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usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old Florida man was ordered to pay over $1.1 million for operating EmpiresX, a $100 million cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors across 50+ countries from 2020-2021. The article explains common crypto scams including Ponzi schemes, pig-butchering scams (which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes), and advises protection strategies such as verifying investment legitimacy, being cautious of unsolicited financial offers, and understanding that cryptocurrency transactions are difficult to reverse or recover.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts report a 77% increase in tax-related phishing attempts during the 2023-2024 filing season, with scammers impersonating IRS officials and tax preparers to steal personal information and commit identity theft or fraudulent tax filings. Americans lost $5.5 billion to tax scams in 2023, and current schemes specifically target the recovery rebate credit by claiming victims must provide personal information to receive automatic payments. Experts recommend filing taxes early, ignoring unsolicited communications, verifying preparers' credentials through IRS.gov, and reporting suspicious messages rather than engaging with them.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
Phone scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using text messages and calls to target financial institutions and individuals directly by exploiting data breaches and personal information available online. Members of Wright-Patt Credit Union received fraudulent texts appearing to be from the credit union, prompting them to click malicious links; experts warn the problem will worsen as artificial intelligence enables more convincing, personalized attacks including deepfakes and QR code scams. Financial institutions and cybersecurity experts recommend remaining vigilant by verifying messages through official channels, enabling multi-factor authentication, changing passwords regularly, and educating vulnerable family members about these threats.
vox.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams have become a sophisticated and growing threat, with complaints increasing 500 percent from 2015 to 2022 as scammers use AI and personal data to craft convincing, targeted messages about unpaid fines, packages, and other common scenarios. In 2024 alone, phone scammers stole over $25 billion, averaging $450 per victim, with risks increasing when messages include personal details like names or addresses. The article advises consumers to verify suspicious texts independently, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, and recognize red flags like unusual domain extensions, as human vigilance remains the most effective defense against increasingly sophisticated text fraud.
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
Immigrants in the United States have been targeted by impostors posing as ICE agents who use phone calls, texts, emails, and in-person visits to threaten victims with arrest and deportation unless they pay hundreds or thousands of dollars in fake fees. According to the Federal Trade Commission, impostor scams resulted in $2.7 billion in losses in 2023. Legitimate ICE agents do not call to warn of imminent arrest, request financial information, or demand money to dismiss investigations.
wpdh.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Town of Wallkill woman was defrauded of $30,000 after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating PayPal that directed her to a scammer posing as an FTC agent who convinced her to empty her bank account for "safe keeping." Working with Town of Wallkill Police, the victim agreed to a follow-up transaction of $20,000, during which an undercover officer posed as the elderly woman and arrested the suspected scammer, identified as Caiduan Li from Brooklyn, who was charged with Grand Larceny in the third degree and taken into custody by Homeland Security.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a cookie consent notice from Yahoo describing how the company uses cookies and personal data for website functionality, security, analytics, and advertising purposes. No summarization related to Elderus database content is applicable.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Alfred's family discovered unusual bank transactions and learned that their father had fallen victim to multiple scams over several years, including romance fraud involving an impostor posing as WWE wrestler Alexa Bliss, as well as advance-fee schemes. Despite his sons' efforts to protect him, Alfred believed he was helping friends in need and paying legitimate bills, leading to family conflict and legal action between father and son over the attempts to stop the fraudulent transactions.
rbcwealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency investments carry substantial risk and have become a prime target for scammers, with crypto-related fraud losses reaching $5.6 billion in 2023, a 45 percent increase from the previous year according to the FBI. Common crypto scams include fake investment opportunities promising guaranteed returns, phishing schemes using counterfeit websites, celebrity endorsement fraud, and Ponzi schemes that recruit investors but misuse funds. Individuals considering cryptocurrency investment should familiarize themselves with these scam tactics and verify the legitimacy of any platform before providing personal information or money.
firstalert7.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages claiming recipients owe toll road fees, with malicious links designed to steal personal and financial information, targeting travelers in areas with toll roads like Dallas. The FBI warns recipients never to click these links and instead verify toll charges directly through official toll road websites, as clicking exposes victims to identity theft and additional scams. Anyone receiving such messages should take a screenshot and report it to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, and those who have already provided information should contact their bank immediately.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Naperville residents reported losing nearly $5.5 million to scams in 2024, representing a dramatic increase from previous years, according to police authorities. The most common fraud schemes included arrest warrant extortion, "pig butchering" (romance/investment scams), phishing, and online marketplace fraud, with victims ranging from age 15 to 91. Police note that actual losses likely exceed reported figures, as many victims don't report due to shame, and funds paid via gift cards or cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
A thriller writer whose husband ran a fitness company fell victim to an investment scam despite her extensive study of con artist psychology. The con artist, using a generic name and fake LinkedIn credentials, exploited the couple during a vulnerable period—the husband was financially stressed from a struggling post-pandemic business while the wife was severely ill during pregnancy. The fraudster used emotional manipulation, fabricating stories about fatherhood and sharing fake family photos, to build trust and eventually defraud them of funds for promised business expansion.
