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yahoo.com
· 2026-01-28
Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday highlighted the growing threat of senior scams during identity theft awareness week, noting that the state received over 4,000 fraud complaints last year totaling $76 million, with phishing, government impersonation, and loan modification being the most common schemes. Sunday advised residents to be extremely cautious of unexpected contacts and to hang up or close the door if someone pressures them to act immediately. Anyone who falls victim to a scam should report it to authorities rather than staying silent.
41nbc.com
· 2026-01-28
As tax season begins, the BBB and police are warning taxpayers about fraud schemes targeting those seeking help filing their 2025 returns. Scammers impersonate the IRS through phone calls and exploit confusion about new tax laws to trick people into handing over sensitive financial information to untrustworthy preparers. Consumers should research any tax preparer through Google reviews, the BBB website, and the IRS database before sharing personal details, and remember that the real IRS communicates by mail, not phone calls.
abcnews.go.com
· 2026-01-28
Scammers are using stolen identities to create fake "ghost student" accounts at colleges nationwide, enrolling in online classes and fraudulently obtaining federal student loans and Pell grants before disappearing with the money. The scheme has affected thousands of victims like Murat Mayor, whose identity was stolen along with his high school senior son's, and has cost the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars while leaving innocent people saddled with debt they never incurred. To protect yourself, regularly monitor your credit reports and FAFSA accounts, use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and immediately report any suspicious financial aid activity to the Federal Student Aid office and your state's attorney general.
ap7am.com
· 2026-01-28
A 23-year-old man named Atharva Shailesh Sathawane has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans, convincing them to liquidate retirement accounts and convert their savings into cash and gold, which he then collected and delivered to co-conspirators. The scheme resulted in millions of dollars in losses and particularly affected Florida's large retiree population, though such scams occur across the country. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited contact pressuring them to liquidate savings or convert assets to cash or gold, and should contact law enforcement if they suspect fraud.
bakersfield.com
· 2026-01-28
Cybersecurity researchers discovered a spyware campaign targeting people in Pakistan that uses a fake dating app called GhostChat to steal personal data, often luring victims through romance scams. The same attackers are also running broader surveillance operations using fake Pakistani government websites to compromise computers and hijack WhatsApp accounts. To protect yourself, avoid downloading apps from unknown sources outside official app stores, be skeptical of unsolicited dating app invitations, and verify that websites claiming to be government organizations are legitimate before entering any information.
welivesecurity.com
· 2026-01-28
Cybersecurity researchers discovered a sophisticated spyware campaign targeting Pakistani users through a fake dating app called GhostChat that poses as a chat platform with attractive profiles. The malicious app, which uses romance scam tactics and fake "exclusive access" codes to lure victims, steals personal data once installed while the attackers run broader spy operations including computer compromises and WhatsApp account hijacking through fake government websites. To stay safe, users should avoid downloading apps from unofficial sources, be cautious of unsolicited romantic contacts, and verify that apps come from legitimate app stores like Google Play.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2026-01-28
Cybersecurity researchers discovered an Android spyware called GhostChat that targets people in Pakistan through fake romance scams. The malicious app disguises itself as a dating service with locked female profiles that require passcodes to unlock, but actually steals data from victims' phones while routing conversations through WhatsApp to scammers. To protect yourself, only download apps from official sources like Google Play Store, be cautious of unsolicited romantic contacts, and avoid entering codes or personal information into unfamiliar apps—especially those from unofficial sources.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-01-28
Instagram scammers use social engineering tactics like fake urgency messages, impersonation, and phishing links to trick users into revealing login credentials or personal information, with victims often being redirected to fraudulent sites before realizing the deception. Common scams range from quick phishing schemes to long-running romance and financial fraud, exploiting Instagram's informal messaging style and the platform's scale to create a sense of trust and plausible deniability. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected urgent messages requesting account verification or personal favors, verify requests through official channels before responding, and never click links or enter credentials on unfamiliar pages.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-01-28
# Tax Season Scam Warning
During tax season, scammers are targeting Americans through phishing emails and text messages that impersonate the IRS, asking recipients to click links and provide sensitive information like Social Security numbers and bank account details in exchange for supposedly processing tax refunds. The Federal Trade Commission warns that the real IRS will never contact you via email, text, or social media for personal information, and similar phone scams involve callers claiming you owe back taxes and trying to connect you with fake "tax resolution officers." To protect yourself, avoid clicking suspicious links, hang up on unexpected tax-related calls, report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM), and use only the official IRS "Where's My Refund" tool to check your refund status.
