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therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-20
Tennessee's Department of Commerce & Insurance is warning residents about a surge in holiday scams using sophisticated technology like AI, which state regulators investigated over 8,800 cases of in 2024, resulting in $259 million in fines and restitution. Common scams include romance-based investment schemes ("pig butchering"), deepfake impersonations of celebrities or trusted contacts, and fake AI trading bots designed to steal money from victims. Investors should be skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches—especially those involving new technologies or celebrity endorsements—and verify the legitimacy of any investment opportunity before sending money.
gloucestertimes.com
· 2025-12-20
Scammers are targeting newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries by impersonating official government agencies and using personal information to gain trust before requesting sensitive details like Social Security numbers and bank account information. A woman named Linda nearly fell victim to such a scam when a caller claiming to be from the "Medicare Benefits Office" contacted her around her 65th birthday. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls about Medicare enrollment, remember that Medicare will never ask for your Social Security number or bank details over the phone, and verify any official communications by contacting Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.
khon2.com
· 2025-12-20
During the 2025 holiday season, scammers are using advanced technology and artificial intelligence to target consumers with fraudulent investment schemes and phishing attempts designed to steal personal information and money. The North American Securities Administrators Association warns that fraudsters are exploiting people's fear of missing out on tech investments, often with schemes unrelated to legitimate technology developments. Consumers should be cautious when sharing personal information online and can report suspected scams to their local Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Securities division.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-19
San Antonio police report a rising tide of scams targeting seniors, with 330 reported crimes against older adults in 2025, though authorities believe many more go unreported due to victims' embarrassment or shame. The most common scam is imposter fraud, where callers pose as law enforcement or government officials and pressure victims to send money via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers—methods that legitimate agencies never use. Experts recommend that seniors slow down before acting on urgent requests, seek education through community awareness programs, and report scams to authorities so patterns can be tracked and others protected.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-19
During the holiday shopping season, scammers are sending fake delivery tracking texts and QR codes that mimic legitimate retailers, tricking busy shoppers into clicking links that steal their personal information and login credentials. The scam works because people are overwhelmed with genuine package tracking during the holidays and may not notice when something looks slightly off. To protect yourself, be cautious about clicking tracking links in unsolicited texts, verify URLs before entering any information, and consider going directly to retailer websites rather than clicking links from messages.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-19
An 86-year-old New York woman lost her entire $700,000 life savings to a scam that began with fake pop-up warnings claiming her bank accounts were hacked, then manipulated her into making unusual large withdrawals disguised as "safekeeping" measures, ultimately convincing her to convert her savings into gold bullion. Despite red flags—including withdrawals far exceeding her typical $5,000 limit and a co-trustee added for oversight—Bank of America and Merrill Lynch failed to block the fraudulent transactions, leading to a lawsuit seeking accountability and policy changes. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent warnings on your computer, verify any account security concerns directly with your bank through official channels, and allow trusted family members oversight of your finances.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-19
# Holiday Shopping Fraud Alert
As Christmas approaches with one week left, scammers are targeting last-minute shoppers both online and in stores through copycat websites, pet scams, and tampered gift cards. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to watch for websites with names similar to legitimate retailers, avoid suspiciously cheap pet listings that often come from puppy mills, and inspect gift card packaging for signs of tampering before purchase. To protect yourself, verify shipping deadlines, research sellers carefully, request veterinary records when buying pets, and always save receipts for gift cards in case of fraud or business closures.
khou.com
· 2025-12-19
# AI-Powered Holiday Scams Surge
Artificial intelligence is enabling scammers to create highly personalized and convincing phishing emails, texts, and social media ads during the 2024 holiday season, with over 33,000 Christmas-themed phishing emails and 10,000 scam ads already identified targeting shoppers of all demographics. Online shoppers, package delivery trackers, and social media users are all vulnerable, as scammers use AI to analyze data and customize messages that appear legitimate, making them more likely to succeed than traditional mass-mailing scams. To protect yourself, remain cautious of urgent messaging designed to rush you into action, watch for subtle warning signs in communications, and be wary of offers that lack genuine customer support with only chatbots available instead of real contact information.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-19
# Holiday Shipping Scam Alert
Scammers are sending fake shipping notifications via text and email designed to look like official messages from carriers like Amazon and the U.S. Postal Service, particularly during the holiday season when people are rushing to receive gifts. The Sedgwick County District Attorney's office warns that these scams are the most frequently reported fraud during the holidays and can result in financial loss. To protect yourself, verify the source of any delivery notification before clicking links or providing information, rather than acting on urgent-sounding messages.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-19
Scammers in Orange County have been targeting pet owners by posing as law enforcement and calling to claim their missing pet was hit by a car and needs veterinary payment before release. The criminals request payment through digital apps like Zelle or Venmo, sometimes claiming a nonprofit will cover part of the costs. To protect yourself, don't answer calls from unknown numbers, never send money without verifying the caller's identity through your local animal services or sheriff's office, and remember that legitimate agencies won't demand immediate payment via digital payment apps.
