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newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has warned Americans about tax scams targeting older adults that surge during filing season, with IRS impersonation being the most common fraud type. Scammers pose as government agencies or tax professionals using spoofed caller IDs and high-pressure tactics demanding untraceable payments (cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers), with adults aged 65-74 most frequently targeted; a McAfee survey found 48 percent of Americans received fake IRS messages, and 79 percent of those experienced collection attempts or threats. The IRS clarified it will never demand immediate payment via prepaid cards, threaten arrest, or request sensitive financial information by phone, and warns that AI-enhanced deep
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FTC's 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, while younger people (ages 20-29) report fraud more frequently than seniors, adults aged 70 and older experience significantly higher median losses, with those 80+ losing a median of $1,650 per incident and seniors collectively losing $2.3 billion in 2024. Overall fraud losses in the United States reached $12.5 billion in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), with business imposters and government imposters being the most common scams targeting older adults, followed by tech support and lottery scams.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
IRS impersonation scams targeting seniors have become the most common senior fraud scheme, with scammers using spoofed caller IDs to pose as IRS officials and pressure victims into immediate payments for alleged tax debt. According to former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with these scams intensifying during tax season. The IRS never initiates contact by phone, text, or email, and legitimate tax notices always arrive by mail first—knowing this distinction is key to avoiding these fraudulent schemes.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A widespread "smishing scam" has targeted over 60,000 Americans with fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls, urging recipients to click links to malicious sites; the scam originates from Chinese-speaking cybercriminals selling phishing kits on Telegram to steal credit card and personal information. Red flags include suspicious shortened URLs, misspelled words, threatening language about license suspension, demands for small payment amounts, and sender numbers with +63 (Philippines) country codes. Victims should not click links, report messages as spam, and if they've already shared payment information, immediately contact banks to freeze accounts and freeze credit to prevent identity theft.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening phone calls impersonating the IRS, and fake tax preparers who file fraudulent returns to steal refunds. Recent IRS workforce cuts may amplify these threats by creating uncertainty that scammers exploit and reducing the agency's capacity to respond to reported fraud. Experts recommend consumers watch for red flags such as urgency, threats, suspicious links, and promises of inflated refunds, while using only trusted tax professionals and reporting scams directly to the IRS.
fox11online.com
· 2025-12-08
Manitowoc police are warning of a dramatic increase in scams, including romance schemes where scammers gradually request money and personal information before using explicit photos for blackmail, and impersonation scams where callers pose as law enforcement demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency for alleged court fines or debts. Police emphasize that government agencies never request payments through cryptocurrency ATMs or gift cards, and advise victims to verify any such requests before sending funds.
newswest9.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks as scammers exploit uncertainty surrounding recent IRS workforce cuts to impersonate the agency and steal personal information and money through phishing emails, texts, fake refund promises, and fraudulent tax preparers. Common red flags include urgent language, threats, promises of large payoffs, and suspicious links; the IRS warns it never initiates contact via email or text and urges consumers to use only accredited tax professionals and report suspected scams. Experts caution that reduced IRS staffing could slow response times to fraud reports and allow malicious websites and predatory campaigns to remain active longer, creating an increased risk environment for taxpayers.
wwltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening phone calls impersonating the IRS, and "ghost" tax preparers who file fraudulent returns with inflated deductions to steal refunds. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may make scammers' false claims about "new filing methods" more convincing while simultaneously reducing the agency's ability to quickly respond to and remove fraudulent websites or investigate scam reports. Key warning signs include urgency, threats, promises of large payouts, and suspicious links—and consumers should only contact the IRS through official channels and use accredited tax professionals.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A 23-year-old New York man was charged with extorting and defrauding a 72-year-old Newton woman out of approximately $480,000 through an elaborate scheme in which he impersonated a DEA agent and claimed she was implicated in money laundering involving narcotics traffickers. The perpetrator convinced the victim she needed to transfer her assets to the U.S. Treasury by purchasing gold bars and handing them to couriers; the scheme was uncovered when her family reported it and an undercover FBI agent was able to apprehend the suspect during a gold bar handoff.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which a person claiming to be a woman from Maryland convinced him to send money via multiple cash app accounts for an inheritance claim and promised relocation to Utah, with investigators believing a video call between them may have been AI-generated. Provo police used the case to warn of increasing online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes (law enforcement, banks, utilities), tech support fraud, and kidnapping hoaxes, recommending that victims hang up on unsolicited callers and verify requests through official channels.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
West Virginians reported over $27 million in fraud losses in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, as scams continue to rise across the state through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The article outlines common scam tactics including IRS/Social Security impersonation, romance scams, tech support scams, and phishing emails, and advises consumers to watch for red flags such as urgent language, requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and unfamiliar contact information. Key protective measures include not answering unknown numbers, never clicking suspicious links, verifying charities before donating, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
