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turlockjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A San Gabriel man, Yuwen Zheng, was arrested near a Turlock senior's home after allegedly conducting an elaborate fraud scheme in which he and accomplices posed as representatives from legitimate companies and government agencies to convince the victim to withdraw thousands of dollars in cash over several weeks. Zheng was taken into custody before collecting a second payment and was charged with theft by false pretenses and elder abuse; authorities suspect additional victims may exist and warn the public against common scam tactics including urgent secrecy demands, unusual payment methods, and impersonation of authority figures.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Sam responded to an unsolicited text about a marketing job opportunity and was drawn into a task-based scam after being contacted via WhatsApp by scammers posing as recruiters. The scammers lured him with promises of $900+ weekly wages for easy work, daily payments, and a paid trial, ultimately resulting in Sam losing thousands of dollars before he ended contact. The article identifies multiple red flags Sam missed, including error-riddled messages, unrealistic wages for unskilled work, requests to move communication off legitimate platforms, and pressure to proceed without standard employment verification procedures.
bywire.news
· 2025-12-08
Global cryptocurrency scams surged 456% between May 2024 and April 2025, with scammers using AI-generated deepfakes, synthetic voices, and forged credentials to impersonate trusted individuals and platforms with increasing sophistication. In 2024, fraudulent crypto operations stole over $10.7 billion globally, with the U.S. accounting for nearly $3.9 billion in losses across approximately 150,000 reported complaints, though officials estimate actual figures are significantly higher due to underreporting, particularly among older adults and immigrant communities. Law enforcement operations have begun responding—including New York's freezure of $300,000 in stolen assets and seizure
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
QR codes, once harmless novelties, have become targets for scammers in a fraud scheme called "quishing," where malicious QR codes redirect users to phishing websites that steal personal information or download malware. The Federal Trade Commission and state agencies have warned about fake QR codes appearing on parking meters, utility bills, and packages, with studies showing 73% of Americans scan QR codes without verification and over 26 million have been directed to malicious sites. As traditional email phishing becomes harder, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting QR codes—now accounting for 26% of all malicious links—making this scam expected to rise further.
kolotv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office issued a scam alert after handling numerous identity theft and phone scams, warning that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters impersonating government officials or offering financial assistance. Americans over 60 lost $1.7 billion to fraud in the past year according to the FBI, with seniors vulnerable due to trust in authority figures, substantial savings, limited tech literacy, and reluctance to report being scammed. Common scams affecting Lyon County seniors include grandparent scams, government imposter schemes, financial abuse by trusted individuals, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
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
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercrimes in Andhra Pradesh are rising at over 300 reported cases monthly, with scammers targeting specific age groups: young adults (20-25) via fake job offers, working professionals (30-45) through investment and crypto fraud schemes promising high returns, and senior citizens (60-70) using digital arrest scams impersonating government officials. Investment fraud cases result in losses ranging from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore per victim, with some high-profile victims avoiding complaint filing due to embarrassment, while cities like Vizag, Vijayawada, Tirupati, and Kurnool account for 40-50% of
wbir.com
· 2025-12-08
The Knox County Sheriff's Office held an educational "Scam Smart" class at a Powell funeral home to teach senior citizens about technology-related scams, which disproportionately affect older adults. More than 70 attendees learned about current scams, including a new tactic where scammers send unsolicited messages and wait for replies to confirm active phone numbers, which are then sold to other fraudsters. The sheriff's office emphasizes that awareness and communication about these scams are key prevention tools, and encourages victims to report incidents through Knoxsheriff.org or by calling 865-215-2243.
kpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
In the first half of 2025, 747 seniors in San Diego County lost nearly $70 million to financial scams, with bank-involved scams, romance scams, and investment scams being the most common types. The San Diego County Elder Justice Task Force reports that losses have increased annually since tracking began in 2022, with many victims losing their life savings or homes and never recovering financially. The county's Operation Counter Strike initiative has recovered over $9 million for victims since launching in 2024.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin is warning residents about a rise in romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, and quickly establish emotional relationships through "love bombing" while claiming to work far away to avoid in-person meetings. The scams rely on AI-generated fake profiles and pictures, and victims are eventually asked to send money to someone they've never actually met.
