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in Tech Support Scam
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, text-based scams have become the most prevalent threat, with the E-ZPass scam leading the way—fraudsters send texts falsely claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license suspension to create urgency and trick recipients into clicking malicious links. Other major scams include DMV impersonation texts using similar tactics, fake job offer texts posing as employers or Indeed itself, and fraudulent Joann Fabric advertisements on Facebook and Pinterest directing users to counterfeit websites. The FTC recommends never clicking links or engaging with suspicious messages, contacting relevant agencies directly to verify claims, and reporting scams rather than responding to them.
digit.fyi
· 2025-12-08
Nearly half of mobile users (44%) encounter scams daily, with the highest rates in the US (51%) and UK (49%), yet 66% struggle to distinguish scams from legitimate communications. Over half of victims experience financial loss (52%), while Gen Z faces particularly high rates of extortion and sextortion scams (28% victimization rate), and 75% of all victims report serious emotional consequences including anxiety and depression. Despite widespread impact, only 17% of victims report scams to authorities, and the rise of AI-powered scams makes detection increasingly difficult.
cityam.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, over £1 billion was stolen through fraud in the UK, with 3.3 million confirmed fraud cases representing a 12 percent increase from 2023, though banks prevented £1.5 billion in unauthorized fraud. Investment fraud caused the largest losses at £144 million (up 34 percent), while purchase scams were the most common type, with 70 percent of authorized push payment fraud beginning on online platforms. To avoid scams, consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited contact, pressure to decide quickly, requests for payment upfront, and promises that seem too good to be true; victims should report incidents to police, Action Fraud, and their
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Actor Chris Carmack and his wife Erin partnered with McAfee to raise awareness about AI-powered scams after both were recently targeted by fraudsters; Erin lost approximately $2,000 to a fake online furniture vendor, while Chris nearly fell victim to a tollway phishing scam. McAfee launched a free Scam Detector tool that uses AI to analyze URLs, text messages, and emails to identify scams, with similar tools now offered by Norton 360, Bitdefender, and Google. Experts advise people to verify website URLs (checking for "https" and ".gov" endings), pause before clicking links or sending money, and contact trusted sources before responding to financial
financialpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in Canada, with experts warning of rising vulnerability as the country's aging population holds over $1.1 trillion in assets. While digital scams targeting seniors are increasing, the greater threat comes from trusted individuals—family members, friends, and those with power of attorney—who exploit their positions, with approximately 81 percent of reported cases perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Seniors with cognitive decline, women, and those from marginalized communities face heightened risk, and many victims remain silent to avoid disrupting family relationships.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Illinois is offering a free two-part virtual educational series called "Fraud Watch 101" scheduled for June 23rd and 27th to help older adults recognize and avoid scams. The program covers common fraud tactics, emerging threats like cryptocurrency scams, red flags in suspicious communications, and psychological manipulation techniques used by fraudsters. This is an awareness and educational initiative designed to equip seniors and their families with knowledge to protect themselves from fraud.
madriverunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Online Fraud Protection for Seniors
Seniors face increasing risk from online fraud due to their trust and limited tech experience, with common scams including phishing, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. The article recommends protective measures such as verifying sender identity, confirming requests through known contacts, never granting device access to unsolicited callers, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected scams to banks, the FTC, or local authorities. The McKinleyville Senior Center offers free computer assistance and is hosting a fraud prevention seminar with Coast Central Credit Union on June 27.
conduitstreet.mdcounties.org
· 2025-12-08
Government imposter scams resulted in over $400 million in losses last year, with reported victims jumping 50 percent from 2022 to 2024, according to FBI and FTC data. Scammers pose as DMVs, tax offices, and court systems via email, phone, and text, demanding payments for fake tolls, jury duty, or taxes, increasingly using generative AI and spoofed ".gov" addresses to appear legitimate. To combat these scams, state and local agencies are urged to implement public awareness campaigns, stronger email authentication, and secure digital portals to protect residents and maintain trust in government services.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly half of mobile users encounter scams daily, with younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) disproportionately targeted across calls, texts, emails, and apps. Social engineering scams are prevalent, affecting one in three users, while 74% have encountered phishing, smishing, or vishing attempts, with extortion scams rising due to AI sophistication. Despite these risks, fewer than one in five users employ protective measures like antivirus software or VPNs, and 75% of victims report serious emotional consequences including anxiety, depression, and lost trust.