usmagazine.com
· 2025-12-19
# Romance Scam Summary
A New York City man was indicted for stealing approximately $272,000 from a woman he met on the dating app Bumble in 2019, posing as a Stanford-educated finance professional. Using a fake property auction scheme, he convinced her to send multiple payments totaling over $270,000 to accomplices posing as real estate brokers. To protect yourself: be wary of online dating matches who quickly push financial decisions, verify property transactions directly with official sources rather than through romantic partners, and never send money to people you've only met online, especially for investments or time-sensitive deals.
wxpr.org
· 2025-12-19
During the holiday season, scammers intensify their efforts to target seniors and other vulnerable people through unsolicited calls demanding money, impersonating relatives, or offering fake investments—with fraud losses reaching over $12 billion in 2024. If you receive unexpected contact with urgent money demands, AARP advises you to pause, reflect, and protect yourself by verifying the caller's identity before sharing any information or money. If you fall victim to a scam, report it immediately to your bank, local police, state attorney general, and the FTC, as reporting is crucial for holding criminals accountable and preventing future fraud, regardless of any shame or self-blame you might feel.
salemnews.com
· 2025-12-19
When Linda turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare, she received a scam call from someone impersonating a Medicare official who used personal information to gain her trust and request her Social Security number and bank account details. Medicare scams targeting new seniors are increasingly common, with fraudsters using legitimate-sounding names and personal data obtained through data breaches to trick people into revealing sensitive financial information. To protect yourself, never give out personal or financial information over the phone unsolicited, verify caller identity by hanging up and calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE, and be aware that legitimate Medicare enrollment doesn't require immediate phone verification of SSN or bank account information.
actionnewsjax.com
· 2025-12-19
An 82-year-old Florida grandmother lost nearly $200,000 in a Facebook scam involving AI-generated impersonation of a well-known autism doctor who convinced her to invest in stocks, money she had been saving for her autistic grandson's future care. The woman, Maurine Meleck, fell victim after the scammer used deepfake technology to replicate the doctor's voice and appearance, exploiting her isolation and lack of local support to verify the scheme. To protect yourself: verify investment opportunities independently with trusted family or financial advisors before committing money, be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers online, and remember that legitimate professionals won't pressure you into quick financial decisions on social media.
firstcoastnews.com
· 2025-12-19
An 82-year-old Florida grandmother lost her entire $200,000 life savings intended for her autistic grandson after being deceived by a deepfake video—an AI-generated impersonation of a trusted doctor—that led her to an investment scam. The FBI reports that fraud cases have surged dramatically, with over 4.2 million reports since 2020 totaling $50.5 billion in losses, as artificial intelligence makes it increasingly difficult to distinguish real content from fake. To protect yourself, experts recommend scrutinizing videos for signs of manipulation like unnatural blinking or mismatched lip movements, and always verify financial requests through independent contact with trusted sources rather than relying on online videos or messages.
kbsi23.com
· 2025-12-19
The St. Louis Consumer Fraud Task Force is warning consumers about scams involving digital payment methods, which have become increasingly popular targets for fraudsters, especially during the holiday shopping season when fake sellers lure buyers with unrealistic discounts and demand payment through apps or online platforms. Unlike credit cards, digital payments offer limited fraud protection and function similarly to handing over cash, making it crucial for consumers to thoroughly research sellers before sending money, particularly when digital-only payment is required. Anyone suspecting they've been scammed should report it to the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, or local law enforcement.
wnct.com
· 2025-12-19
Federal agents seized $8.5 million in cryptocurrency linked to "pig butchering" scams, where criminals pose as romantic interests or business contacts to trick victims into depositing money on fake trading platforms that freeze accounts and demand additional "taxes" to withdraw funds. The scammers immediately moved stolen money through multiple cryptocurrency wallets to hide its origins, but the FBI successfully traced and recovered the funds. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited messages from strangers offering investment opportunities, verify that cryptocurrency platforms are legitimate before investing, and never send money to someone you haven't met in person or pay fees to recover lost investments.