b105country.com
· 2025-12-08
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, rapidly build emotional connections through love-bombing, and request money from victims who have never met them in person. The scammers use AI-generated photos and fake profiles to appear legitimate while claiming to work far away and asking victims to keep the relationship secret.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
journal-news.net
· 2025-12-08
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.
ket.org
· 2025-12-08
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.
ket.org
· 2025-12-08
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.
kroc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about a prevalent romance scam targeting local residents. The scam typically begins with a fraudster contacting victims on Facebook or Instagram, then moving conversations to private messaging apps, building a rapid romantic relationship through love bombing, and eventually requesting money from the victim while claiming to have reasons (such as a distant job) to avoid meeting in person. Scammers use AI-generated photos and fake social media profiles to appear legitimate, making it crucial for people to avoid sending money to anyone they have not met in person.
moodys.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams emerged as one of the fastest-growing fraud threats in 2025, with reported losses skyrocketing from $90 million in 2020 to over $501 million in 2024, according to FTC data. These scams lure victims through fake job postings with promises of high pay and remote work, then harvest sensitive personal information for identity theft and synthetic identity fraud rather than seeking quick financial gains. The use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake interviews and resumes, combined with AI-driven data manipulation and fraud detection bypass, is making job scams increasingly difficult to detect and enforce against.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
One in three Americans were scammed in the past year, with losses totaling $12.5 billion—a 25% increase from the prior year, according to the FTC. The most common scams are investment and imposter schemes, such as fraudsters impersonating trusted companies like Geek Squad to obtain banking information and personal data; key red flags include pressure to act urgently, requests for sensitive information like social security numbers, and directing victims to grant computer access. Consumers should never disclose personal information to unsolicited callers, utilize free credit monitoring services, and take advantage of free weekly credit reports from major bureaus to protect themselves.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau launched an educational campaign warning consumers about AI voice cloning scams, where fraudsters use synthesized voices to impersonate loved ones, celebrities, or officials to extort money or solicit fake donations. Common targets include grandparents receiving calls about grandchildren in distress and parents receiving calls about injured children needing bail money. The agencies recommend verifying unexpected emergency calls by hanging up and calling the person directly through a trusted number, establishing code words with loved ones, avoiding unknown callers, and refusing requests for gift card or app-based payments.
wealthsolutionsreport.com
· 2025-12-08
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
wtxl.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
ocalagazette.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
kgun9.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
**AInvest Newsletter - Financial Exploitation of Elderly Investors**
Adults over 60 reported $4.885 billion in losses to financial exploitation in 2024, a 46% increase from 2023, with 147,127 complaints filed to the FBI's IC3, though actual cases are estimated to be 43 times higher than reported. Elderly investors face exploitation through two main vulnerabilities: undue influence (emotional manipulation by caregivers or advisors) and inadequate estate planning, with a 2024 NAPSA study finding 68% of exploited seniors had no prior cognitive decline but were compromised by dependency relationships. The article recomm
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
abnamro.com
· 2025-12-08
ABN AMRO bank and a communications expert developed the "ABC of Scams," a plain-language guide explaining 23 common types of fraud for the 2.6 million Dutch people who struggle with reading and writing. The resource simplifies complex fraud terminology and provides practical tips to help vulnerable populations recognize scams, with over 200 ABN AMRO advisers using it to educate customers. The initiative addresses growing fraud threats, including emerging AI-based scams like deepfakes and voice cloning, and represents a collaborative effort between banks and police to make fraud education more accessible.
pewresearch.org
· 2025-12-08
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
soycarmin.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies 11 common "silent scam" billing schemes targeting seniors, including deceptive free trials, fake magazine renewals, hidden medical alert fees, identity protection upsells, and difficult-to-cancel gym memberships. These subtle, recurring charges exploit seniors' trust and digital literacy gaps, accumulating significant financial losses over time despite individual charges being small. The article recommends protective measures such as carefully reading fine print, using virtual credit cards with spending limits, verifying billing sources directly, and scrutinizing contracts before purchase.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams targeting older adults are increasingly sophisticated and personalized, exploiting seniors' trust, digital inexperience, fixed incomes, and desire to help family members. According to the FBI, older adults lost over $3 billion to scams in recent years, with many victims unaware they've been defrauded or too embarrassed to report it. The article identifies 10 warning signs including urgent demands for action, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), instruction to keep the scam secret, too-good-to-be-true offers, callers claiming government authority, and requests for personal information confirmation.
