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in Tech Support Scams
crr.bc.edu
· 2025-12-04
Seniors ages 60+ lost nearly $5 billion to scams in 2024, with over 140,000 complaints filed to the FBI, and experts believe actual losses are even higher. Scammers specifically target older adults because they typically have more savings, may be less tech-savvy, and are less likely to report fraud, using tactics like impersonating grandchildren claiming emergencies or posing as financial institutions. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails and calls asking for personal information or urgent payments, verify requests by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, and never send money via gift cards or wire transfers to unknown parties.
itweb.co.za
· 2025-12-04
# Romance Scams Summary
Romance scammers create fake online profiles to build emotional relationships with victims, ultimately tricking them into sending money or personal information by exploiting people's desire for connection. Red flags include someone moving too fast in a relationship, requesting money, or refusing video calls—scammers often hide on dating apps and social media platforms where they can easily maintain false identities. To protect yourself, be cautious of online connections who you've never met in person, verify identities through video calls, and never send money to someone you haven't met; according to the FTC, consumers lost over $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023 alone.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-04
# Two men have pleaded guilty to defrauding an elderly Carlsbad resident of $1.49 million through an elaborate scam in which they impersonated government, bank, and tech support officials, convincing her to purchase gold bars under the false premise they would be secured by the U.S. Treasury. Xilin Sun and Alexander Charles James admitted to participating in a scheme that targeted elderly victims across the United States, with the victim in this case sending approximately $1.335 million in three wire transfers over two months before handing over the purchased gold to individuals claiming to safeguard it. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups or calls claiming your computer or accounts have been compromised, verify requests by contacting institutions directly using official phone numbers, and remember that legitimate government agencies never ask you to purchase precious metals or other items for security purposes.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-03
Scammers are using a technique called "typosquatting" to create fake Microsoft login emails that look almost identical to legitimate ones, with domains like "rnicrosoft.com" instead of "microsoft.com"—a subtle difference that's easy to miss, especially on mobile devices. When users click these deceptive emails and enter their credentials, attackers gain access to their Microsoft accounts and personal data. To protect yourself, carefully examine sender email addresses character-by-character before clicking links, hover over links to verify the actual destination URL, and enable two-factor authentication on your Microsoft account for added security.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-03
Millions of Walmart customers were targeted in a large-scale scam involving AI-generated robocalls impersonating Walmart employees claiming unauthorized PlayStation 5 purchases of $919.45 on their accounts. The FCC ordered the voice service provider SK Teleco to stop these calls immediately or face being cut off from U.S. networks, as online scams have reached record levels with Americans losing $16.6 billion to internet crimes in 2024. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls about purchases you didn't make, never press buttons or call back numbers provided by unsolicited callers, and verify any claims by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers or websites.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-03
# Holiday Scam Summary
Scammers are using AI tools to create increasingly convincing fake websites, emails, and text messages during the 2024 holiday season, with one in five Americans already targeted or scammed according to a McAfee report. The fraudulent messages mimic legitimate retailers so closely that traditional red flags like misspellings and poor logos no longer apply, making them difficult to spot. To protect yourself, independently verify any suspicious communications by contacting companies directly through their official websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in emails or texts.
sanantonioreport.org
· 2025-12-03
San Antonio Councilwoman Teri Castillo is proposing new protections against financial scams targeting seniors, including stricter regulations on door-to-door solicitation such as limiting hours to daytime and requiring vendors to wear ID badges and carry bonds. Over 1,100 cases of senior financial exploitation were reported in Bexar County last year, though the actual number is likely much higher since most cases go unreported. The proposal also seeks to improve seniors' access to legal aid and increase coordination between the city, financial institutions, and law enforcement to prevent fraud.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-03
Love Island star Amy Hart lost £5,000 to scammers impersonating her bank's fraud department in May 2022, and is now warning the public about Christmas scams after research showed nearly 50% of English people have been targeted this year. Hart emphasized that scams affect everyone regardless of technical knowledge, and that scammers use psychological tactics like creating a sense of urgency and panic to manipulate victims. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls even if the number appears legitimate when you search it online, never share account access codes with callers claiming to be from your bank, and stay extra vigilant during busy periods like Christmas when distractions make you vulnerable to fraud.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-03
A Carlsbad woman lost $1.3 million in a nationwide gold scam where two men convinced her over several months that converting her savings to gold bars would protect her money in a U.S. Treasury locker—when in fact they were stealing the gold. Two suspects, Xilin Sun and Alexander Charles James, have pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges after an FBI sting operation caught them red-handed. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected pop-up warnings on your computer, never wire money to strangers claiming to be government or bank officials, and remember that legitimate agencies will never ask you to convert savings to gold or other valuables for "safekeeping."