kpax.com
· 2026-01-28
# Tax Season Scam Alert Summary
During tax season, the Federal Trade Commission is warning Americans about phishing and smishing scams where criminals impersonate the IRS through emails, texts, or calls to trick people into revealing personal information like Social Security numbers and bank account details by promising tax refunds. These scams affect tax filers across the country, with scammers claiming refunds have been "processed" or calling about back taxes owed. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS will never contact you by text, email, or social media asking for personal information—only scammers do—so don't click suspicious links, hang up on callers claiming to be government officials, and instead use the official IRS "Where's My Refund" tool to check your refund status.
ap7am.com
· 2026-01-28
A 23-year-old courier named Atharva Shailesh Sathawane was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in an international elder fraud scheme that targeted elderly retirees, convincing them to liquidate retirement accounts and convert savings into cash and gold. Sathawane, who was illegally in the US on an overstayed student visa, traveled to victims' homes to collect the proceeds and deliver them to co-conspirators abroad, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited requests to liquidate savings or convert assets into cash or gold, verify requests through independent channels before taking action, and contact law enforcement immediately if they suspect fraud.
wired.com
· 2026-01-28
A journalist received an encrypted message from an insider at a Southeast Asian scam compound who was being forced to work as a computer engineer for a major "pig butchering" operation—where scammers pose as romantic interests to trick victims into investing money they never see again. The operation, staffed by hundreds of thousands of trafficked laborers in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos and controlled by Chinese organized crime groups, generates tens of billions of dollars annually by devastating victims worldwide who lose their life savings. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about online romantic relationships that quickly pivot to investment opportunities, verify investment advice through independent channels, and report suspected romance scams to authorities immediately.
mainstreetdailynews.com
· 2026-01-26
A 23-year-old man named Atharva Shailesh Sathawane was sentenced to 18 years in prison for defrauding at least 28 elderly victims out of $15 million in gold and cash across the East Coast, with one Gainesville victim losing $200,000. The scam involved criminals impersonating law enforcement and demanding payment in gold or cryptocurrency, and Sathawane was caught after one victim reported the fraud to police. Authorities warn the public that legitimate law enforcement agencies never demand payment in gold or cryptocurrency, and anyone receiving such requests should immediately contact local police.
njoag.gov
· 2026-01-26
Two women—a health center owner and her employee—have been charged with health care fraud for allegedly performing medical procedures without proper licenses at a women's health center in New Jersey. Medicaid patients were affected, as the defendants allegedly billed the program for services provided by unlicensed individuals, diverting resources meant for legitimate medical care. To protect yourself, verify that any healthcare provider treating you is properly licensed, ask about credentials before receiving care, and report suspected unlicensed medical practitioners to your state's health department or attorney general's office.
pcmag.com
· 2026-01-26
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread in 2026, with scammers targeting vulnerable populations including laid-off workers, lonely people on dating apps, immigrants seeking legal help, and taxpayers through impersonation schemes. New threats include AI-generated deepfake videos and audio clips designed to trick people into sending money to criminals who pose as loved ones, immigration officers, or government agents. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact requests money transfers, verify identities through official channels before sharing personal information or funds, and remember that anyone—regardless of financial status—can become a victim of these evolving scams.
outlookmoney.com
· 2026-01-26
India experienced over Rs 22,800 crore in digital scam losses in 2024, with scams succeeding primarily by manipulating human behavior rather than exploiting technology flaws—victims are persuaded to authorize payments, open accounts, or transfer funds under pressure rather than being hacked directly. The article identifies five common scams (including UPI fraud that exploits convenience and routine bias) that prey on psychological vulnerabilities, with criminals using coercion and persuasion to repeatedly extract funds from victims. To protect themselves, consumers should verify requests cautiously, avoid acting under pressure, monitor accounts for unauthorized activity, and remain aware that scammers rely on psychological manipulation rather than sophisticated hacking.
cnn.com
· 2026-01-26
# Article Summary
A South Korean man named Dex was tricked into working for a Chinese-run scam operation in Cambodia, where he and hundreds of other Korean speakers were forced to conduct romance and investment fraud against victims in their home country, stealing tens of millions of dollars and devastating families' finances. After escaping, Dex has partnered with victims of the same scam network to help prosecutors build cases against the ringleaders, two of whom were recently extradited to South Korea. For people targeted by such scams, authorities recommend verifying job offers through official channels, being skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement and financial institutions immediately.
