were using multiple company names across state lines to target victims nationwide. The companies involved, including those tied to Howard's Van Lines in New Jersey with nearly 200 complaints, are under federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
wisn.com
· 2026-09-23
A New Berlin couple lost $526,095 in gold coins to a nationwide scam after pop-up ads and fraudulent phone calls convinced them their bank accounts were hacked and they needed to convert cash to gold for protection. The couple helped police catch courier Roshan Shah during a sting operation after seeing a local news investigation about the scheme; Shah had already collected gold from 15 victims across eight states and was sentenced to four years in prison. Prosecutors are targeting the overseas call centers and handlers orchestrating the scheme, which has defrauded over 60 victims of more than $21 million nationwide, with law enforcement noting recovery is nearly impossible once funds leave the country.
abcnews.com
· 2026-09-23
The White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, chaired by Vice President JD Vance, announced the removal of 750,000 allegedly fraudulent ACA enrollments and is verifying an additional 419,000 individuals, claiming the effort will save $2.2 billion by preventing fraudulent enrollment of "phantom people" who signed up without their knowledge or eligibility. The task force alleges that brokers were incentivized to enroll ineligible individuals, with data suggesting over one-third of some enrollees never used their coverage. Democrats and healthcare advocacy groups criticized the move as a distraction that will worsen healthcare access during an ongoing coverage crisis.
kcra.com
· 2026-09-23
A New Berlin, Wisconsin couple lost over $526,000 in gold coins to a nationwide scam that used pop-up ads and fake hacking alerts to convince victims to convert cash into gold for "protection," ultimately leading police to arrest courier Roshan Shah during a sting operation. Shah, who had collected gold from 15 victims across eight states, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years in prison, with federal prosecutors noting that similar gold bar and coin scams have defrauded Americans of over $311.8 million annually. The scam typically originates from overseas call centers where operators direct victims to purchase gold that couriers pick up, with the funds and precious metals eventually sent back overseas or mel
wesh.com
· 2026-09-23
A New Berlin, Wisconsin couple lost over $526,000 in gold coins after being deceived by pop-up ads and phone calls claiming their bank accounts were hacked, then convinced to convert their assets into gold for "protection." Their case helped police set up a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of courier Roshan Shah, who had collected gold from 15 victims across eight states and was sentenced to four years in prison. This scam is part of a nationwide scheme where victims are targeted online, instructed to purchase gold, and have it picked up by couriers who transport it to overseas operators, with the FBI reporting Americans lost over $311.8 million to similar scams last year.
mountain-news.com
· 2026-09-23
Inland Counties Legal Services representatives presented information on scams targeting older Americans, noting that seniors lose over $3 billion annually with those over 80 experiencing the highest median losses. The presentation covered multiple scam types including phone fraud, caller ID spoofing, phishing text messages, social media scams (which grew from $19 million in 2019 to $380 million in 2023), and tech support scams that stole $587.8 million from victims over 60 in 2022. Attorneys emphasized that many scams go unreported due to seniors' reluctance to admit victimization, and advised the audience to pause before responding to suspicious contacts, avoid clicking links, and
nzherald.co.nz
· 2026-09-22
Reece Salmon, a 28-year-old fraudster who was recently deported from New Zealand after serving time for a $400,000 elder fraud scheme, was murdered in London on September 16. Salmon had posed as an undercover police officer to defraud elderly victims aged 69-95, stealing $239,500 in cash and $172,000 in gold bullion from 19 victims between July and August 2024 by convincing them to withdraw money or purchase gold as part of a fake police investigation. He was released on parole in February and deported to the UK in May, but was fatally stabbed on a London street weeks later with no arrests made
fortune.com
· 2026-09-22
Microsoft and Coinbase dismantled the "EvilTokens" phishing network, which sold a do-it-yourself phishing kit on Telegram for $100-$300 monthly that used AI to identify payment decision-makers and bypass two-factor authentication. The scam defrauded businesses including real estate firms, banks, and healthcare providers of approximately $1.1 million in cryptocurrency between October 2025 and June 2026, with two men arrested in September by London's Metropolitan Police. The kit's accessibility and effectiveness represented an evolution in phishing-as-a-service attacks, requiring minimal technical skill to operate on an industrial scale.
