Search

Explore the Archive

Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.

6,239 results in Phishing
wusa9.com · 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old woman in Washington, D.C. lost approximately $109,000 in a government impersonation scam after receiving a phone call claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. The scammer sent fraudulent documents (including a fake "U.S. Supreme Court" certificate with numerous grammatical errors) and text instructions directing her to transfer funds and mail cash to multiple accounts. This case illustrates a growing trend: the FBI reported elder fraud targeting those 60 and older exceeded $3.4 billion in losses last year, a significant increase from 2022, and authorities advise that legitimate government agencies contact people by mail only, never by phone, email
au.finance.yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
An Australian woman nearly lost $23,000 after clicking on a fraudulent text message posing as Australia Post requesting payment for parcel redelivery. She entered her banking details on a fake website before realizing the scam and quickly freezing her accounts, avoiding financial loss. Australia Post warned the public that they never request personal or financial information via SMS or email, and urged customers to verify sender authenticity and report suspicious messages.
familyhandyman.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending threatening extortion emails claiming to have compromising videos or photos of recipients and demanding $2,000 or more in cryptocurrency, using photos of victims' houses obtained from Google Street View screenshots to appear credible. Victims can identify the scam by checking whether actual intimate images are included in the email, searching the email text online to see if others received similar messages, or comparing the house photos to current Google Street View imagery. The FTC recommends reporting fraudulent transactions to your bank for potential reversal (though cryptocurrency transfers are typically irreversible) and filing a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
aol.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI operates the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website to help the public report cybercrime, receiving over 880,000 complaints in 2023 with estimated losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to scams including investment fraud, ransomware, phishing, and tech support schemes, with nearly 60 percent of call center scam losses coming from people over 60, and Americans over 60 losing over $1.1 billion to cryptocurrency scammers alone. The FBI emphasizes prevention through awareness and due diligence rather than investigation alone, and successfully prosecuted a tech support scam ring originating from an IC3 complaint that affected over
kpel965.com · 2025-12-08
Texas residents over age 50 are nearly six times more likely to be targeted by scams, with older Americans losing approximately $3 billion to fraud between 2019-2020, primarily through identity theft and phone/text schemes. Scammers target seniors because they hold 85% of the nation's wealth, have higher credit limits, and tend to be more trusting, with nearly 60% of elder financial exploitation committed by their own adult children. Experts recommend that family members educate older relatives about current scams, encourage reporting of attempts, and contact local law enforcement if victimized.
nypost.com · 2025-12-08
A California elderly man was defrauded of $25,000 by scammers using AI voice technology to impersonate his son, claiming he had caused a car accident and needed bail money; after an initial call from the AI-generated voice, follow-up calls from supposed lawyers named "Michael Roberts" and "Mark Cohen" pressured him to make two separate bank withdrawals totaling $25,000, which he handed to Uber drivers before discovering the fraud. The scam exploited the victim's emotional distress and the speed of the scheme to prevent him from verifying his son's actual situation, highlighting how advanced AI technology and social engineering are making fraud increasingly difficult for seniors to detect.
heritagefl.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines six common scams targeting seniors in Central Florida: check tampering, voice printing/deepfakes, celebrity impersonation on social media, grandparent scams, sweepstakes fraud, and good Samaritan email scams. The piece advises seniors and families to contact the Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) to verify suspicious communications and identify potential fraud attempts.
nbcphiladelphia.com · 2025-12-08
QR codes pose significant fraud risks as scammers use fake codes—often placed as stickers over legitimate ones—to steal personal information and money through fake payment links and malicious app downloads. A recent survey found 83% of people used QR codes for financial transactions in three months, with a notable incident involving 150 tampered parking meters in a California beach town. Security experts recommend verifying QR code sources, using physical payment methods when available, avoiding codes that request personal information, and using free verification apps like "Genie" to identify potential scams.
