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usatoday.com
DMV text message scams, known as "smishing," are expanding across multiple states including Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Michigan, and North Carolina, with earlier warnings issued in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. These fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets or outstanding bills and threaten consequences like vehicle registration loss, driving privilege suspension, or credit score damage unless they click a link and pay. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients not to click links or respond, instead contacting their state DMV directly through official channels and reporting the messages to their wireless provider, the FTC, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
klkntv.com
The Lincoln Police Department and several Nebraska counties are warning residents of a text message scam in which scammers impersonate the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles and threaten license revocation due to unpaid traffic fines. The scam uses urgency and fear tactics to trick recipients into clicking suspicious links or paying money, and police advise victims to report such messages to the FTC, FBI, or their phone carrier, while independently verifying any claims directly through official agency websites rather than through information provided in the suspicious text.
41nbc.com
A text message scam is targeting Georgia drivers, with fraudulent messages falsely claiming to be from the "Georgia State Department of Motor Vehicles" and demanding gift card or cryptocurrency payments for alleged outstanding traffic tickets under threat of license suspension. Monroe County Sheriff Brad Freeman warns that legitimate traffic ticket payments are only accepted as cash, cashier's checks, or money orders to the court clerk, and advises recipients to avoid clicking links or calling numbers in suspicious messages, instead contacting their local law enforcement or checking the Georgia Department of Driver Services website directly.
gvnews.com
Bitcoin ATMs are increasingly being exploited as tools to facilitate scams targeting older adults, according the R.O.S.E. (Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly) organization and law enforcement officials. While Bitcoin ATMs themselves are legal, scammers leverage victims' confusion about cryptocurrency to direct them to these machines to transfer money, making them effective "scam facilitation" devices. The article warns seniors to be suspicious if anyone—particularly in romance, tech support, or investment scams—instructs them to use Bitcoin ATMs.
ibtimes.co.uk
Barclays UK released research revealing the top 10 scams affecting British consumers in 2024, finding that one in five people were scammed and a third know someone who was. The most common scams include fake delivery notifications (51%), HMRC impersonation (42%), purchase fraud (40%), and online marketplace scams (38%), with the bank advising consumers to verify companies, avoid pressure tactics, and be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. Barclays and tech companies like Google are implementing better detection tools, though consumers must remain vigilant with strong passwords and skepticism to protect themselves.
boothbayregister.com
The Federal Trade Commission estimated that criminals stole approximately $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023, with elder financial abuse coming from both known perpetrators and stranger scams. AARP highlights preventive measures including adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, freezing credit to prevent unauthorized accounts, and using robocall/text blockers to reduce exposure to phone-based scams. The article emphasizes that these proactive steps can significantly protect older adults' financial security.
aol.com
Scam DMV text messages circulating recently likely obtained phone numbers through data brokers who purchase and sell personal information harvested from public records, social media, retail transactions, and corporate partnerships. The largely unregulated data broker industry collects and resells sensitive data including phone numbers, location history, and family information, with only a handful of states requiring brokers to delete consumer data upon request. Experts warn this practice poses significant risks beyond spam texts, including national security concerns, as demonstrated by 2023 research showing data brokers sold detailed information about active-duty service members and their families.
abc.net.au
Consumer Protection WA warned of escalating scratchie mail scams involving fake scratch-off tickets offering $US240,000 prizes sent via registered post from Kuala Lumpur, which request personal identification details and payment to claim winnings. Five West Australians lost $30,550 total to these scams over the past year, with scammers using collected personal information for identity theft, loans, and other fraudulent purposes. Since 2020, Australians have lost more than $5.8 million to unexpected winnings scams overall, and authorities advise recipients to never share ID documents and remember that legitimate prizes never require payment to claim.
sundayworld.com
A 50-year-old woman from Cork was convicted of money laundering after losing €50,000 in a romance scam orchestrated by a crime gang that impersonated a US Marine using stolen images of actor Justin Melnick. The scammers used fake dating profiles, doctored videos, and a fraudulent military spouse association website to convince the victim to send money over 18 months, ultimately implicating her in criminal activity when they asked her to transfer €17,000 through her bank account for alleged squad members. The victim revealed she was vulnerable due to childhood emotional neglect and the scammers exploited her desire for emotional connection and religious faith to gain her
boredpanda.com
A woman fell victim to a romance scam when an online boyfriend requested $10,000, but she initially rejected her coworker's warning and only recognized the deception when unable to provide the money. The article highlights that romance scams cost victims over $1.14 billion in 2023, with scammers building trust over time before requesting money, and recommends warning signs include unsolicited contact, requests for funds, reluctance to meet in person, and profiles that seem too good to be true.
