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Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.

7,148 results in Phishing
local.aarp.org · 2025-12-08
Family caregivers play a crucial role in protecting older adults from fraud, as seniors lose billions annually to scams including tech support, lottery, grandparent, investment, imposter, and romance schemes. AARP recommends caregivers maintain open communication with loved ones, educate them about common fraud tactics, establish protective financial measures, and monitor for signs of social isolation that increase scam vulnerability. Resources and guidance are available at www.aarp.org/fraud to help families prevent and respond to fraud targeting older adults.
m.malaysiakini.com · 2025-12-08
Malaysia's Communications and Multimedia Commission released a draft Code of Conduct requiring internet messaging and social media service providers to remove harmful content—including financial scams (phishing, romance scams, investment scams), child sexual abuse material, and other illegal content—with dedicated moderation teams and prompt law enforcement cooperation. Service providers must establish systems for identifying and removing such content, take action against violators, and submit half-yearly safety reports to demonstrate compliance. The code applies to platforms with at least eight million Malaysian users that obtain a Class Licence by January 1, 2025, though the author raises concerns about potential overreach and arbitrary enforcement given the regulatory framework's vague provisions and annual license renewal requirements.
wesa.fm · 2025-12-08
As Medicare's December 7 enrollment deadline approaches, scammers pose as Medicare officials or insurance company representatives via phone calls, texts, and emails to trick older adults into disclosing Social Security numbers and sensitive information. Medicare and most private insurers will not initiate unsolicited phone contact; instead, beneficiaries should expect written letters and can verify communications by calling official toll-free numbers directly. Older adults and caregivers should avoid providing personal information to unexpected callers, be wary of robocalls, start enrollment early to reduce deadline pressure, and consult reputable sources like Medicare.gov or state health insurance assistance programs.
1470kyyw.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers in Texas are targeting holiday shoppers with "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages disguised as legitimate confirmations from banks, government agencies, or retailers that trick recipients into clicking malicious links and surrendering personal information like Social Security numbers and bank account details. The United States Postal Inspection Service warns that these bogus texts often create false urgency and may contain red flags such as misspellings, requests for sensitive data, unrecognized senders, and links that can install malware on victims' phones.
publicnewsservice.org · 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania experienced over 3,000 scam victims in the past year with losses exceeding $118 million, according to FBI data. Fraudsters employed various tactics including fake charities exploiting weather disasters, AI-generated voice cloning to impersonate trusted individuals, and impostor schemes where criminals pose as bank employees to trick victims into moving their money. Older Americans reported losses exceeding $1.9 billion to fraud, though actual losses may reach $62 billion when accounting for unreported cases, and the Federal Trade Commission has implemented new impersonation rules to combat these crimes.
ksat.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common holiday season scams and protective measures. The three primary scam types identified are fake online retailers using deep discounts and social media ads, gift card scams where fraudsters trick victims into providing card numbers, and fraudulent travel deals targeting holiday travelers. Key advice includes remaining calm when contacted by scammers, shopping only at secure websites, purchasing gift cards from official retailers, booking travel through reputable sites, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC or relevant financial institutions.
bbc.com · 2025-12-08
Felicity Campbell lost £20,000 to scammers who impersonated her bank and exploited WhatsApp's screen-sharing feature to manipulate her into transferring money. After Campbell fell for a fake TV licensing phishing email, fraudsters called claiming to be from Nationwide Bank and convinced her to share her phone screen under the pretense of securing her compromised account, using psychological manipulation and false assurances that funds were being recovered to keep her transferring money over 90 minutes. Campbell has since recovered £6,000 from Nationwide and £3,500 from Lloyds, with the remaining £20,000 traced to accounts in India via Western Union.