news.uoregon.edu · 2025-12-08
The University of Oregon's Information Security Office reports positive results from simulated phishing email training campaigns, with employee click-through rates on fake phishing emails dropping from 40 percent in early 2022 to 19 percent by spring 2024. Phishing scams attempt to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information or clicking malicious links, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, or unauthorized system access, with cybercriminals targeting universities particularly during semester starts and breaks. The university recommends remaining vigilant against phishing attempts through email, phone, text, or chat; utilizing training resources; and reporting suspicious messages, while warning that even though 98.2 percent of mal
chroniclelive.co.uk · 2025-12-08
Scammers are placing fake QR codes on UK car park parking machines to redirect drivers to fraudulent websites where they steal credit card details—a phishing tactic known as "quishing." To avoid falling victim, drivers should inspect QR codes for signs of tampering, verify URLs before clicking them, check for website security features and legitimate design, avoid sites requesting excessive personal information, and use official parking apps instead of scanning codes. The article provides five protective measures as QR code scams become an increasingly common threat at parking facilities across the UK.
innovationorigins.com · 2025-12-08
In 2023, one in ten Dutch people fell victim to online scams, experiencing both financial and emotional harm from millions of fraudulent emails and messages circulating annually. The Dutch government launched the "Don't be scammed" campaign during cybersecurity month, with expert Patrick Jordens emphasizing that while sophisticated criminal tactics (including AI-generated phishing) and human vulnerability both play roles, effective prevention requires government support through resources like fraudhelpdesk.nl alongside individual vigilance—such as verifying sender identities and avoiding rushed decisions under pressure.
heraldscotland.com · 2025-12-08
The Coo Shed, an Ayrshire dairy business with 22,000 Instagram followers, fell victim to a social media scam in June when co-owner Alison Kerr clicked a link in a fraudulent email while attempting to obtain a verified badge, resulting in her losing control of the account. Despite contacting Meta support multiple times with promises of resolution within 24 hours, the company received no assistance and was forced to start over with a new Instagram page, significantly impacting their marketing efforts. Ms. Kerr warned other businesses to be cautious, noting that the scam was sophisticated enough to deceive even someone she considered "clued up" on such
dailydot.com · 2025-12-08
Two women were scammed out of $530 while attempting to purchase Gracie Abrams concert tickets through a Reddit and iMessage scheme. The scammer, posing as "Jesse," built trust by using professional communication, sharing photos of tickets, and switching payment methods multiple times (PayPal, Venmo, Facebook Messenger, Apple Cash) before ultimately blocking the victims once the full amount was transferred across various platforms. The women documented their experience on TikTok to warn others about this type of multi-platform payment scam.
Phishing Scam Awareness Payment App
sbs.com.au · 2025-12-08
Bank impersonation scams, where criminals pose as bank representatives via phone, email, or message to solicit personal information or funds, are rising across Australia and caused $11 million in losses between January and September 2023, with over-55s accounting for 56 percent of impersonation scam losses. To protect yourself, independently verify any banking communication by contacting your bank directly using details from official statements or websites, and remember that legitimate banks never request passwords, security codes, PINs, or ask customers to transfer money for safekeeping over the phone.
wbrc.com · 2025-12-08
A tech support email scam is circulating falsely claiming McAfee antivirus subscriptions will renew for over $350, urging recipients to call to cancel; the emails appear legitimate but originate from fraudulent addresses. McAfee and AARP warn that these scams are increasingly sophisticated, using AI and spoofing tactics to trick people into clicking malicious links that steal personal information and credit card numbers. The best defense is to verify sender email addresses against official company lists, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and contact companies directly through official channels to verify suspicious communications.
foxnews.com · 2025-12-08
Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, a 45% increase from 2022, with over 69,000 complaints filed to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. People aged 60 and older were disproportionately affected, reporting over $1.6 billion in losses across 16,806 complaints, primarily through investment fraud schemes and relationship-building scams that use fake websites and recovery schemes. Common tactics include scammers promising unrealistic returns via unsolicited contact, building trust through dating apps and social media before pushing crypto investment, and impersonating recovery specialists to steal additional funds from victims.