theguardian.com
· 2026-09-22
Fashion scams targeting online shoppers involve fake websites and marketplace listings offering nonexistent items or cheap counterfeits, often using pressure tactics around limited-time deals and scarcity to rush buyers into purchases. Scammers create increasingly sophisticated replicas of legitimate retailer sites and use stolen product images with professional-sounding descriptions, with victims either receiving inferior dupes or nothing at all. The article provides guidance on spotting these frauds, including checking for red flags like suspicious URLs, broken links, reverse image searching products, and verifying seller legitimacy through independent reviews.
pymnts.com
· 2026-09-22
In July 2026, 21% of consumers reported being scam victims in the past five years, with romance scams rising 22% and identity theft remaining the costliest at an average loss of $6,050, though travel scams top individual losses at $35,272 per victim. Scammers are shifting tactics, increasing SMS/text contact by 35% while reducing emails, and tailoring approaches by generation—Gen Z faces more text and social media scams while seniors are targeted through fraudulent links and fake ecommerce schemes. Millennials and Gen Z experience the highest victimization rates at 26% and 24% respectively, with these younger generations accounting for an estimated $314
thediplomat.com
· 2026-09-22
Filipino journalist Eunice Barbara Novio reports that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) spawned a trafficking network that lures Filipinos with false job offers and forces them into scam operations, with thousands still trapped in compounds in Myanmar and along the Thai border. Former Bamban mayor Alice Guo was sentenced to life in prison in November 2025 for qualified human trafficking involving hundreds of victims forced to run scams under threat of mistreatment and torture. The Philippine government's Department of Migrant Workers has been working to extract and repatriate victims, though criminal operations continue to relocate further inland to evade authorities.
itnews.com.au
· 2026-09-22
North Korean cyber actors using the alias WaterPlum are posing as recruiters in fake job postings targeting IT professionals worldwide, infecting over 30,000 devices across 100+ countries with malware to steal cryptocurrency and sensitive information, resulting in losses of approximately $15.4 million transferred to North Korea. Separately, a UN sanctions monitoring team reported that North Korea deploys thousands of IT workers under false identities to Western companies, generating an estimated $450-800 million annually for the regime while confiscating 80-90% of their wages.
jornal.unicamp.br
· 2026-09-22
Researchers at Unicamp's Recod.ai laboratory developed an artificial intelligence model called Smish-Checker that detects SMS fraud (smishing) by analyzing multiple types of evidence including URLs, message content, and network signals rather than relying on obvious flaws like typos. The AI system groups similar messages together to efficiently handle large volumes of fraudulent texts, addressing the challenge that advanced generative AI has made it easier for scammers to create nearly indistinguishable fake messages without grammatical errors. The methodology is applicable beyond SMS to platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
japantimes.co.jp
· 2026-09-22
Cambodia is hosting an international conference this week with representatives from about 20 countries, including the U.S. and China, to demonstrate its efforts against online fraud operations. The country displayed a seized scam compound containing counterfeit currency and a fake police station as evidence of enforcement actions against the multibillion-dollar online scam industry operating across Southeast Asia. These scam operations typically target internet users through romance fraud and cryptocurrency investment schemes, often involving trafficked individuals forced to participate.
france24.com
· 2026-09-22
Cambodia hosted a global anti-fraud conference while showcasing a shuttered scam compound that reportedly employed 20,000 scammers, as the country faces international pressure over its role as a Southeast Asian hub for online fraud operations estimated to generate billions annually. Cambodian authorities claimed to have closed 663 scam sites and frozen $300 million in related accounts, though analysts remain skeptical about the sustainability of the crackdown, noting that criminal operations have adapted by dispersing to smaller locations and that key protection networks remain intact. The U.S. estimates that transnational scam organizations in Southeast Asia defrauded Americans of at least $18.2 billion in 2025 alone through schemes involving
heraldextra.com
· 2026-09-22
BYU researchers found that AI-generated phishing messages are more effective at deceiving people than human-created ones, fooling recipients 28% of the time compared to 21% for human messages, with AI particularly excelling at creating highly personalized scams. The study revealed that users could only correctly identify whether a message was AI or human-generated 52% of the time—essentially a coin flip—highlighting the growing threat of AI-powered fraud targeting individuals through text, email, and phone calls. Researchers are now exploring how AI itself might be used to provide personalized phishing training to help people and employees better recognize and defend against these evolving scams.
