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mynbc15.com
According to a Pew Research Center report, nearly three-quarters of Americans have experienced some form of online scam or attack, with 21% reporting actual financial losses. Common attacks include stolen credit card information (nearly 50%), hacked personal accounts (30%), fraudulent emails or texts leading to information disclosure (25%), and ransomware incidents (10%), with fraudsters increasingly exploiting untraceable payment methods like gift cards and payment apps. The FBI reported $16 billion in losses from cyber-enabled crime in the past year, a 33% increase, though experts note that many scams go unreported due to shame or awareness gaps.
usatoday.com
The Federal Trade Commission warns the public about a phishing scam in which scammers send text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming items have failed quality inspections or been recalled and offering full refunds if recipients click a link—but the link is designed to steal money and personal information rather than process refunds. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, verify messages through Amazon's official website or app, report spam texts to 7726, and immediately alert banks and freeze accounts if they believe their information has been compromised.
cityandstateny.com
In 2024, payment scams cost Americans over $12.5 billion, with New York reporting nearly 280,000 fraud cases to the FTC—a 25% increase year-over-year. Seniors are particularly targeted through scams involving impersonation of grandchildren, family members, and government agencies (like fake DMV and toll road warnings), sometimes using AI to replicate voices, resulting in victims losing tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. A bipartisan group of senators is proposing the TRAPS Act to establish a federal task force coordinating the Treasury, Justice, FTC, and other agencies to investigate and combat these rapidly escalating payment scams.
wymt.com
**Summary:**
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to clone victims' voices from social media, voicemails, or brief audio clips, then impersonating those individuals to pressure friends and family members into sending money under the guise of emergencies. Officials recommend verifying the identity of callers through alternative communication methods, being cautious of demanding or pressured requests, and reporting suspected scams to protect others from similar schemes.
myeasternshoremd.com
Queen Anne's County Sheriff Gary Hofmann presented a seminar to the Chamber of Commerce outlining common scams targeting businesses and individuals, including phishing emails, stolen credit card fraud, fake invoices, prepaid gift card demands, check washing, and tech support impersonation. He recommended protective measures such as verifying charitable organizations before donating, implementing multi-factor authentication, monitoring accounts with alerts, requiring dual signatures on checks, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. Hofmann emphasized that scammers exploit fear and urgency, so slowing down and validating requests is essential to prevention.
fintech.global
A UK study by Yaspa found that over 40% of fraud victims in the past year recovered no losses, with only 19% retrieving their full amounts—the average loss was £765 with just 34% recovered overall. Men lost significantly more than women (£943 vs. £476 average), and Northern Ireland experienced the highest regional losses at £2,290, while online shopping, fake emails, and Facebook Marketplace were the most common fraud platforms. The research highlights that push payment fraud is particularly difficult to recover from, though emerging AI-powered scams and lack of consumer awareness pose growing threats despite 75% of respondents claiming confidence in identifying fraud.
newsday.com
Job scams have surged significantly in recent years, with victims losing over $220 million in the first half of 2024 as scammers impersonate recruiters via text, email, and fake postings on legitimate job sites to steal money and personal information. Experts advise job-seekers to avoid unsolicited offers, never provide sensitive personal data or payment upfront, and be particularly cautious of remote work opportunities promising high pay for minimal effort. The rise of remote work and AI technologies have made these scams easier to execute and harder to trace.