lifehacker.com
· 2026-01-26
# Tax Season Scams Summary
During the 2026 tax filing season, scammers are targeting taxpayers through phone calls impersonating fake government agencies, phishing emails and texts posing as the IRS, and fraudulent letters demanding personal information or payments. These schemes aim to steal Social Security numbers, upfront fees, and other sensitive data from unsuspecting taxpayers. To protect yourself, remember that the IRS only contacts you by mail about tax issues, never via phone, email, text, or social media—so don't click links or provide information in response to unsolicited messages, and if you owe back taxes, settle directly with the IRS rather than through third-party "services."
mychesco.com
· 2026-01-25
AARP Pennsylvania is warning older residents about five major scams expected to surge in 2026—including employment fraud, recovery scams, digital arrests, blackmail schemes, and romance scams—as criminals use advancing technology and AI to make deceptive tactics more convincing. Losses from impostor scams targeting seniors aged 60+ have skyrocketed from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024, with individual cases now reaching $100,000 or more. To protect yourself, pause before responding to urgent demands or suspicious offers, verify claims independently, and report any scams to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.
ap7am.com
· 2026-01-25
China-linked scam networks operating from compounds in Southeast Asia stole over $4.8 billion from Americans in 2024, with seniors being particularly targeted through romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other sophisticated schemes that exploit vulnerable retirees' life savings. U.S. senators are pushing bipartisan legislation to crack down on these criminal enterprises, which they characterize as a national security threat allegedly enabled by the Chinese government and often staffed by human trafficking victims. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online, never transfer retirement funds to cryptocurrency, and verify unexpected requests for money by contacting institutions directly through official channels.
au.pcmag.com
· 2026-01-25
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread, with scammers targeting vulnerable populations including laid-off workers, lonely people on dating apps, immigrants seeking legal help, and anyone receiving unsolicited calls or texts. A major emerging threat is the use of generative AI to create deepfake videos and audio to impersonate loved ones and trick people into sending money. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify requests through independent means (calling organizations directly), never send money via untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards, and remember that scammers cast a wide net—anyone can be a victim regardless of income or credit score.
theguardian.com
· 2026-01-25
# Fitness Fraud Summary
Fraudsters are exploiting January's fitness boom by creating fake gym membership deals and personal trainer websites that closely mimic legitimate businesses, tricking people into paying for nonexistent services or apps that steal their data. Those affected include gym-goers who act quickly on urgent offers without verifying legitimacy, only to discover their payments aren't honored and the business has no record of them. To protect yourself, be wary of gym deals emphasizing urgency or extreme discounts, verify the gym's official website directly, check for independent reviews, and avoid clicking links from social media ads—instead, contact the business directly through their official channels.
straitstimes.com
· 2026-01-25
A sophisticated scam called "digital arrest" is targeting India's elderly population, where fraudsters impersonate police officers and falsely claim victims are involved in money laundering to extort large sums of money. One victim, a 73-year-old man, lost nearly all his retirement savings (9 million rupees/approximately $126,000) before his family discovered the fraud, and Indian authorities report that elderly victims have collectively lost around 30 billion rupees to these scams. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls from officials threatening legal action, never transfer money based on such calls, and verify any claims by contacting authorities directly through official channels rather than using contact information provided by the caller.
the-sun.com
· 2026-01-24
An 80-year-old Florida retiree lost $1.3 million after scammers convinced her to withdraw funds from her Chase account by posing as a legitimate investment opportunity; she made 30 large withdrawals over five months that Chase's systems flagged as suspicious but failed to stop. The woman is now suing Chase, arguing the bank should have done more to protect her given her long banking history with the branch and the unusually high transaction amounts for her account. **Actionable advice:** Seniors should be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment offers, never withdraw large sums of cash based on promises of returns, and consider asking trusted family members or advisors to review major financial decisions—banks may flag suspicious activity, but customers remain responsible for their own protection.
news.abplive.com
· 2026-01-24
Police arrested eight people, including an NRI, MBA graduate, and an elderly couple, in connection with a ₹14.8-crore "digital arrest" scam that primarily targeted senior citizens with false threats of terror or money-laundering charges. The scammers moved stolen money through nearly 1,000 bank accounts using micro-transactions, converted funds to cryptocurrency, and withdrew cash to avoid detection, making recovery of the funds difficult. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming legal threats, never share banking details or make payments based on such calls, and verify any official charges directly with authorities through official channels.