gov.uk
· 2026-09-22
The UK and Cambodia are signing a new Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen cooperation against online scam networks and human trafficking, with UK Minister Lord Hanson attending an International Conference on Combating Online Scams in Phnom Penh from September 22-24. The partnership builds on coordinated action that has already frozen over £125 million in assets linked to scam centres in Southeast Asia. The agreement will facilitate intelligence sharing, financial and digital investigations, and enhanced protections for trafficking victims connected to scam operations.
amac.us
· 2026-09-22
Social media scams exploit trusted platforms and personal details shared online to deceive users into sending money, revealing personal information, or downloading malware, with older adults facing heightened risk due to unfamiliarity with newer tactics and accumulated savings. Common scams include impersonation schemes like the "grandparent scam," where fraudsters pose as family members in distress requesting urgent money, and fake product offers within trusted community groups. Users can protect themselves by creating strong, unique passwords, being cautious about what personal details they share online, and verifying requests through independent contact with known family members or organizations.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-22
Indiana seniors lost $81.5 million to elder fraud last year, with scammers increasingly targeting them through gift card and prepaid money card schemes after cryptocurrency ATM machines were shut down. Con artists use emotional stories to convince victims to purchase Green Dot money paks or gift cards, which are untraceable and typically result in losses of $20,000-$50,000 per victim over 6-12 months. The Terre Haute Police Department warns that if someone is pressuring you to buy gift cards or prepaid cards for any reason other than as an actual gift, it is a scam.
foxnews.com
· 2026-09-21
A 75-year-old South Carolina man with Parkinson's disease and a brain injury allegedly had his home transferred to his caregiver for $5 through a quitclaim deed after the caregiver obtained power of attorney, with the daughter claiming the vulnerable father may not have understood what he signed and that money subsequently moved from his bank account to the caregiver even after his death. The case highlights elder financial exploitation and the importance of monitoring property records and financial accounts for unauthorized changes, as the allegations involve potential undue influence rather than forged documents. Conway police are investigating the matter, though the allegations have not been proven in court.
local21news.com
· 2026-09-21
An Arizona resident lost $48,000 in a romance scam where someone pretending to be WWE wrestler Rhea Ripley built a romantic relationship over two years, initially requesting money for a fan club and fake job opportunities, then escalating to weekly demands for gift cards and eventually payments through PayPal and Cash App. The scammer, who cybersecurity tracking linked to Nigeria and New Jersey, threatened blackmail when the victim tried to stop sending money. This case emerged following a Pennsylvania man's report of losing $42,000 in a similar Rhea Ripley impersonation scam.
newswav.com
· 2026-09-21
Singapore police are warning the public about a phishing scam using fake SPF logos and pop-up alerts claiming devices are locked due to illegal website access and demanding payment of "outstanding fines" within hours. Victims who fall for the scam discover unauthorized foreign currency charges on their bank accounts that often exceed the stated fines. Authorities emphasized that the SPF never remotely locks devices or issues fines via pop-ups and urged the public to verify suspicious alerts through the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
menendez.house.gov
· 2026-09-21
Congressman Rob Menendez introduced two bipartisan bills that passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee: the AI for Secure Networks Act, which addresses AI-driven cyberattacks on communications and critical infrastructure, and the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act, which aims to create a national coordinated effort among federal agencies, law enforcement, and corporations to combat increasingly sophisticated scams targeting American families and seniors. Neither bill specifies particular scams, victims, or dollar amounts, as they focus on establishing preventative frameworks and policy rather than addressing specific fraud incidents.
straitstimes.com
· 2026-09-21
Since January, at least 119 cases of scams impersonating Harvey Norman employees have resulted in losses of $4.8 million, primarily targeting middle-aged and elderly individuals in Singapore. Scammers call victims claiming they purchased items or have pending deliveries, then transfer them to accomplices posing as Monetary Authority of Singapore officials who accuse them of money laundering and demand money transfers, gold purchases, or valuables under the guise of investigations. Police warned of a surge in these scams and reminded the public that legitimate government officials never request cash transfers, valuables, or banking credentials.
northcentralpa.com
· 2026-09-21
State police and the Lycoming County Sheriff's Office are warning residents of a phone scam where callers impersonate law enforcement and claim victims missed jury duty, now facing arrest warrants, then demand payment to resolve the alleged warrant. The scammers sometimes have personal details about victims, including their names and jury summons information, and may spoof caller IDs to appear as "Private Number." Authorities emphasize they never demand phone payment, gift cards, or personal information, and advise residents to hang up and call agencies directly using official numbers.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-21
Gen Z (ages 14-29) faces significantly higher rates of online scams and identity theft than baby boomers, with the FTC reporting that social media scams alone cost consumers $2.1 billion in 2025. Those under 20 reported over 31,000 complaints resulting in $67.1 million in losses, while those aged 20-29 reported over 112,000 complaints totaling $563.1 million in losses. Gen Z's constant social media presence, prioritization of convenience over security, and assumption that online protection efforts are futile make them prime targets for cybercriminals.
