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nbcbayarea.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers sent fraudulent text messages to Bay Area residents claiming they owed FasTrak toll fees and threatening late fees and legal action, with the goal of stealing credit card information for larger fraudulent purchases. The bogus messages originated from Philippine phone numbers and directed victims to fake payment websites, while FasTrak confirmed the company never requests payment via text. Residents can report these toll scams to the FBI at ic3.gov.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending phishing text messages to Los Angeles-area residents claiming they owe toll road fees for FastTrak Lane usage, threatening late penalties and license suspension to pressure payment through fraudulent websites. The Toll Roads authority clarifies it does not text non-account holders and advises recipients to disregard such messages, or verify authenticity by logging into their official Toll Roads account.
siasat.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, India experienced a surge in digital scams targeting individual citizens, with reported losses of approximately Rs 1,750 crore (about $210 million USD) across over 740,000 complaints, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. Major scam types included digital arrest fraud (affecting 92,323 victims who were threatened by impersonators claiming to be law enforcement), TRAI fraud calls, online investment scams, and dating fraud schemes that exploited victims through social media and dating apps. The Indian government predicts losses could reach Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($14.4 billion USD) in 2025
kfdi.com
· 2025-12-08
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett warns citizens about phishing emails designed to deliver malware, which falsely claim account issues like pending expiration, unauthorized purchases, or large deductions and urge recipients to click malicious links. The scams target users by impersonating legitimate services like streaming platforms, with investigators receiving fraudulent Paramount+ expiration notices despite having no subscription to the service. Bennett advises against clicking any links or buttons that appear to be from banks or financial institutions in suspicious emails.
lexology.com
· 2025-12-08
DeepFake technology—AI-generated audio, video, and images that convincingly impersonate real people—has already caused an estimated $12 billion in fraud losses and can be created for under $15 in less than 10 minutes. Scammers use DeepFakes to impersonate executives for financial fraud (one employee transferred $25.6 million after a fake CFO video call), manipulate employees via fake voice calls to access company data, and spread political misinformation. Users should verify online connections before sharing personal or financial information, as the technology makes traditional visual and audio verification unreliable.
wtxl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting cash-sharing apps like Venmo and PayPal by using stolen login credentials from data breaches or password-cracking technology to access accounts, then attempting to reset passwords before victims do by calling with untraceable numbers to extract security codes. Online fraud cases have nearly doubled since 2019 with losses reaching $12.5 billion last year, with tech support impersonation scams growing 175% year-over-year. The FTC recommends enabling two-step authentication on money-sharing accounts and never sharing security codes with anyone, as fraudsters commonly impersonate legitimate companies to trick users into revealing sensitive information.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers and hackers are employing increasingly sophisticated methods, including social engineering schemes and AI-generated voice/content, to target individuals in 2025. A cybersecurity expert recommends four key protections: using unique strong passwords stored securely, remaining vigilant against social engineering tactics on social media and professional platforms, establishing "secret word" protocols with family and friends to verify AI-generated calls, and staying alert to AI-enhanced phishing emails that are now grammatically correct and harder to identify.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides four cybersecurity recommendations for protecting against increasingly sophisticated online scams and hacking in 2025. The key strategies include: using unique, strong passwords with secure storage methods; recognizing social engineering tactics that build false relationships to steal information; establishing family code words to verify AI-generated voice calls; and remaining vigilant against improved phishing scams. The expert notes that while these practices require effort, they make individuals less attractive targets for cybercriminals.
bedfordbulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Bedford County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a scam targeting lost dog owners via text messages. Scammers claim to have found the missing dog through a "neighbor" and demand payment before revealing the dog's location, alleging the neighbor needs reimbursement for care costs.
outlookbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Artificial intelligence has become a powerful tool for fraudsters in India, with 64% of respondents reporting increased fraud and 67% struggling to keep pace with evolving threats. Scammers use AI techniques including voice cloning, deepfakes, synthetic identity creation, and personalized phishing to impersonate trusted figures and extract money from victims across all demographics, though senior citizens are particularly vulnerable; notably, 83% of voice scam victims in India have lost money to cloned voice fraud. Financial institutions and individuals must implement more sophisticated detection systems, as the combination of AI with social engineering and offline techniques proves especially dangerous by exploiting human psychology and bypassing traditional security measures.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, scammers are expected to escalate their targeting of consumers' money and identities, with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance reporting over $1 trillion in losses during 2024. Key emerging threats include AI-generated scams creating increasingly realistic fake websites and impersonation content, cryptocurrency investment scams using manipulated websites to simulate earnings, and text-based impersonation scams posing as job recruiters, banks, or family members—all made harder to detect as AI improves grammar and personalization. The FBI advises consumers to avoid quick reactions, scrutinize images for imperfections, and never send money via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash apps, as
timeslive.co.za
· 2025-12-08
KwaZulu-Natal police issued a warning after tourists visiting the Ilembe district municipality (including Ballito, Isithebe, and Zinkwazi Beach) fell victim to online scams involving fake accommodation bookings, counterfeit tour packages, and phishing schemes designed to steal personal and financial information. Police and local tourism authorities are investigating the fraudulent websites, social media pages, and email campaigns, and advise tourists to verify bookings through reputable platforms, avoid unrealistically cheap deals, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
whyy.org
· 2025-12-08
Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania rank among the nation's most vulnerable states for identity theft and fraud in 2025, with Delaware ranking second nationally due to high complaint rates and substantial financial losses, while Pennsylvania reported over 314 theft complaints per 100 residents and average losses of $8,228 per case in 2024. The vulnerability is attributed to rising data breaches from major companies, with U.S. consumers facing an estimated $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, and Pennsylvania's large senior population (2.6 million people aged 65+) identified as particularly susceptible to scams. State officials recommend public education initiatives, strong passwords, verification of websites, and family
southbendtribune.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau recommends adopting ten fraud-prevention resolutions for the new year to protect against scams, which include being cautious with emails, avoiding sending money to strangers, researching online retailers before purchasing, protecting personal information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, being cautious on social media, monitoring financial statements, and staying informed about emerging scams. Online purchase scams rank as the third riskiest scam type, and the BBB urges consumers to report suspected scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker and the FTC to help protect other consumers.
co.lincoln.or.us
· 2025-12-08
This educational tip sheet warns that scams increase at the start of the year through emails, texts, and phone calls, often impersonating legitimate agencies and threatening immediate payment via gift cards, Bitcoin, or money orders. The advice emphasizes verifying agency legitimacy through independent contact information lookup, bookmarking official websites, avoiding suspicious links, and remembering that legitimate agencies will not request passwords or demand payment through non-traditional methods. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office specifically clarifies it does not contact people about jury duty or solicit payments by phone or unconventional payment types.
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides best practices for protecting against scams in 2025, recommending that individuals safeguard social media privacy settings, avoid scanning suspicious QR codes, use strong passwords and passkeys, verify unexpected requests for personal information before responding, and stay informed about current fraud trends through reliable sources. The article emphasizes that scammers increasingly use social media, fake QR codes, and phishing emails impersonating trusted organizations to access personal data, and encourages readers to contact organizations directly through official channels to verify requests.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Shipping text scams ranked as the No. 2 scam of 2024, with scammers impersonating services like the US Postal Service to trick recipients into clicking malicious links via text messages. These links can download malware or direct users to phishing websites designed to steal personal information, credit card numbers, or cryptocurrency. The best protection is to avoid clicking links or responding to unexpected text messages from unknown senders.
identityweek.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Phishing attacks targeting senior executives at major companies like eBay and Beazley are increasing in sophistication, with attackers using AI-generated personalized communications that leverage scraped employee data to bypass basic security filters. These scams impersonate trustworthy entities and exploit human error among high-level employees to gain access to sensitive company and customer data. The use of generative AI makes fraudulent emails more convincing and harder to detect, creating significant security breach risks for large organizations and their customers.
rotary.org
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with impostor scams and email impersonations being increasingly common threats to individuals and organizations like Rotary clubs. Scammers are leveraging artificial intelligence tools and multiple communication channels (text, email, social media) to impersonate trusted contacts and request money, making fraud harder to detect and investigate. To protect yourself and your network, verify suspicious requests through alternative contact methods, report fraud promptly, and share alerts with your community, as most fraud goes unpunished and victims rarely recover their money.
ncsl.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters steal over $10 billion annually from Americans through evolving scams including identity theft, impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, with scammers increasingly using targeted tactics across email, text, social media, and chatbots rather than indiscriminate methods. Federal agencies including the FTC, FCC, and CFPB are responding with stronger enforcement tools, such as new rules against impersonation scams and data breach settlements, while increasing collaboration with state officials and emphasizing consumer education. Key initiatives focus on combating medical debt exploitation and financial crimes targeting older Americans.
maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational article from Citizens Advice East Berkshire identifies common New Year scams and prevention strategies, including romance/personal scams (where fraudsters build relationships to request money), sales scams (fake discounts and disreputable websites), and delivery/official message scams (fraudulent package delivery notifications). The advice emphasizes that scams affect approximately one in three adults, cause significant emotional impact, and can often be prevented by verifying requests through known contact numbers, being skeptical of unrealistic discounts, and never sending money to people you haven't met in person.
techbullion.com
· 2025-12-08
The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 792 people involved in cryptocurrency romance scams, including 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, and local accomplices, following a raid on a suspected fraud operation. The arrests came after authorities charged a Nigerian man with defrauding 139 Australians of $5 million through crypto schemes that used phishing links to steal victims' login credentials and drain both fiat and cryptocurrency accounts. The operation targeted citizens worldwide, primarily from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, with foreign kingpins recruiting Nigerian accomplices to prospect for victims online.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Shipping text scams rank as the second most common scam of 2024, with scammers impersonating services like the US Postal Service to trick recipients into clicking malicious links via text messages. Clicking these links can download malware or direct users to websites designed to steal personal information, credit card numbers, or cryptocurrency. The recommended protection is straightforward: do not click links in or respond to unsolicited text messages.
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2025 Scam Tracker Risk Report identifies investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest for consumers, followed by employment and online purchase scams, with online-based scams comprising nearly 70% of all reports and social media scams increasing over 56% year-over-year. The BBB recommends consumers adopt fraud-prevention resolutions including avoiding money transfers to strangers, researching businesses before shopping, being cautious with unsolicited emails, protecting personal information, using strong passwords, employing social media privacy settings, keeping computers secure with antivirus software, monitoring financial accounts regularly, obtaining written agreements, and staying informed about current scams.
laist.com
· 2025-12-08
A text message scam circulating in California falsely claims recipients owe FasTrak toll fees and directs them to click a link to pay, threatening late fees or legal action. California Attorney General Rob Bonta warns that FasTrak and The Toll Roads never request payment via text messages with website links, and advises recipients to avoid clicking the link, report the scam to the FBI and FTC, and verify any account information directly through official websites.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts on travel club and health club memberships as part of her 2024 holiday scam campaign, warning consumers to carefully review contracts before signing, understand cancellation and refund policies, and avoid long-term prepaid agreements that may result in financial loss. The guidance recommends consumers budget carefully, inquire about additional fees, request month-to-month payment options when possible, and review all contract terms including fine print before committing to memberships.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and over filed over 101,000 internet crime complaints resulting in losses exceeding $3.4 billion, with fraud remaining significantly underreported. AARP's hearing center provides practical defense strategies, emphasizing that scam vulnerability is universal regardless of intelligence or education level, and recommends adopting practices such as radical skepticism toward unsolicited contacts, pausing when pressured emotionally, being wary of requests for secrecy, monitoring accounts regularly, and educating oneself about fraud threats.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
Georgia Power is warning customers about escalating scams as tax season and new year bills arrive, including fake calls, emails, and door-to-door visits impersonating utility representatives demanding immediate payment or personal financial information. The utility also flagged fraudulent Cash App accounts, cryptocurrency payment demands, and fake websites mimicking Georgia Power's official site to steal billing and credit information. Customers should verify any communication by calling Georgia Power's official customer service line at 888-660-5890 and use only legitimate payment methods through the company's official website at www.GeorgiaPower.com.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau of West Michigan reported that online purchase scams were the top scam of 2024, followed by phishing and employment scams, with victims losing significant money particularly when attempting to buy pets online. The BBB advises consumers to research companies before purchasing, be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true, and use credit cards for transactions, noting that even small individual losses accumulate across hundreds of victims statewide.
cnbctv18.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin has been plagued by a series of major scams and security breaches costing billions globally, including the BitConnect Ponzi scheme ($2.4 billion), the FTX exchange collapse (billions lost), and over $3.7 billion in crypto-related scams in 2022 alone through phishing attacks and romance scams. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have been prime targets for Bitcoin fraud, particularly fake investment opportunities exploiting the cryptocurrency's pseudonymous nature. Beyond fraud, Bitcoin's decentralized structure has facilitated illicit activities on the dark web, while its extreme price volatility and energy-intensive operations present additional risks to investors and the environment.
lovellchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated, and successful, with law enforcement reporting a notable uptick in impersonation schemes where scammers pose as government officials or law enforcement to threaten arrest and extort money. Phishing—the collection of personal information through unsolicited communications—is being used as an initial phase to make scams appear legitimate, with one recent Big Horn County victim losing over $20,000 after being convinced by a scammer posing as a government agent that they owed money. The FBI reported that online fraud complaints doubled from 2019 to 2023, with financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, and law enforcement advises citizens to verify suspicious
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost over $1.1 billion to romance scams, with more than 64,000 reported cases, affecting people across all demographics. Romance scammers build elaborate fake identities over months or years to establish trust with victims who seek companionship online, eventually manipulating them into financial or emotional harm. Effective intervention requires patience, detailed planning, emotional restraint, and often involves trusted third parties rather than confrontational approaches that risk alienating victims further.
classaction.org
· 2025-12-08
Three California residents filed a class action lawsuit against Apple in December 2024, alleging the company failed to adequately vet cryptocurrency trading apps on its App Store that were actually "pig butchering" scams designed to defraud investors. One plaintiff lost over $1.2 million after downloading the fraudulent app Digicoins, which froze his assets in February 2024, and the suit claims Apple misrepresented that its App Store vets apps for security, legitimacy, and legal compliance. The lawsuit seeks to represent all users who downloaded the scam apps Digicoins, SolLuna, or Forex5 from the Apple App Store
dailybreeze.com
· 2025-12-08
A text-based scam is circulating in California claiming recipients owe FasTrak toll fees and directing them to fraudulent websites to submit payment and personal information. California's Attorney General warns that legitimate tolling agencies do not send unsolicited text messages and advises recipients to avoid clicking links, file complaints with the FBI and FTC, and verify any toll charges directly through official agency websites.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Indian government launched a new "Report and Check Suspect" feature on its National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) that allows citizens to search a database of known cybercriminals using identifiers like phone numbers, email addresses, UPI IDs, and social media handles. This tool is designed to help prevent digital arrest scams and other cybercrimes by enabling the public to verify the legitimacy of unknown callers or entities before sharing personal information or conducting financial transactions. The I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre) database proactively identifies and blocks fake IDs used by fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Rising voice phishing (vishing) attacks in Pune use sophisticated social engineering tactics, data familiarity, and technology tools like IVR to impersonate legitimate companies and manipulate victims into sharing personal information. Scammers specifically target vulnerable populations, including senior citizens, by exploiting psychological vulnerabilities such as fear, greed, and FOMO (fear of missing out), with surveys indicating over 60% of Indians receive three or more scam calls daily despite Do Not Disturb lists. Prevention measures include avoiding unknown calls, recognizing red flags like pressure tactics and suspicious numbers, and using legitimate communication channels like Caller ID badges and in-app calling services offered by companies.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Washington DC retiree was defrauded through a government impersonation scam in which scammers posing as FBI and police officials convinced her to withdraw $595,000 from her 401(k) to assist in a fake drug cartel investigation. In addition to losing her life savings, Boivin now faces a $180,000 tax liability ($137,000 federal and $42,000 state) since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act eliminated protections that previously allowed fraud victims to claim theft deductions. Two bipartisan bills in Congress that would restore these protections for fraud victims remain stalled in the intro
catcountry1073.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are alerting residents to five prevalent scams: Medicaid/Medicare impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as government workers to extract personal information; "brushing" scams involving unsolicited packages with malicious QR codes that compromise phone data; fake law enforcement calls claiming arrest warrants or missed jury duty to extort bond payments; and romance scams where criminals build trust through fake online identities to manipulate victims into sending money. Residents are advised to never provide financial or personal information over the phone, avoid scanning unknown QR codes, and verify contact legitimately through official channels.
sanjosespotlight.com
· 2025-12-08
Rental listing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office reporting nine cases in 2024 compared to four in 2023, featuring tactics such as requests for advance payment, below-market rent, and demands for sensitive personal information before property viewings. Authorities warn residents to verify listings in person, watch for red flags like requests for deposits before viewings, and consider freezing their credit if personal information is compromised, as scammers may use stolen Social Security numbers to open fraudulent accounts.