governor.hawaii.gov
· 2025-12-19
Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is warning consumers about sophisticated holiday scams, with state securities regulators handling over 8,800 investigations in 2024 that recovered $259 million in fines and restitution. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and new technologies to execute schemes like "pig butchering" (romance scams combined with fake investments) that exploit people's fear of missing out on trending investments. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches, especially those involving new technologies or platforms that build trust through online relationships, and verify any investment opportunities through official channels before committing money.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-18
Two families from Pennsylvania and Scotland are suing Meta after their teenage sons died by suicide following "sextortion" scams on Instagram, where predators posed as romantic interests, extracted intimate images, and threatened to expose them unless victims paid money or sent more photos. The lawsuit alleges Meta knowingly ignored this escalating danger for years, prioritizing profits over teen safety, and joins at least four other similar cases against the company. Teens and parents should be aware of this scam tactic, avoid sharing intimate images online, and report suspicious contacts to platform authorities immediately.
wgem.com
· 2025-12-18
A 27-year-old California man has been sentenced to two years in prison after scamming an Illinois resident out of $40,000 through an impersonation scheme. The scammer contacted a rural Barry resident claiming his Social Security number was compromised and that he needed to pay a "federal officer" $40,000 in cash, then showed up at the victim's home to collect the money in person. To protect yourself from similar scams, be wary of unsolicited messages about account issues, remember that legitimate law enforcement will never demand cash payments at your door, and contact local authorities immediately if you're targeted.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-18
# Holiday Scam Summary
During the peak holiday shopping season, when consumers are expected to spend over $1 trillion, scammers are exploiting distracted shoppers through 12 common schemes including fake social media ads, phishing emails offering free gift cards, fraudulent toll collection texts, and fake job postings. People have lost money to counterfeit items, unauthorized charges, identity theft through gift exchanges, and malware-infected holiday apps. To protect yourself, verify social media products before purchasing, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, never share personal information in gift exchanges with strangers, check app privacy policies, and confirm any fees directly with official agencies rather than through text links.
ice.gov
· 2025-12-18
During the 2025 holiday shopping season, online criminals are targeting American consumers with counterfeit merchandise, fraudulent deals, and stolen goods advertised at suspiciously low prices, exploiting the rush and urgency of holiday shopping. The U.S. government's Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center warns that these scams can result in consumers losing money while also supporting illegal operations that harm legitimate businesses and jobs. To stay safe, shoppers should be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, watch out for phishing scams and fake offers, and verify the authenticity of products before making purchases.
wsls.com
· 2025-12-18
During the holiday season, phishing scams—fraudulent texts, emails, and calls impersonating delivery companies, banks, and government agencies—surge significantly, putting shoppers and account holders at risk of having personal and financial information stolen. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers use tactics like claiming you have undelivered packages or account problems to trick you into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data. To protect yourself, delete suspicious messages without clicking links, independently verify sender information through official channels, enable multi-factor authentication on accounts, and back up your data.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-18
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to target holiday shoppers through fake social media profiles, voice clones, and deepfake videos, with the FBI reporting over 9,000 AI-related fraud complaints in the first seven months of 2025. To protect yourself, experts recommend avoiding suspicious QR codes in unsolicited packages, using a password manager to maintain unique passwords for each account, and enabling multi-factor authentication on all online accounts.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-18
Hawaii officials are warning residents about a surge in holiday scams powered by artificial intelligence and technology, including deepfake voice impersonations of trusted friends, fake investment schemes, and fraudulent trading bots that promise guaranteed returns. According to state regulators, scammers are exploiting people's fear of missing out on tech investments and using AI-generated videos and cloned voices to steal money, with tactics ranging from romance scams to fake cryptocurrency and stock offerings. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches, verify requests for money by contacting friends or institutions directly through known channels, and avoid platforms promising guaranteed returns, especially those using AI or cryptocurrency.
uppermichiganssource.com
· 2025-12-18
Scammers are increasingly using AI voice cloning technology—needing only a three-second audio sample—to impersonate loved ones or authority figures like the IRS to pressure people into sending money, with one in four survey respondents reporting they've experienced or know someone who has fallen victim to this scam. Common tactics include the "hey mom scam" where callers claim a child has been in an accident or kidnapped, and fake IRS calls claiming money is owed. To protect yourself, watch for signs of urgency and anxiety in calls, take time to verify the caller by phoning them back on a trusted number before paying anything, and consider establishing a family code word—if you report suspected scams to police and the FTC, it helps warn others.
