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6,239 results in Phishing
davidsonlocal.com · 2025-12-08
This article is an educational resource warning North Carolinians about common holiday scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. It covers four main fraud categories: holiday mail scams (phishing emails and porch theft), holiday shopping scams (fraudulent retailers and gift card schemes), and charity/investment scams, providing practical prevention tips such as verifying sender information, using secure networks for purchases, and researching charities before donating. The article emphasizes that consumers should be cautious during the high-spending season and recommends using resources like the BBB Scam Tracker and AARP Fraud Watch Network for protection and verification.
regtechtimes.com · 2025-12-08
Dale Lake of Hanford, California, agreed to a consent decree with the U.S. government after being accused of serving as a "money mule" in a lottery prize fraud scheme targeting senior citizens; he received money and gift cards from victims and transferred them to accomplices in Jamaica. Under the consent decree, Lake is permanently banned from participating in prize promotion fraud or any money transmission business, with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service monitoring his mail for compliance. The case represents a collaborative effort between federal authorities to dismantle fraud networks that exploit vulnerable elderly populations.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com · 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old retired ship captain from Mumbai lost Rs 11.1 crore (approximately $1.3 million USD) to scammers operating through a fake WhatsApp group impersonating a financial services company between August and October. The victim was lured into downloading a fraudulent trading app and made 22 transactions over two months, with scammers justifying multiple bank accounts and repeated payment requests as tax-saving measures and service fees. Police registered a case and identified bank accounts across multiple Indian banks and cities, with investigators suspecting a coordinated fraud network; the article also provides protective measures including adjusting WhatsApp privacy settings, verifying investment sources,
siasat.com · 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old woman in Dubai fell victim to a phishing scam after clicking on a fraudulent Facebook advertisement offering a 90% discount on viral FIX chocolate bars during a fake UAE National Day sale; she ordered ten bars for approximately 69.5 Dirhams but was charged 1,836 Dirhams (over 42,000 Indian Rupees) to her credit card. The scam exploited the popularity of FIX Dessert Chocolatier's products, which the brand has warned are being sold by unauthorized sellers on social media at inflated prices and through fake websites. Consumers are advised to verify purchases only through official channels an
express.co.uk · 2025-12-08
A survey of 2,000 adults found that 22% of Millennials have been victimized by phishing scams via email or text, with Millennials losing an average of £150 each and Gen Z losing £141, despite taking precautions like avoiding suspicious links and using strong passwords. Experts warn that scammers are constantly refining their methods and exploiting current events to make fraud increasingly sophisticated, while four in 10 respondents reported contact from fraudsters impersonating bank or government officials. The research emphasizes that individuals should not feel ashamed when targeted by scams and should rely on banks and companies to provide better online protection measures.
mirror.co.uk · 2025-12-08
This educational article by consumer rights expert Martyn James advises readers on protecting themselves from fraud during peak shopping seasons. Key protective strategies include: remaining skeptical of anything online (websites, messages, calls, logos), avoiding impulsive responses to unsolicited communications, and contacting businesses directly through official channels rather than clicking links in emails or texts. The article notes that while £1.17 billion was stolen through fraud in the UK last year, £1.2 billion was prevented by financial institutions, and new regulations now require businesses to refund victims of "push payment fraud" in most circumstances.
headtopics.com · 2025-12-08
An elderly man was defrauded through an AI-enabled romance scam involving impersonation of actress Jennifer Aniston, demonstrating how artificial intelligence has made scams increasingly difficult for older adults to detect. The case illustrates the growing sophistication of elder fraud and underscores the importance of family vigilance, including enabling spam filters, registering on the National Do Not Call Registry, and having regular conversations about recognizing scam red flags such as urgency, requests for secrecy, and demands for immediate payment transfers.
theregister.com · 2025-12-08
**Summary:** Interpol's Operation HAECHI V (July-November) arrested over 5,500 suspected cybercriminals across 40 countries and seized more than $400 million in digital and fiat currencies. The operation targeted seven crime types including romance scams, investment fraud, voice phishing, and business email compromise, with a joint Korea-China effort dismantling a voice phishing syndicate responsible for $1.1 billion in losses from over 1,900 victims. Interpol identified an emerging trend involving romance scams that trick users into purchasing Tether stablecoins and surrendering wallet information through phishing links.
local12.com · 2025-12-08
During the 2024 holiday shopping season, cybersecurity experts warn that criminals are increasingly targeting shoppers through text message scams, fake websites created with AI, and shipping delivery fraud as consumers spend a record-breaking average of $902 per person. Experts recommend verifying packages directly through retailer websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages, using credit cards instead of debit cards, and visiting official company websites directly to confirm deals rather than clicking promotional links in emails or social media.