Bank Impersonation Phishing Money Order / Western Union
landline.media · 2025-12-08
Scammers are conducting a nationwide telephone phishing scam by impersonating U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents, claiming to have intercepted drug shipments under the victim's name and demanding personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank account information. The scammers use tactics including threatening police arrival if victims refuse cooperation, providing actual CBP employee names found online, and issuing fake case or badge numbers to appear legitimate. CBP advises the public to hang up on unsolicited calls, never provide personal financial information over the phone, and verify agency contact information through official websites rather than caller ID or provided phone numbers.
acamstoday.org · 2025-12-08
During the 2024 holiday season, scammers exploit increased shopping and financial transactions through six primary threats: phishing/smishing attacks impersonating banks and retailers, fake e-commerce sites and social media ads offering unrealistic deals, and charity scams mimicking legitimate nonprofits. Consumers are advised to verify sender authenticity, avoid clicking unsolicited links, research retailers thoroughly, and donate only through verified charity websites, while bank employees should monitor accounts for unusual activity and educate customers about legitimate communication practices.
prnewswire.com · 2025-12-08
Elder fraud prevention advocate Janine Williamson called on Congress to pass the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act (S. 4943 and H.R. 9303), which would require financial institutions to reimburse fraud victims and hold banks accountable, citing that one in three consumers experienced bank fraud resulting in $10 billion in losses last year. Williamson's advocacy is motivated by her uncle Larry Cook's loss of millions of dollars in a phishing scam, which inspired Virginia's HB 692 ("Larry's Law"), now in effect, requiring financial institutions to train employees to identify elder financial exploitation and establish trusted contacts on accounts. Williamson has filed a $
wdrb.com · 2025-12-08
**Summary:** During holiday shopping season, consumers should be aware of two prevalent scams: fake retail websites offering heavily discounted items (such as fraudulent Bed Bath and Beyond liquidation sites) that charge credit cards before disappearing, and text message scams claiming unauthorized charges are pending. The Better Business Bureau advises shoppers to track their orders, avoid responding to unsolicited texts, and be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true.
businesstoday.in · 2025-12-08
Deepfake scams use AI to create hyper-realistic fake videos, audio, and images to defraud individuals and financial institutions, with approximately 3% of KYC fraud cases already involving deepfakes. Fraudsters exploit emotional manipulation by impersonating loved ones in distress calls requesting money or by creating fake identities to bypass security checks. To protect yourself, verify unexpected requests by contacting the person directly, watch for audio-video lag in video calls, request official email follow-ups from known domains, limit personal information on social media, and use deepfake detection tools.
jamaica-gleaner.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines key strategies for protecting oneself from cyberscams, emphasizing the "three S's": stay suspicious, stop to think, and stay protected. Common scam tactics exploit fear, urgency, and money as bait, with particular vulnerability among seniors and isolated individuals through romance scams, job scams, robocalls, and impersonation schemes; experts recommend verifying contacts through official channels and using reverse-image searches to identify fake profiles.
legalserviceindia.com · 2025-12-08
India's Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has prohibited transactions through "mule accounts"—bank or brokerage accounts used to conceal the true identity of individuals conducting illegal financial activities such as market manipulation, insider trading, and money laundering. The regulatory action targets a growing threat to market integrity, as rising digital trading platforms have made it easier for criminals to create mule accounts using fake or stolen identities to artificially inflate or deflate stock prices and mislead investors. This 2024 amendment strengthens SEBI's enforcement framework to enhance transparency, accountability, and investor protection in Indian securities markets.
abc7chicago.com · 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of seven major holiday scams targeting consumers during the shopping season, including misleading social media ads, illegal gift exchange schemes (pyramid schemes), fraudulent holiday apps, phishing texts claiming account compromises, free gift card scams, employment fraud targeting seasonal job seekers, and fake look-alike websites. Consumers are advised to research businesses before purchasing, check privacy policies, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, and contact companies directly rather than through links in suspicious emails or texts.
bctv.org · 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania State Police warn of a Bitcoin scam targeting retirees in which fraudsters impersonate bank representatives and federal investigators, persuading victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin kiosks under the guise of protecting their money from fraudulent activity. Once victims provide confirmation receipts or QR codes linking their accounts, scammers access the Bitcoin deposits and transfer the funds, which are untraceable due to the nature of cryptocurrency. The scam typically involves phone number spoofing to appear legitimate, and victims are advised to contact authorities such as the Pennsylvania Attorney General (800-441-2555) or the Federal Trade Commission (877-382-4357) if targeted.
