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wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) distributed nearly $6 million in 2023 to veterans and consumers harmed by five individuals and their companies who illegally misled them into selling pension and disability payments through predatory loans with hidden fees and deceptive interest rates (including payday loans with annual percentage rates exceeding 400%). The CFPB advised consumers to carefully review loan terms and fees before signing agreements, and urged those who believe they received predatory loans to report them to authorities immediately.
kcra.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS is warning taxpayers about refund scams as tax season approaches, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including artificial intelligence to impersonate the agency. According to Federal Trade Commission data, approximately 2.6 million people reported being scammed in the past year, losing more than $10 billion total, representing a 14% increase from the previous year. The IRS advises taxpayers that the agency never contacts individuals via email, text, or social media regarding refunds, and recommends verifying any official correspondence and reporting suspected scams to the IRS, local law enforcement, or the Federal Trade Commission.
f-secure.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational resource from F-Secure promoting their scam protection service. It highlights that U.S. citizens lost an estimated $12.5 billion to cybercrime in the previous year (a 12% increase), and provides prevention advice across common scam vectors including phishing emails, SMS "smishing," fake delivery alerts, contact spoofing, and fraudulent online shopping sites. The resource emphasizes that legitimate organizations do not request sensitive information via email or text, and recommends verification through separate trusted channels before responding to suspicious communications.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jackie Lynn Neubauer, a 41-year-old car rental manager in Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft after processing over 140 fraudulent car rentals using stolen credit card numbers provided by conspirators, resulting in losses exceeding $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2024, with potential penalties ranging from two to 12 years in prison and fines up to $500,000. The U.S. Secret Service investigation led to the prosecution of this case involving coordinated identity theft and fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Darlington Akporugo, 46, a Nigerian resident of Fulshear, Texas, was charged with conspiring with Jasmin Sood to defraud over a dozen elderly Americans in a romance scam that operated between 2015 and 2022, resulting in approximately $3.1 million in losses. The perpetrators created fictitious online personas on dating platforms to build trust with elderly, often widowed victims before convincing them to transfer money to fraudster-controlled accounts, and in at least one case, approached a victim in person to drive her to banks and gain control of her banking access devices. Both defendants face up to 30 years imprisonment on wire frau
k923.fm
· 2025-12-08
Matthew David Keirans, a 58-year-old former University of Iowa hospital IT employee, pleaded guilty to federal identity theft charges after impersonating William Woods for three decades, earning over $140,000 annually while living in Milwaukee. The fraud was discovered when the real William Woods, whom Keirans had met in the 1980s, reported the identity theft to authorities; Woods had previously spent two years in prison and was institutionalized after being wrongly accused of the crime himself. Keirans faces several years in prison, and a hearing is scheduled to clear Woods' name.
wowt.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) distributed almost $6 million in 2023 to veterans and other consumers harmed by five individuals and their companies who illegally sold pension and disability payment plans through predatory lending practices. The defendants misled consumers with false statements about loan terms, advertising artificially low rates while concealing hidden fees that resulted in annual percentage rates exceeding 400%. The CFPB urged affected consumers to review fine print carefully, compare loan options, and report predatory lending to authorities immediately.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS is warning taxpayers about fraudulent letters mimicking official IRS letterhead that request personal information in exchange for unclaimed refunds, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated technologies like AI to deceive victims. The Federal Trade Commission reported a 14% increase in scam losses last year, affecting nearly 3 million people, and the IRS reminds the public that they never initiate contact via email, text, or social media regarding bills or refunds—recipients should verify any correspondence by checking phone numbers against the official IRS website.
wlbt.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau distributed nearly $6 million in 2023 to veterans harmed by five individuals and companies that illegally sold their pension and disability payments through predatory lending schemes with deceptively high interest rates and hidden fees (some reaching 400% APR). The defendants neither admitted nor denied the allegations but settled the cases; consumers affected should receive automatic refunds or can submit claims through the CFPB website. The CFPB advised veterans to carefully review loan terms, compare rates, and report suspected predatory lending immediately.
