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in Robocall / Phone Scam
businesstoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Deepfake scams use AI to create hyper-realistic fake videos, audio, and images to defraud individuals and financial institutions, with approximately 3% of KYC fraud cases already involving deepfakes. Fraudsters exploit emotional manipulation by impersonating loved ones in distress calls requesting money or by creating fake identities to bypass security checks. To protect yourself, verify unexpected requests by contacting the person directly, watch for audio-video lag in video calls, request official email follow-ups from known domains, limit personal information on social media, and use deepfake detection tools.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
During holiday shopping season, consumers should be aware of two prevalent scams: fake retail websites offering heavily discounted items (such as fraudulent Bed Bath and Beyond liquidation sites) that charge credit cards before disappearing, and text message scams claiming unauthorized charges are pending. The Better Business Bureau advises shoppers to track their orders, avoid responding to unsolicited texts, and be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true.
tribuneindia.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters impersonating police officers are increasingly targeting citizens through calls and digital means, creating panic and extorting money by falsely claiming victims are implicated in criminal activities. Experts recommend multiple preventive measures including: enhanced public awareness about "digital arrest" scams (which are illegal), better police capacity building in cybercrime investigation, stricter sentencing laws, reporting suspicious calls to the national cyber crime helpline (1930), and collaboration between police and telecom providers to combat these scams.
jacksonvillefreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing enforcement actions against elder fraud and abuse, resulting in over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants that recovered nearly $700 million and protected over 225,000 seniors. Cases included romance scams and government impersonation schemes, with the DOJ blocking $27 million in fraudulent transfers and the National Elder Fraud Hotline fielding over 50,000 calls from seniors seeking assistance. Notable prosecutions included two Pittsburgh nursing homes convicted of falsifying records to conceal inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes that found constitutional rights violations due to inadequate infection control and medical care.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are conducting a nationwide telephone phishing scam by impersonating U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, claiming to have intercepted drug shipments under the victim's name and demanding personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank account information. The scammers use tactics including threatening police arrival if victims refuse cooperation, providing actual CBP employee names found online, and issuing fake case or badge numbers to appear legitimate. CBP advises the public to hang up on unsolicited calls, never provide personal financial information over the phone, and verify agency contact information through official websites rather than caller ID or provided phone numbers.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraud targeting veterans, service members, and their families cost $477 million in 2023, with over 85% of veterans encountering service-related scams in the past year. Scammers commonly impersonate the VA to threaten benefit cuts or demand payment of bogus fees, or pose as veterans offering fraudulent investment opportunities with special deals. The VA and White House launched fraud prevention resources including Vsafe.gov and a call center (833-388-7233) to help veterans identify and report scams.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common holiday season scams and protective measures. The three primary scam types identified are fake online retailers using deep discounts and social media ads, gift card scams where fraudsters trick victims into providing card numbers, and fraudulent travel deals targeting holiday travelers. Key advice includes remaining calm when contacted by scammers, shopping only at secure websites, purchasing gift cards from official retailers, booking travel through reputable sites, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC or relevant financial institutions.
wesa.fm
· 2025-12-08
As Medicare's December 7 enrollment deadline approaches, scammers pose as Medicare officials or insurance company representatives via phone calls, texts, and emails to trick older adults into disclosing Social Security numbers and sensitive information. Medicare and most private insurers will not initiate unsolicited phone contact; instead, beneficiaries should expect written letters and can verify communications by calling official toll-free numbers directly. Older adults and caregivers should avoid providing personal information to unexpected callers, be wary of robocalls, start enrollment early to reduce deadline pressure, and consult reputable sources like Medicare.gov or state health insurance assistance programs.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Family caregivers play a crucial role in protecting older adults from fraud, as seniors lose billions annually to scams including tech support, lottery, grandparent, investment, imposter, and romance schemes. AARP recommends caregivers maintain open communication with loved ones, educate them about common fraud tactics, establish protective financial measures, and monitor for signs of social isolation that increase scam vulnerability. Resources and guidance are available at www.aarp.org/fraud to help families prevent and respond to fraud targeting older adults.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
From July 2023 to June 2024, the Department of Justice pursued over 300 enforcement actions against 700+ defendants who stole nearly $700 million from 225,000 elder fraud victims, while recovering $31 million and providing services to 230,000+ older adults. Investment scams caused the highest losses at $1.2 billion, followed by tech support scams ($590 million), business email compromise ($382 million), romance scams ($357 million), and government impersonation scams ($180 million), with the DOJ's National Elder Fraud Hotline receiving over 50,000 calls in the past year.