Crypto Investment Scams Phishing Robocalls / Phone Scams Cryptocurrency Cash Bank Transfer
upi.com · 2025-12-08
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a warning about phone scammers impersonating CBP employees who call victims claiming an intercepted shipment of drugs or money bearing their name has been seized and demand personal information, Social Security numbers, or payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. The scammers use spoofed CBP phone numbers and may reference real CBP officials and badge numbers to appear credible, threatening that police are en route if victims refuse to cooperate. CBP emphasizes it never calls to demand money or personal information and advises citizens to ignore caller ID, hang up, and contact the agency directly through its official website if they have concerns.
Government Impersonation Phishing Robocalls / Phone Scams Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards
levittownnow.com · 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania State Police warned of a sophisticated Bitcoin scam targeting older residents, wherein scammers impersonated financial institution representatives and federal agents (FBI, FTC) to convince victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin kiosks under the pretense of protecting their assets from fraudulent activity. Victims were tricked into providing receipts or scanning QR codes that granted scammers access to the transferred funds, which are typically irretrievable due to Bitcoin's anonymous nature. The scammers used phone number spoofing to appear legitimate, and victims are urged to report incidents to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
techradar.com · 2025-12-08
Quishing, a form of phishing that uses fraudulent QR codes, is becoming an increasingly common scam threat warned about by UK banks, regulators, and the US Federal Trade Commission. Scammers send malicious QR codes via email or place them on real-world objects like parking machines; when scanned, they direct victims to fake websites designed to steal personal information, payment details, or install malware. These attacks are difficult to detect because QR code content isn't visible before scanning and often bypass security tools, with a May 2024 survey finding that over 20% of UK online scams likely involved QR codes.
bleepingcomputer.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting British senior residents with phishing text messages falsely claiming winter heating allowance and cost-of-living support payments, directing them to fake GOV.UK websites that harvest personal and payment information. The campaign exploits recent UK government cuts to Winter Fuel Payments and uses approximately 597 unique domains disguised with lookalike GOV.UK addresses, with the phishing sites strategically designed to display only on mobile devices. The UK Police Regional Organised Crime Unit has warned pensioners to be vigilant against these fraudulent messages impersonating government departments.
dfpi.ca.gov · 2025-12-08
Romance scams, also known as confidence scams, are a growing fraud problem in the United States, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving over 1,800 complaints in 2021 resulting in losses exceeding $133.4 million. Scammers typically use emotional manipulation through fake online profiles (catfishing), false love relationships with urgent money requests, and fraudulent websites to steal personal information and money from victims. To protect yourself, avoid sending money or personal information to people you've only met online, watch for red flags like refusals to meet in person or requests for unusual payments, and stop all contact immediately if you suspect a scam.
cleveland.com · 2025-12-08
Scam losses in Cuyahoga County, Ohio more than doubled in the first 10 months of 2024, with 890 reported scams totaling $2.9 million (averaging $25,610 per victim), up from 774 scams and $1.2 million the previous year. The majority of scams (53%) now involve criminals posing as trusted companies or government employees, with particularly sophisticated schemes including fake tech support pop-ups leading to remote computer access and unauthorized fund transfers, fake sheriff impersonations threatening arrest for missed jury duty, and targeted email/pop-up alerts that convince victims to move all their savings to bitcoin accounts—some victims lost
msnbc.com · 2025-12-08
I'm unable to provide a summary because the text you've shared appears to be a navigation menu or header section from a website (listing show names like "Morning Joe" and "Rachel Maddow") rather than an actual article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. Please provide the full article text or content you'd like me to summarize, and I'll be happy to create a 2-3 sentence summary focused on the scam/fraud details, those affected, and any relevant outcomes or dollar amounts.
cbp.gov · 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers are calling residents nationwide claiming to have intercepted drug or money shipments with the victim's name, demanding personal information like Social Security numbers and banking details while threatening police arrival if the target refuses to comply. The scammers use authentic-sounding details including real CBP employee names, fake case numbers, and pre-recorded messages to appear legitimate. CBP emphasizes it never calls citizens unsolicited requesting money, personal information, or threatening legal action, and urges residents to hang up on such calls and report them to the Federal Trade Commission.
