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Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
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in Robocall / Phone Scam
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Navy Commodore in Bhopal lost Rs 68.49 lakh (approximately $82,000 USD) to a sophisticated "digital arrest" cyber-scam in January 2024, making him the first reported victim of this scam in the city. The fraudsters, operating from Southeast Asia, impersonated Indian government officials and used fake documents, RBI-stamped letters, and Skype communications to convince the officer that his Aadhaar ID was linked to drug trafficking and money laundering, coercing him to transfer funds in three installments as "security verification" before cutting off contact. The victim emphasized that the criminals conducted extensive research on him an
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A survey of 2,000 adults found that 22% of Millennials have been victimized by phishing scams via email or text, with Millennials losing an average of £150 each and Gen Z losing £141, despite taking precautions like avoiding suspicious links and using strong passwords. Experts warn that scammers are constantly refining their methods and exploiting current events to make fraud increasingly sophisticated, while four in 10 respondents reported contact from fraudsters impersonating bank or government officials. The research emphasizes that individuals should not feel ashamed when targeted by scams and should rely on banks and companies to provide better online protection measures.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational article by consumer rights expert Martyn James advises readers on protecting themselves from fraud during peak shopping seasons. Key protective strategies include: remaining skeptical of anything online (websites, messages, calls, logos), avoiding impulsive responses to unsolicited communications, and contacting businesses directly through official channels rather than clicking links in emails or texts. The article notes that while £1.17 billion was stolen through fraud in the UK last year, £1.2 billion was prevented by financial institutions, and new regulations now require businesses to refund victims of "push payment fraud" in most circumstances.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 58-year-old chief loco inspector from India's railway department lost Rs4.82 lakh (approximately $5,800 USD) in an OTP fraud on November 9 after contacting a fraudulent customer support number he found online. The scammer posed as a bank representative and tricked him into entering his customer ID and OTP, which were then used to make three unauthorized online transactions. Thane police registered a case under IT Act sections 66C and 66D for identity theft and cheating by personation.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ohio man lost his entire life savings of $425,000 in a cryptocurrency fraud scam that began in October 2023 when scammers posing as tech support convinced him to grant remote access to his computer after falsely claiming his retirement account was compromised. Federal investigators used blockchain analysis to track and recover 947,883 USDT cryptocurrency tokens (valued at approximately $947,883) in July 2024, and filed a civil forfeiture complaint in November 2024 seeking to return the funds to the victim.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly man was defrauded through an AI-enabled romance scam involving impersonation of actress Jennifer Aniston, demonstrating how artificial intelligence has made scams increasingly difficult for older adults to detect. The case illustrates the growing sophistication of elder fraud and underscores the importance of family vigilance, including enabling spam filters, registering on the National Do Not Call Registry, and having regular conversations about recognizing scam red flags such as urgency, requests for secrecy, and demands for immediate payment transfers.
thegoan.net
· 2025-12-08
Senior advocate Carlos Ferreira identified systemic vulnerabilities enabling fraud in Goa, including land scams stemming from poor property record integration between Portuguese and Indian registration systems, cash-for-jobs schemes exploiting government hiring delays, and financial frauds involving both outright deception and institutional mismanagement. He proposed solutions including establishing unified public property registries, implementing timely government hiring practices, strengthening financial institution oversight, and protecting whistleblowers to combat these escalating fraud schemes.
stomp.straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old Singapore retiree transferred $1.19 million to scammers over one month after being convinced by impersonators posing as bank officers, police, and prosecutors that she was under investigation for money laundering. The scammers deceived her into believing that five-digit numbers she entered into her banking app were "verification codes" when they were actually the transaction amounts (ranging from $90,001 to $99,999), and coached her to lie to banks about the transfers being for watches or property. The scam was detected when a bank's anti-scam investigator flagged a suspicious large transfer in late June.
baytoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent or emergency scams exploit seniors' emotions by having fraudsters impersonate distressed family members, police officers, or acquaintances claiming a loved one needs immediate financial help due to accidents, jail, or other emergencies. The scammers gather personal information, demand secrecy, and pressure victims into sending cash or cryptocurrency. The Ontario Provincial Police recommend hanging up and independently verifying stories, questioning callers for details, being truthful with bank tellers about large withdrawals, and reporting suspected scams to local police or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
news9live.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old woman in Mumbai was scammed of Rs 1.7 lakh by fraudsters impersonating Delhi Police officers who falsely claimed she was involved in a money laundering investigation and threatened her with "digital arrest." The scammers forced her to strip on a video call and demanded bank transfers before she realized the deception and reported the incident to authorities. Police have registered a case and are investigating, while noting this is part of a growing trend of digital arrest fraud targeting both elderly and younger adults.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old man from Thane, India lost Rs 10.08 lakh in an online impersonation scam when fraudsters posing as a customs officer and an associate threatened him with fabricated money laundering charges. The scam began in November with a WhatsApp call, and the victim was coerced into transferring money to multiple bank accounts before filing a police complaint on November 29, which prompted authorities to register a case under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Information Technology Act.
