Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
3,332 results
in Tech Support Scam
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly Americans have lost millions of dollars through Bitcoin ATM scams, with fraud losses surging from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million by 2023, with seniors accounting for two-thirds of reported losses. In response, states and cities have implemented various regulations including transaction limits, licensing requirements, and mandatory operator conversations for large transactions, while Senator Dick Durbin introduced the federal Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to cap daily spending at $2,000 and require refunds if police reports are filed within 30 days. Scammers typically impersonate government agencies, businesses, or tech support, with median losses per victim reaching $10,000.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
A daughter seeks advice on protecting her elderly mother from repeated phone and text scams, including a toll fine phishing scam and spoofed government calls. The article addresses the challenge of providing fraud prevention guidance for non-tech-savvy seniors who are vulnerable to common scams like fake links and impersonation calls. The response focuses on practical, accessible strategies tailored to people with limited technical expertise.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers of a spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate the Department of Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team, using caller ID spoofing to appear as legitimate officials and falsely claiming recipients' information has been "flagged" with credit agencies to extort immediate payment. The Department clarified it never calls to demand money, charge fees, or negotiate debt over the phone, and urged consumers to hang up on such calls and report them directly to the Consumer Protection Team.
komonews.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated scam targeting seniors in Washington state has stolen over $7 million, with individual losses reaching as high as $870,000. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, banks, and tech companies via phone, email, text, or pop-ups to convince victims their accounts or identities have been compromised, then pressure them to withdraw cash or purchase gold to be picked up by a "courier." King County prosecutors report nearly 50 cases since February 2024 and note these crimes are difficult to investigate and prosecute once victims have transferred their money.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated PayPal phishing scam is exploiting PayPal's own email system to send fraudulent alerts that appear completely legitimate, bypassing security filters by originating from PayPal's official servers. The scam uses urgency tactics (claiming unauthorized address changes or payments) and may include phone numbers directing victims to fake PayPal representatives who trick them into downloading remote access malware that compromises their devices. This attack is particularly dangerous because it weaponizes PayPal's legitimate infrastructure to establish trust, making it difficult for even security-conscious users to detect, and reportedly affects numerous users across Reddit and cybersecurity forums.
jmu.edu
· 2025-12-08
James Madison University staff warned students, staff, and recent graduates about scams targeting the campus community, particularly job and internship fraud schemes designed to steal personal information or money. The university's Career Center recommends verifying employer legitimacy through resources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and the Better Business Bureau, and advises students to trust their instincts and be alert to red flags such as requests for banking information, wire transfer payments, unprofessional communications, or contact via text rather than official channels. Students are encouraged to take time during job searches, ask clarifying questions, and network with alumni to confirm job opportunities are legitimate.
yespunjab.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old cyber fraudster, Malya Das, was arrested in New Delhi after evading police for four years for orchestrating a KYC phishing scam that defrauded senior citizens of Rs 1.51 lakh in 2021. Das tricked victims into clicking malicious links via SMS warnings about SIM blocking, installed remote access software to steal OTPs, and laundered stolen funds through online gaming platforms and bank accounts totaling Rs 27 lakh. The arrest followed a reinvigorated investigation that used technical surveillance to trace the money trail through RummyCircle accounts and ATM withdrawals.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of cyberattacks resembling Scattered Spider targeting the aviation industry, with confirmed sightings also reported by Google's Mandiant and Palo Alto Networks' Unit 42. Scattered Spider, a group of younger hackers using social engineering and phishing, has previously conducted high-profile breaches including the 2023 MGM Casinos attack and a 2024 Marks & Spencer breach that resulted in over $807 million in market capitalization loss. The advisory notes that airlines, vendors, and contractors across the aviation ecosystem face heightened risk, particularly as third-party breaches have doubled to represent 30% of data breaches in the past year.
region.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Police across Australia are warning of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting vulnerable victims, with over 150 reported cases in 2024 resulting in losses exceeding $3 million, including victims who deposited hundreds of thousands of dollars. Scammers manipulate victims—predominantly people over 50—through romance, investment, and employment fraud schemes, directing them to use cryptocurrency ATMs as anonymous cash pipelines after banks block traditional transfers. Authorities emphasize that cryptocurrency ATM transactions are irreversible and advise the public to never send money via cryptocurrency when pressured by unknown persons or promised quick profits.
euroweeklynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old woman's report of a €353,952 romance scam led Spanish authorities to dismantle an international network of romance scammers operating from Nigeria, resulting in the arrest of 14 suspects across six Spanish provinces in "Operation Doyun." The scammers created fake profiles impersonating attractive men and celebrities to emotionally manipulate victims into making bank transfers, with some Spanish elderly women recruited to help launder the stolen funds; approximately €45,000 was recovered from the network's accounts.
cbs4local.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting seniors in Washington state has stolen over $7 million, with individual losses ranging up to $870,000, affecting nearly 50 reported cases since February 2024. Scammers impersonate trusted entities (government agencies, banks, tech companies) via phone, email, text, or pop-ups, convincing victims their accounts are compromised and demanding they withdraw cash to purchase gold or place money in boxes for courier pickup. King County prosecutors note these scams exploit trust and fear while being difficult to investigate and prosecute once victims have been compromised.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Nvidia GPU scams are increasing in sophistication, with reported incidents including buyers receiving bags of rice, old GPUs, empty shells, or printed photos instead of high-end graphics cards like the RTX 5090, while some sellers have lost thousands (one seller lost approximately $1,900) through fake banking app transfers. To stay safe, consumers should purchase from trusted sellers on established platforms like Amazon, verify return policies, avoid suspiciously cheap listings, and exercise caution when buying second-hand GPUs through local groups or marketplaces.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Hampton, Virginia fell victim to a sophisticated Facebook account takeover scam in which a scammer impersonated her friend, used fake video calls and personal details to gain her trust, and tricked her into sending a recovery code that gave them access to her account. The scammer changed her email and password, locked her out, compromised three Facebook groups she administered, and attempted to purchase $17,000 in bitcoins on her account before she recognized a follow-up scam demanding money. The article provides recovery steps for compromised Facebook accounts and advises victims to report incidents to IC3.gov and Facebook's official support channels rather than third-party support numbers.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common travel scams targeting tourists in popular cities including Riga, Istanbul, Budapest, Bangkok, and Barcelona, with schemes ranging from inflated taxi fares and fake tours to pickpocketing and restaurant surcharges. The article advises travelers to research local scams, use secure payment methods, verify pricing beforehand, and avoid carrying all valuables to protect themselves from scammers who exploit the confusion and crowding typical of tourist environments.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru lost ₹79.3 lakh in a romance-investment scam that began in February 2025 when he was contacted on a matrimonial website by a woman claiming to be a UK-based professional. Over several months, the fraudster built trust through frequent communication, then introduced him to a fake trading platform and convinced him to make 18 transfers totaling ₹72.3 lakh between March and June, using fake profit statements and fake company representatives to maintain credibility. The victim reported the crime to police on June 23 after the fraudsters demanded additional tax payments and went silent, though authorities indicated recovery prospects are
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern eCommerce fraud has evolved into a sophisticated, sector-specific operation targeting fashion (chargebacks and return fraud), electronics (fake reviews and SKU manipulation), and beauty retailers (counterfeit goods and return abuse with counterfeit substitutions). Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit reported over $180 million in settlements and judgments from more than 200 civil suits over five years, with 65+ individuals imprisoned, as automated bot-driven scams using AI deepfakes and behavioral testing become increasingly difficult to detect and prevent.
thehackernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement in Spain, Estonia, France, and the United States dismantled a cryptocurrency investment fraud ring in Operation Borrelli that defrauded over 5,000 victims of €460 million ($540 million) globally, with five suspects arrested in June 2025. The scheme used romance baiting tactics to build trust with victims before directing them to fake crypto platforms, then laundered funds through Hong Kong-based banking networks and multiple international payment gateways. The operation highlights the growing sophistication of transnational cyber fraud, increasingly augmented by artificial intelligence, which authorities warn is outpacing legal systems designed to combat it.