finance.yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
As Black Friday shopping approaches, cybercriminals are preparing to exploit consumers through various scams, particularly fake order and order confirmation schemes that use deceptive emails and texts to trick shoppers into clicking malicious links or entering personal information. The FTC reported 2.6 million fraud cases totaling $10 billion in losses in 2023, with online shopping being a top fraud category, making vigilance essential during the holiday shopping season. Consumers should verify orders by contacting retailers directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
newslj.com · 2025-12-08
This article covers multiple current fraud and cybersecurity threats: Wyoming residents report receiving suspicious DocuSign phishing emails and fraudulent holiday sale emails (claiming 50% off heaters endorsed by Elon Musk) with spelling errors and fake purchase links. The FBI warns that hackers are bypassing two-factor authentication by exploiting website cookies after users click fraudulent links, while a new "Quishing" scam embeds malicious code in QR codes to direct victims to harmful sites. Post-election scams are also surging, including deepfake videos from foreign sources and phishing attempts disguised as election updates or donation requests, with experts advising users to verify sources
makeuseof.com · 2025-12-08
A phishing email impersonating PayPal nearly deceived the author by mimicking legitimate invoice formatting, proper spelling and grammar, and passing Gmail's initial filters, claiming a $999 eBay purchase the author had not made. The author identified the scam by noting the absence of Gmail's verified checkmark, recognizing the non-official email domain, and checking for unauthorized PayPal notifications. To minimize damage, the author avoided replying to the scam email, did not disclose sensitive information, changed their PayPal password, enabled two-factor authentication, and reported the incident to authorities.
Phishing Scam Awareness Payment App
makeuseof.com · 2025-12-08
This educational piece provides guidance on responding to phishing attacks and malware infections. It advises users who suspect malware exposure to run antivirus scans and quarantine suspicious files, and those with compromised login credentials to immediately change passwords on critical accounts (starting with banking) using a separate device and contact their bank if credit card information was exposed. The article emphasizes prevention strategies including maintaining skepticism toward emails, avoiding clicking links, and manually verifying URLs before visiting websites.
cadillacnews.com · 2025-12-08
Lake City businesses are warning each other about an email scam in which fraudsters pose as event planners requesting large catering orders (such as 300 cupcakes), then ask the business to process a payment on their behalf, promising to reimburse them later. Red flags include unusually large order sizes, poorly worded emails suggesting use of an online translator, mentions of hiring professionals like DJs or event planners, and the scammer's refusal to communicate by phone (claiming hearing impairments). Business owners recommend verifying legitimacy through direct phone calls before accepting orders or making payments.
koamnewsnow.com · 2025-12-08
Last year, 75% of Americans lost over $281 million to holiday scams, with online shopping and non-delivery fraud being the most prevalent types. Consumers should avoid fake online stores offering steep discounts, be skeptical of suspicious payment methods like gift cards and Zelle transfers, and verify companies through official websites rather than social media platforms. Teenagers face an 85% higher risk of social media shopping scams, and people should be cautious of fraudulent package notifications and gift card schemes from unknown online sources.
Phishing Online Shopping Scams Gift Cards Payment App
bulawayo24.com · 2025-12-08
South Africans lost R1.1 billion to digital banking fraud in 2023, a 47% increase from R735,000 in 2022, with banking app fraud comprising 60% of digital incidents and averaging R19,793 per victim. The rise is attributed to social engineering techniques and vishing (voice phishing), where scammers impersonate bank officials to extract sensitive information like passwords and usernames. As the holiday shopping season approaches, consumers are urged to verify website legitimacy, be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and use secure payment methods to prevent fraud.
aarp.org · 2025-12-08
A Colorado woman named Debbie Fox fell victim to a romance scam after meeting a man named Russell online who posed as a successful businessman; after weeks of communication, he manipulated her into sending him nearly $60,000 by claiming he needed help with a work crisis overseas and appealing to her guilt when she initially refused. The scam highlights how fraudsters exploit emotional connections and personal values to persuade victims to transfer funds, and the podcast episode features Debbie's courageous decision to share her story publicly to help raise awareness about this common type of elder fraud.
globalnews.ca · 2025-12-08
This was an educational event hosted by the Mayfair Hub Club where Saskatoon Police Sergeant Les Brauner presented information on common scams targeting older adults, including romance scams, lottery scams, grandparent scams, phishing, and Bitcoin fraud. The free, no-registration-required event also included blood checks, refreshments, and programming at Mayfair United Church in Saskatoon.