castanetkamloops.net
· 2025-12-08
A Kelowna senior named Rita fell victim to a phone scam over the summer that resulted in a significant financial loss, leaving her unable to afford adequate meals despite being a careful budgeter on a fixed income. After months of food insecurity, Rita reached out to the Central Okanagan Food Bank, which provided her with the support needed to feed herself and prepare meals for her grandchildren. This story is being shared as part of the organization's Set the Holiday Table fundraising campaign, which matches donations up to $125,000 through December 31.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The Michigan Lottery warned residents of ongoing scams in which fraudsters either impersonate lottery officials claiming the victim has won and demand fees to collect the prize, or claim to have won themselves and offer to share winnings if the victim sends money first. Scammers request payment via cashier's check, electronic transfer, or cash, and may contact victims repeatedly for additional "fees" or "processing costs." Michigan Lottery officials emphasized that legitimate lottery prizes require no fees to claim and that anyone unsolicited claiming you've won is attempting fraud.
coloradoan.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six common holiday season scams targeting online shoppers, including phishing attempts via fake delivery notifications, impersonation of delivery drivers and IRS agents, social media gift exchange schemes, and cloned emails from known contacts. The article recommends protective measures such as using secure websites (https), strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, avoiding unsecured Wi-Fi, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing personal financial information with unsolicited contacts. Key advice includes verifying sender legitimacy by examining email addresses for discrepancies and contacting the original sender through independently verified contact information.
wbur.org
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering to target online shoppers of all ages and education levels. The article advises consumers to be cautious of fake retailer messages requesting personal financial information, verify suspicious communications with trusted contacts, and report scams to police to help law enforcement aggregate data and identify perpetrators.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission approved final amendments to the Telemarketing Sales Rule on December 2, 2024, extending its coverage to inbound telemarketing calls for technical support services, a major source of fraud losses for older adults. Consumers aged 60 and older lost more than $175 million to tech support scams in 2023 and reported over $165 million in losses in 2024, making them five times more likely than younger people to lose money to these scams. The expanded rule aims to hold businesses accountable by regulating how consumers are solicited for tech support services through advertisements and direct mail, with most provisions taking effect 60 days after publication.
legaldive.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission expanded its Telemarketing Sales Rule to cover inbound calls seeking technical support, targeting a major scam that cost older consumers over $175 million last year and at least $165 million in 2024. Tech support scams trick consumers—particularly those 60 and older, who are five times more likely to lose money—into paying for unnecessary services by using fake device alerts warning of malware. The expansion faced political opposition from Republican Commissioner Andrew Ferguson, who argued the FTC should avoid new policies during the transition to the Trump Administration, though his fellow Republican Commissioner Melissa Holyoak supported the rule as consistent with anti-fraud priorities.
nj1015.com
· 2025-12-08
After her 85-year-old mother was targeted by phone scammers who eventually sent someone to her home posing as a bank representative, Gogie Padilla of Spotswood, New Jersey created "Answer Sure," a phone vetting service that launched commercially in 2020. The service reroutes incoming calls through a 24-hour call center or mobile app where callers must provide a password or phrase to reach the client; if they cannot, the call is blocked or a message is taken, with users typically seeing a significant drop in robocalls and spam within three weeks. Answer Sure is unique in offering both landline and mobile app options and has expanded nationwide with about
westsidespirit.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal, state, and local authorities warn that scams targeting seniors are rising, particularly during the holiday season, with common schemes including charity fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and government impersonation scams. Authorities advise seniors to avoid phishing emails, use secure networks for online purchases, verify websites and charities before donating, and be cautious of unsolicited offers. Victims can report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov), their state attorney general, or local law enforcement.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
David Cornejo Fernandez, a 36-year-old Lima resident, was extradited to the United States and faces federal wire fraud, extortion, and conspiracy charges for facilitating prize scams operated by Peruvian call centers from 2012-2019. The scheme targeted Spanish-speaking U.S. consumers by falsely promising prizes like tablets, then threatening victims with arrest, court proceedings, or immigration consequences to extort large payments, with Cornejo providing the technology including caller-ID spoofing, phone lines, and recordings impersonating government agencies to enhance the scams' legitimacy.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece features forensic accounting professor Kelly Richmond Pope discussing strategies to avoid online fraud during the holiday shopping season. Pope explains that scams increase during holidays due to higher spending volumes and consumers' heightened trust and generosity, affecting all demographics from teenagers to elderly individuals. She recommends tracking purchases via spreadsheets or phone notes, carefully scrutinizing website URLs and tone for signs of counterfeits, and independently verifying charities before providing personal or financial information.