vietnamnews.vn
· 2025-12-08
Vietnamese authorities issued a nationwide alert about a surge in sophisticated online scams, with cybercriminals using methods including fake government/police impersonation, fake investment platforms, romance scams, and phishing schemes. Police dismantled several major fraud networks, most notably a transnational ring operating in Myanmar and the Philippines that defrauded Vietnamese victims of over $76.58 million, resulting in nearly 100 arrests. The Ministry of Public Security is responding by updating laws, sending over 500 million warning SMS messages, and partnering with tech companies to combat the growing cybercrime threat.
dw.com
· 2025-12-08
Interpol reports that human trafficking-fueled online scam centers have expanded globally from Southeast Asia to at least 66 countries across all continents, with victims now sourced from South America, East Africa, and Western Europe in addition to original Chinese-speaking populations. Trafficking victims are lured with fake job offers, held captive, and coerced into committing online fraud targeting people abroad through increasingly sophisticated methods including AI-generated fake ads and deepfake profiles. These criminal networks are intertwined with other transnational crimes including drug and weapons smuggling, prompting Interpol to call for coordinated international action to disrupt trafficking routes and support victims.
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
Human trafficking-fueled online scam centres have expanded globally, with victims from 66 countries trafficked into fraudulent operations spanning Southeast Asia, West Africa, the Middle East, and Central America as of March 2025. Trafficking victims are detained in compounds and coerced into committing social engineering scams targeting financial fraud victims worldwide, while simultaneously suffering exploitation including debt bondage, beatings, and sexual abuse. INTERPOL warns this evolved regional threat now represents a global crisis, with emerging use of AI technology in fake job ads and deepfakes facilitating both victim recruitment and fraud schemes, requiring coordinated international law enforcement response.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity expert Fuad Hamidli is educating New Jersey residents about how scammers manipulate victims by exploiting emotions, impersonating authority figures, and increasingly using AI technology to create fake voices and videos. In 2024, New Jersey consumers reported $321 million in fraud losses, though actual losses are believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting, and scammers employ sophisticated global operations with extensive training in emotional manipulation and behavioral targeting.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
**Missed-delivery scams spoofing UPS are prevalent during summer shopping seasons and peak package delivery times.** Scammers send text messages claiming delivery attempts failed, instructing recipients to reply "Y" to activate clickable malicious links that lead to fake UPS websites designed to harvest personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and credit card details). Once obtained, criminals use this data for identity theft, unauthorized purchases, or install surveillance software on victims' devices.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
SOMA Cyber Inc., a Paducah-based cybersecurity company, is hosting a free cyberfraud and scam awareness session on July 25 aimed at educating elderly individuals about identifying and avoiding common online scams. Executive Vice President Johnny Sanders emphasized that AI tools like ChatGPT have made phishing emails easier to create, and stressed the importance of recognizing that cyber threats affect local communities, not just distant cities. Sanders recommends using multi-factor authentication, being cautious with payment information, avoiding suspicious messages that seem too good to be true, and having conversations with older family members about scam prevention.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
A 38-year-old California man was indicted for his role in a tech-support scam that targeted a 92-year-old New Hampshire woman, in which he attempted to collect $50,000 in cash from her home. The victim received fraudulent calls falsely claiming to be from Apple support and her bank, falsely claiming her computer was hacked and bank account compromised, before being instructed to withdraw cash for pickup. The suspect was arrested on April 8 and faces 7½ to 15 years in prison and a $4,000 fine if convicted.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Human trafficking networks are forcing hundreds of thousands of victims into online scam operations that have spread from Southeast Asia to 66 countries across all continents by March 2025, with 74% of victims still concentrated in Southeast Asia while new hubs emerge in the Middle East, West Africa, and Central America. Trafficked individuals are lured through fake job offers, trapped in compounds, and forced to commit fraud while facing debt bondage and violence, while simultaneously victimizing people globally who lose money and suffer emotional harm. The criminal networks are increasingly leveraging AI technology to create fake job advertisements and deepfakes for romance scams, and law enforcement has identified connections between these scam operations and trafficking routes used for
