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bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old Thai engineer lost 8.46 million baht (approximately $240,000 USD) to call center scammers impersonating Department of Special Investigation (DSI) officials who claimed he was involved in money laundering. The scammers used forged documents, continuous calls over seven days, and threats of asset confiscation to coerce him into making 11 wire transfers from multiple bank accounts, while keeping him isolated and on the phone throughout. The victim only realized he was scammed when he informed his father, and recovery efforts through his banks have been unsuccessful so far.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Tampa woman lost $4,500 to a phishing scam after clicking a link in a text message impersonating Florida's SunPass toll system, which led to 25 fraudulent charges at stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The scam exemplifies a national surge in toll-related phishing fraud, where scammers send mass texts threatening license suspension or credit damage to pressure victims into entering payment information on fake portals. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unsolicited text links, verify messages directly with agencies through official websites, be skeptical of urgent threats, enable bank alerts, and report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM).
hometownnewsbrevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Helping Seniors of Brevard partnered with AARP Florida to present a free educational event called "Scam Jam" on May 16 in Melbourne designed to help seniors recognize and protect themselves from common fraud schemes. The event features workshops on prevalent scams including Nigerian lottery schemes, romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, grandparent scams, and identity theft, with experts emphasizing warning signs such as pressure tactics, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, and poor grammar. The organization stresses that seniors should slow down, verify requests with others, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement to help prevent victimization.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Tampa woman lost $4,500 after clicking a link in a text message impersonating Florida's SunPass toll system, which led her to enter her debit card information on a fake payment portal; scammers then made 25 fraudulent purchases at Staples stores over three days. This case exemplifies a national surge in toll-related phishing scams, with the FTC reporting Americans lost $470 million to text-message scams in 2024—five times the 2020 total—and older adults facing particularly high vulnerability. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify messages directly with official agencies, be w
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old Indian student, Kishan Kumar Singh, was arrested in North Carolina for impersonating a federal agent and attempting to defraud a 78-year-old woman by convincing her that her bank accounts were compromised and pressuring her to withdraw cash for "safekeeping"; he was apprehended when arriving to collect the money. This marks the third arrest of an Indian student in two weeks for targeting elderly Americans through similar government impersonation scams, with Singh now facing felony charges including attempted theft and elder exploitation under a $1 million bond.
northpennnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman narrowly avoided losing money to a sophisticated tech support scam that impersonated Norton antivirus, Microsoft, and her bank to pressure her into purchasing cryptocurrency, claiming she faced arrest due to child pornography on her computer. The Federal Trade Commission reported Americans lost between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to financial scams in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with experts citing artificial intelligence, dark web data access, and lack of federal oversight as enabling factors that make scams increasingly convincing and difficult to report or recover from.
wyff4.com
· 2025-12-08
AI voice-mimicking scams emerged as a major threat in 2025, with scammers using artificial intelligence to impersonate family members in distress to solicit emergency payments. A victim named Dee Dee nearly lost $9,500 after receiving a convincing call from what sounded like her grandson claiming he needed bail money for a car accident, but was stopped just in time by her daughter's intervention. The article recommends families establish secret code words to verify caller identity when unexpected financial requests are made.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts are warning of an increase in REAL ID-related scams as the federal enforcement deadline approaches on May 7, 2025. Scammers are impersonating DMVs via email, text, phone calls, and spoofed websites to trick people into providing personal information such as names, Social Security numbers, and addresses by claiming they can expedite the REAL ID process for a fee. The Colorado DMV clarifies it never contacts individuals directly requesting payment or personal information, and advises people to report suspicious messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or Federal Trade Commission rather than clicking links or sharing details.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, over 859,000 Americans filed complaints with the FBI about internet scams, resulting in $16.6 billion in losses—a 33% increase from the previous year. Investment scams caused the largest losses at $6.5 billion, while seniors aged 60+ were disproportionately targeted, losing $2.5 billion to various schemes including tech support scams ($1 billion among seniors alone), business email compromise ($2.7 billion), call center scams ($1.9 billion), and grandparent scams. The FBI advises vigilance against suspicious links, unsolicited remote access requests, and urgent money transfer requests, recomm
theedgemalaysia.com
· 2025-12-08
Two major fraud incidents in Malaysia highlight the growing threat of AI-enabled scams targeting even sophisticated financial institutions. A Maybank CFO nearly fell victim to a deepfake scheme involving an AI-generated Zoom call impersonating a colleague, which attempted to facilitate an unauthorized US$985,426 transfer, while a subsequent breach of the Malaysian stock trading system resulted in unauthorized trades potentially totaling RM10 million, with at least one investor losing RM500,000 in an earlier, initially overlooked hack.
