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in Scam Awareness
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Gift card scams cost Americans over $217 million in 2023, with scammers impersonating government agents, family members, or businesses to pressure victims into purchasing cards and sharing serial numbers and PINs. More than one-third of U.S. adults have been targeted by these scams, which exploit trust and urgency to steal money that cannot be recovered. AARP recommends purchasing gift cards directly from retailers, verifying balances before leaving stores, and never using gift cards as payment, while encouraging victims to report scams to local law enforcement.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles and contacting people via unsolicited messages and social media to steal personal information by offering fraudulent Real ID applications ahead of the compliance deadline. Officials warn people to ignore these solicitations and only apply for Real ID through their state's official driver's license commission.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are increasingly exploiting trusted platforms like Google Forms and legitimate company domains (Google, PayPal) to conduct phishing scams that steal personal and financial information from victims. Recent sophisticated campaigns targeted university students, faculty, and staff at 15 U.S. institutions by mimicking school communications with authentic branding and requesting credentials under the pretense of account maintenance or financial aid distribution, particularly around high-stress academic calendar dates. To protect against these attacks, users should never submit sensitive information via Google Forms, scrutinize unsolicited form requests for spelling/design errors, verify requests directly with organizations, and immediately change credentials and monitor accounts if information has already been compromised.
wbir.com
· 2025-12-08
Residents of Tennessee received fraudulent text messages claiming they had unpaid toll balances requiring immediate payment to avoid fines, registration suspension, or collections action. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office confirmed the texts are scams designed to steal personal information and money, advising recipients to delete them and report suspicious messages that come from unknown numbers and direct to non-government websites. According to the FBI, scams of this type cost Tennesseans over $190 million in 2024, with seniors accounting for one-third of those losses.
southwestledger.news
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 54, of Pawnee, Oklahoma was charged with five felonies for laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) in Florida, Utah, and Texas between September and December 2024. The victims, who believed they were in romantic relationships with a man using the alias "Maurice Dinero," sent funds via Apple gift cards, cash, checks, and wire transfers to accounts Echohawk controlled, which she converted to cryptocurrency and forwarded to an unknown suspect. If convicted, Echohawk faces 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Chase Bank held an educational seminar in Chicago to help senior citizens protect themselves against fraud, which cost U.S. consumers over $12 billion in the previous year with a 25% increase from 2023. The seminar covered five common scams targeting seniors: impersonation, romance scams, family emergency schemes, computer virus scams, and prize/inheritance claims, with Chase advising consumers to verify suspicious communications before sharing information and recognize pressure tactics used by scammers. Attendees learned the "four Ps" framework for identifying scams—imposters pretending to be trusted sources, fake problems, pressure to act quickly, and requests for payment—and were encouraged to report any fraud to authorities.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Virginia hosted an interactive "Whodunnit: Spot the Scammer" event in Richmond on April 10, 2025, attracting over 30 participants to learn about common fraud schemes affecting older adults. The educational event featured a fictional case study of a retiree targeted by romance, sweepstakes, and IRS scams, with volunteers providing information on how to recognize and avoid these frauds, addressing the 57,867 fraud reports filed in Virginia during 2024. AARP's Fraud Watch Network offers free support through their helpline at 877-908-3360, answering approximately 500 calls daily to help fraud victims and provide
herald-dispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers commonly target adults 55+ with investment/cryptocurrency scams, online purchase fraud, romance scams, and home improvement schemes. The article outlines key warning signs including unsolicited calls from those claiming to be government officials or bank employees, requests for unusual payment methods, pressure to act quickly, and too-good-to-be-true offers. Recommended protections include registering with the National Do-Not-Call Registry, hanging up on unsolicited callers, researching investments thoroughly, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and verifying unexpected claims by contacting official sources directly.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a nationwide alert about fraudulent "discount" medical insurance schemes targeting seniors and other Americans, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. Scammers impersonate legitimate insurance companies through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails, using high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into enrolling in fake plans that provide no actual coverage when medical services are needed. Documented cases include victims in Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Maryland who were denied coverage claims, subjected to unauthorized charges, and refused refunds after discovering the plans were fraudulent.
theadvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
**Educational Presentation on Elder Fraud Prevention**
Sharon Creque of the Louisiana Attorney General's office presented to the Zachary Rotary Club on April 24 about the growing threat of elder fraud, which includes fake IRS calls, Medicare fraud, and identity theft targeting seniors through sophisticated scams. Key prevention measures include never sharing personal or financial information on unsolicited calls, hanging up on suspicious callers, using caller ID to block unknowns, and avoiding unfamiliar email links that may contain malware. The presentation emphasized that many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment or confusion, and encouraged community awareness and reporting through the state attorney general's office.