nltimes.nl
A Dutch survey of over 21,000 adults found that 22 percent have been victims of cybercrime, with phishing being most common but online sales fraud causing the most damage; 51 percent of victims suffered financial losses, and seniors who were victimized lost significantly more money (one in three lost at least 1,000 euros) compared to younger victims. Despite the prevalence of cybercrime, only 36 percent of victims reported incidents to police, and just 12 percent of reports resulted in arrests. The survey revealed that cybercrime affects both younger and older adults equally, though seniors experience greater psychological effects and financial harm, with common scams including dating app romance schemes
ainvest.com
A cryptocurrency user lost $3.05 million in a sophisticated phishing scam after signing a malicious transaction that granted a scammer long-term wallet access through an ERC-20 token approval; the attacker waited over 458 days until the victim's balance was substantial before executing the theft in August. This incident exemplifies a growing trend of delayed approval-based scams where once users sign approval transactions, the permissions remain active indefinitely unless manually revoked, creating extended vulnerabilities. Security analysts warn that users often lack awareness of active token approvals, and while tools exist to revoke permissions, associated gas fees deter action, leaving victims with limited recourse as blockchain transfers are typically
express.co.uk
Cybercriminals are exploiting the summer holiday season in the UK through sophisticated scams including AI-generated fake travel websites, bogus delivery notifications (parcel scam searches up 400%), and fraudulent accommodation bookings, with victims losing hundreds to thousands of pounds and risking identity theft and account compromise. August is identified as a peak fraud month when people's guards are lowered by holiday distractions, and sharing travel details online—such as boarding passes on social media—further exposes victims to targeted attacks and personal data theft.
cutimes.com
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southtexasnews.com
Scammers are exploiting QR codes through various fraud schemes including fake parking meter payments, romance scams with cryptocurrency wallets, phishing attacks, and government impersonation, with codes typically shared via unsolicited messages or posted in public places. To protect themselves, consumers should confirm QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from strangers, be wary of shortened URLs that hide destination links, and check for signs of tampering on posted codes. Victims of QR scams should report incidents to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
tradingview.com
A UPay analysis of 236 major crypto scam cases revealed losses exceeding $60 billion, with the largest single loss being $40 billion from the Luna Yield collapse. The most prevalent scams included fraudulent trading platforms (112 cases), romance scams (46 cases), pig butchering schemes (39 cases), rug pulls (29 cases), and Ponzi schemes (28 cases). Common tactics involved building fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent platforms with inflated balances, fake profit displays, hidden withdrawal fees, brand impersonation, and rug pulls where developers disappear after raising funds—with individual victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in each
kiplinger.com
Identity theft and financial scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with AI-generated emails, deepfakes, and voice-cloning technologies making fraudulent communications difficult to distinguish from legitimate ones. In 2024, consumers lost $27.2 billion to identity fraud (a 19% increase from 2023), with older adults suffering median losses of $1,000 compared to $417 for people in their 20s, despite younger people reporting fraud at higher rates. The article advises protecting sensitive personal information and recognizing common scam tactics, particularly impersonation scams, which were the most reported fraud category with losses reaching $789 million in government impersonation schemes alone.
the420.in
A 79-year-old woman in Mumbai lost ₹21 lakh (approximately $25,000 USD) between April and July after being lured by a social media puzzle game advertisement that promised a ₹10 crore prize, with scammers repeatedly demanding various fees under false pretenses before ultimately disappearing. The victim made multiple transfers after receiving fake documents and government clearances, only to be informed the game was discontinued and the prize would not be transferred. Mumbai Police's cyber cell has registered a case under the Information Technology Act and are investigating the digital trail of bank accounts and communications.
buzzfeed.com
This article describes a phishing and extortion scam in which victims receive emails containing their home address and photos sourced from Google Maps, along with threats to release alleged compromising videos unless they pay in Bitcoin. The scam exploits personal information obtained from prior data breaches and uses intimidating language to pressure victims into sending money, though scammers typically do not possess actual compromising footage. The article provides protective measures including verifying images against Google Maps, checking email sender legitimacy and authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), avoiding unfamiliar links, and recognizing that scammers often spoof email addresses rather than actually hacking accounts.
