Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
6,239 results
in Phishing
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
Social media influencer Ankush Bahuguna fell victim to a sophisticated digital scam involving phishing, identity theft, and extortion that lasted 40 hours, during which scammers posing as law enforcement kept him isolated via continuous video calls while threatening arrest and harm to his family to coerce financial transactions. The scam began with a spoofed customer service call about a canceled package and escalated with threats of criminal charges and demands for bank details and personal information. Bahuguna broke free from the scam after a friend warned him about the fraud trend, and he subsequently used his platform to raise awareness about the psychological manipulation tactics these scammers employ.
scoopwhoop.com
· 2025-12-08
Popular YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna was held in a "digital arrest" scam for nearly 40 hours after receiving a fraudulent call claiming his package contained illegal items and had been seized by customs. The scammers used his personal information and fear tactics to manipulate him into complying with their demands, resulting in financial loss and significant emotional trauma. Bahuguna publicly shared his experience on Instagram to raise awareness that tech-savvy individuals remain vulnerable to sophisticated scams that exploit psychological manipulation and panic.
bollywoodshaadis.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna fell victim to a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam in January 2025 after receiving an automated call claiming his courier delivery was cancelled. The scammers, impersonating police officers via WhatsApp video calls and armed with his personal information, isolated him from family and friends while holding him virtually hostage for 40 hours, threatening him with illegal substance charges. A vigilant friend's intervention ended the ordeal and prevented further financial loss, prompting Ankush to publicly share his experience to raise awareness about the evolving tactics and psychological manipulation tactics used in digital scams.
kens5.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are exploiting winter weather conditions to defraud consumers by impersonating utility companies and threatening immediate service shutoffs unless payment is made via untraceable methods like gift cards or peer-to-peer payments. Texas law prohibits utility companies from disconnecting service during freezing temperatures, making these threats illegal and fraudulent. The BBB advises customers to verify utility company policies, remain calm when receiving such communications, and report suspected scams to authorities.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau released its 2024 annual Scam Tracker report showing that online shopping scams remained the top fraud scheme for the fifth consecutive year, followed by phishing and employment scams. Scammers increasingly exploit new technologies like AI and deepfake video to impersonate legitimate organizations, conduct fake interviews, and use emotional manipulation and urgency tactics to target victims across all age groups. The BBB emphasizes that vigilance and refusing to engage with fraudsters is essential to combating these schemes.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Johnny Depp warned fans on Instagram that scammers are impersonating him through fake social media and email accounts to solicit money, exploiting AI technology that can replicate his face and voice. He clarified that he and his team never ask fans for money, personal information, or payment for meetings, memberships, or fan cards, and provided his official social media handles while noting he is not on X, Snapchat, or Discord. The warning reflects a broader trend of celebrity impersonation scams affecting stars like Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, and Kelly Rowland, with the FTC advising consumers never to send money to unknown individuals claiming to be celebrities on social media.
siliconvalley.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines three major scams that persist year-round, particularly during the holiday season. "Pig butchering" scams involve fraudsters slowly building trust with victims before stealing money through fake investment schemes, often cryptocurrency-based; Santa Clara County prosecutors charged two suspects in a case where a 66-year-old man lost $170,000 after being targeted by a fake investment banker on Facebook. Travel scams have increased 500-900% with AI-generated fake booking websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent reviews, while utility scams cost PG&E customers over $334,000 in 2024 through threats of service disconnection and demands for immediate payment via prep
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using generative AI and deepfakes to exploit victims through 17 common techniques, including voice cloning, fake video calls impersonating authority figures, and phishing emails designed to manipulate people into revealing personal information or transferring funds. These tactics exploit emotional manipulation during crises and use AI-generated content that mimics trusted individuals and public figures. Individuals should remain vigilant by verifying identities through independent contact methods and remaining skeptical of unsolicited urgent requests for money or sensitive information.