710keel.com · 2025-12-08
Louisiana residents over age 50 are nearly six times more likely to be targeted by scams, with older Americans losing approximately $3 billion to fraud between 2019-2020. Scammers exploit this demographic because they hold 85% of the nation's wealth, have higher credit limits, and tend to be more trusting, with nearly 60% of elder financial exploitation cases perpetrated by their own adult children. The article recommends that family members and friends educate older relatives about current scams, encourage reporting of attempted fraud, and advise contacting local law enforcement if victimized.
states.aarp.org · 2025-12-08
AARP Louisiana hosted an "Unmasking Fraud" educational event with nearly 150 attendees to equip older adults with knowledge to recognize and prevent scams, featuring expert speaker Paul Greenwood, a stakeholder roundtable, and resource fair. The Louisiana Attorney General's Office received the inaugural Fraud Fighter of the Year Award for its fraud-prevention efforts, and the event was broadcast on AARP Louisiana's Facebook, YouTube, and The Advocate's platforms to reach wider audiences. The event aims to inform future legislative solutions and strengthen Louisiana's protections against the fastest-growing threat to the state's aging population.
abc17news.com · 2025-12-08
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and experts advise consumers to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams by remembering the "three S's": stay suspicious, stop and think, and stay protected. Common scam tactics exploit fear, urgency, and money; frequent targets include seniors and vulnerable populations through robocalls, phishing emails, impersonation of authorities, and romance scams—with one 70-year-old woman losing tens of thousands over several months to a romance scammer. Experts recommend hanging up on unsolicited calls and texts, calling official numbers to verify requests, and asking trusted younger relatives to reverse-image search suspicious photos.
ironmountaindailynews.com · 2025-12-08
Computer scams continue to evolve with increasing sophistication, affecting even experienced and intelligent computer users. This educational piece outlines eight prevalent scam types: imposter/impersonation scams, pig butchering scams (fake investment schemes), romance scams, payment app scams, online shopping scams, delivery scams, lottery scams, charity scams, and robocalls—each employing psychological tactics like creating false urgency, building trust, or exploiting guilt to manipulate victims into surrendering money or personal information. The article advises readers to remain vigilant and informed about these tactics regardless of their computer experience level.
Romance Scam Crypto Investment Scam Investment Fraud Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Cash Payment App
globalnews.ca · 2025-12-08
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and security experts outline key scam prevention strategies as sophisticated fraud tactics continue to evolve. Scammers commonly exploit fear, urgency, and money as bait through phishing emails, spoofed caller IDs, robocalls, romance scams, and impersonation schemes targeting vulnerable populations including seniors and isolated individuals. The article recommends staying suspicious, stopping to think before acting, and staying protected by verifying requests through official channels and using tools like reverse image searches to identify potential fraud.
express.co.uk · 2025-12-08
A text message scam is targeting vulnerable UK residents by impersonating the "UK Government Living Allowance Office" and falsely claiming recipients can receive a winter heating subsidy, with fraudulent links directing victims to fake government websites designed to steal personal information. The scam exploits recent government cuts to Winter Fuel Payments that reduced eligible recipients from 11.4 million to 1.5 million pensioners, creating confusion and urgency that scammers weaponize to pressure victims into acting quickly. Security experts advise recipients to verify messages independently and avoid clicking unsolicited links, especially those claiming to be from government bodies.
azcentral.com · 2025-12-08
Americans lost an estimated $12.5 billion to online scams in the past year, with artificial intelligence-generated "deepfake" videos making investment frauds increasingly difficult to detect—the FBI estimates 39% of victims fell for deepfake-based schemes involving fabricated videos of business leaders, celebrities, or romantic interests. Scammers exploit AI to duplicate voices, crack passwords, and process large volumes of data, while most stolen money goes unrecovered, particularly when criminals demand payment in cryptocurrency and operate from overseas. Common defenses include using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and scrutinizing videos for unnatural movements, inconsistent lighting, and mismatched lip movements
nbcphiladelphia.com · 2025-12-08
**October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and experts emphasize protecting yourself from increasingly sophisticated scams using three key tactics: stay suspicious, stop to think, and stay protected.** Common scam methods exploit fear, urgency, and money incentives—such as fake tax return errors, impersonation of authority figures, and romance scams that can last years and target vulnerable individuals including seniors. Defensive measures include avoiding robocalls and suspicious texts, verifying contacts through official numbers, and using reverse-image searches to identify stolen photos used in romance scams.
