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WMBB News 13
· 2025-02-15
The Bay County Sheriff's Office warns that romance scams, often perpetrated through social media via "catfishing," are increasing around Valentine's Day and primarily target elderly individuals by exploiting loneliness and emotions. Scammers build fake online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, using emotional tactics and fear to cloud judgment. Residents are advised to be skeptical of requests for money from people they have never met in person and to report suspected scams to local law enforcement.
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Tampa Bay 28
· 2025-02-14
Cybersecurity experts report an uptick in romance scams around Valentine's Day, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics on dating apps and websites. One victim, Rebecca De Antonio, lost $100,000 after falling in love with someone she met online, and experts note such cases are becoming more common as online dating grows. Common tactics include sending fraudulent links designed to steal personal information, with one security firm blocking over 321,000 malicious URLs in just two months; experts warn that scammers rushing victims into commitments or requests for money are major red flags.
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PBS NewsHour
· 2025-02-16
Online romance scams target victims across all demographics through psychological manipulation, with perpetrators using fake profiles to convince people to invest money, often via cryptocurrency. Investigative reporter Cezary Podkul notes that victims have lost billions of dollars annually, with some individuals losing over $1 million, and that many scam operations are run by Chinese cybercriminal gangs that recruit trafficked individuals. To protect oneself, people should watch for red flags like unsolicited contact offering investments, seek second opinions from trusted friends, and report suspected scams immediately to local police, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Secret Service to aid law enforcement in tracing funds and identifying additional
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NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-02-20
A local police department warns the public about evolving fraud schemes, including grandparent scams where callers claim a relative needs bail money and social media scams involving QR codes (one victim lost approximately $15,000). Detective Brian Amler advises that fraud prevention requires talking to loved ones about suspicious requests, verifying unusual claims with family members, and recognizing that scammers exploit emotional urgency and pressure to pay immediately.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-02-22
Tax scammers are actively targeting taxpayers during the 2025 tax season by filing fraudulent returns using stolen Social Security numbers to claim refunds. The Better Business Bureau warns that identity theft through tax fraud is particularly prevalent during tax season, with one example involving a scammer filing a fraudulent return using a victim's SSN for thousands of dollars—though the IRS flagged the duplicate filing and sent notice. To protect against this scam, experts recommend using the IRS Identity Protection PIN (issued annually in December/January), filing taxes early once W-2s arrive, and remembering that the IRS never contacts taxpayers by phone, text, or email.
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CBC News
· 2025-02-26
An 84-year-old senior in Surrey, B.C., fell victim to a phone scam in January when she received a fraudulent email warning of unauthorized bank account activity and called the provided number, where a scammer impersonating a police constable pressured her to withdraw $20,000 from her bank in two transactions. The scammer maintained contact with the victim through 41 phone calls, keeping her in a state of fear and preventing her from contacting anyone else, until she attempted a third withdrawal and her neighbor recognized the scam and reported it to police.
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FOX 47 News
· 2025-02-26
Tax season scams are prevalent, with fraudsters impersonating tax preparers and the IRS to steal personal information and money through threats of legal trouble or false promises of refunds. To protect yourself, verify that tax preparers are legitimate, never provide personal information to unsolicited callers or emails, and remember that the IRS communicates through certified mail only, never by phone or email.
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KMBC 9
· 2025-02-26
Prosecutors in Leavenworth are warning of a scam targeting families of incarcerated individuals, in which scammers monitor jail logs, obtain court and bond information, then impersonate sheriff's deputies to pressure families into paying false fees (such as $4,500 for an ankle bracelet) under the pretense of securing an inmate's release. Victims should verify any such claims directly with official law enforcement or court channels, avoid phone payments, and be wary of artificial urgency tactics.
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NBC Chicago
· 2025-03-01
Naperville police warned residents of scams targeting the community, reporting that residents lost $5.5 million to scammers in one year, with victims ranging in age from 15 to 91 years old. Common scams included cryptocurrency fraud, fake warrant phone calls, tech support scams, online retail scams, and phishing, with scammers often impersonating the IRS, Medicare, tech companies, or financial institutions and pressuring immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers. Police advised residents to block unwanted calls, resist pressure to act immediately, consult trusted contacts before responding to strangers, and contact their bank and credit bureaus if they believe they've been scammed.
