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in Government Impersonation
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
AI impersonation scams have surged 148% in 2025, using voice cloning and deepfake video technology to fraudulently impersonate trusted contacts—including family members, executives, and government officials—across calls, video meetings, emails, and messaging apps. Notable cases include cybercriminals posing as a UK engineering company's CFO to trick employees into authorizing $25 million in wire transfers. Security experts recommend independently verifying identities through alternate contact methods and implementing multi-factor authentication as key defenses against these increasingly sophisticated frauds.
palletenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using AI to craft convincing phishing emails, deepfake videos, and imposter messages targeting personal and financial accounts. Common 2025 scams include AI-generated phishing, imposter fraud on social media, and phone-based attacks like SIM swapping and rigged QR codes. Protection strategies include verifying sender information before responding, enabling two-factor authentication, using strong unique passwords, regularly monitoring account access, and contacting organizations directly to verify suspicious requests.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating local law enforcement officials in a jury duty fraud scheme, calling victims with claims of missed jury duty and threatening arrest warrants to extort payment via wire transfers or gift cards. The scam targets vulnerable individuals by using personal information and blocked numbers to appear credible, though legitimate jury summonses are always delivered by mail. Key protections include never trusting unknown callers demanding payment, verifying claims directly with official court or police numbers, and recognizing that government agencies never request payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Modern fraud is perpetrated by sophisticated international criminal networks that finance human trafficking and forced labor operations, making scam prevention a matter of both personal financial protection and global harm reduction. Individuals can safeguard their finances through practical steps including blocking unknown callers, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, freezing credit, and monitoring credit reports regularly. Reporting fraud to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) is critical, as underreporting obscures the true scale of the problem and hampers resource allocation for fraud prevention efforts.
thegeorgiasun.com
· 2025-12-08
Georgia ranks 7th nationally for senior fraud losses, with older residents losing an estimated $1.57 million per 100,000 people in 2024, while seniors across the U.S. reported $4.8 billion in fraud losses total. The most common scams targeting older adults include imposter scams, shopping fraud, and high-stakes crypto and romance schemes, with individual crypto and romance fraud cases averaging over $108,000 in losses. Experts recommend families discuss scams with elderly relatives, watch for pressure tactics and unusual payment requests, and report suspicious activity to protect the state's 1.7 million residents over 60.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud has evolved into large-scale criminal operations targeting seniors through romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and impersonation fraud. Idaho experienced a significant surge in cybercrime complaints, rising from 1,800 complaints totaling $17.7 million in 2021 to over 3,000 complaints resulting in $63 million in losses in 2024. AARP Idaho is hosting a Senior Fraud and Financial Exploitation Prevention Roadshow across four locations to educate seniors on recognizing red flags and protecting themselves from organized cybercriminals.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A new Social Security scam targets seniors by impersonating Social Security Administration officials through phone calls, texts, and emails, claiming victims must verify their details to receive Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) benefits or face account suspension. Scammers use pressure tactics and threats of benefit loss to extract personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details, or to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The SSA never initiates unsolicited contact requesting sensitive information; legitimate COLA notices are delivered by official mail or through secure online accounts, and victims should hang up, verify the caller independently, and report suspicious contact directly to the SSA.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn that AI-powered "Phantom Hacker" scams targeting seniors are increasing, using a three-step scheme where fraudsters impersonate tech support, financial institution, and government workers to manipulate victims into transferring their life savings to criminal accounts. Scammers use AI to identify and target elderly victims based on their social media activity and web behavior, and victims have only a small window to recover funds if they report the theft immediately to authorities.
kpel965.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Phantom Hacker" scam has stolen over $1 billion from Americans since 2024, primarily targeting seniors age 60+ in Louisiana and nationwide. The sophisticated three-phase operation uses impersonators posing as tech support, bank officials, and government employees to gain access to victims' computers and financial accounts, often resulting in complete loss of retirement and savings accounts. Scammers now employ AI technology to personalize attacks through social media analysis, making their schemes more convincing.