financialexpress.com
· 2026-01-24
A 40-year-old woman from Mumbai lost over Rs 16 lakh in a romance scam where a fraudster posed as Elon Musk on social media, promised her marriage and relocation to the US, then tricked her into buying Amazon gift cards under the pretense of visa processing fees. The scam operated between October 2025 and January 2026, with an accomplice named "James" requesting increasingly larger payments until the woman became suspicious and stopped. Police have registered a case and advise the public to be wary of unsolicited marriage proposals from celebrities on social media and to never send money or gift card codes to unknown individuals requesting help with visas or travel arrangements.
the420.in
· 2026-01-24
An 80-year-old retired professor in Mumbai was defrauded of ₹4.38 crore through a psychological manipulation scheme where scammers posed as police and government officials, threatening him with arrest for alleged financial crimes linked to his identity. The fraudsters used fake documents, repeated intimidating phone calls, and video calls claiming "digital arrest" to coerce the victim into transferring money, which was later used for money laundering. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming legal threats, verify requests directly with official agencies using known contact numbers, and remember that legitimate authorities won't demand immediate transfers or conduct arrests over the phone.
vindy.com
· 2026-01-23
# Medicare Fraud Summary
Medicare loses an estimated $100 billion annually to fraud and abuse, with schemes ranging from double-billing and charging for services never performed to identity theft using seniors' account numbers. Seniors are urged to carefully review their Medicare statements for unfamiliar charges and report any suspicious activity to the Medicare fraud center at 1-800-633-4227, which can issue a new account number to prevent future fraudulent billings.
tribtoday.com
· 2026-01-23
# Medicare Fraud Summary
Medicare loses an estimated $100 billion annually to fraud and abuse, with scammers ranging from dishonest medical providers billing for services never performed to criminals using seniors' account numbers to file false claims. Medicare beneficiaries can protect themselves by carefully reviewing their Medicare statements when they arrive and calling the Medicare fraud hotline at 1-800-633-4227 if they spot suspicious charges, which may result in a new account number to prevent further fraudulent activity.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-23
Scammers are increasingly impersonating government agencies and financial institutions through emails, texts, and letters to trick people into sharing personal information or money, making their fake messages nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications. During the cost-of-living crisis, these scams are particularly effective because people are actively seeking financial assistance and may respond quickly to what appears to be official help, especially when messages create artificial urgency or appeal to emotions like fear or hope. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages offering government aid or warning of financial problems—verify any claims by contacting official organizations directly through their known phone numbers or websites rather than using contact information in suspicious messages.
livelaw.in
· 2026-01-23
An 82-year-old senior citizen lost ₹22.92 crores (approximately $2.7 million USD) in a digital arrest scam, making it possibly the largest individual fraud case of its kind in India. The victim has filed a petition in the Supreme Court against the Union Government, RBI, CBI, and seven private banks, with the court issuing notices to investigate how such a massive fraud went undetected. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly people to sophisticated digital scams where fraudsters pose as authorities to intimidate victims into transferring funds, underscoring the need for banks to implement stronger verification protocols and for seniors to never comply with unsolicited demands for money or sensitive information from callers claiming to be law enforcement.
1440wrok.com
· 2026-01-23
# Tax Scam Summary
As tax season opens in January, the Rockford Better Business Bureau warns that scammers impersonating IRS agents are expected to be especially aggressive this year, using fear-based tactics via phone, email, and text to trick people into providing sensitive information or money. Taxpayers lost $5.5 billion to tax scams in 2023 alone, with identity theft being a growing concern—scammers can file fraudulent returns using stolen Social Security numbers obtained through phishing or data breaches. To protect yourself, verify your tax preparer's credentials on BBB.org, avoid anyone promising unusually large refunds, and file your return early to reduce the window for identity theft.
oconnellfuneralhomes.com
· 2026-01-22
Scammers are increasingly targeting seniors through schemes like grandparent scams, fake tech support calls, government impersonation, and gift card fraud, exploiting their kindness, trust, and fear. In this podcast episode, St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knutson discusses why these crimes are difficult to track and why victims often don't report them, emphasizing that awareness and family communication are key to protection. To help protect elderly loved ones, families should stay informed about common scam tactics, maintain open conversations about suspicious contacts, and encourage reporting of fraud attempts to authorities.