startribune.com · 2025-12-08
**Summary:** October's Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights the increasing sophistication of scams, including phishing emails, text spoofing, and caller ID spoofing. Security experts advise consumers to remain vigilant by remembering the "three S's"—stay suspicious, stop and think, and stay protected—as scammers use tactics based on fear, urgency, and money to trick victims into sharing personal information or sending funds through romance scams, job scams, and impersonation schemes.
uk.finance.yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
This is not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is a standard privacy and cookie consent notice from Yahoo. No summary for the Elderus database is applicable.
etvbharat.com · 2025-12-08
A Gwalior businessman was defrauded of Rs 49 lakhs between July 2023 and February 2024 by international scammers posing as representatives of a UK-based pharmaceutical company, who lured him with promises of 20% commissions for exporting raw materials from Telangana. Police arrested a Tanzanian national and a woman from Meerut operating from Delhi in connection with the scheme, which involved 15 different bank accounts and has allegedly victimized multiple businessmen across India.
onmanorama.com · 2025-12-08
**Digital Arrests Scam in India** Scammers in India are conducting "digital arrest" fraud, impersonating law enforcement officers via video calls to falsely accuse victims of crimes and extort money while confining them to their homes. High-profile victims include Malayalam actor Maala Parvathi (who avoided loss) and former church leader Dr. Geevarghese Mor Coorilos (who lost Rs 15 lakh), while an atomic energy institute employee was defrauded of Rs 71.33 lakh; Kerala Police advise victims to use common sense, noting that India has no law permitting arrests over phone or
foxnews.com · 2025-12-08
A widow named "Beatrice" fell victim to a romance scam during the COVID-19 pandemic after matching with someone posing as a Spanish lumberjack on a senior dating site; after four months of building trust, the scammer requested money. According to the FTC and DHS, over 70,000 people reported romance scam losses in 2022, with older adults losing $240 million that year, as scammers use fake identities and emotional manipulation to extract savings from vulnerable individuals, often operating from West African countries. The article identifies warning signs including claims of living abroad, poor grammar despite English proficiency, excuses to avoid video calls, and requests to move conversations to
news.trendmicro.com · 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are conducting multiple scams this week involving deceptive texts and emails impersonating FasTrak, Apple, U.S. and Canadian customs services, and NY Toll Services to steal personal and financial data. These scams use urgent messaging and malicious links to harvest credentials and information, which scammers then use for identity theft, financial fraud, or sell on the dark web. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unexpected communications, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, verify sources directly with institutions, and use security tools like Trend Micro ScamCheck.
uk.finance.yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a cookie consent notice from Yahoo describing how the company uses cookies and personal data for website functionality, security, analytics, and advertising purposes. No summary relevant to the Elderus database is applicable.
intelligencer.ca · 2025-12-08
A NOSI (notice of security interest) scam targeted vulnerable older adults in Ontario, where home service companies pressured homeowners to sign contracts for inflated equipment costs while falsely claiming government rebates covered the expenses, resulting in homeowners unknowingly borrowing tens of thousands of dollars with liens placed on their homes. The Homeowner Protection Act, effective June 2024, now bans companies from placing NOSIs on homes for equipment rentals or financing, and existing NOSIs have expired, though homeowners may need legal assistance to formally remove them when selling or refinancing their homes.
wisbusiness.com · 2025-12-08
Extortion, particularly sextortion scams, ranked among the top five internet crimes in the FBI's 2023 report with over 48,000 cases, according to a Better Business Bureau warning. Sextortion scams operate through two primary methods: phishing (claiming to have hacked victims' devices and recorded compromising material) and romance schemes (building trust through fake relationships before blackmailing victims for money). Victims have reported losses ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, with the scams exploiting fear of public embarrassment and loneliness to pressure victims into paying via bitcoin, gift cards, or wire transfers.