insidebitcoins.com
· 2025-12-08
Shizuku Ida, a 27-year-old woman, defrauded approximately 100 men of roughly 100 million yen ($656,000) through an elaborate romance scam conducted on social media and dating apps. Using the alias "Yuu," Ida posed as a hostess and fabricated emotionally compelling stories—including claims of lost money, unpaid debts, and suicidal ideation—to manipulate victims into sending money, which she spent on internet casinos and entertainment. She was arrested after defrauding a Yamagata man of 346,000 yen in October, with experts noting that the lack of face-to-
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, cyberscammers stole $477 million from veterans, military personnel, and their spouses—a $63 million increase from 2022—affecting 30,948 military members, according to FTC data. Common scams targeting this population include romance scams (the most prevalent, costing over $40 million in 2020), veterans' benefit scams offering fraudulent benefit increases, phishing emails impersonating government agencies or the IRS, and rental property scams. The article provides details on these five major scam types and advises military members to be cautious of unsolicited offers and suspicious communications requesting personal information or upfront
citizen.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated through use of AI and modern technology, making it harder for victims to identify fraudulent schemes and recover lost funds, which can range from small amounts to thousands of dollars. Key protective measures include: avoiding unsolicited links and phishing emails by verifying directly with companies, recognizing "too good to be true" offers like fake giveaways that exploit emotions, and strengthening account security through strong unique passwords, password managers, and two-factor authentication. Scammers commonly target social media and email to impersonate legitimate companies, so pausing before reacting to urgent or exciting messages and contacting official customer care for confirmation can help prevent victimization.
wrtv.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Florida woman lost over $40,000 in a lottery scam where a caller claiming to represent Mega Millions told her she had won $8 million and instructed her to send cash to an Indianapolis address to cover taxes. The scammer used fake check deposits and promises of prize money to convince the victim to wire multiple shipments of cash via UPS, though authorities have not recovered the funds or identified the actual perpetrator. This case exemplifies the rising tide of elder fraud, with the FBI reporting $3.4 billion in losses to people age 60 and older in 2023—an 11 percent increase from the previous year.
nbcmontana.com
· 2025-12-08
Employment scams targeting job seekers have significantly increased in recent years, with North America losing an estimated $2 billion annually to these schemes. Montana has received 22 employment scam reports since the beginning of the year, with scammers using three primary methods: onboarding scams that request personal information like Social Security numbers, fraudulent reshipping schemes involving fake overpayments, and task optimization scams where victims pay upfront fees and lose thousands of dollars ($10,000-$20,000+) with promises of larger payouts. Job seekers should be wary of upfront payment requests, suspicious job postings on legitimate boards, and offers that seem too good to be true, an
wccsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission is warning residents about "Quishing Attacks," scams involving fraudulent QR codes sent via email that appear to come from legitimate sources. When scanned, these codes direct victims to malicious websites designed to steal personal information, install malware, or capture multi-factor authentication tokens to bypass login security. Residents are advised to stay informed about scams and report suspected quishing attacks to local law enforcement.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Gift card fraud resulted in $54.4 million in losses during Q3 2024, with 11,743 incidents reported to the FTC, making vigilance especially important during the holiday shopping season. Common scams include thieves draining stolen or tampered physical cards before recipients use them, impersonating friends or family members via text or voice cloning to request emergency gift cards, purchasing fraudulent cards on resale sites, and fake prize schemes requiring gift cards as payment. To protect themselves, consumers should inspect physical cards for tampering, verify requests through direct contact, avoid discounted cards on auction sites, and remember that legitimate prizes never require advance payment.
ag.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning residents about health insurance scams during the 2024-2025 Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, which runs through January 31, 2025 (with December 15 deadline for January 1 coverage). Common scams include fraudsters threatening cancellation of Medicaid or coverage unless payment is provided, phishing scams offering gift cards to "update" accounts, and charging fees to enroll in marketplace insurance, none of which legitimate government agencies do. The Attorney General advises New Yorkers to use only official channels like NY State of Health (1-855-355-5777) for free enrollment assistance
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Raymond McDonald, a 51-year-old serial romance fraudster from County Durham, was jailed again in August 2024 after defrauding multiple women through dating sites within months of his December 2023 release from prison. Police believe he may have victimized hundreds of women over two decades by posing as a wealthy, distinguished military officer and extracting thousands of pounds through false promises of luxury items, property investments, and even marriage. The victims reported experiencing trauma comparable to sexual assault and domestic abuse, with McDonald's emotional manipulation causing deep psychological harm beyond the financial losses.
