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portal.ct.gov
Attorney General William Tong warned servicemembers, veterans, and their families about scams that specifically target the military community, noting that the Federal Trade Commission reported nearly 100,000 fraud cases in 2024 costing over $580 million. The press release detailed common scams including payday loan schemes, benefits fraud targeting senior veterans, OTP bot scams, loan and credit card fraud, car sales scams, fraudulent use of Military OneSource branding, fake military charities, and job scams. The Attorney General urged military community members to remain vigilant and report suspected fraud immediately, emphasizing that scammers often appear legitimate and exploit detailed knowledge of military incomes and benefits.
pewresearch.org
Online scams and internet crimes reached a record $16.6 billion in losses reported to the FBI in 2024, with 73% of U.S. adults reporting they have experienced at least one type of online scam or attack. The most common scams involve fraudulent credit card charges (48%), counterfeit or undelivered online purchases (36%), and hacked personal accounts (29%), with a majority of Americans receiving scam communications via phone calls, emails, and text messages at least weekly. While older adults are perceived as more vulnerable, significant portions of both younger and older adults have been victimized, with Black, Hispanic, and Asian adults reporting higher rates of experiencing multiple types of frau
finance.yahoo.com
Social Security scams employ three primary tactics: fake remote job offers that request personal information and upfront fees, phishing emails impersonating the Social Security Administration to direct victims to fraudulent websites, and in-person schemes where imposters posing as government officials convince victims to provide cash or valuables. Recent cases include a victim who gave $2 million in gold bars to someone claiming to be a CIA agent and an Ohio woman who liquidated $500,000 in retirement savings to purchase gold for phone scammers. Protect yourself by avoiding unsolicited job offers and payment requests, verifying emails end in ".gov," and reporting suspicious activity to the Social Security Administration or Office of the Inspector General.
paymentsjournal.com
This article discusses consumer-engaged fraud, which breaks into two categories: "misuse" (when consumers falsely report legitimate transactions as fraudulent, such as buyer's remorse claims) and "persuaded" fraud (when scammers manipulate consumers into unauthorized payments through impersonation, phishing, or other schemes). Consumer-engaged fraud has become a leading source of fraud losses for financial institutions and merchants as criminals have shifted focus from attacking businesses to exploiting consumers, though tracking and defining these fraud types remains challenging across institutions.
abc10.com
Recent high school graduates and young adults are increasingly targeted by scammers offering fraudulent scholarships, fake jobs, loan forgiveness schemes, and bogus rental listings, with Americans losing over $16 billion to scams in 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year. To protect themselves, students should watch for red flags like unsolicited messages and unrealistic offers, verify sources before clicking links, and consult trusted adults before sharing personal or financial information. Victims should immediately report scams to their bank, police, and the FTC, then monitor their credit reports for fraudulent accounts.
unfilteredwithkiran.com
Louisiana residents are warned of a summer surge in scams including vacation rental fraud, AI voice cloning impersonations, toll violation/DMV phishing texts, and jury duty scams. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics—from fake travel listings requiring upfront wire transfers to AI-generated voices claiming relatives are in emergencies—to steal identities and drain bank accounts. Authorities recommend victims verify requests through official channels, resist immediate action, and never provide personal information to unsolicited contacts.
oag.ca.gov
California's Attorney General issued a consumer alert during Military Consumer Month warning service members, veterans, and their families about targeted scams, noting that military consumers reported over 99,400 fraud complaints nationwide last year, including 44,587 imposter scams costing over $199 million. The alert identifies key fraud tactics targeting the military community—including charity scams using deceptive veteran-related names, predatory for-profit schools using high-pressure tactics, and home loan scams impersonating government agencies—and advises victims to verify charities through the Registry of Charitable Trusts and to pause before accepting offers that seem too good to be true.
gmtoday.com
Vineyard Church in Grafton hosted a free community education event called Scam SINGO on August 8, designed to help older adults recognize and avoid common fraud schemes. The interactive bingo-style game combined music with learning about scam types including phishing, romance scams, and fake IRS calls, aiming to empower participants with fraud prevention knowledge.