ranker.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not a traditional scam news story but rather a collection of Reddit posts discussing controversial situations involving scam-adjacent behavior. The pieces highlight disputes where individuals either refused to participate in fraud (a roommate's government rental assistance scheme) or were accused of unfair dealing (an inheritance disagreement), illustrating how scam-related ethical dilemmas divide public opinion online.
odishabytes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old BCom student from Rourkela, Odisha, was arrested for orchestrating a digital arrest scam that defrauded a 73-year-old retired government employee in Kolkata of Rs 49 lakh in February 2024. The accused and his 25-year-old brother posed as authorities, claiming they had intercepted a parcel with her documents and foreign currency, then confined her to "digital house arrest" and coerced her to transfer funds via RTGS; the scam was discovered when her concerned son in Bengaluru alerted neighbors, leading to the arrest in May after investigation by Kolkata and Uditn
indiawest.com
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old Indian student, Kishan Kumar Singh, was arrested in North Carolina for impersonating a federal agent to defraud a 78-year-old woman into withdrawing money under the false claim her bank accounts were compromised. Singh faces felony charges including elder exploitation and is being held on a $1 million bond, part of a growing pattern of Indian students involved in elder fraud schemes targeting seniors nationwide.
theadvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
**Educational Presentation on Elder Fraud Prevention**
Sharon Creque of the Louisiana Attorney General's office presented to the Zachary Rotary Club on April 24 about the growing threat of elder fraud, which includes fake IRS calls, Medicare fraud, and identity theft targeting seniors through sophisticated scams. Key prevention measures include never sharing personal or financial information on unsolicited calls, hanging up on suspicious callers, using caller ID to block unknowns, and avoiding unfamiliar email links that may contain malware. The presentation emphasized that many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment or confusion, and encouraged community awareness and reporting through the state attorney general's office.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Virginia hosted an interactive "Whodunnit: Spot the Scammer" event in Richmond on April 10, 2025, attracting over 30 participants to learn about common fraud schemes affecting older adults. The educational event featured a fictional case study of a retiree targeted by romance, sweepstakes, and IRS scams, with volunteers providing information on how to recognize and avoid these frauds, addressing the 57,867 fraud reports filed in Virginia during 2024. AARP's Fraud Watch Network offers free support through their helpline at 877-908-3360, answering approximately 500 calls daily to help fraud victims and provide
southwestledger.news
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 54, of Pawnee, Oklahoma was charged with five felonies for laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) in Florida, Utah, and Texas between September and December 2024. The victims, who believed they were in romantic relationships with a man using the alias "Maurice Dinero," sent funds via Apple gift cards, cash, checks, and wire transfers to accounts Echohawk controlled, which she converted to cryptocurrency and forwarded to an unknown suspect. If convicted, Echohawk faces 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,
thehackernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity researchers identified two threat actor groups—Reckless Rabbit and Ruthless Rabbit—operating investment scams that use spoofed celebrity endorsements on social media to direct victims to fake cryptocurrency exchanges and investment platforms. The scammers collect personal and financial information through deceptive web forms, validate victims using IP geolocation tools, and route qualified targets through traffic distribution systems to either steal funds directly or connect them with call centers that coach them into depositing money. Both groups primarily target users in Eastern Europe and use domain generation algorithms and cloaking services to evade detection.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides consumer awareness about emerging tariff-related scams rather than reporting a specific fraud incident. The main scam types include: fake government emails impersonating U.S. Customs demanding direct tariff payments (identifiable by non-.gov domains and recent registration dates), fraudulent shipping company messages claiming packages are held for tariff fees, and counterfeit factory shopping schemes promoted on social media. Consumers should remember that tariffs are passed through higher prices, not paid directly, and should verify any suspicious communications through official company websites and customer service.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida man was scammed out of $55,000 after a caller posing as a Wells Fargo employee claimed his account was under investigation and instructed him to withdraw cash and surrender it in person; the suspect, Terol Castel Lyn, also impersonated an FBI agent to pressure additional payments before being arrested in a sting operation. This case reflects a broader surge in elder fraud, with Americans over 60 reporting $4.8 billion in losses to internet crimes in 2024—a 40% increase from 2023—with impersonation scams being the most common tactic. Key protective measures include refusing cash withdrawal requests, independently ver
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian national, Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for his role in an international inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending fraudulent letters falsely claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from deceased overseas relatives, then convincing them to send money for delivery fees and taxes that never resulted in any actual inheritance payments. The investigation was conducted by ICE, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and international law enforcement agencies from the UK, Spain, and Portugal.
washingtontimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn that digital REAL ID scams are targeting immigrants, seniors, and time-pressed individuals as the TSA enforced stricter identification requirements for domestic air travel beginning May 7, 2025. Scammers use fake websites, phishing emails, and text messages impersonating government agencies to steal personal information and financial data, with losses from government imposter scams surging from $171 million in 2023 to $789 million in 2024. Experts emphasize that REAL ID can only be obtained in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles office with original government-issued documents, and legitimate government agencies never request personal information electronically.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers targeted Chicago residents rushing to meet the REAL ID deadline by sending fraudulent texts and emails impersonating government agencies, with messages offering to expedite the process for payment, claiming fines were due, or directing people to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information. Security researchers warned that the Department of Homeland Security and DMV never request personal details via email or text, and that victims should report suspicious messages to the Federal Trade Commission and expect these scams to continue even after the deadline passes.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Jury duty scams involve fraudsters impersonating government officials or court workers who contact victims by phone, email, or text claiming they missed jury service and must pay a fine immediately or face arrest. Scammers use threatening language, phishing tactics, requests for personal information (like Social Security numbers), and demand payment via untraceable methods such as cryptocurrency, gift cards, or payment apps. Legitimate courts never request payment over the phone for missed jury service, and actual summonses and notices are only sent via USPS mail with fines issued only after repeated ignored notices.
tvmnews.mt
· 2025-12-08
In the first three months of the year, fraudulent investment schemes in Malta surged dramatically, with losses exceeding €40,000 more than the entire amount defrauded in the previous year. Common scams included fake investment schemes (11 cases totaling €200,000), phishing and account credential theft (1,700 customers losing €300,000), romance fraud (5 cases with €68,000 lost in three months), and business email compromise schemes (five businesses swindled of €170,000). Bank of Valletta officials noted that young people and adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to social media exposure, and the bank is launching enhanced educational campaigns and webinars
san.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated accounts impersonating people with disabilities on social media to build followings and solicit donations, with at least 30 such accounts identified that often fail to disclose their artificial nature. This fraud trend is part of a broader epidemic in which Americans lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% that year and resulting in $3.4 billion in losses. Experts recommend triple-checking charity legitimacy before donating, staying informed about evolving cyber threats, and securing personal information, while lawmakers push for stronger protections including the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act.
chicagocrusader.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 75 seniors and family members attended a Fraud and Scam Prevention Seminar in Chicago on May 6, presented by JPMorgan Chase, the Chicago Police Department, and Chicago Commons, to learn protective strategies against financial fraud targeting older Americans. Illinois residents lost over $324 million to scams in the previous year, with seniors remaining highly vulnerable, and the event educated participants on common tactics including romance fraud, fake IRS calls, tech support scams, and impersonation schemes using the "Four Ps" framework (Pretend, Problem/Prize, Payment, Pressure). Attendees received practical guidance on fraud prevention, including setting up account alerts, using unique passwords, enabling
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scammers stole a record $12.5 billion from consumers in 2024, with text message scams alone accounting for $470 million in losses and phone scams averaging $1,500 per victim. Michigan Legacy Credit Union partnered with Wayne State University's Institute of Gerontology to train employees in fraud prevention, enabling staff to identify and stop scams through careful questioning—such as one incident where a teller prevented a woman from withdrawing $20,000 after confirming her daughter was not actually in jail. The initiative focuses on educating consumers and front-line workers to recognize common impersonation schemes involving government agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, and local
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Between December 2023 and February 2025, the FBI received over 100 reports of scammers impersonating FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) employees to defraud victims via email, phone, social media, and online forums. The scammers typically claim to have recovered lost funds or offer recovery assistance, then request upfront "recovery fees," sensitive personal and financial information (including Social Security numbers, bank account details, and cryptocurrency credentials), or payment for fake "extraction software." Victims can protect themselves by recognizing red flags such as spoofed email addresses, urgent language, unsolicited requests for sensitive data, and suspicious attachments or links, and by reporting fraudulent
people.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are creating fraudulent websites claiming to offer REAL IDs online without requiring in-person DMV visits, capitalizing on confusion and urgency as the federal REAL ID requirement took effect on May 7, 2025. To obtain a legitimate REAL ID, applicants must visit their local DMV in person with required documentation; consumers should avoid any online offers and never provide bank account or credit card information. The BBB advises reporting suspicious websites to the BBB Scam Tracker.