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National Geographic
· 2025-03-02
Investigative journalist Mariana Van Zeller explores cryptocurrency "rug pull" scams, where fraudsters create fake crypto tokens to steal investor money—a scheme that victimized people of nearly $3 billion in 2021 alone. The episode follows Van Zeller's investigation into young, wealthy scammers who exploit cryptocurrency's unregulated decentralized finance space, and features interviews with victims like Xavier, who lost money across multiple rug pull schemes with no recourse in the largely lawless crypto market.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-03-04
A cybersecurity survey reveals that many Americans are overconfident in their ability to avoid online scams, with over a third believing victimization only occurs from oversharing and nearly half thinking misspellings easily identify scams—misconceptions that no longer hold true as scammers increasingly sophisticate their tactics. Despite 75% of respondents agreeing scams should be reported, actual reporting rates are significantly lower, dropping to 14% for romance scams, while seniors remain the most targeted demographic though younger age groups are experiencing the fastest growth in scam victimization.
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CBS 13 News
· 2025-03-04
Financial losses from scams in Maine are rising significantly, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated and relentless tactics that have intensified since the pandemic, according to AARP Maine experts. Common scam types affecting Maine residents include door-to-door scams and romance scams, among others, and anyone can become a victim regardless of demographics. Experts emphasize that knowledge and vigilance are critical to protecting oneself from these evolving fraud schemes.
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WATE 6 On Your Side
· 2025-03-04
Scammers are impersonating legitimate health insurance organizations and calling marketplace insurance customers claiming to offer $500+ subsidies for living expenses that don't require repayment. The fraudsters attempt to direct victims to third-party websites or call centers to steal personal information under the guise of issuing a "benefit card." A Knoxville woman with marketplace coverage reported receiving dozens of these spam calls in recent weeks and warned others not to fall for the scheme.
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KSDK News
· 2025-03-07
Scammers are sending text messages claiming recipients owe money for unpaid tolls and directing them to click suspicious links. The scam works by asking victims to reply to the message, which disables the phone's safety features that normally block links from unknown contacts, allowing scammers to send clickable links to fake websites. Recipients should report these messages as junk and delete them without engaging or clicking any links.
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WTVC NewsChannel 9
· 2025-03-10
Tennessee is addressing a surge in romance scams targeting seniors through the proposed "Romance Scam Prevention Act," which would require dating apps to implement fraud prevention measures. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Tennessee residents over 60 lost $43 million to scams in 2023, with romance scammers building trust before requesting money or financial access through fabricated stories. Law enforcement recommends contacting local police if suspicious activity seems out of place, as officers can often quickly identify common scam tactics.
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Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2025-03-12
SMS phishing scams ("smishing"), along with related voice phishing ("vishing"), remain prevalent threats that consumers regularly receive via text messages and calls. The FBI warns consumers to delete these deceptive messages rather than clicking links, as leaving them on devices can allow scammers to access personal information; scammers typically exploit current news trends and seasonal events like tax season to lure victims.
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CNBC
· 2025-03-15
Toll text scams are proliferating as scammers exploit the shift to electronic tolling systems and mobile phone usage, sending deceptive messages claiming unpaid tolls are due and threatening fines or license suspension. Clicking links in these texts can result in malware installation or credential theft, as legitimate toll operators never contact customers via text requesting payment through links. Federal agencies including the FTC and FBI have warned the public that these scams have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread across the country.
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We Are Iowa Local 5 News
· 2025-03-17
Grandparent scams are impostor fraud schemes where scammers impersonate a grandchild or other trusted person (minister, friend, family member) to convince older adults to send money urgently. The caller typically claims to be in trouble—arrested, injured, or needing bail—and pressures the victim not to contact their parents, exploiting emotional vulnerability and the grandparent's natural desire to help. To avoid these scams, older adults should verify the caller's identity through independent contact with family members and remain skeptical of urgent money requests, particularly those demanding secrecy.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-03-19
The Colbert County Sheriff's Office held a scam awareness presentation at the East Colbert Senior Center to educate seniors about fraud prevention. Sheriff Eric Valentine warned attendees to be cautious of suspicious calls, texts, and emails, and emphasized never sharing banking information over the phone, noting that scam victims in the area have lost between $4,000 and $10,000, with recovery being nearly impossible once funds are sent.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-03-19
The Colbert County Sheriff's Office reported a recent surge in phone and text scams targeting senior citizens in the area, with reported losses reaching approximately $60,000. Common scams include impersonation of grandchildren claiming emergency money is needed and fraudsters posing as law enforcement demanding payment; the sheriff emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never call requesting money and advised seniors to use common sense and contact the sheriff's department if uncertain about a call's legitimacy. The office hosted scam prevention presentations at senior centers to educate residents on recognizing and avoiding these schemes.