dig.watch
· 2025-12-08
The Phantom Hacker scheme uses AI and multiple fake identities impersonating tech support, bank, and government officials to manipulate seniors into transferring their savings to scammer-controlled accounts under the guise of fraud prevention. Cybersecurity experts note that AI helps scammers identify vulnerable targets by analyzing social media and online activity, making these schemes increasingly sophisticated. Immediate reporting of theft is critical, as delays significantly reduce victims' chances of fund recovery.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
A PYMNTS Intelligence study of 10,103 U.S. consumers found that approximately 77 million adults (3 in 10) lost money to scams over the past five years, with many losing more than $500. Modern scammers use mass personalization to tailor fraud schemes by age, income, and habits—targeting Gen Z through social media, older adults via email and phone calls, and selecting contact channels that feel legitimate to each demographic. The study reveals that scams now account for 27% of U.S. financial institutions' fraud losses in 2024 (up from 12% in 2023), highlighting the need for dynamic defenses including behavioral monitoring
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams resulted in $9.3 billion in reported losses in 2024, with $5.8 billion specifically from investment fraud schemes; seniors over 60 suffered approximately $2.8 billion in losses. Scammers increasingly use AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities and trusted contacts to convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrencies or surrender wallet access. The article advises investors to verify the legitimacy of coins and sources, never share private wallet information, use multi-factor authentication, and carefully examine exchange website URLs before investing.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article addresses the widespread problem of spam calls in the US, noting that over 40% of Americans never answer unknown calls due to spam concerns. The piece provides practical guidance on blocking unwanted calls using built-in features on Android and iOS devices, as well as carrier-specific tools like AT&T's ActiveArmor and Verizon's Call Filter, many of which are available for free or at a low monthly cost.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational awareness piece highlights two prevalent scams targeting consumers: Amazon smishing, where scammers text victims impersonating Amazon to trick them into entering personal and purchasing information through fraudulent links under the guise of refunds or recalls; and fake sports gambling sites, where scammers operating unsecured platforms steal users' private information and refuse payouts or demand money after losses. The article recommends avoiding unexpected message links, using official Amazon customer service channels, and relying only on licensed sportsbooks when gambling online.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in Hokkaido, Japan lost approximately 1 million yen ($6,700) to a romance scammer who posed as an astronaut in distress and claimed to need money for oxygen while stranded in space. The woman met the fraudster on social media in July and developed romantic feelings before being deceived into sending the funds. The case highlights the growing threat of romance scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals in aging societies like Japan.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old Japanese woman lost £5,000 to a romance scammer who posed as an astronaut claiming to be stranded in space and needing money for oxygen. The scammer contacted her on social media in July, built a romantic connection, and eventually convinced her to transfer funds for his alleged distress. Romance scams are surging globally, with Japan reporting over 3,300 cases in 2024 (double the previous year) totaling £173.8 million in losses, while UK victims aged 61+ lost an average of £19,000 in 2024.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-07
The American Bankers Association Foundation and FBI released an educational infographic warning about the growing threat of deepfake scams, which use AI-generated or manipulated media to impersonate trusted individuals. Since 2020, over 4.2 million fraud reports have resulted in more than $50.5 billion in losses, with deepfake scams representing an increasingly significant portion. The organizations are promoting practical tips to help consumers recognize red flags and protect themselves from these sophisticated schemes.
