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in Bank Impersonation
wmtw.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers using phone calls impersonating banks or relatives to steal personal information and money. According to FBI data, older Americans lost $1.6 billion to fraud from January-May 2024, with Maine victims alone losing $7.2 million in 2023 (397 cases averaging $18,040 per victim). Experts recommend pausing to verify unexpected urgent calls through known phone numbers and educating older adults about common scams, with organizations like Kennebunk Savings partnering with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to provide fraud prevention resources and support.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An Australian woman lost $2,500 after a scammer impersonating Virgin Money tricked her into providing a one-time passcode via SMS that appeared to come from the bank's official number. The scammer used technology to spoof the bank's phone number, making the fraudulent message appear in the same conversation thread as legitimate bank communications. The incident highlights growing bank impersonation scams, with Australia's National Anti-Scam Centre recording over 6,800 such reports in 2023 resulting in $18 million in losses, and experts warn scams may increase during tax season when fraudsters impersonate the Australian Taxation Office.
shoredailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) prompted Virginia State Police to highlight common scams targeting older adults, including a software update scam that defrauded one Virginia senior of $36,000 and the "Grandparent scam" using AI voices to impersonate grandchildren in distress. The advisory recommends independent verification of requests, avoiding gift card or cryptocurrency payments, establishing trusted "buddy systems," and regular financial audits to help vulnerable adults protect themselves from fraud and identity theft.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old retired chemical engineer from Pune lost Rs 81 lakh in a sophisticated online scam involving impersonators posing as police and CBI officials who falsely accused him of illegal advertising and money laundering. The fraudsters used fake police credentials, video calls with official logos, and threats of asset freezing to manipulate the victim into transferring the funds as alleged "security deposits." The article advises citizens to verify caller identities through official channels, never share financial information with unknown callers, and report suspicious calls to authorities.
al.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Quishing (QR code phishing) is an emerging scam where fraudsters post QR codes in public locations or send them via email/text to direct victims to fake websites impersonating legitimate organizations, collecting personally identifiable information like Social Security numbers and financial details for identity theft and fraud. To protect yourself, verify the source of QR codes before scanning, avoid scanning codes from unsolicited messages, contact relevant organizations to report suspicious codes, safeguard personal information, and block spam messages through your carrier.
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target older adults through deceptive text messages and calls impersonating government agencies, family members, and romantic interests, exploiting the belief that seniors have substantial savings and are less tech-savvy. The article identifies three main fraud types—government impersonation, family-related, and romance scams—and advises seniors to avoid clicking links, sharing personal information, or taking immediate action; instead, they should verify claims directly with banks or family members using known contact numbers. With 9.22 million Filipinos aged 60 and above, educating elders about these scams is critical, as even unreported fraud can be devastating and leave victims in vulnerable financial positions.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
An Orlando man lost $2,500 in a tech support scam after scammers impersonating Microsoft and a bank manager convinced him to purchase Sephora gift cards, claiming fraudulent charges had been made to his account and that duplicate purchases would trigger an alert to recover the money. Although the victim realized the scam before providing the gift card PIN numbers and never gave the scammers any card details, Sephora froze the cards and has not issued a refund, leaving him unable to use or gift the cards. Experts advise that requests to purchase physical gift cards are a guaranteed sign of scam, and victims should verify contact by independently calling the company's official number.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
A White Settlement, Texas police officer stopped a scam targeting an elderly woman who had been tricked by a Chase Bank impersonator into withdrawing $40,000 and depositing $23,900 into a Bitcoin ATM machine. The scammer used spoofed caller ID and threats of arrest—tactics common in pig butchering scams—before arranging transportation to a bank and convenience store. Authorities intervened before further losses occurred and are working to recover the deposited funds.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
An Orlando man lost $2,500 to a tech support scam that used fake pop-up warnings, fake Microsoft specialists, and impersonated bank managers to convince him to purchase Sephora gift cards as part of a fraudulent "duplicate charge" recovery scheme. Although the victim realized the scam before providing the gift card PINs and never actually lost money to the scammers, Sephora froze the cards and has not refunded his purchase or reactivated them. Experts warn that requests to purchase physical gift cards are a guaranteed sign of scam activity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI in San Diego recovered over $3.3 million for elderly fraud victims through a data-driven operation launched in January 2024, obtaining more than 40 seizure warrants for $5.6 million in total. The effort targets sophisticated scams affecting seniors, particularly cryptocurrency investment schemes and tech support/government impersonation scams, with California leading the nation in both number of victims (77,000+) and losses ($2.1 billion) in 2023. Authorities emphasize that early reporting is critical to interrupting transactions and recovering victims' funds before scammers disappear with the money.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Dubai resident fell victim to a phishing scam where a caller impersonating a bank employee obtained an OTP and accessed the victim's account, resulting in a loss of 100 AED (prevented from larger loss due to account structure). A 2023 Deloitte survey reveals that Gen Z is three times more likely to fall for online scams than other generations, with experts attributing this to lower caution during internet use and higher online activity creating greater susceptibility to fraud tactics like phishing links and account impersonation.