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CBC News
· 2025-03-19
Police in Montreal arrested 23 people in June operating an elaborate grandparent scam network targeting American seniors, allegedly defrauding them of $21 million USD ($30 million CAD) through coordinated call centers. The scam typically involved one caller impersonating a grandchild in financial distress, followed by another impersonating a police officer directing victims to wire money (usually around $10,000). Montreal has emerged as a major hub for these large-scale grandparent scam operations, which cause significant financial loss to vulnerable elderly victims in the United States.
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WITN-TV
· 2025-03-20
Jones County hosted a community safety event called "Wellness" to educate senior citizens about scams and fraud, which have been increasing across the East. Attendees learned about various scam tactics, including text/phone scams that may contain viruses and family emergency scams, with participants sharing their personal experiences being targeted by scammers.
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CBC News
· 2025-03-21
Three prominent online fraud fighters—Jim Browning, Kitboga, and Pleasant Green—collaborated to infiltrate and disrupt scammer call centers targeting North American victims. Through real-time interception, they successfully prevented multiple fraud attempts including one targeting a woman threatened with legal trouble, coordinating with banks and law enforcement to protect victims from losing thousands of dollars. The operation demonstrated tactics used by scammers and highlighted how these vigilantes have collectively disrupted hundreds of scam centers and prevented hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses over nearly a decade.
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60 Minutes
· 2025-03-23
This 60 Minutes segment examines why investment fraud and Ponzi schemes continue to thrive despite public awareness of high-profile cases like Bernie Madoff's multi-billion dollar fraud. The piece features expert Ricky Jay discussing how con artists exploit human psychology—including greed and excessive trust—and identifies key warning signs such as dealings with well-established figures who rely on exclusive affiliations to build credibility. The segment highlights that despite financial disasters and skepticism, investors remain vulnerable to sophisticated scams, a phenomenon regulators refer to as "ponzi-monium."
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KETV NewsWatch 7
· 2025-03-25
Smart Gen Society advises people across all age groups to be cautious of multiple scam tactics, including suspicious emails with requests to open attachments or provide money, phone calls using deepfake AI voices impersonating family members claiming to be stranded, and requests to withdraw cash, purchase gift cards, or send money orders. The key recommendation is to authenticate the source of all communications by hanging up and independently calling the person in question, and to never respond to requests for immediate payment through ATMs, gift cards, or money transfers.
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WFSU Public Media
· 2025-03-26
Florida residents, particularly seniors, are experiencing widespread scam calls and text messages, including toll balance fraud and unsolicited calls from unknown numbers. According to board-certified elder law attorney Jana McConna, vulnerable seniors—especially those who are isolated, lonely, recently widowed, or experiencing memory issues—are actively being targeted, with scammers exploiting emotional vulnerability and cognitive decline to financially manipulate victims. McConna emphasizes that isolation and loneliness are key risk factors that make seniors susceptible to fraud schemes.
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CBS Philadelphia
· 2025-03-27
Washington Township Police Department in New Jersey partnered with the FBI to host an educational seminar teaching seniors and families how to recognize and avoid scams, prompted by recent major fraud cases in their community. Scammers commonly use fear, urgency, and confusion to target seniors through IRS scams, grandparent scams, tax support scams, online banking scams, and EasyPass billing scams, with recent local cases involving losses of $100,000 or more. Police emphasize that recognizing red flags through education is the most effective way to prevent seniors from losing their savings to fraud.
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11Alive
· 2025-03-27
A woman named Chandler Rogers lent her phone to a stranger claiming he was stranded and needed to contact friends, but the man used the unsecured device to steal nearly $7,000 total from her Venmo and Cash App accounts. The phone borrowing scam, which typically occurs in public places where scammers claim emergencies like dead batteries, also allows criminals access to emails, personal data, and authentication codes; experts warn never to lend phones to strangers and recommend using app security protections.
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WIRED
· 2025-03-28
A WIRED article examines romance scams through the story of a victim who lost $300,000 after meeting someone on the dating app Hinge who posed as a cryptocurrency entrepreneur and convinced her to invest her savings and IRA funds. The piece explores how scammers use dating platforms to build trust over weeks or months before exploiting victims financially, and notes that romance scams are among the most personally and financially damaging online fraud schemes, with perpetrators constantly evolving their tactics.