theregister.com
A violent border clash between Thailand and Cambodia near an ancient temple was linked to cyber-scam slave camps operating in Cambodia, where an estimated 100,000+ people are forced to run romance and investment scams targeting primarily Chinese and other Asian citizens. Thailand's threat to cut off internet and electricity to disrupt these camps—which generate an estimated $12.5 billion annually and allegedly involve high-level Cambodian government officials—contributed to escalating tensions between the two nations. The camps are documented by Interpol and the UN as severe human rights violations, with workers enslaved and forced to perpetrate financial fraud.
bobbybones.iheart.com
The Bobby Bones Show highlighted three technology-based scams: fake social media accounts impersonating celebrity family members to initiate contact; fraudulent artist accounts offering to create portraits or murals as a pretext to steal personal information; and text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles claiming unpaid tickets to pressure victims into payment. Listeners are advised to avoid engaging with unknown accounts claiming to be family members of public figures, delete suspicious artist solicitations immediately, and verify DMV communications by calling the local office directly rather than responding to unsolicited messages.
kgun9.com
Technical support scams disproportionately affect elderly victims, representing approximately 60% of cases in Pima County, Arizona. A 62-year-old Green Valley man lost $53,000 after responding to a fake Bank of America text directing him to withdraw funds and mail them to Florida; authorities recovered the full amount by intercepting the packages in New Mexico. The Pima County Sheriff's Department reports 260 tech support scams out of 550 total fraud cases this year and advises residents to avoid clicking unsolicited links, never provide banking information to callers, and hang up immediately on suspected scammers before verifying any request directly with their bank.
wezl.iheart.com
The Bobby Bones Show highlighted three technology-based scams currently circulating: fake social media accounts impersonating celebrities' family members to solicit private messages; fraudulent artist accounts offering to paint or create murals as a pretext to steal personal information; and text message scams claiming unpaid DMV tickets require immediate payment. The show advises listeners to avoid engaging with suspicious messages, delete suspicious accounts, and verify DMV communications by calling local DMV offices directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
fox5vegas.com
This educational alert warns about phishing scams using fraudulent email attachments disguised as legitimate communications from companies like Microsoft, DocuSign, and PayPal. Scammers use official-looking logos and urgent subject lines to trick recipients into opening malicious PDFs or downloading malware-laden software, and may impersonate customer service agents to steal sensitive account information. The key advice is to avoid opening unsolicited attachments, verify sender information through official websites or apps, and recognize that legitimate companies rarely send urgent messages via attachment.
womansworld.com
The author nearly fell victim to medical debt scammers who sent repeated texts claiming she owed money for her emergency retinal surgery, with amounts differing from her actual hospital bill. Medical debt scams occur when fraudsters impersonate hospital staff or debt collectors to demand payment for inflated, duplicate, or fabricated medical charges, and can be avoided by verifying bills directly with the hospital through patient portals and contacting legal authorities if contacted by scammers. The CFPB reports that 100 million Americans owe $220 billion in medical debt, and scammers violate federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act regulations that carry potential jail time and fines.
financial-planning.com
Pig butchering scams—which begin with casual text messages and evolve into romantic relationships—are rising in prevalence and causing significant financial harm. Scammers establish trust, often through romance and cryptocurrency investment promises, then direct victims to fraudulent trading platforms where they see initial gains but cannot withdraw funds due to fabricated fees; victims experience both financial loss and emotional trauma from the manufactured relationship. Financial advisors can help by monitoring for unusual withdrawal patterns and having nonjudgmental conversations with clients, while recognizing that many scammers themselves are human trafficking victims forced to operate from compounds in Southeast Asia run by organized crime networks.
m.independent.ie
Jadwiga Lewandowska, a 54-year-old woman, fell victim to a sophisticated scam advertised on Snapchat and unknowingly facilitated the theft of €8,002.53 from Donegal man Matthew Byrne's Bank of Ireland account in August 2021, with €7,000 subsequently transferred to cryptocurrency. After being informed by the bank that her account had been used for fraud, Lewandowska authorized full reimbursement to the victim and pleaded guilty to money laundering, receiving 75 hours of community service instead of a six-month sentence.