wsbradio.com
· 2025-12-08
On August 2, 2022, Antavious Bailey, 38, invaded the home of an 88-year-old woman in Brookhaven, Georgia, robbed her at gunpoint, and stole her wallet, cell phone, identification documents, and financial cards after forcing her to reveal her debit card PIN and tying her up. Bailey was arrested hours later with the victim's credit cards and a firearm in his possession, and subsequently pleaded guilty to ten charges including home invasion, armed robbery, elder abuse, and fraud. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
statesman.com
· 2025-12-08
A PrivacyJournal study ranking online dating safety across U.S. states found Nevada, Georgia, and Alaska to be the most dangerous for romance scams and related fraud, while Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine emerged as the safest. Texas ranked 43rd out of 50 states, placing it in the top 10 most dangerous, based on per capita metrics including reported romance scams, identity theft, fraud, sex offenders, and STD cases.
bigfuture.collegeboard.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource advises students and families on recognizing and avoiding financial aid scams. Key recommendations include avoiding hiring consultants (since free advice is available from school counselors and aid officers, and consultants cannot increase aid amounts), protecting personal information from unsolicited phone or email contacts, and being wary of two common scams: fraudulent "grant offers" that request processing fees (which the federal government never charges) and identity theft schemes where scammers pose as government or financial representatives. The piece emphasizes that suspicious activity should be reported to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General.
money.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2019 to 2023, reported cases of employment fraud nearly tripled from 38,000 to 107,000, costing victims $490.7 million in 2023 alone. Scammers use fake job listings to steal personal information for identity theft or credit fraud, and increasingly request upfront payments via email and cryptocurrency for fake training, equipment, or background checks, with victims losing a median of $2,100. Job seekers should be cautious of suspiciously easy or highly-paid positions, research companies thoroughly, and verify job postings directly with employers to avoid these schemes.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams are prevalent, with identity theft being one of the most common, where fraudsters file tax returns in victims' names to claim refunds—the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, and victims wait an average of 19 months for resolution. Scammers typically use tactics based on fear, urgency, and financial incentives to trick people into sharing personal information or money, often impersonating the IRS or tax professionals. Experts recommend verifying IRS contact through official channels (mail or their website), researching tax professionals through reputable directories, and avoiding unsolicited phone calls to protect against tax-related fraud.
thebrunswicknews.com
· 2025-12-08
STAR of Coastal Georgia will host a free educational workshop on April 16 for senior citizens focused on recognizing and protecting against elder fraud, scams, and identity theft, with presentations from Bank of America representatives. Registration is required by calling 912-265-0620 or visiting starofcoastalga.org for the 9:30-11 a.m. event at their Brunswick location.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
California resident Donald Franklin Huegel was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded two elderly Arizona residents of nearly $400,000 over two years. Huegel participated in the scheme by funneling victim payments to co-conspirators in Africa after victims were lured by fake online profiles ("Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and manipulated into sending money under false pretenses, including claims their identities were on the Dark Web. The first victim lost over $90,000 and the second lost over $367,000; Huegel was convicted of fraudulent schemes, money laundering, and theft, and will be required to pay
victoriabuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
West Shore RCMP are investigating at least four fraud complaints involving the sale of Taylor Swift concert tickets on Facebook Marketplace and community groups, where victims sent money to sellers but never received tickets. Police believe the scam involved a hacked Facebook account whose owner's identity was used to defraud multiple people. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are asking additional victims or anyone with information to contact West Shore RCMP.
10news.com
· 2025-12-08
San Diego small business owner Tara Cornett fell victim to an elaborate bank scam in which fraudsters, posing as her bank via phone call, obtained her personal information (likely from a previous data breach) and took out a $6,000 loan in her name by tricking her into accepting push alerts they initiated. After recognizing suspicious email notifications, Cornett called her bank directly and discovered the fraud; her bank's fraud department refunded the money within days. Cybersecurity experts advise hanging up on unexpected calls and calling your bank directly using the number on your card, as phone numbers can be spoofed, and recommend using physical password managers and credit freezes for additional security.
