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analyticsinsight.net
· 2025-12-08
Social media scams resulted in over $1.2 billion in losses last year, with common schemes including phishing (fake profiles impersonating organizations), romance scams (which cost nearly $1 billion in 2021), fake investment opportunities (over $330 million lost in 2022), fraudulent giveaways (40% of respondents affected in 2021), and impersonation scams targeting friends and family. Users can protect themselves by verifying account authenticity, avoiding suspicious links, staying informed about current scams, and reporting fraudulent activity to platforms.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Former NSW Police detective Kylee Dennis launched Two Face Investigations in August 2023 after discovering her friend's 78-year-old mother was targeted by a romance scammer using stolen photos. Since inception, Dennis has investigated cases involving victims aged 50-86 who lost between $30 and over $500,000 to romance scammers, contributing to Australia's $34.3 million in romance scam losses during 2023.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
BBC Scam Safe Week is a multi-platform educational initiative launching programs across television, radio, and online to help the public recognize and avoid scams, which have become increasingly prevalent during the cost-of-living crisis. Expert contributors highlight that "pig butchering" romance-to-investment scams are currently the most profitable fraud scheme, with victims losing tens of thousands of pounds or more, and emphasize that people of all ages—particularly 16-34 year-olds—are vulnerable targets. The campaign stresses that self-education is essential since authorities can only convict 0.1% of fraud cases, and that scamming has become a sophisticated criminal enterprise rather than isolated incidents.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
The BBC is launching "Scam Safe Week" (November 23-29, 2024), a multi-platform educational initiative featuring TV, radio, and online content designed to help the public recognize and prevent scams. With fraud now comprising over 40% of all crime in the UK, the week will include the TV-BAFTA winning series "Scam Interceptors," live roadshow events across the country, and expert advice from fraud specialists, in partnership with organizations including Age UK and Stop Scams UK.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
A multinational fraud ring operating from Cambodia was dismantled when 23 men in their 40s or older were arrested for stealing 6.5 billion won (approximately $5 million USD) from 61 victims using a hybrid scam combining romance fraud and fake investment schemes. The operation, which ran from August 2023 to June 2024, used dating apps to lure male victims (predominantly in their 40s+), impersonated overseas Korean women to build trust, and then directed victims to fraudulent stock trading sites where they lost between millions to 370 million won each. The gang operated from a Cambodian casino building converted into a call center, using encrypted communications
bilyonaryo.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud against seniors in Canada is rapidly increasing and now represents the leading crime against this population, driven by sophisticated technologies including voice simulation, AI-generated profiles, and automated phishing systems. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel confident with technology), and accessible savings, making them targets for scams like grandparent fraud ($9.4 million in losses), romance scams ($59 million in 2022), and phishing ($58 million in 2022). To protect themselves, seniors should never share personal information via unsolicited calls or messages, verify requests independently, and remain cautious of emotional appeals even when awareness campaigns exist.
ag.state.mn.us
· 2025-12-08
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison provides guidance on steps to take after a data breach, warning that stolen personal information (passwords, social security numbers, credit card data, etc.) is frequently used by criminals to open fraudulent accounts or conduct phishing scams that damage victims' credit. Consumers should change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, place a fraud alert with credit bureaus, and consider placing a security freeze on their credit reports to protect themselves from identity theft and unauthorized account creation.
pahouse.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania House Democrats convened a hearing to discuss ways to strengthen state support for the commonwealth's 3.4 million older adults, the nation's fifth-oldest population. Testifiers identified key needs including affordable housing, transportation, community services, and protection from financial scams targeting seniors through phone calls, email, and social media, with recommendations to update the Older Adult Protection Services Act and implement stricter penalties for scammers.
interest.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with scammers increasingly exploiting advanced technology including voice simulation, AI, and fake identities to conduct grandparent scams, romance fraud, and phishing schemes. Notable losses include $9.4 million from grandparent fraud and $59 million from romance scams in 2022 alone. Seniors remain vulnerable due to social isolation, limited digital literacy (only 26% feel confident with technology despite 67% using the internet), and scammers' ability to create emotionally manipulative scenarios that override caution and awareness campaigns.