kiplinger.com
This educational guide presents 12 tips for recognizing and preventing fraud and scams, which evolve constantly and target both finances and personal data. Key recommendations include verifying unexpected bank contacts through official channels, questioning urgent messages, staying alert to scams tied to current events, regularly monitoring account activity, setting up transaction alerts, using strong passwords, and enabling multifactor authentication. The advice emphasizes that while fraud is prevalent—ranging from phishing calls to credit card theft—proactive vigilance can help individuals sidestep many scams and quickly identify compromised accounts to minimize damage.
uk.news.yahoo.com
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. This is a cookie consent notice from Yahoo's website explaining how the company uses cookies and personal data for site functionality, security, analytics, and advertising purposes. It does not contain relevant content for the Elderus fraud research database.
slate.com
This article documents an investigation into "task scams," a rapidly growing fraud scheme where victims are recruited via text messages with promises of earning $50-$400 daily for minimal work like testing products or rating images online. According to the FTC, task scam reports skyrocketed from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in the first six months of 2024, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in that period alone, though actual losses are believed to be significantly higher since most victims never report the fraud. These scams typically seek personal information or money from victims through fake checks, gift card purchases, or other schemes, despite appearing to offer legitimate remote work
jsonline.com
Wisconsinites are being targeted with phishing text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming items failed quality inspections or are subject to recalls and offering full refunds without returns if recipients click provided links. The FTC issued an alert warning consumers to recognize red flags such as unexpected orders, unfamiliar sender numbers, and suspicious URLs, and to report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Those who accidentally engage with scam links should immediately contact their bank and credit card companies, change passwords, and freeze their credit with the three major bureaus.
ujs.sd.gov
Court scams involve fraudsters impersonating judicial officials or law enforcement via phone calls, texts, or emails to demand money or personal information by threatening arrest for missed jury duty, court appearances, or unpaid traffic tickets. Courts and law enforcement never demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency or apps, threaten people over the phone, or request sensitive information through electronic communication. Victims should refuse requests, avoid engaging with scammers, verify claims directly with local court offices, and report incidents to local law enforcement, the South Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, or the Federal Trade Commission.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Malaysian authorities have warned of a rising trend of AI-generated deepfake voice scams targeting victims by impersonating family members and public figures. Since early 2024, police investigated over 454 cases involving cloned voices requesting urgent money transfers, resulting in approximately RM2.72 million in losses, with scammers also using altered videos of celebrities and political figures to promote fake investment schemes. The scams exploit emotional trust and create false urgency, posing threats to individual safety, media credibility, and national security.
yourthurrock.com
HM Revenue and Customs warns property buyers to avoid tax agents offering to secure Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) repayments by claiming newly purchased properties are non-residential due to needed repairs. A recent Court of Appeal judgment confirmed that properties requiring repairs but retaining dwelling characteristics remain subject to residential SDLT rates, and repayment claims based solely on property condition are invalid, leaving homeowners liable for the full SDLT amount plus penalties and interest. The warning is illustrated by an example where a homebuyer who accepted an agent's repayment claim of £9,250 later owed HMRC that amount plus interest and penalties after a compliance check, while the agent refused to
inkl.com
"Quishing" scams exploit QR codes by directing unsuspecting users to malicious websites or phishing pages, with 73% of Americans scanning codes without verifying authenticity and over 26 million people directed to malicious sites. Scammers favor this tactic because QR code generators are freely available and codes can be easily placed on stickers, letters, and signage, making execution simple and low-risk. Only 36% of quishing scams are accurately identified and reported, as security experts note QR codes were designed for convenience rather than security, making them an attractive target as traditional phishing defenses improve.
theguardian.com
Scammers are impersonating the financial company Wise by posting fake social media ads offering attractive fixed-rate savings accounts (5.55%-5.85% interest) to lure victims into opening genuine Wise accounts, which fraudsters then control by intercepting two-factor authentication codes and virtual card details. Once victims deposit their money, scammers transfer the funds to accounts under their control. Victims of this sophisticated authorised push payment (APP) fraud can recover their losses by contacting their bank or payment provider, reporting the transaction to Wise, and filing a police report, with some victims reportedly recovering over £20,000 each.
