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Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
boothbayregister.com
· 2026-02-21
People over 50 are particularly vulnerable to fraud, with over $11 million reported in scams during just a nine-month period in 2025, according to a presentation by Coastal Maine Regional Broadband and local police. Most scams involve impostors contacting victims through email, text, or phone with urgent messages designed to cloud judgment, sometimes building fake relationships over time to gain trust. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying unexpected contacts directly with the person, avoiding clicking links or sharing passwords, watching for language errors and mismatched email addresses, and declining friend requests from people already in your network.
shoredailynews.com
· 2026-02-21
Scammers are increasingly targeting renters by posting fake rental listings on platforms like Facebook, using stolen photos and offering suspiciously low prices to pressure victims into sending deposits before viewing properties. Once payment is made through untraceable methods, the scammers disappear and victims discover the homes were never available for rent. To protect yourself, always tour a property in person and verify the listing through a licensed real estate professional before sending any money or sharing personal information.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-02-21
# Fraud Awareness Summary
The Boulder County Sheriff's Office launched a new training program to help people recognize and avoid fraud scams, after Sheriff's Victim Advocate Stephen Conley witnessed fraud impact his own family members through grandparent and tech support scams. The program, targeting seniors and the general public, teaches people to recognize warning signs like urgency, requests for secrecy, password demands, and money transfers—using the acronym SUPER as a memory tool. The key advice is to slow down when contacted with urgent demands, pause before acting, talk to someone you trust, and ask yourself "Could this be a scam?" before sending money or personal information.
fox8live.com
· 2026-02-21
Two scammers, Kenneth Akpieyi and Emuobosan Emmanuella Hall, were sentenced to over three decades in prison for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable widows over 60, stealing nearly $10 million across multiple victims. The victims, including a 77-year-old woman from Louisiana who lost over $100,000, were approached through social media by the fraudsters who posed as romantic interests. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic relationships that quickly request money or financial information, verify identities through video calls, and never send money to people you haven't met in person—especially if they claim to need emergency funds or have investment opportunities.
fox44news.com
· 2026-02-21
The Brenham Police Department is warning about multiple scams targeting elderly residents, including impersonation calls from government agencies, fake tech support, romance scams, and fake lottery winnings. Red flags include pressure to act quickly, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, demands for personal information, and instructions to keep the matter secret. To protect yourself, slow down before acting, never share personal details over the phone or online, verify requests by calling organizations directly, and consult with family or trusted friends before sending money—and report suspected scams to local police, Adult Protective Services, or the FTC.
wehoonline.com
· 2026-02-21
A West Hollywood man named James Kantor was sentenced to over four years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme targeting elderly and deceased people, where conspirators forged wills and trust documents to steal estates. The scheme began when one member of the group broke into homes of vulnerable people, and after discovering a deceased resident, the conspirators used stolen personal information to fraudulently access and transfer assets. If you have elderly relatives, especially those you're not in frequent contact with, regularly check in on them and monitor their financial accounts and important documents for suspicious activity.
the-sun.com
· 2026-02-21
Two men were sentenced to federal prison for running a sophisticated online romance scam that defrauded 31 elderly women, primarily widows, of nearly $10 million. The scammers created fake identities as military generals, engineers, and other professionals on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, then manipulated victims into sending money under false pretenses such as emergency repairs or business ventures. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic connections with people you've never met in person, verify identities through video calls, and never send money to strangers regardless of their claimed circumstances.
inkl.com
· 2026-02-21
Your Social Security number is highly valuable to criminals who can use it to commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts, and file fake tax returns, yet many Americans share it too freely without realizing the risk until damage occurs. Scammers use convincing tactics like impersonating government agencies through calls, creating fake emails and text messages that look legitimate to pressure people into revealing their SSN. To protect yourself, never share your Social Security number in response to unsolicited calls, emails, or texts—instead, hang up and call official numbers directly from verified sources, delete suspicious emails, and avoid clicking links from unknown senders.
tpr.org
· 2026-02-20
San Antonio's Department of Human Services is expanding fraud and abuse protections for seniors following a council member's request prompted by a rise in scams targeting elderly residents in the area. Scammers have been impersonating utility companies and solar firms to trick seniors into signing contracts for loans exceeding $95,000, sometimes resulting in liens on their properties. With over 316,000 residents aged 65+ in Bexar County and over 1,100 exploitation allegations reported in 2024, the city plans to increase preventative messaging and regularly report on elder fraud cases to council members.