montanafreepress.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common scam tactics targeting older adults—including urgent payment demands, voice impersonation using AI, and financial abuse by trusted individuals—and notes that Montana has a particularly high senior population per capita. The piece advises protection measures such as ignoring unknown calls, monitoring account activity, using digital payments instead of checks, and maintaining secure personal information, while emphasizing that neither banks nor government agencies demand money or threaten account holders.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting seniors during Medicare open enrollment (deadline December 7) by calling or texting them to help choose plans, then requesting personal information including Medicare ID numbers. The Better Business Bureau warns seniors to never share Medicare IDs, only work with trusted professionals, and remember that Medicare never initiates contact—seniors must reach out to Medicare themselves.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in 2024 frequently impersonate celebrities through deepfakes and fake endorsements to defraud victims, with Scarlett Johansson, Kylie Jenner, and Taylor Swift being the top targets according to cybersecurity firm McAfee. Common scams include unauthorized use of celebrities' names and likenesses to promote fake products (health cures, cosmetics, cryptocurrency), ticket fraud, giveaway schemes, and false political endorsements. To protect yourself, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, be skeptical of unsolicited ads using celebrity images, and report suspected scams to relevant platforms and authorities.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wells Fargo fraud expert warns Arizonans about evolving scams including impersonation schemes (which cost victims $2.7 billion last year), where scammers pose as bank representatives claiming card fraud and then trick victims into handing over debit cards or personal information. Additional threats include AI-powered deepfake calls mimicking family members, cryptocurrency investment scams promising quick returns, and holiday shipping scams posing as delivery services to steal tracking information.
dnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Idaho State Police warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonating law enforcement officers threaten victims with false DNA test requirements and arrest warrants, then demand immediate payment to "resolve" the matter. The scammers have targeted multiple Idaho residents, in some cases claiming victims or their relatives missed mandatory DNA appointments and had warrants issued against them, and requesting bond payments. The Idaho State Police urged residents to verify suspicious calls directly with authorities and cautioned that these scams undermine legitimate DNA collection efforts by the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative program.
unitedway.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are impersonating United Way staff to scam people through unsolicited texts and social media messages, falsely offering cash grants, financial assistance, or employment opportunities while requesting personal information such as banking details and social media passwords. United Way clarifies it never contacts people with unsolicited grant offers or accepts assistance applications via text or social media. Experts recommend being suspicious of unsolicited offers, verifying caller identity through official channels, never sharing personal information in response to such offers, and reporting scams to law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.
ic3.gov
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned the public that scammers are exploiting the 2024 US General election through multiple fraud schemes, including fake campaign investment pools promising returns, fraudulent Political Action Committees soliciting donations, non-delivery merchandise scams, and fake voter registration pages designed to steal personal information. To protect themselves, victims should avoid unsolicited contacts and unverified links, verify PAC registration through the FEC website, and check voter registration at vote.gov. The FBI urges victims to report suspicious activities to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at www.ic3.gov, with seniors aged 60+ able to seek assistance through the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline at 1
twistedsifter.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam targets Microsoft and Gmail users through fraudulent emails claiming to detect unusual login activity. Clicking the malicious link in these emails allows hackers to wipe the user's phone, steal personal information, and commit identity theft. Users can safely verify account activity by logging directly into their email security settings rather than clicking email links.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Business impersonation scams were the most reported financial fraud in 2023, affecting approximately 332,000 victims and resulting in over $660 million in losses, according to an FTC report. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating legitimate companies or government agencies to deceive victims into revealing sensitive information, transferring money, or granting system access. Protection strategies include scrutinizing sender email addresses, being wary of urgent-sounding messages, enabling multi-factor authentication, monitoring financial accounts closely, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Seniors face heightened vulnerability to scams due to isolation, cognitive decline, and accumulated life savings, making fraud prevention education essential. The article outlines basic protection strategies—including secure passwords, account monitoring, and blocking unknown contacts—and provides detailed guidance on the growing threat of QR code scams, which can direct users to phishing sites or malware by masquerading as legitimate codes. To stay safe, users should only scan QR codes from trusted sources, verify website URLs, avoid codes that appear tampered with, and configure devices to require permission before executing QR code actions.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old Perth widow was defrauded of $2,000 in September when scammers impersonated her bank, using personal details about her to establish credibility before instructing her to purchase Apple gift cards. The scammers arranged a taxi to transport her to a supermarket, kept her on the phone throughout, and only abandoned the scheme when an Aldi cashier alerted her to the fraud. The victim is speaking publicly about the incident to warn others of the sophistication of these scams and the personal information scammers can access.