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian citizens were convicted of operating romance scams across the United States between 2017 and November 2021, defrauding victims out of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars each by creating fake identities on dating websites and social media to build false romantic relationships and solicit emergency financial assistance. The defendants acted as "money mules," laundering stolen funds through multiple bank accounts and shell corporations to obscure the money trail; one victim in Tennessee alone lost over $400,000. The four received federal prison sentences ranging from 30 to 60 months, with sentencing occurring between April and October 2024.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian citizens were sentenced to federal prison for operating international romance scams targeting U.S. victims from 2017 to 2021, with sentences ranging from 30 to 60 months. The defendants created fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims, then solicited money for emergencies, with losses ranging from thousands to over $400,000 per victim. The defendants functioned as "money mules," laundering proceeds through multiple bank accounts and shell companies to conceal the scheme's origins.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Venezuelan national, Deivy Jose Rodriguez Delgado, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for using dating apps to lure three American men to the Dominican Republic, then holding them hostage at knifepoint and forcing them to have family members send ransom money to his CashApp account in July 2022. Delgado was arrested in September 2022 after Dominican authorities traced a vehicle used in two of the abductions to him and found a knife in his car. Experts warn this sophisticated romance scam targeting lonely individuals seeking connections online is difficult to detect and increasingly common internationally, recommending victims meet strangers only in public places.
hudsoncountyview.com
· 2025-12-08
Assemblyman John Allen (D-32) and New Jersey's Division of Consumer Affairs hosted an educational event in Hoboken on November 18th to inform seniors about common scams, including IRS phone scams, lottery frauds, and grandparent scams that increasingly target older residents. The session provided practical advice on recognizing scam tactics and protecting against fraud through phone calls, emails, and other methods.
windsorstar.com
· 2025-12-08
LaSalle police warned of a phishing text message scam targeting seniors that impersonates Service Canada, falsely claiming CPP and OAS benefits have been suspended and requesting immediate response. The scam uses a legitimate-looking CRA phone number and directs victims to click a fraudulent hyperlink that mimics official CRA and banking websites to steal personal and financial information. Police advised recipients not to reply, click links, or provide any information, and recommended verifying sender identity before sharing sensitive data.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council highlighted misleading marketing practices during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15-December 7) as its November Fraud of the Month, warning seniors to avoid scammers who request personal information, falsely claim Medicare endorsement, or use high-pressure enrollment tactics. The organization advises beneficiaries to request written information, verify doctor networks, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, noting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually nationwide.
cityofmentor.com
· 2025-12-08
The Mentor Police Department is offering a free educational presentation on preventing senior scams on November 13, 2024, at the Mentor Senior Center, covering common scam types, red flags, and protection strategies. The presentation is open to the public and designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting their age group.
macaudailytimes.com.mo
· 2025-12-08
A mainland woman lost RMB245,000 in a phishing scam on November 11 when she received a call from someone impersonating an Alipay representative who claimed she needed to update her identity information and directed her to a fraudulent link. After transferring her entire bank balance to the designated account, the victim became suspicious and reported the incident to police in Macau.
munsifdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A victim in Hyderabad lost Rs 2,91,726 in a credit card fraud scheme where a scammer impersonated an HDFC Bank representative, convinced the victim to install a malicious APK file via WhatsApp, and used the compromised phone to make unauthorized purchases on Amazon. The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal's Cyber Crime Unit in Hyderabad quickly identified the malware, coordinated with authorities to block the funds, and secured a full refund from the merchant without requiring court intervention.
aboutlawsuits.com
· 2025-12-08
This content is a compilation of legal case summaries and does not contain a single article suitable for Elderus summarization. However, the relevant elder abuse item is: The DOJ released its sixth Annual Report to Congress detailing federal progress in combating elder fraud, abuse, and nursing home neglect from July 2023 to June 2024, noting that multiple new and ongoing federal programs have been implemented in partnership with law enforcement agencies to address financial fraud and caregiver abuse affecting elderly Americans.
syracuse.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning about health insurance scams targeting residents during open enrollment periods, which spike as New Yorkers seek coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace (open through January 31, 2025). Scammers use fear tactics threatening cancellation of Medicaid or other coverage unless payment is provided, phishing schemes offering gift cards to update accounts, and false claims that fees are required to enroll in state health programs—tactics that legitimate government agencies never employ. New Yorkers are advised to use only official channels like NY State of Health website or 1-855-355-5777 to enroll and to report suspected fraud to the Attorney
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains the rising threat of phishing scams that impersonate legitimate help desk and support teams, often creating false urgency (such as claiming account expiration) to trick victims into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. The article provides guidance on identifying phishing emails by checking sender domain addresses for inconsistencies, and recommends protective steps including avoiding clicks on links or attachments, not engaging with scammers, reporting suspicious emails, and using antivirus software to detect threats.