texasborderbusiness.com
· 2026-02-20
A San Antonio investment firm CEO named Devin Ward Elder pleaded guilty to defrauding approximately 345 investors out of $69.5 million between 2023 and 2025 through his company DJE Texas Management Group, which promised high returns on real estate investments. Elder made false claims about his own co-investment and operated a Ponzi scheme by using new investor funds to pay "interest" to existing investors, ultimately halting all payments in March 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment opportunities promising unusually high returns with low risk, verify that investment managers have their own money invested alongside yours, and always research the credentials and track record of firms and their operators before investing.
koco.com
· 2026-02-20
# Gold Scams Costing Americans Hundreds of Millions
Scammers are exploiting Americans' trust in gold as a safe investment through "gold courier" schemes that have resulted in over $262 million in losses nationwide between January and October 2025. The scam typically begins with a fraudulent phone call, email, or pop-up claiming to be from your bank or a federal agency (FBI, IRS, or FTC), warning that your accounts have been compromised and urging you to immediately withdraw cash to purchase gold bars or coins. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited urgent demands to buy gold, verify any claims by contacting your bank directly using a number from their official website, and remember that legitimate government agencies will never ask you to purchase gold to protect your money.
ntu.org
· 2026-02-20
# Tax Season Scams: What You Need to Know
During tax season, scammers impersonate the IRS and state tax agencies through texts, emails, and phone calls to pressure people into sending money immediately, exploiting the confusion and urgency surrounding tax filing. The key warning sign is that legitimate tax agencies never initiate contact via text, email, social media, or unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment—they send official letters by mail with time to respond. If you receive a suspicious tax message demanding urgent payment, threatening legal action, or asking for gift cards or wire transfers, stop and verify it independently before responding; legitimate agencies don't use these pressure tactics or payment methods.
wbal.com
· 2026-02-20
# Gold Scam Summary
Scammers are exploiting Americans' trust in gold as a safe investment through "gold courier" scams that have cost victims over $262 million nationwide in just the first ten months of 2025. The scheme typically begins with a fraudulent call or message impersonating banks or federal agencies like the FBI or IRS, claiming your accounts are compromised and pressuring you to withdraw cash and buy gold bars or coins. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited urgent messages about account security, verify caller identities by contacting institutions directly (not using numbers they provide), and remember that legitimate agencies won't ask you to buy gold or wire cash to protect your money.
wowt.com
· 2026-02-20
A 74-year-old Council Bluffs woman lost her entire $123,000 retirement savings to scammers impersonating DEA agents who claimed she was involved in a drug case and needed to cooperate by withdrawing cash as "bait." The fraudsters used threatening tactics, provided scripts for her to deceive bank tellers, and instructed her to hand money to couriers in parking lots and wire additional funds out of state. Authorities warn that the real DEA will never call demanding personal information or money, and victims should hang up and contact their bank or local law enforcement if they receive similar threatening calls.
fox8live.com
· 2026-02-20
Two scammers were sentenced to over 30 years in prison for running a romance scam that defrauded 31 victims—primarily widows over 60—of nearly $10 million. The criminals posed as wealthy professionals like military generals and oil engineers on social media, building fake romantic relationships and convincing victims to send money for supposed emergencies or projects. Senior citizens, particularly those increasingly active on smartphones, should be wary of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, and should verify identities independently before sending funds.
aarp.org
· 2026-02-20
Scammers are targeting vulnerable immigrants by posing as immigration lawyers and federal agents to steal money for fake legal services, with the American Bar Association reporting more than a dozen cases of impostors falsely claiming to work for them. Victims have lost thousands of dollars, and criminals are using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake documents and even impersonating real attorneys using their actual bar numbers. To protect yourself, verify an attorney's credentials directly through official bar association websites, never pay for immigration services through gift cards or wire transfers, and be skeptical of unsolicited offers on social media—you can also call the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline at 877-908-3360 for free advice if you suspect you've encountered a scam.
ketk.com
· 2026-02-20
A Chinese national was sentenced to 40 months in prison and ordered to pay $2.8 million after running "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams that defrauded multiple victims. The scam involved fraudsters posing as romantic interests or financial professionals on social media and dating apps, building trust with victims before convincing them to invest in a fake cryptocurrency platform called Nanobit. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited investment offers from people you meet online, verify that financial platforms are legitimately registered with the SEC, and never invest based on advice from strangers on social media or messaging apps.