kwqc.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men posing as Federal Trade Commission officials defrauded a 63-year-old Bettendorf resident of $35,000 by claiming their bank account was compromised. When the scammers returned demanding an additional $40,000, police were waiting and arrested 37-year-old Lijin Wang and 39-year-old Chen Xing on charges of conspiracy and felony theft of an elderly individual. This case reflects a broader trend of government impersonation scams targeting seniors, which contributed to over $3.4 billion in elder fraud losses reported to the FBI in 2023.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
In observance of World Elder Abuse Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation Field Office in Atlanta highlighted that millions of seniors are victimized annually by financial scammers who exploit their trust, with the FBI reporting that seniors lost $8.4 billion to scams in 2024. The IRS provided information on common schemes targeting older adults, including romance scams, lottery scams, government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and tech support scams, and encouraged oversight of seniors' finances by multiple trusted individuals. Resources for fraud prevention and reporting include the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311), the FBI's Internet Crime Center, the Pass It On
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Arkansas seniors suffered $27.25 million in fraud losses during 2024, part of a national epidemic where those over 60 lost $4.885 billion to scams—a 46% increase from 2023. Common schemes targeting older adults include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and money mule schemes, which succeed because seniors tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting mechanisms. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts through reputable sources, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited contact, never share personal information with unverified parties, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or IC3.gov.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The FBI Pittsburgh warned that elder fraud complaints reached 147,127 in 2024, resulting in $4.885 billion in losses—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% surge in losses year-over-year, with West Virginia victims reporting $5.7 million in losses. Common schemes targeting seniors include romance scams, investment fraud, tech support scams, and money mule schemes, with fraudsters exploiting seniors' perceived trustworthiness, isolation, and financial stability. The FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts, avoiding pressure-based decisions, protecting personal information, and reporting suspected fraud through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) to help law enforcement
nwahomepage.com
· 2025-12-08
**Elder Fraud on Rise in Arkansas and Nationally**
The FBI reported that seniors over 60 lost $4.885 billion nationally in 2024 across 147,127 fraud complaints—a 46% increase from 2023—with Arkansas seniors alone losing $27.3 million to investment scams, technical support scams, money mule schemes, and romance fraud. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting channels like IC3.gov. The FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts through legitimate sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited communications, never sharing personal information with unverified parties
mercercountyoutlook.net
· 2025-12-08
Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI issued a public reminder about elder fraud, which caused $4.885 billion in losses across 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase from 2023. In Ohio specifically, seniors over 60 lost more than $95 million in 2024, with significant losses in investment scams ($31 million), romance scams ($11 million), and tech support scams ($10 million). The FBI emphasizes that scammers target elderly Americans because they are perceived as trusting and financially stable, and advises seniors to verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspecte
local10.com
· 2025-12-08
South Florida FBI agents are warning seniors about rising elder fraud trends, with impersonation scams (including AI-generated voice calls mimicking grandchildren and tax/immigration-related schemes) and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment fraud among the most prevalent tactics. According to FBI Florida data, tech support scams affect the most victims (235 cases), while investment scams cause the highest financial losses at $13.3 million across 105 cases, with agents advising potential victims to stay calm, verify requests through third parties, and recognize urgency tactics as red flags.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP's Fraud Watch Network developed a universal fraud prevention framework called "Pause. Reflect. Protect." to help consumers recognize scams across all types. The campaign identifies three common triggers present in most fraud attempts—unexpected contact, emotional surge, and sense of urgency—and teaches an "active pause" response where people step back to reflect on the situation before taking action, similar to how "Stop, Drop and Roll" reduced fire injuries.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman named Brittany received a spoofed call appearing to be from her sister, in which a man claimed to be holding her hostage and demanded $750 via digital payment apps, threatening violence while playing audio of screaming in the background. When Brittany attempted to send $200 through Cash App, the app's fraud detection flagged the transaction as a scam and automatically refunded it, prompting her to verify her sister's safety and confirm the call was fraudulent. Authorities recommend using code words with family members, avoiding clicking suspicious links that enable account hacking and call spoofing, and reporting such scams to law enforcement.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams cost Americans over $6.5 billion in 2024, with phishing emails and tech support scams adding another $4.1 billion in losses, according to FBI data. This article provides ten expert strategies for protecting investments, including verifying platform legitimacy, recognizing phishing and impersonation tactics, avoiding Ponzi schemes, being cautious of social media/romance scams, conducting thorough research, and identifying fake tech support and recovery scams. The advice emphasizes that as digital fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, investors must stay vigilant by checking security certifications, verifying credentials directly, and remaining skeptical of unsolicited investment offers promising guaranteed high returns.
