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nbcwashington.com
Job scams targeting work-seekers, particularly through text or WhatsApp messages promising easy online tasks like "product boosting," have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020. Scammers build trust before directing victims to deposit money (often cryptocurrency) to access fake earnings that appear in apps, resulting in complete financial loss. The scams disproportionately target job-seekers new to the market, homemakers re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, exploiting economic vulnerability through offers of remote work with no interviews and immediate start dates.
states.aarp.org
Scammers pose as utility companies during summer months, threatening to shut off electric service due to unpaid bills and demanding immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps to exploit consumers' need for air conditioning. Legitimate utility companies do not threaten immediate shutoffs without notice or request unusual payment methods; consumers should verify any such claims by contacting their utility directly using the phone number on their bill. Those who suspect utility scams can contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 for assistance.
selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov
U.S. House lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter to Google CEO commending the company's efforts to combat scams linked to Chinese Communist Party entities that drain billions from Americans annually, particularly "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams and tech support schemes that target vulnerable seniors. The letter requests information on Google's technologies to block malicious ads, browser-based scams, and AI-driven detection capabilities, noting that these transnational criminal operations caused an estimated $10 billion in crypto fraud losses in 2024 alone.
nbcchicago.com
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 level—according to the Federal Trade Commission. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering commission-based tasks like rating videos or liking images; victims see fake earnings accumulate in an app before being asked to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw funds they never actually earned. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the workforce, people re-entering employment, and immigrants, with only about 5% of victims reporting their losses to authorities.
mcafee.com
UK concert and festival ticket fraud resulted in losses exceeding £1.6 million in 2024, more than double the previous year, with approximately 3,700 reports to Action Fraud—nearly half originating from social media platforms. Oasis Live '25 reunion tour tickets became a prime target for fraudsters, accounting for roughly 70% of reported concert ticket fraud cases from August 2024 onward, with victims losing an average of £436 (up to £1,000 in some cases). Scammers exploit high demand, limited supply, and emotional urgency by creating fake ticketing websites, posting counterfeit tickets on social media, and selling duplicate digital tickets
abc7news.com
PG&E has issued a warning about a widespread impersonation scam targeting Bay Area customers, with over 2,500 reports this year in which callers threaten immediate power shutoff for unpaid bills and spoof caller ID to appear legitimate. Approximately 250 victims have lost an average of $900 by providing debit card or Zelle payments to scammers, with the highest concentrations of reports in the East Bay (971 cases) and North Bay (662 cases). PG&E advises customers to hang up on such calls, take time to verify through official channels, and report suspected scams to their tip line at 833-500-SCAM.
nzherald.co.nz
As AI advances, traditional scam detection methods like spotting poor spelling and grammar are no longer reliable, according to cybersecurity experts. An Avast survey of 1,001 New Zealand adults found that while 74% worry about older loved ones falling victim to scams and 84% have warned them about online threats, only 53% of seniors actually change their behavior—with common vulnerabilities including writing passwords on paper (44%) and ignoring advice about suspicious links. The most prevalent scams targeting older adults are tech support scams, phishing, and fake invoices, with phone calls remaining a primary entry point for fraud.
kjzz.org
Cryptocurrency ATM scams are increasingly targeting older adults, with scammers using phone calls, social media, and text messages to direct victims to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs via fraudulent QR codes under the pretense of protecting funds or making investments. Scammers now operate as organized criminal networks rather than isolated actors, with reported losses ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per victim—including cases of a woman losing $700,000 and another losing $200,000. A particularly sophisticated variation called "pig butchering" begins as romance scams on social media before morphing into cryptocurrency investment schemes designed to extract all available funds from victims.
pa.gov
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed SB 649 into law, establishing third-degree felony charges for using artificial intelligence to create non-consensual deepfakes or voice clones to defraud or harm residents. The law specifically targets AI-generated scams affecting older adults, such as fake grandchild voice impersonations used to extort money, with Pennsylvania's Department of Aging reporting nearly 18,500 financial exploitation cases in FY 2023-24—nearly double the number since 2017. This legislation strengthens protections for Pennsylvania's fifth-largest older adult population by giving law enforcement new tools to prosecute AI-driven fraud schemes.
local10.com
The U.S. State Department is investigating an impersonation scam in which someone falsely posed as Secretary of State Marco Rubio via Signal messaging to contact three foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress. Cybersecurity experts warn that AI-generated voice cloning technology makes high-level impersonation increasingly sophisticated and accessible, with potential targets ranging from government officials to elderly individuals and law firms holding escrow funds. Experts recommend verifying communications through official channels and maintaining skepticism of both written and audio communications, as "seeing is no longer believing" in the age of AI-generated content.