thedailycougar.com · 2025-12-08
Young adults aged 18-24 experienced higher financial losses from scams than other age groups according to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 report, as scammers target vulnerable university students unfamiliar with protecting personal information. Common scams affecting college students include scholarship scams requesting application fees, textbook scams involving discounted or counterfeit books, job scams promising unrealistic pay and remote work, and housing scams using fake rental listings to solicit deposits. Students should verify websites and sources, avoid unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true, and use trusted campus resources like career fairs and verified recruiters to stay safe.
techradar.com · 2025-12-08
A Netskope report found that approximately three in every 1,000 banking employees fall victim to phishing scams monthly, meaning over 1,000 UK bank workers are potentially clicking malicious links each month. Hackers succeed by designing fake websites mimicking legitimate banks to steal login credentials and account information, with Russian criminal groups identified as the primary threat actors using malware families like SLoad and AgentTesla. The report recommends banks implement stronger security measures including multi-factor authentication, employee training, email verification practices, and thorough inspection of downloads to prevent fraud.
wrex.com · 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning to U.S. veterans about emerging scams targeting their money and identity, particularly around Veterans Day, including phishing, vishing, social media fraud, and "gaming fraud." Common tactics include credit card theft, account hacking, fake government benefit schemes requiring upfront fees, and imposter scams posing as veterans or veteran organizations. The BBB recommends veterans verify charities before donating, avoid pressure to donate immediately, and watch for charity names that mimic legitimate organizations.
home.barclays · 2025-12-08
Barclays warns that purchase scams are rising significantly, with 72% originating on social media, and the average claim exceeding £700 in 2024. Despite 55% of Black Friday shoppers expressing concern about scams, only 51% conduct any checks before purchasing and 84% are overconfident they won't be victimized—with 37% citing scam fears as their reason to avoid the sales entirely. The bank recommends shoppers verify retailer legitimacy and reviews before checkout, as the pressure of limited-time deals (FOMO) increases vulnerability to fraud.
irishtechnews.ie · 2025-12-08
This educational piece discusses the prevalence and types of online scams targeting seniors, drawing parallels between modern cyber-scammers and historical fraud schemes. In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre processed 62,365 fraud reports totaling over $554 million in losses, with seniors especially vulnerable due to their trust and familiarity with traditional communication. Common scams include phishing emails, tech support pop-ups, fraudulent government calls threatening legal action, and romance scams, with the article emphasizing that skepticism, verification of requests, and avoiding hasty responses are key protective measures.
abc12.com · 2025-12-08
An elderly man from Elba Township, Michigan was nearly defrauded of $24,500 in October after receiving a fake email about a Bitcoin purchase and being instructed to withdraw cash to "repay" funds. The Lapeer County Sheriff's Office successfully recovered the full amount after the victim's daughter memorized the scammer's license plate and the bank manager reported suspicious activity, leading to the suspect's vehicle being located in Detroit. The case remains under investigation, and authorities remind residents to be cautious of unsolicited communications.
quintenews.com · 2025-12-08
The Ontario Provincial Police and Northumberland OPP are conducting fraud awareness initiatives during Crime Prevention Week 2024, with Community Safety Officers delivering presentations to seniors at community organizations and clubs. The presentations distribute resources including the Competition Bureau's "Little Black Book of Scams" and Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario materials, along with practical anti-fraud tools like RFID-blocking cards and tips on recognizing common scams across phone, email, and in-person contact methods. The initiative emphasizes the key message that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is, and encourages community members to request voicemails for important contacts to verify legitimacy.
wydaily.com · 2025-12-08
Online scams caused an estimated $1 trillion in global losses in 2023, with Americans over 60 experiencing more than $3.4 billion in losses that year, primarily through tech support scams and investment schemes involving cryptocurrency. Experts are convening at the Global Anti-Scam Summit in November 2023 to develop cross-industry and international strategies to combat increasingly sophisticated scams that operate across multiple countries. The FBI advises people to consult trusted friends and family before responding to suspicious communications and warns of scammers exploiting the 2024 election for fraud.
abovethelaw.com · 2025-12-08
Lawyers nationwide received phishing emails impersonating federal court notices of electronic filings, with scammers requesting replies that lead to malicious websites designed to compromise personal and firm data. Federal district courts and bankruptcy courts issued warnings urging attorneys to verify filings through official channels and avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unofficial sources. The scheme targeted legal professionals across multiple jurisdictions from California to New York to Texas, posing risks of ransomware attacks and data theft.