trendmicro.com
According to a July 2025 Trend Micro survey of over 1,000 Australians, two-thirds have been targeted by online scams and 27% have fallen victim, with nearly 30% of victims only discovering the fraud after significant financial loss or non-delivery of goods. Scammers increasingly use emotional, personalized social engineering on mobile platforms, exploiting the fact that 47% of Australians use no mobile security software despite spending 1-8+ hours daily on their phones. The research highlights that embarrassment prevents many victims from reporting scams, and recommends education, awareness, and mobile security software as critical protective measures.
iomtoday.co.im
Phishing emails impersonating Manx Telecom have been sent to manx.net addresses, directing recipients to fake billing pages designed to steal personal information and passwords. The scam has resulted in dozens of account compromises, with victims losing access to email and social media accounts. The Cyber Security Centre for the Isle of Man advises users not to click suspicious links, verify sender authenticity, and avoid responding to time-sensitive requests, and recommends reporting suspected scams to a dedicated email address.
escalontimes.com
**Fraud Overview & National Response:**
The Federal Trade Commission reported fraud theft reached $158.3 billion in 2023 ($434 million daily), prompting the creation of the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center to investigate and prosecute fraud criminals at scale.
**Common Summer Scams:**
Three prevalent scams target consumers: fake travel websites appearing in search results, utility company impersonators threatening service shutoff and demanding gift cards or wire transfers, and AI-enhanced grandparent scams using realistic voice manipulation to pressure victims into sending money for fabricated emergencies. Protection strategies include researching unfamiliar companies, contacting official numbers directly, and pausing before responding
oakdaleleader.com
In 2023, fraud cost Americans an estimated $158.3 billion, with new federal initiatives like the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center launching to combat organized fraud schemes through investigation and prosecution. The article highlights three prevalent scams: fake travel websites that appear in search results, utility company impersonators threatening service shutoff, and increasingly sophisticated grandparent scams enhanced by AI technology that create false emergencies to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
ocalagazette.com
An 82-year-old Ocala woman lost $7,300 in cryptocurrency and nearly lost $160,000 in cash converted to gold in a multi-stage scam involving a fake computer hack, fraudulent bank officer call, and an accomplice attempting to pick up the gold at her home—the plot was foiled by law enforcement and a gold exchange company alert, resulting in the arrest of Jiann Cao. Local agencies report approximately $1 million stolen monthly from elder fraud victims in Marion County, with common scams including tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes; officials recommend verifying the authenticity of unsolicited communications and emphasize education and reporting as key prevention strategies.
gillibrand.senate.gov
New Yorkers lost over $540 million to fraud in 2024. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Stop the Scammers Act to restore Consumer Financial Protection Bureau funding that was reduced by a Republican tax bill, and to authorize the CFPB to reward whistleblowers who report financial crimes and fraud targeting seniors.
wtxl.com
Leon County, Florida is developing an educational program in partnership with community leaders to help seniors detect and avoid online scams while learning to use artificial intelligence safely. The initiative will offer 1.5-hour seminars at public libraries and online, addressing the growing threat of sophisticated scams that exploit seniors—who lose an average of $34,000 per incident according to FBI data. The program aims to launch in fall with a focus on digital literacy and building confidence in navigating technology in a trusted environment.