fox9.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating MnDOT and E-ZPass through fraudulent text messages claiming recipients have unpaid tolls or violations, requesting personal information or payments via suspicious links. MnDOT emphasizes that it never requests personal or sensitive information via text or email, and advises recipients to delete suspicious messages and report the scam to local police, the FBI's internet crime complaint center, or the Federal Trade Commission.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
A nationwide "smishing" scam impersonates the E-ZPass toll collection system, sending text messages claiming unpaid toll balances or violations and demanding payment within 12-24 hours to avoid DMV reporting and late fees. The fraudulent texts contain malicious links designed to steal personal information or money from victims across multiple states. To protect themselves, recipients should verify suspicious messages through official agency websites, avoid clicking unknown links, and report scam texts as spam; imposter scams collectively cost Americans nearly $3 billion in 2023.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and effective due to advanced technology and organized criminal groups operating internationally. The article illustrates this trend through the example of a utility company impersonation scam targeting a Maine resident, and explains how scammers exploit phishing, deepfakes, AI-generated content, and cryptocurrency investment schemes to defraud victims. Key protective strategies include verifying accounts directly through official channels and remaining suspicious of urgent payment demands, particularly those requesting digital payment methods like Zelle.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using impersonation emails, texts, calls, and social media offers to steal personal information and money. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may embolden fraudsters who exploit taxpayer uncertainty while potentially slowing the agency's ability to respond to reported scams, and recommend taxpayers use only accredited tax professionals, watch for pressure tactics and suspicious refund promises, and report suspected fraud to the IRS.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season is a prime target for scammers seeking to steal refunds and identities, with Americans losing $9.1 billion to tax and financial crimes in 2024, and nearly one in four Americans impacted by tax scams at some point. Key protective measures include setting up an IRS Identity Protection PIN, ignoring unsolicited tax-related emails and texts, avoiding cryptocurrency payments for taxes, and implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Experts stress that the IRS never initiates contact via email or text and does not accept cryptocurrency or demand immediate payment under threat.
dtnext.in
· 2025-12-08
Fifty account holders at a private Indian bank were fraudulently issued loans totaling Rs 7.5 crore (approximately $900,000 USD) without their knowledge or consent in 2024, with cybercriminals using stolen credentials to secure loans ranging from Rs 20-40 lakh each. Forty-one victims were compromised through FedEx scams, while the bank issued default notices to account holders and refused responsibility for the security breach, forcing victims to escalate complaints to the RBI and consumer courts. One Chennai victim is paying Rs 38,000 monthly on a Rs 20 lakh loan he never requested, while another victim lost Rs 3 l
altoonamirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania State Police presented a seminar on scams targeting seniors, noting that older adults lost over $1 billion to cybercrimes in 2023, with common schemes including government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. One victim paid $500 for fake tech support and later wired $65,000 to the same scammers after they gained remote access to her device, highlighting how emotional manipulation and technology exploitation are used to defraud older adults.
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults, particularly those over 75, with sweepstakes, impersonation, and text message scams. Law enforcement agencies recommend that seniors use the "Five P's" framework (Pretend, Problem, Prize, Pressure, Pay) to identify scams, hang up on pressuring callers, and verify claims with family and trusted sources before taking action. Authorities stress the importance of reporting fraud to local police or AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360, even when victims feel embarrassed.
ksfa860.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Texas seniors experienced an 11% increase in fraud losses, with one notable case involving a man sentenced to eight years in prison for stealing $300,000 from a Georgetown woman as part of an international scheme. Investigators identified a scam ring originating from India that targeted 21 victims across the country for nearly $6 million total by impersonating U.S. Government officials to extort money and personal information. AARP recommends victims speak up about fraud rather than remaining silent, as reporting can help protect others, and provides a helpline at 877-908-3360 for suspected scams.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service held a scam awareness event to educate consumers about fraud threats, including unsolicited text messages about delivery problems, unrequested merchandise shipments designed to boost fake product reviews, and romance scams. The Postal Service emphasized that they do not send unsolicited texts and warned customers not to scan QR codes in unexpected packages or send money to unknown individuals, while also reporting a 27% decrease in letter carrier robberies under their Project Safe Delivery initiative since 2023.
htrnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Manitowoc Police Department reported a dramatic increase in scams in recent months, including romance scams conducted over social media and phone that unfold over weeks or months, impersonation scams where perpetrators pose as law enforcement demanding payment for fictitious fines, and schemes using cryptocurrency ATMs to extract money from victims. Scammers typically request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic transfers to avoid detection, with some victims losing thousands of dollars or their life savings. Police advise residents to avoid transferring money to unknown sources and to contact local law enforcement if they suspect scam activity.