gillibrand.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Katie Britt (R-AL) introduced the GUARD Act, legislation designed to enhance law enforcement's ability to investigate cryptocurrency-facilitated fraud against seniors by providing federal grants for blockchain investigation resources and tools. According to the FBI, seniors lost over $4.8 billion to scammers in 2024, with cryptocurrency involved in over 30,000 fraud reports resulting in $2.84 billion in losses, particularly through "pig butchering" schemes that exploit victims into fake crypto investments. The bipartisan bill aims to strengthen federal-local law enforcement cooperation in tracking and prosecuting scammers who
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
**San Diego County elder fraud losses reached nearly $70 million in the first half of the year, with officials projecting the total will exceed last year's $98 million in losses.** The most prevalent scam type is "tech support fraud," where seniors receive fake pop-up messages instructing them to call a number for device repair. Local authorities have established the Elder Justice Task Force and encourage reporting suspected scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311), though recovery remains difficult especially for international operations.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Collin County, Texas is experiencing a surge in fake jury duty scams where criminals contact residents by phone or mail, threatening arrest and demanding payment to avoid legal consequences. Sheriff Jim Skinner's newly formed cyber crimes unit has executed 800 search warrants and recovered $1.5 million in recent months, with scammers increasingly using cryptocurrency ATMs to collect payments and targeting vulnerable elderly residents. The sheriff's office is launching a public awareness campaign urging residents to recognize that law enforcement will never demand money by phone and encouraging convenience store owners to monitor suspicious transactions.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated malvertising campaign on Facebook has been deceiving users with fake ads impersonating popular cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance and MetaMask, using celebrity faces such as Elon Musk to appear legitimate. When users click these ads, they are directed to counterfeit websites that trick them into downloading malware disguised as desktop applications, which then installs a silent server capable of receiving malicious instructions while evading detection. The campaign, which has been running for several months and involves hundreds of fake Facebook accounts posting thousands of ads daily, primarily targets men interested in technology and finance, particularly in Bulgaria and Slovakia.
cybershack.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Research from Trend Micro reveals that 1 in 4 Australians have fallen victim to online scams, with 30% of victims only discovering the fraud after losing money or not receiving goods. Scammers increasingly exploit social media, messaging apps, and mobile phones—which nearly half of Australian users operate without security software—using tactics like fake marketplace products, impersonation, and mid-conversation app switching to appear legitimate. The article recommends Australians verify sources, avoid switching apps during sensitive conversations, use mobile security software, pause before clicking suspicious links, and stay informed about evolving scam tactics.
digitalreviews.net
· 2025-12-08
A June 2025 Trend Micro study of 1,025 Australian consumers found that 65% have been targeted by online scams and 27% have fallen victim, with nearly a third of victims unaware they were scammed until experiencing significant financial loss. Scammers increasingly use social engineering tactics including fake marketplace listings (25% of victims), investment/loan offers (19%), fake official warnings (18%), and impersonation of trusted contacts, often requesting victims switch to less secure communication apps. The research reveals that nearly half of Australians lack mobile security software despite heavy phone usage and reliance on banking apps, with many falsely believing their devices or personal caution provide sufficient protection,
eftm.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from Trend Micro found that 1 in 4 Australian consumers have fallen victim to online scams, with common schemes including fake products on social media (25% of victims), investment scam texts (under 20%), and fake urgent messages from organizations (18%). Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, with 39% of users targeted to switch to unsecured apps during conversations and one-third of victims only realizing they were scammed after losing money or ordered goods never arriving. The research emphasizes that despite nearly half of Australians using phones for banking and shopping daily, nearly half lack mobile security protection, making education and security software essential defenses against evolving scam tactics.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses demographic and investment trends related to aging populations rather than fraud or elder abuse. It presents the "silver tsunami" as a $600 billion investment opportunity, noting that declining financial literacy among seniors (dropping 1% annually after age 65) creates vulnerability, while AI-powered fintech platforms are emerging as solutions to help older adults manage retirement savings and combat fraud. The piece recommends investment allocations across healthcare, senior housing, annuities, and fintech sectors to capitalize on aging populations' growing financial needs.