wealthsolutionsreport.com
Ultra-high net worth (UHNW) individuals face increasingly sophisticated scams that exploit publicly available data, AI technology, and deep social engineering to target them with highly personalized fraud schemes. The article identifies seven major scam types affecting wealthy Americans: whaling (executive phishing), deepfake-driven impersonation and family emergency scams, synthetic identity fraud, tax and authority impersonation scams, and romance scams—each using tailored personal details and urgent requests to extract sensitive information, authorize fraudulent transfers, or manipulate victims into fake investments. Wealth managers and advisors are advised to educate clients on red flags including unusual communication changes, urgent financial requests from trusted sources, and demands
timesnewsgroup.com.au
The Bellarine Police Station's Community Engagement Unit is conducting educational presentations to help seniors identify and resist scams, with over 50 sessions delivered to local groups and aged care communities. The program addresses the shame and intimidation victims feel, particularly when scammers impersonate tax authorities, and aims to build confidence in recognizing common scams like phishing. Data shows Australians lost $13.7 million to scams in the first four months of 2025, with phishing scams causing the largest losses, prompting warnings for seniors to scrutinize suspicious emails and text messages claiming to be from the ATO.
yesweekly.com
An increasing wave of AI-generated celebrity romance scams has defrauded Americans of millions of dollars, with victims including a 73-year-old who lost over $100,000 to a fake Kevin Costner on Facebook and an elderly woman scammed by a deepfake Liam Neeson voice. According to FBI data, Americans reported $672 million in losses to romance and confidence scams in 2024 alone, with elderly victims averaging $83,000 per person, though many cases go unreported due to embarrassment. The article emphasizes that while scammers continue to evolve their tactics using new technology and platforms, vigilance and skepticism—particularly about uns
uk.finance.yahoo.com
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. This is a standard privacy and cookie consent notice from Yahoo outlining how the company uses cookies and personal data for site functionality, security, analytics, and advertising purposes.
ironmountaindailynews.com
Michigan State Police warn of an imposter scam where callers falsely claim to represent MSP and tell residents they have missed court dates or committed violations to pressure them into providing personal information. MSP clarified they never call to request sensitive data or payments, and legitimate law enforcement makes in-person contact for official matters. The advisory recommends never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, hanging up on suspected scams, and reporting incidents to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
fox5vegas.com
Investment scams, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, remained the top cybercrime reported to the Better Business Bureau, with over 80% of reported scams falling into this category and victims losing an average of $5,000. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media, ads, or email, then build trust over weeks or months before offering fake investment opportunities that show false returns until the scammer and funds disappear. The BBB recommends never investing with unknown individuals and verifying investment opportunities through the SEC or FINRA before committing money.
ket.org
This educational forum features elder fraud experts discussing common scams targeting seniors, including email, social media, tech support, and phone-based schemes. Elderly individuals are frequent targets because they have more free time, may be lonely or financially worried, and scammers exploit urgency and fear to manipulate them. The panel shares real victim experiences—including a woman who lost over $400,000 to an imposter federal agent scam and now owes $100,000 in taxes—and emphasizes that scams use multiple layers of deception designed to be difficult to trace before funds are depleted.
ket.org
This educational forum featuring experts and fraud victims discusses common scams targeting elderly people, including email/social media schemes, tech support scams, and impersonation of law enforcement or government officials. Seniors are frequent targets because they may be lonely, vulnerable, or less technologically savvy, and scammers exploit urgency and fear to manipulate victims; real victims lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one woman who lost over $400,000 and now owes the IRS $100,000 in additional taxes. The discussion emphasizes that fraudsters use sophisticated, multi-layered schemes designed to be difficult to trace and recommends awareness and verification of unexpected contacts as prevention strategies.
journal-news.net
Scammers increasingly target seniors in the Eastern Panhandle and across the country through phone calls, emails, texts, and in-person visits, impersonating government agencies, tech companies, or family members to trick victims into revealing personal information or sending money. Common schemes include fake arrest/bail demands, Medicare card warnings, and suspicious transaction alerts that create artificial urgency. Experts recommend verifying caller identity independently, never sharing personal information unsolicited, avoiding gift cards and wire transfers, and reporting suspicious activity, while family members can support prevention through regular communication and vigilance.
nbcpalmsprings.com
A Long Island woman lost $15,000 in a text phishing scam that impersonated Apple Pay and directed her to fraudulent payment links. Suffolk County Police are warning residents about rising phishing schemes targeting victims through deceptive text messages. The scam highlights the increasing sophistication of digital fraud targeting consumers, particularly seniors.