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-08
Boston police warned residents about a text message scam falsely claiming recipients owe unpaid parking fees of $4.35 with threatened late fees of $35, directing them to a fraudulent website (parking_dash.boston.com). The scam used the city's official logo and came from a Montreal-based phone number, successfully deceiving many residents into paying, though the exact number of victims is unclear. Residents are advised that the City of Boston never sends parking ticket notices via text and to use only the official boston.gov website to pay legitimate violations, which are normally sent by U.S. mail.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a warning about a nationwide phone scam where fraudsters impersonate CBP officers and Border Patrol agents, threatening that law enforcement is on the way or promising money in exchange for personal information like Social Security numbers. Scammers use pre-recorded messages claiming to have intercepted shipments of drugs or money, and some have spoofed real CBP employee names and badge numbers to appear authentic. CBP emphasized it never calls unsolicited to demand money, threaten citizens, or request sensitive information, and advised victims to report such calls to the Federal Trade Commission.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A text phishing scam is targeting California drivers, claiming they owe money for FasTrak toll lane usage and threatening license suspension or late penalties if payment isn't made. Officials with Toll Roads (FasTrak's operator) warn that the company does not send unsolicited text messages to non-account holders, and advise drivers to ignore such messages and verify any claims by checking their accounts online or contacting their regional tolling agency directly.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams exploit vulnerable individuals during isolating periods like January, when people are emotionally susceptible to manipulation and seeking connection or hope. The article emphasizes that romance scams are particularly effective because they target emotional needs rather than logic, making them difficult to defend against regardless of a person's intelligence or awareness. Ireland is noted as the most phished country in the world, highlighting the widespread nature of online fraud targeting emotionally vulnerable populations.
pbs.org
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" investment scams have cost victims worldwide an estimated $75 billion over the last four years, with Americans alone losing $4.6 billion in 2023. The scheme typically begins with a fake wrong-number text leading to conversations with fake profiles (often posing as attractive women) who build romantic relationships and convince victims to invest in cryptocurrency, showing false dashboards of returns until victims exhaust their savings. The scammers perpetrating these schemes are often human trafficking victims forced by crime syndicates in Asia to run the operations, making this a dual victimization crisis.
dnaindia.com
· 2025-12-08
Popular YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna fell victim to a digital arrest scam in January 2024, during which scammers held him hostage for approximately 40 hours by impersonating customs officials and police officers. The scammers manipulated him through fake calls claiming illegal items were found in a package sent to China, threatened him with serious criminal charges including money laundering and drug trafficking, and extracted money from him while causing significant financial and mental health damage. Bahuguna publicly shared his experience on Instagram to raise awareness about the growing threat of digital arrest scams and how extensively scammers can control victims.
newportnewstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a weather forecast combined with general consumer fraud prevention guidance from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. While it contains useful scam awareness information (recognizing common scam tactics, verification methods, and what legitimate agencies will not do), it does not describe a specific fraud incident, victim demographics, financial losses, or outcomes relevant to an elder fraud research database.
**Note:** If you have an article specifically about elder fraud or scams targeting older adults, please submit that for summarization.
commbank.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This educational article encourages readers to make cybersecurity a New Year's resolution by conducting a security audit on their accounts. The piece provides practical advice on preventing scams, including using strong passwords with multifactor authentication, verifying suspicious contacts before responding, improving banking security settings, staying connected with friends and family, and reporting incidents to the National Anti-Scam Centre—noting that Australian scam losses decreased 52.8% in the first half of 2024 due to increased public education about fraud.
vietnamnet.vn
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Information Security warned of scammers in ASEAN "fraud camps" shifting from Telegram to Signal to conduct various frauds, including counterfeit currency schemes during Tet, fake investment and romance scams, and impersonation of bank employees requesting personal or financial information. Victims are advised to verify identities through official channels, avoid transacting with unknown individuals on social media, and report fraudulent activity to authorities rather than risk involvement in illegal transactions.
news.abplive.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article from Kaspersky outlines nine major types of online scams targeting internet users: fake job offers with counterfeit checks, lottery scams, inheritance scams, romance scams, charity fraud, tech support scams, social media scams, robocall fraud, messaging scams, and online shopping scams. For each scam type, the article provides warning signs and protective measures, such as verifying charity status through trusted databases, avoiding remote access to unknown individuals, and checking website security features before making purchases. The overarching advice emphasizes vigilance, scrutinizing suspicious offers, and remembering that offers that sound too good to be true typically are.
benningtonbanner.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, romance scams cost Americans over $1.1 billion across more than 64,000 reported cases, with victims like Ellen experiencing severe financial and emotional losses after multi-year fake relationships. Scammers create elaborate fake identities on social media and dating sites to build trust over extended periods, using collected photos and relatable personas to manipulate victims who seek companionship, with the scam remaining undetected because no in-person or video meetings ever occur. Effective intervention requires patience, detailed planning, and avoiding shame or confrontation, instead using trusted third parties, reverse image searches to verify photos, and maintaining supportive communication to help victims recognize the fraud.