moneylife.in
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old senior citizen in Mumbai lost over Rs2 crore (approximately $240,000 USD) to an online investment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp with promises of high returns in share trading; the fraudster provided app download links and bank account details for transfers, using a Ponzi scheme disguised as legitimate investment. The article explains that such cyber fraud schemes targeting seniors operate by paying early investors to build trust before disappearing when victims attempt to withdraw profits, and recommends potential investors verify that entities are registered with India's Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) and conduct proper due diligence before investing.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Harriet Spring lost $1.6 million of her elderly mother's life savings to scammers impersonating ING bank over several months of phone calls and emails, with the funds eventually transferred through multiple Australian banks and becoming untraceable. Despite her mother's bank questioning the unusual transfer to a Westpac "holding account" and confirming ING was not offering the advertised rate, the bank did not warn her of potential fraud before processing the transaction. Spring is now advocating for government action and bank accountability, as Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in the previous year.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
An 84-year-old woman in White Settlement, Texas was targeted by a scammer who impersonated her bank's security team and threatened her into depositing $40,000 via Bitcoin ATM. Police intervened when a Good Samaritan called authorities, recovering $23,900 that the victim had already deposited, which was returned to her by officers. The case underscores that legitimate banks and law enforcement never call to demand money or payment.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
In June 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office and San Diego FBI recovered over $3.3 million in a coordinated operation targeting fraud schemes against seniors, obtaining more than 40 seizure warrants for $5.6 million since January 2024. The effort highlights California's disproportionate cyber fraud problem, with the state leading the nation in both victim count (over 77,000 in 2023) and losses ($2.1 billion), and emphasizes the need for early reporting of suspected fraud to interrupt transactions before funds are transferred. Common schemes targeting elderly victims include cryptocurrency investment scams (highest losses) and tech support/government impersonation scams
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Gotham Restaurant in NYC fell victim to a $45,000 payroll cyberscam when a fraudster impersonated their payroll company administrator and requested banking information via a spoofed email with a nearly-identical URL. The restaurant's co-owner, unable to recover the funds through his bank and facing seasonal revenue loss, temporarily closed the business in June; he has filed an FBI report and now warns other businesses to verify all banking changes through multiple methods and obtain cyber insurance.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams targeting travelers have surged, with fraudsters using generative AI to create convincing fake travel websites and listings that steal credit card information or install malware on devices. According to a McAfee report, 30 percent of adults have fallen victim to or know someone who has fallen victim to online travel scams. Experts recommend paying only through official websites, avoiding suspiciously low prices, researching unfamiliar sites, and being wary of generic reviews and missing contact information to protect against these increasingly sophisticated threats.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta is the most impersonated U.S. brand in phishing scams, with over 10,457 verified cases in the past four years, followed by Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft. Phishing scams impersonate trusted brands to trick victims into clicking malicious links or revealing personal data, which can lead to ransomware installation or account compromise. The research found that IT/technology and banking/finance sectors are most targeted due to high customer trust and valuable credentials, with scammers increasingly using urgent or emotional messaging and AI-generated content to appear more sophisticated.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A romance scam targeting seniors is currently widespread, in which scammers build fake romantic relationships to convince victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. According to cybersecurity expert Zulfikar Ramzan, crimes targeting elders have increased 11% in the last year, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses with an average loss of $34,000 per victim. Ramzan advises seniors to verify anyone met online through video calls, conduct background research, and be wary when asked about investments, as scammers typically start with small requests that escalate to stealing entire life savings through fake investment statements.
canada.ca
· 2025-12-08
This is an informational resource page from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) outlining how to recognize, report, and protect oneself against tax-related scams, fraud, and identity theft. The CRA provides guidance on identifying common scams, verifying legitimate CRA communications, protecting personal accounts, recognizing tax schemes, and reporting suspected tax cheating or evasion through various confidential channels. The page also details the CRA's enforcement mechanisms, including criminal investigations and international collaboration through partnerships like the J5 alliance to combat tax crime.