unionrecorder.com
A new Medicare scam targets seniors through door-to-door solicitors posing as Medicare representatives who offer free hospice services in exchange for personal information. Medicare does not offer unsolicited free services and will never call or knock on doors requesting personal or banking information; seniors should refuse all such solicitations, report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE, and contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 877-808-2468 for assistance.
foxnews.com
PayPal and Venmo have launched AI-powered scam alerts for Friends and Family payments that use machine learning to detect fraud risks in real time and escalate warnings based on transaction likelihood of fraud, with the system now live globally on PayPal and across the United States on Venmo. The dynamic alerts adapt to current scam patterns and recipient behavior rather than using generic warnings, and may automatically block high-risk payments. Beyond these new protections, users should strengthen security by using unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, keeping devices updated, avoiding public Wi-Fi for financial transactions, and staying vigilant against phishing attempts.
consumer.ftc.gov
**Job Scams Targeting Military Veterans and Job Seekers**
FTC reports on job scams have tripled from 2020 to 2024, with reported losses increasing from $90 million to $501 million, as scammers target transitioning military personnel and job seekers through online job sites, social media, and direct unsolicited messages requesting personal information or payment. The article provides preventive guidance including using trusted job search platforms, researching companies thoroughly, consulting trusted contacts before applying, and never paying fees to secure employment.
williamsmullen.com
Email payment scams involving last-minute changes to payment methods and destinations cost parties significant sums, including a $475,000 settlement in Thomas v. Corbyn Rest. Dev. Corp where defendants' attorney wired funds to an imposter's account after receiving a fraudulent email requesting a change from check to wire transfer. Courts have held the party in the best position to prevent fraud—typically through verifying requests via independent phone contact and scrutinizing suspicious email addresses and sudden payment term changes—liable for losses. The key defense against these schemes is to assume the worst when receiving unexpected payment modification requests and verify all changes through established, verified communication channels rather than relying on email alone.
wltx.com
"Quishing" scams use fake QR codes to direct victims to malicious websites or steal personal information, with over 26 million Americans already having scanned compromised codes. To protect yourself, avoid scanning random QR codes in public places like parking meters and package labels, and verify that website addresses appear legitimate before clicking through.
shreveporttimes.com
Kenneth G. Akpieyi, 44, from Georgia, was convicted in July 2025 on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering for operating a "fake Romeo" romance scam that defrauded multiple women of over $3 million. Operating under the alias "Phillip Anderson," Akpieyi used social media platforms to build fake romantic relationships with victims, then convinced them to send money for fabricated reasons such as charitable work or family emergencies, funneling the funds through his auto brokerage company to obscure their movement. Eight victims testified during trial, with sentencing scheduled for November 2025.
pennlive.com
Rosemary Grogan, an 82-year-old Pennsylvania resident, discovered $50,000 missing from her bank account due to fraud in 2024, a experience shared by growing numbers of elderly victims targeted by sophisticated scammers. U.S. cybercrime losses have surged from $4.2 billion in 2020 to $16.6 billion in 2024, yet small police departments lack resources to pursue international criminal networks, leaving most victims unable to recover stolen funds. Community leaders are calling for a coordinated federal response, including better data sharing and a national cybercrime task force, as current state-level and FBI resources address only large-scale patterns
theguardian.com
An adult daughter in Australia discovered that her elderly father in California was being targeted by multiple romance and lottery scams, including a catfishing scheme involving a woman named "Bomba" who posed as a wealthy widow, and a subsequent lottery scam promising $580 million. The father, in his early 70s and struggling with physical disability, substance abuse issues, and financial decline, believed the scams were real despite his daughters' attempts to convince him otherwise and refused to admit whether he sent money to the fraudsters. The account illustrates how loneliness, past trauma, and the desire for financial recovery made the father vulnerable to elaborate deception schemes.