attorneygeneral.gov
· 2026-01-22
Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday reported major law enforcement achievements in his first year, including the seizure of 539 illegal firearms and over 56 million fentanyl doses worth an estimated $58 million. The office also launched new initiatives to protect seniors from financial abuse and expanded efforts against organized retail crime. Residents can protect themselves by staying vigilant against scams targeting older adults and being aware of the growing threats posed by illegal drugs and firearms in their communities.
siliconcanals.com
· 2026-01-22
Fraud targeting seniors has quadrupled since 2020, with reported losses reaching $2.4 billion annually and actual losses potentially exceeding $81 billion when including unreported cases. Older Americans are disproportionately targeted because they typically have substantial savings, are home more often, and were raised to trust authority figures—vulnerabilities that scammers exploit. Experts recommend that seniors stay skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify requests independently through official channels, and report suspected fraud to the FTC or FBI, while also speaking openly about incidents to reduce shame and help identify patterns.
wgal.com
· 2026-01-22
As tax season approaches in 2025, the Federal Trade Commission is warning about phone scams where criminals impersonate IRS officials and fake tax agencies to trick people into revealing personal information by claiming they owe back taxes. These scammers use official-sounding names and create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into compliance. To protect yourself, remember that the real IRS typically contacts people by mail first, never by unexpected phone calls, so hang up on unsolicited callers claiming to be tax officials and verify any tax issues directly through the official IRS website or by calling the IRS yourself.
harder.house.gov
· 2026-01-22
Representatives Josh Harder and Brian Fitzpatrick introduced bipartisan legislation called the Stop SCAMS Act to combat organized cybercrime by creating an FBI-led government task force that coordinates efforts across agencies like the FBI, FTC, and CFPB. The legislation aims to reduce scams targeting working families and seniors who lose significant savings to sophisticated criminal schemes including robocalls and fraud. The bill has received endorsement from AARP and seeks to improve government response through unified strategy and accountability to prevent and prosecute scammers more effectively.
mk.co.kr
· 2026-01-22
# Article Summary
South Korean police are repatriating 73 fraud suspects from Cambodia—the largest single-case repatriation on record—who stole approximately 48.6 billion won (roughly $37 million USD) from nearly 900 victims in South Korea and Cambodia. The suspects used various schemes including romance scams with deepfake technology, fake investment fraud targeting retirees, and hostage-taking extortion, with some criminals even undergoing plastic surgery to evade capture.
**Actionable advice for potential victims:** Be extremely cautious of online romantic partners, especially those asking for money or investment opportunities; verify investment advisors' credentials independently; and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately, as international cooperation can lead to arrests and asset recovery.
keloland.com
· 2026-01-21
Scammers are increasingly targeting South Dakota residents, particularly elderly people, by posing as government officials or businesses and directing victims to deposit money into cryptocurrency terminals where the funds disappear. A state senator and AARP are now pushing legislation that would require cryptocurrency kiosk operators to be licensed, implement daily and monthly transaction limits, and be responsible for refunding missing money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contacts claiming financial emergencies and never move money into cryptocurrency based on such requests.
fox35orlando.com
· 2026-01-21
# Tax Scam Warning
The Better Business Bureau is warning Americans that tax scammers will be especially active during the upcoming 2024 tax season, with fraudsters expected to exploit confusion around new tax deductions and take advantage of stressed taxpayers. Common scams include identity theft through phishing emails and fake tax preparers, IRS impersonation calls demanding immediate payment, and fraudulent websites mimicking official IRS portals—with taxpayers losing $5.5 billion to tax fraud in 2023 alone. To protect yourself, verify any tax preparation services before hiring them, never click links or call numbers in unsolicited emails claiming to be from the IRS, and remember that the real IRS will never demand immediate payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2026-01-21
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that tax scammers are expected to be especially active this year, with taxpayers losing $5.5 billion to tax fraud in 2023 alone. Common scams include identity theft through phishing emails, fake IRS calls demanding immediate payment, impersonation of tax officials, and fraudulent tax preparation services that promise unusually large refunds. To protect yourself, verify that emails actually come from the IRS (never click suspicious links), remember that the real IRS won't demand immediate wire transfer payments, and research any tax preparation company before hiring them.