da.sonomacounty.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Elana Cohen-Roth, an 81-year-old retired IRS agent, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison after a jury convicted her of 23 felony counts of financial fraud. Over a seven-year period (2013-2019), Cohen-Roth exploited her professional and personal relationship with an elderly Sonoma County victim to defraud her of approximately $1 million through a Ponzi scheme, promising guaranteed 10% returns on fake real estate investments while using the funds to support her lifestyle and pay earlier investors. The victim, who began with $1 million in investments and her own home, was left financially destit
whiznews.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio's Department of Commerce and Department of Aging are raising awareness about the growing number of scams targeting seniors, noting that scammers exploit older adults due to perceived vulnerability and financial stability, while victims often avoid reporting due to shame and fear. Key fraud threats include voice-cloning scams using AI technology, romance scams that exploit emotional connections to steal tens of thousands of dollars, and unsolicited contact attempts. The state recommends seniors avoid responding to unknown contacts, verify identities before sharing information, resist high-pressure tactics, and utilize available resources from the Department of Aging to protect themselves.
jamestownsun.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a joint investigation, Western Union agreed to pay $586 million and admitted to aiding wire fraud, with the U.S. Department of Justice using these funds to refund victims of various scams (employment, romance, grandparent, advance fee loan, and timeshare schemes) who transferred money through Western Union between January 1, 2004, and January 19, 2017. Fraud victims have until May 31 to file claims for refunds, though the verification and payment process may take up to a year, and refunds will depend on the amount lost and the total number of valid claims submitted.
hk-now.com
· 2025-12-08
Killingworth's Committee on Aging held a two-hour Scam and Fraud Prevention Program on May 3, 2025, where attorney Don Phillips, legal services representative Erica Basoli, and State Trooper Rick Mulhall educated seniors about common fraud schemes including bank/credit card scams, gift card fraud, home repair scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and fake prize offers. The presenters advised seniors to avoid sharing personal information on social media, resist urgency tactics, report all scams to authorities, and verify legitimacy through official channels, while emphasizing that legitimate businesses should be registered, insured, and provide written contracts.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns consumers about gift card scams that surge around holidays like Mother's Day. Scammers use urgent tactics—impersonating government agencies or family members—to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards and sharing the codes, exploiting the holiday shopping season. The article identifies key red flags including demands for gift card payments, specific brand recommendations, artificial urgency, and requests for secrecy.
klarna.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide from Klarna outlines common fraud and scam types affecting consumers, including phishing, impersonation, fake investment schemes, robocalls, online shopping fraud, job scams, and scams targeting elderly individuals. The article advises protecting personal information by never sharing credentials unsolicited, recognizing red flags such as unexpected urgent requests, untrustworthy websites, and promises that seem too good to be true, and verifying merchant legitimacy through store reviews, return policies, and contact information before making purchases.
ktnv.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are exploiting post-Real ID deadline confusion by using fake websites, AI-generated phone calls, and phishing messages to impersonate government agencies like the DMV and TSA, attempting to steal personal information including Social Security numbers and payment details. Red flags include unsolicited urgent messages with suspicious links, requests for sensitive data via text or email, and offers to expedite Real ID online—a process that requires mandatory in-person DMV interviews. Authorities emphasize that the DMV will never initiate contact about Real ID applications, and there are no legitimate online shortcuts to obtain the credential.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired IRS agent, 81-year-old Elana Cohen-Roth, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded a Sonoma County elderly woman of $1 million in life savings between 2013 and 2019. Cohen-Roth, who had gained the victim's trust while preparing her taxes, promised guaranteed 10% returns on bogus investments and used funds from multiple victims to pay off earlier "investors" while financing her own lavish lifestyle. The victim, age 73 at the time the scheme collapsed in 2020, went from owning a home and having $1 million in investments to financial
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
CNET advises fraud victims to report scams to the Federal Trade Commission and FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, even if no money was lost, as these reports help authorities identify trends, educate the public, and build cases against criminals. The FTC received over 3.4 million complaints last year with only 38% involving monetary losses, and victims can also take steps like freezing credit, contacting their bank, or using identity theft protection services to mitigate damage.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraud cost Americans $12.5 billion with a median loss of $1,500 per victim, with many incidents involving imposters posing as banks, retailers, or government agencies. Common scams include fraudulent bank charge texts, arrest threat calls demanding payment to avoid police action, fake USPS or Amazon messages requesting payment details, and official-looking property tax bills targeting recent homebuyers. Consumers should verify suspicious communications by contacting official numbers or agencies directly rather than using contact information from the suspicious message itself.