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which someone claiming to be a woman from Maryland promised a romantic relationship and help claiming an inheritance, but the two never met in person and a video call may have been AI-generated. The case, discovered only when the man's son intervened, exemplifies a broader problem affecting seniors nationally, with other common scams including impersonation of law enforcement, banks, and utility companies; tech support schemes; and "grandparent in jail" fraud. Police and the FBI recommend hanging up on calls demanding urgent payment, independently verifying callers' identities, watching for cryptocurrency requests, and family members monitoring elderly relatives
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2025 tax season leading up to the April 15 filing deadline, IRS-related scams have surged 77 percent, with criminals using phone calls, texts, emails, and AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate tax agents and demand personal information by promising large refunds or threatening legal action. Common schemes include fake unclaimed refund offers, fraudulent stimulus payment messages, unlicensed "ghost" tax preparers who file returns without proper credentials, and phishing scams on social media platforms. Experts advise taxpayers to remember that the IRS initiates contact only by mail, verify tax preparers through official IRS directories and legitimate business listings, an
securitymagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A Reboot research report analyzed SMS scams and found that scammers most frequently impersonate USPS (15.43%), the IRS (11.71%), and Amazon (7.71%), with account alert scams being the most common type (28.7% of incidents). Scammers exploit urgency and trust using common names like "Lisa" and "Annie" as aliases, misleading subdomains (particularly irs.gov in 24.2% of cases), and panic-inducing phrases such as "Your account has been locked" to pressure victims into quick action.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes warned consumers about "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages designed to trick recipients into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or clicking links to counterfeit websites that steal personal and financial data. Common smishing tactics include fake unpaid toll notices, job offers, bank alerts, package delivery notices, and tax refund claims. The FTC reported that consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 (a 25% increase), with Arizona's Consumer Information and Complaints Unit receiving nearly 22,000 complaints and recovering a record $5.2 million for consumers.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
Hector Claveria, 51, of New York, was sentenced to two years in federal prison in March 2025 for laundering $20,000 in proceeds from elder fraud and computer service scams that targeted victims nationwide. The schemes deceived elderly individuals and computer users into sending payments by falsely claiming they owed money to government agencies, businesses, or tech companies. Claveria served as a money mule, collecting cash from these frauds and transferring funds to foreign accounts to obscure their illegal origin, and was also ordered to forfeit $20,000 and serve three years of supervised release.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases, including pension fraud, increased 84 percent in 2022 with losses in the tens of billions of dollars, driven by vulnerabilities in digitized pension systems and delayed death record updates that allow criminals to divert benefits to fraudulent recipients. Advanced digital identity verification technology, including AI-powered cross-referencing of personal data and biometric markers, offers pension operators a proactive defense mechanism to authenticate beneficiaries and verify death status before approving transactions. Enhanced identity verification measures are essential for government pension programs to safeguard retirees' financial security and maintain public trust in these systems.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Hector Claveria, 51, of New York was sentenced to two years in prison in March 2025 for laundering proceeds from elder fraud and computer fraud schemes. Starting in early 2020, Claveria acted as a money mule by collecting cash packages and wiring $20,000 in June 2020 to a foreign account, knowing the funds came from scams targeting elderly victims with fake government/company debt claims and computer service fraud. He was also ordered to forfeit $20,000 and serve three years of supervised release.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating law enforcement and contacting people by phone or email claiming they missed jury duty, demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps to avoid fines or jail time. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warns that government imposter scams cost consumers $789 million in 2024, and advises that legitimate courts only communicate with jurors through mail, never by phone or email.
whbl.com
· 2025-12-08
Manitowoc Police reported a dramatic increase in scams targeting residents, including romance scams that develop over weeks or months with escalating requests for money, impersonation scams where criminals pose as officials demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and a novel tactic involving fraudulent crypto ATMs. Police advise residents to avoid currency transfers to unknown sources, be cautious of aggressive payment demands, and contact them with concerns, noting that government entities never use crypto ATMs or electronic payment methods for fines and fees.
technologyreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Gavesh, a South Asian man facing financial hardship, was trafficked into a "pig butchering" scam operation after responding to a fraudulent Facebook job posting promising $1,500 monthly salary. Criminal syndicates operating from compounds in Myanmar-Thailand border regions use social media platforms and tech services to recruit victims and conduct romance/investment fraud schemes that have netted billions of dollars globally, exploiting trafficked workers through coercion and violence. The investigation reveals that major tech companies—including social media, dating apps, cryptocurrency platforms, and messaging services—have enabled the industrialization of these fraud operations and may hold the key to dismantling them if compelled to take action.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman in Pune lost Rs 2.5 crore in a sophisticated cyber scam where fraudsters impersonating Maharashtra Police and Enforcement Directorate officials falsely implicated her in a money laundering case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. Over three weeks from mid-February to March 10, the woman made 74 transfers after being coerced through fabricated legal notices, fake "digital arrest" orders, and forged government documents. Authorities suspect international cybercrime syndicates orchestrated the scheme, using mule accounts and cryptocurrency to launder the stolen funds, and have advised citizens to verify official identities independently and never
clarencevalleynews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Australians lost $2 billion to scams (down 25.9% from 2023), though more people fell victim to increasingly sophisticated impersonation scams, with social media being the leading contact method for financial loss at $69.5 million across 7,724 reports. Common impersonation scams include bank impersonation, government agency impersonation, family/friend impersonation using deepfakes, job scams requiring upfront payments or bank access, and celebrity endorsement scams. The key prevention strategies are to stop and verify before giving money or information, check requests independently using known contact details, and protect yourself by contacting your bank immediately
romesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, more than 4,300 New Yorkers age 60 and older lost $203.4 million to financial scams—an average of $47,000 per victim—prompting AARP New York and state legislators to urge inclusion of fraud prevention measures in the state budget. Key proposed protections include training bank employees to identify exploitation and temporarily hold suspicious transactions, with particular focus on common schemes like the "grandparent scam" where criminals pose as relatives requesting emergency funds via untraceable methods like cash or gift cards.
richlandsource.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams are among the most commonly reported forms of fraud, according to Federal Trade Commission data, with scammers posing as trusted businesses, government entities, family members, or romantic interests to deceive victims. While older adults typically lose larger sums when victimized, people in their 30s and 40s report the highest fraud victimization rates per age group, with scammers using tactics like fake Facebook accounts, urgency-creating threats, grandparent schemes, and romance scams to trick victims into sending money, gift cards, or personal information. Common scam tactics include impersonating utilities or banks threatening service shutoffs, posing as stranded relatives needing emergency funds
fox26houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with the FBI receiving over 101,000 complaints from seniors that year—a 14% jump. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type, while investment fraud proved the costliest at $1.2 billion in losses, followed by tech support scams at $589 million and illegal call scams at over $700 million. The actual losses may be significantly higher since only about half of complaints to the Internet Crime Complaint Center included victim age data, and many seniors never report their losses due to stigma and emotional impact.
spokesman.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scams remain the most common government impersonation fraud in the U.S., with Americans losing over $577 million to these schemes in the previous year. Common tactics include impersonators claiming Social Security numbers have been suspended, demanding overpayment repayment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, phishing for personal information through fake emails and messages, and distributing malicious download links. The SSA never suspends accounts, threatens callers, demands immediate payment, requires non-traditional payment methods, or sends unsolicited downloads—victims should verify communications through official .gov addresses and report suspected scams to the Social Security Office of the Inspector General.
daytondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kettering woman lost over $50,000 in a tech support scam after scammers posing as Google and Apple technicians convinced her to install remote access software and transfer funds to cryptocurrency accounts. The scammers built trust by providing fake employee credentials and employee IDs, then coordinated with a fake bank representative to convince her that cybercriminals were targeting her account for illegal activities. This case illustrates a broader trend: elder fraud complaints to the FBI's IC3 rose 14% in 2023, with victims aged 60+ reporting over $3.4 billion in losses—averaging $33,915 per victim—while imposter scams remain the most common frau
lptv.org
· 2025-12-08
Bemidji area law enforcement held a public presentation warning residents about a surge in scams following a "grandparent" scam incident in the region, including IRS impersonation scams, online romance scams, and phishing emails/texts. Officers advised the public to verify callers before answering, use Google to check suspicious phone numbers, never send money to unknown persons, and watch for red flags such as suspicious URLs, grammar errors, and pressure tactics. Additional awareness sessions were scheduled to educate the community on recognizing and avoiding these fraud schemes.
