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finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-10
A comprehensive study found that Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.748 billion to internet fraud in 2025—a 59% jump from the previous year—with actual losses potentially reaching $10 billion to $81 billion when accounting for underreporting. The most common scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes, with artificial intelligence now playing an increasing role in perpetrating these crimes. Seniors should verify unexpected contacts independently, never share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, consult trusted family members or financial advisors before making decisions, and report suspected fraud to the FTC or local law enforcement.
wilcosun.com
· 2026-06-10
Anne Marshall lost her life savings to a tech support scam that began with a fake pop-up warning about expired Geek Squad support, which she called to dispute—giving scammers remote access to her computer and leading to escalating demands for money. Her story, shared at a Sun City community fundraiser breakfast, highlights a widespread problem affecting approximately 50,000 Americans annually, with victims over 50 accounting for more than half of all scam losses totaling $20.9 billion in 2025. Residents should be cautious of unsolicited pop-ups and calls, avoid granting remote access to their computers, and remember that scammers deliberately target people when they're tired or busy—falling victim doesn't mean you're stupid, according to law enforcement.
prnewswire.com
· 2026-06-10
A new study found that Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.748 billion to internet-enabled fraud in 2025—a 59% jump from the previous year—with the average victim losing about $38,500 and over 12,000 people losing more than $100,000 each. The actual total losses are likely much higher, potentially between $10.1 billion and $81.5 billion when accounting for unreported cases, and scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance schemes, and government impersonation. Older adults should be cautious about unsolicited contacts, verify requests for money independently, and report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Federal Trade Commission.
sg.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-10
Since February, scammers in Singapore have stolen at least $1.7 million from victims by posing as Microsoft tech support through fake pop-up alerts that claim devices have been hacked. Victims are tricked into calling fraudulent support numbers, then transferred to scammers impersonating police officers who convince them to transfer money or grant remote access to their bank accounts. To protect yourself, remember that Microsoft never includes phone numbers in alerts—ignore suspicious pop-ups, don't click links within them, and verify any support requests directly through Microsoft's official channels.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-08
An 85-year-old Pennsylvania woman lost over $154,000 after scammers falsely claimed her Amazon account was hacked and impersonated the Federal Trade Commission to convince her to send money via cash and certified checks. The scam exploited a common tactic where criminals contact victims about suspicious account activity to create urgency and fear, eventually escalating payment requests. To protect yourself: ignore unsolicited messages about account hacks, remember that Amazon and the FTC never demand payment to resolve issues, and verify any claims by contacting companies directly through official channels rather than using contact information provided in suspicious messages.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-08
Scammers are increasingly using technology to spoof trusted contacts' phone numbers and AI voice tools to impersonate people you know, making fraudulent calls dangerously convincing. Android is rolling out a new "fake call detection" feature that automatically alerts you when a call claiming to be from a saved contact may be fraudulent, by verifying whether the call is actually coming from that person's device. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected calls from familiar numbers, and use this new Android feature when available—even if a call appears legitimate, verify important requests through other means before sharing sensitive information or money.
cnet.com
· 2026-06-08
Scammers are using an unexpected twist on package theft: they're *leaving* phones on victims' doorsteps as part of an identity theft scheme. When unsuspecting recipients activate these free phones and enter personal information, the devices lock up, giving criminals access to sensitive data. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected package deliveries, verify any requests to return items directly with your carrier by calling their official number, and never activate devices you didn't order or enter personal information into unfamiliar phones.
the-independent.com
· 2026-06-07
Americans lost nearly $900 million to AI-powered scams in 2025, with the FBI receiving over 22,000 complaints about schemes involving deepfakes, impersonation, and fraudulent communications that appear legitimate even to trained individuals. Victims have ranged from individuals losing thousands to AI-generated voice impersonations to people losing over a million dollars to fake authority figures, with cybersecurity experts warning that losses will likely increase as AI technology becomes more sophisticated. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unexpected communications requesting financial information or urgent action, verify requests through independent channels (calling known numbers rather than using provided contact info), and be particularly cautious of voice or video communications that seem unusual.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-06-06
Sophisticated scammers are targeting Canadians using tactics like spoofing bank phone numbers and impersonating financial institutions to trick victims into handing over banking information and physical cards, resulting in thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. One 78-year-old victim lost nearly $14,000 in a four-hour con that caused severe physical and emotional stress, and banks are often refusing to cover losses by claiming customers willingly shared their information. To protect yourself, verify caller identity through official bank channels rather than callback numbers provided by the caller, be suspicious of urgent threats about compromised accounts, and never hand over physical cards or banking credentials to anyone claiming to be from your bank.