rte.ie
· 2025-12-18
Banks are warning of a significant rise in "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages impersonating banks, delivery services, or government agencies—which accounted for 57% of reported fraud incidents at AIB this year, particularly affecting busy people during the holiday season. Customers are advised to never click links or call numbers from unsolicited texts, always verify contact through trusted sources, and be especially cautious of "safe account" scams where criminals pose as bank staff asking people to transfer funds for security reasons. Additional threats include investment scams promising unrealistic returns, and the key protection is to stay vigilant, hang up on suspicious callers immediately, and seek independent financial advice before any investment.
wired.com
· 2025-12-18
A Chinese AI face-swapping app called Haotian has generated millions of dollars by selling its technology to scammers who use realistic deepfake videos to impersonate romantic interests, friends, or investment advisors in elaborate fraud schemes known as "pig butchering" scams, primarily targeting victims in Southeast Asia. The app's highly realistic results—customizable with up to 50 facial features—allow scammers to conduct convincing video chats that make their deceptions appear legitimate, with research showing the platform has received at least $3.9 million in cryptocurrency payments, much of it linked to criminal activity. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about video calls with people you've only met online, especially in romantic or investment contexts, and verify identities through multiple independent channels before sending money or sharing personal information.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-18
# Romance Scam Summary
A 45-year-old serial romance scammer named Brandon Kiehm was arrested for stealing nearly $300,000 from a woman he met on the dating app Bumble by posing as a Stanford-educated financial professional and convincing her the money was for a Brooklyn home purchase. This is Kiehm's second major romance scam conviction—he previously defrauded multiple dating app users of $50,000 in 2015-2016 by fabricating stories about needing money for cancer treatment. To protect yourself, be wary of online dating matches who quickly move toward financial requests, use video calls to verify identities, and never wire money or send cashier's checks to people you haven't met in person or for property purchases without independent verification.
wlrn.org
· 2025-12-18
Property deed fraud cases in Palm Beach County have skyrocketed from four to 180 over two years, with senior citizens being particularly vulnerable targets. If you fall victim to fraud, authorities recommend reporting it to law enforcement within 48 hours to maximize your chances of recovering lost funds. Residents can protect themselves by enrolling in the free property fraud alert system available on the county website.
islandernews.com
· 2025-12-18
Scams targeting seniors aged 60 and older have surged to $2.4 billion in 2024, representing a 26% increase from the previous year and a staggering 300% rise since 2020, with the majority of losses coming from cases exceeding $100,000. Key Biscayne Police are raising awareness about these frauds and offering residents guidance on recognizing warning signs. To protect yourself, stay alert to common fraud indicators and consider attending educational sessions like the one being offered by local law enforcement on how to avoid becoming a scam victim.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-18
An Ottawa senior nearly lost $6,000 in a "grandparent scam" on Tuesday, but quick action by family members and police prevented the theft. Scammers called claiming the victim's grandson was in a car accident and needed bail money, with a man later arriving at the home to collect the cash before being arrested. Police warn that these emotional manipulation scams target seniors frequently and advise people to never trust caller ID, verify requests by calling family members directly at known numbers, and establish a family "safe word" to confirm identities during urgent calls.
jec.senate.gov
· 2025-12-18
# Holiday Travel Scams Alert
Travel scams are surging during the 2024 holiday season, with a 30 percent spike in reported incidents that cost consumers hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Bipartisan leaders from Congress warn that scammers impersonate airlines, hotels, and rental car platforms to target millions of Americans planning holiday trips. To protect yourself, avoid clicking unknown links, use only official websites run by airlines and hotels directly, and verify you're on legitimate sites before entering payment information.
blackchronicle.com
· 2025-12-18
Florida authorities seized $1.5 million in cryptocurrency from a Chinese national involved in an internet investment scam that defrauded a Citrus County resident of $47,421. The case, investigated by the state's Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit, resulted in charges of money laundering, grand theft, and organized fraud scheme against Tu Weizhi. To protect yourself, report suspected investment scams immediately to local law enforcement, be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities online, and remember that legitimate investments never pressure you or guarantee unrealistic returns.