silversurfers.com
This article describes seven prevalent scams on social media targeting users: fake shop accounts, phishing scams with malicious links, fake giveaways, investment scams promising high returns, romance scams, impersonation scams, and charity scams exploiting crises. The article advises users to verify sources, avoid clicking unsolicited links, use strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and stay educated about evolving fraud tactics to protect themselves and report suspicious activity to platforms.
westsidespirit.com
This educational article outlines scam prevention strategies for seniors based on a training session at the JCC Marlene Myerson Center in New York. Key scam types targeting older adults include romance scams (exemplified by a woman who sold her house after being deceived by a fake Amnesty International worker), postal fraud, charitable giving scams, and text message schemes originating from the Philippines. The training recommends three defense strategies: slowing down decision-making, consulting friends or neighbors before acting, and avoiding any response, payment, or personal information disclosure, as scammers rely on speed and isolation to succeed.
journal-news.com
A 67-year-old Ohio woman was victimized by a cryptocurrency scam where she was instructed to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM via QR code—one of hundreds of similar cases targeting seniors in Ohio in 2024, often impersonating companies like Amazon, FedEx, or federal agencies. Americans aged 60+ lost nearly $4.89 billion to internet fraud in 2024 (a 46% increase from 2023), with cryptocurrency scams being particularly difficult to reverse once funds are transferred through digital wallets and mixers that obscure transaction origins. Law enforcement emphasizes that quick reporting is critical to recovering funds, and legitimate companies never request payments
hawaiinewsnow.com
The Hawaii State Judiciary warned the public about a text message scam impersonating the DMV, which threatened suspension of driving privileges and vehicle registration unless payment for unpaid traffic citations was made. Officials clarified that legitimate DMV and court communications about unpaid citations only occur through U.S. mail, not via text, phone, or email.
news9.com
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Service Oklahoma are warning drivers of a text message scam falsely claiming to be from the Oklahoma DMV requesting payment for overdue traffic fines. Recipients should not respond to or click links in these fraudulent messages, which threaten penalties for unpaid traffic violations.
witn.com
Officials in Pitt County, North Carolina warned residents of a widespread DMV scam text campaign, where scammers impersonate the Department of Motor Vehicles and other trusted entities (UPS, tolls, jury duty) to create false urgency and pressure recipients into making immediate payments. The scam texts, which originate from random codes or email addresses rather than phone numbers, use threats of license revocation, jail time, or financial penalties to manipulate victims. Authorities advise residents to never click suspicious links, verify payment websites independently, and report suspicious texts to their mobile carrier or the Federal Trade Commission, noting that legitimate DMV communications never request payment via text.
fox13memphis.com
Tennessee law enforcement agencies warned residents about fraudulent text messages impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening driver's license or registration suspension unless fines are paid via fake websites. The scammers use official-looking messages and links to trick victims into providing payment information. Authorities advised residents to avoid clicking suspicious links, verify contact information directly through official channels, and report scam messages to the Federal Trade Commission or Internet Crime Complaint Center.
westsidespirit.com
This educational article outlines scam prevention strategies shared at a training session in New York targeting older adults. Key advice includes slowing down, consulting friends or neighbors before responding to suspicious requests, and avoiding sharing personal information—as scammers rely on speed and isolation to succeed. Common scams affecting seniors include romance scams, postal fraud, charitable giving scams, and text message schemes, with perpetrators often prioritizing theft of personal data (like Social Security numbers or credit card information) over individual payments.
waka.com
The Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission held a free Fraud Summit in Selma to educate residents about common scams targeting seniors, including text messages impersonating postal services or toll road operators. Attendees were advised not to respond to suspicious communications, avoid clicking links, and contact police if targeted, as these scams aim to steal personal information from victims' phones.
roanoke-chowannewsherald.com
Detective Darrell Rowe of the Northampton County Sheriff's Office presented at an Elder Abuse Awareness event to educate older adults about financial exploitation, which includes family members misusing benefits or bank accounts and strangers conducting home repair scams, grandchild bail scams, and IRS impersonation scams. Rowe emphasized that victims are often reluctant to report abuse due to shame and that it is difficult to recover lost money, recommending community members verify suspicious calls with family and report potential scams to law enforcement or DSS before sending any money.
bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
A Bengaluru pre-owned motorcycle dealer lost Rs.38.85 lakh in a "pig butchering" scam that combined romance fraud with cryptocurrency investment schemes. A woman posing as "Lakshmi Priya" connected with him on a matrimonial site, built emotional trust through video calls with fake family members, and convinced him to invest in a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platform called "Bost Base," showing fake returns that eventually reached Rs.1.4 crore. When he attempted to withdraw his funds, he was told he needed to pay Rs.21 lakh in "UK taxes" and, after borrowing money from friends and family to complete this payment
theindependent.sg
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a Philippine-based tech firm, for supplying infrastructure to host over 332,000 fraudulent cryptocurrency investment domains used in "pig butchering" scams. These elaborate romance-based schemes victimized thousands of people, causing average losses of $150,000 per victim with total damages exceeding $200 million. The company, registered in the Philippines in 2021, purchased bulk IP addresses from cloud providers and sold them to scammers to evade detection, while also compromising a widely-used JavaScript library to redirect users to malicious sites.
torontoguardian.com
Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with nearly 70,000 people reporting losses, according to recent findings. Contrary to common assumptions, adults aged 18-59 are 13% more likely to fall victim than those over 60, though older victims typically lose nearly twice as much money per scam. Romance scammers employ sophisticated tactics including creating fake personas (military personnel, offshore workers, or those with emergencies), moving conversations to private messaging apps, and gradually requesting financial assistance, with half of 2023 fraud cases originating on mainstream social media rather than dedicated dating sites.
verywellmind.com
This educational article from Verywell Mind explains that phishing scams and fraud are widespread in the digital age, using psychological manipulation tactics that can deceive even intelligent individuals. The piece emphasizes that banks never initiate contact about suspicious account activity, and advises readers that falling victim to scams is not a reflection of intelligence or gullibility but rather a result of sophisticated criminal tactics. It also stresses the importance of self-compassion for scam victims and introduces a series covering common fraud types, psychological vulnerabilities exploited by scammers, and prevention strategies.
goerie.com
Police are warning the public about a widespread DMV text message scam that threatens to suspend vehicle registration unless victims click malicious links and pay fake fines, with reports across multiple states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey. The scam is part of a broader wave of "smishing" (SMS phishing) attacks designed to steal personal and financial information by creating panic and prompting immediate action. To protect yourself, do not click links in unsolicited DMV texts, report suspicious messages to the FTC and your wireless provider, and verify any requests directly through your state's official DMV website or phone number.
businessinsider.com
Text message job scams have surged dramatically, with reported losses reaching $470 million in 2024—five times the 2020 amount—making job offers the second most common scam after fake package delivery. Scammers pose as recruiters from well-known companies, using increasingly sophisticated AI-crafted messages to lure vulnerable job seekers with unrealistic offers, then steal personal information (Social Security numbers, IDs, bank details) or trick victims into sending money for supposed work equipment. The problem is expected to worsen as economic uncertainty and remote work demand increase, making people more susceptible to these plausible-seeming frauds.
wgal.com
The Federal Trade Commission warned of investment scams on social media where hackers compromise victims' accounts to post bank account screenshots and fake investment opportunities promising quick returns with little risk, typically requesting a few hundred dollars via cryptocurrency or payment apps before blocking the victim. The FTC advises consumers to resist pressure to act immediately, research companies using terms like "scam" or "fraud," and remember that no legitimate investment guarantees returns. Victims should alert their compromised contacts directly in case their accounts have been hacked.
pennlive.com
DMV officials across multiple U.S. states issued advisories in May warning citizens about text message scams impersonating the DMV and demanding payment for fake "outstanding tolls" or traffic violations, with messages threatening license suspension, penalties, or legal action. The fraudulent texts use official-looking ".gov" links and domain variations (such as "ezpassnj") to appear legitimate, targeting unsuspected victims in at least ten states including New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California. Authorities recommend recipients delete the messages immediately, avoid clicking links or providing information, and report the scams to the FTC or their service provider via the SPAM hotline (7726).
denver7.com
The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles is warning residents of a text message scam claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension or prosecution to pressure them into paying fake fines. The DMV clarified it never initiates contact via text and advises recipients not to click links or provide personal information, while the Better Business Bureau recommends verifying sender identity, avoiding suspicious links, and reporting such messages as junk.
saltwire.com
Whitbourne RCMP reported two grandparent scam attempts targeting elderly victims in June 2025, in which scammers impersonated police and family members to request emergency funds. One victim lost $20,000 after being told her grandson needed bail money and was coached on how to withdraw cash discreetly; a second attempted scam was prevented when a family member intervened after the victim was pressured to purchase gift cards. The RCMP warns that scammers use fear-based tactics and advises residents to verify claims directly with sources and never share personal information.