kiplinger.com
· 2026-06-05
Cybercriminals are exploiting Microsoft's legitimate device code login feature to steal account credentials from Outlook, Teams, and Microsoft 365 users through a sophisticated scam that the FBI recently warned about. Unlike traditional phishing emails with obvious red flags, this "device code phishing" attack appears legitimate and can fool even users with multi-factor authentication enabled if they accidentally approve an unauthorized login request. To protect yourself, be cautious of unexpected login prompts or emails requesting verification codes, verify requests through official channels before approving them, and review your Microsoft account activity regularly for suspicious access attempts.
stories.td.com
· 2026-06-04
Online ticket scams are thriving because fraudsters exploit fans' desperation for sold-out concert and sporting event tickets, selling fake or duplicate tickets through resale websites and social media platforms. Victims lose money when they never receive their tickets after payment, as scammers create urgency and target emotional moments to lower people's guard. To protect yourself, only buy from official or verified resale platforms, avoid deals that seem too good to be true, watch for unfamiliar websites, and never use unusual payment methods.
click2houston.com
· 2026-06-03
Over 25,000 job recruitment scams were reported in late 2025, causing victims an average loss of $2,000 each, with scammers increasingly targeting job seekers through social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram by promising easy money for simple tasks or requesting upfront fees for background checks. To protect yourself, be wary of job offers requiring immediate upfront payment, verify employer websites directly, and avoid "get rich quick" schemes that ask for fees to unlock earnings or withdrawals. Legitimate employers typically deduct screening costs from future paychecks rather than demanding cash upfront from applicants.
aol.com
· 2026-06-02
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran lost his entire life savings of $1.4 million in a gold bar scam orchestrated by criminals posing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, part of a nationwide elder fraud scheme. One conspirator, Syed M. Makki, was recently sentenced to 15½ years in prison and ordered to pay over $4.7 million in restitution after being caught transporting gold bars from multiple victims across several states. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited visits or calls from people claiming to be law enforcement who pressure them to convert assets into gold or other valuables, as legitimate government agencies do not operate this way.
privateinternetaccess.com
· 2026-06-01
Phishing scams—where criminals impersonate trusted sources like banks or coworkers to steal sensitive information—remain the most common cyberattack, with 3.8 million attacks recorded in 2025, capable of causing devastating losses from identity theft to millions in business damages. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated, using AI-generated messages, deepfake audio and video, and near-perfect fake login pages to manipulate people through psychological tactics like urgency and fear. To protect yourself, verify sender identities through official channels before clicking links or sharing credentials, be suspicious of unexpected urgency or requests for sensitive information, and use multi-factor authentication on important accounts.
seattletimes.com
· 2026-06-01
Scammers are using fake party and dinner invitations that appear to come from services like Evite and Paperless Post to trick people into clicking malicious links, exploiting people's natural desire to socialize and reconnect with friends. The scheme affected people like retired journalist John Lantigua in Miami Beach, who clicked on what he thought was a legitimate invitation from a former colleague. To protect yourself, be suspicious of invitation emails—especially from people who've invited you before—verify requests directly with the sender through another communication method, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-01
Seniors over 60 are increasingly targeted by identity theft and fraud, filing over 201,000 complaints in 2025 with average losses of $38,500—nearly double younger victims' losses—while total fraud costs to older adults range from $10 billion to $81 billion annually. Scammers exploit the fact that seniors have multiple financial accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that can be breached using publicly available information like birthdates and Social Security numbers, and new AI voice-cloning technology makes impersonation easier than ever. Adult children can help protect aging parents by securing their personal information across all accounts and being cautious of unexpected calls, particularly those requesting verification details or claiming to be family members in distress.