anz.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Investment and online shopping scams caused Australian losses of $3.4 million and $125 million respectively from January to September 2024, with fraudsters using professionally-designed websites and promises of quick returns or unbeatable deals to lure victims. One customer nearly lost $50,000 to an unregistered broker operating a crypto scam before intervention. Protection strategies include verifying website legitimacy, checking broker registration with ASIC, avoiding rushed decisions, using secure payment methods, and monitoring accounts regularly.
wimberleyview.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of experts presented common scams to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, including telephone schemes where scammers impersonated sheriff's office staff demanding bail money, and "grandma scams" using AI-cloned voices to convince relatives to send funds for fake emergencies. Financial fraud schemes included fraudulent bank employee calls redirecting transfers, online loan scams requesting upfront cash, romance scams targeting elderly people on social media, and cryptocurrency conversion schemes, with experts advising recipients to hang up and independently verify requests with their bank or sheriff's office.
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare open enrollment season (October 15 – December 7, 2025), scammers pose as Medicare representatives to target seniors in Rutherford County, Tennessee, using fake calls, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes to steal personal information and financial details. Common tactics include requesting Medicare numbers or credit cards under the guise of "updating" information, falsely claiming Part D coverage is mandatory, and using scare tactics about benefit cancellation. Seniors should never provide personal information to unsolicited callers and instead verify directly with Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or use legitimate resources like Medicare.gov or Tennessee's SHIP program for enrollment assistance.
oklahoman.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma City is warning residents about a resurging scam where callers impersonate municipal court employees or law enforcement, demanding immediate payment of fake fines over the phone under threat of jail. The city advises residents to hang up, independently verify any debts by calling OKC Municipal Court at (405) 297-3898 or checking okc.gov/court, and notes that scammers increasingly use spoofed numbers, actual deputy names, and payment methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency to steal money.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Four Nigerian citizens residing in the U.S. and Canada were sentenced to federal prison (ranging from 2.5 to 5 years) for operating romance and investment scams between 2017 and 2021, using fake identities on dating sites and social media to deceive victims into sending money via wire transfers and mail. The conspiracy involved dozens of victims who lost between thousands to over $400,000 each, with the defendants functioning as "money mules" to launder proceeds through shell companies and multiple bank accounts. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Raymond McDonald, a 51-year-old serial romance fraudster from County Durham, has been repeatedly imprisoned for scamming multiple women out of thousands of pounds through dating sites by posing as a wealthy, distinguished military man with properties abroad. Police believe he may have victimized "hundreds" of women over decades, with his latest victims reporting severe emotional trauma comparable to sexual assault, though he was arrested again in August 2024 after his December 2023 release. McDonald's scheme involved juggling simultaneous relationships while fabricating stories about military work, property investments, and fake marriages, extracting money for items and services that never materialized.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in Udupi lost Rs 20 lakh in a parcel scam after receiving a call from a fraudster impersonating a FedEx employee who claimed a parcel contained drugs and contraband items held by NCB Mumbai. The scammer conducted a fake video verification via Skype, obtained the victim's personal documents, and tricked him into transferring Rs 20 lakh through his bank's mobile app under the guise of "police clearance." FedEx clarified that they never request personal information through unsolicited calls and advised recipients of suspicious contact to report to law enforcement immediately.
anz.com.au
· 2025-12-08
ANZ Bank released a video series featuring its Scam Assist team to educate customers about evolving scam threats, reporting that customer scam losses fell 46% and scam events decreased 28% in the twelve months to September 2024, with the bank preventing over $140 million in fraudulent transfers. The bank emphasizes that scams have become increasingly sophisticated and sophisticated, and aims to empower customers with knowledge to recognize and avoid scams while making Australia a harder target for scammers.
khaleejtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old Abu Dhabi resident lost nearly $200,000 (AED 734,000) in a fake online trading investment scam that began in June 2019 when she responded to a Facebook advertisement for ufx.com. The scammers used sophisticated social engineering tactics—including professional-sounding agents, fake documentation processes, and promises of profitable deals—to convince her to make multiple deposits and take out a loan; even after she stopped sending money, bogus agents continued contacting her for years, eventually directing her to fake successor websites under different names. The case illustrates how investment scam operators persistently target victims across multiple platforms and employ evol
travel.nine.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A US air traveler lost nearly $4,000 after calling what they believed was Delta Air Lines customer service to correct a name discrepancy on an international flight ticket, only to discover they had reached scammers impersonating the airline. The fraudsters quoted an inflated initial fee of $18,000, then reduced it to $2,389.32, which the victim paid, while the actual name change required no charge when handled through legitimate Delta channels. The incident serves as a warning to always contact airlines through official websites rather than phone numbers found via search engines.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old man named Benjamin Yakah was arrested in Minnesota for operating an internet romance scam in which he posed as a woman named "Julia" on Facebook and defrauded a 77-year-old widower in Bradenton, Florida of over $100,000 across eight months. Yakah used stolen photos of a West Virginia woman without her knowledge and convinced the victim that he needed money to pay off a debt before relocating from the United Kingdom to Florida to start a relationship. The victim's children reported the scam to the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit in June, leading investigators to trace the fraudulent bank account to Yakah, and further investigation reveale
catcountry1073.com
· 2025-12-08
A Galloway Township Police Department stopped an attempted elder fraud scheme when officers arrested Dipen Patel, 51, who arrived at a senior couple's home to collect $60,000 in cash. The couple had been deceived by a phone scammer posing as a federal agent who falsely claimed unauthorized bank accounts were opened in their names and instructed them to withdraw and hand over the money for "protection." Police prevented the handover after being alerted by the couple's daughter and have issued search warrants as the investigation continues.
nationthailand.com
· 2025-12-08
Police arrested six suspects—four Thai nationals and two Nigerian men—who operated romance scams and used over 1,000 mule bank accounts to launder money for international criminal networks, defrauding victims of more than 50 million baht. The gang leader, identified as a Nigerian national named Christian, facilitated transactions exceeding 1.2 billion baht through accounts linked to foreign call centers, drug dealers, and other scam operations. The suspects face charges including public fraud, computer crimes, and money laundering, with authorities warning the public that opening bank accounts for others can result in up to three years imprisonment and 300,000 baht in fines.
gizmodo.com
· 2025-12-08
O2, the UK's largest mobile network operator, deployed an AI voice chatbot called "Daisy" that mimics an elderly person to waste phone scammers' time and divert them from real targets. The chatbot engages scammers in lengthy conversations (40+ minutes) using social engineering tactics and provides fake information when asked for personal details, preventing actual fraud. While this "scambaiting" approach helps protect vulnerable elderly people who are commonly targeted with tax and arrest-related scams, concerns remain that similar voice-cloning technology could be misused for grandparent scams and other elder fraud schemes.
hispanicprwire.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council highlighted misleading marketing practices during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15–December 7) as its November 2024 Fraud of the Month, warning seniors to avoid scammers who request personal information, falsely claim Medicare affiliation, or use high-pressure enrollment tactics. The council advises seniors to verify that plan representatives explain coverage changes in writing, confirm doctors are in-network, and opt out of unsolicited communications, with resources available through the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.
973espn.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Galloway Township, New Jersey, nearly lost $60,000 to an imposter posing as a federal agent who convinced them their bank accounts had been compromised and instructed them to withdraw cash for deposit into a "secure account." Police intervened after the couple's daughter alerted authorities, and arrested Dipen Patel, 51, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, when he arrived at the home to collect the money. The case highlights the prevalence of elder fraud schemes targeting seniors through phone impersonation.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pennsylvania man, Dipen Patel, 51, was arrested after attempting to scam an elderly Galloway couple out of more than $60,000 by posing as a federal agent and claiming their Social Security numbers had been compromised. Police were alerted by the couple's daughter while the scam was in progress and apprehended Patel when he arrived at the home to collect the cash. The case highlights common elder fraud tactics, and police remind seniors that legitimate law enforcement will never demand cash payments over the phone.
communityimpact.com
· 2025-12-08
The Elder Financial Safety Center (EFSC), formed in 2014 by Dallas County Probate Courts, the District Attorney's Office, and The Senior Source nonprofit, addresses financial exploitation of seniors through prevention, protection, and prosecution. The article details prevalent scams targeting seniors aged 50+, including romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams, and recommends protective measures such as not answering unknown calls and avoiding clicking on unsolicited texts and links. Services are free to eligible seniors in Dallas and surrounding counties, with one case cited involving a victim who lost $545,000 after being groomed through a fake Geek Squad text message scam
wtap.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
This educational piece presents financial fraud prevention advice from Jeff Sandy, a former West Virginia law enforcement official, highlighting common scams targeting the Mid-Ohio Valley including impersonation of loved ones (such as the "grandparent scam") and too-good-to-be-true offers. Sandy recommends critical thinking (asking "who, what, when, where, why"), maintaining open communication with elderly family members, limiting personal information shared online and in obituaries, and reporting fraud immediately to law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) without shame.