ktvb.com
· 2025-12-08
Idaho State Police warned residents of a wave of phone scams in which callers impersonated law enforcement officers and falsely claimed victims needed DNA tests or had arrest warrants, demanding immediate payment via gift cards or money transfers to resolve the alleged violations. In reported cases, scammers left voicemails about missed DNA appointments resulting in arrest warrants and called posing as troopers searching for relatives who supposedly failed mandatory DNA tests. ISP emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never demands payment or threatens arrest over the phone and urged residents to verify suspicious calls directly with ISP.
intelligentciso.com
· 2025-12-08
Proofpoint researchers documented a rising trend of cryptocurrency scams targeting job seekers through fake employment offers, often impersonating legitimate companies and communicated via social media, SMS, and messaging apps. These "Pig Butchering" variant scams exploit psychological vulnerabilities to pressure victims into making payments after performing fake tasks, with one fraudulent website impersonating Daptone Records netting over $300,000 in two months. To protect themselves, job seekers should remain skeptical of unsolicited offers, never send money to supposed employers, and verify opportunities through official company channels.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost an estimated $12.5 billion to online scams in the past year, with the FBI reporting that 39% of victims were targeted through AI-generated "deepfake" videos used in investment schemes, romance scams, and other frauds. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to duplicate voices, create convincing fake videos of business leaders and celebrities, and attempt account breaches, making these crimes harder to detect and recover from, as 96% of reported losses are never recovered. The article recommends using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and watching for telltale signs of deepfakes such as unnatural facial movements, inconsistent lighting, and audio irreg
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scams target retirees by impersonating government agencies to steal personal information or demand immediate payment under threat of legal action or benefit suspension. Common tactics include creating false urgency, requesting payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and demanding secrecy. Victims should hang up immediately, file reports with the Office of the Inspector General and Social Security Administration (800-269-0271), and contact the three major credit bureaus to place fraud alerts on their accounts.
wsaz.com
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" attacks—scams using fake QR codes to steal money and personal information—have increased tenfold between 2021 and 2024, with 77% mimicking well-known brands like DocuSign and Microsoft. Common targets include parking meters and payment systems, where scammers overlay fraudulent QR codes on legitimate ones to redirect payments to themselves. Experts recommend consumers inspect QR codes for additional stickers, verify codes before use, and avoid scanning codes from unexpected sources, while businesses should monitor their codes against unauthorized duplication.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Scam-related complaints to Australia's Financial Complaints Authority surged 81 percent in 2023-24, with nearly 11,000 complaints filed, as Australians lost a combined $2.7 billion to various fraud schemes including phishing, spoofing, bank impersonation, romance, and investment scams. The report also found financial hardship complaints rose 18 percent amid cost of living pressures, with First Nations people experiencing disproportionate impacts due to systemic barriers including limited digital access and reduced banking services in regional areas. Many victims never recover their lost funds, and financial hardship complainants often face slow or inadequate responses from institutions.
ceotodaymagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity Awareness Month highlights the critical importance of protecting against cyber threats, which are predicted to cost the global economy over $6 trillion in 2024. The article outlines common scams including phishing, spear phishing, tech support fraud, online shopping scams, investment scams, ransomware, romance scams, and lottery schemes. Key protective measures include educating yourself and others, using strong unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, verifying sender information, and remaining vigilant about unsolicited requests for personal information.
santaclaritamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article discusses the growing threat of senior scams and identifies common tactics used by scammers, including impersonation, fake charities, sweepstakes/lottery schemes, romance scams, and fraudulent investment offers. The article attributes the rise in senior scams to increased isolation, digital communication channels, and cognitive decline that make elderly individuals more vulnerable to manipulation. To protect seniors, the article emphasizes the importance of community awareness programs, educational campaigns, and open family communication to help elderly individuals recognize and avoid scam tactics.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams doubled in the past year, resulting in over $108 million in losses to Americans, with nearly half of AI scams resulting in financial losses averaging $14,600—significantly higher than the 28% success rate of non-AI fraud. Investment scams caused the largest average losses at $55,000 per victim, followed by imposter scams, while online shopping and negative review scams were most frequent. Consumers aged 30-39 were most vulnerable to AI scams, which exploit deepfakes, voice cloning, and urgent messaging tactics, though experts emphasize that education and real-time AI detection by financial institutions can help prevent victimization.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old woman named Jean was defrauded of £169,000 over seven years by a Facebook romance scammer posing as "Maxwell Johnson," a fake US Air Force serviceman whose profile image was stolen from a real military officer. The scammer, traced to Nigeria and linked to the "Yahoo Boys" sextortion gang, manipulated Jean—a disabled pensioner who used a wheelchair—by claiming he loved her and would move to the UK to marry her, while repeatedly requesting money for flights and expenses that never materialized. Jean accumulated significant debt (£9,000 to energy companies and £8,000 to caregivers) through pension and disability benefit transfers via