**Note:** This content is investment-focused analysis, not a case study of actual elder fraud or abuse events.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
This article examines how declining financial literacy among aging populations—evidenced by a 1 percentage point annual decline in literacy scores after age 65—is creating systemic risks including portfolio mismanagement, increased scam susceptibility, and longevity risk, while simultaneously driving investment opportunities in fintech, annuities, and healthcare innovations. The piece presents data showing that vulnerable seniors (with 41% unable to cover a $1,000 emergency) are increasingly targeted by scams, yet new AI-driven robo-advisors and elder-friendly digital platforms are emerging to mitigate these risks. The article frames this demographic shift as an investment opportunity, recommending allocation to annuities, fin
newson6.com
· 2025-12-08
Back-to-school season presents opportunities for families to save money, but also increases risks for online scams and fraud. Experts recommend creating shopping lists, researching purchases before clicking ads, verifying technology specifications with schools, comparing prices across retailers, using BBB.org to vet companies, and looking for secure websites (lock symbols) before making payments. Additional money-saving strategies include shopping locally for school discounts, buying in bulk with other parents, and taking advantage of tax-free weekends on items under $100.
buzzfeed.com
· 2025-12-08
Millennials are vulnerable to a distinct set of scams despite believing themselves resistant to fraud, including crypto/bitcoin schemes promising quick wealth, multilevel marketing companies, romance scams, fake government websites, sham investment gurus, and algorithmic manipulation through rage bait and influencer culture. Other common vulnerabilities include online sports betting, QR code scams, fake job postings, buy-now-pay-later debt traps, and deceptive fast-fashion shopping platforms like Temu and Shein that misrepresent products or deliver hazardous items.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article compiles millennials' self-reported vulnerabilities to various scams and deceptive practices, including crypto/Bitcoin schemes where victims lose life savings, romance scams, MLM schemes, blackmail emails, fake government websites, and online shopping platforms like Temu and Shein that deliver counterfeit or substandard products. The piece highlights that while millennials believe themselves resistant to traditional scams, they fall victim to rage bait, online gambling, subscription traps, fake investment gurus, QR code scams, and identity theft schemes at notable rates.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old businessman from Thane lost Rs 5.77 crore (approximately $690,000 USD) over three months in an investment scam involving fake stock trading and IPO apps. Scammers contacted him via WhatsApp promising 40% returns, induced him to download bogus trading applications showing false earnings of Rs 22.87 crore, and then blocked him and deactivated the apps when he attempted to withdraw funds. Police registered an FIR under cheating and cybercrime sections after the victim reported the fraud to the cyber crime helpline.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece examines how deepfake and AI-generated scams are becoming increasingly convincing threats, particularly voice cloning scams where criminals use AI to impersonate loved ones requesting urgent financial help. Media literacy expert David Chak emphasizes that understanding the message, framing, and intent behind content is critical, and recommends verification methods like callback calls or video calls when something feels suspicious, as scams exploit emotional panic to bypass rational assessment. Schools and society must teach both critical thinking skills and responsible AI use rather than fear-based avoidance of the technology.
slate.com
· 2025-12-08
This article documents an investigation into "task scams," a rapidly growing fraud scheme where victims are recruited via text messages with promises of earning $50-$400 daily for minimal work like testing products or rating images online. According to the FTC, task scam reports skyrocketed from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in the first six months of 2024, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in that period alone, though actual losses are believed to be significantly higher since most victims never report the fraud. These scams typically seek personal information or money from victims through fake checks, gift card purchases, or other schemes, despite appearing to offer legitimate remote work
buzzfeed.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a phishing and extortion scam in which victims receive emails containing their home address and photos sourced from Google Maps, along with threats to release alleged compromising videos unless they pay in Bitcoin. The scam exploits personal information obtained from prior data breaches and uses intimidating language to pressure victims into sending money, though scammers typically do not possess actual compromising footage. The article provides protective measures including verifying images against Google Maps, checking email sender legitimacy and authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), avoiding unfamiliar links, and recognizing that scammers often spoof email addresses rather than actually hacking accounts.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network warned that cryptocurrency ATMs are increasingly being exploited for scams and money laundering, with the FBI receiving nearly 11,000 complaints and documenting $246.7 million in victim losses last year. The machines, found in commercial spaces like gas stations, are particularly vulnerable when operators fail to comply with anti-money laundering regulations, and scammers primarily target seniors by instructing them to deposit cash at unregistered kiosks. The Treasury urged financial institutions to monitor for suspicious patterns such as multiple below-threshold deposits and significant cash withdrawals intended for crypto ATM use.