digitalterminal.in
· 2025-12-07
Quick Heal Technologies' report reveals that cybercrimes against seniors in India surged 86% from 2020 to 2022, with projected losses exceeding ₹1.2 lakh crore by 2025, as the senior population increasingly adopts digital platforms. The report identifies three primary fraud schemes targeting elders: impersonation and authority scams (fake police arrests, court sessions), technical deception scams exploiting digital unfamiliarity, and investment scams that can devastate life savings, exemplified by a Telangana case where a 75-year-old lost ₹13 crore. The company recommends combating this epidemic through
brooklyneagle.com
· 2025-12-07
Two New Jersey brothers, Abhishek and Tushar Barvalia, were indicted for allegedly defrauding four elderly women aged 76 to 90 out of approximately $400,000 between June 2023 and January 2024. The defendants impersonated government agents, FBI officials, and bank representatives to convince victims their accounts were compromised, instructing them to withdraw funds and transfer money to accounts the perpetrators controlled. The victims, located in Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and Connecticut, were told to keep the transactions confidential, and a total of over $393,000 was stolen through cashier's checks and wire transfers.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-07
Financial exploitation of older adults is rising at epidemic rates through scams, family manipulation, and digital illiteracy, with the FBI reporting over 100,000 victims age 60+ in 2023 and total losses exceeding $3 billion (averaging $35,000 per person). Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to trust, isolation from face-to-face interaction, and a digital divide, with those age 80+ suffering the highest median losses. Common schemes include tech support, grandparent scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and increasingly sophisticated AI-generated voice clones, while many cases go unreported due to shame or involvement of trusted family members
wtoc.com
· 2025-12-07
Post-disaster cyber scams cost Americans $9.3 billion annually, with fraudsters increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake FEMA websites, charity scams, and phishing messages that exploit urgency and fear during natural disasters. Experts recommend verifying contractor licenses, donating only to trusted charities, avoiding unsolicited requests for money or personal information, and independently confirming information rather than relying on calls, texts, or emails from unknown sources. Those targeted by disaster fraud can report it to the Justice Department's Disaster Fraud Hotline (866-702-5721) or FEMA's hotline (866-720-5721).
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-07
National Preparedness Month provides an opportunity to protect against disaster-related scams, as fraudsters commonly impersonate contractors, government officials, and charities during emergencies to steal money and personal information. The FTC offers resources at ftc.gov/WeatherEmergencies to help people spot and avoid common post-disaster scams such as repair fraud and government impersonation schemes. Individuals can report suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help the FTC identify trends and stop fraudsters.
bctv.org
· 2025-12-07
This is an educational event announcement rather than a news article about a specific scam or fraud case. Here's the summary:
A free educational program on senior fraud protection will be held September 8 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, presented by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Senior Protection Unit and a Reading-based elder law firm. Attorney David Shallcross will cover scams targeting seniors including tech repair scams and romance fraud, along with protection strategies, while Attorney Rose Kennedy will discuss estate planning and elder law considerations. Registration is required through the Wyoming Public Library website or by phone at 610-374-2385.
northwestgeorgianews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Elder Justice Initiative highlights common financial scams targeting seniors age 60 and older, including Social Security impostor scams (false suspension claims), tech support scams (fake virus/hacking warnings), lottery scams (foreign sweepstakes requiring upfront fees), and romance scams (online dating schemes requesting money). Digital technology has increased seniors' vulnerability to these schemes, which exploit personal information and trust, making elder fraud a recognized threat requiring public education and awareness efforts.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Antonio Peña and Brandi Durst were indicted in August 2025 for operating a "gold bar scam" that defrauded senior victims across the United States between April 2024 and July 2025. The defendants posed as Federal Reserve agents and government officials, convincing elderly victims to liquidate retirement funds to purchase gold under the false premise of protecting assets from identity theft, then stole the gold and laundered the proceeds. Both face up to 40 years in prison, fines, and restitution if convicted.
abc10.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers increasingly target seniors through digital platforms, with California consumers reporting over $1.7 billion in fraud losses in 2024, particularly involving identity theft and smartphone scams. Seniors are vulnerable because they are more likely to respond to unsolicited calls and urgent emails, and common tactics include impersonating government agencies or family members to pressure victims into quick payments via gift cards. Experts recommend that seniors never give personal information over the phone, keep antivirus software updated, verify website legitimacy before transactions, and immediately notify law enforcement and financial institutions if targeted, while family and friends can support prevention through regular check-ins and open conversations about fraud.