techflowpost.com
· 2026-02-20
A 31-year-old Chinese national named Liao Fei was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars from cryptocurrency investment scams, particularly "pig-butchering" schemes where fraudsters gain victims' trust on social media before tricking them into fake crypto investments. Victims lost millions of dollars in these scams, and Liao Fei was ordered to forfeit $2.3 million and pay $2.8 million in restitution. To protect yourself, be wary of investment opportunities promoted by strangers on social media, avoid sending money to unknown individuals or companies, and verify investment opportunities through official regulatory channels before committing funds.
kucoin.com
· 2026-02-20
A 31-year-old Chinese national named Liao Fei was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters pose as romantic interests or trusted contacts on social media to trick people into investing in fake cryptocurrency schemes. The scheme affected numerous victims who lost money they couldn't recover, and Liao Fei was ordered to forfeit $2.3 million and pay $2.8 million in restitution. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of investment opportunities offered by people you meet online, especially on social media, and never send money to unknown individuals or unverified cryptocurrency platforms.
kucoin.com
· 2026-02-20
A Chinese national was sentenced to 40 months in prison for laundering millions of dollars from cryptocurrency investment scams, including the deceptive "pig butchering" scheme that targets victims through social media and dating apps by building false trust before requesting cryptocurrency investments. Victims lose money when fraudulent platforms show fake returns and prevent withdrawals, with this case involving over $2.3 million in seized assets and $2.8 million in restitution. If you encounter these scams, report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) and preserve all communications, transaction records, and details about the fraudulent platform, cryptocurrency addresses, and suspect contact information.
yonkerstimes.com
· 2026-02-20
New York Attorney General Letitia James has warned residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or currency trading schemes. The scammers use encrypted messaging apps to hide their identities and create elaborate personas—such as romantic partners or financial advisors—to gain trust before stealing victims' savings. New Yorkers should remain vigilant about unsolicited contact, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office or the platforms where they occur.
rockawaytimes.com
· 2026-02-19
Romance scammers and imposter fraudsters cost Americans billions annually—the FTC reported $12.5 billion lost in 2024, though actual losses may exceed $158 billion due to underreporting. These criminals use fake online identities to build trust and emotional connections before requesting money or personal information, with 11 million Americans age 50+ and residents in Rockaway/Broad Channel reporting such schemes, though no age group is immune. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic advances online, especially from people claiming to be overseas with high-profile jobs, and never send money or share personal/financial information with someone you've only met online.
eldoradospringsmo.com
· 2026-02-19
# Romance Scams: What You Need to Know
Romance scammers create fake dating profiles to build trust with victims over weeks or months, then exploit that relationship by asking for money or pushing cryptocurrency investments. Scammers are increasingly using AI tools to generate convincing conversations and realistic fake profiles, while also combining romance scams with investment schemes to steal thousands of dollars from victims. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone who asks for money or personal information, makes excuses to avoid meeting in person, or seems unrealistically perfect—legitimate partners will be willing to meet face-to-face and won't pressure you for financial commitments.
metropolisplanet.com
· 2026-02-19
Romance scams cost Americans over $672 million in 2024, with adults aged 60 and older losing nearly $390 million to criminals who build fake online relationships and eventually request money. According to cybersecurity expert Zach Lewis, scammers use grooming tactics, talk about marriage and destiny early on, and then gradually request money through various emergencies or fabricated crises. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly escalate to marriage talk, verify identities before sending money, and be especially vigilant if you're an older adult—the primary target of these schemes.
newsday.com
· 2026-02-19
"Pig butchering" scams are sophisticated fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims through fake personal or romantic relationships before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes, often resulting in devastating financial losses. New York's Attorney General is warning residents about these scams, which have caused nearly $75 billion in global losses between 2020 and 2024 and can target anyone, not just seniors. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers on social media or dating apps, especially those who quickly suggest financial opportunities, and contact authorities if you suspect you've been targeted.