longisland.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS is warning the public about scam letters mimicking official IRS correspondence that request personal information under the guise of tax refunds, particularly as the April 15 tax deadline approaches. These fraudulent letters often include fake IRS letterhead to appear legitimate and exploit public trust in government agencies. The IRS recommends verifying any suspicious correspondence by checking phone numbers against the official IRS.gov website.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
California resident Donald Franklin Huegel was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in romance scams targeting two elderly Arizona victims, stealing nearly $400,000. Huegel posed as a romantic interest online (using aliases like "Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and funneled victims' money to co-conspirators in Africa, with one victim sending over $90,000 and another sending over $367,000. He was convicted of fraudulent schemes, money laundering, and theft, with a restitution hearing to be scheduled for the victims.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old civil engineer discovered that fraudsters had stolen his identity and opened two unauthorized HSBC accounts in his name—a credit card with £12,000+ in charges and a current account with a £5,000 overdraft—despite never banking with HSBC. He suspects the thieves accessed his personal information by breaking into his letterbox to intercept account opening documents and cards, resulting in his credit score dropping over 300 points; after 14 weeks of poor resolution efforts from HSBC, he remained liable for approximately £17,000 in fraudulent debt.
newjersey.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS is warning the public about fraudulent letters circulating around Tax Day (April 15) that impersonate the agency with fake IRS letterhead to solicit personal information and promise refunds. Experts note these scams are particularly effective because they exploit public trust in government agencies, and consumers should verify any IRS communication by checking the phone number against IRS.gov.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, cybersecurity experts warn that tax-related scams are spiking, including identity theft, phone scams, tax preparer fraud, and "helper" scams where fraudsters pose as IRS assistants to steal personal information. Experts advise being suspicious of urgent requests for clicks, links, or personal information, and to only enter sensitive data on the official IRS.gov website, avoiding so-called "ghost preparers" who disappear after obtaining information.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Oceanside, California, was defrauded of $50,000 through a pop-up scam falsely claiming their bank account was compromised; when scammers attempted to collect an additional $40,000, police and the FBI Elder Justice Task Force coordinated with the victim to apprehend 44-year-old Chi Hung Duong, who was arrested and charged with bail set at $200,000. The case highlights the dangers of pop-up scams and courier-based fraud schemes targeting seniors.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identifies the top 10 scams targeting small businesses, which are attractive to scammers because business owners are often distracted and lack robust cybersecurity support. Common schemes include phony invoices for unordered supplies, stolen identity/brand hijacking through fake websites, directory listing scams, phishing emails, office supply fraud, and vanity award scams (which charge fees for worthless honors). Small business owners should be aware of these tactics to protect themselves from financial losses.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers ranked U.S. states by online dating safety based on romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime rates, finding Texas among the top 10 most dangerous states for online dating, while Nevada ranked as the most dangerous due to prevalence of scams. Vermont was identified as the safest state, though researchers note this may reflect its smaller, older population rather than actual safety measures. The study did not specify dollar amounts or particular victim cases but highlighted romance scams as a significant concern in high-risk states.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
Colorado residents lost more than $187 million to cybercriminals in 2023, an increase of nearly $9 million from 2022, with investment fraud ($60 million), business email compromise ($57 million), and tech support scams ($23 million) being the top three fraud types reported in the state. Nationally, seniors were the most victimized age group with over 100,000 complaints totaling more than $3 billion in losses, while those over 60 accounted for more than half of tech support scam losses. The FBI received over 880,000 cybercrime complaints nationwide in 2023 with potential losses exceeding $12.5
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
Experts at a Goleta Community Center session identified common scams targeting residents, including fraudulent contacts impersonating utility companies, government agencies, and tech support firms that request payment via wire transfers, Venmo, or bank accounts. The presentation covered various fraud schemes including identity theft, telemarketing, home improvement, and mail fraud, with recommendations to use locked mailboxes and avoid sending gift cards or checks through the mail to prevent financial losses.
woai.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A PrivacyJournal study ranking states by online dating safety—based on romance scams, ID theft, fraud, sex offender presence, and STD reports per 100,000 population—found Texas ranks 43rd out of 50 states. Nevada ranked last (most dangerous) while Vermont ranked first (safest).