fox5sandiego.com
· 2025-12-03
Two men pleaded guilty to a sophisticated fraud scheme that defrauded a Carlsbad woman of $1.49 million over two months. The scammers posed as government, bank, and tech support employees, initially luring the victim through a fake computer hack warning, then convincing her that gold bars purchased through a precious metals company could be "secured" at the U.S. Treasury. To protect yourself, never respond to pop-up warnings or unsolicited tech support calls, be skeptical of anyone claiming you need to move money for "safekeeping," and always verify requests through official channels before sending funds.
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-03
Two men, Xilin Sun and Alexander Charles James, pleaded guilty to their roles in a sophisticated scam that defrauded a Carlsbad resident of $1.49 million by impersonating government, bank, and tech-support employees and convincing her to purchase gold bars under the false pretense of protecting her savings. The victim was initially targeted through a pop-up warning about a hacked computer, and over two months was tricked into making three wire transfers totaling over $1.3 million to buy gold that was never actually secured. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups or calls about computer problems, never wire money based on pressure from supposed government or bank officials, and contact your bank directly using a verified phone number if you have concerns about your accounts.
wdio.com
· 2025-12-02
# Scam Alert Summary
AARP and the Better Business Bureau held a "Scam Jam" event in Duluth to warn seniors and caregivers about increasingly sophisticated scams, particularly as the holiday season approaches when fraud increases. New threats include toll road text scams, deepfake videos and voices created with AI, and cryptocurrency schemes, in addition to traditional phishing emails and spam calls. To protect yourself, delete suspicious texts without clicking links, verify unexpected contacts by calling the person directly, examine images for AI signs like inconsistent backgrounds, and report suspected scams.
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-02
An Orillia senior nearly fell victim to a text message scam that falsely claimed she and her husband had traffic and parking violations, urging them to click a link to pay fines. The scammers exploited the couple's doubt by referencing recent driving situations and using official-sounding language, but lacked identifying details like license plate numbers. The key takeaway: legitimate government fines never arrive by text message with payment links—they come through official email or regular mail, so residents should verify directly with their municipality before paying anything.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-02
# AI-Powered Holiday Scams on the Rise
Artificial intelligence is making holiday scams increasingly sophisticated and dangerous, allowing criminals to create convincing fake voices and complex fraud schemes that have cost Georgians millions of dollars, according to the U.S. Secret Service. Romance and investment scams are among the costliest threats, with romance fraud causing over $800 million in losses nationwide and one metro Atlanta victim losing more than $3 million to AI-enhanced investment scams. To protect yourself, the Secret Service recommends being skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from family members, extraordinary sales offers, and suspicious online coupons—always verify directly through official company websites before responding to requests for money.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-02
# Phishing Scam Summary
Scammers are using real Apple Support tickets to conduct a sophisticated phishing scam that tricks users into surrendering their Apple accounts. The scheme exploits a flaw in Apple's support system that allows anyone to create legitimate support tickets without verification, which then triggers official Apple emails that appear trustworthy; victims receive fake security alerts and convincing calls from impersonators posing as Apple agents who guide them through account reset steps. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected Apple alerts and calls, verify support requests directly through Apple's official channels before taking action, and never share passwords or follow links from unsolicited communications.