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-07
In 2023, older Americans lost over $3.4 billion to scams, with the problem escalating in 2024 when individuals over 60 represented the largest group of cybercrime victims in the U.S., losing more than $1 billion since the start of the year through increasingly sophisticated schemes including tech support fraud, romance scams, investment fraud, and government impersonation. Experts recommend seniors protect themselves by never sharing personal information unsolicited, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, consulting family before financial decisions, and recognizing red flags such as urgent requests for money via gift cards or wire transfers, pressure to act quickly, and threats from callers.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman in Hokkaido, Japan lost approximately $6,700 of her life savings to a romance scammer who posed as an astronaut stranded in space and claiming to need money for oxygen after meeting her on a social media app in July. Local police classified the case as a typical romance scam targeting vulnerable elderly individuals, noting that similar schemes victimize older adults across the United States and other countries.
people.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman in her 80s in Hokkaido, Japan lost approximately $6,700 (1 million yen) in a romance scam that began on social media in July, when a con artist posed as an astronaut claiming to be in space under attack and in need of oxygen, convincing her to send money for his survival. The incident reflects a broader trend: in 2024, over 7,600 people over 60 in the United States fell victim to romance and confidence scams, resulting in more than $389 million in losses, with elderly victims being particularly vulnerable due to their trustworthiness, financial resources, and reluctance to report fraud.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A 75-year-old South Korean woman nearly lost her life savings of 100 million won (approximately $92,500) to a voice phishing scam in which a fraudster impersonated a Financial Supervisory Service official and convinced her to withdraw funds and convert them to gold. A taxi driver became suspicious after overhearing her phone conversation with the scammer, noticing a male voice despite her claim she was speaking to her daughter, and alerted police who intercepted the vehicle and prevented the handover of the gold.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece highlights the rising threat of sophisticated online scams targeting seniors, noting that FTC data shows reports of victims aged 60+ losing $10,000 or more quadrupled between 2020 and 2024. Scammers use impostor schemes impersonating businesses or government agencies, increasingly leveraging AI-generated deepfakes and voice technology, with a notable 2024 case involving 16 defendants charged in a grandparent scam ring that defrauded victims of over $55 million. The article recommends verification through trusted channels, raising awareness of scam tactics, and implementing cybersecurity tools as key defenses against elder fraud.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-07
Fulton County launched ACT (Avoid Cyber Threats), a free online cybersecurity training program for seniors, in response to alarming fraud statistics showing that seniors lost approximately $5 billion to internet crimes in 2024, with Georgia ranking 7th nationally for such losses. The program educates seniors on recognizing digital scams including AI voice cloning, government impersonation, and phishing schemes, with the county aiming to train 2,000 seniors and caregivers by year-end. One local resident shared how she fell victim to a scam that resulted in $2,000 being stolen from her account, though her bank helped her recover the funds.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman in her 80s in Japan lost approximately $6,700 (1 million yen) to a romance scam that began on social media in July 2024, when a con artist posed as an astronaut claiming to be under attack in space and needing money for oxygen. In 2024, over 7,600 people aged 60+ in the United States fell victim to romance and confidence scams, resulting in more than $389 million in losses, with seniors targeted because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and may be reluctant to report fraud due to shame.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers impersonated St. Clair County Sheriff's Office staff by calling or messaging family members of jailed individuals, claiming to offer GPS tether release in exchange for payment via PayPal, Zelle, or Apple Pay. At least one victim lost nearly $1,000 to the scheme, which the sheriff's office emphasized it would never use to collect payments. Residents are urged to verify requests through official channels and report suspected scams to local authorities.