fox29.com
· 2026-01-21
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax season, scammers impersonate the IRS to steal money and personal information from taxpayers by making false promises of refunds, threatening arrest, or creating fake official-looking messages designed to pressure quick action. To protect yourself, remember that the IRS typically contacts people first by mail through the postal service—not by unsolicited phone calls, emails, or texts—and watch out for red flags like promises of large refunds, urgent payment demands, threats of arrest, and suspicious website links with misspelled addresses. If you receive a suspicious tax message, verify it by checking the IRS website directly or searching for the specific notice rather than clicking any links provided.
eset.com
· 2026-01-21
Social engineering attacks exploit human psychology rather than technical vulnerabilities, with scammers impersonating authority figures or creating artificial urgency to trick people into sharing credentials or installing malware. These attacks are increasingly effective and cheaper to execute than traditional hacking, especially with AI tools now enhancing attackers' capabilities. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited requests for personal information, verify requests through official channels before responding, and avoid making quick decisions under pressure—legitimate organizations won't demand immediate action or threaten account deactivation.
sootoday.com
· 2026-01-21
# Scam Summary
An Ontario senior lost over $10,000 to a highly convincing phone scam where a caller impersonated a government fraud investigator, claimed her cards had been cloned, and eventually convinced her to hand over her debit and credit cards to a person who came to her home. The scammer gained credibility by using the victim's personal information, confirming her address, and citing specific transactions, while also warning her against calling her bank directly. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls claiming fraud has occurred, independently verify by contacting your bank directly using a known phone number, and remember that legitimate authorities will never ask you to hand over your physical cards or sensitive information.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-01-21
An 87-year-old Toronto retiree nearly lost $3,000 to a convincing "bank investigation" scam where a fraudster posed as an official and instructed her to withdraw cash, claiming her account had been compromised. Canadian seniors are increasingly targeted by cyberscams, with research showing that one in three Canadians fell victim to fake-job or CRA refund scams over a three-month period last summer. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls asking you to withdraw money or keep conversations secret, and alert bank staff or cashiers if you suspect fraud—in this case, a pharmacy cashier's intervention saved the victim from losing her money.
itbrew.com
· 2026-01-21
"Pig butchering" scams—where criminals trick victims into investing money on fake platforms—are becoming more prevalent and profitable, with criminals now using ready-made "as-a-service" kits that make it easier for anyone to launch these attacks, particularly from Southeast Asia. Cryptocurrency scams of this type resulted in $17 billion in theft in 2025, with experts noting that low law enforcement action and minimal risk for perpetrators enable the rapid expansion. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities and platforms, verify investment opportunities through official channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities—though experts say the U.S. government needs to do more to combat this growing threat.
aol.com
· 2026-01-20
Scammers are targeting older Americans with increasingly sophisticated "grandparent scams" that combine personal data, emotional manipulation, and sometimes AI voice technology to impersonate family members in fake emergencies. A grandfather nearly wired his life savings after receiving a convincing call claiming his grandson needed bail money, complete with real details like the grandson's name and recent move. To protect yourself, fraud experts recommend asking the caller a question only your real family member would know—scammers typically hang up when challenged this way—and always verify emergencies by calling another trusted family member directly before sending money.
wrangellsentinel.com
· 2026-01-20
A 25-year-old man was sentenced to a year in jail for his role in an elaborate phone scam that defrauded a Petersburg elderly resident of $129,000, with a third suspect still at large. The scammer impersonated a government agent and convinced the victim that her identity had been stolen, persuading her to wire money in multiple transfers. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited calls from people claiming to be government officials asking for money, never wire funds based on such calls, and verify any claims by contacting official agencies directly through known phone numbers.
livenowfox.com
· 2026-01-20
# Tax Season Fraud Warning
The Better Business Bureau is warning taxpayers about scammers targeting people during tax season, particularly with new tax deduction rules expected to increase fraud activity. In 2023, taxpayers lost $5.5 billion to tax scams and fraud, with common schemes including identity theft through phishing emails, fake IRS calls demanding immediate payment, and untrustworthy tax preparers promising unusually large refunds. To protect yourself, verify that communications are from official IRS sources, never click links in unsolicited emails or call numbers provided in them, and research any tax preparation business before hiring them.
veterans.house.gov
· 2026-01-20
The House passed the Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act, which creates a new office within the Department of Veterans Affairs to combat scams targeting veterans and seniors by providing prevention guidance, monitoring fraud, and protecting VA benefits. Veterans and their families are increasingly vulnerable to scammers using sophisticated tactics to steal benefits and personal information. The legislation aims to give the VA better tools to detect and prevent fraud, helping ensure veterans don't lose hard-earned benefits to criminal schemes.