noticias.foxnews.com
· 2026-05-31
Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, with victims averaging losses of nearly $38,500—almost double younger victims' losses—making seniors the most defrauded age group according to FBI data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they typically have multiple financial and government accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that scammers can exploit, and new threats like AI voice cloning now allow fraudsters to impersonate loved ones convincingly. To protect aging parents, adult children should help them implement credit freezes, secure their sensitive personal information (like Social Security numbers and birthdates) used for account verification, and remain vigilant about phone calls from grandchildren or others requesting money, especially when voice authenticity seems uncertain.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-31
Seniors are losing a record $7.7 billion annually to financial scams that typically begin with unsolicited phone calls or text messages creating false urgency. Common scams include fake bank fraud alerts asking victims to verify account information, Medicare renewal schemes requesting personal details, and other schemes exploiting seniors' retirement savings and established credit. To protect yourself, never respond to unsolicited messages asking for passwords or personal information, remember that legitimate banks and Medicare won't request sensitive data unexpectedly, and verify any suspicious communications by calling your institution directly using a number from their official website.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-05-30
Romance scams manipulate emotionally vulnerable people—such as those who are widowed, divorced, or lonely—by creating fake online relationships through dating apps and social media, with scammers using stolen photos and practiced backstories to build trust over weeks or months. When victims eventually send money to their "partners" (often for supposed emergencies or travel), banks struggle to intervene because customers are emotionally invested and may view warnings as intrusive skepticism. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that progress quickly, avoid meeting in person, and be especially wary if someone asks for money or financial assistance.
256today.com
· 2026-05-30
Deepfake technology is enabling sophisticated scams where fraudsters create convincing fake videos and voice clones to impersonate trusted figures like CEOs or family members, requesting money or sensitive data—with losses already in the billions and projected to reach $40 billion by 2027. Anyone can be targeted, as scammers need only seconds of audio or video from social media to create convincing impersonations. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like artificial urgency, demands for secrecy, requests to switch to encrypted messaging apps, and unnatural audio or video quality, and remember that legitimate organizations don't typically demand immediate action without verification.
broadandliberty.com
· 2026-05-29
Philadelphia District Attorney's office charged five men in connection with a utility bill scam that defrauded at least 150 senior citizens—primarily Black women—of over $500,000 since June 2024. The scammers impersonated representatives from gas, electric, and water companies, visiting victims' homes under the pretense of fixing account problems while stealing banking information and making unauthorized withdrawals. Seniors should verify utility company contacts independently by calling the official company number and never provide bank details or PIN numbers to unsolicited callers or visitors.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-29
A Georgia woman and an Illinois man have been convicted in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded a Bradenton senior of $1.4 million; the scammers impersonated law enforcement and convinced the victim to convert his savings into gold bars, which he then handed over to accomplices at predetermined locations. Syed M. Makki was sentenced to over 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.75 million in restitution, while the conspiracy targeted multiple victims between 2023 and early 2024 using phone calls and impersonation of government officials and law enforcement. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming you have legal problems or warrants—legitimate law enforcement will not demand payment in gold or other goods, and you should independently verify any such claims by contacting official agencies directly.
livenowfox.com
· 2026-05-28
The FBI is warning about a phishing scam called Kali365 that tricks people into entering device codes on fake Microsoft verification pages, allowing hackers to steal login tokens and gain persistent access to Microsoft 365 accounts—including email, Teams, and OneDrive—while bypassing multi-factor authentication protections. The scam affects anyone using Microsoft 365 and is particularly dangerous because it's being offered as a subscription service to criminals, complete with AI-generated phishing emails and attack templates that make it easy for less-skilled attackers to launch attacks. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected emails asking you to verify your identity or enter device codes, and organizations should consider disabling or restricting device authentication codes as a security measure.
abc.net.au
· 2026-05-28
The Australian federal government is proposing a new Scam Protection Framework that would automatically reimburse scam victims up to $3,000 through their banks, targeting fraud losses that affect everyday consumers. Banks, telecommunications companies, and digital platforms will be required to implement stronger fraud prevention systems by March 2025 and bear the costs of reimbursing most scam victims under the new framework. The government is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal to strengthen protections across the financial ecosystem and hold major institutions accountable for preventing scams.
mysuncoast.com
· 2026-05-28
Scammers posing as federal law enforcement agents defrauded an 80-year-old Bradenton veteran of $1.4 million by convincing him to purchase gold bars as part of a fake investigation. The scheme was part of a nationwide elder fraud conspiracy; one perpetrator was sentenced to 15.5 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.7 million in restitution. Elderly people should be wary of unsolicited contact from supposed government agents demanding immediate financial action, and should independently verify any claims by contacting official agencies directly.