menafn.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old Michigan administrative assistant lost $26,000 to a romance scam involving a man posing as a French project manager named "Richard" who used deepfake videos during Skype calls to appear authentic. Over several months, the scammer emotionally manipulated the victim into taking out loans under the pretense of needing legal and translation help in Qatar, then disappeared when confronted. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams, with projections estimating eight million deepfakes will be shared worldwide in 2025, approximately one-fifth of which involve romantic fraud schemes.
cgsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation issued a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day alert highlighting that approximately 1 in 10 Americans age 60 and older experience elder abuse, with financial exploitation losses estimated between $2.6 billion and $36 billion annually. The agency warns that older adults—particularly those who are socially isolated—are disproportionately targeted by scammers using familiarity, fear, and urgency tactics, and advises families to watch for warning signs including suspicious financial changes, new overly-protective relationships, and unexplained asset disappearances. Oregon's mandatory reporting requirements and support resources, including a toll-free hotline and consumer advocate assistance,
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2025, authorities warned that while technology and AI have improved seniors' quality of life, these same advances are increasingly being used to defraud them—with financial abuse being the most common form of elder abuse in Canada. Seniors are targeted because they have accumulated wealth, and fraudsters exploit AI and online platforms to conduct scams largely outside regulatory jurisdiction. The BC Securities Commission created "Scamtones"—specialty ringtones in various musical genres—to remind seniors to be cautious of suspicious phone calls and spark conversations with family members about investment fraud prevention.
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Ohio surgeon lost $1 billion to a romance scam involving a fake Ukrainian model within one month of his wife's death, while in New Delhi, a woman lost Rs 5 lakh ($6,000) when scammers impersonated her phone service provider during a family medical crisis. Globally, seniors lost $4.8 billion to cyber fraud in 2024 (US), with India projected to lose Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($14.4 billion) in 2025, driven by psychological manipulation that exploits neurobiological changes in aging brains, cultural conditioning toward authority and politeness, and widesprea
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fraudulent text messages to trick victims into paying fake fees, with popular schemes including the E-ZPass scam (claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license revocation) and DMV scams (impersonating state driver licensing offices). Additional common scams involve fake job offers via text from sites like Indeed with malicious links, and Facebook ads for fake Joann Fabric sales exploiting the retailer's closure.
actionnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is urging elderly Americans and their families to be vigilant about elder fraud, particularly ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, highlighting that investment scams, technical support schemes, and romance scams target seniors by exploiting their vulnerability and trust. The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $4.8 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, with California alone accounting for over $832 million in elder fraud losses. The FBI recommends scrutinizing unsolicited communications, verifying unknown sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, and reporting suspected fraud to local law enforcement or through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Elderly adults worldwide are increasingly targeted by sophisticated digital scams using AI, voice cloning, and psychological manipulation, with Americans over 60 losing $4.8 billion in 2024 and India projecting ₹1.2 lakh crore in losses for 2025. Scammers exploit cognitive vulnerabilities, cultural conditioning, and loneliness among seniors—exemplified by cases like a Delhi woman losing ₹5 lakh to an impersonated telecom provider and a 72-year-old Ohio man defrauded in a romance scam. Experts call for urgent systemic interventions including tailored security measures, platform accountability, digital literacy programs
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 lost nearly $5 billion to online scams in 2024, a 43% increase from 2023, with over 147,000 victims averaging $83,000 in losses each according to FBI data. Major scam types include investment fraud ($1.8 billion), tech support scams ($1 billion), and government impersonation schemes ($200 million), increasingly leveraging AI and deepfakes. The article recommends family members and communities take preventive action through regular personal check-ins, education about common scam tactics, and directing seniors to trusted resources like the FTC and FBI rather than relying solely on technology.
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans over 60 lost nearly $5 billion to elder fraud schemes in a 43% increase from the previous year, with approximately 150,000 complaints reported to the FBI. Common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud, romance schemes, investment fraud, and government impersonation, increasingly enhanced by artificial intelligence technology that can mimic voices and create more convincing deceptions. The FBI recommends seniors protect themselves by avoiding sharing personal information with unverified contacts, researching unsolicited communications, resisting pressure for quick financial decisions, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
This letter discusses tech support scams targeting older adults, who lose over $3 billion annually to financial fraud according to the FBI. The author endorses the Thinking Ahead Roadmap, a free AARP-funded resource that helps individuals and couples designate a trusted financial advocate to protect their money and prevent fraud before it occurs.