bitdefender.com
Scammers have used AI-generated deepfake videos of Jennifer Aniston to perpetrate romance fraud for over a decade, with a recent case involving a 43-year-old man from Southampton who sent £200 in Apple gift cards after being manipulated through fake videos and a forged California driver's license. The scam exploited emotional manipulation and false exclusivity claims, using only publicly available photos and free AI tools to create convincing deepfake content. This represents an evolving threat where romance scammers combine classic social engineering with deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities and exploit victims' emotional connections to famous figures.
usatoday.com
Adults over 60 lost over $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with impersonation, romance, tech support, and emerging "grandparent scams" using AI voice cloning being the most common threats. The article provides six protective practices: avoid unknown calls/texts, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, recognize urgency and emotional manipulation tactics, and refrain from sending money to unknown contacts via any payment method.
bankingjournal.aba.com
Over one-third of Americans have experienced financial fraud since January 2024, with baby boomers and Generation X most vulnerable, and phishing scams alone costing consumers $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase from the prior year. Romance scams and relationship investment schemes are particularly prevalent, with fraudsters building trust through social media and dating platforms before exploiting victims. Banks are urged to implement multi-layered defenses including real-time transaction monitoring, staff training with clear communication, fraud playbooks, and directing victims to support resources like the BBB Scam Survival Toolkit and AARP's Fraud Support Group.
pcmag.com
Amazon warned customers of a surge in phishing scams ahead of Prime Day (July 8-11), where fraudsters send fake emails claiming Prime membership renewals or requesting purchase verification, attempting to steal login credentials and banking information through fake Amazon login pages. Scammers also use phone calls and spam emails offering fake early deals that redirect users to fraudulent sites, and Amazon emphasized it never requests payment via phone or email outside its official app, website, or stores. Customers can verify legitimate Amazon communications by checking for the Amazon smile logo in email headers and reporting suspected scams to the company.
freep.com
A 56-year-old Michigan woman lost $400 after clicking on a fraudulent Geico phone number in Google search results and unknowingly calling scammers who impersonated the insurance company. The fraudsters obtained her driver's license, VIN, and Social Security number, then instructed her to make a payment via Xfinity using a fake Google Docs form. The victim discovered the scam when she contacted the real Geico and learned no legitimate policy had been created; her bank refunded the $400 pending investigation, though scammers also attempted to contact her adult sons for their personal information.
ohsers.org
Text message scams are surging, with scammers using "wrong number" texts and fake toll/parking fee alerts to build trust with victims and steal money or personal information. AI-assisted targeting tailors messages by area code and uses social media to identify vulnerable targets, with losses reaching $470 million in 2024—a five-fold increase since 2020. The best defense is not responding to texts from unknown numbers, as any response confirms the phone number is active and can lead to relationship-building tactics, investment solicitation, or account takeover attempts.
ksat.com
This educational alert warns residents following natural disasters like the Hill Country floods to watch for common scams including fake charities, fraudulent contractors, and phony government aid calls. Key protective measures include donating only through verified charities, requesting signed contracts before paying contractors, and verifying government assistance directly through official ".gov" websites rather than responding to unsolicited calls or emails. The National Center for Disaster Fraud provides a hotline (866-720-5721) for reporting suspected fraud.
cnet.com
During Amazon's Prime Day sale, cybercriminals are launching coordinated phishing and impersonation scams at increased rates, with email impersonation reports up 50% compared to 2024, over 1,000 malicious websites mimicking Amazon detected, and more than 36,000 fake Amazon sites identified ahead of the event. Common scams involve fake emails claiming account problems or payment issues to steal login credentials and payment information, with 15% of American shoppers surveyed reporting prior Prime Day scam losses. AI-powered tools have made these scams more sophisticated and widespread, allowing criminals to quickly create convincing fake websites and grammatically correct phishing messages tailored to individual targets
fox5ny.com
Financial scams targeting seniors are rising and stealing billions of dollars, with scammers using impersonation, urgency tactics, and AI-generated voice cloning to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or transferring money through digital payment services. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable targets because they are often more trusting, less tech-savvy, and less likely to report fraud, while also possessing strong credit and substantial savings. The FBI recommends protecting yourself by refusing to share sensitive information with suspicious callers, verifying contact information through official company websites, and immediately ceasing communication if a scam is identified.