wpst.com
A scammer in Mercer County, New Jersey impersonated a Lieutenant from the Prosecutor's Office, calling a victim and claiming a family member had an outstanding warrant requiring a $10,000 Bitcoin ATM deposit. The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office warns that legitimate law enforcement will never request money, financial information, or personal details over the phone, and advises residents to hang up and report suspicious calls immediately.
patch.com
Minnesota state officials warned residents of a phony text message scam impersonating a non-existent "Minnesota Department of Motor Vehicles (DPSMN)" that falsely claims recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threatens license suspension and credit damage unless they pay through a suspicious link. The Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services confirmed the scam is circulating statewide and emphasized they never request payment via text. Officials advised residents to delete the messages, avoid clicking links, and report suspected scams to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office or Federal Trade Commission.
mirror.co.uk
A travel expert nearly fell victim to a Booking.com phishing scam when scammers impersonating a "guest relations manager" contacted him via WhatsApp, claiming to verify his card details after a security flag. According to UK Action Fraud, this scam has resulted in 532 reports and £370,000 in losses between June 2023 and September 2024, with incidents reportedly increasing 500-900% across the travel market. The vulnerability stems from Booking.com's reliance on third-party hosts with weak security measures and minimal vetting requirements, which allowed hackers to access customer information through compromised host websites.
theaustraliatoday.com.au
The Australian Federal Police reported a sharp rise in cryptocurrency ATM scams between January 2024 and January 2025, with 150 reported cases resulting in losses exceeding $3.1 million (averaging over $20,000 per victim), though authorities suspect significant under-reporting. Investment scams were most common, followed by extortion and romance scams, predominantly affecting women and people over 51. The AFP, AUSTRAC, and JPC3 have launched a joint taskforce and are placing warning materials at crypto ATM locations, urging the public to avoid sending cryptocurrency to strangers and to report suspicious activity.
yahoo.com
**Summary:**
A Google and Morning Consult survey found that over 60 percent of Americans report increased scam attempts in the past year, with email and text being primary channels; the FBI has documented a 33 percent year-over-year spike in online scams. Google is combating this threat with AI-powered detection tools that block 99.9 percent of phishing attempts, expanded scam flagging on Android, and safer login options like passkeys and two-factor authentication. Consumers can further protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, using password managers, and learning to identify red flags such as urgent language and suspicious links.
ia.acs.org.au
Australian police warned of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams, with 150 reported incidents in 2024 resulting in approximately $3.1 million in losses, averaging over $20,000 per scam. Investment scams were the most common type, with 72 victims aged over 51, and one elderly man lost $1.4 million in a romance scam involving crypto ATMs. In response, financial watchdog AUSTRAC implemented new regulations including $5,000 transaction limits, mandatory scam warnings, and enhanced customer due diligence requirements for crypto ATM operators.
newscop.com.au
Women aged 50 and older account for the majority of crypto ATM scam victims in Australia, with 150 reports received over 12 months (January 2024-2025) totaling $3.1 million in losses, averaging over $20,000 per report. The most common scams involved investments (63 cases), extortion emails (35), and romance scams (24), with authorities warning that actual losses are likely significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment or lack of awareness. The AFP recommends vigilance against common warning signs including unsolicited requests to use crypto ATMs, promises of guaranteed high returns, and pressure from new romantic partners or strangers to invest
blog.google
A 2025 survey conducted with Morning Consult reveals that U.S. consumers are increasingly aware of rising online scams, with over 60% perceiving an increase in scam attempts and one-third having experienced a data breach, while the FBI reported online scams reached a record $16.6 billion in losses the previous year (up 33% annually). The study found that security practices vary significantly by generation, with older Americans (Gen X and Baby Boomers) relying on traditional passwords and two-factor authentication, while Gen Z is adopting more modern authentication methods like passkeys and social sign-ins that offer better protection against phishing and data breaches.
nbcconnecticut.com
**Summary:**
Cybercriminals use "smishing" (SMS phishing) to send deceptive text messages impersonating legitimate organizations like the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, attempting to extract sensitive personal information from recipients. Scammers create fake accounts on text message servers to send mass messages using phone numbers obtained through predictable patterns or internet scraping, and experts advise recipients to avoid clicking on suspicious links in text messages.
wired.com
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes in real-time video calls to conduct romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other schemes, with experts reporting a dramatic rise from approximately 4-5 cases monthly in 2023 to hundreds per month currently. Notable victims include a Hong Kong finance worker who lost $25 million to a deepfaked CFO impersonation and a New Zealand retiree defrauded of $133,000 through a cryptocurrency scam using a deepfaked government official. As AI tools become more accessible and capable of creating realistic faces and voices, deepfake fraud is expanding to encompass job interview scams, identity theft for banking and housing
azfamily.com
According to a CNET survey, 96% of U.S. adults receive at least one scam email, text, or phone call weekly, with Americans losing $470 million to text scams alone in 2024. Scammers use urgent messaging tactics around bills, packages, and banking to trick victims, and their tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI. To protect yourself, experts recommend filtering messages to known senders only, using carrier spam-blocking tools, and never responding to or clicking links in suspicious messages.