patch.com
· 2026-05-28
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran lost $1.4 million in a gold bar scam where fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials, convincing him he was assisting with an investigation while pressuring him to convert his life savings into gold bars and hand them over at predetermined locations. The scam has been linked to a nationwide conspiracy involving multiple victims across several states, with one perpetrator sentenced to over 15 years in prison and ordered to pay $4.75 million in restitution. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited visits or calls from people claiming to be government agents, especially those requesting immediate financial transactions or unusual forms of payment like gold bars.
amac.us
· 2026-05-26
American consumers lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with older adults particularly targeted because they often have savings and may be less familiar with modern technology. Scammers use unsolicited contact via phone, email, or social media to create false urgency and manipulate people into sending money or revealing personal information. To protect yourself, treat unexpected outreach with caution, verify callers' identities before sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC or other authorities to help stop fraudsters and protect others.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are systematically targeting veterans by mining military records, VA databases, and public data sources to build detailed fraud profiles for identity theft and financial crimes. Veterans are particularly vulnerable because much of their sensitive information—including Social Security numbers, discharge papers, and service details—is scattered across semi-public federal databases and sold by data brokers. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information, monitor your credit reports regularly, verify requests from VA or military-related organizations directly, and consider a credit freeze if you believe your information has been compromised.
folhadolitoral.com.br
· 2026-05-26
A couple in Paranaguá, Brazil was arrested for running a romance scam targeting an elderly man, where they posed as romantic interests to manipulate him into sending money via bank transfers and later extorted him for additional funds, resulting in approximately R$ 100 in losses. The Civil Police seized their electronic devices for forensic analysis and transferred them to the prison system. To protect yourself, be cautious of romantic relationships formed online, never send money to people you've only met digitally, and report suspicious requests to authorities immediately.
nigeriannewsdirect.com
· 2026-05-26
British and Nigerian authorities arrested 31 suspected cybercriminals in a coordinated operation targeting organized fraud networks that operated through messaging groups to conduct romance scams, impersonation schemes, and money laundering across both countries. Victims—including British residents who lost significant sums like £80,000—were psychologically manipulated and emotionally exploited by criminals operating sophisticated, transnational criminal enterprises rather than individual scammers. People should be cautious of online romantic relationships that move quickly, avoid sending money to people they've only met online, and report suspicious activity to local authorities and banking institutions.
odunews.com
· 2026-05-25
Thai police arrested six Nigerian nationals operating an AI-powered romance scam targeting older Thai women from a luxury Bangkok condominium, discovered after a drug trafficking investigation revealed their broader fraud operation. The scammers used fake profiles with AI-generated faces, posed as pilots and military officers, and manipulated victims into transferring money by claiming customs fees for fake packages, with police finding scripts designed to lower victims' defenses. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly to requests for money, verify the identity of people you meet online through independent means, and never send money to strangers claiming to have packages stuck in customs or similar emergencies.
aol.com
· 2026-05-24
A Kentucky woman lost tens of thousands of dollars to a Nigerian romance scam where she believed she was dating a wealthy man named "Michael Oliver," who was actually a scammer operating from New Jersey. Federal investigators discovered the operation had defrauded at least 23 victims across the U.S. of over $700,000 through multiple schemes including romance scams, lottery fraud, and inheritance fraud, with money laundered through numerous bank accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly involve requests for money, verify identities through video calls, and never send cash or valuables to people you've only met online.
huffpost.com
· 2026-05-24
A "Can you hear me?" phone scam has been rapidly spreading since March 2024, where callers ask this question to get you to say "yes"—recording your response to potentially authorize unauthorized charges on your accounts or to identify you as an active target for future scams. The scam typically involves strangers posing as government officials or bank representatives, though they often hang up quickly after confirming someone is listening. To protect yourself, hang up on any unsolicited calls starting with this question, avoid saying "yes" to unknown callers, and monitor your phone and bank bills for unauthorized charges.
delawarevalleynews.com
· 2026-05-23
Five Philadelphia residents orchestrated a scam targeting senior citizens by impersonating utility companies (PGW, Water Department, PEECO) and convincing victims to hand over bank account information and debit cards, ultimately stealing at least $500,000 from at least 35 people. The suspects used the stolen funds for money orders, personal purchases, and transfers to their own accounts before being arrested; police recovered cash, firearms, and financial records, with most defendants held on bail ranging from $1.8 million to $5.4 million. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited calls or visits from utility companies and never provide banking information or PIN numbers to anyone claiming to need account access—legitimate companies will never ask for this information in person or over the phone.