trmlabs.com
· 2025-12-07
This resource is a law enforcement guide for investigating cryptocurrency-enabled scams, which have caused at least $53 billion in losses since 2023, with figures likely underreported due to delayed victim reporting. The guide provides investigators with essential terminology, investigation methodologies, and blockchain forensics techniques to trace fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions and identify the real-world controllers behind pseudonymous addresses. It serves as a practical manual for police and law enforcement professionals to understand and combat crypto-related investment scams, phishing schemes, and other cryptocurrency fraud.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-07
PayPal users are being targeted by a phishing scam using spoofed emails claiming suspicious charges (often around $910) requiring urgent profile setup within 24 hours; clicking the malicious link allows scammers to add themselves as secondary account users and steal funds. Red flags include generic greetings, artificial urgency, and email address spoofing, while legitimate PayPal communications address users by name and users should verify suspicious activity directly on PayPal.com rather than clicking email links. The scam exploits billions lost annually to fraud, with Americans losing $8.8 billion in 2022 alone.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-07
Social Security scams surged 46% in 2024, resulting in $4.885 billion in losses and disproportionately affecting retirees who were pressured through fake government alerts to transfer funds or deposit cash into ATMs or cryptocurrency accounts. The FBI and FTC reported that fraud losses for those aged 60+ skyrocketed from $122 million in 2020 to $700 million in 2024, with significant regional impacts such as $99.8 million in losses in Massachusetts alone. To protect themselves, retirees are advised to adopt strategic diversification, use Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, implement fraud detection technology, maintain social networks, and work with
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
Authorities in Uttarakhand arrested multiple suspects across two cyber fraud cases totaling ₹1.9 crore in losses. In the first case, a 27-year-old man defrauded a 58-year-old Dehradun businessman of ₹50 lakh through a romance scam involving a fake foreign woman and fabricated airport detention charges; in the second case, two Delhi men were arrested for a "digital arrest" scheme that victimized a retired university vice-chancellor of ₹1.4 crore over 12 days in August. These arrests highlight the expansion of organized cyber fraud networks across India using social engineering tactics.
cosmopolitan.com
· 2025-12-07
*Love Con Revenge*, a Netflix series featuring private investigator Brianne Joseph and Tinder Swindler victim Cecilie Fjellhøy, investigates romance scams, including the case of Christopher Earl Lloyd, who defrauded multiple women of over $2 million by posing as a former Major League Baseball player and investment broker on dating apps. Lloyd was apprehended on July 24th on a 14-count federal indictment and currently faces 13 counts of wire fraud and one count of monetary transaction fraud, with potential sentences of up to 20 years per wire fraud count plus an additional 10 years if convicted on the monetary transaction charge.
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are conducting jury duty avoidance scams using fake government websites to steal personal information and money from targets. The scheme begins with a call or text impersonating law enforcement, directing victims to a fraudulent website that captures Social Security numbers and birthdates, then pressures them to pay via credit card or cryptocurrency ATMs. The article emphasizes that legitimate courts never demand immediate payment or sensitive personal information by phone, and advises victims to verify requests directly with official law enforcement contacts and avoid clicking unsolicited links.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
The Chandigarh Police cyber crime branch arrested 103 cyber criminals and registered 102 FIRs between January and August 2024, recovering Rs. 7.5 crore of approximately Rs. 32.5 crore in frauds involving online trading scams, digital arrests, fake calls, and credit card fraud. Elderly citizens living alone have become primary targets due to lack of technical knowledge, prompting police to launch door-to-door awareness campaigns in senior-heavy residential areas. Authorities emphasize prompt reporting to maximize recovery and advise the public never to share banking details, OTPs, or passwords, and to verify that government agencies will never request money transfers
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A 62-year-old retired government employee in Visakhapatnam lost over Rs 2.5 crore in a digital arrest scam after fraudsters posing as police officials called him claiming his Aadhaar was linked to money laundering and threatened him with arrest warrants. The victim transferred all his savings following the scammers' instructions before discovering the fraud through reading about similar cases and reporting it to cyber crime police. Police note that senior citizens are increasingly targeted in digital arrest scams, with many victims reluctant to report due to shame or lack of awareness.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A 62-year-old retired government employee in Visakhapatnam lost over Rs 2.5 crore in a digital arrest scam after fraudsters posing as police officials claimed his Aadhaar card was linked to money laundering and threatened him with arrest warrants and imprisonment. The victim transferred his entire savings under duress before realizing the deception after reading about similar scams. Police report that senior citizens are increasingly targeted in digital arrest fraud schemes across the state, with many victims failing to report due to shame, fear, or lack of awareness.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-07
Singapore reported S$456 million in fraud losses during the first half of 2025, a decline from the previous year, though cryptocurrency scams remained a significant concern accounting for S$81.6 million (18% of total losses), with Tether, Bitcoin, and Ethereum being the primary targets. Victims were predominantly aged 30-49 and fell prey to investment scams, job fraud, and phishing schemes, while authorities recovered S$56.7 million in fraudulent funds and prevented S$179 million in potential losses through collaborative efforts.