Romance Scam Tech Support Scam Phishing Sextortion Identity Theft Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards
unionleader.com · 2025-12-08
A New York man was indicted on attempted theft by deception charges for acting as a courier in a bank impersonation scam targeting a 77-year-old New Hampshire man. Scammers impersonating bank fraud department employees called the victim claiming his account was compromised and instructed him to withdraw $20,000 cash for pickup; the defendant attempted to collect at least $1,500 from the victim's home. The defendant was arrested in July and scheduled for arraignment in November.
atlantafed.org · 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11 percent increase from 2022—with investment, tech support, email, and romance scams being the most common schemes. The author emphasizes that decline in financial judgment is an early sign of dementia, and recommends that families maintain regular voice contact with elderly relatives, monitor credit reports, apply credit freezes, and stay informed about legal and financial documents to prevent scams and elder fraud. Early intervention through personal relationships and periodic check-ins can help stop scammers before victims suffer financial loss.
newschannel9.com · 2025-12-08
Tennessee seniors made over 1,500 digital fraud complaints to the FBI in 2023, with tech support scams being the most costly type of fraud affecting older adults. The Enterprise Center and "Tech Goes Home" are offering digital literacy classes to teach seniors about internet safety, password security, phishing scams, and how to avoid fraudulent emails and pop-ups that exploit their unfamiliarity with technology. These educational programs aim to reduce fraud victimization among seniors aged 60 and older, who are particularly vulnerable due to fixed incomes and limited digital knowledge.
aws.amazon.com · 2025-12-08
This article describes Wipro and AWS's development of an Intelligent Financial Fraud Detection (IFFD) solution designed to address gaps in traditional fraud detection systems. The system uses AI and deep learning to detect fraud in real-time, with particular focus on elder fraud, which the FBI reported affected over 101,000 people age 60+ in 2023 with losses exceeding $3.4 billion. IFFD aims to reduce false positives to under 5% while identifying emerging threats like investment scams, romance scams, and grandparent scams before funds are transferred.
makeuseof.com · 2025-12-08
Social media scammers use four primary tactics to defraud users: phishing attacks that mimic trusted sources to steal personal information, fake profiles impersonating friends or family to request money or sensitive data, fraudulent giveaways and job offers designed to capture credentials or personal information, and romance scams involving lengthy deception to build trust before financial exploitation. Users can protect themselves by avoiding unsolicited messages and suspicious links, verifying suspicious contacts through alternate communication methods, checking for warning signs like poor grammar and unverified accounts, and researching companies before responding to job offers.
Romance Scam Crypto Investment Scam Investment Fraud Lottery/Prize Scam Phishing Cryptocurrency Gift Cards Check/Cashier's Check
montgomery.crimewatchpa.com · 2025-12-08
**QUISHING Summary:** Quishing is a phishing scam using fake QR codes to steal personal information and commit identity fraud, typically delivered through unsolicited text messages, emails, or social media posts that promise discounts or gifts. When scanned, these codes redirect users to fraudulent websites designed to collect sensitive data like names, addresses, banking details, and passwords. Protection strategies include avoiding scanning unknown codes, verifying sources directly through official channels, blocking spam messages, updating smartphone software, and being skeptical of unsolicited offers.
wcnc.com · 2025-12-08
As Election Day approaches, the Better Business Bureau warns of increased political scams targeting voters through email, phone calls using voice cloning, and text messages. Scammers impersonate candidates or political organizations to solicit donations, collect personal information, or deceive voters into "text-to-vote" schemes that prevent actual voting participation. Voters are advised to verify links, avoid unknown callers, research organizations before donating, and remember that legitimate pollsters never request sensitive information like Social Security numbers or offer prizes.
nbcboston.com · 2025-12-08
Over half of Americans have been targeted by election-related scams, with younger voters particularly vulnerable to fake polls, political donation scams, and disinformation. Common tactics include fraudulent donation schemes where money doesn't reach intended campaigns or involves unauthorized recurring charges, survey scams that harvest personal information for phishing attacks, impersonation scams, and robocalls spreading misinformation. Voters should verify sources before donating, research organizations thoroughly, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report suspected scams to authorities.