vpnranks.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses reached $3.4 billion in 2023 with over 101,000 victims aged 60 and older reporting fraud, representing an 11% increase in losses and 14% increase in complaints compared to 2022. Tech support scams are the most commonly reported fraud type affecting seniors, while investment scams cause the highest financial damages at over $1.2 billion. Projections estimate elder fraud losses could rise to $4.47 billion by 2025 with approximately 121,229 victims, underscoring the need for stronger awareness and protective measures.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Johnny Depp warned fans on Instagram that scammers are impersonating him and his team through fake social media and email accounts to solicit money, exploiting AI technology to mimic his appearance and voice. He clarified that he and his team never ask fans for money, personal information, or payment for meetings, calls, or memberships, and shared his official account handles while noting he is not on X, Snapchat, or Discord. This follows similar warnings from other celebrities including Kelly Rowland and Reba McEntire, as scammers frequently use celebrity identities in online fraud schemes targeting fans.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
During tax season, scammers pose as the IRS and tax preparers to steal sensitive documents and money through unsolicited phone calls, emails, and texts demanding immediate payment—a tactic the IRS never uses. Taxpayers can protect themselves by filing taxes early, verifying tax preparer credentials through the Better Business Bureau, and recognizing red flags such as poor grammar, urgent language, and generic greetings. Those who suspect tax identity theft should report the issue to the IRS and FTC and use the FTC's identity theft recovery plan.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud or scams targeting seniors. Instead, it discusses the Jellycat plush toy phenomenon, including its massive popularity online, soaring sales (£200m in revenue), and the secondary market for rare collectibles. The article notes that the high resale value of limited-edition Jellies has made them theft targets, leading retailers to implement extensive security measures including CCTV, security tags, and facial recognition software to combat what may be organized shoplifting operations.
**Note:** This content falls outside Elderus's focus on elder fraud and abuse and should not be included in the database.
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Dutch law student was arrested for operating a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded approximately 300 victims of €4.5 million ($4.6 million), with investigators finding he continued recruiting new investors even as the scheme collapsed. The student required minimum investments of €5,000 and took 50% profit fees while using new investor funds to pay earlier participants. The arrest reflects a broader trend of escalating crypto fraud, with 2024 losses reaching $2.3 billion—a 40% increase year-over-year—driven by bull market conditions and increasingly sophisticated scams including fake tokens, phishing schemes, and AI-enabled deepf
weau.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides tax season fraud prevention advice from the Better Business Bureau. Scammers impersonate the IRS and tax preparers to steal sensitive documents and refunds through unsolicited calls, emails, and texts demanding immediate payment—tactics the IRS never uses. Key protective measures include filing taxes early to prevent identity theft, researching tax preparers' credentials through the BBB, and reporting suspected fraud to the IRS or FTC.
themountainmail.com
· 2025-12-08
The Chaffee Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of phishing-style scam calls in which fraudsters impersonated local law enforcement officers using names obtained from social media, claiming victims missed court dates or jury duty and had warrants for their arrest. As of January 2, three residents had reported the scam, with some losing money before authorities could intervene. Sheriff Rohrich advised victims to immediately contact their banks to dispute transactions and to report incidents to the Chaffee County Communications Center.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Former TV host David Koch's image was used without permission in a fraudulent investment scam that convinced victim Allison to lose $250,000. The article reports that fake celebrity-endorsed investment advertisements have defrauded over 600,000 Australians as part of a multi-billion-dollar scam industry, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate celebrities and create fake endorsements. NAB warns that common red flags include unexpected contact, artificially created urgency, and celebrity or expert endorsements, particularly on social media platforms.
deltapolice.ca
· 2025-12-08
In September 2024, Operation DeCloak—a joint effort between Delta Police and blockchain analytics company Chainalysis—identified over 1,100 cryptocurrency fraud victims worldwide, including numerous Canadians, with estimated losses of $35 million CAD across 240 examined crypto addresses. The investigation revealed a growing tactic called "approval phishing," where scammers deceive victims via social media and investment schemes into approving malicious blockchain transactions that drain their digital wallets. Following the workshop, DPD successfully applied these techniques to recover $800,000 USD in stolen cryptocurrency from Canadian victims while working to identify additional affected individuals and seize funds for restitution.