money.rediff.com
· 2025-12-08
The CBI conducted raids at 42 locations across eight Indian states and arrested five people for illegally selling SIM cards used in digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes. The operation, part of Operation Chakra V, targeted telecom point-of-sale agents allegedly colluding with cybercriminals to issue unauthorized SIM cards for various frauds including digital arrest scams, impersonation, investment fraud, and UPI fraud. Authorities seized mobile phones, electronic devices, KYC documents, and other incriminating evidence during the searches.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Nationwide Building Society warns that romance scams result in victims rarely recovering their money, with scammers typically disappearing after funds are sent. In 2022, romance fraud cost UK victims £31.3 million, with 29% of online daters reporting being asked for money by someone they haven't met in person, and over half complying with these requests. The institution advises victims to immediately contact their bank with evidence and outlines seven prevention steps, including staying on reputable platforms, avoiding money discussions before meeting in person, conducting background research on potential matches, and consulting trusted friends or family about new relationships.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns new college graduates to be cautious of four main scam types during their transition to post-college life: fake student loan forgiveness programs that charge fees for services, fraudulent tuition collection schemes demanding immediate payment via wire transfer, deceptive job offers promising high pay for remote entry-level positions while requesting personal/banking information or training fees, and fake graduation gifts or scholarships requesting personal information or processing fees. Graduates are advised to understand their actual loan terms, verify communications directly with institutions, research companies before applying for jobs, and be skeptical of unsolicited offers.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warns that tax scams and identity theft threats persist year-round, not just during tax season, highlighting top schemes including phishing attacks, W-2 fraud, fake charities, and new client scams targeting both individuals and businesses. The agency recommends protective measures such as using multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, anti-malware software, and reporting suspicious activity to [email protected], while maintaining secure business information like EINs and remaining cautious of disaster-related fraud schemes.
nkytribune.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year, with investment scams accounting for $5.7 billion in losses. Adults aged 60+ are particularly vulnerable, having lost $3.4 billion in 2023 alone to scams including tech support, grandparent, and government impersonation schemes. The article recommends consumers verify caller identity by hanging up and calling their bank directly, never share account credentials or one-time access codes, and ignore unsolicited payment requests, as legitimate banks will never ask for such information.
daijiworld.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old man from Kasargod lost Rs 42.41 lakh after investing in a fraudulent online trading platform on February 29, 2025, with cyber police now investigating the case. The article advises that vigilance is essential to avoid such scams: never share banking details or OTPs, disregard threats of "digital arrest" (which does not exist in Indian law), and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
neworleanscitybusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters posed as Norton antivirus, Microsoft, and her bank, threatening her with arrest and claiming hackers had transferred $18,000 to Russian accounts unless she purchased cryptocurrency. She avoided losing money after recalling that a friend had lost $800,000 to a similar scam and hung up the phone. Experts note that artificial intelligence, dark web data access, and lack of federal oversight have made financial scams increasingly believable and effective, with Americans losing between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to such schemes in 2023-2024.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Nicole Yelland fell victim to an elaborate job scam in January involving scammers impersonating a real company's hiring manager, who refused to turn on their camera during a video interview and requested sensitive personal information like her driver's license number. According to the FTC, job and employment-related scams have nearly tripled from 2020 to 2024, with losses increasing from $90 million to $500 million, fueled by AI tools that make it easier for fraudsters to create convincing fake personas and deepfakes. To combat these digital imposter scams, professionals are employing both high-tech solutions (AI detection startups, biometric verification) and low-tech
valpo.life
· 2025-12-08
Americans lose $10 billion annually to scams, with older adults being particularly vulnerable due to lower confidence in recognizing fraudulent schemes and varying levels of tech-savviness. Common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud, sweetheart scams (which cost people over 60 nearly $367 million in 2023), imposter scams, advance fee scams, investment scams, gift card scams, emergency wire transfers, and phishing attempts. To protect yourself, understand how scams operate—scammers pose as trusted entities and create urgent situations to pressure you into sharing money or personal information—and avoid clicking unknown links, verify requests by calling institutions directly, and be skeptical of
crosstimbersgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud—a 25% increase from 2023—with text message scams accounting for $470 million in losses alone. The article provides protective measures against common scams including text/email fraud, Medicare enrollment scams, and impersonation calls, advising consumers to verify requests through official channels, scrutinize sender information, and never provide Social Security numbers to unsolicited callers. Victims should report suspected scams to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338.