moneywise.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans receive an average of two scam calls and three scam texts weekly, with reports showing $12.5 billion lost to cybercrime in 2023 alone. AI-powered scams are increasingly sophisticated, including AI-generated fake voice recordings and photos (particularly grandparent scams with fake mugshots), enhanced phishing emails with professional formatting, and counterfeit e-commerce websites using pressure tactics and chatbots to extract personal information. Protection strategies include verifying unexpected requests through independent contact, being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and using security software that can detect suspicious websites and content.
championnewspapers.com
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft and consumer fraud are growing significantly in the digital age, with the FTC receiving over 5.7 million fraud reports in 2021 and the ITRC documenting a 68 percent increase in data compromises compared to 2020. Common scams targeting North Americans include phone scams impersonating government agencies, phishing emails with malware, text message links requesting personal information, Medicare card verification schemes targeting seniors, and large-scale data breaches at major companies. Consumers should never share personal information over the phone unless they've verified legitimacy, avoid clicking suspicious links, be cautious of emails from apparent legitimate sources, and monitor credit regularly for unauthorized activity.
americanbar.org
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a romance scam targeting Casey, a lonely widower who met "Aubrey" in an online gardening chatroom and was gradually manipulated into depositing money into a joint account for cruise tickets, clothing, and a property down payment that never materialized. Research shows that older adults are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, with seniors losing approximately $139 million to this scam category in 2020, and that loneliness can impair cognitive performance and increase susceptibility. The FBI recommends protective measures against romance scams, and the publication is launching a "Scam of the Month" feature to educate readers about fraud tactics.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Annapolis residents received fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid parking fines and requesting payment through suspicious links, with many messages originating from overseas numbers in Taiwan or the Philippines. Annapolis Police warn residents not to click links in unsolicited messages, as the city collects fines only through physical tickets or mail to registered owners. Residents who believe they have been scammed should contact Annapolis Police.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A widespread "smishing" scam is circulating across the U.S. via text messages impersonating legitimate toll road services like FastTrak and EZ Pass, with fake links directing victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial information. The FBI and FTC advise recipients to avoid clicking links, verify toll balances directly through official websites or customer service, report suspicious texts, and file complaints if they have already clicked malicious links or shared information.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Marion Tyler from County Antrim lost £2,000 after calling a scam number she found online while trying to contact loveholidays about her holiday booking; the scammers obtained her one-time passcode and gained access to her account. The family reported a potential security loophole in loveholidays' authentication system, as the daughter-in-law was able to access Marion's account even after login details were changed, suggesting scammers could repeatedly gain entry. The case has been reported to Action Fraud and the Information Commissioner's Office, with the family working to recover the funds while loveholidays maintains that its two-factor authentication process is secure.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
The call merging scam is a phishing method where fraudsters pose as acquaintances or professionals and trick victims into merging phone calls, then exploit the merged line to capture one-time passwords (OTPs) from banking apps and complete unauthorized transactions. The scam works by timing the call merge with a victim's bank OTP verification, causing the victim to unwittingly share sensitive authentication codes that enable account theft. The National Payments Corporation of India warns users to avoid merging calls with unknown numbers, never share OTPs over the phone, and immediately report suspicious OTP receipts to prevent financial loss.
