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birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays issued a warning about romance scams, revealing that while men account for 59% of reported cases, female victims lose significantly more money—averaging £8,900 compared to £3,500 for men. The bank urged customers to verify the identity of new romantic interests before transferring money and called for tech companies and governments to implement stronger anti-scam measures, particularly on social media platforms and dating apps where these scams primarily originate.
motor1.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer used deepfaked audio to impersonate Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna in WhatsApp messages and a phone call to another company executive, attempting to manipulate them into approving a "big acquisition" requiring discretion. The executive became suspicious due to the unusual phone number used for the messages and, when asked to verify details during the call, the imposter hung up after failing to answer a security question. The incident highlights the emerging threat of voice deepfake technology being used for corporate fraud and espionage, with companies needing to develop new employee training protocols to detect such scams.
home.barclays
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are rising seasonally, with claim values up 139% in May/June 2024 compared to March/April, and July 2023 accounting for 12% of all annual romance scam claims. While men represent 59% of romance scam victims, women lose significantly more per incident (averaging £8,900 versus £3,500 for men), with a 43% increase in reports from women during the peak period. The majority of romance scams originate on dating apps (35%) and social media (44%), with one-third of British consumers reporting they've avoided online dating due to scam fears.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has ordered all phone companies to block international scam calls that spoof UK landline numbers, with implementation required by January 2025, after fraudsters have exploited this technique for years to impersonate banks and government departments. Spoofed number scams contributed to £1.17 billion in unauthorized and authorized fraud across the UK in 2023, with one 2019 investigation revealing a dozen victims collectively lost £290,000 to this scam method.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Kelly Mitchell, 58, had her Facebook account hacked and used to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme through fake images and religious messaging—a tactic combining impersonation and "pig butchering" scams where criminals pose as trusted contacts to solicit ongoing investments. According to FTC data, cryptocurrency scams cost Americans $1.41 billion across 47,537 reports in 2023, with experts recommending basic security measures like two-factor authentication and strong passwords as essential protection against these increasingly common social media fraud attacks.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 400 New Hampshire residents age 60 and older lost over $11 million to scams in 2023, with tech support fraud being the most common type and romance scams causing the highest financial losses. Seniors are disproportionately targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, while scammers increasingly use online tactics like phishing and email scams targeting Baby Boomers with computer skills. Experts attribute the rise in elder fraud to increased online activity that exposes personal information, scammers' use of impersonation and research tactics, and significant underreporting due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60 and older lost more than $11 million to fraud in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own their homes, making them attractive victims for scammers who pose as bankers, government agents, IT experts, and romantic partners. Tech support scams are the most common form of elder fraud, while romance and confidence scams result in the largest financial losses, though experts note these crimes are vastly underreported due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
courier-journal.com
· 2025-12-08
Juan Carlos Arcena Cabrera, a New York resident, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison for defrauding a Kentucky senior of $59,000 through a "grandparent scam" in which he posed as the victim's grandson claiming an emergency need for money. Cabrera, who pleaded guilty to targeting multiple victims over years, coordinated with others to fabricate scenarios such as car accidents or legal troubles, then repeatedly contacted victims impersonating attorneys and professionals to extract additional funds. The case is part of a national trend of grandparent scams that the U.S. Justice Department has prioritized, with some scammers using voice-cloning technology to increase authent
richmondregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration sent legitimate emails in recent months notifying recipients of updates to their online "my Social Security" accounts, which align with federal authentication standards and provide safer account access. The article advises recipients to verify emails by visiting www.ssa.gov directly and warns against fraudulent websites mimicking SSA links that attempt to steal personal information, recommending suspicious emails be reported to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at 800-269-0271.
bestlifeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Geek Squad scam is a phishing scheme where fraudsters impersonate Best Buy's legitimate tech support service, sending fake renewal invoices or emails claiming a membership is about to be charged or has already been renewed for a substantial amount. When victims call the provided number to cancel, they reach scammers posing as Geek Squad representatives who attempt to extract personal information, financial details, or computer access. Consumers can protect themselves by verifying communications directly through official Geek Squad channels, being skeptical of unsolicited renewal notices, and never providing sensitive information or remote access to callers they haven't independently verified.
moneyweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam losses during May and June compared to the previous two months, with men averaging £3,500 in losses and women £8,900 per incident. Romance scammers create fake online profiles on dating apps and social media to build false romantic relationships before requesting money for claimed emergencies. To protect against these scams, people should verify online profiles through reverse image searches, ask probing questions, never send money to online-only contacts, and report suspicious accounts immediately.
standard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays Bank reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports between March-April and May-June 2024, with scammers posing as romantic interests to manipulate victims into sending money or personal information. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 versus £3,500 for men), and reports from female victims increased 43% during the period. The bank urged people to verify the identity of online romantic interests before sending money and emphasized that romance scams often originate on dating apps, social media, and websites.
du.edu
· 2025-12-08
The Paul Freeman Financial Security Program at the University of Denver expanded the Colorado Older Adults Financial Justice Coalition to combat elder financial fraud, which costs older Americans over $20 billion annually. The coalition brings together state agencies, advocacy organizations, and researchers to develop prevention tools and frameworks that address the complex relationship between cognitive health, financial decision-making, and vulnerability to exploitation. The team is creating a financial vulnerability scale and training programs for frontline workers to identify and protect at-risk individuals across the lifespan.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60+ lost more than $11 million to scams in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, making them attractive to scammers who use impersonation tactics (posing as bankers, government agents, IT experts, romantic partners, and relatives) and increasingly sophisticated online methods like phishing and email scams. Tech support scams were the most common type nationally, while romance and confidence scams caused the highest losses in New Hampshire
halesowennews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam claims between March-April and May-June 2024, with women losing an average of £8,900 compared to men's £3,500 per incident, despite men reporting scams more frequently. Romance scams involve fraudsters posing as romantic interests to manipulate victims into sending money or personal information, often originating on dating apps, social media, and dating websites. The bank advises people to never send money to unmet individuals, verify identities before transfers, and report suspected scams to their bank and Action Fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays bank reported a 139% increase in romance scam claims between March-April and May-June 2024, with a 43% rise specifically among female victims who lose an average of £8,900 compared to men's average loss of £3,500. While men report romance scams more frequently, the analysis found that men are more willing to send money to newly-met online contacts, and the bank urged people to verify identities before transferring funds, emphasizing that scammers use sophisticated tactics and victims should not feel ashamed to report incidents.
chroniclelive.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports comparing March-April to May-June 2024, with women losing significantly more money on average (£8,900 versus £3,500 for men), though men report these scams more frequently. The bank found that romance scams, where perpetrators build false relationships to extract money or personal information, frequently originate on dating apps, social media, and dating websites, with a 43% increase in reports from women during the peak period. Barclays urged potential daters to verify identities before transferring money and emphasized the importance of reporting scams without shame, while calling for industry-wide collaboration to prevent fraud.
gbnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Barclays Bank warns of a sharp rise in romance scams, with a 139% increase in reported cases between March-June 2024 and losses reaching up to £9,000 per victim. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 vs. £3,500 for men), with female victims reporting a 43% increase in cases. The bank advises potential victims to verify the identity of online dating contacts before sending money, perform reverse image searches on profile photos, and seek advice from trusted contacts before transferring funds for urgent-sounding requests.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams peak during summer months, with a 139% increase in reported scam value from May to June compared to March to April, according to Barclays analysis. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money per incident—averaging £8,900 compared to men's £3,500—as scammers build trust to extract financial assistance. The bank also warns of wedding-related invoice scams and advises online daters to verify identities and be cautious of money requests from people they haven't met in person.
birminghammail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% year-on-year increase in romance scams from March-June 2024, with female victims losing significantly more money on average (£8,900) compared to male victims (£3,500), despite men representing the majority of romance scam reports. The scams typically originate on dating apps, social media, and dating websites, where perpetrators build trust before manipulating victims into sending money or personal information. The bank urged customers to verify the identity of new online contacts before transferring funds and emphasized the importance of reporting incidents without shame, as scammers use sophisticated tactics to exploit victims.