waff.com
· 2025-12-18
The Better Business Bureau has warned consumers about 12 digital scams targeting people during the holiday season, including fake social media ads, counterfeit websites, pyramid scheme gift exchanges, phishing texts claiming toll fees are owed, and fraudulent job postings. These scams primarily steal money and personal information from victims through deceptive links and fake websites that impersonate legitimate businesses and charities. To protect yourself, avoid clicking suspicious links in unsolicitive messages, verify charities through give.org, expect legitimate toll notices by mail rather than text, and be cautious of job offers that don't involve in-person interviews.
atg.wa.gov
· 2025-12-18
Washington state leaders are opposing a Trump administration order that would force the TransAlta coal power plant in Centralia to continue operating beyond its planned shutdown at the end of 2024, calling the move unnecessary and harmful. The plant has been preparing to close for over a decade, has already laid off workers, and lacks remaining coal to burn, making the "emergency" justification baseless according to state officials. Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown warn the order will increase electricity costs and pollution while undermining Washington's transition to cleaner energy sources, despite the company's existing plans to convert the facility to a more reliable energy source in partnership with Puget Sound Energy.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-17
Throughout 2025, Hawaii residents fell victim to increasingly sophisticated scams, including phone impersonations of police officers and sheriffs who falsely claimed victims had legal issues and demanded payment via gift cards or other methods. Law enforcement agencies warned the public that legitimate police officers never request payments over the phone and urged residents to be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from authorities. To protect yourself, hang up on unexpected calls from law enforcement, independently verify any legal claims by contacting your local police department directly, and never purchase gift cards or send money in response to phone calls.
savingadvice.com
· 2025-12-17
A sophisticated phone fraud wave is targeting older adults, particularly during winter when seniors spend more time indoors and rely heavily on phone communication. Scammers are using spoofed local phone numbers and impersonating government agencies (Medicare, IRS, Social Security) or medical providers to manipulate seniors into sharing personal information or sending money through high-pressure tactics. Experts advise older adults to remain skeptical of unexpected calls, verify caller identity independently by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, and never provide personal or financial information over the phone.
thesandpaper.net
· 2025-12-17
New Jersey lawmakers have introduced legislation to increase criminal penalties for identity theft and fraud targeting seniors and veterans, who are frequently targeted by scammers due to social isolation and steady government income sources. In 2023 alone, over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reported scams resulting in $251.7 million in losses statewide, while nationally seniors lost $3.4 billion to fraud. The proposed bill would increase penalties by one degree when victims are seniors or veterans—for example, upgrading certain fraud cases from third-degree to second-degree crimes—and has received bipartisan support in the state Senate.
tn.gov
· 2025-12-17
During the 2024 holiday season, Tennessee authorities are warning investors about a surge in sophisticated scams that use artificial intelligence and technology trends to trick people into fraudulent investments, with scammers exploiting consumers' fear of missing out on new opportunities. State securities regulators conducted over 8,800 investigations last year, resulting in $259 million in fines and restitution, showing how widespread investment fraud has become. If you're considering any investment opportunity, especially one involving new technology, verify it through official channels like the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance Securities Division (800-863-9117) before committing your money.
ottawa.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-17
An Ottawa grandfather nearly lost $6,000 to a sophisticated scam in which a caller impersonated a lawyer, claimed his grandson was in a car accident, and demanded bail money—but his family's quick action and police intervention stopped the crime before money was handed over. The scammer used emotional manipulation tactics, insisting secrecy and mentioning a pregnant woman involved in the collision, then sent an accomplice to the home posing as a court-appointed trustee to collect the cash. Police and family officials warn seniors to verify emergency claims by calling family members directly and never to send money based on unsolicited calls, especially when the caller demands secrecy.
adn.com
· 2025-12-17
Scammers posing as government officials and law enforcement are targeting Alaskans with calls demanding payment for missed jury duty or arrest warrants, causing losses exceeding $1.3 million in 2024—more than five times the previous year. To protect yourself, never provide personal information or make payments to callers claiming to be officials, and report suspicious calls immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and your bank, as early reporting may allow funds to be recovered. The scammers use caller ID spoofing, personalized details, and intimidation tactics to appear legitimate, so staying calm and verifying through official channels is crucial.