indystar.com
· 2025-12-08
After her husband's death, Indianapolis widow Rosalie Douglass turned to online dating and was targeted by romance scammers who posed as wealthy professionals; over the course of a year, she wired more than $430,000 to two different scammers, depleting her retirement savings and forcing her to take a reverse mortgage on her home. The FBI reported 88,262 fraud victims over age 60 in 2021, growing to 101,068 in 2023, with romance scams accounting for $1.1 billion in losses nationally in 2023. Experts warn that seniors new to online dating are particularly vulnerable to romance scams and should be alert to requests
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned citizens against a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonate government officials via video call, falsely accusing victims of serious crimes like money laundering or drug trafficking, then extort large sums under threat of arrest. Two elderly victims from Hyderabad lost substantial amounts—a 79-year-old retired consultant transferred Rs 2 crore and an 85-year-old woman lost Rs 5.9 crore—after scammers used fake official documents and maintained intimidating video surveillance to prevent victims from seeking help. The article advises that legitimate law enforcement never conducts arrests or demands payments via video calls and recommends reporting
timesleader.net
· 2025-12-08
During election season, scammers exploit heightened political emotions through donation fraud via emails, phone calls, and social media. A west Kentucky resident reported receiving 10-20 fraudulent political donation emails daily from imposters posing as campaigns, though she avoided falling victim. The Better Business Bureau warns voters to avoid unsolicited links, pushy requests for personal information, phony donation calls offering rewards, and pop-up donations on social media—and advises researching campaigns, avoiding rushing donations, and never sharing sensitive data like Social Security numbers or birth dates with survey takers.
newsradio1310.com
· 2025-12-08
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns seniors about utility scams, where fraudsters impersonate utility companies and demand immediate payment under threat of service cutoff. The article advises recipients to hang up immediately, call their utility using the legitimate number on their bill, and report the scam to both the utility and the Federal Trade Commission. It notes that people over 65 lost nearly $1 billion to scams in 2020, with utility scams particularly prevalent in California, Florida, and Texas, making West Virginia seniors especially vulnerable given the state's high elderly population.
seacoastcurrent.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines several prevalent scams targeting Mainers, particularly seniors, including fake jury summons demanding payment via gift cards, the "grandparent scam" where callers pose as jailed relatives requesting bail money, online dating scams that build trust before requesting funds, and caller ID spoofing that masks scammers' true identities. Key advice includes never sharing personal information or sending money to strangers, avoiding suspicious links, and warning elderly relatives about these common fraud schemes.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is suing telecommunications company Optus for engaging in unconscionable conduct by selling unwanted phone products to hundreds of vulnerable customers, including First Nations people from remote areas and individuals with disabilities or financial disadvantages, then pursuing them for resulting debts. Additionally, scam-related complaints in Australia reached a record high, with an 81% increase in complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority in 2023-2024, with phishing, spoofing, remote access scams, bank impersonation scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types.
thefinanser.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an opinion/educational piece rather than a news story about a specific scam incident. The author discusses trust in financial systems while highlighting the case of Kirat Assi, who was victimized by a decade-long romance scam (2009-2018) involving elaborate catfishing on Facebook orchestrated by her cousin using approximately 60 fake profiles impersonating a fictional cardiologist. The piece emphasizes that as financial technology rapidly evolves, fraud opportunities increase, and individuals must decide whether to trust regulated financial institutions or decentralized systems, with the author advocating for regulated entities as the safer choice.
wvlt.tv
· 2025-12-08
The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is warning Tennesseans of an extortion scam in which perpetrators falsely claim to have accessed victims' phone cameras and possess pornographic images and internet browsing history, threatening to distribute these materials to contacts unless payment (typically in Bitcoin) is sent within 24 hours. Authorities advise victims not to respond to unknown contacts, verify threats by contacting local law enforcement before paying, and report scam activity to the sheriff's office.