tbrnewsmedia.com
· 2026-02-19
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned New Yorkers about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media and dating apps before pressuring them to invest money in fraudulent cryptocurrency or currency schemes. The scammers use fake screenshots and fake wealth displays to gain trust, then transition conversations to encrypted messaging apps to hide their identities before stealing victims' savings. New Yorkers are urged to remain vigilant, verify investment opportunities independently, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office or the platforms where they occur.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2026-02-19
New York's Attorney General is warning residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims over weeks or months on social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency or currency trading schemes. The scammers use fake screenshots, fraudulent websites, and fabricated account statements showing profits to gain trust, then disappear with victims' money when they try to withdraw funds. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities from new online contacts, verify investment opportunities through official channels, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office immediately.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-19
Financial scams cost Americans at least $10 billion in 2023, with losses among older Americans surging from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024, often involving large sums stolen through sophisticated schemes like the case of Marjorie Kessler, who lost over $2 million after being tricked into converting her retirement savings to gold and cryptocurrency. While the UN emphasizes that preventing scams requires strong legal and regulatory systems, American institutions like FINRA—which oversees brokerages holding most people's retirement savings—have failed to meaningfully address the epidemic. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited requests to move funds or convert savings into alternative assets, verify requests directly with your financial institution through official channels, and report suspected scams to the FTC immediately.
thehill.com
· 2026-02-19
Americans lost at least $10 billion to scams in 2023, with losses among older adults particularly devastating—jumping from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024. One victim, Marjorie Kessler, was tricked into withdrawing over $2 million from her retirement savings under the false pretense that the U.S. Treasury needed to safeguard it, though she recovered only a portion. Experts and the United Nations emphasize that preventing these crimes requires stronger legal and regulatory systems rather than relying on individuals to protect themselves, particularly through oversight of financial institutions like FINRA that hold most Americans' retirement savings.
wgem.com
· 2026-02-19
# Scam Summary
Older Americans, who control $53 trillion in wealth, lost $2.4 billion to scams last year, with cybercrime against seniors skyrocketing. A new study from Florida universities found that vulnerability to scams isn't just about intelligence or cognitive ability—factors like loneliness, social connections, emotional recognition skills, and decision-making speed also play significant roles, meaning even educated, sharp individuals can fall victim. To protect yourself, be cautious when making quick financial decisions, maintain strong social connections, and take time to verify suspicious communications rather than responding immediately.
wmur.com
· 2026-02-19
# Deed Theft Scam Summary
Criminals in New Hampshire are stealing home ownership through "quit claim deed fraud," where scammers forge documents to sell properties they don't own, with victims in New England losing over $61 million between 2019-2023. The scam targets homeowners by using forged identification and real estate documents to sell, rent, or take out mortgages on properties without the owners' knowledge, as happened to a New Hampshire couple who discovered their property being marketed for sale without their consent. To protect yourself, homeowners should monitor their property records regularly, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, and consider title insurance to verify ownership and catch unauthorized transactions quickly.
wfsb.com
· 2026-02-19
A Florida man has been arrested on 26 charges for running a phone scam targeting a Wallingford resident who received a fraudulent call impersonating her bank and was tricked into sharing personal information, leading to unauthorized charges on her account. The 31-year-old suspect, Errol Patton from Miami, faces multiple charges including telephone fraud, identity theft, and payment card theft, with some charges specifically related to targeting a victim over 60 years old. To protect yourself, never provide personal or financial information over the phone in response to unsolicited calls—instead, hang up and call your bank directly using the number on your statement or their official website to verify any claims.
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-02-18
Malwarebytes has expanded its free Scam Guard tool to Windows and Mac computers to help users identify scams in real-time, addressing a growing crisis where scams drained $442 billion from consumers globally last year. The tool, which uses AI and cybersecurity expertise to analyze suspicious messages, emails, texts, and calls, has already prevented high-risk fraud in 15% of interactions on its mobile version. Users who frequently encounter scams should download this free protection tool, as criminals are increasingly using AI-generated impersonations and deepfakes that are difficult for people to detect without assistance.
prnewswire.com
· 2026-02-18
Malwarebytes has expanded its free Scam Guard tool to Windows and Mac desktops to help users identify fraudulent messages, emails, texts, and calls in real-time. Scams cost consumers $442 billion globally over the past year, yet two-thirds of people struggle to distinguish legitimate communications from fraudulent ones, making tools like Scam Guard increasingly important. Users can now get instant expert advice on suspicious content by using the AI-powered chatbot, which prevented high-risk fraud in 15% of interactions during testing.