businessday.ng
· 2025-12-08
Nigerians lost N911.45 billion to Ponzi and related fraud schemes over 23 years, with recent victims falling prey to illegal schemes like Crypto Bridge Exchange that promised 100% returns in 30 days. The Securities and Exchange Commission released a 30-point scam advisory warning of red flags including pressure to act quickly, promises of guaranteed profits with no risk, and requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, emphasizing that investors should verify company registration and never yield to high-pressure tactics.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of an ongoing discount medical insurance scam that targets people seeking affordable healthcare through unsolicited contact via calls, texts, or emails, promising discounted rates and coverage that fails to materialize when victims need medical services. Scammers use pressure tactics like time-limited offers and misrepresent coverage while refusing refunds, with Washington state issuing a cease-and-desist against one company operating under multiple names after receiving over 100 complaints. Victims reported unpaid medical bills ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, as well as difficulty canceling policies and receiving promised refunds.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, over 859,000 Americans filed complaints with the FBI about internet scams, resulting in $16.6 billion in losses—a 33% increase from the previous year. Investment scams caused the largest losses at $6.5 billion, while seniors aged 60+ were disproportionately targeted, losing $2.5 billion to various schemes including tech support scams ($1 billion among seniors alone), business email compromise ($2.7 billion), call center scams ($1.9 billion), and grandparent scams. The FBI advises vigilance against suspicious links, unsolicited remote access requests, and urgent money transfer requests, recomm
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel scams are widespread, with one in three Americans reporting they've fallen victim to schemes offering fake deals on hotels, flights, and rentals, with a third losing $1,000 or more. Common tactics include fake travel websites, non-existent properties, and Airbnb impersonation scams where scammers pose as hosts and direct victims to pay via wire transfer outside the official platform. The FTC advises travelers to book directly through official websites, use credit cards instead of wire transfers or cryptocurrency, research companies thoroughly, and avoid deals that sound too good to be true.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts are warning of an increase in REAL ID-related scams as the federal enforcement deadline approaches on May 7, 2025. Scammers are impersonating DMVs via email, text, phone calls, and spoofed websites to trick people into providing personal information such as names, Social Security numbers, and addresses by claiming they can expedite the REAL ID process for a fee. The Colorado DMV clarifies it never contacts individuals directly requesting payment or personal information, and advises people to report suspicious messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or Federal Trade Commission rather than clicking links or sharing details.
montgomery.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
wyff4.com
· 2025-12-08
AI voice-mimicking scams emerged as a major threat in 2025, with scammers using artificial intelligence to impersonate family members in distress to solicit emergency payments. A victim named Dee Dee nearly lost $9,500 after receiving a convincing call from what sounded like her grandson claiming he needed bail money for a car accident, but was stopped just in time by her daughter's intervention. The article recommends families establish secret code words to verify caller identity when unexpected financial requests are made.
northpennnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman narrowly avoided losing money to a sophisticated tech support scam that impersonated Norton antivirus, Microsoft, and her bank to pressure her into purchasing cryptocurrency, claiming she faced arrest due to child pornography on her computer. The Federal Trade Commission reported Americans lost between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to financial scams in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, with experts citing artificial intelligence, dark web data access, and lack of federal oversight as enabling factors that make scams increasingly convincing and difficult to report or recover from.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Older Americans reported nearly $4.9 billion stolen through fraud in 2024, a 43 percent increase from the previous year, with victims 60 and older averaging losses of $83,000—significantly higher than the overall fraud average of $19,000 across all ages. Investment scams were the leading category affecting seniors, accounting for over $1.8 billion in losses, followed by tech support scams ($982 million) and romance/confidence scams ($389 million), with cryptocurrency investment fraud emerging as a rapidly growing threat often involving "pig butchering" schemes and fraudulent cryptocurrency ATMs. The actual financial impact likely exceeds reported figures due to underreporting,
pinellassheriff.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece highlights key safety concerns for Florida's large senior population during Older Americans Month. While younger people report more scam incidents overall, seniors lose significantly more money per scam—those over 80 lose a median of $1,650 compared to $189 for those under 19—and should be wary of unsolicited contacts demanding urgency, crypto payments, or gift cards. The article also provides guidance on safer driving practices, fall prevention through fitness programs, personal safety awareness, and available local resources to support seniors' health and security.