legalbrief.co.za
· 2026-09-21
Six alleged members of the Black Axe organized crime network were extradited from South Africa to the US to face charges of wire fraud and money laundering related to romance scams and advance fee schemes that operated from Cape Town between 2011 and 2021. South African law enforcement agencies, including the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority, collaborated with Interpol and US authorities to bring the defendants to justice, where they face potential sentences exceeding 50 years in prison. The defendants allegedly led the Cape Town "zone" of Black Axe and defrauded victims through internet-based romance scams and fraudulent advance fee schemes.
houmatimes.com
· 2026-09-20
Congressman Clay Higgins introduced two bills to protect seniors from financial exploitation: one requiring fraud alerts on pre-approved credit cards and enhanced fraud detection training for financial institutions, and another limiting Social Security Administration clawbacks of benefit overpayments caused by agency error. These legislative measures aim to reduce elder financial vulnerability from both predatory practices and government mistakes, with protections including 24-hour account activity notifications and caps on monthly benefit withholding at 5%.
themoviebox.net
· 2026-09-20
This article is about television show trailers and entertainment industry content. It does not contain any information about elder fraud, scams, or fraudulent activities. It cannot be summarized as requested because it is not relevant to the elder fraud research database.
usatoday.com
· 2026-09-20
Alison Walsh booked an Airbnb vacation rental in San Diego for spring break that drastically differed from the listing photos—featuring safety hazards like rusty nails and duct tape—which she suspected were AI-generated, and she had to scramble to find alternative accommodations while waiting a month for a full refund. A 2026 survey found that 52% of American travelers have booked rentals that looked significantly different from their listing images, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated photos, fake reviews, and bait-and-switch tactics to deceive guests.
theguardian.com
· 2026-09-20
Homoglyph attacks are a growing scam tactic where fraudsters create deceptively similar URLs and email addresses by substituting characters from different alphabets—such as using Cyrillic letters instead of Latin ones (e.g., miсrosoft.com instead of microsoft.com)—to trick users into visiting fake websites and entering their credentials. The scam exploits psychology rather than technical sophistication, relying on users' rushed decision-making and the difficulty of spotting nearly identical characters, particularly in certain fonts like Comic Sans. To protect against this threat, users should independently verify URLs by typing them directly rather than clicking links, enable multi-factor authentication, and keep browsers updated to detect suspicious sites.
malaymail.com
· 2026-09-20
A Singapore healthcare company's CFO nearly lost S$120,000 after scammers impersonated the chairman and managing director on Microsoft Teams, demanding an urgent fund transfer that was only prevented by the company's physical signature requirement for payments. The incident reflects a sharp rise in business email compromise scams in Singapore, with losses reaching S$57.3 million in the first half of 2026, up from S$19.5 million the previous year. Experts warn that such scams have evolved beyond traditional emails to exploit messaging platforms and exploit workplace hierarchies, with the sense of urgency and impersonation of senior executives making employees less likely to verify requests.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2026-09-20
The PROOF Act (HR 10326), which recently passed the House, would grant federal investigators access to state records—including identity verification, benefit disbursement logs, and provider billing statements—to investigate fraud in federally funded programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and unemployment benefits. Senior living organizations like Argentum and the National Center for Assisted Living support fraud prevention efforts but are concerned the bill could create additional administrative burdens and reporting requirements for providers already subject to extensive regulation. The measure now moves to the Senate for consideration and would require the US Attorney General to submit annual reports on information requests, target programs, and resulting convictions.
creators.yahoo.com
· 2026-09-20
A caller impersonating an Adams County Sheriff's sergeant attempted to scam the author by claiming there was a "legal matter" requiring attention, but the scam was foiled when the caller incorrectly referred to the agency as "Adams County Sheriff's Department" instead of the correct "Adams County Sheriff's Office." The scammer, identifying himself as "Sgt. Don Davis," was part of a broader scheme where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to extract money from victims by claiming they missed jury duty, have legal violations, or face arrest unless they pay fines immediately.