express.co.uk
A UK poll of 1,000 respondents found that 41% of those with older loved ones believe they would fall for a scam if targeted, with 26% of older Brits having already experienced a scam and 21% falling victim to financial fraud. Common risky online behaviors among seniors include clicking suspicious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), oversharing personal information (55%), using weak passwords (51%), and poor password management practices such as writing them down or reusing them across accounts. Experts emphasize that online safety education and intergenerational conversations about cyber security are critical to protecting vulnerable older adults from increasingly sophisticated threats.
mirror.co.uk
A UK survey of 1,000 adults found that 60% have had to help elderly relatives stay safe online, with 41% believing their older loved ones could be duped by scammers. The study revealed that 26% of older Brits have encountered scams and 21% have been victims of financial fraud, with common unsafe practices including clicking dubious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), and using simple passwords (51%). Experts emphasize that digital safety education and family conversations about cyber threats are essential to protecting vulnerable seniors from evolving online scams.
staysafeonline.org
This educational article outlines five common cryptocurrency scams affecting Americans, who lose over $9 billion annually to crypto investment fraud. Key scam types include too-good-to-be-true investment promises, romance scams (often called "pig butchering"), phishing attacks, pump-and-dump schemes, and fake cryptocurrency apps, with red flags provided for each. The article advises avoiding high-pressure tactics, never sharing private wallet keys, being skeptical of online romantic interests who introduce crypto investments, and downloading apps only from official stores.
news9.com
This educational piece outlines common cybercrime threats targeting consumers, including romance scams on social media and fraudulent text messages about unpaid tolls, and emphasizes protective measures such as installing software updates, using strong authentication methods, and avoiding personal transactions on public Wi-Fi. According to recent data, U.S. consumers received 18.9 billion robocalls in 2025 and lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with text message scams alone accounting for $470 million in losses.
thezebra.org
A high school student named Wesley Driscoll, inspired by his personal experience with a phone scam, founded Silver Guard Seniors to help protect elderly citizens from fraud. The organization is hosting a free scam-prevention event on July 26 in Alexandria, Virginia, featuring former FBI agent John Schwartz and other experts who will educate seniors about recognizing common schemes like romance scams and refund fraud, while addressing the shame and secrecy that often surrounds elder financial abuse.
tradingview.com
The U.S. Secret Service has become a major cryptocurrency custodian after seizing nearly $400 million in digital assets from various crypto scams over the past decade, including romance scams and investment frauds that use psychological manipulation and fake websites to defraud victims. The agency employs blockchain forensics and international collaboration—training officers in over 60 countries—to trace and recover stolen funds, with notable successes including the recovery of $225 million in USDT from a romance-investment scam network. Despite these efforts, crypto crime continues to surge, with investors losing $2.2 billion in the first half of 2025, primarily through wallet hacks and phishing attacks.
ainvest.com
The U.S. Secret Service has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade, including a record $225 million from a money laundering network, with many funds traced to romance scams and fake investment schemes targeting victims through catfish tactics. Despite these enforcement successes, crypto-related crimes continue to surge, with Americans losing $9.3 billion to crypto scams in 2024 alone and wallet hacks, phishing attacks, and protocol exploits causing over $2.47 billion in losses in the first half of 2025, indicating that criminal tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
livebitcoinnews.com
The U.S. Secret Service has seized nearly $400 million in cryptocurrency over the past decade, with much of it linked to romance scams and fake investment platforms that target victims through catfishing and promise of quick returns. Despite these enforcement successes, crypto scams are accelerating, with Americans losing $9.3 billion to such schemes in 2024 alone, representing over half of all internet fraud losses that year. The Secret Service's June 2025 seizure of $225 million in USDT marked its largest cryptocurrency confiscation to date.
amac.us
Older Americans are increasingly targeted by fraud schemes, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion in 2023—an average of $33,915 per victim—according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Many of these scams, including impersonation schemes and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency frauds, are allegedly coordinated or tolerated by the Chinese Communist Party, with recent indictments in Ohio and California involving Chinese nationals charged with defrauding elderly victims out of thousands to millions of dollars. Experts emphasize that only 10-15 percent of senior fraud victims report their losses, suggesting the actual problem is far larger than reported figures indicate
lincolnparishjournal.com
This article by law enforcement veteran Wesley Harris contrasts traditional in-person scams targeting seniors—such as the "found money" handkerchief scheme, driveway paving fraud, and fake bank examiner con—with modern technology-based fraud that operates remotely via text messages, phishing links, and compromised payment cards. Harris illustrates how contemporary scams are more difficult to combat because criminals operate from abroad and are largely beyond law enforcement reach, while noting that victims often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment. The article advises consumers to scrutinize suspicious messages for red flags before clicking links or providing personal financial information.