wmix94.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office partnered with the Du Quoin Public Library to host a free fraud prevention seminar on May 15 aimed at educating seniors about the latest online and phone scams targeting them. The presentation covered online scams, fraud schemes specific to seniors, and federal prosecutions in Southern Illinois, while providing attendees with detection tips and guidance on contacting law enforcement if victimized.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes launched a new webpage to publicly document cases where social media companies (Instagram, Snapchat, Telegram) are named in connection with enabling illegal activities, including drug trafficking, fraud, scams, gang violence, and human trafficking. The initiative highlights research showing that up to 13% of social media posts promote illicit drug sales and 80% of teen fentanyl deaths can be traced to social media contact, while noting that Section 230 legal protections currently shield these platforms from direct liability. Since 2022, Mayes' office has seized over 25 million fentanyl pills and 405 pounds of fentanyl powder
eagletimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Comcast partnered with the Claremont Senior Center to provide digital literacy training and cybersecurity awareness to 15 local seniors, covering online safety, phishing prevention, and other scam avoidance strategies. The program included laptop donations to participants as part of Comcast's Project UP initiative, which aims to improve digital access and economic opportunity in underserved communities.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
Kingsley Sebastian Ibhadore, a Nigerian citizen and lawful U.S. resident from Phoenix, was sentenced to federal prison for laundering approximately $4 million in proceeds from romance scams by structuring financial transactions to evade detection. The case underscores the significant impact of organized online romance fraud schemes operating across Arizona and the nation.
newtondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Pig Butchering Scam" combines romance fraud with cryptocurrency schemes, where scammers build trust with victims over weeks or months before pitching fake investment opportunities and stealing their money. The FTC reported record losses of $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 (a 25% increase), with investment scams alone accounting for $4.7 billion in losses and a median loss of $9,196 per victim. Protection involves blocking unsolicited contacts, verifying investment opportunities through research and trusted advisors, and immediately reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and financial institutions.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Older Americans (60+) lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in 2024—a 43% increase from the previous year—with an average loss of $83,000 per victim, according to the FBI's annual report. Investment scams were the costliest fraud type affecting seniors ($1.8 billion), followed by tech support scams ($982 million) and romance scams ($389 million), with cryptocurrency investment fraud and pig butchering schemes emerging as rapidly growing threats. The significantly higher average loss for older adults compared to the national average of $19,000 demonstrates that while fraud affects all ages, its impact on seniors is often financially catastrophic.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Myanmar militia group Karen National Army (KNA) and its leader Saw Chit Thu for profiting from large-scale cyber scam operations, particularly in Shwe Kokko where industrial scamming compounds force trafficked workers to defraud victims through fraudulent investment schemes. The KNA leases land to criminal groups, provides security, and facilitates human trafficking to support these operations, which have caused Americans to lose over $6.5 billion to cryptocurrency investment fraud alone. The sanctions block the militia leader and his family from U.S. business dealings and follow international designations by the UK and EU, as well as broader Treasury actions against money laun
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated scam targets older adults through WhatsApp and text messages, with fraudsters impersonating family members or close friends claiming to have lost their phone and urgently needing money for various reasons. According to Santander data, scammers posing as sons are most successful, with schemes evolving to include AI voice impersonation technology to increase credibility. Victims are advised to verify requests by contacting the person directly on their known number, establish family passwords, and report suspicious messages through their bank, the messaging app, or Action Fraud.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau alerts adults 55 and older that investment/cryptocurrency scams, online purchase scams, and romance scams pose significant risks to this demographic. The BBB recommends protecting yourself by avoiding unsolicited calls and unverified callers, researching investments thoroughly, recognizing red flags like pressure tactics and requests for unusual payment methods, and being cautious of too-good-to-be-true offers for home improvement, medical equipment, and charities. Specific threats include phone fraud where scammers impersonate government agents or banks, Medicare fraud involving fake durable medical equipment, and malware from suspicious links in emails or social media.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns adults ages 55 and older that investment/cryptocurrency scams, online purchase scams, romance scams, and home improvement scams pose the greatest risks to this demographic. The BBB recommends protecting oneself by being skeptical of unsolicited calls (especially those impersonating government agencies), recognizing common scam red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, researching investments carefully, and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited emails or messages.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Tampa woman lost $4,500 after clicking a link in a text message impersonating Florida's SunPass toll system, which led her to enter her debit card information on a fake payment portal; scammers then made 25 fraudulent purchases at Staples stores over three days. This case exemplifies a national surge in toll-related phishing scams, with the FTC reporting Americans lost $470 million to text-message scams in 2024—five times the 2020 total—and older adults facing particularly high vulnerability. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify messages directly with official agencies, be w