Phishing Scam Awareness Financial Crime Check/Cashier's Check
boston25news.com · 2025-12-08
Boston Police warned holiday shoppers about a surge in online scams, which now represent the most common fraud threat during the season. The FBI estimated over $12.5 billion was lost to internet scammers last year, with phishing emails and texts mimicking legitimate sites as primary tactics; authorities recommend regularly monitoring bank statements, reporting suspected fraud to local and federal authorities, and avoiding clicking suspicious links or verifying personal information online.
houstonchronicle.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI warns consumers during the holiday season to avoid online shopping scams, as Americans lost $309 million to online fraud in 2023 with complaints typically spiking after the holidays. Common scams include phishing attacks seeking personal information, non-delivery scams where items are paid for but never received, and gift card payment fraud. To stay safe, shoppers should verify seller identity, use secure websites with "https," obtain tracking numbers, pay with credit cards rather than wire transfers or gift cards, and monitor accounts for suspicious activity.
wwnytv.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS and Security Summit partners warn that scammers intensify efforts during the holiday and tax seasons to obtain sensitive financial information through email, text messages, and social media in order to steal tax refunds. They recommend protecting yourself by avoiding unsecured Wi-Fi networks while shopping, keeping security software updated, using strong passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication.
mlive.com · 2025-12-08
The Michigan Lottery warned residents of ongoing scams in which fraudsters either impersonate lottery officials claiming the victim has won and demand fees to collect the prize, or claim to have won themselves and offer to share winnings if the victim sends money first. Scammers request payment via cashier's check, electronic transfer, or cash, and may contact victims repeatedly for additional "fees" or "processing costs." Michigan Lottery officials emphasized that legitimate lottery prizes require no fees to claim and that anyone unsolicited claiming you've won is attempting fraud.
Lottery/Prize Scam Phishing Robocall / Phone Scam Bank Transfer Check/Cashier's Check
irs.gov · 2025-12-08
The IRS and Security Summit partners issued a Cyber Monday alert warning taxpayers to protect personal information from scammers during the holiday shopping season and approaching tax season. Common scams include sophisticated phishing emails impersonating delivery services (tricking victims into clicking malicious links) and fraudulent messages posing as the IRS offering refunds or requesting tax documents, which can lead to identity theft and tax fraud. The alert recommends taxpayers avoid clicking unknown links, verify sender authenticity, and shop only on secure websites (https) to reduce the risk of personal data theft.
coloradoan.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six common holiday season scams targeting online shoppers, including phishing attempts via fake delivery notifications, impersonation of delivery drivers and IRS agents, social media gift exchange schemes, and cloned emails from known contacts. The article recommends protective measures such as using secure websites (https), strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, avoiding unsecured Wi-Fi, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing personal financial information with unsolicited contacts. Key advice includes verifying sender legitimacy by examining email addresses for discrepancies and contacting the original sender through independently verified contact information.
abc15.com · 2025-12-08
This educational piece advises consumers to remain vigilant against holiday-season scams by avoiding AI phishing emails and texts, not clicking suspicious links or verifying passwords unless self-initiated, and researching charities before donating using irs.gov or give.org. Additionally, consumers should use purchase protection features when sending money through payment apps and be wary of anyone discouraging the use of such protections, as this is a common scam tactic.