chicagotribune.com
· 2026-05-22
A city employee in Aurora fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam on April 29, when a caller impersonating a bank representative used deceptive tactics to trick them into disclosing sensitive account information, resulting in the theft of nearly $1.1 million from city payroll accounts. The incident is being investigated by city officials, law enforcement, and cybersecurity experts, though there is currently no evidence that the city's network or resident data were compromised. To protect yourself from similar scams, be skeptical of unsolicited calls asking for account information, verify caller identities through official channels, and never share sensitive financial details over the phone even if the caller seems legitimate.
eset.com
· 2026-05-22
Romance scams cost victims an average of $9,400 in 2025, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated AI tools including deepfake videos, AI-generated photos, and chatbots to impersonate fake profiles on dating apps. Anyone using online dating should watch for red flags such as requests to move conversations off the platform quickly, requests for money, or reluctance to meet in person. Understanding how these scams evolve and using the dating app's built-in safety features are key steps to protecting yourself from romance fraud.
kctv5.com
· 2026-05-22
A courier named Syed M. Makki was sentenced to 15½ years in prison for his role in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that targeted seniors aged 61-80, convincing them to liquidate their savings and retirement accounts to buy gold bars under the false pretense that their money was unsafe. The scammers used malware to place fake Microsoft and government agency phone numbers on victims' computers, impersonating officials to build trust before directing victims to purchase gold and hand it over for "safekeeping." So far, 12 victims have lost more than $6 million to the scheme, and seniors should be wary of unsolicited calls about compromised identities or unsafe bank accounts—especially those pressuring immediate purchases of physical assets like gold.
news.webindia123.com
· 2026-05-22
The FBI shut down a major call center scam operation based in India that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars through tech support fraud schemes. Two U.S. executives—Adam Young and Harrison Gevirtz—pleaded guilty to knowingly providing telecommunications services that enabled these scams, along with five India-based scammers who were convicted. The FBI urges people to check on elderly loved ones, report suspicious activity to law enforcement at 1-800-CALL-FBI, and remain vigilant against senior-targeted scams.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-21
A woman in Arizona lost nearly $10,000 after scammers impersonated law enforcement officials and convinced her she had missed jury duty and owed a fine. The fraudsters used real names of local judges and officers, created a false sense of urgency about potential arrest, and instructed her to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin through an ATM to pay the supposed penalty. To protect yourself, be aware that legitimate courts never demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency or cash, and always verify official claims by independently contacting the actual government agency using publicly listed phone numbers rather than calling back the number provided by the caller.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-21
Homeowners across the country are receiving fraudulent letters claiming their homes have been foreclosed on and sold, urging them to pay for "rescue" services to reverse the sale. The scam has triggered warnings from multiple banks and credit unions, and while it may seem alarming, the letters are fake designed to steal money from unsuspecting victims. To protect yourself, don't call numbers in suspicious letters; instead, contact your lender directly, search your name on your county clerk of courts website, or check your county property appraiser's website to verify you still own your home.
nypost.com
· 2026-05-20
A Pennsylvania woman lost $24,000 after receiving a text message claiming to be from Apple warning of fraudulent account activity, then following instructions to call a number where scammers posed as bank officials and convinced her to wire money "for protection." This "bank impersonator" scam is spreading rapidly across the country, exploiting people's trust in financial institutions and fear of losing money by creating false urgency. To protect yourself, authorities advise never wiring money based on unsolicited contact—instead, hang up and call your bank directly using a number from your statement or official website.
theregister.com
· 2026-05-20
Dutch police successfully identified 74 of their 100 most wanted scammers through an innovative "Game Over?!" campaign that publicly shamed fraudsters by releasing their blurred photos and threatening to unmask them within two weeks. The campaign, which targeted criminals who victimized elderly people, resulted in 34 suspects turning themselves in and led to the identification of 40 others after their faces were revealed on social media and public displays, with over 500 public tips contributing to the effort. The campaign demonstrates that public pressure and shame can be effective tools against cybercrime, though citizens should remain cautious of scams and report suspected fraud to local authorities.