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The "hi mum" WhatsApp scam, where fraudsters impersonate children or close relatives to request emergency money transfers, is rapidly evolving with the use of AI voice impersonation technology to make deceptions more convincing. Between 2023 and 2025, UK victims lost £226,744 to this scam, with sons being the most successfully impersonated relatives according to Santander UK data. Experts recommend verifying unexpected money requests by calling the person directly, asking security questions only they would know, or waiting to see them in person.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Hywel Rowlands and Tra My Tran, who met on an online dating site two years ago, were both targeted by romance scammers before finding genuine love with each other. Romance scams cost Australians over $156 million last year, with scammers using emotional manipulation and fabricated stories to request money for various needs like visa fees and gift cards. Despite encountering multiple scammers—Ms. Tran had a 50% strike rate with four online matches, two of whom asked for money—the couple persevered and have built a successful relationship.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 55-year-old woman in Nagpur was defrauded of Rs 16 lakh (approximately $19,000 USD) by a cybercriminal posing as a wealthy American boyfriend on social media who claimed to be sending her an expensive gift. The scammer used emotional manipulation and fake documentation to convince her that customs fees needed to be paid to clear a parcel, extracting money through multiple transactions. Police traced the funds to an NRI's Indian bank account with links to Dubai, successfully blocked the account, and recovered a portion of the stolen money, highlighting the importance of quick reporting in romance scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Hi Mum" WhatsApp scam, which targets parents by impersonating their children to solicit money for emergencies, has caused £226,744 in losses to UK victims between 2023-2025 and is evolving rapidly, including the use of AI voice impersonation technology to increase authenticity. Fraudsters typically claim to have lost their phone or need money urgently for bills or rent, and request transfers to unfamiliar bank accounts. Experts recommend verifying requests by calling the person directly on their known number, asking security questions only they would know, or establishing family passwords, and advise reporting suspected scams immediately to banks and relevant authorities.
theeagleonline.com.ng
· 2025-12-08
Two Ghanaian women—Anastasia Arthur (aka Baidoo), 48, and Amaseerwaa Konadu—were kidnapped in Nigeria after falling victim to a Facebook romance scam and were successfully rescued by the Nigeria Police Force's Intelligence Response Team in May 2025. The investigation led to the arrest of four suspects operating an international kidnapping syndicate across Ghana and Nigeria, including Peter Okoye (the prime suspect) and Emeka Christian, who received GH10,000 Cedis in ransom money. The police have urged the public to remain vigilant against online romance scams and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
signalsaz.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud affects all age groups but scammers tailor tactics to exploit generation-specific vulnerabilities: Gen Z faces employment and crypto scams via social media, Millennials encounter investment fraud through spoofed communications, Gen X targets investment schemes, and Seniors are most susceptible to romance, investment, and home improvement scams resulting in losses of $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Desert Financial Credit Union advises recognizing red flags such as unsolicited contact, requests for money or wire transfers, urgency, and coaching about what to tell financial institutions, recommending victims pause to research claims and consult trusted contacts before authorizing any transactions.
hometownnewsbrevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Helping Seniors of Brevard partnered with AARP Florida to present a free educational event called "Scam Jam" on May 16 in Melbourne designed to help seniors recognize and protect themselves from common fraud schemes. The event features workshops on prevalent scams including Nigerian lottery schemes, romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, grandparent scams, and identity theft, with experts emphasizing warning signs such as pressure tactics, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, and poor grammar. The organization stresses that seniors should slow down, verify requests with others, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement to help prevent victimization.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Tampa woman lost $4,500 to a phishing scam after clicking a link in a text message impersonating Florida's SunPass toll system, which led to 25 fraudulent charges at stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts. The scam exemplifies a national surge in toll-related phishing fraud, where scammers send mass texts threatening license suspension or credit damage to pressure victims into entering payment information on fake portals. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unsolicited text links, verify messages directly with agencies through official websites, be skeptical of urgent threats, enable bank alerts, and report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM).