ca.style.yahoo.com
This article compiles millennials' self-reported vulnerabilities to various scams and deceptive practices, including crypto/Bitcoin schemes where victims lose life savings, romance scams, MLM schemes, blackmail emails, fake government websites, and online shopping platforms like Temu and Shein that deliver counterfeit or substandard products. The piece highlights that while millennials believe themselves resistant to traditional scams, they fall victim to rage bait, online gambling, subscription traps, fake investment gurus, QR code scams, and identity theft schemes at notable rates.
buzzfeed.com
Millennials are vulnerable to a distinct set of scams despite believing themselves resistant to fraud, including crypto/bitcoin schemes promising quick wealth, multilevel marketing companies, romance scams, fake government websites, sham investment gurus, and algorithmic manipulation through rage bait and influencer culture. Other common vulnerabilities include online sports betting, QR code scams, fake job postings, buy-now-pay-later debt traps, and deceptive fast-fashion shopping platforms like Temu and Shein that misrepresent products or deliver hazardous items.
thecoinrepublic.com
Indian businessman Sahil Arora defrauded crypto investors of over $30 million through more than 200 fake tokens and pump-and-dump schemes between 2017 and 2023, leveraging celebrity endorsements and social media credibility to artificially inflate token prices before selling his holdings at peak value, leaving investors with worthless assets. Arora's schemes included the FDO token promoted by Soulja Boy, the JENNER token with Caitlyn Jenner, and participation in the $9.57 billion Broccoli token fraud, with police arresting him in Dubai in July 2025 and recovering over $20 million.
midhudsonnews.com
Senior citizens in Carmel were scammed out of pensions and savings through gift card fraud, prompting the Sheriff's Department to issue a public warning about the escalating threat. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, utilities, or distressed relatives via phone, email, or social media, pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and surrender the card details. The Sheriff urges residents to reject requests for gift card payments, verify requests through official contact information, and report suspected scams immediately to the Sheriff's Office at 845-225-4300.
themortgagepoint.com
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Stop the Scammers Act to restore Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) funding that was reduced under President Trump's tax bill, and to authorize the CFPB to financially reward whistleblowers who report financial wrongdoing. The legislation aims to protect seniors from scams and fraud by ensuring the CFPB has adequate resources and incentivizing insiders to expose bad actors in the financial industry. The bill has support from multiple Democratic senators and proposes restoring CFPB funding to 12% of the Federal Reserve's operating budget.
wcrz.com
A Michigan couple lost $20,000 in a phishing scam after clicking a malicious link in an email impersonating an antivirus service; scammers then sent a courier to collect cash from their home. Police successfully recovered the stolen funds through quick action and investigation, tracing the scam to a Southeast Michigan residence, though two identified suspects remain unarrested. This recovery is rare, as Michigan saw fraud losses surge to $204 million in 2024 (up from $60 million in 2020), with experts emphasizing the importance of verifying sender identity before responding to communications or sending money.
kwch.com
The Kansas Department of Transportation warned of a text messaging scam falsely claiming to be from KDOT or the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles demanding payment for unpaid traffic tickets. KDOT clarified that it does not collect payments via text message and urged recipients not to click links or share personal information, instead reporting suspicious messages to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.
berkshireeagle.com
The FBI's Boston Division has reported a spike in "vishing" scams across New England in which callers impersonate law enforcement and government officials to extort money or steal personal information, with recent cases in Berkshire County demanding $2,500 for fake warrant clearances. In 2024, approximately 17,367 people nationwide reported losses exceeding $405 million from government impersonation scams, with over 500 Massachusetts victims losing around $9.5 million. Legitimate law enforcement agencies never call threatening arrest or demanding immediate payment; victims should verify caller identity, avoid engaging, and report suspected scams to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
uk.news.yahoo.com
This is not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is a cookie consent notice from Yahoo's privacy policy explaining how the company uses cookies and personal data for site functionality, security, analytics, and advertising purposes. No summary is needed for the Elderus database.