marketing-interactive.com
· 2025-12-07
Hang Seng Bank launched a public awareness campaign from September to December featuring four Hong Kong actors known for villain roles who formed the "Hang Seng Anti-Fraud Band" to promote fraud prevention through a reimagined Cantonese song and music video highlighting common scams including phishing, investment fraud, online shopping scams, and virtual romance scams. The bank's integrated campaign included live performances, a traveling educational bus, and social media content, supported by technology measures that detected over 1,200 fraud cases in the first half of the year and protected approximately HK$200 million in customer funds.
plumassun.org
· 2025-12-07
The American Bankers Association Foundation and FBI released an educational infographic to help consumers recognize and avoid deepfake scams, which use AI-generated media to impersonate trusted individuals and pressure victims into sending money or sharing sensitive information. Since 2020, over 4.2 million fraud reports have been filed resulting in more than $50.5 billion in losses, with deepfake scams representing a growing portion of this fraud. The infographic provides practical guidance on identifying red flags (such as distorted facial features and audio-video mismatches) and protective measures including verifying identities through trusted sources and creating codewords with loved ones.
wusa9.com
· 2025-12-07
The D.C. Attorney General sued Athena Bitcoin ATMs after one victim lost nearly $100,000 in a week to crypto ATM scams, with 93% of all D.C. deposits linked to fraud. Scammers used phone calls impersonating government or bank officials to pressure elderly victims into depositing money into crypto ATMs, which cannot be recovered, while Athena profited from undisclosed fees up to 26% and failed to stop fraudulent transactions despite knowing about them. The investigation found a median loss of $8,000 per scam transaction, with the company accused of violating consumer protection and elder abuse laws.
state.gov
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions on nine targets in Shwe Kokko, Burma and ten individuals/entities in Cambodia involved in operating online scam centers that victimized Americans and exploited forced laborers. In 2024 alone, Americans lost at least $10 billion to scam operations based in Southeast Asia, with criminal networks facilitating virtual currency investment scams and other fraud schemes targeting U.S. residents and international victims.
aljazeera.com
· 2025-12-07
The United States sanctioned nearly 20 companies and individuals in Myanmar and Cambodia for operating multibillion-dollar scam centers that victimize Americans and exploit trafficked workers. Americans lost over $10 billion to these Southeast Asian scam operations in the previous year, with the schemes—known as "pig-butchering"—targeting victims through fake investment opportunities while many scam operators are themselves enslaved trafficking victims. The sanctions targeted key figures in Myanmar's Shwe Kokko city and Cambodian scam compounds, with estimates suggesting approximately 150,000 trapped victims in Cambodia and 100,000 in Myanmar.
staysafeonline.org
· 2025-12-07
Social Security scams, among the most common frauds targeting Americans, involve criminals impersonating SSA, OIG, or DOJ officials through phone, email, text, or social media to steal money or personal information. Red flags include claims of suspicious activity or benefit increases, pressure to act immediately, and requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers—methods the SSA will never use. Victims should hang up, avoid clicking links, never send money through untraceable methods, and report scams to SSA OIG, USA.gov, or the FBI's IC3 to protect themselves and others.