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel re-issued an alert in April 2024 warning small and midsized business owners about tax scams targeting entrepreneurs during tax season, including W-2 phishing schemes, fraudulent Employer Identification Number websites, and IRS imposter calls demanding immediate payment. Scammers use threats of legal action, fake tax bills, and refund promises to deceive business owners and employees, putting company data and finances at serious risk. The AG recommends businesses implement security protocols, train employees to recognize scams, and report suspected fraud to the IRS, FTC, or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wibc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating U.S. Marshals Service officials and law enforcement are making phone calls claiming victims' identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then instructing them to withdraw money and purchase gift cards under the false promise of opening new bank accounts and providing new social security numbers. The FBI and USMS warn that these fraudulent calls have been reported nationally and in northern Indiana, often targeting elderly victims who lose thousands of dollars; authorities urge recipients to hang up, report the calls to the FTC, and contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 if victimized.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are impersonating U.S. Marshals, judges, and police officers in phone scams targeting the elderly and others, claiming their identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then convincing victims to withdraw money and place it on gift cards. The scammers use fake badge numbers and caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate, with some victims losing tens of thousands of dollars; the U.S. Marshals Service urges recipients to report such calls to the FBI and FTC, noting that legitimate agencies never request money over the phone.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 374,000 fraud cases were reported to the UK's Cifas National Fraud Database, with identity theft comprising 64% of incidents (237,000+ cases) and criminals increasingly using AI, deepfakes, and social engineering tactics to steal consumer details and compromise bank accounts. Cifas members prevented £1.8 billion in fraud losses, but warned that economic pressures and account takeover attempts—including sophisticated voice spoofing for security questions—represent growing threats to consumers across banking, finance, insurance, and retail sectors.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
Jeff Drobman lost $21,000 from his Bank of America account after scammers used SIM swapping—convincing his wireless carrier Spectrum to transfer his phone number to their device, then using intercepted text-based two-factor authentication codes to access his bank account. According to FBI data, victims lost over $68 million to SIM swapping in 2021, and cybersecurity experts say the scam is preventable if wireless carriers require PINs for number transfers and banks use stronger authentication methods like facial recognition instead of text codes. Bank of America reimbursed Drobman after the investigation brought attention to his case.
cpr.org
· 2025-12-08
Internet scammers targeted over 10,000 Coloradans in the past year, stealing $187.6 million, with investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams causing the largest losses statewide. People 60 and older were the most victimized group and suffered the greatest financial losses, while tech support scams and extortion schemes saw notable increases; nationally, phishing, personal data breaches, and cryptocurrency investment fraud (up 50% in losses) emerged as significant threats.
thechampionnewspaper.com
· 2025-12-08
Antaviois Bailey, a 38-year-old from Conyers, pleaded guilty to robbing an 88-year-old woman at gunpoint in her Brookhaven home on August 2, 2022, stealing her purse, cash, debit and credit cards, cell phone, and identification before tying her up. Bailey was sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole after being convicted of home invasion, kidnapping, armed robbery, elder abuse, identity fraud, and firearm possession charges; he was identified through surveillance footage showing him following the victim home from the grocery store and using her stolen cards shortly after the robbery.
wimsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are alerting the public to widespread imposter scams in which callers falsely claim to be law enforcement officials, telling victims their identities have been stolen and instructing them to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards—tactics that are entirely fraudulent. The Marshals Service has received daily inquiries from victims nationwide who have lost tens of thousands of dollars, and emphasizes that it never requests money, financial information, or monetary instruments by phone. Victims are urged to report suspected scams to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, or contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice notified Medicare recipients in the Ozarks of a May 2023 data breach involving personally identifiable information compromised on systems of Greylock McKinnon & Associates (GMA), a DOJ contractor. While no confirmed cases of identity theft or fraud resulting from the breach have been reported, affected individuals were offered fraud resolution services and credit monitoring; experts recommend recipients verify letter authenticity by calling the DOJ directly at 1-844-979-6702 and consider freezing their credit as a proactive protective measure.
moneysense.ca
· 2025-12-08
Young Canadians aged 18-34 are increasingly targeted by phishing scams, with nearly one-third falling victim despite being digitally native. Common schemes include fake boss emails requesting gift card purchases, fake delivery notifications from online shopping, employment scams offering unpaid gig work, and romance scams involving coerced intimate photos, with fraudsters contacting victims via email/text (74%), phone calls (64%), social media (43%), and online dating apps (10%). Cybersecurity experts recommend vigilance against authority figures requesting unusual favors and caution when sharing personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Quebec police reported that nearly 37,000 Quebecers fell victim to fraud schemes, representing a 15 percent increase since 2021, with credit card, computer, identity theft, grandparent, and romance scams being the most common types. The Mauricie region experienced the steepest rise at 64 percent over two years, while Montreal had the highest total number of cases, though police acknowledged the true figures are likely higher due to underreporting. Police chiefs emphasized the importance of public reporting and awareness to combat the growing fraud problem.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 37,000 Quebecers reported fraud in 2023, representing a 15 percent increase since 2021, with credit card fraud, computer scams, identity theft, grandparent scams, and romance scams being the most common types. The Mauricie region experienced the steepest increase at 64 percent over two years, while Montreal had the highest total number of cases, though police emphasized that actual fraud rates are likely higher due to significant underreporting by victims.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, nearly 37,000 Quebecers reported fraud, representing a 15 percent increase since 2021, according to the Association of Quebec Police Chiefs. The most prevalent scams involved credit cards, computers, identity theft, "grandparent" scams, and romance scams, with the Mauricie region experiencing a 64 percent surge in cases. Police acknowledged that reported fraud likely represents only a portion of actual cases and urged victims to report incidents to help combat the growing problem.