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
Operation First Light 2024, a global police operation spanning 61 countries, disrupted transnational online scam networks by freezing 6,745 bank accounts, seizing USD 257 million in assets, and arresting 3,950 suspects involved in phishing, investment fraud, romance scams, and impersonation schemes. Notable successes included recovering AUD 5.5 million (USD 3.7 million) for an Australian impersonation scam victim and saving a 70-year-old Singapore resident from losing SGD 380,000 (USD 281,200) in a tech support scam, while also rescuing 88 you
santaclaritamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-driven scams targeting seniors employ various deceptive tactics including robocalls impersonating banks, fake tech support claims, AI-generated personas, fraudulent websites, and healthcare fraud schemes that exploit older adults' unfamiliarity with technology. Protection strategies include verifying unsolicited calls through official channels, using only reputable tech support, avoiding sharing personal information online, shopping only from trusted sources, and establishing family passwords to verify the identity of callers claiming to need help.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
International law enforcement from 61 countries conducted Operation First Light, arresting over 3,900 suspects and seizing $257 million in assets obtained through phishing, investment fraud, romance scams, and impersonation scams. The operation identified an additional 14,600 suspects, froze 6,745 bank accounts, and recovered millions for victims, including $3.7 million for an Australian impersonation scam victim and $281,200 saved for a 70-year-old targeted in a tech support scam. Police also rescued 88 youths in Namibia who were forced to conduct scams as part of international criminal networks.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
A fraud ring used stolen funds from FBI impersonation and romance scams to purchase approximately $1.4 million in collectible stamps through an auction house, with three Indian buyers acquiring 149 lots using criminal proceeds. The scammers employed a multi-layered scheme where fake government agents convinced victims to send money for "safekeeping," often routing payments through romance fraud victims to obscure the trail before purchasing stamps as a money-laundering vehicle to legitimize the stolen funds. The FBI seized the stamps, though no charges have been filed to date.
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Elmont resident lost $47,000 after receiving a pop-up prompt directing him to call a number where someone impersonating a Federal Reserve employee instructed him to withdraw cash for an alleged investigation. Following follow-up calls requesting an additional $10,000, the victim reported the scam to police, leading to the arrest of Staten Island resident Lin Qiu, 46, who was charged with grand larceny and attempted grand larceny; two other individuals involved in the initial cash pickup remain unidentified.
cxotoday.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common financial fraud tactics and prevention strategies, noting that bank frauds in India exceeded 302.5 billion rupees in fiscal year 2023. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unrealistic investment promises, and demands for payment via unconventional methods. The article recommends staying informed about scams, verifying identities before sharing information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious with app downloads to protect against fraud.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
Rachel Chen, 25, of Massachusetts was arrested and indicted in three counties for her role in tech support scams targeting New Hampshire seniors. In one case, a Grafton County elderly resident lost $20,000 after being deceived into believing their bank account was hacked; Chen allegedly picked up the cash on behalf of the scam operation. The case is ongoing with Chen scheduled for court appearances later in 2024.
candgnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido held an educational workshop in June to inform the public—particularly seniors—about common scams and fraud tactics, highlighting how personal information shared online is often sold to third parties and exploited by scammers. The workshop identified four key components scammers use (pretend, payment, prize/problem, and pressure) and covered various fraud methods including spoofing, phishing, vishing, and impersonation of authorities, banks, and tech support. Lucido recommended using "opt out" selections when filling out forms and published a 30-page guide called "S.C.A.M.S." to help prevent identity theft and financial fraud in
drgnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC received nearly 500,000 reports of business and government imposter scams, revealing that fraudsters increasingly use text messages and emails rather than phone calls, persuade victims to pay via bank transfers or cryptocurrency, and often impersonate multiple organizations simultaneously. The five most prevalent imposter scams involve fake account alerts, bogus subscription renewal notices (particularly impersonating Geek Squad), fraudulent discounts or prize offers, false crime allegations paired with payment requests, and fake delivery notifications designed to steal financial information.
newstalkkzrg.com
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams, also known as emergency scams, target older adults by impersonating grandchildren or loved ones over the phone or text, claiming they need money urgently for an emergency. Modern versions of these scams increasingly use AI-generated messages and voice cloning technology to sound authentic, making them harder to detect. To protect yourself, pause before reacting to urgent requests, verify the caller's identity by calling them directly, limit personal information on social media, and never send money through untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency if you have any doubts.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Denver man lost over $600 in a phone scam where scammers impersonated his bank (Wells Fargo), claiming fraud had been detected on his account, and then tricked him into providing his Apple ID credentials and changing his password, resulting in the theft of his phone data and funds. Aurora Police reported 25 similar cases in the year and emphasized that once scammers gain access to a victim's device and accounts, there is little law enforcement can do to recover the lost money. Police advise people to hang up on suspicious calls and instead contact their bank directly using a trusted phone number.