butlerradio.com
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Day, the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office highlighted that Pennsylvania seniors lost over $151 million to fraud last year, ranking the state 8th nationally. The FBI investigates multiple fraud schemes targeting seniors including investment scams, technical support schemes, money mule operations, and romance scams. Seniors are advised to verify business legitimacy through resources like the Better Business Bureau, avoid rushing into decisions, and never share personal information with unverified sources; victims can report fraud through 1-800-CALL-FBI or ic3.gov.
privatebank.jpmorgan.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals use social engineering tactics to target elderly individuals who are less familiar with technology and may trust official-looking communications, often isolating victims and creating pressure to share personal information or money. The article illustrates two common scams: a phishing email impersonating a charity that stole Jane's financial details when she donated to a fake disaster relief campaign, and a phone scam where "Amazon" and "FBI" impersonators convinced Gerald to withdraw cash before he recognized the fraud when asked to convert funds to Bitcoin. The best defense against these scams is community support from trusted friends, family, and financial advisors rather than acting alone.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned approximately 150 million iPhone and Android users about a surge in text message scams impersonating state DMVs, which increased over 700% in a single month. The fraudulent messages falsely claim unpaid tolls or fines and direct recipients to click links that install malware or redirect to phishing sites designed to steal credit card and personal information. The FBI urged users to delete these messages immediately without clicking links and report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI released a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reminder highlighting that elder fraud caused $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, representing a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses from 2023. Seniors are frequently targeted through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule schemes because they are often perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report fraud. The FBI advises seniors to verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement, the FBI's tip line, or
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), the FBI Honolulu warned about elder fraud targeting seniors through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule operations, noting that victims lost $4.885 billion across 14,127 complaints nationally in 2024—a 46% increase from 2023—with Hawaii alone losing $18.9 million, of which $9.8 million came from investment scams. Criminals target seniors because they perceive them as polite, trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report fraud, which is why the FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts, resisting pressure to act quickly,
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a reinvigorated effort to combat transnational elder fraud schemes that cost billions of dollars annually, with several recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases included Troy Murray, who pleaded guilty to selling a database of over 7 million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery scammers, and his son Cutter Murray, who pleaded guilty to money laundering $1.6 million in fraudulent proceeds; other defendants were charged for operating Jamaica-based lottery fraud schemes that defrauded seniors across the country, with one victim losing over $400,
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pamela nearly fell victim to a tech support scam after receiving a pop-up warning claiming her computer was locked and her IP was being used on pornographic sites. The scammer impersonated both a Microsoft employee and an FTC official, using fake credentials and pressure tactics to try to extract her full credit card numbers, but Pamela avoided the fraud by verifying the FTC official's identity and refusing to share sensitive information. The article warns against pop-up scams impersonating legitimate companies or government agencies and recommends contacting organizations directly through official channels, using strong unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication to protect against such schemes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to prosecute transnational elder fraud schemes that cost American seniors billions of dollars. Recent prosecutions in the District of Rhode Island include: a British national convicted in a multi-state construction fraud targeting seniors across four states for over $1 million; eight individuals indicted for orchestrating transnational tech support scams that defrauded approximately 300 seniors across 37 states of over $5 million; and two residents charged with grandparent scams that defrauded seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts of at least $230,000. The DOJ urged seniors an
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated prosecutorial efforts against transnational and domestic elder fraud schemes that cost seniors billions of dollars annually, highlighting recent cases involving romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. A notable Montana case resulted in the arrest of a man involved in an India-based scheme impersonating U.S. Marshals that defrauded an elderly victim of over $1 million. The DOJ emphasizes the importance of community vigilance, victim restitution efforts, and encourages seniors and their families to contact the free National Elder Fraud Hotline for assistance with
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old Houston man lost approximately $500,000 of his life savings in a government impersonation scam after receiving a call from someone claiming to represent the Vietnamese Embassy warning him of identity theft and money laundering in his name. The scammer exploited the victim's prior receipt of an official IRS identity theft warning, then directed him over five months to transfer funds via wire transfer while communicating through encrypted messaging and using forged documents and AI-generated videos. The loss has forced him to sell his home and reconsider retirement, though his daughter has launched a GoFundMe that has raised five figures to help him recover.