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
A Boston business owner discovered scammers using his company's name and AI-generated profile to post fake job listings on LinkedIn, which attracted over twenty applicants before removal. The article reports that AI-enabled scams have quadrupled in the past year, with fraudsters increasingly using deepfakes and AI-generated content to impersonate businesses, employees, and authority figures—including a case where a finance clerk at engineering firm Arup was deceived into approving over $25 million in fraudulent transfers via a video call with deepfake recreations of colleagues. Businesses across multiple industries are struggling to protect themselves and customers as AI lowers barriers to entry for scammers and makes it harder to
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Amazon Phishing Email Scam**
Scammers send fraudulent emails impersonating Amazon, claiming account lockouts, suspicious logins, or unverified purchases to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and entering login credentials or payment information. Users can verify authentic Amazon communications by checking their Amazon Message Center (accessible via the website or app), and should watch for red flags including spoofed sender addresses, spelling errors, generic greetings, suspicious links, and IP address-style URLs.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
In Q2, cryptocurrency users experienced a rise in sophisticated "psychologically manipulative" scams that shifted from technical hacking to social engineering tactics, according to blockchain security firm SlowMist. Attack methods included malicious browser extensions disguised as security plugins (like "Osiris"), tampered hardware wallets sold via fake lottery offers or social media, and phishing websites cloning legitimate services—with one victim losing $6.5 million from a compromised cold wallet purchased on TikTok. These attacks exploit user anxiety and urgency rather than advanced technical exploits, manipulating victims into revealing sensitive information like private keys and seed phrases.
paloaltoonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Palo Alto police and FBI officials held an educational seminar at Mitchell Park Community Center to help seniors prevent scams, as the nation faced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, led by Deputy Bob Yee, is expanding fraud prevention seminars throughout the region, teaching participants to identify the five most common senior scams involving impersonation: person-in-need/grandparent scams, financial services fraud, government impersonation, tech support scams, and romance scams. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, and remember
inshorts.com
· 2025-12-08
A UK man lost hundreds of pounds to scammers who used AI-generated deepfakes of Jennifer Aniston—including realistic photos, videos, and a fake ID—to build trust before requesting gift cards. The fraudsters employed a romance scam approach, taking weeks to establish credibility before soliciting money. Experts note that deepfake-based scams are increasing rapidly, making it increasingly difficult for victims to distinguish between authentic and fabricated content.
firstcoastnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Putnam County woman lost over $7,500 and her car to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated actor Jason Momoa through Facebook and messaging apps, using AI-generated videos to build trust before requesting money via Bitcoin and CashApp. Romance scams are increasingly costly across Florida, with the FTC reporting over 42,000 reports in 2023 alone resulting in $823 million in nationwide losses, and scammers now employing sophisticated technology including deepfake videos and cloned faces. Experts recommend verifying digital contacts' identities, avoiding sharing personal information, never sending money to unknown individuals, and immediately reporting suspected scams to law enforcement an
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
A Houston small business owner lost $20,000 from her business loan after a scammer impersonating a Prosperity Bank official gained access to her account by referencing her travel habits and requesting account verification information. The scammer transferred the funds to internal bank accounts, and while the bank recovered $12,000, only that amount has been restored so far. The incident underscores the need for small business owners to implement security measures such as strong passwords, account monitoring, and multi-factor authentication to protect against increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
komando.com
· 2025-12-08
Tens of thousands of Americans have lost significant sums investing in fraudulent Chinese stocks promoted through fake financial reports, false influencer endorsements, and fabricated news stories on social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok. Notable victims include a Texas investor who lost over $40,000, a Florida teacher who lost her entire retirement savings to a nonexistent company, and an Illinois man who lost his children's college fund. To protect yourself, avoid "secret tips" promising high returns, verify information through trusted sources like the SEC and Bloomberg rather than social media, and be skeptical of hype-driven investment promotion.