portal.ct.gov
The Connecticut DMV warned residents on June 3, 2025, about a scam involving text messages and phone calls falsely claiming unpaid traffic violations or toll bills and threatening vehicle registration suspension by June 5. The DMV clarified that it does not contact residents via text or phone about outstanding issues and advised recipients to delete such messages without clicking links.
wcpo.com
A new scam targeting drivers claims they owe money for unpaid traffic tickets via text message, threatening suspension of driving privileges if payment is not made immediately. Motor vehicle departments across multiple states, including Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey, have issued warnings that they never send unsolicited texts demanding payment for tolls or tickets. Consumers are advised to delete such messages without clicking links and to contact state agencies directly using official phone numbers if they need to verify any legitimate traffic violations.
wndu.com
Residents of South Bend, Indiana received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming unpaid traffic tickets and threatening vehicle registration suspension unless recipients clicked a link and paid a "fine" by June 6. The scam can be identified by several red flags: it comes from a suspicious email address, references nonexistent agencies ("Indiana Department of Vehicles" and "North Indiana State Administrative Code"), and promises an illegal 35% service fee. Police advise recipients not to click the link and note that legitimate DMV issues are handled through official mail, not text messages.
publicnewsservice.org
Medicare loses $60 billion to $80 billion annually to fraud, with common scams including callers requesting Medicare numbers under the pretense of issuing new cards, unsolicited medical equipment deliveries, and strangers offering fraudulent free services like house cleaning that are billed to the government. The Senior Medicare Patrol advises beneficiaries to regularly check their Medicare summary notices on MyMedicare.gov and remain vigilant for red flags such as charges for services never received or from unfamiliar providers, and warns that some scammers trick people into unknowingly enrolling in hospice care, which can result in Medicare denying essential surgeries or medications.
newtownpanow.com
Between May 27-29, Newtown Township and Wrightstown Township police reported multiple scams targeting residents. Two gift card scams resulted in losses totaling $7,000—one involving a fake YouTube TV account cancellation threat and another using a fraudulent Netflix billing increase email. Additionally, residents received text messages impersonating the Pennsylvania Court system demanding payment for alleged traffic violations through a scam URL. Police emphasized that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment via gift cards or unsolicited electronic transfers, and advised residents to verify contact through official channels before providing any payment information.
scmp.com
The US Treasury Department sanctioned Philippine tech firm Funnull Technology Inc. and Chinese administrator Liu Lizhi for providing infrastructure that supported over 332,000 domains used in "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams that defrauded victims of approximately $200 million total, with individual losses averaging $150,000 each. The scams used fake cryptocurrency platforms to systematically target vulnerable individuals, with internal documents showing the company deliberately distributed domains to cybercriminals for fraudulent schemes including phishing and online gambling.
wbtv.com
A Catawba County woman lost over $160,000 to a government impersonation scam after being deceived by someone posing as a Department of Justice investigator who claimed she was under a gag order. Government impersonation crimes affected 17,367 people in 2024 with losses exceeding $405 million, while romance scams resulted in over $670 million in losses that year. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson emphasized the importance of reporting fraud quickly to enable money recovery and highlighted his office's success in prosecuting scammers, including cryptocurrency fraud cases, with recent convictions resulting in lengthy prison sentences and millions of dollars recovered.
wilcosun.com
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office warned residents about imposter scams where fraudsters falsely claim to be law enforcement, using real employee names and fake local phone numbers to appear credible. Legitimate sheriff's offices never request money, threaten arrest, or demand personal information via phone; scammers commonly use pressure tactics, robocalls, and request payment through untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or bitcoin. Residents should hang up on suspicious calls immediately and contact the sheriff's office directly, and should be alert to common scam variations including debt collection fraud via text, sweepstake scams, and emergency schemes involving fake relatives.
explodingtopics.com
In 2025, scams affect billions globally: approximately 608 million people fall victim to scams annually worldwide, while in the US alone, 34% of adults experienced scams in the past year with losses exceeding $12.5 billion (a 25% increase year-over-year). The most common scam methods are phone calls and SMS messages, followed by email, with romance scams causing the highest average losses at $2,000 per victim, while identity theft remains the most prevalent scam type in the US.