sandmountainreporter.com
· 2026-05-20
A seminar at Guntersville Library educated seniors about fraud and scams, which are increasingly targeting this vulnerable population through tactics like imposter scams, fake urgency threats, and AI-generated voices. According to the Federal Trade Commission, reported losses jumped from $10 billion in 2023 to $12.5 billion in 2024, with seniors being disproportionately preyed upon despite younger people reporting losses more frequently. The presentation recommended learning to recognize common scam tactics, verifying caller identities independently, and staying cautious of unsolicited contact that creates pressure or emotional appeals.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-19
Scammers are sending fake Amazon recall text messages that impersonate the company to trick people into clicking malicious links and potentially compromising their accounts. These messages use convincing details like order numbers and safety warnings, but contain red flags such as generic greetings, vague product descriptions, suspicious links unrelated to Amazon's official domain, and requests to leave the official Amazon platform. To protect yourself, only access your Amazon account through the official website or app, verify any recall notices directly through Amazon's legitimate channels, and never click links from unsolicited text messages—especially those claiming urgent safety issues.
coinlaw.io
· 2026-05-19
Cryptocurrency scams cost victims $5.8 billion in reported losses during 2024, with nearly 150,000 complaints filed to the FBI—a 66% increase from the previous year. The most common schemes include pig butchering (romance/investment scams), high-yield investment programs, rug pulls, phishing attacks, fake exchanges, and impersonation, with pig butchering and investment schemes accounting for over 80% of total losses. To protect yourself, watch for universal red flags like unsolicited investment pitches and pressure to move funds quickly, verify any crypto project or contract before approving wallet transactions, and remember that legitimate investments rarely guarantee high returns or require secrecy.
theweek.com
· 2026-05-14
Older adults are increasingly targeted by scams, including new schemes exploiting concerns about upcoming inheritance tax changes and traditional tactics like grandchild impersonation scams, with victims over 65 losing an average of £831 per incident. Scammers use emotional manipulation and request untraceable payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers to steal money and personal data, sometimes resulting in victims losing their life savings within seconds. To protect yourself or loved ones, experts recommend staying vigilant by pausing to verify the source of requests, being skeptical of urgent pleas from "relatives" asking for money, and refusing requests for gift cards or wire transfers.
mercurynews.com
· 2026-05-13
Older adults are losing billions of dollars to increasingly sophisticated scams, with fraud losses rising from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024, according to federal data. Seniors are targeted because they often have retirement savings and assets, plus may be less familiar with evolving technology like AI-powered voice mimicry and phishing schemes. Experts advise older adults and their families to be cautious of urgent requests for money, verify caller identities through independent contact information, and stay skeptical of unsolicited communications—especially those creating emotional pressure.
forbes.com
· 2026-05-13
Imposter scams posing as the IRS and other government agencies have nearly doubled in reported losses to $797 million in 2025, with scammers using AI to create convincing fake emails, texts, and calls that exploit people's fear and urgency. A new threat involves fake QR codes mimicking legitimate IRS notices that direct victims to fraudulent websites to steal banking information. To protect yourself, remember that the IRS never initiates contact via text, email, or phone asking for payment or banking details—instead, directly access your IRS account online or contact the IRS through official channels, and be wary of any request for payment via gift cards.
vindy.com
· 2026-05-13
A 25-year-old Indian man pleaded guilty to money laundering in a scheme that defrauded six elderly Americans of nearly $5 million, including a 77-year-old Salem resident who lost $61,000 after responding to a fake Microsoft Security pop-up ad and an 82-year-old New York man who was tricked into sending over $3 million to someone impersonating a U.S. Attorney. The scam operated from December 2022 to December 2023 and involved multiple tactics to convince victims to hand over large sums of money. To protect yourself: be suspicious of unsolicited pop-up ads and phone numbers they display, never trust callers claiming to be government officials without verifying through official channels independently, and always verify requests for large money transfers directly with trusted sources before sending anything.
morningjournalnews.com
· 2026-05-13
A 25-year-old Indian man pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with a $5 million scam targeting elderly Americans, including victims who lost $61,000 and $3 million respectively after responding to fake Microsoft security pop-ups or being impersonated by scammers claiming to be U.S. attorneys. The scheme, which operated from December 2022 to December 2023, involved at least three conspirators who defrauded six older adults across the United States. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected pop-up ads that freeze your computer or unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies or tech companies—hang up and call official numbers directly rather than using numbers provided in the suspicious communication.