wamnnews.com.au
Dr. Andrew Miller highlights the growing vulnerability of elderly people to increasingly sophisticated online and AI-powered scams, including deepfake videos and audio that can impersonate known individuals. He recommends that families establish legal protections such as enduring power of attorney, guardianship documents, and advance care directives while elderly relatives retain capacity, and maintain tight controls over financial accounts and data sharing to prevent fraud affecting both finances and healthcare services like fraudulent Medicare claims.
vermontjournal.com
Black River Good Neighbor Services hosted a "Fraud Awareness" presentation by M&T Bank's senior branch manager Art Randolph on July 17 in Ludlow, Vermont, covering identity theft, common phone scams, check fraud, email impersonation, caller ID spoofing, and strategies for protecting personal information and recognizing fraudulent schemes.
wgal.com
The FBI warned of phishing scams in which fraudsters impersonate health insurance fraud investigators to solicit protected health information, medical records, and personal financial details from patients via emails and text messages. The stolen data can be used to commit fraud or medical identity theft. The FBI recommends victims remain suspicious of unsolicited contact, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails, use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and verify any communication directly with their health insurance provider.
spectrumlocalnews.com
The Better Business Bureau reports that impostors are costing businesses billions of dollars through data theft and fake services, with the FBI documenting nearly $1.4 billion in losses related to data breaches across the United States in 2024. Common red flags include unexpected invoices, requests for gift card or prepaid card payments, and urgent demands to renew licenses or domain names. The BBB recommends businesses implement employee training, verify vendor information, use multi-factor authentication, avoid wire transfers and gift cards, and maintain detailed records to protect against fraud.
consumer.ftc.gov
Job scams target people seeking employment by impersonating legitimate companies and recruiters, typically through personal email addresses or text messages. Scammers move quickly to request sensitive personal and financial information (Social Security numbers, bank details, driver's licenses) before conducting actual interviews, claiming it's needed for employment paperwork or direct deposit. To avoid job scams, verify the recruiter's corporate email address, be wary of requests for personal information before interviews, and research the recruiter and company online for complaints or scam reports.
al.com
"Brushing" scams involve sending unsolicited, low-cost packages to recipients without their knowledge to create fake verified buyer accounts and inflate product reviews on e-commerce sites. A newer variant of this scam uses QR codes that direct victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal personally identifiable information, indicating the recipient's personal data has been compromised and is at risk for identity theft. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service advises recipients to return unopened packages, change passwords, monitor credit reports, and report suspicious activity to authorities and e-commerce platforms.
fortune.com
A 35-year-old Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded six women across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas of approximately $1.88 million between 2019 and 2024. Using fake identities such as "Williams Moore," "Manuel Sykes," and "Edward Nowak," Nwadavid posed as an oil rig worker and other professionals to build romantic relationships with vulnerable women online, then solicited money under false pretenses including medical emergencies and inheritance claims. The case highlights the growing threat of romance scams targeting women over 60, which
yahoo.com
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old married Nigerian real estate worker, pleaded guilty to running a sophisticated romance scam that defrauded six women across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas of approximately $1.88 million between January and June 2019. Using fake identities, he posed as men working on oil rigs or in overseas positions, love-bombing vulnerable victims and convincing them to send money for medical emergencies or travel expenses, with one victim losing over $896,000. The case reflects a broader epidemic of romance scams targeting older adults, with the FBI reporting nearly 18,000 complaints in 2024
foxnews.com
Social Security Administration phishing scams use urgent, alarming messages impersonating government agencies to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading files that steal personal data or install malware. These scams leverage fear and false authority by falsely claiming SSNs are suspended due to serious crimes like money laundering, and often include multiple geographic references and official-sounding details to overwhelm victims into panic-driven action before they can verify the threat.
golocalprov.com
A Boston truck repair company, Middlesex Truck and Coach, discovered that Chase Bank had fraudulently opened an account under its name without identification verification, which was then used by foreign scammers to collect proceeds from victims of "pig-butchering" schemes—elaborate investment scams that defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The account was part of a sophisticated international money laundering operation linked to Asian crime syndicates that funnel stolen U.S. funds through fake bank accounts and cryptocurrency, with pig-butchering scams alone generating an estimated $44 billion annually across Southeast Asia and affecting millions of victims worldwide.