mypolice.qld.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational awareness piece, not a news event about a specific fraud case. The Queensland Police Service Financial and Cybercrime Group will host a free cyber safety presentation on May 19, 2025, for Sunshine Coast residents aged 50+ to address vulnerabilities seniors face online. The session will cover Queensland scam statistics, how to identify and report scams, cybersecurity tips, and victim support resources available to fraud victims.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio's Departments of Commerce and Aging are warning seniors about escalating financial fraud, noting a 22% increase in scam complaints in Ohio (302 in 2024 vs. 247 in 2023) and $1.6 billion in elder fraud losses nationally from January-May 2024. Scams have become increasingly sophisticated, utilizing AI voice cloning and cryptocurrency transfers, with older adults aged 60+ now 60% more likely than younger adults to lose over $100,000. The departments recommend protective measures including verifying unfamiliar contacts, resisting pressure tactics, monitoring accounts regularly, and reporting suspected fraud immediately.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. It is a profile piece about Michelle Obama sharing a career lesson from her Princeton experience regarding overcoming self-doubt and societal underestimation as a young Black woman in higher education. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus fraud research database.
dispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are frequently targeted by scammers through multiple channels including impersonation, tech support fraud, romance scams, and AI deepfakes, often resulting in significant financial losses including entire life savings. Columbus police and banking experts identify seniors as especially vulnerable due to lower tech literacy and greater trust in communications, and recommend protective measures such as verifying unexpected contacts independently, avoiding unsolicited links, and using video calls to confirm romantic connections. Families should discuss specific scam examples with seniors to help them recognize and prevent fraud.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma seniors lost approximately $50 million to scams in 2024, more than doubling the $22 million lost in 2023, according to FBI data. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support, investment, romance, and phishing schemes, often delivered via cellphone. The FBI advises seniors to stop and walk away from any situation involving pressure for financial transactions, and to contact trusted loved ones or institutions through independently verified channels.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cambodia-based gang with North Korean ties operating under the Huione Group has stolen billions of dollars from Americans through "pig butchering" romance scams and investment fraud since August 2021, according to federal officials. Between August 2021 and January 2025, Huione raked in at least $4 billion in proceeds, with the operation facilitating payments and cryptocurrency exchanges that enabled the scams targeting US retirees and others through dating apps and social media. The US Treasury Department has proposed a federal rule to sever Huione Group's access to the US financial system, with one victim, Beth Hyland, losing $26,000 to a Tinder sc
mylloydminsternow.com
· 2025-12-08
Lloydminster residents attended a fraud prevention awareness event featuring experts who highlighted two major scam types: grandparent scams and romance scams. Key recommendations included establishing a family safe word to verify callers' identities (which has saved three Alberta families), performing reverse image searches on potential contacts, and avoiding sending money to unknown individuals, particularly those with red flags like new social media accounts or out-of-country connections. The presenters emphasized that romance scam victims—who may lose hundreds of thousands of dollars—should not be shamed for falling victim to emotionally manipulative predators, and encouraged all victims to report fraud to police and family despite embarrassment.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers disclosed multiple vulnerabilities in Apple's AirPlay platform that could allow attackers on the same Wi-Fi network to take over third-party devices like speakers and TVs, though patches have been released with uncertain adoption rates among manufacturers. The article also reports that three major British retailers—Co-op, Marks & Spencer, and Harrods—were recently hit by cyberattacks, with ransomware group Scattered Spider allegedly responsible for at least the Marks & Spencer breach that began in February and disrupted online orders and store operations.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
A widespread phishing scam targeting Facebook users, which the Better Business Bureau reports has significantly increased since 2022, tricks victims into clicking malicious links by falsely claiming their accounts will be permanently deleted for violating community or trademark standards. The scammers use deceptive URLs that appear to be from Meta but actually redirect to fraudulent domains like rebrand.ly, atplink.com, and my-review-checker.xyz; once victims click the links, scammers gain account access and impersonate them to solicit money from their friends and contacts. The key warning sign is the artificial urgency of the message threatening immediate account deletion, which victims should recognize as a red flag and ignore.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud has become a significant threat to adults age 60 and older in the digital age, with the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative working to educate seniors about common scams. The article outlines five major fraud schemes targeting seniors: Social Security impostor scams (falsely claiming account suspension and requesting funds via gift cards), tech support scams (claiming virus detection and requesting remote device access), lottery scams (falsely informing victims of foreign lottery winnings and demanding fees), and romance scams (exploiting victims through dating platforms to solicit money).
bucyrustelegraphforum.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of an escalating "smishing" scam targeting E-ZPass users and other toll service customers with fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid tolls of $3.95-$12.55, designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and surrendering personal and financial information. Similar scams are circulating about undelivered packages, unpaid taxes, and overdue bills, with scammers increasingly using AI and spoofing techniques across multiple states. The FBI advises recipients to delete suspicious texts immediately without clicking links, verify account status through official channels, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).