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5NEWS
· 2025-03-28
The Arkansas Attorney General is warning residents about a resurfacing text messaging scam targeting toll road users. The alert advises residents to be cautious of unsolicited texts claiming to be from toll road operators, which are used to steal personal and financial information.
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NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2025-03-30
A woman in Atlanta lost nearly $7,000 after lending her phone to a stranger who claimed to need it for an emergency after losing his phone in an Uber. The scammer used the borrowed phone to transfer funds via Venmo and Cash App without the victim's knowledge. Police departments, the American Bankers Association, and Microsoft warn that phone borrowing scams are ongoing, with scammers typically claiming emergencies like dead batteries or lost devices in public places to gain access to victims' phones and financial accounts.
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FOX 4 Now
· 2025-04-03
Lee County Sheriff's Office reported approximately 20 fraud cases daily in 2024, with 2,400 total reported cases—60% resulting in losses exceeding $10,000 each. The most common scam involved fraudsters impersonating law enforcement and claiming victims missed court dates, demanding payment via untraceable methods like Bitcoin or gift cards, though recent high-dollar wire fraud cases totaled $395,000, $475,000, and $158,000. Most suspects operate outside the United States, making recovery of stolen funds difficult once money is transferred overseas.
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wpsu
· 2025-04-05
This educational piece outlines two major categories of scams that affect consumers: illegal scams that attempt to steal personal information (like social security numbers and credit card details) to access accounts and money, and predatory scams that are typically legal but equally deceptive and financially damaging. The article advises that legitimate companies never request account information via unsolicited texts, emails, or calls, and viewers should be cautious of suspicious communications and fraudulent links.
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WFRV Local 5
· 2025-04-06
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office received multiple complaints about a jury duty scam in which callers used caller ID spoofing to impersonate the sheriff's office and threatened victims with fines or jail time for allegedly missing jury duty. The sheriff's office clarified that they never solicit personal or financial information by phone, and warned that any call demanding money is likely a scam.
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Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV
· 2025-04-08
A Macomb County senior citizen lost over $30,000 in a Bitcoin internet service scam after receiving an email about home internet security protection she did not sign up for. When she called to cancel, scammers posing as customer service representatives gained access to her personal and banking information, ultimately tricking her into sending money via Bitcoin. The scam targeted seniors looking to save money and appears to have affected multiple victims in the local area.
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NBC10 Boston
· 2025-04-08
The FBI warns of a widespread scam targeting iPhone and Android users in which scammers impersonate law enforcement officials via text messages and voicemails to demand money or personal information under the pretense of a supposed offense. Consumers should be alert to fraudulent messages impersonating legitimate organizations like USPS, banks, and utility providers, which use urgent language and suspicious links to trick recipients into providing personal or financial information.
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THV11
· 2025-04-08
Modern scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate contacts, including impersonating law enforcement and court officials through voicemails claiming victims have missed court dates or been served papers. These emotionally manipulative scams attempt to pressure victims into providing sensitive information or money by creating a false sense of urgency and legal jeopardy. Authorities recommend vigilance in verifying the legitimacy of unexpected calls and texts before responding with personal or financial information.
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FOX 4 Now
· 2025-04-09
Tax-related scams are surging during tax season, with cybersecurity firm Guardio reporting a 244% increase in IRS and tax-related spam messages since the beginning of the year. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated AI-powered tactics to impersonate the IRS, targeting sensitive information like bank accounts and social security numbers with urgent messaging. Key protection: the IRS only contacts taxpayers via text if prior permission was given, so unsolicited tax-related texts and calls are typically fraudulent.
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ABC4 Utah
· 2025-04-10
The U.S. Postal Service warns the public about romance scams, where fraudsters pose as romantic interests online to solicit money from victims, emphasizing that people should never send money or valuables to anyone they haven't met in person. The USPS is also working to combat mail carrier robberies by implementing new mailboxes with digital locks to enhance carrier safety and reduce theft risks.
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11Alive
· 2025-04-10
An Atlanta woman nearly fell victim to an online scam while selling an entertainment center on Nextdoor for $460. The scammer sent her a check for $2,260 instead of the agreed amount, claiming the extra funds were for additional pickups, but the woman became suspicious when the amount didn't match their agreement. After verifying the bank and LLC information appeared legitimate, she deposited the check but ultimately discovered it was fraudulent, avoiding a loss of over $1,500.