islandpacket.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "What can I do about all these scams? Tips and tricks to keep you and your loved ones safe"
Beaufort County, South Carolina residents—particularly older adults—face a high risk of scams, with the state ranking seventh nationally for fraud cases. Common schemes targeting seniors include cryptocurrency scams (up 900% since 2020), contractor fraud, phone solicitation, and religious impersonation scams. The FTC advises identifying scams by recognizing when scammers impersonate legitimate organizations, create false urgency or prize claims, and pressure immediate action or unusual payment methods.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting senior citizens and pensioners through sophisticated digital scams including QR code fraud, OTP theft, fake investment schemes, malicious apps, and impersonation of bank representatives and government officials, resulting in significant losses of lifelong savings. Cybersecurity experts attribute these attacks to seniors' limited awareness of digital threats and recommend education and vigilance in identifying fraudulent tactics such as fake customer service numbers and online marketplace scams. An awareness webinar organized by FCRF and Paytm on February 24, 2025, aims to help seniors learn how to identify scams, protect their bank accounts, and report cyber fraud.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired couple in Mentor, Ohio lost their entire life savings of $45,000 to an elaborate online scam involving a fake pop-up alert, impersonated bank and federal officials, and instructions to withdraw cash and hand it over in a parking lot. The scammers convinced the victim his accounts were compromised and used social engineering and authority manipulation to overcome his initial skepticism. The article includes expert advice on fraud prevention, including verifying communications directly with your bank, protecting personal information, and placing credit freezes to prevent unauthorized accounts.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams in the UK have become increasingly sophisticated and target all demographics, not just the elderly—16–34 year olds actually account for half of online fraud victims due to their frequent use of quick payment methods and distracted smartphone habits. Fraud is the UK's most common crime with an estimated nine million victims last year, yet only one in 1,000 reported cases results in conviction, with scammers employing tailored techniques ranging from AI deepfakes in video calls to romance baiting on dating apps. The article emphasizes that no online platform is safe and that even highly educated, tech-savvy individuals are vulnerable to sophisticated social engineering tactics.
astroawani.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfake technology poses a growing fraud threat in Malaysia, with cybercriminals using AI-generated voices, faces, and digital identities to conduct romance scams, investment fraud, and phishing attacks. In 2023, authorities reported 454 deepfake fraud cases resulting in RM2.272 million in losses, with criminals impersonating prominent figures and creating fake social media accounts. While Malaysia lacks specific deepfake legislation, CyberSecurity Malaysia is implementing detection technologies and awareness programs, though experts warn the public must remain vigilant as technology advances faster than regulatory and protective measures.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Evaldas Rimašauskas and co-conspirators impersonated Quanta Computer, a Taiwan-based hardware manufacturer trusted by Google and Facebook, by creating a fake company in Latvia and sending forged emails with fake invoices to employees at both tech companies. The scheme defrauded Google and Facebook of over $120 million in wire transfers to accounts controlled by the scammers before Rimašauskas was arrested and faced extradition to the United States.
dnronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Dayton Police Chief Justin Trout presented to community members about common elder scams, noting that Americans ages 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023. Trout warned against multiple scam types including government impersonation (IRS scams, arrest threats), AI-generated fake messages, cryptocurrency payment requests, overpayment schemes, and phishing emails, emphasizing that money lost to most scams cannot be recovered. Key advice includes never paying money to avoid arrest, independently verifying company contact information, avoiding cryptocurrency transactions, and deleting suspicious emails without clicking links.
boredpanda.com
· 2025-12-08
Evaldas Rimašauskas and co-conspirators defrauded Facebook and Google of over $120 million by impersonating Quanta Computer, a legitimate Taiwan-based hardware manufacturer both companies worked with, through a fake company established in Latvia with forged emails and invoices. Rimašauskas served as the formal director of the fraudulent operation while allegedly delegating actual account control to unnamed accomplices, and was extradited to the United States to face charges for the scheme.
barchart.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonate the IRS through phishing emails and smishing texts, directing victims to fake links or requesting personal information by claiming urgent account updates are needed. Tax season presents a prime opportunity for fraudsters, who exploited emotional tactics around penalties and refunds to steal $5.7 billion from U.S. taxpayers in 2022. The IRS recommends avoiding these scams by remembering that legitimate IRS contact occurs through regular mail, not email or text, unless you specifically requested a callback.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Toll road scam texts are circulating nationwide, with scammers impersonating legitimate toll services like FastTrak and EZ Pass to trick consumers into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Red flags include texts about tolls in states you haven't visited, misspellings, and suspicious URLs; recipients should verify unpaid tolls directly through official websites or customer service rather than clicking links, and report suspicious messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam is targeting New Jersey E-ZPass customers through unsolicited texts, emails, and calls impersonating the E-ZPass Service Center, claiming accounts are expired and demanding small payments ($3.95-$12.55) to avoid late fees. Hunterdon County Sheriff Fred Brown warns that legitimate government agencies never request personal information or payment via email or phone, and advises residents to watch for red flags like generic greetings, spelling errors, and suspicious links, then report suspicious communications to authorities immediately.