cambridgema.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Cambridge Police Department warns of multiple holiday-themed scams targeting shoppers and donors, including fake websites offering unrealistic discounts, puppy scams (80% of sponsored pet ads may be fraudulent), gift card schemes where criminals tamper with cards or request codes, phishing emails impersonating legitimate companies, and grandparent scams targeting elders through impersonation demanding payment via gift cards or wire transfers. The advisory recommends conducting reverse image searches before pet purchases, avoiding suspicious links and emails with grammar/spelling errors, purchasing gift cards from counters rather than kiosks, and verifying unexpected delivery or emergency requests directly with known contacts.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned in 2024 that holiday shopping scams pose significant risks to consumers, with cybercriminals using sophisticated tactics like AI-generated fake websites and phishing emails to exploit the projected $260 billion in e-commerce sales. Younger shoppers aged 18-39 are 25% more likely to fall victim to scams, which include non-delivery fraud ($73 million in 2023 losses), gift card fraud ($148 million in losses), and fake charity schemes that exploit seasonal generosity. Consumers should be vigilant about suspicious deals, verify seller legitimacy, and avoid sharing sensitive information like gift card PINs with unknown parties.
localnews8.com
· 2025-12-08
Adults over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with over 101,000 elderly individuals compromised through romance, tax, and emergency impersonation scams, according to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Financial experts warn that scammers increasingly exploit elderly people through online methods by establishing false relationships, impersonating the IRS or law enforcement, and pressuring victims into sending money or personal information. Key protective measures include verifying online contacts through photo searches, moving slowly in new relationships, never sending money to online-only contacts, and remaining skeptical of individuals who avoid in-person meetings or request financial information.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Anne, a 26-year-old Melbourne woman, lost $46,100 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after meeting someone claiming to be "Lucio" on Tinder. The scammer built trust over weeks through intimate conversations and emotional storytelling before convincing her to invest in cryptocurrency on what she believes was a counterfeit trading platform. This scam uses a four-stage process: creating a fake persona, building emotional trust, luring victims into fake investments, and stealing their money.
saultthisweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service warned of a surge in "grandparent scams" targeting local seniors, in which fraudsters impersonate grandchildren or their lawyers and demand $5,000-$10,000 under the pretense of emergency bail or legal fees, arranging courier pickup of cash. The scammers exploit urgency and spoof caller ID to appear legitimate, but police advise victims to hang up, verify stories with personal questions, contact family independently, and never share money or information without confirming details through trusted contacts.
columbiabasinherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Local and federal authorities warn that scam attempts increase during the holiday season, with criminals using text messages, phone calls, and emails to target victims through blackmail, charity fraud, debt collection schemes, grandparent scams, and other deceptive tactics. Common red flags include unsolicited contact using fear or emotional manipulation to pressure victims into sending money via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities recommend verifying the legitimacy of charities through trusted resources, being skeptical of unsolicited requests, and hanging up if something sounds suspicious rather than providing personal or financial information.
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC expanded the Telemarketing Sales Rule to cover inbound calls for technical support services, addressing a major threat to older adults who lost $175 million to tech support scams last year. The rule amendment protects consumers who call companies in response to deceptive pop-up alerts and advertisements claiming their devices are infected, preventing scammers from using hard-to-reverse payment methods like wire transfers and gift cards. This update allows the FTC to hold fraudulent tech support businesses accountable, as consumers aged 60 and older are five times more likely than younger people to fall victim to these scams.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Harold Richardson, 75, from Kent, lost £4,000 in a Microsoft impersonation phone scam in which fraudsters convinced him to grant remote access to his computer, allowing them to steal personal information and banking details. Though he eventually recovered most of the money, the process was lengthy and caused significant stress. The article notes that phone scams are widespread in Britain, with adults aged 35-55 actually losing the largest average amounts (£1,826), and recommends using the "Stop, Check, and Call Back" method to verify unexpected callers before sharing any personal information.