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, banks reported over $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity, with FBI reports indicating average losses exceeding $33,000 per case, driven partly by advanced AI technologies like voice cloning that enable realistic impersonation. Common scams targeting elders employ two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering attractive opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted confidants about unusual requests.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that children are increasingly vulnerable to online scams due to their inexperience and trust, with more than half of American children under 11 now owning smartphones. Common scams targeting kids include social media contests requesting personal information, deceptive free ringtone offers with hidden subscription fees, malware-infected video games, and webcam security breaches. The BBB recommends parents educate children about scams, establish internet safety rules, monitor downloads, use security software, and report suspected fraud to the BBB Scam Tracker or FTC.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam reports between March-April and May-June 2024, with scammers targeting victims through dating apps, websites, and social media. While men report romance scams more frequently, women lose significantly more money on average (£8,900 compared to £3,500 for men), and female reports increased 43% during the period studied. The bank advises verifying the identity of online romantic interests before sending money and emphasizes that victims should report scams without shame, as scammers use sophisticated tactics to build trust.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In June, 63 people in Singapore lost at least $10.6 million to scammers impersonating bank officers and government officials in a multi-stage fraud scheme. Victims received unsolicited calls from fraudsters claiming to be bank officers who reported suspicious transactions, then were transferred to additional scammers posing as police or Monetary Authority of Singapore officials who accused them of money laundering and pressured them to transfer funds to fake "safety accounts." Authorities stressed that government officials never request money transfers, personal information, or clicks to banking websites over the phone or text, and advised victims to enable two-factor authentication and verify suspicious claims through official channels.
gainesvilleregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration sent legitimate emails last month notifying recipients about updates to their online "My Social Security" accounts to align with federal authentication standards and improve security. The article warns seniors to verify any Social Security-related emails by checking the official SSA website (www.ssa.gov) rather than clicking links in emails, as scammers create fraudulent websites mimicking the agency's format to steal personal information.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received over 192,000 fraud reports from military consumers (active service members, veterans, retirees, and families), resulting in $477 million in total losses, with nearly one-third of reports involving actual financial loss. The most common scams targeting this population included imposter scams, online shopping fraud, investment schemes ($147 million from under 4,000 reports), identity theft (over 39,000 reports), housing scams, and fake government benefits schemes. Wisconsin officials emphasized that military consumers are disproportionately targeted by scammers and highlighted July as Military Consumer Protection Month to raise awareness.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing scams use text messages to trick people into clicking malicious links or calling scammer numbers, often impersonating delivery services or well-known companies to steal login credentials and personal data. These scams can result in identity theft, financial loss, and malware installation on devices. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication, contact companies directly using verified numbers, and report suspicious texts to the FTC by forwarding to 7726.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Taichung police issued a warning about a sextortion scam targeting young people on dating and video chat sites, where victims are persuaded to strip naked on camera and then blackmailed for money with threats to distribute the footage. Since the start of the year, police handled 718 cases of online sexual exploitation and blackmail, with male victims comprising over half, predominantly young adults and teenagers; in one case, a high school student was threatened for NT$60,000. Police urge victims to report incidents immediately, preserve evidence, and strengthen privacy settings, emphasizing that some victims have tragically taken their own lives due to pressure from repeated blackmail.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
Eight major digital tech companies (Google, Meta, Yahoo, X, Snap, TikTok, Discord, and Twitch) have voluntarily adopted an Australian Online Scams Code to combat fraud while the government develops mandatory legislation, committing to verify advertisers, screen for suspicious content, and increase intelligence sharing with regulators. The code addresses growing scam losses, particularly social media scams which reached $95 million in reported losses in 2023—a 250% increase since 2020—with most fraud originating from WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and online dating platforms.
picketfencemedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Assemblymember Laurie Davies hosted two senior scam awareness seminars in Oceanside and Vista that drew over 300 participants, highlighting that seniors in San Diego County lost $97.3 million to scams in 2023. The article outlines six common elder fraud schemes—including tech support, romance, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, and home repair scams—and advises seniors to verify suspicious calls directly with institutions, never share financial information over the phone, and report scams to local police to increase recovery chances and help law enforcement stop fraudsters.