foxnews.com · 2025-12-08
Pig-butchering scams have defrauded an estimated $75 billion globally, with criminals increasingly using sophisticated AI-powered deepfake technology for real-time video impersonation and purchasing Starlink satellite dishes to maintain reliable internet connections from Asia. The scams follow a formula of building trust through romantic or investment relationships before redirecting victims to fraudulent crypto platforms, with reported victims losing hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars—including a Colorado retiree who lost $500,000 in life savings and an Illinois widow who lost over $1 million.
inews.co.uk · 2025-12-08
Hundreds of pensioners lost their life savings to pension scammers in recent years, with 559 reported cases in the last year resulting in £17.75 million in losses and an average loss of £46,959 per victim. Pension scams take various forms—including fake pension reviews, unauthorized early withdrawals, and fraudulent transfer schemes—and have proliferated through social media and online advertising, exacerbated by economic uncertainty and the cost-of-living crisis. Experts argue the UK's pension fraud reporting system is inadequate and call for greater preventative measures and bank protections for vulnerable older customers.
wpsdlocal6.com · 2025-12-08
During election season, scammers are exploiting heightened emotions to target donors through unsolicited political donation emails, calls, and social media pop-ups that request money and personal information. Local residents have reported receiving 10-20 fraudulent political emails daily from impostors posing as campaigns, with the Better Business Bureau identifying pushy donation requests, unsolicited links, and reward offers as common red flags. Experts advise researching campaigns before donating, avoiding clicking unsolicited links, and verifying requests directly with official campaign channels rather than responding to incoming communications.
wnyt.com · 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old Boston man was arrested for his role as a courier in a tech support scam that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County resident of approximately $420,000 between June and October 2024. The victim was targeted via a computer pop-up claiming to be from Microsoft, then deceived into believing he was involved in money laundering and instructed to withdraw cash in installments and hand it to couriers; the suspect was arrested after delivering a box of cash to an undercover officer posing as the victim. Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and release
fox17.com · 2025-12-08
Tennessee seniors are at high risk for online fraud due to limited digital literacy, with over 1,500 complaints filed to the FBI by Tennesseans 60 and older in 2023. Digital literacy classes, including programs like "Tech Goes Home," aim to educate seniors on internet security, password protection, phishing scams, and tech support fraud—the most common schemes targeting this population. The initiative addresses a critical gap, as seniors with fixed incomes face devastating financial and emotional consequences when defrauded.
wpxi.com · 2025-12-08
During Medicare open enrollment, seniors are targeted by scammers through unsolicited phone calls, texts, and phishing links seeking their Medicare numbers, which are as sensitive as Social Security numbers. Common tactics include offering lower plan prices, requesting payment for plan selection help, or promising free gifts in exchange for personal information. The Better Business Bureau advises seniors to hang up on unsolicited callers, verify requests directly with legitimate companies like Healthcare.gov or Medicare, and watch for red flags such as pressure to act immediately or offers that seem too good to be true.
crowell.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registrations used by federal contractors through phishing emails impersonating the GSA and fraudulent access requests, aiming to compromise sensitive banking and tax information or divert government payments. Successful attacks can result in compromised accounts, modified certifications that jeopardize contract eligibility, or complete registration deletion, halting payments and requiring extensive recovery efforts. Companies can protect themselves by maintaining multiple SAM Administrators, carefully verifying all emails and access requests before clicking links, enabling multifactor authentication, and internally confirming any unexpected access requests before granting approval.
nypost.com · 2025-12-08
Pig-butchering scams have defrauded victims of an estimated $75 billion globally, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated techniques including deepfake video technology and Starlink satellite internet to build trust before stealing victims' cryptocurrency and savings. The scams typically involve romantic or investment-focused relationships built over months, escalating to requests for financial investment, with documented cases resulting in losses ranging from $500,000 to $1 million per victim. To protect themselves, individuals should be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from online contacts, verify identities through independent means, and recognize that scammers specifically target kindhearted people willing to
visionsfcu.org · 2025-12-08
"Smishing" scams impersonate Visions and other financial organizations via text messages to trick members into revealing login credentials, secure access codes, or account information through fake webpages and fraudulent phone calls. The article provides examples of common scams and prevention strategies, recommending that recipients avoid clicking links, verify sender numbers against official Visions contact information, and call the official contact center at 800.242.2120 to confirm legitimacy.