northweststar.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old woman in NSW's Liverpool Plains lost over $50,000 to a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as an American man named Phillip Moore, taking out a loan against her house despite being aware of the scam because of emotional attachment and loneliness. While one of her banks (NAB) restricted payments, Great Southern Bank refused to intervene even after her daughters, who held power of attorney, requested help, citing the need for the mother's own authorization or a medical incapacity certificate. The case reflects a broader problem in Australia, where romance scams cost over $19 million in 2024 (with over $11 million lost by those
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Singapore resident nearly fell victim to an identity theft and impersonation scam where fraudsters posing as an anti-scam center and police inspector requested personal banking details and demanded daily check-in calls about the victim's whereabouts, claiming the victim's identity was used for illegal purposes. The victim avoided financial loss after a family member grew suspicious and the victim verified the callers' identities by attempting to call them back, but the incident reflects an ongoing scam operation using similar tactics to a previously reported case involving $1.19 million in losses.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
The "sad announcement" phishing scam tricks recipients with fake messages claiming a loved one has died, using legitimate names and emotional quotes with suspicious links to steal personal and financial information. To protect yourself, delete and block such emails, and contact the person mentioned to verify their safety; if you've already fallen victim, immediately notify your payment provider to cancel cards, dispute any unauthorized charges, and scan your device for malware.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 40-year-old New York man and Social Security Administration employee, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for serving as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly American victims by falsely claiming their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez and other couriers collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his April 2025 sentencing.
gizmodo.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pig butchering" romance scam targeting elderly people involves fraudsters impersonating actor Johnny Depp on Facebook, then moving conversations to messaging apps to convince victims to send money via cryptocurrency, gift cards, and other payment methods. The FTC received 197 complaints over one year from victims across the country, many in their 60s who lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars from retirement accounts, with one Minnesota woman losing $1,700 before her bank intervened. The scammers exploit emotional vulnerability and loneliness by posing as Depp or associates like his fictional "manager Jack Wingham," using flattery and false promises of romance or investment returns.
northwestsignal.net
· 2025-12-08
Pam Rybka of the Better Business Bureau of Toledo educated retired teachers on common senior scams, noting that loneliness and trust make older adults vulnerable targets. Key fraud prevention tips included: never say "yes" to telemarketers, use indelible black gel pens when writing checks to prevent check-washing scams, mail checks at post offices rather than leaving them in mailboxes, be aware that the IRS and Social Security Administration never initiate calls, and verify charities through the BBB website.
gilavalleycentral.net
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes addressed seniors in Safford about the rising scam epidemic affecting older adults, noting that Arizona had the nation's highest senior fraud victimization rate at 289 per 100,000 population in 2023. She warned about emerging threats including cryptocurrency scams, romance scams on social media, and AI voice-cloning schemes that impersonate family members to solicit money, recommending families establish secret passwords and watch for warning signs like unexplained financial secrecy, unusual withdrawals, and changed spending patterns. The Attorney General's Office can be reached at 602-542-5763 to report suspected fraud.
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
Sylvia Camarillo lost $2,000 to scammers impersonating CPS Energy who called threatening to disconnect her utilities before Thanksgiving and instructed her to purchase gift cards for payment. The scammers obtained her personal information including her account number and social security number, demonstrating the sophistication of holiday season fraud targeting utilities. CPS Energy clarified they never demand immediate payment by phone, threaten same-day disconnection, or request gift card payments, and advised victims to hang up and report such calls to law enforcement immediately.
atg.wa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is warning small businesses of scam letters impersonating the Secretary of State's Office that demand excessive payments (over $200) for business filings while threatening fines or business dissolution; similar telephone scams targeting Latino businesses have also been reported, with at least 40 complaints received since early November. The fraudulent letters, which include the state seal and publicly available business information to appear legitimate, contain telltale signs of fraud such as Sacramento, California addresses and .org website links instead of official .gov sites. Business owners are advised to verify filing status directly with the Secretary of State and to report suspected scams to the Attorney General's Office.
signalscv.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Newhall resident lost $54,000 in a grandparent scam between July 22-23 when a caller impersonating an attorney claimed his grandson was in jail and needed bail money, instructing him to place cash in boxes for Lyft drivers to collect. The victim later discovered his grandson had not been in an accident or incarcerated, and despite detective investigation tracking the Lyft drivers through security footage, no arrest has been made. Sheriff's officials emphasize that law enforcement never solicits money by phone and advise victims to verify custody claims directly through the LASD custody records website or by calling their local station.
weau.com
· 2025-12-08
Local financial professionals in Eau Claire, Wisconsin report an increase in elderly financial abuse cases, particularly during the holiday season, with seniors targeted through romance scams, government impostor schemes, and prize/sweepstakes fraud. Scammers exploit vulnerabilities in older adults, such as loneliness and access to larger bank accounts, often directing victims to send money via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Experts advise seniors to avoid responding to unknown contacts and to verify suspicious requests with trusted family members, friends, or local authorities before taking action, noting that recovering lost funds is extremely difficult once scammers have obtained them.