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KPAX-TV
· 2025-04-11
A Helena, Montana resident nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam when a caller posing as a sheriff's office representative threatened arrest for missed jury duty and demanded $5,000 payment. The victim avoided losing money by contacting his bank, Opportunity Bank of Montana, whose employees verified the scam and confirmed the fraudster had spoofed the sheriff's department's phone number. The transcript emphasizes common tactics scammers use—fear and urgency—and recommends pausing to verify information before responding to suspicious communications.
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NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-04-11
Scammers are increasingly impersonating government agencies—particularly the Social Security Administration, Health and Human Services, Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Postal Service—to steal personal information and money through unsolicited calls. Losses from government impersonation scams rose from $618 million in 2023 to $789 million in 2024, with over 265,000 reports filed, and victims should know that legitimate government agencies never demand money, make threats, or ask people to move funds over the phone.
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CTV News
· 2025-04-15
Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre unveiled a proposed crackdown on senior fraud, noting that Canadian seniors are 33% more likely to lose money in scams than other age groups. His proposed measures include requiring banks and telecom providers to detect and block fraud in real-time, implementing 24-hour delays on high-risk transactions from senior accounts, creating new criminal offenses for executives who enable senior scams, and imposing harsher penalties for fraudsters. The proposal responds to thousands of Canadian seniors losing millions to scams in recent years, including phishing texts and robocalls targeting those over 65.
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ABC News
· 2025-04-23
The FBI reported that Americans lost a record $16.6 billion to scams last year, a 33% increase from the previous year, with seniors aged 60 and older being disproportionately targeted and losing nearly $5 billion. Scams targeting seniors included impersonation schemes (fake coworkers, tech support), with criminals posing as tech support claiming to remove viruses for a fee. The FBI urged consumers to "check, call, and wait"—verify email addresses and phone numbers, confirm authenticity by calling, and wait before sending money to verify legitimacy.
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WBNS 10TV
· 2025-04-30
Scammers are increasingly targeting seniors with fake text messages and calls impersonating banks and the FDIC to steal social security numbers and bank account information. Columbus police, Chase Bank, and local housing authorities held an awareness event for seniors to educate them on protecting their identities and money, emphasizing that victims should file police reports to help investigators track patterns and determine if criminals are operating locally or overseas.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-05-05
A Full Stack Academy survey ranks Indiana second nationally for phishing scam victims, with 40% of Hoosiers reporting they've been targeted and 69% lacking confidence in spotting phishing attempts. The most common scam tactic in the state involves impersonating major delivery services (Amazon, USPS, UPS) and payment platforms (PayPal, FedEx) to lure victims into clicking malicious links through fake delivery delay notifications, with email remaining the primary attack vector. Experts recommend independently verifying suspicious messages by navigating directly to company websites or looking up official phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited communications.
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News4JAX The Local Station
· 2025-05-06
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers frequently target older adults through telemarketing fraud by spoofing caller ID to impersonate trustworthy sources like government agencies or banks. Key red flags include unsolicited calls and pressure to make quick decisions; legitimate agencies will not contact you unexpectedly or rush you into action. To reduce scam calls, seniors should register their phone numbers with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or by calling 1-888-382-1222.
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Dayton 24/7 Now
· 2025-05-13
Millions of elderly Americans fall victim to financial scams annually, with the most common targeting seniors being investment/cryptocurrency scams, home improvement scams, romance scams, and online purchase scams. Phone fraud is also prevalent, where scammers impersonate government agencies or bank officials, using either polite or threatening tactics to manipulate victims into sending money. To protect seniors, awareness of these common scam types and verification tactics is essential.
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FOX5 Las Vegas
· 2025-05-14
Scammers are targeting Medicare patients by posing as durable medical equipment companies or pharmacies and enrolling them in unwanted remote patient monitoring devices and services, often unapproved by the FDA, then billing them monthly fees. Victims may receive no equipment at all, unauthorized equipment, or have their Medicare information stolen for additional fraud. The Department of Health and Human Services advises seniors to consult their doctor before enrolling in any healthcare services, hang up on unsolicited medical device offers, refuse unordered deliveries, and report scams to the HHS hotline.
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therhodeshow
· 2025-05-20
This educational segment discusses common senior scams affecting millions of Americans annually, including identity theft schemes, grandparent scams (falsely claiming a relative needs bail money), tech support scams, and romance scams. Key prevention strategies include educating seniors about scam tactics, maintaining regular involvement in their financial affairs, and reporting suspected fraud to state police or adult services, while noting that many scams go unreported due to victim embarrassment.