eftm.com
Research from Trend Micro found that 1 in 4 Australian consumers have fallen victim to online scams, with common schemes including fake products on social media (25% of victims), investment scam texts (under 20%), and fake urgent messages from organizations (18%). Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, with 39% of users targeted to switch to unsecured apps during conversations and one-third of victims only realizing they were scammed after losing money or ordered goods never arriving. The research emphasizes that despite nearly half of Australians using phones for banking and shopping daily, nearly half lack mobile security protection, making education and security software essential defenses against evolving scam tactics.
digitalreviews.net
A June 2025 Trend Micro study of 1,025 Australian consumers found that 65% have been targeted by online scams and 27% have fallen victim, with nearly a third of victims unaware they were scammed until experiencing significant financial loss. Scammers increasingly use social engineering tactics including fake marketplace listings (25% of victims), investment/loan offers (19%), fake official warnings (18%), and impersonation of trusted contacts, often requesting victims switch to less secure communication apps. The research reveals that nearly half of Australians lack mobile security software despite heavy phone usage and reliance on banking apps, with many falsely believing their devices or personal caution provide sufficient protection,
goldrushcam.com
**Military Consumer Fraud Alert** - California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer protection alert warning service members, veterans, and their families about targeted scams, noting that military consumers nationwide reported over 99,400 fraud complaints last year, including 44,587 imposter scams costing victims and families over $199 million. The alert identifies common threats including charity scams (fake veteran organizations), predatory schools using high-pressure tactics to exploit GI Bill benefits, and home loan scams impersonating government agencies, advising consumers to pause on seemingly too-good-to-be-true offers and verify legitimacy before engaging.
newskarnataka.com
A man received a spoofed call impersonating Blue Dart delivery service and was tricked into dialing a number that activated call forwarding on his phone, allowing the scammer to intercept SMS messages and hijack his WhatsApp account. Though he recovered access to both services and prevented financial loss by quickly blocking credit cards and emptying UPI apps, the incident highlights the vulnerability of phone-based authentication to coordinated social engineering attacks. The victim recommends verifying caller information through official channels, immediately dismissing suspicious on-screen codes, and enabling two-factor authentication on messaging apps.
cybershack.com.au
Research from Trend Micro reveals that 1 in 4 Australians have fallen victim to online scams, with 30% of victims only discovering the fraud after losing money or not receiving goods. Scammers increasingly exploit social media, messaging apps, and mobile phones—which nearly half of Australian users operate without security software—using tactics like fake marketplace products, impersonation, and mid-conversation app switching to appear legitimate. The article recommends Australians verify sources, avoid switching apps during sensitive conversations, use mobile security software, pause before clicking suspicious links, and stay informed about evolving scam tactics.
upi.com
According to Pew Research Center data, nearly 75% of U.S. adults experience online scams or cyber attacks weekly, with Americans reporting over $16.6 billion in scam losses during 2024. Common attacks include fraudulent credit card charges, counterfeit purchases without refunds, personal information breaches, and scam calls/texts that trick victims into sharing personal data, with young adults aged 18-29 experiencing the highest victimization rates despite the perception that older adults are most vulnerable.
newschannel6now.com
**Summary:**
AI-powered tools have enabled scammers to automate and personalize attacks at scale, making fraudulent calls, emails, and text messages more convincing and widespread than ever. AI researcher Thomas Fellows recommends establishing safety phrases and code words with family members to verify identity and prevent impersonation scams, and advises victims to contact police rather than attempting to handle scams independently.
legaltalknetwork.com
This is an educational podcast episode featuring cybersecurity expert Steve Weisman discussing scam prevention and identification strategies. The episode covers various scam types (including VA imposter and "free piano" scams), the role of AI in modern fraud schemes, and protective measures such as a "zero trust" verification approach where all transactions—particularly checks—must be independently confirmed before trusting them.