pbs.org
· 2025-12-17
Myanmar's military has declared a "zero tolerance" policy for cyberscams and launched high-profile raids on KK Park, a major scam compound, but evidence suggests the crackdown may be largely symbolic. Thousands of displaced scam workers are simply relocating to other operations within Myanmar and abroad, with at least 30 scam compounds still operating along the Thai border and continuing to use services like Starlink despite claimed shutdowns. To meaningfully combat this lucrative criminal industry, experts warn that authorities must arrest the crime syndicates' leaders, seize their assets, and jail them—not just destroy buildings.
franklincountytimes.com
· 2025-12-17
# Holiday Scam Alert Summary
As the holidays approach, scammers are intensifying their efforts to steal money from unsuspecting victims, with Franklin County already reporting cases costing residents thousands of dollars. Common holiday scams include debt relief schemes that extract multiple payments, romance scams requesting money for emergencies, fake deputy calls claiming unpaid fines, and fraudulent online shopping websites. To protect yourself, hang up on suspicious calls and contact local law enforcement immediately, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and shop only on verified websites.
beyer.house.gov
· 2025-12-17
# Scam Alert Summary
American consumers lost an estimated $10 billion last year to scams originating from Southeast Asian compounds that exploit U.S. technology platforms to target victims, prompting bipartisan Congressional leaders to request that federal agencies improve their coordination and efforts to disrupt these fraud networks. Members of Congress from both parties have asked the Department of Justice, Homeland Security, Treasury, State Department, and Federal Trade Commission to detail their current strategies and private sector partnerships to combat these overseas scam operations. Consumers should remain especially vigilant about travel scams during the holiday season and consider verifying unexpected offers through official channels before sharing personal information or money.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-17
# Holiday Scam Alert Summary
During the 2024 holiday season, as spending is projected to exceed $1 trillion, the Better Business Bureau warns consumers about 12 common scams targeting distracted shoppers, including fake social media product listings, gift exchange schemes that collect personal information, suspicious holiday apps with privacy concerns, phishing emails offering fake gift cards, and fraudulent charity solicitations. People have reported losing money on items never received, falling victim to counterfeit products, unexpected charges from fake free trials, and identity theft through fake job postings and toll fee texts. To protect yourself, verify charity legitimacy before donating, check app privacy policies, avoid clicking suspicious links or opening unsolicited emails, verify toll fees directly with official agencies, and be skeptical of job offers and social media deals that seem too good to be true.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-17
# Holiday Travel Scams Warning
As millions of Americans prepare for holiday travel, lawmakers are warning of a surge in travel fraud scams—including fake websites, phony airline and hotel impersonations, and counterfeit bookings—that cost consumers $274 million in 2024 and contributed to $1 trillion in global online travel fraud losses. Criminals are increasingly impersonating legitimate travel platforms to trick travelers into paying for fake trips or accommodations that don't match their online listings. To protect yourself, verify websites directly by typing URLs into your browser rather than clicking links, book only through official airline and hotel websites, and be cautious of unsolicited travel offers on social media or email.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-17
# Holiday Scams Summary
The US Treasury warns that cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting the holiday season through three main scams: business impersonation (fake emails and websites spoofing trusted companies), gift card draining, and fraudulent social media ads promoting discounted products that are never delivered. These scams are becoming more sophisticated as criminals use AI to impersonate trusted brands and companies, making them harder to detect. To protect yourself, verify websites directly before entering payment information, be skeptical of unusually low prices, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, and purchase gift cards only from authorized retailers.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-17
# Crypto ATM Scam Summary
Thousands of Americans, particularly elderly retirees, lost over $250 million in 2024 to scams involving cryptocurrency ATMs, with Circle K convenience stores emerging as a major hub for these frauds. A CNN and ICIJ investigation found that Circle K profited from renting space to crypto ATMs while dismissing responsibility, even as employees witnessed repeated scams at the same locations and police were called repeatedly. Victims should be cautious about unfamiliar pressure to move money through crypto ATMs—especially if contacted by someone claiming to represent banks, government agencies, or tech companies—and should verify requests through official channels before taking any action.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-17
Google is suing a Chinese-speaking cybercriminal group called Darcula that sells software enabling scammers to send mass phishing text messages to Americans impersonating trusted organizations like the IRS and postal services to steal personal and financial information. The group's software, called Magic Cat, allows even unskilled cybercriminals to easily target millions of people with fake websites that harvest credit card numbers and other sensitive data. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited text messages asking you to click links or verify account information, especially from government agencies or financial institutions—legitimate organizations typically won't contact you this way, and you should independently verify any requests by calling the official organization directly.