Government Impersonation Phishing Scam Awareness Payment App Check/Cashier's Check
spectrumnews1.com · 2025-12-08
Since 2021, consumers have reported losing $2.7 billion to social media scams, with online shopping scams being the most commonly reported type. The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio warns consumers to watch for red flags including misspelled website URLs, suspicious social media ads offering deals that seem too good to be true, and tampered gift cards with altered barcodes or scratched PINs. Experts recommend researching purchases and verifying website legitimacy before making online transactions, especially during the holiday season.
me.pcmag.com · 2025-12-08
A five-month international law enforcement operation led by Interpol arrested over 5,500 people and seized more than $400 million across 40 countries for cybercrimes including investment fraud, romance scams, and sextortion. Notable cases included a China-based voice phishing syndicate that defrauded at least 1,900 victims of $1.1 billion using fake law enforcement personas, and a business email compromise scheme that stole $42.3 million from a Singapore firm (of which $39.3 million was recovered). The operation, called Haechi V, achieved record results with nearly 8,309 cases solved.
wbur.org · 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering to target online shoppers of all ages and education levels. The article advises consumers to be cautious of fake retailer messages requesting personal financial information, verify suspicious communications with trusted contacts, and report scams to police to help law enforcement aggregate data and identify perpetrators.
dhs.gov · 2025-12-08
Two Nigerian nationals operating from the Chicago suburbs, Anthony Emeka Ibekie and Samuel Anukwu, were convicted and sentenced to 20 and 10 years in federal prison respectively for conducting inheritance scams, romance scams, and business email compromise fraud that defrauded victims of at least $3.5 million. The pair used aliases to communicate with victims across the United States, convincing them of inheritances or building false romantic relationships to manipulate them into sending money to predetermined recipients. A third co-defendant, U.S. citizen Jennifer Gosha, pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in connection with the scheme and awaited sentencing.
rocklanddaily.com · 2025-12-08
Clarkstown Parks & Recreation is hosting a Senior Scam Prevention Seminar on December 13, 2024, to educate seniors about common fraud schemes including the Grandparents Scam, IRS Scam, and Funeral Scams. The event, led by town officials and police, will provide practical tips for identifying and avoiding these fraudulent schemes, with pre-registration required due to limited space.
westsidespirit.com · 2025-12-08
Federal, state, and local authorities warn that scams targeting seniors are rising, particularly during the holiday season, with common schemes including charity fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and government impersonation scams. Authorities advise seniors to avoid phishing emails, use secure networks for online purchases, verify websites and charities before donating, and be cautious of unsolicited offers. Victims can report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov), their state attorney general, or local law enforcement.
keranews.org · 2025-12-08
This article profiles The Senior Source's Elder Financial Safety Center in Dallas, which helps Medicare beneficiaries navigate the complex enrollment process and avoid scams. The center serves up to 6,000 people annually, offering Medicare counseling, insurance guidance, and technology classes; since 2014, it has helped Dallas County residents avoid $65 million in scams. Medicare fraud costs the U.S. $60-90 billion yearly, and the confusion surrounding enrollment choices makes seniors vulnerable to scams, particularly via text messages, making professional guidance essential for informed decisions.
mercurynews.com · 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old California teenager, Remington Ogletree, was arrested and charged with wire fraud in October 2024 for alleged crimes committed between October 2023 and May 2024, and is suspected of being a member of the notorious cybercrime group Scattered Spider, which specializes in phishing and social engineering attacks on major corporations. Ogletree, an expert in phishing techniques, was released on $50,000 bail with strict conditions including surrendering his devices and being barred from registering domain names or using messaging apps. This arrest is part of broader law enforcement efforts against Scattered Spider, a loosely organized group of young men from the US
Phishing Financial Crime Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer
npr.org · 2025-12-08
This educational piece features forensic accounting professor Kelly Richmond Pope discussing strategies to avoid online fraud during the holiday shopping season. Pope explains that scams increase during holidays due to higher spending volumes and consumers' heightened trust and generosity, affecting all demographics from teenagers to elderly individuals. She recommends tracking purchases via spreadsheets or phone notes, carefully scrutinizing website URLs and tone for signs of counterfeits, and independently verifying charities before providing personal or financial information.
wmur.com · 2025-12-08
The article provides consumer protection guidance for the holiday season, highlighting the "drain scam" in which thieves copy gift card numbers and activation codes before purchase, resulting in over 41,000 reported cases and $217 million in losses last year. Consumer Reports recommends inspecting gift cards for tampering before purchase, buying from behind the counter or selecting virtual options, and using cards immediately upon receipt. The article also advises consumers to avoid suspicious deals on social media, fake delivery text messages, and to verify charities through trusted websites before donating.