greybullstandard.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated, and successful, with law enforcement reporting a notable uptick in impostor scams where criminals pose as government officials or law enforcement to threaten arrest and extort money—one Big Horn County resident lost over $20,000 in such a scheme. Scammers employ phishing techniques to harvest personal information from victims and social media, using these details to make fraudulent requests appear legitimate and to impersonate targets for additional scams. The FBI reported that online fraud complaints doubled from 2019 to 2023 (467,361 to 880,418 complaints) with financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, and authorities advise
newscentral.africa
· 2025-12-08
Two Nigerian nationals, Olutayo Sunday Ogunlaja and Abel Adeyi Daramola, were sentenced to a combined 40 years in prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded an Albuquerque victim of approximately $560,000 between January 2016 and April 2017. The scheme involved creating a fake dating profile under the name "Glenn Brown" on eHarmony.com to establish a romantic relationship with the victim and convince them to send money for a fictitious Malaysian construction project. Ogunlaja and Daramola facilitated the fraud by providing bank accounts to receive and launder the stolen funds.
theameryfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from the Amery Police Department warns about common holiday scams targeting vulnerable populations, including phishing emails that impersonate legitimate institutions like banks and Amazon, grandparent scams requesting gift cards or money, and fraudulent packages containing malicious QR codes. The article advises verifying email sources and URLs for suspicious details, avoiding clicking links that request personal information, never sharing banking details, and using parental controls on children's devices to prevent fraud.
yorknewstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" is a romance scam scheme developed by Asian organized crime groups that targets individuals through social media and dating apps by building fake romantic relationships to gain trust before requesting investments in cryptocurrency. The scam involves four phases—the Hook, Relationship building, Investment pitches, and Delivery—where perpetrators use AI-generated profiles, false identities, and fraudulent investment websites to convince victims to send money, sometimes requesting initial investments as small as $10. According to Claire McHenry, deputy director of Nebraska's Department of Banking and Finance, victims can be anyone, and scammers employ sophisticated tactics including AI-generated voices and appearances to make fake personas seem credible before eventually asking
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Fortiguard security officer discovered a sophisticated "no-phish" phishing scam that exploits PayPal's legitimate money request feature, using authentic PayPal emails and URLs to direct victims to the real PayPal site where fraudsters submit fake payment requests. The scam bypasses typical warning signs consumers are trained to identify, making it particularly dangerous; in this case, a $2,185.96 payment was requested. Security experts recommend the best defense is bypassing email links entirely and logging directly into financial accounts to verify any transaction requests.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Rural Americans face unique vulnerabilities to fraud due to geographic isolation, limited access to resources, and higher concentrations of older adults who report larger financial losses to scams. Rural residents are more reliant on online services for shopping, may turn to online dating platforms due to limited in-person social opportunities, and often encounter barriers to reporting scams including decreased government trust, lack of support services, and social stigma. Scammers exploit these vulnerabilities through various schemes including online shopping fraud, romance scams, and disaster relief impersonation, yet rural fraud trends remain largely undocumented because most consumer protection agencies do not differentiate data by population density.
cgsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns that scams occur year-round through emails, texts, and phone calls, often impersonating legitimate agencies and using threats of penalties or emotional manipulation to extract personal information and payments via gift cards, bitcoin, or money orders. The article advises verifying agency legitimacy by independently looking up contact information, bookmarking official websites, and never sharing passwords or clicking links from suspicious communications. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office specifically clarifies it will not contact residents about jury duty, request phone payments, or accept non-traditional payment methods.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a news roundup that does not contain elder fraud content. The piece covers the 2025 Detroit Auto Show, LA wildfires affecting a metro Detroit music producer, and Lions playoff games' economic impact. The headline references "jury duty phone scams" but the article text is cut off and does not provide details about this scam type.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting generosity during the California Wildfires (which began January 7th and displaced 200,000 people with $135 billion in damages) by posing as legitimate charities and FEMA officials to steal donations and charge fees for disaster assistance. Fraudsters use techniques including caller ID spoofing, AI-generated content, deepfakes, and fake charity websites to appear legitimate, making it difficult for donors to verify authenticity through phone, email, text, or social media contact. To protect themselves, donors should verify charities through Charity Navigator before giving, never provide payment information to unsolicited contacts, and avoid charities that use more than 25
dispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered phishing scams are increasingly difficult to detect as artificial intelligence generates highly personalized fraudulent emails that appear to come from friends or family by analyzing victims' social media activity. Major email platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail currently lack adequate defenses against these AI-generated attacks. To protect yourself, the FCC recommends using multi-factor authentication, installing auto-updating anti-malware software, backing up data, and reporting suspected phishing emails to the FBI's IC3 database.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A "smishing" scam targeting Massachusetts drivers has resurfaced, with scammers sending text messages claiming unpaid E-ZPass tolls through EZDriveMA and directing recipients to click links to settle bills before late fees occur. The scam, which first appeared in June and surged again during the holidays, aims to steal personal and financial information by exploiting drivers' desire to avoid charges. MassDOT advises drivers never to click unknown links or provide personal information via text, and recommends validating toll information directly through the official website or phone number (877-627-7745); those who clicked links should contact their bank immediately and file complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime
ottawa.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Ontario Provincial Police reported that scammers in the east region are using multiple fraud schemes, including a recent case where a business employee was manipulated into withdrawing cash and depositing it into a Bitcoin machine in Peterborough. The top scams targeting the region include cryptocurrency investment fraud ("get rich quick" schemes), bank investigator fraud, romance scams, and identity theft/phishing attacks, with Canadians losing an estimated $638 million to fraud in 2024, though actual losses are likely much higher due to significant underreporting.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam attempts in Minnesota and globally are escalating, with over $1.03 trillion lost to scammers in 2024, increasingly aided by artificial intelligence that generates convincing phishing emails, fake images, and cloned voices. High-risk scams include imposter schemes (grandparent and romance scams with median losses of $800), government imposter scams ($14,000+ median loss), cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and task scams (which increased from 5,000 reports in 2023 to 20,000 in the first half of 2024). Scammers exploit recent disasters and events while using AI to intensify existing frau
newsregister.com
· 2025-12-08
This opinion column discusses the widespread problem of consumer fraud in America and globally, noting that the FTC estimated over $10 billion in U.S. consumer fraud in 2024 while worldwide losses exceeded $1.03 trillion. The piece highlights that elderly people are particularly vulnerable due to their trust, but cautions that even cautious individuals can fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scams involving AI deepfakes, impostor schemes, romance fraud, and investment fraud. The author emphasizes that people should be vigilant about sharing personal information, clicking suspicious links, and falling for phishing emails, as scams can cause life-altering financial damage within hours.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 500 Booking.com customers were victimized by a hotel payment scam between June 2023 and September 2024, resulting in losses of at least £370,000. Fraudsters used phishing attacks to hijack hotel accounts on the platform and sent fake messages, emails, and WhatsApps to customers with genuine reservations, requesting credit card details and payments. Action Fraud advised holiday bookers to verify any payment requests directly with Booking.com or hotels and to report suspicious communications to the appropriate authorities.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York State Attorney General's Office is pursuing legal action against scammers who sent text messages to job seekers offering fake remote work positions as a front to steal cryptocurrency. The scheme defrauded New Yorkers into purchasing Stablecoins under the false promise of compensation for reviewing products on fake websites, with one victim losing over $100,000; authorities have frozen $2.2 million in cryptocurrency and are seeking to recover funds and impose penalties on the perpetrators.