ag.ny.gov
· 2026-02-18
# Pig Butchering Scam Alert
New York's Attorney General is warning residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes, often involving cryptocurrency. The scammers gain trust over time by posing as romantic partners or financial advisors, use encrypted messaging to hide their identity, and show fake screenshots of profits to seem legitimate. To protect yourself, remain cautious of unsolicited contacts offering investment opportunities, verify relationships before sharing financial information, and report any suspected scams to the Attorney General's office or the relevant platform.
lifehealth.com
· 2026-02-18
# Tax Season Scam Alert Summary
During tax season, scammers are targeting both individual taxpayers and businesses with increasingly sophisticated schemes including fake social media tax advice, romance scams, phishing emails, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, and scams targeting tax professionals. Frost Law urges people to verify tax information only through official sources like the IRS, Federal Trade Commission, and local law enforcement, and to be especially cautious of unsolicited communications asking for money or personal information. If you become a victim, seek help from legal professionals or report the scam to official government agencies rather than handling it alone.
evrimagaci.org
· 2026-02-18
In February 2026, cybercriminals launched a sophisticated global wave of scams combining phishing emails, text messages, and traditional mail to steal sensitive information from individuals and businesses. A particularly alarming campaign weaponized the XWorm Remote Access Trojan through deceptive emails mimicking purchase orders or shipments, which tricked users into opening malicious Excel files that exploited a decade-old Microsoft vulnerability to give attackers complete control of victims' computers. To protect yourself, experts urge vigilance by being skeptical of unexpected emails requesting file downloads, keeping software updated, and using multi-factor authentication on important accounts.
ago.mo.gov
· 2026-02-18
# Tax Day Scam Warning Summary
As tax season approaches, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is warning residents about a surge in scams targeting taxpayers through fake emails, texts, phone calls, and websites impersonating government agencies and tax services. Scammers use fear and urgency to pressure people into sharing personal information or making immediate payments, though legitimate tax authorities will never demand payment via email or threaten arrest. To protect yourself, verify messages independently through official channels, never share sensitive information unsolicited, and report suspected scams to Missouri's consumer hotline at 800-392-8222 or ago.mo.gov.
thetimes.com
· 2026-02-18
"Pig-butchering" romance scams are costing Americans over $1 billion annually, with scammers creating fake online dating profiles to build emotional trust with victims before asking them to invest money or provide personal financial information. Beth Hyland, a 53-year-old Michigan woman, fell victim to one such scam when she matched with a fake profile on Tinder and developed what she thought was a romantic relationship with someone claiming to be a construction manager. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating matches who quickly profess feelings, avoid sharing financial information with people you've only met online, and verify profiles through reverse image searches or video calls before developing emotional or financial ties.
wwnytv.com
· 2026-02-18
New York's Attorney General has warned residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters build fake relationships with victims through social media, dating apps, and text messages before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or forex trading schemes. The scammers use fake screenshots, fabricated success stories, and counterfeit investment websites to trick victims into depositing their savings, sometimes causing severe financial damage. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact offering investment opportunities, verify any investment advisor's credentials through official channels, and never send money to people you only know online—especially if they pressure you to use encrypted messaging apps.
americanbanker.com
· 2026-02-18
New York's Attorney General warned residents about "pig butchering" scams, where fraudsters create fake romantic or professional relationships on social media and dating apps to trick victims into investing in fake cryptocurrency platforms that disappear with their money. The scams are particularly damaging because victims often fall for follow-up "recovery" schemes where new fraudsters promise to return lost funds for a fee, resulting in additional losses. To protect yourself, avoid sending money or cryptocurrency to online strangers, thoroughly research anyone soliciting investments, and watch for red flags like pressure to use encrypted messaging or unfamiliar trading platforms.
decripto.org
· 2026-02-18
Retail customers are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated digital scams like romance scams and "pig butchering," which use emotional manipulation and social engineering to erode victims' rational judgment and convince them to willingly authorize fraudulent transactions. These scams are no longer isolated incidents but a structural trend affecting financial system stability, making them difficult to detect through traditional anti-fraud systems since victims believe they're acting in their own interest. Banks and financial institutions are being forced to rethink their fraud prevention strategies, with customer awareness and education emerging as critical protective measures against these emotionally-manipulative schemes.