richlandsource.com
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old widow named Linda Talbott was scammed out of nearly $12,000 by a man posing as "James" in an online romance scheme that lasted almost two years. The scammer manipulated Talbott into providing her Social Security number (redirecting her checks to Alabama), cashing fraudulent checks, and isolating her from support systems, ultimately leaving her homeless and living in her car in a Walmart parking lot. Between 2019 and 2023, the FTC received over 269,000 romance scam reports with total losses exceeding $4.5 billion, with scammers typically building trust through fake profiles and promises of
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Janine Williamson, administrator of the Larry W. Cook Estate, is advocating for stronger protections against elder financial fraud following her uncle's loss of millions of dollars in a phishing scam. Williamson has met with banking industry leaders and is lobbying federal lawmakers to support legislation like Virginia's "Larry's Law," which would require financial institutions to train employees to identify and report senior exploitation, while also pursuing a $3.6 million negligence lawsuit against Wells Fargo and Navy Federal Credit Union. She is calling for a government-appointed Fraud Task Force to disrupt fraud schemes and help victims.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Financial Exploitation via Unauthorized ACH Transfers**
Steven and Ashley Simpson of Charmco, West Virginia were arrested and charged with financial exploitation and computer fraud after allegedly stealing approximately $36,000 from an 82-year-old victim's bank account between August 2023 and December 2024. The couple obtained the victim's banking information from a payment check issued for construction work they performed, then used it to conduct unauthorized ACH transfers until the victim discovered her account was overdrawn. Both defendants face 103 counts of computer fraud and related charges, with bonds set at $50,000 and $100,000 respectively.
nugget.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 95-year-old North Bay woman nearly fell victim to a grandparent scam when scammers impersonated her son, falsely claiming he had been arrested for cocaine dealing and demanding $5,950 to keep him out of jail; the scammers even arranged a taxi to drive her to Scotiabank to withdraw the money. The bank teller's alertness prevented the loss when she questioned the elderly customer about the "emergency" withdrawal and contacted the son at work to verify the situation. This incident occurred amid a surge of grandparent scams targeting North Bay seniors, with several already losing thousands of dollars in recent days.
newstalk870.am
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scams are increasing in Washington State, with fraudsters impersonating the SSA through phone calls, emails, and text messages to threaten arrest, demand immediate payment, or steal personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details. The SSA never threatens, demands payment, or requests sensitive information via phone or email, so residents should hang up on suspicious calls and verify any claims directly through ssa.gov or the official customer service number. Victims should report incidents to the SSA's Office of the Inspector General and the FTC, monitor their accounts and credit reports, and use the secure "My Social Security account" portal to safely access their information.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
**Gmail Phishing Scam Alert**
Criminals are targeting the 1.8 billion Gmail users worldwide by sending phishing emails with links to fake Google websites designed to steal login credentials and passwords. The scam mimics legitimate Google password reset messages, making it difficult for users to distinguish genuine communications from fraudulent ones.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
A new scam is spreading nationwide that targets people with text messages claiming they owe unpaid tolls, attempting to trick recipients into paying fraudulent fees. The scam uses deceptive messaging to convince victims they have outstanding toll violations, though specific dollar amounts and victim numbers are not detailed in the available excerpt.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Drivers are being targeted with fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid toll fees and threatening increased late fees or DMV reports if payment isn't made within 12 hours. The scam directs victims to fake websites that collect personal information and payment card details, with toll fee text scams experiencing a 731 percent increase between December and January. Experts advise ignoring such messages and instead verifying toll balances directly through official state highway websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old author and her husband lost their entire life savings to a phone scam after the husband received a call claiming their account had been breached. The scammer, who possessed detailed account information, convinced them to transfer their savings to a "safe account" for protection; despite the wife's initial doubts, she authorized the transaction. The couple publicly shared their experience to warn others that legitimate banks never call with no caller ID or request money transfers for safety, and advised checking call history through banking apps to verify legitimacy.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple fraud cases were reported in Athens during February, ranging from $11,000 to nearly $2 million in losses. Victims included a man who lost $1.734 million in a fake investment scheme promising unrealistic returns (80-380% monthly profits), a woman whose identity was used to steal $184,693 through a fraudulent bank account, and an 83-year-old woman who lost $11,000 before bank employees intervened to prevent her from withdrawing an additional $60,000 for a gift card scam. Police recommend verifying communications through official channels, being suspicious of unsolicited contact, and not trusting caller ID.