securityaffairs.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 27, 2025, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Ohio filed a civil forfeiture complaint for $8.2 million in cryptocurrency linked to a "pig butchering" romance scam, in which fraudsters built false romantic and financial relationships with victims via anonymous messaging apps before exploiting them. One Cleveland victim liquidated over $650,000 in retirement savings; the FBI used blockchain intelligence to trace funds across multiple crypto platforms and networks, ultimately leading to the seizure and reissuance of the frozen Tether tokens for victim restitution. This case highlights the rapidly growing threat of pig butchering scams—often operated by human trafficking syndicates from
slate.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman's mother has been victimized by multiple romance scams since October, losing tens of thousands of dollars to scammers impersonating celebrities and entertainment figures through gift cards, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency payments. The daughter has attempted multiple interventions including gentle conversations and contacting organizations like AARP and the FTC, but her mother denies the scams, remains secretive, and continues sending money, including funds for a canceled "visit" with an alleged fiancé. The advice column recommends framing a conversation around financial planning rather than the romance itself, focusing on how these expenditures impact her mother's long-term financial security.
daijiworld.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old retired railway employee and his 79-year-old wife in Belagavi, India, died by suicide after losing Rs 6 lakh to cybercriminals who impersonated law enforcement officials and threatened to release fabricated obscene content unless they paid ransom. The couple endured a month of escalating harassment and continued extortion demands before the wife consumed sleeping pills and the husband subsequently took his own life, leaving a note exposing the scammers' tactics. The incident highlights the rising cybercrime threat in Karnataka and underscores the importance of recognizing that police never initiate cases online or demand money, and that "digital arrest" is not a
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office Community Affairs Department presented information to Sun City West residents about scams targeting seniors, noting that fraud losses follow a bell curve distribution across age groups, with the highest concentrations in middle age ranges rather than the very young or very old. The presentation emphasized that while seniors frequently request fraud awareness information, scams and identity theft affect all age groups.
fox9.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with the FBI receiving over 101,000 complaints from this age group and an average loss of nearly $34,000 per victim. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type, while investment fraud was the costliest at $1.2 billion in losses, followed by tech support scams at $589 million and illegal impersonation calls at $700 million. The actual figures may be significantly higher since only half of reported complaints included victim age data and many seniors never report their losses due to stigma.
moderndiplomacy.eu
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated AI-powered scams are emerging as a major threat, combining deepfake technology, voice cloning, and personalized phishing to create highly convincing fraud. Cybercriminals use AI to automate social engineering attacks at scale, impersonating trusted figures through manipulated videos and voice messages, while AI-generated phishing leverages personal data to craft customized deceptive communications. Organizations and individuals must implement advanced security measures and heightened vigilance, as traditional detection methods are increasingly inadequate against these evolving threats.
tucson.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents increased fraud risk, with scammers using phishing emails, impersonation calls, and fake refund promises to steal personal information and money. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may embolden criminals by creating uncertainty and potentially slowing the agency's response to fraud reports, and they advise taxpayers to watch for red flags like urgency tactics, threats, suspicious links, and promises of inflated refunds, while only using accredited tax professionals and reporting scams directly to the IRS.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** The more money you have, the more you have for scammers to steal
Wealthy individuals are targeted by sophisticated fraudsters through multiple schemes including whaling (personalized phishing), impersonation of trusted advisors, investment scams, tax-related fraud, fake seller websites, and charity scams, with single transactions potentially resulting in losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Scammers use open-source intelligence and social engineering to build trust, create convincing impersonations (including deepfake videos and AI-generated communications), and exploit high-net-worth individuals' busy schedules and trust in established relationships. The article advises victims to verify identities directly
coinfomania.com
· 2025-12-08
Westlake, Ohio residents have fallen victim to multiple cryptocurrency scams involving fraudsters posing as police officers, Microsoft support, and Social Security Administration officials, demanding victims withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin ATMs. Losses ranged from $5,500 to $20,000, though one couple was saved by an alert bank manager who prevented a $17,000 loss by contacting police. Police advise residents never to wire money or use cryptocurrency based on unexpected calls, and to verify requests by contacting official company websites rather than phone numbers found through online searches.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Starting April 14, the Social Security Administration will eliminate phone-based identity verification for most retirement and family benefit applicants, requiring them to apply online or in person at field offices instead—a change that advocates warn will disproportionately burden elderly, rural, and less tech-savvy beneficiaries who lack internet access, smartphones, or proper identification. The policy, implemented as part of an anti-fraud initiative, exempts disability insurance, Medicare, and SSI applicants from the requirement but will affect approximately three-quarters of Social Security beneficiaries and grieving families applying for survivor benefits, who previously could complete applications entirely by phone.