etedge-insights.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams on dating apps have escalated dramatically, with reported losses topping $1 billion globally in 2024 and a projected rise through 2025. Scammers use emotional manipulation, stolen photos, and increasingly sophisticated AI tools (deepfakes, voice cloning) to build fake relationships and extract money from victims, often through fake investment schemes or fabricated emergencies. The article illustrates this trend through Jay's experience with "Alina" and notes that India has been particularly hard-hit, with 39% of daters encountering scammers and 77% seeing AI-generated photos, while crypto-hybrid romance scams grew nearly 40% year-
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In response to rising scam cases in Metro Detroit, Chase and the Detroit Police Department hosted a workshop for seniors to educate them on common fraud tactics and prevention strategies, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. According to the FBI, individuals 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with Michigan residents alone losing over $206 million to fraud last year, and the average victim losing $35,101. The workshop emphasized the motto "trust but verify" and covered common scams including impersonation, spoofing, phishing, and vishing, recommending that seniors verify contacts, avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, an
smnewsnet.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to combat transnational elder fraud schemes costing billions of dollars, with recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases include Troy Murray, who sold a database of over seven million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery fraudsters and laundered $1.6 million in proceeds, and Dennis Anderson and Frank Angelori, who brokered lead lists to Jamaica-based scammers from 2015-2020. Individual victims lost significant sums, with one Arizona victim losing over $400,000 to a lottery fraud scheme.
uchealth.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole $3.4 billion from older U.S. adults in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, using tactics like romance scams, fake investments, and Medicare fraud that exploit fear and greed. Beyond financial losses, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including anxiety, shame, depression, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation, requiring individualized mental health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Older adults are particularly targeted due to their assets, trust in authority, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential cognitive changes that impair fraud recognition.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A nationwide DMV scam involves cybercriminals texting people claiming they owe fines for traffic violations or unpaid tolls, threatening license revocation or vehicle registration suspension to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or paying money. These phishing scams, reported in Indiana, Ohio, Maine, Texas, and other states, use official-sounding language, fake ordinance codes, and threats of jail time or credit score damage to create urgency, but legitimate DMVs typically only send texts that users have opted into and never request payment or personal information via text.
mhobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints increased 46% in 2024, with victims nationwide losing $4.885 billion—a 43% increase from 2023—while Arkansas seniors over 60 alone lost more than $27 million. The FBI identifies investment schemes, technical support scams, romance fraud, and money mule operations as common tactics targeting elderly individuals perceived as more trusting and financially stable. The FBI recommends seniors research unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud through their tip line or online complaint center.
meta.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece describing how a social media platform uses facial recognition technology to combat fraud and enhance account security. The technology is used to detect and remove scams involving misused images of public figures, confirm user identity through video selfies when accounts are compromised, and identify content violating policies on violent events or child exploitation. The platform notes that incidental processing of other individuals' images may occur during these detection processes, but identities are not recognized without user consent.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are online confidence schemes where cybercriminals build trust with victims (often through romance or friendship) before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities, with the U.S. Attorney's Office recently seizing $225 million in cryptocurrency stolen from 400 victims worldwide. These scams, which operate at an industrial scale from compounds in countries like India, the Philippines, and Myanmar, typically target older Americans and lonely individuals, using fake identities and fabricated investment platforms from which victims cannot withdraw funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers online, especially those promoting investment opportunities, and verify the legitimacy of any investment before sending money.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Android is launching enhanced security features across Android 16 and select earlier devices to combat phone scams, fraud, and theft. Key protections include in-call blocks that prevent scammers from manipulating device settings during calls with non-contacts, AI-powered scam detection in Google Messages that identifies suspicious patterns in real-time, and Key Verifier for identity verification through encrypted keys. These features are designed to protect users from toll road scams, cryptocurrency fraud, financial impersonation, and tech support scams, with most analysis occurring on-device to maintain privacy.
bethesdamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County held a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event highlighting scams targeting seniors, including tech support impersonation, government impostor schemes, and gold bar frauds. Maryland reported 1,385 complaints of tech support and government imposter scams in 2024 with nearly $30 million in losses—up 41% in complaints and 15% in losses over three years—while 84% of financial exploitation perpetrators were family members. Officials emphasized prevention through account monitoring, power of attorney transparency, and assertiveness in refusing suspicious requests, noting that recovery of scammed funds is rarely possible.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two men—Jinrong Shi, 28, of New York, and Jiyang Zhong, 27, a Chinese national—were indicted on federal charges for running "grandparent" and "tech support" scams targeting elderly victims in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren) in May and June 2024. The defendants, working with a network of co-conspirators using "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers," defrauded victims of over $201,000 by posing as law enforcement or tech support personnel and arranging cash pickups at victims' homes or directing victims to mail money. The laundered proceeds