news-journalonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranks fourth among the most dangerous U.S. states for online dating according to a Privacy Journal study analyzing romance scams, identity theft, fraud, and other risk factors across 100 cities. The research identified common romance scam patterns including persistent money requests, excuses to avoid meeting, elaborate backstories, secrecy, and false urgency—tactics scammers use to exploit victims seeking romantic connections online.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, a free service staffed by over 160 trained volunteers nationwide, responds to approximately 150 calls daily from fraud victims seeking support and guidance. A caller named Becky lost $16,000 in a PayPal impostor scam after clicking a malicious link in a phishing email, and volunteer Dan Smith helped her understand next steps including malware removal and account security measures. The helpline, which has operated for a decade, provides victims with crime reporting assistance, financial counseling referrals, and emotional support during what are often devastating financial losses.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
Five people were charged in a central Alabama elder fraud scheme involving multiple forms of financial exploitation. The defendants—including two caretakers, a house cleaner, a hairdresser, and the caretaker's husband—allegedly defrauded an elderly victim of approximately $213,000 between December 2020 and March 2022 through unauthorized credit card charges, forged checks, identity theft, and fraudulent Square account transactions. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with maximum penalties of 20 years in prison.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were charged in a coordinated elder fraud scheme spanning from 2020-2022, in which in-home caretakers Mykia Henderson and Cynthia Mixon (mother and daughter), along with accomplices Corey Webb, Whitney Wallace, and Shakira English, defrauded an elderly victim of over $173,000 through unauthorized credit card charges, fraudulent checks, and identity theft using Square and Stripe payment accounts. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with potential sentences up to 20 years imprisonment.
thesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old California man was arrested for his role in a government-imposter gold bar scam that defrauded an elderly Leisure World resident of over $700,000 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The scammer impersonated FTC and FBI officials, falsely claiming the victim was an identity theft victim requiring protective measures, and instructed her to purchase gold bars from an online retailer; the victim wired approximately $788,000 in two transactions and handed over the gold bars to couriers in parking lots before realizing the theft. This represents one of a dozen similar incidents reported in Montgomery County over six months, targeting vulnerable seniors in the community.
moco360.media
· 2025-12-08
A Silver Spring woman lost nearly $800,000 in a gold bar scam after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from the FTC's Office of the Inspector General, instructing her to convert assets to gold for "safekeeping" by the FBI and Treasury Department. Montgomery County police report approximately a dozen similar victims in the past year losing over $5 million total, with only one arrest made—courier Wenhui Sun, 34, who allegedly picked up gold bars from victims; scammers target this method because gold is untraceable and has universal value across countries. The FBI warns that government agencies and legitimate businesses never request citizens purchase gold or precious metals, and urges
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment service owned by major U.S. banks and launched in 2017, has experienced hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer losses due to fraud since its inception. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Early Warning Services (Zelle's operator) in December alleging the platform failed to safeguard against fraud, with scammers exploiting the service's instant, irreversible transfers and minimal verification requirements through social engineering tactics like phishing and impersonation of banks and utilities. Protection strategies include avoiding responses to unsolicited messages and verifying requests independently by calling official bank numbers.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation between 2022 and 2023, according to FinCEN's analysis of Bank Secrecy Act reports. The majority of cases involved elder scams with unknown perpetrators (80% of reported activity), particularly account takeovers using unsophisticated methods like password guessing, while elder theft by known perpetrators—most frequently adult children—comprised the remainder. Banks filed 72% of all elder exploitation-related reports, demonstrating their critical role in identifying and preventing such financial abuse.