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in Government Impersonation
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration is eliminating phone-based identity verification for retirement, survivor, and family benefit applications starting April 14, requiring most beneficiaries to apply online or in person instead—a change intended to combat fraud but which advocates warn will disproportionately burden elderly, disabled, rural, and technology-limited populations who lack smartphones, internet access, or valid identification. The policy excludes disability insurance, Medicare, and Supplemental Security Income applicants, who may continue filing by phone, but will affect approximately three-quarters of Social Security beneficiaries who are retirees and grieving families seeking survivor benefits.
staysafeonline.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how AI-powered scams using voice cloning and deepfake technology work, where criminals replicate the voices and likenesses of trusted contacts to request urgent financial help or sensitive information. The article advises families, coworkers, and organizations to establish pre-agreed safe words or phrases—shared only among trusted parties—as a verification method to confirm identity during unexpected calls or messages and prevent falling victim to these AI-enhanced fraud schemes. Key recommendations include making safe words unique and difficult to guess, keeping them private through secure channels, and using different safe words for different groups or contexts.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned residents to watch out for post-storm scams following severe weather that swept across Michigan in late March 2025. Common fraud schemes include contractors overcharging for repairs, imposters claiming to offer government funding for disaster relief, and fraudulent charity solicitations; residents are advised to verify contractor credentials, obtain multiple written estimates, research charities before donating, and avoid unsolicited payment requests via wire transfer or gift cards.
drinksindustryireland.ie
· 2025-12-08
Bank of Ireland warns that fraudsters continuously employ multiple scam tactics beyond April Fool's Day, with the most common schemes including investment fraud, smishing texts, vishing calls, purchase scams, romance scams, family impersonation, rental/holiday fraud, money mule recruitment, malware, and phishing emails. The bank emphasizes that victims should watch for red flags such as promises of unrealistic returns, pressure to act quickly, celebrity endorsements of investments, and demands for secrecy, while never sharing PINs, activation codes, or other sensitive credentials. Bank of Ireland offers 24/7 fraud support at 1800 946 764 to help customers identify
knoxtntoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers use phone number spoofing to impersonate banks like FirstBank, displaying legitimate bank names and numbers on caller ID to deceive victims. Banks never initiate calls requesting personal information, PINs, or online banking credentials, so recipients should be suspicious of such calls and refer to FCC guidance on identifying spoofing scams.
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
Over $12.5 billion in fraud losses were reported, with scams evolving beyond traditional methods to exploit vulnerabilities across telecommunications, social media, and banking through sophisticated tactics like "authorized push payment" fraud. The author argues that fragmented government agencies lack the coordination and resources to effectively combat these crimes, which are often orchestrated by international organized crime groups funding terrorism, human trafficking, and other illicit activities. The proposal calls for establishing a national interagency task force to unify federal efforts, coordinate with the private sector, implement public awareness campaigns, and equip law enforcement with resources to investigate and prosecute scammers targeting vulnerable populations.
ospreyobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece by an elder law attorney identifies three major scam types targeting seniors: confidence scams (where perpetrators build trust to gain financial access), tech support scams (unsolicited offers to fix computer problems in exchange for payment or personal information), and government impersonation scams (fraudsters posing as IRS, law enforcement, or Social Security officials). The article emphasizes that seniors, particularly isolated "elder orphans" without family support, are especially vulnerable and provides protective advice including verifying agency contacts independently and reporting suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline or FTC.
daytondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes four common scams targeting seniors: Social Security Administration impostor scams that use caller ID spoofing to trick victims into moving money to gift cards; tech support scams where criminals pose as representatives from recognized companies to gain remote device access and obtain banking information; lottery scams where perpetrators impersonate officials and extract fees from supposed foreign lottery winners; and romance scams conducted through dating sites and social media where scammers build relationships to solicit money. These represent a small fraction of the scams seniors face, with detailed information available through the Department of Justice's elder justice resources.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
Brad K., a sleep-deprived new father, fell victim to an IRS impersonation scam in May 2024 when a caller claimed he owed over $800 in back taxes and threatened jail time if he didn't pay immediately. The scammer was persuasive because he possessed personal information like Brad's address and wife's name, and Brad was stressed and vulnerable; Brad approved a payment that gave the scammer access to his bank account before learning that the IRS never initiates contact by phone and only communicates by certified mail. Though Brad quickly closed his account and froze his credit to minimize damage, the incident illustrates how evolving scams can target even vigilant, financially
greenecountynewsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned residents in 2024 about the state's top 10 complaint categories, with the Consumer Protection Division receiving over 3,900 complaints across 30+ scam types. Notable 2024 trends included significant increases in social media hacking/account locking and imposter scams, particularly schemes directing victims to cryptocurrency ATMs to send money to fraudsters. The top complaints involved auto fraud (623), internet/social media issues (593), imposter scams (376), home improvement fraud (332), and personal goods/services complaints, with the Attorney General's office urging Iowans to verify sellers, avoid prepayment and cryptocurrency
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A cybersecurity journalist deliberately clicked on four common online scams in isolated virtual environments to demonstrate how they operate. The scams included fake security upgrades (distributing malware disguised as Wells Fargo security updates), fake Captcha challenges designed to execute malicious PowerShell commands, and other phishing tactics that exploit users' trust in legitimate security protocols. The article serves as an educational warning, emphasizing that users should never click suspicious links or download unexpected files, and should immediately close any page requesting software downloads.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraud losses reached $12.5 billion (a 25% increase from 2023), with impostor scams leading the surge; email became the primary contact method, and victims lost an average of $800 per impostor scam, with $2.95 billion stolen through gift cards and cryptocurrency. The article warns consumers to avoid fraudulent tax preparers (who demand upfront payment or promise guaranteed returns), Real ID phishing scams posing as government agencies, and fake check schemes where criminals send counterfeit checks that appear to clear before victims send their own money for fraudulent goods or services.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six common online scams and their warning signs: phishing scams (impersonating trusted companies via email/text to steal credentials), investment scams (promising unrealistic returns through unregulated platforms), job offer scams (requesting upfront payments or personal information for fraudulent positions), and tech support scams (using fake alerts to trick users into paying for unnecessary services or granting device access). Key prevention strategies include verifying sender information directly with companies, researching investment opportunities with licensed professionals, being skeptical of unsolicited offers, and avoiding clicking links or granting remote access to unknown parties.
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
Regina Henaku, a 33-year-old from Leominster, Massachusetts, was indicted on nine counts including larceny from elders and identity fraud for stealing approximately $28,000 from elderly patients between August and November 2024. She posed as a health care professional using stolen identities at five different facilities across Worcester and Middlesex counties, fraudulently using credit and debit cards from at least 11 patients over age 60 without their knowledge.
english.gujaratsamachar.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old retired senior bank manager in Surat was kept under "digital arrest" for 48 days by fraudsters impersonating Delhi Crime Branch and CBI officials who convinced him he was involved in a ₹6.89 crore money laundering case. The scammers extorted ₹1.05 crore from the victim through multiple bank transfers by threatening legal action and sending fake official documents via WhatsApp. The victim discovered the fraud only after receiving an RBI awareness message about digital arrest scams and reported it to cybercrime authorities, who have registered an investigation.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents aged 50 and older about rising IRS imposter scams during tax season, where criminals pose as IRS agents via phone, email, mail, or in-person contact to steal money and personal information. Government impersonation scams cost Americans over $394 million in 2023, a 63% increase from 2022, with scammers using threats, fake refund claims, and demands for untraceable payments like gift cards or cryptocurrency. To stay safe, residents should verify IRS contact through official channels (irs.gov), remember that the real IRS initiates contact by mail and rarely makes in-person visits, and report suspicious activity to
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake text messages claiming unpaid tollway balances to steal personal and financial information through "smishing" (SMS phishing), with Illinois residents particularly targeted at rates higher than the national average. The fraudulent messages impersonate E-ZPass accounts and direct victims to fake websites; authorities warn consumers never to click links or reply to such messages, as the Illinois Tollway uses the I-PASS system instead. Americans lost 25% more money to fraud in the past year compared to 2023, with complaints in Illinois reaching 1,470 per 100,000 residents versus the national average of 1,215 per 100,000.
investmentexecutive.com
· 2025-12-08
FINRA's Securities Helpline for Seniors recovered over $9.3 million for investors approaching its 10th anniversary, with all funds returned voluntarily after helpline intervention without requiring enforcement action. The service has handled more than 32,000 calls and generated thousands of enforcement referrals and referrals to other authorities, addressing rising reports of crypto scams, impersonation schemes, and romance scams targeting seniors. Success depends on collaboration between the helpline, brokerage firms, and regulatory agencies, with many firms designating contacts to expedite resolution of investor concerns.
daytondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Kettering woman lost over $50,000 in an imposter scam after calling what she believed was Google's support line; scammers posing as Google and bank employees convinced her that her account was hacked and persuaded her to withdraw cash from multiple bank branches and transfer it to their control. The Dayton metro area saw a 15% increase in consumer fraud complaints to the FTC, reaching an all-time high of 8,820, with imposter scams being among Ohio's top fraud types as consumers reported $12.5 billion in losses nationally in 2024. Authorities recommend never allowing remote device access to strangers and verifying
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC has issued alerts about multiple common scams targeting consumers, including port-out fraud (where scammers use personal information to hijack mobile phone numbers and access financial accounts), grandparent scams (fraudsters impersonating relatives in crisis situations to solicit money), and spoofed mortgage relief calls (criminals posing as lenders to extract fraudulent payments). These scams leverage personal data from social media and cyber theft, use caller ID spoofing, and often request payment through hard-to-trace methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
salon.com
· 2025-12-08
American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded, with fraudsters increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and impersonation scams. Key fraud types include AI-driven impersonation, phishing emails, investment/cryptocurrency scams (which rose to $3.96 billion in losses), tech support scams, and romance scams (which caused $1.14 billion in losses with a median loss of $2,000 per victim). Consumers should watch for red flags such as rushed messages, inconsistencies, and suspicious email addresses to protect themselves from these evolving schemes.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Balraj Singh, a Sector 36-C resident, lost ₹36,76,135 to scammers who impersonated law enforcement officials, claiming a drug-containing consignment had been seized under his name in Thailand. Singh transferred the money across multiple transactions before realizing the fraud and reporting it to the Cyber Crime Police Station. An FIR was lodged under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including cheating by personation, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Rockland County officials warned of fake contractors scamming homeowners by impersonating legitimate roofing companies and using scare tactics to convince victims they need urgent structural repairs. At least three homeowners were defrauded of tens of thousands of dollars, including one woman who paid $60,000 for unnecessary roof work and another who signed a $78,000 contract for fraudulent repairs; the scammers even asked victims to write the real company names on checks to appear legitimate.
actuarialpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A webinar session featured industry experts and Chris Bell from City of London Police discussing pension scam prevention efforts by PSAG and introducing a new fraud reporting service replacing Action Fraud. The session emphasized the importance of reporting suspected pension scams and fraud, and included a Q&A addressing common questions about these issues.
chroniclejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
In February 2024, Melanie McGovern from Montreal's Better Business Bureau received a suspicious message from what appeared to be her 16-year-old niece's hacked Instagram account requesting money, alerting her to a rising tide of investment fraud in Canada. Investment scams—including impersonations via social media, deepfake voice calls, and fake cryptocurrency schemes—cost Canadians $310 million in 2024 (compared to $33.5 million in 2020), with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident, though experts estimate 90-95% of cases go unreported. To protect themselves, Canadians should pause before responding to
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have evolved to use AI-generated profiles and sophisticated emotional manipulation, resulting in over $2.95 billion in losses in 2024—a 30% increase from 2023, according to FTC data. Scammers typically establish fake identities on social media, build trust with victims, and then solicit money through fabricated stories or fake investment opportunities. To protect themselves, consumers should guard personal information, conduct reverse image searches, insist on video/in-person meetings, avoid pressure to send money quickly, and report suspected scams to their financial institution, local law enforcement, the FBI's IC3, or the FTC.
marinij.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned of multiple tax season scams including smishing and phishing emails pretending to be from the IRS to steal personal information, as well as dishonest tax preparers who file fraudulent returns to promise larger refunds—leaving taxpayers legally liable for false claims. Social media misinformation also encourages filing falsified tax documents, which can result in severe penalties or criminal charges. Taxpayers should use trusted professionals, avoid sharing personal information via email or text, and verify advice through official IRS sources.
riverdalepress.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scam artists now use email, text, and phone calls to impersonate officials and solicit money, with Americans losing over $10 billion to imposter scams in 2023. A notable case involved an 85-year-old Riverdale woman who lost $70,000 after being threatened with utility shutoffs and home vandalism. While older adults lose the most money to scams, awareness and protective measures like monitoring accounts, avoiding gift card requests, and reporting suspicious activity to the FTC or local law enforcement can help prevent fraud.
butlereagle.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents age 50 and older about rising IRS impersonation scams during tax season, in which fraudsters contact victims by phone, mail, email, or in person claiming they owe taxes, face investigation, or are due refunds. Scammers pressure victims to provide personal information or make rapid payments via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. AARP recommends ignoring unsolicited IRS contact, refusing to share sensitive information remotely, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and verifying all IRS communications through the official irs.gov website.