thespacecoastrocket.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Dongdong Ye and Mei Mei Dong, owners of Da Sushi restaurant in Rockledge, Florida, face felony theft charges in Wisconsin for allegedly operating a multi-state gift card scam targeting elderly victims. The scheme involved fraudulent tech support pop-ups that tricked victims into purchasing and providing gift card information; investigators traced gift card usage to store purchases in Florida and Canada, identifying Ye through surveillance footage showing distinctive tattoos. At least three elderly victims lost substantial amounts ($4,300, $25,000, and $75,000), with suspicious deposits totaling tens of thousands of dollars linked to the couple's bank account from victims in multiple states.
vietnamnews.vn
· 2025-12-08
Interpol's March 2025 report revealed that victims from at least 66 countries have been trafficked and forced into labor at online scam centers, with 74% taken to Southeast Asia and emerging centers in West Africa, the Middle East, and Central America. Victims are lured through fake job advertisements, detained in compounds, and coerced to commit various fraud schemes including investment scams, romance fraud, and gambling fraud, with those resisting facing threats, abuse, or torture. The report identifies this as a "double-edged threat" affecting both trafficked workers and victims deceived online, with criminals increasingly using AI and deepfake technology to enhance their operations, prompting Interp
paloaltoonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Palo Alto and Santa Clara County law enforcement hosted educational seminars in spring to help seniors recognize and prevent scams, as the country experienced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. The top five scams targeting seniors involve impersonation: grandparent scams (fake emergencies using AI voice replication), financial services impersonation, government imposter scams, tech support fraud, and romance scams, with warning signs including rushed calls demanding secrecy and threats. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious calls, verify requests directly with the entity, and remember that legitimate institutions never request sensitive information or demand immediate
pcworld.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains that while scams predate the internet, digital platforms have enabled fraudsters to operate faster through multiple channels like fake texts, emails, and malicious websites. The key advice provided by ethical hacker Mike Danseglio is to adopt a default mindset of suspicion and always verify requests by contacting organizations directly using independently sourced contact information rather than following links or phone numbers provided in unsolicited messages. Additional security practices include maintaining updated antivirus software, using password managers, and limiting personal information shared online.
consumerfinancemonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aspen Institute launched the National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention in 2024 to develop the first coordinated U.S. national strategy against financial fraud, which currently costs Americans $430 million daily and $158 billion annually while funding transnational criminal organizations. Fraud losses reported to the FBI have increased 15-fold over the past decade, with new technologies like AI making scams more sophisticated, prompting leaders from government, law enforcement, industry, and civil society to collaborate on cross-sector solutions including improved data-sharing, victim support, and a unified reporting system.
ballardspahr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aspen Institute's National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention, launched in 2024, addresses a critical problem: criminals steal $430 million daily from American families, totaling $158 billion annually and funding transnational criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and human trafficking. This podcast features discussions with task force leaders about the scope of fraud in the U.S., systemic vulnerabilities that scammers exploit, the role of emerging technologies like AI in perpetuating scams, and the need for a coordinated national strategy involving government, law enforcement, industry, and consumer advocates to combat fraud at its root.
news.shib.io
· 2025-12-08
Paul Davis, a 43-year-old Southampton resident, lost approximately $255 (£200) to an AI deepfake romance scam in which fraudsters impersonated actress Jennifer Aniston through manipulated images, videos, and "love bombing" messages, ultimately convincing him to purchase non-refundable Apple gift cards. Davis also reported being targeted by similar deepfake schemes featuring Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk over a five-month period, and the article notes a French woman lost approximately $850,000 in a comparable Brad Pitt deepfake romance scam. AI-driven romance scams increasingly target elderly individuals and those with limited technological
bhaskarenglish.in
· 2025-12-08
A 43-year-old British man from Southampton lost approximately $270 to an AI-generated deepfake romance scam in which the perpetrator impersonated Jennifer Aniston using AI videos, photos, and voice recordings to convince him the actress was in love with him and needed financial help. The victim, Paul Davis, sent non-refundable Apple gift cards before realizing the deception, and reported being simultaneously targeted by scammers posing as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg over a five-month period. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-powered romance scams that exploit emotional vulnerability and the need for individuals to verify the authenticity
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens are targeted by an emerging scam involving street vendors selling bottled water in Atlanta who use Cash App and QR codes to overcharge customers—two victims reported losses exceeding $1,000 and $800 respectively after scammers obtained access to their phones or directed them to fraudulent QR codes that bypassed verification steps. To protect themselves, seniors should avoid purchases from unestablished roadside vendors, never hand phones to sellers, and refrain from scanning unfamiliar QR codes, instead conducting transactions only with reputable, established businesses through verified payment methods.