gbtribune.com
· 2025-12-01
# Holiday Shopping Scams Summary
AI-generated phishing emails are making holiday scams increasingly difficult to detect, as fraudsters now create convincing fake messages and websites that closely mimic legitimate retailers like Amazon and Walmart. To protect yourself, experts recommend never clicking links in unsolicited emails—instead, go directly to the retailer's website or app to verify any alerts, research sellers before purchasing, and pay with credit cards when possible so you can dispute fraudulent charges. If a seller insists on payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it's likely a scam, so trust your instincts and report suspicious activity to the FTC.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-01
# Charity Scam Prevention Summary
Washington state officials have launched a "Pause. Check the Cause." campaign to help residents avoid holiday donation scams, which commonly include impostor charities mimicking legitimate organizations, phishing emails with fraudulent links, and fake organizations created on social media after disasters. Before donating, pause to research the charity's legitimacy by verifying its tax-exempt status with the Secretary of State, requesting its employer identification number (EIN), and visiting the organization's official website directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts. Consumers should search for the charity's exact name along with terms like "scam" or "fraud" to spot red flags and donate only through official channels.
ppc.land
· 2025-11-30
Internal documents reviewed by Reuters revealed that Meta's platforms display approximately 15 billion higher-risk scam advertisements daily, with projections suggesting 3-4% of the company's $200 billion 2024 advertising revenue came from fraudulent ads. Users of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other Meta platforms are exposed to these scams, which include banned goods and deceptive schemes that Meta only removes when it reaches 95% certainty of fraud. While experts debate whether stricter detection could help, the challenge remains balancing fraud prevention with protecting legitimate small businesses from being wrongly blocked by automated systems.
newsnationnow.com
· 2025-11-30
"Pig butchering" scams—sophisticated fraud schemes run by international criminal networks primarily based in Malaysia and the Philippines—are targeting elderly people, entrepreneurs, and cryptocurrency investors by using social engineering to trick victims into sending money, cryptocurrency, or gift card codes. Experts have launched Operation Shamrock, a nonprofit dedicated to educating bankers and at-risk individuals about these billion-dollar scams that often involve trafficked workers forced to participate. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited contact urging you to invest or send money, verify requests through independent channels, and never send cryptocurrency or gift cards to unknown parties, especially if you're being pressured to act quickly.
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KGW News
· 2025-10-10
Oregon is experiencing a growing crisis affecting its expanding senior population, with scams and housing insecurity among the pressing issues. AARP estimates that within five years, one in five Oregonians will be 65 or older, and seniors already outnumber those 18 and younger in the state. The discussion highlights how many elders are overlooked, isolated, and in need of community support and solutions to help them thrive safely.
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Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5)
· 2025-10-06
This podcast segment from "On Your Side" features hosts Gary Harper and Susan Campbell discussing the evolving nature of scams targeting vulnerable populations. The hosts highlight how scams have become increasingly sophisticated and believable over time, using technology to deceive victims—exemplified by Susan's personal anecdote about her grandmother falling for a classic Microsoft pop-up scam that prompted her to call a fraudulent number and potentially compromise her financial accounts. The hosts emphasize that scams are becoming more prevalent and convincing, affecting even intelligent and vigilant people, and stress the importance of family awareness and intervention to protect loved ones from fraud.
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ABC News
· 2025-09-25
**Grandparent Scam - Voice Technology Fraud**
Scammers are using advanced voice technology to impersonate grandchildren in what the FBI identifies as an escalating problem targeting older adults. A 91-year-old victim (Shirley Morrow) was convinced by a call mimicking her grandson's voice that he was in legal trouble and needed $9,000; older adults collectively lost $4.9 billion to these scams, which typically involve fraudsters posing as family members in supposed emergencies to pressure immediate payment.
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CHEK Media
· 2025-09-20
Scammers are increasingly targeting seniors with medical fraud using deepfake technology and artificial intelligence to create convincing but fake advertisements. One notable scam used deepfaked videos of a CBC journalist and doctor endorsing a supplement claiming to cure type 2 diabetes in 14 days, exploiting seniors' trust in recognized media figures and medical professionals.