theroanokestar.com
· 2025-12-08
As holiday shopping season approaches with record-breaking online sales predicted, scammers are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics to defraud consumers. Virginia Tech cybercrime expert Katalin Parti outlines key warning signs and prevention strategies, including: avoiding unsolicited requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, being skeptical of high-return investment ads, verifying company contact information through official websites rather than provided links, and remaining cautious of romance scams, job scams, and fake charitable solicitations. Consumers should also monitor financial statements for fraud, keep software updated, verify website URLs, and be aware that scammers can now spoof voices and area codes to impersonate trusted contacts.
tnsi.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams increased 118% in 2023, exploiting the rise of remote work opportunities by targeting job seekers through unsolicited texts and calls offering unrealistic positions. Key red flags include missing company names, generic free email addresses (Gmail/Outlook), promises of high pay with no restrictions, requests to purchase equipment or provide bank information, and offers that sound too good to be true. Job seekers should research companies and recruiters independently, verify email domains, trust their instincts, and report suspected scams to local police, state Attorney General offices, or the FTC.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Unsolicited text messages offering job positions are a common scam targeting job seekers, wherein fraudsters impersonate recruiters and request personal or financial information or prompt recipients to click malicious links to steal money or identity. To protect yourself, use legitimate job search sources like Career OneStop, avoid clicking links or responding to unexpected texts, research companies online before engaging, and report suspicious messages to the FTC and your phone carrier.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides seven tips for protecting against holiday season scams and identity theft, including practicing caution with online shopping, avoiding phony delivery scams (particularly those impersonating the USPS), using strong password security practices, checking for card-skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals, verifying charity legitimacy, being skeptical of unsolicited contacts, and monitoring financial accounts. The article notes that online shopping scams affected 82% of victims with financial losses in 2023, and that card skimming costs consumers and financial institutions over $1 billion annually.
ktvu.com
· 2025-12-08
Santa Clara County officials are warning residents of an increasing scam where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or court officials, claiming victims missed court appearances and owe money, while attempting to extract personal and financial information through sophisticated tactics including fake badge numbers and photoshopped images. Court personnel do not request sensitive information over the phone, and residents should hang up and call the court directly if contacted, then report suspected scam calls to local police and the jury office.
carleton.edu
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers target shoppers and donors through fraudulent shipping notifications, fake charities, bogus order confirmations, and counterfeit online stores. Common tactics include phishing emails and texts impersonating delivery services (UPS, FedEx, USDA) to steal personal information, fake charity websites that exploit generosity, and fraudulent retailers offering steep discounts that deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all. To protect yourself, verify communications directly with organizations, avoid clicking unexpected links, use two-factor authentication, monitor financial accounts, and report suspicious activity to ic3.gov or relevant authorities.
kfyrtv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides seven tips for protecting against holiday scams and identity theft during the busy shopping season. Key advice includes practicing caution with online marketplaces and using traceable payment methods, avoiding fake delivery notification scams (particularly impersonating USPS), safeguarding passwords with unique credentials and multifactor authentication, and checking for card-skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals. The article emphasizes that online shopping scams affected 82% of targeted victims in 2023, and card skimming costs over $1 billion annually, making holiday vigilance essential.
taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warns that scammers are using social media to mislead taxpayers into claiming ineligible tax credits—including the Fuel Tax Credit, sick and family leave credits, and overstated withholding—promising "free money" refunds. Thousands of false refund claims have resulted in significant delays, with the IRS freezing questionable returns and requiring taxpayers to provide documentation or face penalties; taxpayers must promptly amend their returns to remove fraudulent credits to resolve the issue.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers deploy sophisticated phishing emails impersonating trusted companies like Apple, Target, Temu, and delivery services to trick recipients into revealing personal and financial information. Common tactics include fake giveaway offers, free product promotions, package delivery alerts with artificial urgency, and deceptive survey requests that use official logos, capital letters, and urgent language to appear legitimate. Users are advised to verify tracking numbers and sender addresses before clicking links, and to be skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications and requests for personal information.
svalleynow.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam targeting iPhone users in Marion County sends text messages with links claiming to "unlock your account," which if clicked compromises personal information. Scammers follow up with spoofed calls impersonating Apple representatives and reference stolen personal details to build trust. Users are advised never to click suspicious links or engage with unknown contacts, as legitimate businesses will follow up through official channels.