phys.org
· 2026-02-17
Romance scams are increasingly prevalent on dating apps like Tinder and Bumble, as well as social media and gaming platforms, where fraudsters build fake relationships to exploit victims financially. While there's no evidence that Valentine's Day specifically triggers more scams, romance fraud increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic when people sought emotional connection online. To protect yourself, be cautious of anyone quickly asking for money, verify profiles through reverse image searches, avoid sharing personal financial information early, and be skeptical of individuals who seem too perfect or rush emotional intimacy.
newsantaana.com
· 2026-02-17
An Irvine resident lost $40,000 after a scammer sent a fake bank fraud alert text, then called to convince them to withdraw their savings for "protection" and arranged for a courier to collect the cash. The police warn that legitimate banks never ask customers to withdraw money or send it via courier, and they advise people to hang up suspicious calls and verify directly with their bank using the number on their card. If you or an older family member receives similar urgent requests involving cash withdrawal or secrecy, it's a red flag—contact your bank immediately through official channels.
wgal.com
· 2026-02-17
Scammers are using fake warning messages on computers and smartphones that impersonate Apple to trick people into calling fraudulent "tech support" numbers, where they gain remote access to steal personal and financial information. If you fall victim and grant them access, these criminals can encrypt your files with ransomware and demand payment to unlock them. To protect yourself, ignore any unexpected pop-up warnings claiming to be from Apple or other companies, and never call numbers provided in these messages—instead, contact the company directly using the official number on their website.
walb.com
· 2026-02-17
# Scam Vulnerability Summary
Older Americans lost $2.4 billion to scams last year, with those over 70 controlling $53 trillion in wealth and becoming increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. A new study from Florida universities found that vulnerability to scams isn't just about intelligence or cognitive ability—social and emotional factors like loneliness, lack of family connections, and time pressure to make decisions also play critical roles, meaning even educated, sharp seniors can fall victim. To protect yourself, take time before responding to suspicious messages, maintain strong social connections with family and friends, and be cautious of situations that pressure you to decide quickly, especially those involving fake news, deepfakes, or emotional appeals.
foxnews.com
· 2026-02-17
A malicious browser extension called NexShield, disguised as a legitimate ad blocker, deliberately crashes Chrome and Edge browsers to trick users into running dangerous commands that infect their computers. The scam falsely claimed to be from the creator of the popular uBlock Origin extension and was promoted through ads before being removed from the Chrome Web Store. To protect yourself, only download extensions from official sources, be skeptical of pop-ups claiming security problems, and never copy-paste commands into your command prompt without verifying their legitimacy.
gulfcoastnewsnow.com
· 2026-02-17
# Email Scam Summary
Millions of people lose billions of dollars annually to email scams, which have evolved from simple spam to sophisticated phishing attempts that impersonate legitimate companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Google to steal passwords and financial information. John Joyce, a technology consultant, warns that scammers now use AI-improved grammar and official-looking logos to make fraudulent emails appear authentic, exploiting the fact that people receive over 120 emails daily and may click carelessly. To protect yourself, Joyce recommends updating software regularly, pausing before clicking links, being skeptical of all messages—especially unsolicited offers—and remembering that legitimate riches never come through email.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-02-17
# Article Summary
A Florida man nearly fell victim to an elaborate pet scam where a fraudster impersonating a police sergeant claimed his missing dog had been hit by a car and needed emergency surgery, even providing a convincing AI-generated photo as "proof." The scammer requested $1,900 through Zelle, but the transaction was flagged as suspicious, and the man discovered his dog was safe at home the next morning. Pet owners should be cautious of unsolicited calls about injured pets, verify information directly with police departments and veterinary clinics using official contact numbers, and remain skeptical of urgent payment requests, especially for large amounts.
aol.com
· 2026-02-17
A Florida man nearly fell victim to an AI-powered pet scam when someone impersonating a police sergeant called claiming his missing dog had been hit by a car and needed $1,900 in emergency surgery, even providing a fake photo of the injured puppy on an operating table. The scammer attempted to pressure the pet owner into sending money via Zelle, but the transaction was flagged and ultimately blocked, and the dog was found safe in the owner's yard the next morning. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unexpected urgent requests for money (even from seemingly legitimate sources), verify claims by contacting organizations directly using official phone numbers, and never send money via digital payment apps to unverified callers—especially when emotions are high.