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Bangkok Post
· 2025-09-08
This episode from the Bangkok Post examines Thailand's growing cyber scam epidemic, which has expanded into a trillion-dollar industry over the past three years as both scammer and victim numbers have surged. The content outlines common scam tactics including advance-fee schemes (fake Nigerian prince emails), phishing attacks impersonating banks and government agencies to steal identity and funds, and tech support scams where fraudsters pose as Microsoft to gain computer access. The episode illustrates how modern cyber scams are adaptations of centuries-old swindle techniques now conducted through digital channels.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-09-02
According to a new report, Indiana ranks second in the nation for senior fraud rates, with fraudulent scams against seniors increasing 240% over the last three years—the highest increase in the country. The article highlights a recent case in Parke County where a woman and accomplice nearly defrauded an 80-year-old man out of over $100,000 through a hacking scam, but the victim became suspicious and reported it to authorities, leading to the suspect's arrest.
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KJRH -TV | Tulsa | Channel 2
· 2025-08-25
Scammers are using text and email messages impersonating package delivery services and toll collection agencies, creating false urgency to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links or providing payment information. The Better Business Bureau reports that toll payment scams are among the fastest-growing threats currently. To protect yourself, ignore unexpected delivery or toll messages, verify sender information (legitimate companies don't use Gmail accounts), and avoid engaging with suspicious communications by hanging up and blocking numbers.
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FOX 17 WXMI
· 2025-08-21
Scammers in West Michigan are targeting residents with tech support scams, posing as representatives from major companies like Microsoft or Dell and claiming to have detected computer issues. Once victims grant remote access to their computers, scammers either steal money directly or install malware to harvest sensitive data including banking information and social security numbers, which can then be used for identity theft, credit fraud, and unauthorized loans.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-08-04
Phishing scammers are increasingly using recognizable brand names—including EZPass, Microsoft, Steam, Facebook, Coinbase, Netflix, American Express, and others—to trick victims into clicking malicious links or visiting fake websites. Scammers exploit familiarity and artificial urgency to prompt impulsive action, with AI making fraudulent emails and websites look increasingly realistic; fake DMV scams saw a 700% increase in one quarter. The best defense is to never click links in unsolicited messages and instead navigate directly to official websites through your own search to verify any account issues.
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CBS 8 San Diego
· 2025-08-01
In the first half of 2025, over 700 senior citizens in San Diego County lost nearly $70 million to financial scams, with losses on track to exceed last year's total of $98 million, though actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting. The FBI reported that seniors accounted for more than one-third of the $16 billion in nationwide fraud losses last year, with scammers targeting vulnerable elderly people who are often deceived by professional-sounding perpetrators. Local law enforcement and prosecutors are working to combat these crimes and bring scam artists to justice.
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WBIR Channel 10
· 2025-07-28
The Knox County Sheriff's Office hosted an educational event called "Scam Smart" in partnership with Minet Funeral Home, attracting over 70 community members to learn about technology-based scams targeting seniors. Officers provided prevention tips and covered various scam types, emphasizing that anyone with a cell phone can become a victim regardless of age. Residents were encouraged to report scams to the Knox County Sheriff's Office or submit tips via knoxsheriff.org.
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Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2025-07-18
Text message scams impersonating the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles are increasing, threatening recipients with driver's license revocation or prosecution unless they pay outstanding fees. Red flags include checking the sender's phone number country code (the example showed +63 from the Philippines, when legitimate DMV messages would come from domestic numbers) and avoiding clicking suspicious links that request payment or personal information. Recipients should delete such messages rather than engage with them, as the links may contain malware or be designed to steal credit card and personal data.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2025-06-27
A new Better Business Bureau report examines sophisticated business scams where fraudsters impersonate vendors, access computer systems, and obtain sensitive data through breaches. The FBI reports $1.4 billion in losses from data breaches over three years, with IBM estimating average breach costs of nearly $5 million per business in 2024. The BBB recommends businesses implement multi-factor authentication, conduct cybersecurity training for employees, and establish unique passwords across all devices to protect against these increasingly complex attacks.