wxxinews.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning about a scam targeting seniors nationwide in which fraudsters impersonate bank or government officials and convince victims to withdraw cash or purchase gold bars to "protect" their accounts, then send a courier to collect the assets and disappear. From May to December 2023, the Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded losses exceeding $55 million from this scheme, with individual victims losing up to $1 million or more. The FBI advises that legitimate officials never request account liquidation and urges people to refuse requests to meet unknown individuals for cash or precious metal transfers.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
From May to December, the FBI received over $55 million in complaints related to gold scams in which fraudsters impersonated government officials, falsely claimed victims' accounts were hacked, and sent couriers to collect cash or validate transactions. The agency warns that individual losses often exceed $500,000 and recommends protecting personal information, avoiding unsolicited pop-ups and unknown callers, and never allowing strangers computer access, with scam reports available at IC3.gov.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing scams use text messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or calling scammer-operated numbers, often impersonating legitimate delivery services or popular companies to steal login credentials and personal information. These scams are cheap and effective for criminals, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, and malware installation on victims' devices. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unknown links, enable two-factor authentication, contact companies directly using verified numbers, and report suspicious texts to the FTC by forwarding to 7726.
openaccessgovernment.org
· 2025-12-08
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals exploited vulnerable populations through phishing emails (up 220%), fake vaccine offers, and impersonation scams, with older adults particularly targeted due to limited digital literacy and social isolation. Impersonation scam cases doubled to 39,394 in 2020, romance scams increased 38%, and investment scams rose 32%, resulting in £479 million in Authorized Push Payment fraud losses in the UK with victims recovering only £206.9 million. Financial services firms are urged to implement continuous fraud awareness campaigns and change communication practices to avoid inadvertently training customers to fall victim to scams.
nationthailand.com
· 2025-12-08
The #ThaisAware campaign is a collaborative effort between TikTok and Thai government agencies (including the Bank of Thailand, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Consumer Protection Board) to combat rising online fraud through educational content and user-generated awareness videos. Thailand reported approximately 700 scams daily, with 19,960 online complaints in the first half of the year, primarily involving e-commerce fraud (43.44%), illegal websites (31.27%), and investment scams. The initiative aims to enhance digital literacy among Thai consumers to reduce vulnerability to online deception and support government efforts against cybercriminals.
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian internet fraudster Marcel, a 26-year-old "Yahoo boy" based in Abuja, destroyed evidence by hiding his phone in a toilet pipe when Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials raided his apartment building in May following a tip-off about suspected cybercriminals in the area. Though officers searched his room and discovered his phone charger, they did not locate the hidden device, and Marcel was not arrested during the raid, though he admitted to using the phone for "bombing and grinding" (finding and defrauding online victims) for over two years.
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
Two unlicensed contractors, John Francis McDonough (31) from Philadelphia and James Anthony Eugene Ward (25), were charged with operating a home improvement scam targeting elderly and vulnerable Long Island homeowners under the business name "Top Line Masonry." The men would deliberately damage properties and falsely report existing damage to solicit repair work, with Nassau County police reporting 31 home improvement scams this year—22 involving elderly victims—including one case where a homeowner was defrauded of $239,000. Both men face multiple felony charges including first-degree scheme to defraud, and investigators are still determining the total number of victims and amount defrauded by this pair.
disb.dc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource from DISB (District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking) provides information on common scam types to help consumers protect themselves during financial transactions. The tracker includes detailed examples of advance fee scams, affinity scams by licensed professionals, and credit card phishing scams, with specific case narratives and protective strategies such as verifying information directly with legitimate agencies and being cautious of unsolicited financial offers.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines three common cyber travel scams: clone websites that mimic legitimate travel companies to steal financial and personal information, brand impersonation through fake social media accounts and promotional giveaways, and fraudulent customer service accounts that exploit frustrated customers. The article advises travelers to verify website domains carefully, avoid booking through social media messages or unsolicited offers, and contact companies directly through official channels rather than responding to suspicious accounts.
bankinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
During a Senate hearing, Senator Richard Blumenthal revealed that Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo reimbursed only 38% of unauthorized Zelle transaction claims from 2021-2023, leaving consumers responsible for approximately $100 million in fraud losses, though the banks disputed these findings and claimed 100% reimbursement rates. The three largest banks collectively rejected scam disputes worth $560 million during this period and facilitate 73% of all Zelle transactions on the platform, which now handles $806 billion annually across 2,100 financial institutions. Bank representatives defended their fraud prevention efforts through technology and consumer education, while experts noted that
mediapost.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta removed over 60,000 Instagram accounts linked to sextortion scams operated by Nigerian cybercriminals ("Yahoo Boys") who primarily targeted adult men in the U.S. using fake identities, and also identified accounts attempting to target minors, which were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The company simultaneously removed approximately 7,200 additional assets from Facebook (including 1,300 accounts, 200 Pages, and 5,700 Groups) that were distributing scam guides and fake profile materials to facilitate fraud schemes.