justice.gov · 2025-12-08
Fraud in Utah has increased significantly, costing residents $55.2 million in the first half of 2024 compared to $36.4 million in 2023, with imposter scams ranking among the top fraud schemes in the state. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah is prioritizing financial crime prosecutions, recently securing convictions and sentences including a 72-month sentence for a romance scam causing over $6 million in losses and a 50-month sentence for agricultural fraud totaling $1.2 million. Citizens are encouraged to report fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov or the FTC at
wrex.com · 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers target veterans around Veterans Day through phishing, vishing, social media scams, and "gaming fraud" schemes including credit card fraud and account hacking. To protect themselves, veterans should verify charity names carefully, avoid organizations that pressure them for donations, and use free monitoring services like Give.Org before donating.
fox23.com · 2025-12-08
Job scams are among the fastest-growing fraud schemes in the U.S., costing Americans millions annually, with scammers using fake postings on legitimate sites like LinkedIn to target job seekers through direct messages, emails, and texts. Perpetrators conduct fake interviews via phone or video, request personal information and banking details, or send fraudulent checks and ask victims to wire back unused funds, leaving victims responsible for the losses. To protect themselves, job seekers should verify postings directly on company websites, avoid sharing personal information via text, and immediately contact their bank and the FBI if scammed.
Phishing Robocalls / Phone Scams Check/Cashier's Check
observernews.net · 2025-12-08
The Florida Securities Dealers and Advisors Association will host a free panel discussion on November 8 in Sun City Center addressing fraud targeting veterans and their families, featuring experts from law enforcement, financial regulatory authorities, and consumer protection services. According to the Federal Trade Commission, veterans lost an estimated $292 million to fraud in 2022, with common schemes including identity theft, phishing scams, romance scams, and investment fraud, with benefits recipients being particularly vulnerable targets.
cbsnews.com · 2025-12-08
Job scams are increasing as scammers impersonate recruiters and companies on online employment platforms to steal money and personal information from job seekers. A 28-year-old quality assurance analyst lost $1,000 after depositing a fraudulent check and unknowingly sharing personal information with scammers who posed as a marketing technology company. To protect themselves, job seekers should research companies and recruiters before engaging, avoid clicking links or responding to unsolicited messages, never deposit suspicious checks, and remember that legitimate employers typically only request basic information (skills, experience, contact details) before making a job offer.
cincinnati.com · 2025-12-08
Racist spoof text messages were sent to Black Americans across multiple states and college campuses, including Clemson University, telling recipients they were selected for enslavement. Spoofing is a scam technique where senders disguise their identity to appear as trusted sources, and while the practice itself is legal, using it to steal money or personal information is criminal; victims can block numbers, contact their carrier, file complaints with the FCC and FTC, or use spam-blocking apps to protect themselves. Although spoof numbers are difficult to trace, affected individuals can check public forums to identify others receiving the same messages.
dispatch.com · 2025-12-08
Spoofing is when callers or texters falsify their caller ID to hide their identity, often impersonating government agencies or companies to extract personal information—a scam that recently targeted Black Americans with racist text messages using spoofed numbers. The FCC recommends avoiding spoofing scams by not answering unknown numbers, never responding to requests for personal information, verifying calls by hanging up and calling official numbers independently, and using call-blocking tools. While spoofing is illegal under the Truth in Caller ID Act of 2009 and can result in fines up to $10,000, there is no surefire way to prevent your number from being spoofed, though
thehackernews.com · 2025-12-08
A large-scale phishing campaign dubbed "CopyRh(ight)adamantys" has been active since July 2024, targeting victims in the United States, Europe, East Asia, and South America by impersonating entertainment and technology companies with fake copyright violation notices to distribute the Rhadamanthys information stealer malware (version 0.7). Attackers sent spear-phishing emails from Gmail accounts claiming to be legal representatives, directing recipients to download password-protected files from appspot.com, Dropbox, or Discord that contain the malware disguised alongside decoy documents. Security researchers attribute the campaign to financially motivated cybercriminals using AI-assisted tactics
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