1851franchise.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance on protecting seniors from tax season scams, particularly IRS impersonation schemes and Medicare fraud. Key protective strategies are offered to help family members and caregivers safeguard seniors during tax time.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Debbie Crisp's mother, Donna, died suddenly in North Carolina, and while sorting through her belongings, Debbie's daughter discovered evidence that Donna had been the victim of a romance scam that stole over $400,000 from her. Donna had hidden this painful secret, leaving behind correspondence with the US Postal Inspection Service and a victim's advocate. A US Postal Inspector is now investigating the elaborate romance scam operation responsible for stealing millions from dozens of victims, with hopes of catching the ringleader and achieving justice for Donna and others affected.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Since the Government and Business Impersonation Rule took effect in April 2024, the FTC has brought five enforcement cases and shut down 13 fraudulent websites, as impersonation scams resulted in $2.95 billion in consumer losses during 2024. Notable cases include Superior Servicing LLC, which impersonated the U.S. Department of Education and defrauded student loan borrowers of millions by falsely promising loan forgiveness. The FTC emphasized that violations of the Impersonation Rule can result in consumer refunds and civil penalties up to $53,088 per violation.
aashtojournal.transportation.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers have conducted multi-state toll fraud campaigns since late 2024, targeting residents with automated texts, calls, and spoofed websites claiming unpaid toll bills—even in states like Arizona, Connecticut, Missouri, and Mississippi that have no toll roads. The scams have grown increasingly sophisticated, mimicking official state transportation department websites and using threatening language, prompting state DOTs to issue warnings and work with law enforcement to track perpetrators. Residents are advised to verify messages by checking sender phone numbers, contacting toll agencies directly, and recognizing that legitimate agencies never request payment via text.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Karnataka's Belagavi district died by suicide after losing Rs 50 lakh to a digital arrest scam that targeted them from January onward, with fraudsters claiming illegal activity on a SIM card registered in their names and continually demanding money despite repeated payments. The article highlights that seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers due to their larger savings and limited digital literacy, with many scams—including romance and impersonation schemes—going unreported due to victims' fear and embarrassment.
wpbf.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Palm Beach woman lost $18,000 in a fraud scheme where scammers impersonated FBI and bank officials, convincing her she was under investigation for money laundering and instructing her to withdraw cash for "protection." Suspect Wilkens Eugene was arrested on April 3 after arriving at a second victim's home to collect $90,000, and he now faces multiple fraud and theft charges.
blog.checkpoint.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, cyber criminals exploit tax-related activities through phishing scams and fraudulent websites impersonating legitimate tax authorities. Researchers tracked dozens of malicious domains mimicking the UK's HMRC and US IRS, including sites like hmrcnoticecenter[.]com and irstaxrefund[.]online, designed to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting taxpayers. To protect yourself, verify URLs before clicking links, avoid sharing personal information via unsolicited emails, use strong passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication on tax-related accounts.
northjersey.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, warning taxpayers and professionals about 12 common fraud schemes including phishing emails, social media misinformation about tax credits, fake charities, and fraudulent claims for nonexistent credits. These scams peak during tax season but occur year-round and can result in identity theft, inflated refunds, and significant penalties. The IRS advises taxpayers to verify information through official channels and report suspected fraud immediately.
hilinetoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported that impersonation scams—where fraudsters pose as businesses or government agencies—caused $2.95 billion in consumer losses during 2024 and remain among the top frauds reported to the agency. Since the Government and Business Impersonation Rule took effect, the FTC has filed five enforcement cases and shut down 13 websites illegally impersonating the Commission itself.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five major scams targeting seniors: "pig butchering" (long-term cryptocurrency investment schemes), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using voice-cloning AI), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article explains that older adults are targeted due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, and recommends seniors watch for red flags including urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), poor grammar, and suspicious requests—while seeking a second opinion before sharing personal information or money.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing campaign impersonating toll agencies like E-ZPass, FasTrak, and Florida Turnpike has surged recently, sending thousands of iMessage and SMS texts with urgent language claiming unpaid tolls to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that steal personal and credit card information. The scam uses automated attacks bypassing anti-spam filters, with some users receiving up to 7 messages daily; victims are advised to avoid responding, block the numbers, and check toll balances directly on official websites rather than through text links.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Jammu and Kashmir cyber police uncovered 7,200 mule bank accounts used in cyber fraud schemes in Kashmir since January 2025, with 21 people arrested so far. These accounts, opened by individuals for commissions and controlled from abroad, were used to launder money from victims of fake investment sites, online gaming, and betting scams through cryptocurrency and layering techniques. Police warned that account holders and money recipients face strict legal consequences with minimum 10-year sentences, and plan to interrogate all 7,200 account holders.