vocal.media
· 2025-12-08
The Health 2.0 Conference highlighted healthcare fraud as a rapidly growing threat targeting seniors, who are vulnerable due to complex medical needs, digital disadvantages, and social isolation that scammers exploit through fake insurance plans, Medicare billing fraud, telehealth scams, and spoofed portals. Healthcare providers, policymakers, and innovators are urged to implement intelligent systems and vigilance to detect red flags such as unexpected charges and unfamiliar providers to protect this vulnerable population.
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Amazon Prime Day (July 8-11) attracts scammers who use fake order confirmations, price adjustment notices, and gift card offers via email and text to direct shoppers to counterfeit Amazon login pages and steal credentials and payment information. With 200 million Prime members and $14 billion in annual Prime Day sales, thousands of victims fall prey to these schemes yearly. Consumers should protect themselves by never clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead verifying orders directly through the official Amazon app or website, and parents should educate children about these online safety risks.
arynews.tv
· 2025-12-08
Paul Davis, 43, was defrauded by scammers using AI-generated deepfakes of Jennifer Aniston, who posed as the actress via convincing images and affectionate messages before requesting £200 for fake "Apple subscriptions." Over five months, Davis fell victim to multiple AI-powered scams impersonating celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg, and he reported knowing another victim who lost over £1,000 on Apple gift cards to similar fraudsters. Experts warn that increasingly sophisticated deepfake technology is making it easier for scammers to impersonate celebrities and manipulate unsuspecting fans into sending money or sharing personal information.
thegeorgiavirtue.com
· 2025-12-08
Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted of operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded elderly Americans out of millions of dollars by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and convincing victims their Social Security numbers had been compromised. Victims, including a 70-year-old who lost $600,000 and a widowed mother of eight who lost over $300,000, were directed to transfer funds to bank accounts controlled by the defendants, who then laundered the money. Parikh was convicted of money laundering conspiracy and two substantive money laundering counts, while Patel was convicted on all charges
catholicnewsagency.com
· 2025-12-08
A new anti-fraud initiative called "Protecting the Faithful," led by cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton, has been launched to combat rising scams targeting Catholic parishes and followers of Catholic public figures. Scammers are impersonating priests via email soliciting donations and impersonating celebrities like actor Jonathan Roumie on social media, offering fake promises in exchange for money. The campaign distributes educational materials highlighting red flags such as requests to move conversations to encrypted apps, claims of personal backup accounts, and suspicious links, while urging victims to report incidents to local police and the FBI's IC3.gov without shame.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals have created over 120,000 fake Amazon websites ahead of Amazon Prime Day (July 8-11) designed to steal shoppers' information through phishing traps, malware, and fraudulent listings. While Amazon removed 55,000 phishing sites and 12,000 fraudulent phone numbers in 2024 and partners with law enforcement, consumers should protect themselves by shopping only through official Amazon channels, verifying URLs, avoiding gift card payment requests, and enabling two-factor authentication.
vocal.media
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide advises overseas daters on avoiding romance scams in 2025 by emphasizing the importance of using reputable dating platforms with strong security features, verifying profiles through video calls and reverse image searches, understanding cultural differences, and recognizing red flags such as requests for money, avoidance of video calls, and inconsistent personal details. The article notes that scammers increasingly exploit international daters through sophisticated AI-generated profiles, deepfakes, catfishing, and emotional manipulation, taking advantage of language barriers and physical distance.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security Administration phishing scams use urgent, alarming messages impersonating government agencies to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading files that steal personal data or install malware. These scams leverage fear and false authority by falsely claiming SSNs are suspended due to serious crimes like money laundering, and often include multiple geographic references and official-sounding details to overwhelm victims into panic-driven action before they can verify the threat.