standard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Hundreds of Booking.com customers lost at least £370,000 between June 2023 and September 2024 in a hotel payment scam where fraudsters used phishing attacks to hijack hotel accounts and send fake payment requests via messages, emails, and WhatsApp. Over 500 victims received requests for credit card details and payments that appeared to come from legitimate hotels where they had genuine reservations. Action Fraud warned users to verify any unexpected payment requests directly with Booking.com or hotels, and to report suspicious communications to prevent further losses.
wbur.org
· 2025-12-08
Judith Boivin, an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, lost $600,000 of her life savings in an elaborate government impersonation scam in September 2023. Scammers posing as FBI and local police officers convinced her that her Social Security number was being used for drug trafficking and money laundering, then persuaded her to withdraw her retirement funds in cash under the guise of assisting a federal investigation. This case exemplifies a broader trend of sophisticated scams targeting well-meaning Americans, particularly those with caregiving backgrounds and strong civic values.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Between December 30 and January 5, Needham Police responded to multiple fraud incidents including check fraud, identity fraud on Elder Road, credit card fraud on Hunnewell Street, bank fraud, and a gift card scam, along with reports of suspicious communications and a stolen mailbox. While specific dollar amounts were not disclosed, the department advised victims on how to proceed and continues investigating the cases. The police encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This article announces Sheryl Harris, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs in Ohio, as the recipient of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection Partner Award for her long-standing work combating scams and elder fraud. Harris leads the Scam Squad initiative, which coordinates multiple agencies to alert residents about scams, encourage reporting, and share information with appropriate law enforcement, while also championing the Consumer Sentinel Network database and using innovative communication methods like text alerts to reach communities. Her contributions include creating plain-language scam alerts, collaborating on the Stop Senior Scams Act working committees, and establishing herself as a trusted voice on consumer protection through her journalism and community engagement efforts.
dailyexcelsior.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** Rahul Dogra - 2025 Cyber Scams in India
This article outlines emerging sophisticated scams in India driven by AI and deepfake technology, including KYC/bank scams where fraudsters impersonate officials to steal sensitive information, job fraud schemes demanding upfront fees for non-existent positions, and digital arrest scams using intimidation tactics to extort settlement payments. Additional scams target elderly individuals through medical emergencies and fake insurance, electricity bill scams threatening service disconnection, and romance scams, with prevention advice emphasizing direct verification with official sources, avoidance of unsolicited links, and independent research before sharing personal
northwestsignal.net
· 2025-12-08
The Fulton County Sheriff's Office presented on emerging online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes, grandparent scams using AI voice manipulation, counterfeit QR codes, and fake bond collection visits. Presenters advised attendees to verify caller identity through personal questions, watch for international phone numbers marked with "+," and remember that legitimate agencies never request money or warrant information by phone. A local victim lost $10,000 in a fake bail scam, though recovery occurred in this rare case.
floridapolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
Gift card scams remain a prevalent fraud method in which scammers impersonate authority figures (like bosses) via spoofed emails using social engineering tactics, requesting victims purchase gift cards and share the codes. The article highlights that while gift card schemes typically involve smaller amounts (hundreds of dollars), related scams like wire transfer fraud and fake vendor invoices can result in losses reaching hundreds of thousands or millions, with recent examples including a University of Central Florida incident and U.S. Treasury hacking allegedly by Chinese government actors. Protection strategies include verifying requests through independent phone numbers, using two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and advanced threat protection tools.
tuko.co.ke
· 2025-12-08
Kenya's Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act of 2018 addresses five types of online scams: investment scams (fake high-return schemes), phishing emails (impersonating legitimate entities), online romance scams (fraudsters building trust to solicit money), fake e-commerce deals, and SIM swap fraud (unauthorized mobile number takeovers). Authorities emphasize that while legal protections exist, vigilance through verification of legitimacy, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and immediate reporting to the DCI Cybercrime Unit remain essential defenses against increasingly sophisticated cybercriminals targeting Kenyans.