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23ABC News | KERO
· 2025-06-19
Romance scams targeting California seniors increased significantly in 2024, with seniors statewide losing nearly $833 million—a 43% increase from 2023. The FBI reports that romance and technology scams are the two largest fraud schemes affecting local seniors, with perpetrators exploiting emotional vulnerabilities through fake online personas to manipulate victims into sending money. In one documented case, a retired educator in his late 60s was defrauded after being contacted by someone posing as an attractive woman with a puppy, demonstrating how scammers use emotional triggers to bypass victims' logic and establish trust.
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therhodeshow
· 2025-05-20
This educational segment discusses common senior scams affecting millions of Americans annually, including identity theft schemes, grandparent scams (falsely claiming a relative needs bail money), tech support scams, and romance scams. Key prevention strategies include educating seniors about scam tactics, maintaining regular involvement in their financial affairs, and reporting suspected fraud to state police or adult services, while noting that many scams go unreported due to victim embarrassment.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-05-16
Indiana State Police are reporting a sharp increase in romance scams on dating websites where criminals use artificial intelligence to create more convincing fake profiles and messages, with victims losing up to $200,000 in some cases. The AI technology allows scammers to improve their English and create realistic photos, making it harder for people to detect fraudulent accounts, and perpetrators typically spend weeks or months building relationships before requesting money through untraceable payment methods like gift cards. Police advise potential dating app users to watch for red flags such as requests for money, unusual photo details (asymmetrical faces, incomplete glasses, odd fingers), and to verify profiles independently before engaging with matches.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-05-16
Indiana State Police report a surge in AI-enhanced romance scams targeting Hoosiers, with victims losing up to $200,000 per case. Scammers use artificial intelligence to improve their language skills and create realistic profile photos, making them harder to detect as they build relationships over weeks or months before requesting money through untraceable payment methods. Police advise victims to watch for red flags such as requests for gift cards, scrutinize AI-generated photos for imperfections, and trust their instincts, as romance scams have become the third riskiest scam type according to the Better Business Bureau.
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CBS Pittsburgh
· 2025-05-09
This educational piece highlights key strategies to protect against increasingly sophisticated scams that target people of all ages. Common scams include grandparent scams, fake tech support, and gift card scams, all designed to steal money or personal information. Experts from law enforcement and the FBI recommend pausing before acting on urgent requests, verifying caller identity through independent family contacts, and remembering that legitimate creditors never demand payment via gift cards.
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WBNS 10TV
· 2025-04-30
Scammers are increasingly targeting seniors with fake text messages and calls impersonating banks and the FDIC to steal social security numbers and bank account information. Columbus police, Chase Bank, and local housing authorities held an awareness event for seniors to educate them on protecting their identities and money, emphasizing that victims should file police reports to help investigators track patterns and determine if criminals are operating locally or overseas.
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ABC 6 News - KAAL TV
· 2025-04-27
Online scams surged in 2024, with over 859,000 complaints to the FBI resulting in $16.6 billion in losses—a 33% increase from 2023. People over age 60 were disproportionately affected, losing $2.5 billion, with investment scams, business email compromise scams ($2.7 billion), and tech support scams ($1.4 billion) among the leading fraud types. Tech support scams remain particularly prevalent, using fake virus warnings to trick victims into providing computer access and sensitive financial information.
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Al Jazeera English
· 2025-04-18
Romance scams are rising significantly, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that approximately 70,000 people across the US fell victim to fake virtual romances in 2022 alone, resulting in $1.3 billion in losses. Scammers use fake profiles with AI-generated images to pose as attractive individuals on social media platforms like Facebook, targeting victims emotionally before requesting money. Gen Z is among the biggest targets of these scams, yet victims are often blamed and reluctant to speak openly about their experiences.