dailyinterlake.com
· 2025-12-08
Montana State University graduate students created an educational presentation about common scams after one student's grandfather received an AI-generated voice call impersonating the student and requesting $15,000. The accounting students presented fraud prevention information to senior audiences in Bozeman, covering family impersonation scams, tech support scams, government impersonation scams, and phishing, with attendees reporting personal losses of thousands of dollars to scammers.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines common scams targeting seniors, including "pig-butchering" schemes that build trust over time before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, as well as tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams using voice cloning, and sweepstakes frauds. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, compounded by factors like cognitive decline and social isolation. Key prevention strategies include teaching seniors to recognize red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and soliciting personal information—and encouraging them to verify
classicrock961.com
· 2025-12-08
An international fraud scheme originating from India targeted Texas seniors and 20 other victims across the country, with scammers impersonating U.S. Government officials to steal nearly $6 million total, including $300,000 from a Georgetown woman whose case resulted in an eight-year prison sentence. Money losses among people over 60 increased 11% in 2023, prompting fraud prevention efforts and advice from AARP to help seniors recognize and report scams rather than remaining silent due to embarrassment.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams cost nearly $3 billion in reported losses during 2024, with the FTC receiving approximately 850,000 reports of such fraud that year. The FTC's Impersonation Rule, which marked its one-year anniversary in April, has enabled the agency to file multiple lawsuits against scammers impersonating government agencies, utility companies, banks, and delivery services, and has successfully shut down over a dozen fake FTC websites designed to trick victims. The FTC advises consumers to avoid sending money or personal information to unexpected contacts, not to trust caller ID (which can be faked), and to verify requests by contacting organizations directly using independently verified contact information
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 survey of over two million FTC and FCC complaints found Ohio leading the nation with 859 scam call and text complaints per 100,000 residents, followed by Illinois and Delaware. The study identified the top 10 states most targeted by phone scams, with common schemes including IRS fraud, Medicare scams, debt relief, and toll violations, possibly due to large population centers, favorable regulations, and high concentrations of seniors. The article advises screening calls, avoiding suspicious links, and considering identity theft protection services with credit monitoring and insurance coverage.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Generative AI tools are significantly enhancing traditional fraud schemes by enabling scammers to create convincing impersonations through voice cloning (available for $5/month), deepfake avatars, and AI-generated emotional audio effects. Criminals exploit open-source AI capabilities and services like "FraudGPT" to execute more sophisticated versions of classic scams such as business email compromise and grandparent scams, making them harder to detect even when victims attempt verification calls. Experts recommend families establish authentication protocols like shared passwords to combat these AI-enhanced impersonation frauds.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
An 87-year-old retired doctor in Mumbai lost ₹16.14 lakh after a scammer posing as a BMC pest control official sent her a phishing link, compromising her mobile banking and enabling over 40 unauthorized transactions across multiple accounts between December 2024 and January 2025. The fraudster initially tricked the victim by requesting a ₹50 registration fee and assuring a refund, but once the malicious link was clicked, funds were systematically siphoned from her Kotak Mahindra, Punjab National, and Axis Bank accounts. The West Cyber Police registered an FIR and are investigating the case as a phishing scam
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Hawaii consumers lost $61.6 million to scams in 2024, a 32 percent increase from the prior year, with the most common frauds involving imposters, identity theft, and investment scams conducted via social media and cryptocurrency. AARP Hawaii is hosting a series of webinars in April featuring FBI agents and fraud prevention experts to help residents, particularly older adults (kupuna), recognize and report fraud including business imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and Medicare-related schemes. The webinars aim to educate consumers on protecting themselves and their families while encouraging fraud reporting despite the stigma surrounding victimization.