timesleader.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Wilkes-Barre was scammed out of $58,400 after receiving a fake Microsoft security alert on her computer; she granted the scammer remote access to her device, which allowed them to view her bank balance and convince her to transfer funds to a Bitcoin account. Wilkes-Barre Police used the incident to issue public awareness about common scams including phishing, romance, job offer, and tech support schemes, advising residents to verify the legitimacy of contacts before sharing personal information or clicking links.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting the California wildfires by creating fake donation pages and impersonating charities and government agencies to steal money from people wanting to help and to target disaster victims seeking assistance. People should verify organizations through legitimate channels (such as Give.org), watch for red flags like misspelled URLs and phishing emails, and avoid clicking links from unverified social media ads or unsolicited contacts, as AI-enhanced scams are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.
newslj.com
· 2025-12-08
This article compiles multiple elder fraud alerts and prevention tips: A Wyoming resident received an extortion email falsely claiming malware access (a common scare tactic), while another fell victim to a phishing email impersonating Microsoft to steal account credentials. The Identity Theft Resource Center predicts cybercrime will surge in 2025 due to reduced government resources and increased AI exploitation, while identity fraud cost Americans $43 billion in 2023—with veterans particularly vulnerable, losing $477 million that year to service-focused scams. Key prevention measures include verifying sender identities, avoiding suspicious attachments and links, using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and monitoring credit reports regularly.
womansworld.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes four common gift card scams: payment scams where fraudsters demand gift card payments instead of credit cards (often posing as government agencies or businesses), fake e-gift card offers sent via email or text that contain malicious links to steal personal information, phony balance-checking websites designed to phish for card details, and drained gift card scams where criminals copy card numbers from retail shelves before they're purchased. The article recommends verifying senders before clicking links, using official retailer websites to check balances, and being cautious of unsolicited gift card offers to avoid losing money that is difficult to recover once stolen.
ksby.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of donation scams targeting both disaster relief donors and Southern California wildfire victims, noting that fraudulent charities typically emerge after major disasters and often initiate contact rather than waiting for donors to find them. To avoid scams, donors should verify charities through trustworthy resources like Give.org, avoid clicking suspicious links, look for specific program descriptions, and check state charity registration records. Reporting suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center is recommended, though recovering money from fake charities—often operating outside the United States—is unlikely.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Since December 2024, Singapore police reported at least 82 malware scam cases resulting in approximately $625,000 in losses, where victims responded to fraudulent Facebook and TikTok advertisements for travel and cleaning services and were subsequently tricked into downloading malicious APK files through WhatsApp that allowed scammers to access their devices and steal financial information. The scammers typically requested small upfront payments ($5) via phishing links, then instructed victims to download malicious apps to "resolve" payment issues, sometimes first convincing them to disable Google Play Protect security features. Police recommend following "ACT" protocols—adding security features, checking for warning signs, and reporting scams—an
asiaone.com
· 2025-12-08
WhatsApp phishing scams involving malware have resulted in at least $625,000 in losses across 82 reported cases in Singapore since December. Victims were lured through fake travel and cleaning service advertisements on Facebook and TikTok, then tricked into downloading malicious APK files via WhatsApp that allowed scammers to steal credit card details and one-time passwords for unauthorized transactions. Police recommend practicing "ACT"—adding security features, checking for warning signs, and reporting suspicious activity—and advise users to switch devices to flight mode and run antivirus scans if they suspect malware infection.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Kern County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement (claiming to be "Sergeant Youngblood") and demand electronic payments via gift cards or bitcoin to resolve alleged warrants, missed court appearances, or jury duty violations, threatening arrest if payment is not made. The scammers use spoofing technology to display the Sheriff's Office callback number and may pressure victims to visit the Sheriff's Office afterward. The Sheriff's Office clarified that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment over the phone and that warrant arrests are made in person, not via phone calls.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
California's Attorney General warned of scams targeting wildfire victims and also highlighted illegal price gouging occurring during the state of emergency. The warning appears to address fraudulent schemes exploiting disaster victims seeking aid and services during wildfire recovery.