cambridgema.gov · 2025-12-08
The Cambridge Police Department warns of multiple holiday-themed scams targeting shoppers and donors, including fake websites offering unrealistic discounts, puppy scams (80% of sponsored pet ads may be fraudulent), gift card schemes where criminals tamper with cards or request codes, phishing emails impersonating legitimate companies, and grandparent scams targeting elders through impersonation demanding payment via gift cards or wire transfers. The advisory recommends conducting reverse image searches before pet purchases, avoiding suspicious links and emails with grammar/spelling errors, purchasing gift cards from counters rather than kiosks, and verifying unexpected delivery or emergency requests directly with known contacts.
nbcmontana.com · 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers exploit people's charitable giving by creating fake charities with legitimate-sounding names and websites to steal money and personal information. To protect yourself, verify charities through resources like BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator, avoid pressure to donate immediately, pay by credit card rather than cash or gift cards, and never click links or provide personal information like Social Security numbers to unknown senders. Legitimate charities will not rush you, mask caller IDs, or request payment through untraceable methods.
forbes.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI warned in 2024 that holiday shopping scams pose significant risks to consumers, with cybercriminals using sophisticated tactics like AI-generated fake websites and phishing emails to exploit the projected $260 billion in e-commerce sales. Younger shoppers aged 18-39 are 25% more likely to fall victim to scams, which include non-delivery fraud ($73 million in 2023 losses), gift card fraud ($148 million in losses), and fake charity schemes that exploit seasonal generosity. Consumers should be vigilant about suspicious deals, verify seller legitimacy, and avoid sharing sensitive information like gift card PINs with unknown parties.
Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Online Shopping Scam Charity Scam Wire Transfer Gift Cards Check/Cashier's Check
smdailyjournal.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI San Francisco office warned that criminals are exploiting the holiday season through multiple fraud schemes including fraudulent online shopping websites and puppy scams (with $5.6 million in losses reported year-to-date), fake charities soliciting donations, cryptocurrency investment fraud, gift card scams, and social media schemes offering fake gift cards or event tickets. The FBI advises consumers to remain vigilant when shopping online, donating to charities, and engaging on social media during the holiday season.
interpol.int · 2025-12-08
INTERPOL launched the "Think Twice" awareness campaign to combat five rising cyber and financial threats: ransomware attacks (up 70%), malware attacks (up 30%), phishing, generative AI scams, and romance baiting scams. The two-week campaign running December 3-19 emphasizes vigilance through social media, urging individuals to verify identities, pause before clicking suspicious links, and avoid online relationships involving money requests. The campaign is supported by funding from the UK and Japan to strengthen cybersecurity awareness globally.
abc.net.au · 2025-12-08
Anne, a 26-year-old Melbourne woman, lost $46,100 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after meeting someone claiming to be "Lucio" on Tinder. The scammer built trust over weeks through intimate conversations and emotional storytelling before convincing her to invest in cryptocurrency on what she believes was a counterfeit trading platform. This scam uses a four-stage process: creating a fake persona, building emotional trust, luring victims into fake investments, and stealing their money.
saultthisweek.com · 2025-12-08
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service warned of a surge in "grandparent scams" targeting local seniors, in which fraudsters impersonate grandchildren or their lawyers and demand $5,000-$10,000 under the pretense of emergency bail or legal fees, arranging courier pickup of cash. The scammers exploit urgency and spoof caller ID to appear legitimate, but police advise victims to hang up, verify stories with personal questions, contact family independently, and never share money or information without confirming details through trusted contacts.
columbiabasinherald.com · 2025-12-08
Local and federal authorities warn that scam attempts increase during the holiday season, with criminals using text messages, phone calls, and emails to target victims through blackmail, charity fraud, debt collection schemes, grandparent scams, and other deceptive tactics. Common red flags include unsolicited contact using fear or emotional manipulation to pressure victims into sending money via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities recommend verifying the legitimacy of charities through trusted resources, being skeptical of unsolicited requests, and hanging up if something sounds suspicious rather than providing personal or financial information.