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LOCAL 12
· 2025-04-15
A 73-year-old woman from Greater Cincinnati lost approximately $35,000-$42,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after a fake Microsoft pop-up on her computer directed her to call a number, where scammers convinced her to convert funds to Bitcoin to "fix" her compromised computer. Law enforcement was able to recover more than $35,000 because the case was reported early, demonstrating the importance of quick action in cryptocurrency fraud cases.
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NBC10 Boston
· 2025-04-08
The FBI is warning of a scam where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials via text message to demand money or personal information from iPhone and Android users. Common scams include fake USPS package delivery notices, fraudulent job recruiter messages, fake bank alerts, and utility company discount offers—all designed to trick users into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information. The reporter documenting these scams lost over $5,000 to a utility provider impersonation scheme before recognizing the fraudulent pattern.
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THV11
· 2025-04-08
Modern scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate contacts, including impersonating law enforcement and court officials through voicemails claiming victims have missed court dates or been served papers. These emotionally manipulative scams attempt to pressure victims into providing sensitive information or money by creating a false sense of urgency and legal jeopardy. Authorities recommend vigilance in verifying the legitimacy of unexpected calls and texts before responding with personal or financial information.
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News Channel 3-12
· 2025-04-08
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department held a community presentation in Carpinteria to warn residents about a dramatic increase in scams, including prize/giveaway scams, romance fraud, and other schemes designed to extract money or personal information from victims. While scams affect people across all demographics, seniors are disproportionately targeted, and attendees learned to recognize red flags and protect themselves from various fraud tactics.
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NBC10 Boston
· 2025-04-08
The FBI warns of a widespread scam targeting iPhone and Android users in which scammers impersonate law enforcement officials via text messages and voicemails to demand money or personal information under the pretense of a supposed offense. Consumers should be alert to fraudulent messages impersonating legitimate organizations like USPS, banks, and utility providers, which use urgent language and suspicious links to trick recipients into providing personal or financial information.
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Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV
· 2025-04-08
A Macomb County senior citizen lost over $30,000 in a Bitcoin internet service scam after receiving an email about home internet security protection she did not sign up for. When she called to cancel, scammers posing as customer service representatives gained access to her personal and banking information, ultimately tricking her into sending money via Bitcoin. The scam targeted seniors looking to save money and appears to have affected multiple victims in the local area.
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WFRV Local 5
· 2025-04-06
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office received multiple complaints about a jury duty scam in which callers used caller ID spoofing to impersonate the sheriff's office and threatened victims with fines or jail time for allegedly missing jury duty. The sheriff's office clarified that they never solicit personal or financial information by phone, and warned that any call demanding money is likely a scam.
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NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2025-03-30
A woman in Atlanta lost nearly $7,000 after lending her phone to a stranger who claimed to need it for an emergency after losing his phone in an Uber. The scammer used the borrowed phone to transfer funds via Venmo and Cash App without the victim's knowledge. Police departments, the American Bankers Association, and Microsoft warn that phone borrowing scams are ongoing, with scammers typically claiming emergencies like dead batteries or lost devices in public places to gain access to victims' phones and financial accounts.
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Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2025-03-28
**Cryptocurrency Scam Awareness**
Scammers stole approximately $9.9-$10 billion in cryptocurrency in 2024, exploiting the 72 million American crypto users through low-tech methods including phishing (impersonating trusted firms), romance scams (building fake relationships to encourage crypto investment), and rugpulls (fraudsters promoting fake tokens then disappearing with funds). Understanding these common scam tactics helps protect investors from becoming victims.
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11Alive
· 2025-03-28
A woman named Chandler Rogers lost nearly $7,000 after lending her phone to a stranger who claimed to be stranded without a phone; the scammer used the brief access to transfer funds via Venmo and Cash App before she discovered the theft. This phone borrowing scam, where thieves pose as people in emergency situations to gain temporary phone access, has been flagged as an ongoing threat by organizations including the American Bankers Association and Microsoft, particularly in public places.