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
Susan and Todd Hopper of Jacksonville fell victim to a coordinated cyber fraud scheme that began with a hacked Facebook account, which scammers then used to compromise their Venmo and American Express accounts and post a fraudulent car listing to defraud their friends. Although the Hoppers prevented direct financial losses by alerting their banks promptly, some of their friends lost money responding to the fake car ad, and the couple was further victimized when they contacted a scammer posing as Facebook support. Detective Bobby Fultz recommends using passphrases instead of passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being skeptical of unsolicited communications to prevent similar account takeovers and identity frau
swlexledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning of a widespread fraud scheme targeting elderly residents where scammers impersonate cybersecurity representatives, bank officials, and government officers to trick victims into converting their assets into physical gold and surrendering it to couriers. During 2024, 11 South Carolina elderly victims lost approximately $4.2 million to this scam, which typically begins with fake device compromise warnings and involves creating false urgency to move assets out of financial accounts. The FBI advises victims to verify identities independently, avoid using provided contact numbers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI IC3 website, with elder victims able to seek assistance through the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Kenneth J. Brown and Nicholas R. Shepard, both 45-46 years old from Lexington, South Carolina, were sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud. The men operated Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange and received checks from business email compromise and romance scam victims through the mail, then deposited the funds into their business account and converted them to cryptocurrency. They were ordered to pay $415,196.66 in restitution to victims and face three years of court-ordered supervision following their prison terms.
41nbc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Bibb County Sheriff's Office and Better Business Bureau outline three prevalent scams: debt collection scams where fraudsters impersonate creditors or government agencies threatening legal action or arrest, advanced loan fee scams involving fake loan processors requesting payment with urgency, and road toll collection scams using text messages with malicious links to steal personal information. To protect yourself, hang up on suspicious calls, request written debt validation, contact companies directly using official numbers, avoid clicking links from unsolicited messages, and verify claims through official websites or customer service lines.
kwtx.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas drivers are being targeted by fake text messages claiming unpaid toll fees, with scammers threatening fines to trick victims into clicking malicious links that either steal payment information or install malware on their devices. TxDOT and the Better Business Bureau warn that the legitimate agency never contacts customers via text and advises drivers to report scams to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. Texas has lost at least $10 million to such scams, though the actual figure is likely much higher since only 5-10% of victims report the fraud.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
As AI-driven scams surge during tax season 2025, taxpayers face three major threats: W-2 phishing scams using AI-generated emails and deepfakes to steal employee tax documents, disaster relief fund scams exploiting tax extensions for disaster victims, and fake Offer in Compromise scams promising debt relief through robocalls and deepfake videos. According to LifeLock research, 56% of individuals have encountered AI-powered tax scams with realistic voices, and the IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud in 2024, with 81% of scam victims reporting financial losses. Taxpayers are advised to verify
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole over £2.2 million from Isle of Man residents, with investment scams accounting for £1.2 million, voice call cons for £391,674, and romance fraud for £45,000, according to the Cyber Security Centre report. The number of suspicious emails and cyber concerns reported increased 50% compared to 2023, though officials believe this represents only a fraction of actual scams as many go unreported. Additional fraud methods included phishing attacks, account compromises, and impersonation schemes using celebrity names.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam victims are petitioning Congress to change a 2017 tax law that requires them to pay taxes on funds lost to fraud, compounding their financial devastation. Debbie Fox lost $58,000 to a romance scam and faced an additional $7,000 tax bill on withdrawn retirement funds, exemplifying how the law eliminates fraud loss deductions that previously existed. Annual fraud losses have surged from $1.5 billion to $12.5 billion since the tax law change, and advocates argue the approximately $100 million cost to the government should not be recovered from crime victims.
attorneygeneral.gov
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday issued a fraud alert warning that scammers are using Bitcoin ATMs to steal money from consumers by creating urgency through threatening messages (like claims of criminal charges), coercing victims to withdraw large amounts of cash, and then obtaining access to those funds via QR codes. The scams typically begin with unsolicited phone calls, texts, emails, or pop-ups, and are difficult to reverse once funds are deposited into a Bitcoin ATM.
asiaone.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore experienced a significant surge in scam losses, reaching at least $1.1 billion in 2024, a 70.6% increase from 2023, with 51,501 reported cases (up 10.6% year-on-year). E-commerce scams were the most common type at 22.7% of cases, while investment scams caused the largest financial losses at $320.7 million, with cryptocurrency scams also spiking dramatically to 24.3% of total losses. Youths and young adults under 50 comprised nearly 71% of victims and were primarily targeted via messaging platforms and social media, while those aged 65 an