foxnews.com
A sophisticated malvertising campaign on Facebook has been deceiving users with fake ads impersonating popular cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance and MetaMask, using celebrity faces such as Elon Musk to appear legitimate. When users click these ads, they are directed to counterfeit websites that trick them into downloading malware disguised as desktop applications, which then installs a silent server capable of receiving malicious instructions while evading detection. The campaign, which has been running for several months and involves hundreds of fake Facebook accounts posting thousands of ads daily, primarily targets men interested in technology and finance, particularly in Bulgaria and Slovakia.
malwarebytes.com
In May, a 67-year-old Ohio man was targeted by scammers who falsely claimed his Apple ID was compromised with $27,000 in fraudulent charges, then sent an accomplice to his home to collect cash in person; the victim handed over money before becoming suspicious, leading to the arrest of 42-year-old Liwei Zhang on charges of theft, identity fraud, and telecommunications fraud. Similar in-person collection scams have targeted multiple elderly victims across the country, with perpetrators like Canadian citizen Jia Hua Liu collecting over $300,000 from vulnerable seniors. The article advises victims to verify suspicious texts independently using official phone numbers, never send money
wgal.com
A text message scam targeting Pennsylvania residents falsely claims to be from the state's DMV threatening vehicle registration and driver's license suspension over unpaid traffic tickets, with messages originating from an Oregon area code and containing links to fraudulent payment pages. The scam uses non-existent Pennsylvania administrative codes and has been linked by the FBI to Chinese hacking groups, with recent reports showing messages sent to multiple recipients in group texts. Residents are advised not to click links in suspicious text messages, as the legitimate DMV does not handle traffic ticket enforcement.
cbs8.com
**San Diego County elder fraud losses reached nearly $70 million in the first half of the year, with officials projecting the total will exceed last year's $98 million in losses.** The most prevalent scam type is "tech support fraud," where seniors receive fake pop-up messages instructing them to call a number for device repair. Local authorities have established the Elder Justice Task Force and encourage reporting suspected scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311), though recovery remains difficult especially for international operations.
fox43.com
An elderly Adams County, Pennsylvania resident was targeted by an impersonation scam in which a caller claiming to be an FBI agent demanded $20,000, stating the resident's account had been compromised and arranging for an Uber driver to transport him to the bank. A vigilant bank teller recognized the scam and prevented the loss. Local police departments are increasing community awareness by reminding residents that government agencies never request cash via unsolicited phone calls and advising people to independently verify any such contact before responding.
inkl.com
Modern scams targeting older adults are increasingly sophisticated and personalized, exploiting seniors' trust, digital inexperience, fixed incomes, and desire to help family members. According to the FBI, older adults lost over $3 billion to scams in recent years, with many victims unaware they've been defrauded or too embarrassed to report it. The article identifies 10 warning signs including urgent demands for action, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), instruction to keep the scam secret, too-good-to-be-true offers, callers claiming government authority, and requests for personal information confirmation.
wellingtonadvertiser.com
A Rockwood senior lost $24,500 after seeking help from an online chatbot for computer issues; the scammer gained remote access to the computer, then demanded payment to remove a fake virus and threatened to expose allegedly leaked personal information, with the victim eventually providing cash at a parking lot and gift cards over the phone. Police were alerted on July 28 after a family member became suspicious. The article warns of common scam indicators including unsolicited communications at odd hours, false urgency, poor grammar, and generic company names.
soycarmin.com
This educational article identifies 11 common "silent scam" billing schemes targeting seniors, including deceptive free trials, fake magazine renewals, hidden medical alert fees, identity protection upsells, and difficult-to-cancel gym memberships. These subtle, recurring charges exploit seniors' trust and digital literacy gaps, accumulating significant financial losses over time despite individual charges being small. The article recommends protective measures such as carefully reading fine print, using virtual credit cards with spending limits, verifying billing sources directly, and scrutinizing contracts before purchase.