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational awareness article warns seniors about increased scam activity during fall and identifies common tactics scammers use, such as impersonating trusted agencies, creating false urgency, and demanding specific payment methods. Data shows people ages 70 to 84 report the greatest losses from scams, averaging nearly $12,000, and the article provides red flags to watch for including threats of arrest, demands for gift cards or cryptocurrency, and pressure to keep payments secret.
ncoa.org
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams represent an emerging threat to consumers, particularly older adults, utilizing artificial intelligence tools to create highly convincing impersonations and fraudulent messages at scale. Scammers employ four main tactics: voice cloning to impersonate family members or authority figures, deepfake videos to pose as public figures, sophisticated phishing emails that bypass spam filters, and fake websites promoting fraudulent investments. The FBI has warned that as AI technology advances, cybercriminals' ability to execute personalized, authentic-seeming fraud campaigns will continue to increase.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, older Americans reported $1.9 billion in fraud losses to the FTC, though the actual figure is estimated at $61.5 billion when accounting for underreporting. Adults ages 60 and older experienced higher median losses than younger groups (ranging from $500 for ages 60-69 to $1,450 for ages 80+) and were significantly more vulnerable to tech support scams (5x more likely), sweepstakes scams (3x more likely), and impersonation scams, with investment scams and cryptocurrency payments causing the largest losses.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This educational article advises that scammers increasingly use digital communication (96% of scams) through emails, texts, and social media with sophisticated tactics like fake logos and official-looking addresses to trick people into sharing personal information or money. Key protection strategies include verifying unexpected communications directly with organizations, watching for red flags like spelling errors and urgency tactics, staying informed through Scamwatch, and immediately contacting banks, IDCARE, and cyber.gov.au if victimized.
ajc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals increasingly use phishing emails, text messages, and spoofed delivery notifications to steal personal and financial information from victims of all ages during the holiday season and year-round. The Federal Trade Commission advises avoiding urgency-driven scams by verifying sender identities, researching suspicious messages, not clicking unexpected links, never paying for prizes, and hanging up on callers requesting sensitive information like Social Security numbers or banking details. Taking time to verify legitimacy rather than acting on panic is the most effective protection against financial fraud.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
As mortgage interest rates decline, scammers are increasingly targeting homeowners with false promises of mortgage relief, often impersonating the Department of Veterans Affairs or loan servicers and charging illegal upfront fees while pressuring victims to cut contact with legitimate lenders. To avoid these scams, homeowners should contact their mortgage servicer directly, verify any assistance through official government sources (HUD, VA, CFPB), and remember that legitimate mortgage help is never preceded by upfront fees. Suspected mortgage relief scams should be reported to the state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article presents educational advice from a Scam Jam event in Richmond, Virginia, where experts from organizations including AARP Virginia and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service provided seniors with strategies to protect themselves against fraud. Speakers described various scams targeting older Americans, including durable medical equipment fraud, mail theft, identity theft, phishing, and AI-powered impersonation calls, and advised attendees to avoid unsolicited contacts, protect personal information, and use secure mailing practices. The event emphasized that fraudsters use both low-tech methods like mail theft and high-tech tactics like voice manipulation, and stressed that seniors should be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article covers a "Scam Jam" educational event in Richmond, Virginia organized by AARP Virginia where law enforcement and fraud prevention experts educated about 30 seniors on common scams targeting older adults. Presenters from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol discussed various fraud schemes including mail theft, identity theft, durable medical equipment fraud, and AI-powered impersonation scams, while offering practical protective strategies such as mailing checks directly to post offices and shredding personal documents.
journalnow.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides educational guidance on avoiding romance scams, particularly around Valentine's Day when people are more vulnerable to online dating fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost $1.3 billion to romance scams in 2022, with scammers typically cultivating relationships for months before requesting money under false pretenses such as emergencies. Experts recommend moving online relationships slowly, being wary of requests to communicate off dating apps, and recognizing red flags such as requests for money or overly fast relationship progression.
weirtondailytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Utility scams targeting seniors use threatening calls about immediate service shutoffs to extort money through fear and intimidation. The article advises recipients to hang up immediately, call their utility using the legitimate number on their bill, and report the scam to both the utility company and the FTC, emphasizing that real utilities do not operate this way and that money sent to scammers is nearly impossible to recover. According to ABC News and FBI data, people over 65 lost nearly $1 billion to scams in 2020, with seniors representing most of the 23,000 victims, particularly in California, Florida, and Texas.
journee-mondiale.com
· 2025-12-08
The United States observes National Slam the Scam Day on March 7th annually, an awareness campaign established by the Federal Trade Commission in 2020 to educate the public about fraud prevention. Common scams include phishing emails, fake charities, tech support schemes, romance scams, and grandparent scams targeting the elderly—such as the case of 78-year-old Martha, who lost $5,000 after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from her grandson. The FTC recommends protecting oneself by verifying information, never sharing personal details unsolicited, monitoring credit reports, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.