secureworks.com
· 2025-12-08
The film "Thelma" depicts a 93-year-old woman who loses $10,000 to a grandson impersonation scam, reflecting a real crisis: the FBI reported over 101,000 elder fraud victims aged 60+ in 2023, with tech support, romance, confidence, and investment scams being the most common types. Social engineering attacks exploit human psychology and create artificial urgency to manipulate victims into divulging sensitive information or making payments, and victims often experience lasting emotional harm including shame and loss of confidence. Key prevention strategies include educating oneself about scams, trusting instincts when requests seem unusual, verifying the identity of callers, an
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
On May 28th, a Pearland, Texas resident named Missy Edwards lost $17,633 to scammers who spoofed a Wells Fargo phone number and falsely convinced her there was fraudulent activity on her account, then tricked her into initiating a wire transfer herself. Because Edwards voluntarily sent the money under false pretenses rather than having it stolen outright, the bank may not reimburse her, and recovery is extremely difficult since the funds are typically converted to cryptocurrency, which law enforcement agencies struggle to track.
rogersbank.com
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams involve fraudsters calling seniors while impersonating a grandchild and claiming an emergency (accident, arrest) to create urgency and pressure victims into wiring money. Scammers may employ accomplices posing as police officers, lawyers, or bail bondsmen to increase credibility, and increasingly use fake dating profiles and social media to build trust before requesting funds. To protect against these scams, seniors should verify claims through independent contact with family members, stay alert to new acquaintances seeking financial involvement, and contact their bank if they suspect fraudulent activity.
crozetgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Patsy Froehlich fell victim to a remote access scam when a fake PayPal representative tricked her into allowing screen-sharing access to her computer, manipulating her into attempting a $20,000 bank transfer she believed was a refund correction; her bank caught the suspicious transfer and prevented the loss. The article also describes a separate Publisher's Clearinghouse prize scam targeting Andrew Taylor, who was asked to purchase gift cards as a supposed legal requirement to claim a $5.1 million prize, and notes that scammers increasingly use urgency, emotional manipulation, and emerging technologies like AI to defraud victims.
manilatimes.net
· 2025-12-08
This article uses the movie "Inside Out 2" as a framework to explain how scammers exploit emotions to commit cybercrimes. It highlights fear-based manipulation tactics, where fraudsters impersonate banks and pressure victims to act quickly by threatening account access loss, demonstrating how emotional exploitation is central to cyber fraud schemes.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam impersonating law enforcement officers from the El Paso County Sheriff's Office is defrauding dozens of people daily, with scammers claiming victims missed court appearances and demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency to clear fake warrants. Detective Marissa Williams advises victims to request specific details from callers, independently verify identity by calling the agency directly, and report incidents to law enforcement, noting that many victims don't report due to embarrassment or believing nothing can be done.
greenwichfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
Utility scammers impersonate water, electric, and gas company representatives via phone, text, or in-person visits, threatening immediate service disconnection unless customers pay outstanding bills urgently, often demanding payment through prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers. The scams may also involve fake meter replacement offers, unauthorized home entry for "repairs" or "energy audits" to steal valuables or personal information, or promises of energy discounts to capture account details. To avoid these scams, consumers should hang up and call the utility company directly using a number from their official bill, never allow unscheduled entry into their home, request proper identification from utility workers,
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
Smishing attacks in South Korea have surged dramatically, with scammers impersonating financial institutions, investment firms, and government agencies through fake promotional text messages containing malicious URLs. These sophisticated schemes trick victims into visiting counterfeit websites or downloading malware-laden apps that steal personal information, enable remote device control, or lock data with ransomware demands; spam texts increased nearly 10-fold from 31.12 million in 2019 to over 168 million cases by mid-2023, with projections exceeding 400 million annually. The attacks exploit improved spam reporting visibility, regulatory changes affecting investment advisory services, and compromised text reseller companies to distribute fraudulent messages imp
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, 2.6 million Americans fell victim to fraud with reported losses of $9 billion, though the Justice Department estimates true losses could exceed $137 billion annually since only 15 percent of victims report crimes. The surge in fraud—particularly investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes like "Pig Butchering" which increased 2,000 percent from 2019 to 2022—is driven by enforcement gaps, with federal agencies typically only investigating cases exceeding $1 million, leaving devastating losses to seniors in the tens of thousands unaddressed. Experts argue that the U.S. needs a coordinated national anti-fraud strategy similar to the UK's approach
wgrv.com
· 2025-12-08
A Greeneville man lost $9,000 in a warrant scam after receiving a call from someone impersonating a Sevier County Sheriff's Office lieutenant claiming he had an outstanding warrant. The victim withdrew cash and converted it to Bitcoin before realizing the fraud. Law enforcement officials remind the public that legitimate authorities never contact people by phone about warrants or request payments over the phone.
pcworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing is a social engineering scam where cybercriminals trick users into revealing sensitive data or installing malware by impersonating legitimate companies or individuals. Phishing attacks increased 58.2 percent globally from 2022 to 2023, with common types including email phishing, spear phishing (targeted at specific individuals), whaling (targeting executives), calendar phishing, and QR code phishing. Users should be cautious of unsolicited emails and invites claiming account issues, verify sender authenticity, and avoid clicking links or scanning QR codes from unknown sources.
houstonlanding.org
· 2025-12-08
Following Hurricane Beryl's devastation of the Houston area, officials warned residents to be cautious of scammers posing as contractors or disaster aid representatives seeking personal information or upfront payments. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a disaster declaration allowing residents to apply for federal aid, but the Federal Trade Commission advises verifying caller identity, avoiding clicking unknown links, hiring only licensed and insured contractors, and reporting suspicious activity to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Scammers exploit post-disaster vulnerability through phone calls, texts, emails, and door-to-door solicitations using urgent language and threats to manipulate vulnerable residents.
thomsonreuters.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial abuse has escalated dramatically, with fraud losses jumping from $2.4 billion in 2019 to over $10 billion in 2023, with those aged 60 and older experiencing disproportionately high victimization rates (101,000+ reported victims in 2023 versus 18,000 for those under 20). Scammers target elderly individuals because they typically have accumulated savings, are often less technologically sophisticated, may be lonely or seeking companionship online, and are reluctant to report fraud due to privacy concerns. Financial abuse extends beyond theft by close acquaintances to include complex fraud schemes involving dating apps, digital currency platforms,
dailyrecord.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 70s from Stirling lost over £3,000 in a banking scam on July 8 when a caller impersonating her bank convinced her to transfer funds to verify account security following suspicious activity. Police warned residents that banks do not initiate contact through cold calls and advised people to hang up and contact their bank directly or police if they suspect fraud.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested seven people suspected of operating a loan scam syndicate that defrauded 13 victims of nearly HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) between February and May. The fraudsters posed as bank employees, cold-called targets offering low-interest loans, and then coerced them into making advance payments through various pretexts such as surety fees, asset verification, and credit rating improvements, with some victims forced to borrow from finance companies or mortgage properties to pay the upfront costs.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** SIM Swap/Mobile Account Takeover Fraud
Multiple Guardian Money readers had their mobile phone accounts hijacked by fraudsters who then accessed their bank accounts and stole thousands of pounds. Fraudsters typically compromised victims' email accounts first, then impersonated them to mobile providers to obtain replacement SIM cards, allowing them to intercept two-factor authentication codes and drain bank accounts—with reported losses including £6,000 and £3,500. While some banks like RBS refunded victims, the article emphasizes that strong unique passwords, enabling two-step verification on email and banking accounts, and immediately reporting compromised emails are critical defenses against this increasingly common
nerdwallet.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines key strategies for avoiding financial scams, noting that 54% of Americans have experienced scam attempts in the past two years, with 18% losing money (median loss of $325, though 32% lost $1,000 or more). Experts recommend four main protective measures: hanging up and contacting companies directly using verified numbers, enabling multifactor authentication and monitoring accounts weekly, familiarizing yourself with common scam types, and recognizing that anyone—regardless of education or income level—can fall victim to fraud.
home.treasury.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned three Mexican accountants and four Mexican companies connected to timeshare fraud schemes operated by the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), which primarily targets U.S. timeshare owners in Mexico, including elderly victims. The scammers operate call centers impersonating legitimate brokers and attorneys, defrauding victims through complex multi-year schemes involving fake timeshare exits, re-rentals, and investment offers, with victims often re-victimized through impersonation of law firms and authorities. The stolen funds are funneled through wire transfers to Mexican shell companies and then laundered by cartel-connected money
arabtimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bangladeshi expatriate in Kuwait lost KD 1,015 after a scammer posing as a bank representative called him, claimed to need Civil ID updates, and convinced him to share his bank account number and OTP, which was then used to drain his account within minutes. Banks and the Ministry of Interior warned the public against such impersonation scams and advised people to never share sensitive financial information over the phone, even when callers claim to represent trusted institutions. The article outlines common scam tactics including phishing, automated withdrawal schemes, impersonation fraud, password cracking, and card skimming, and recommends consumers monitor statements, use strong passwords, and report suspected fraud promptly