longisland.news12.com
A 78-year-old Port Jefferson Station woman lost $15,000 to scammers who impersonated Apple, claiming fraudulent charges on her account, then convinced her to withdraw cash and hand it to a person at her home. Suffolk police's financial crimes unit is investigating the case, and the victim is warning other seniors that this scam is occurring frequently and can target anyone.
newsday.com
This opinion piece warns that television advertisements for overpriced health products—including supplements, creams, and capsules promising benefits like disease prevention, hair growth, and anti-aging effects—constitute a widespread scam bilking Americans of billions of dollars annually. The author notes that these heavily marketed products often contain ingredients available in much cheaper alternatives (such as basic multivitamins) and make health claims that legitimate research facilities cannot support, relying on misleading pricing and credentials to convince consumers of efficacy.
nbcnews.com
QR codes, once harmless novelties, have become targets for "quishing" scams where criminals place fake QR code stickers on parking meters, utility bills, and other public places to redirect users to malicious websites that steal personal information or download malware. The Federal Trade Commission and state agencies have issued warnings as 26% of malicious links are now sent via QR code, with over 26 million Americans already directed to fraudulent sites, and researchers note the scam is rising as traditional phishing safeguards improve. Security experts are developing solutions like authenticated QR codes and advise users to verify QR codes before scanning, particularly on unexpected packages or urgent-seeming
chieftain.com
Pueblo law enforcement warned residents of multiple scams in circulation: one involving phone calls impersonating bank officials requesting Bitcoin ATM payments (sometimes claiming child exploitation on the victim's computer), and another using fake UPS text messages with malicious links claiming failed delivery attempts. Authorities advised residents never to share personal or financial information via phone, email, or text, and to report suspicious communications to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or Federal Trade Commission.
nypost.com
A TikTok user warned of a scam in which fraudsters pose as artists requesting permission to use people's photos for art projects, only to later request personal information (full name and email) under the pretense of sending an e-check commission. The scheme is a variant of the common fake check scam, where fraudsters send fraudulent checks that include excess funds and instruct victims to wire the overage back, allowing scammers to access victims' personal information for future fraud while the victim ultimately loses money.
nj.com
Drivers in New Jersey, California, and Maryland have received phishing text messages falsely claiming to be from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission warning of unpaid traffic tickets and threatening license suspensions and fines. The scam is a phishing attempt designed to trick recipients into clicking a malicious link and providing personal information; the actual New Jersey courts and MVC communicate only by U.S. Mail and never by text message, and legitimate traffic ticket payments go directly to municipal courts, not through the links provided in these messages.
denver7.com
John Clark from Longmont lost thousands of dollars in a combined investment and romance scam in which fraudsters posed as an investment opportunity referral, sent fake checks to establish credibility, then shifted to romantic overtures while requesting money via Apple Cash. After his bank discovered the checks were fraudulent, Clark had already sent $3,000 in payments, and recovery is unlikely despite filing police reports. The FTC warns that romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals—particularly those who are isolated or dealing with health challenges—are increasingly common, and victims should refuse any requests for money from online romantic interests.
news.trendmicro.com
This June 2025 conversation with economic crime expert Olivier Beaudet-Labrecque examines the global scam economy, revealing how economic hardship and youth unemployment in West Africa are driving individuals into online fraud schemes including romance scams and SIM-swapping, often learned through peer networks in cyber cafes. The discussion highlights that scams harm both international victims and local communities, strain under-resourced law enforcement, and damage entire nations' digital reputations and economic access. Key takeaway: combating online fraud requires empathy, education, and technological solutions to address the socioeconomic drivers fueling the scam ecosystem.
hackread.com
A sophisticated cyberattack campaign targeting German speakers uses romance and adult-themed emails to deliver malware through a legitimate traffic distribution system. Victims receive emails with links that, when clicked from Germany, trigger a 300MB ISO file download containing "lovely_photos.exe" malware, which establishes persistence on the system through a scheduled task named DragonMapper. The campaign was discovered by Sublime Security and demonstrates how attackers use geo-targeting, enticing social engineering, and multiple layers of obfuscation to bypass detection and increase infection success rates.