Lottery/Prize Scam Phishing Sextortion Identity Theft Grandparent Scam Cryptocurrency Gift Cards Payment App
clarksvilleonline.com · 2025-12-08
Senator Marsha Blackburn warned during a Senate hearing that seniors are increasingly targeted by AI-enabled fraud and scams, with criminals using sophisticated tools like personalized phishing emails and chatbots to deceive consumers at scale. The FTC reported that scams cost Americans $10 billion over the last 12 months, with AI driving much of this increase. Blackburn called for Congress to pass legislation establishing online privacy standards and stronger protections for consumers in the digital space.
express.co.uk · 2025-12-08
Harold Richardson, 75, from Kent, lost £4,000 in a Microsoft impersonation phone scam in which fraudsters convinced him to grant remote access to his computer, allowing them to steal personal information and banking details. Though he eventually recovered most of the money, the process was lengthy and caused significant stress. The article notes that phone scams are widespread in Britain, with adults aged 35-55 actually losing the largest average amounts (£1,826), and recommends using the "Stop, Check, and Call Back" method to verify unexpected callers before sharing any personal information.
makeuseof.com · 2025-12-08
The "sad announcement" phishing scam tricks recipients with fake messages claiming a loved one has died, using legitimate names and emotional quotes with suspicious links to steal personal and financial information. To protect yourself, delete and block such emails, and contact the person mentioned to verify their safety; if you've already fallen victim, immediately notify your payment provider to cancel cards, dispute any unauthorized charges, and scan your device for malware.
Phishing Robocall / Phone Scam Scam Awareness Payment App Check/Cashier's Check
finextra.com · 2025-12-08
Multiple U.S. financial regulators issued a joint statement highlighting that approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity reported to FinCEN over one year (ending June 2023) was linked to elder financial exploitation. The statement emphasizes that financial institutions must implement risk management practices including employee training, transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, and coordination with law enforcement to protect vulnerable older adults from losing their life savings and financial security. Recommended protective measures include establishing trusted contact designations, using transaction holds when appropriate, and increasing consumer awareness through outreach.
ncua.gov · 2025-12-08
On December 4, 2024, five federal financial regulatory agencies, FinCEN, and state regulators issued guidance to financial institutions on combatting elder financial exploitation, which a FinCEN analysis found was linked to approximately $27 billion in reported suspicious activity over a one-year period ending June 2023. The statement recommends practices such as staff training on recognizing exploitation, establishing trusted contact processes, implementing transaction holds, and timely reporting to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services to help identify and prevent financial crimes against older adults.
fincen.gov · 2025-12-08
FinCEN and five federal financial regulatory agencies, along with state regulators, issued guidance to financial institutions on best practices for identifying and preventing elder financial exploitation. A FinCEN analysis found that approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity was linked to elder financial exploitation over a one-year period ending in June 2023, highlighting the significant financial harm older adults face from such schemes.
fdic.gov · 2025-12-08
Five federal financial regulatory agencies and FinCEN issued guidance to help financial institutions combat elder financial exploitation, which a FinCEN analysis found was linked to approximately $27 billion in reported suspicious activity over a one-year period ending in June 2023. The statement recommends practices including employee training, transaction monitoring, trusted contact designations, timely reporting to authorities, and consumer outreach to help identify and prevent exploitation that can devastate older adults' financial security.
consumerfinance.gov · 2025-12-08
Five federal financial regulatory agencies and FinCEN issued guidance to help supervised financial institutions combat elder financial exploitation, noting that older adults can lose their life savings through these crimes. A FinCEN analysis identified approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity linked to elder financial exploitation over a one-year period ending in June 2023. The statement recommends practices including employee training on recognizing exploitation, establishing trusted contact designations, filing timely suspicious activity reports, and coordinating with law enforcement and elder protection services.
gizmodo.com · 2025-12-08
A "pig butchering" romance scam targeting elderly people involves fraudsters impersonating actor Johnny Depp on Facebook, then moving conversations to messaging apps to convince victims to send money via cryptocurrency, gift cards, and other payment methods. The FTC received 197 complaints over one year from victims across the country, many in their 60s who lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars from retirement accounts, with one Minnesota woman losing $1,700 before her bank intervened. The scammers exploit emotional vulnerability and loneliness by posing as Depp or associates like his fictional "manager Jack Wingham," using flattery and false promises of romance or investment returns.