sciotocountydailynews.com
· 2026-09-19
A woman lost nearly $1,000 from three accounts after calling a number in a fake Geek Squad refund email, where scammers impersonated company representatives and convinced her to send money before admitting the fraud. In a separate case, another woman reported suspicious gift-card charges totaling over $78 connected to a man she was communicating with through a dating app, highlighting two common scam tactics: fake refund schemes and online romance fraud. The FTC warns consumers to verify company contact information independently rather than using numbers from unsolicited emails or texts, and to never send money to people met only online.
money.ca
· 2026-09-19
Close to 477,000 Canadians aged 65 and older have diagnosed dementia, with financial mistakes often being the earliest warning sign of cognitive decline before memory symptoms appear. Common red flags include missed bill payments, unusual spending patterns like large cash withdrawals or gift-card purchases, and memory lapses around finances—all of which can make seniors vulnerable to investment scams, romance scams, and financial exploitation. Financial experts recommend setting up automatic bill payments and establishing proper legal arrangements like powers of attorney while seniors are still cognitively capable, rather than adding adult children to joint accounts where funds can be withdrawn without permission.
abc45.com
· 2026-09-19
The Burlington Police Department is warning residents about multiple scam types including fake customer service, jury duty impersonation, malware pop-ups, sweepstakes, romance, and NFC/ghost tapping scams. Police advise residents to verify requests directly with official sources, never provide remote access or banking information to unsolicited callers, and report suspicious activity to avoid becoming victims of these evolving fraud schemes.
wrestlingnews.co
· 2026-09-19
A 64-year-old Pennsylvania man lost $42,700 in March to a scammer impersonating WWE star Rhea Ripley through an unknown contact method. Celebrity impersonation scams typically involve building relationships through fake social media accounts before requesting money for emergencies or travel. No arrests have been made, and the victim has declined to cooperate with Pennsylvania State Police.
straitstimes.com
· 2026-09-19
Scammers impersonating a healthcare firm's chairman and managing director on Microsoft Teams attempted to trick the company's CFO into transferring $120,000, nearly succeeding until she verified the request with the actual managing director. Business email compromise scams in Singapore surged dramatically, with cases rising from 156 to 262 and losses jumping from $19.5 million to $57.3 million in the first half of 2026, as scammers increasingly exploit messaging platforms and use sophisticated impersonation tactics to exploit workplace hierarchy and create urgency.
straitstimes.com
· 2026-09-19
Singapore's newly formed Cyber Command can now shut down scam websites, phone numbers, and social media pages within minutes—a significant improvement from the hours previously required. Scam losses in Singapore reached $410.6 million in the first half of 2026, with over $4 billion lost since 2019; in July, Cyber Command and the FBI jointly prevented US$2.7 million in cryptocurrency scam losses. The unit disrupted over 47,000 scam-related mobile lines, 37,500 WhatsApp accounts, and 52,200 malicious websites in six months, with scammers commonly impersonating news outlets to promote investment schemes and phishing operations
wcjb.com
· 2026-09-19
Scammers in Bradford County, Florida are calling residents claiming they missed jury duty and demanding immediate fines, a tactic that has also appeared in neighboring counties. Law enforcement warns that legitimate legal summons are never issued by phone and authorities never demand payment via phone, gift cards, or wire transfers. Residents are advised to hang up immediately if they receive such calls.
wbrc.com
· 2026-09-19
Card skimming scams are evolving as criminals develop new technologies to steal payment information without physical contact, including insert-style skimmers for chip cards and RFID skimming that targets tap-to-pay transactions; the FBI reports skimmer fraud costs Americans over $1 billion annually. Two individuals were recently arrested in Mississippi with skimming devices, fake cards, and over $10,000 in cash after planting skimmers at three Jefferson County businesses. Experts recommend using digital wallets with biometric security, RFID-blocking sleeves, inspecting card readers before use, and monitoring statements for unauthorized charges to protect against these evolving threats.
ky3.com
· 2026-09-19
A Cedar County woman lost funds from her Chime account after receiving a text alert about suspicious charges and then following instructions from a scammer posing as a fraud prevention specialist, who guided her through authorizing an unauthorized transfer. Although Chime initially denied reimbursement citing the customer's authorization of the transaction, the company reversed the charges after media intervention. Banking professionals warn that financial institutions typically are not liable for losses when account holders authorize transfers under manipulation, and advise consumers to verify callers independently rather than using contact information provided in unsolicited messages.