thegazette.com
A reshipping scam targeting job seekers has resurged, where applicants believe they are hired for remote "warehouse distribution coordinator" positions with attractive salaries ($3,000+) and minimal hours, but are instead asked to share personal information (Social Security cards, driver's licenses) and unknowingly repackage and ship items purchased with stolen credit cards and banking information. The scam provides no actual paychecks while victims become complicit in moving illegally obtained goods, with employment scams ranking second in BBB Scam Tracker reports for 2024. Red flags include requests for personal/financial information, email-only interviews, unrealistic pay-to-work ratios, and the
pymnts.com
Cisco Talos research reveals a surge in callback phishing scams where attackers impersonate well-known brands via phishing emails containing PDFs with fake logos and phone numbers, tricking victims into calling attacker-controlled lines and disclosing sensitive information or installing malware. Security experts warn that the rise of AI and gaps in identity protection for nonstandard applications are creating new vulnerabilities that criminals are actively exploiting.
abc27.com
The FBI issued an alert about Scattered Spider, a cybercriminal group targeting the airline industry through social engineering attacks that exploit human trust rather than technical vulnerabilities. Elderly individuals are identified as particularly vulnerable to these scams, which include phishing emails, impersonation of trusted figures, and increasingly sophisticated AI-generated deepfakes; experts recommend verifying requests through official channels, limiting personal information shared online, and establishing identity verification protocols with family members.
vocal.media
This educational guide advises overseas daters on avoiding romance scams in 2025 by emphasizing the importance of using reputable dating platforms with strong security features, verifying profiles through video calls and reverse image searches, understanding cultural differences, and recognizing red flags such as requests for money, avoidance of video calls, and inconsistent personal details. The article notes that scammers increasingly exploit international daters through sophisticated AI-generated profiles, deepfakes, catfishing, and emotional manipulation, taking advantage of language barriers and physical distance.
tradingview.com
A malicious GitHub project called "solana-pumpfun-bot" deceived users into downloading what appeared to be a legitimate Solana trading bot, but actually contained hidden malicious code that scanned victims' systems and stole their private cryptocurrency keys. The attacker used fake GitHub accounts to artificially boost the project's credibility through stars and forks, making it appear trustworthy despite being uploaded only three weeks prior. Security researchers advise users to avoid running cryptocurrency tools that access wallets on their main systems and to test such projects only in isolated, sandboxed environments.
ainvest.com
The U.S. Department of Justice, with assistance from Tether, recovered $40,300 in cryptocurrency from a scam impersonating the Trump inauguration committee, in which victims were deceived by spoofed email addresses with subtle character differences into sending crypto donations they believed were legitimate political contributions. The scammers used phishing messages sent on December 24, 2024, to trick victims into depositing funds into fraudulent wallets, which were then laundered through multiple addresses within hours. Law enforcement officials warn that such impersonation scams cost Americans billions annually and recommend victims verify email addresses, URLs, and official channels before sending any cryptocurrency or assets.
uk.style.yahoo.com
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foxnews.com
Cybercriminals have created over 120,000 fake Amazon websites ahead of Amazon Prime Day (July 8-11) designed to steal shoppers' information through phishing traps, malware, and fraudulent listings. While Amazon removed 55,000 phishing sites and 12,000 fraudulent phone numbers in 2024 and partners with law enforcement, consumers should protect themselves by shopping only through official Amazon channels, verifying URLs, avoiding gift card payment requests, and enabling two-factor authentication.
catholicnewsagency.com
A new anti-fraud initiative called "Protecting the Faithful," led by cybersecurity expert Theresa Payton, has been launched to combat rising scams targeting Catholic parishes and followers of Catholic public figures. Scammers are impersonating priests via email soliciting donations and impersonating celebrities like actor Jonathan Roumie on social media, offering fake promises in exchange for money. The campaign distributes educational materials highlighting red flags such as requests to move conversations to encrypted apps, claims of personal backup accounts, and suspicious links, while urging victims to report incidents to local police and the FBI's IC3.gov without shame.
yahoo.com
Con artists posing as government officials scammed a Washington man out of $500,000 by claiming his Social Security Number had been stolen and pressuring him to liquidate his accounts and hand over cash to a supposed federal courier for "safekeeping." At least 47 victims have come forward across Washington State in what authorities believe is part of a much larger scheme that cost Americans $577 million in Social Security imposter scams during 2024 alone. To protect yourself, watch for three red flags—fear-based messaging, artificial urgency, and demands for secrecy—and never act on such claims without verifying directly with official government sources or trusted contacts.
the-sun.com
A Georgia woman named Dorothy lost $30,000 to a "task scam" after responding to a text message offering remote work; the scammers built trust by making initial legitimate payments, then demanded increasingly larger amounts of money under the guise of corrective fees before disappearing. The scam involved fraudulent company credentials, and Dorothy paid via PayPal, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency. The FTC warns that task scams are increasingly common, typically luring victims with unsolicited texts promising remote work in "app optimization" or "product boosting," gaining trust through small initial payments, then requesting larger investments to continue.