Romance Scam Celebrity Impersonation Crypto Investment Scam Investment Fraud Government Impersonation Cryptocurrency Crypto ATM Wire Transfer Gift Cards Cash Bank Transfer Payment App Check/Cashier's Check
seattletimes.com · 2025-12-08
The article provides holiday travel safety guidance, warning travelers about peak-season scams including phishing emails posing as airlines and hotels, distraction theft targeting travelers in public spaces, and fake street vendor "gifts" that result in overcharges. Additional scams highlighted include counterfeit travel websites offering unrealistically cheap bookings, ticketing fraud for popular events, and taxi drivers with "broken" meters charging inflated fares. The article advises verifying sender email addresses, booking through reputable sites with verified reviews, purchasing tickets from authorized sellers only, and being cautious of unsolicited offers from street vendors.
Government Impersonation Phishing Check/Cashier's Check
bleepingcomputer.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using generative AI tools to create highly realistic fraudulent content—including deepfake videos, AI-generated profiles, and voice cloning—to perpetrate romance scams, investment fraud, job hiring schemes, and extortion at greater scale and with higher credibility. Common tactics include impersonating authority figures, creating fake charity solicitations, and generating convincing promotional materials for cryptocurrency schemes. The FBI recommends establishing identity verification codes with family members, scrutinizing images and videos for imperfections, independently verifying callers, limiting personal information shared online, and reporting suspected fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
northwestsignal.net · 2025-12-08
Pam Rybka of the Better Business Bureau of Toledo educated retired teachers on common senior scams, noting that loneliness and trust make older adults vulnerable targets. Key fraud prevention tips included: never say "yes" to telemarketers, use indelible black gel pens when writing checks to prevent check-washing scams, mail checks at post offices rather than leaving them in mailboxes, be aware that the IRS and Social Security Administration never initiate calls, and verify charities through the BBB website.
signalscv.com · 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Newhall resident lost $54,000 in a grandparent scam between July 22-23 when a caller impersonating an attorney claimed his grandson was in jail and needed bail money, instructing him to place cash in boxes for Lyft drivers to collect. The victim later discovered his grandson had not been in an accident or incarcerated, and despite detective investigation tracking the Lyft drivers through security footage, no arrest has been made. Sheriff's officials emphasize that law enforcement never solicits money by phone and advise victims to verify custody claims directly through the LASD custody records website or by calling their local station.
weau.com · 2025-12-08
Local financial professionals in Eau Claire, Wisconsin report an increase in elderly financial abuse cases, particularly during the holiday season, with seniors targeted through romance scams, government impostor schemes, and prize/sweepstakes fraud. Scammers exploit vulnerabilities in older adults, such as loneliness and access to larger bank accounts, often directing victims to send money via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Experts advise seniors to avoid responding to unknown contacts and to verify suspicious requests with trusted family members, friends, or local authorities before taking action, noting that recovering lost funds is extremely difficult once scammers have obtained them.
theroanokestar.com · 2025-12-08
As holiday shopping season approaches with record-breaking online sales predicted, scammers are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics to defraud consumers. Virginia Tech cybercrime expert Katalin Parti outlines key warning signs and prevention strategies, including: avoiding unsolicited requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, being skeptical of high-return investment ads, verifying company contact information through official websites rather than provided links, and remaining cautious of romance scams, job scams, and fake charitable solicitations. Consumers should also monitor financial statements for fraud, keep software updated, verify website URLs, and be aware that scammers can now spoof voices and area codes to impersonate trusted contacts.
thecyberexpress.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI warned that criminals are increasingly using generative AI tools to create highly convincing fraudulent content—including fake social media profiles, websites, audio recordings, and deepfake videos—making scams more believable and scalable across larger victim populations. AI-generated text, images, voice cloning, and videos are being weaponized in romance scams, investment fraud, job hiring schemes, extortion, and identity theft, with criminals exploiting the technology's ability to produce realistic-seeming content that overcomes traditional fraud detection signs. The sophisticated nature of AI-generated content makes it increasingly challenging for individuals and businesses to identify fraudulent schemes before becoming victims.