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting senior citizens nationwide has reached the Rochester area, with reported losses exceeding $55 million in the second half of 2023. Scammers pose as tech support, finance, or government officials to convince victims their accounts are at risk, then persuade them to liquidate assets into cash, gold, or other valuables before taking control of the converted assets, sometimes using couriers. The FBI advises seniors not to convert assets based on unsolicited calls, avoid meeting unknown couriers, prevent unauthorized computer access, and report suspicious contacts immediately to ic3.gov or the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
gazettejournal.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, in which fraudsters pose as government officials via phone calls, emails, and text messages to steal personal information and money. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel emphasized that combating these scams requires coordination between federal agencies and the tax community to reach and protect vulnerable seniors and taxpayers.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Type:** Asset liquidation scam (posing as tech support, finance, or government officials)
**What Happened:** Scammers called senior citizens claiming their financial accounts were hacked or at risk, then convinced victims to convert assets into cash, gold, or silver, which the scammers then collected via courier or took control of remotely. The FBI reported over $55 million in losses nationwide from this scam in the second half of the previous year, with recent activity reported in the Rochester area.
**Key Prevention Tips:** Legitimate government agencies and businesses never ask you to convert assets to cash or valuables; avoid disclosing home addresses to unknown cal
minotdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Medora Musical in North Dakota has experienced a surge in fraudulent ticket reseller scams, with victims losing hundreds of dollars through fake tickets or drastically inflated prices (legitimate tickets range from $23.95–$74.95, while one victim paid $500). North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley warns consumers to purchase tickets only from authorized platforms and advises victims to file police reports and dispute charges with their credit card companies.
fairfaxhs.fcps.edu
· 2025-12-08
Four Fairfax High School students—Advik Atyam, David Nam, Nathan Kim, and Yousif al Atbi—created ScamCops, an award-winning educational website and AI chatbot designed to help seniors identify common scams, after each experienced personal scam losses. The project, which won first place in the 2024 Fairfax Area Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge, has expanded into a nonprofit with 2,000 website views and users across 36 countries, featuring a scam identification quiz, educational blog, and student volunteer "cops" who present at retirement homes. The initiative addresses a critical problem: according to the FTC, consumers lost over
colorado.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides international students—particularly those seeking employment through OPT programs—with guidance on identifying and avoiding common scams including threatening calls impersonating government officials, employment scams, phishing, spoofing, and gift card payment requests. The article advises students to report any scams to local police and federal agencies such as the FTC and ICE, and to immediately contact their financial institutions if they've already sent money to attempt reversal of fraudulent transactions.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian criminals are conducting widespread sextortion scams targeting American men on social media platforms, with Meta removing approximately 63,000 Nigerian accounts, 200 Facebook pages, and 5,700 groups used to coordinate these schemes. In these scams, criminals pose as attractive women to manipulate victims into sending nude photos, then extort money by threatening to release the images; the FBI reports at least 20 teen victims have died by suicide as a result. Meta is implementing protective measures including an auto-blur feature for nude images in Instagram DMs and recommends users exercise caution with unsolicited messages from accounts with highly polished photos.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Summer fraud incidents surge during peak travel season, with consumers losing over $10 billion to fraud annually, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Common scams include fake vacation rentals, phony hotel payment decline calls, counterfeit concert tickets, fraudulent cruise offers, and smishing texts about unpaid tolls—with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints related to toll collection scams. Experts advise using reputable booking sites, calling businesses directly to verify suspicious communications, purchasing tickets from official venues, and monitoring bank and credit accounts regularly for signs of identity theft.