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in Scam Awareness
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, older New Yorkers age 60 and older lost $203.4 million to financial scams—averaging $47,000 per victim—prompting AARP New York and state officials to urge legislators to include consumer protection measures in the state budget. The proposed legislation would train bank employees to recognize and halt suspicious transactions targeting seniors, with the "grandparent scam" being among the most common schemes used to defraud older adults. State and federal officials emphasized that financial institutions must play an active role in preventing these increasingly sophisticated crimes.
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 4,300 New Yorkers age 60 and older lost $203.4 million to financial scams, averaging $47,000 per victim, with the "grandparent scam" being one of the most common schemes targeting seniors. AARP New York and a coalition of state officials are urging legislative leaders to include fraud prevention measures in the state budget, including training bank employees to recognize exploitation and authorize them to place holds on suspicious transactions. Governor Hochul's proposal aims to strengthen financial institutions' ability to detect and prevent scams while giving law enforcement better opportunity to intervene before funds are lost.
romesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, more than 4,300 New Yorkers age 60 and older lost $203.4 million to financial scams—an average of $47,000 per victim—prompting AARP New York and state legislators to urge inclusion of fraud prevention measures in the state budget. Key proposed protections include training bank employees to identify exploitation and temporarily hold suspicious transactions, with particular focus on common schemes like the "grandparent scam" where criminals pose as relatives requesting emergency funds via untraceable methods like cash or gift cards.
dauphin.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Swatara Police participated in PSECU's 2nd Annual Senior Fraud Forum on March 27 in Harrisburg, where Detective Christopher Seiler and four other panelists discussed types of scams, fraud prevention strategies, and victim response procedures. The event was available both in-person and online, followed by an informational fair where attendees could gather additional resources and ask targeted questions about fraud and scams.
thegrand101.com
· 2025-12-08
Wellington County OPP warned the public of two fraud schemes targeting seniors in March 2025: one involving a fake energy rebate offer to a senior in Minto, and another where two suspects posing as water company employees offered gift cards to enter a home in Guelph-Eramosa Township, during which prescription medication was stolen. Police are investigating both incidents and urge seniors to verify identities, refuse pressure to act quickly, never share personal information, and contact authorities if suspicious.
dailypress.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain sufficient substantive content for the Elderus fraud database. While the headline references "Savvy Senior: How to protect yourself from identity theft scams," the only actual advice provided is that individuals concerned about personal information privacy should place a "fraud alert" or "credit freeze" on their credit file. This is a brief educational tip rather than a news event involving actual fraud or elder abuse.
discovermoosejaw.com
· 2025-12-08
The Moose Jaw Police Service reported a surge in "Grandparent/Parent Scam" activity, receiving over 30 reports in a single day, with some victims losing money. Fraudsters target elderly residents by impersonating distressed grandchildren or family members requesting urgent cash payments, often using real names obtained from social media and obituaries, followed by secondary calls from individuals posing as lawyers, police officers, or judges. Police emphasize that legitimate law enforcement and legal professionals never request cash payments by phone and advise residents to independently verify such calls and report suspected fraud to authorities.
clarencevalleynews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Australians lost $2 billion to scams (down 25.9% from 2023), though more people fell victim to increasingly sophisticated impersonation scams, with social media being the leading contact method for financial loss at $69.5 million across 7,724 reports. Common impersonation scams include bank impersonation, government agency impersonation, family/friend impersonation using deepfakes, job scams requiring upfront payments or bank access, and celebrity endorsement scams. The key prevention strategies are to stop and verify before giving money or information, check requests independently using known contact details, and protect yourself by contacting your bank immediately
newsmeter.in
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters in Hyderabad are sending fake SMS messages to electricity consumers claiming their power supply will be disconnected due to unpaid bills and urging immediate payment via phone or WhatsApp; scammers then attempt to collect banking details and make unauthorized withdrawals. The Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) has clarified that it never requests banking details via text or uses personal mobile numbers for communications, and advises consumers to verify bills only through official channels and report suspicious messages to authorities.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman in Pune lost Rs 2.5 crore in a sophisticated cyber scam where fraudsters impersonating Maharashtra Police and Enforcement Directorate officials falsely implicated her in a money laundering case involving Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. Over three weeks from mid-February to March 10, the woman made 74 transfers after being coerced through fabricated legal notices, fake "digital arrest" orders, and forged government documents. Authorities suspect international cybercrime syndicates orchestrated the scheme, using mule accounts and cryptocurrency to launder the stolen funds, and have advised citizens to verify official identities independently and never
upnorthlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A Northern Michigan woman lost over $20,000 in an online romance scam in 2024 after being contacted by someone impersonating a celebrity actor on Instagram. The scammer used love bombing and emotional manipulation, gradually building trust before requesting money for fabricated emergencies; the victim only recognized the fraud when asked for an additional $100,000. Experts note that romance scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities and common interests to establish trust, and victims should understand that such crimes result from criminal manipulation rather than personal fault.
technologyreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Gavesh, a South Asian man facing financial hardship, was trafficked into a "pig butchering" scam operation after responding to a fraudulent Facebook job posting promising $1,500 monthly salary. Criminal syndicates operating from compounds in Myanmar-Thailand border regions use social media platforms and tech services to recruit victims and conduct romance/investment fraud schemes that have netted billions of dollars globally, exploiting trafficked workers through coercion and violence. The investigation reveals that major tech companies—including social media, dating apps, cryptocurrency platforms, and messaging services—have enabled the industrialization of these fraud operations and may hold the key to dismantling them if compelled to take action.
whbl.com
· 2025-12-08
Manitowoc Police reported a dramatic increase in scams targeting residents, including romance scams that develop over weeks or months with escalating requests for money, impersonation scams where criminals pose as officials demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and a novel tactic involving fraudulent crypto ATMs. Police advise residents to avoid currency transfers to unknown sources, be cautious of aggressive payment demands, and contact them with concerns, noting that government entities never use crypto ATMs or electronic payment methods for fines and fees.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud losses reached $12.5 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, affecting consumers nationwide including older adults who are increasingly targeted through evolving scam tactics that exploit vulnerabilities. Tanjai Green lost money through a money transfer app scam and was unable to recover her funds despite repeated requests, while psychologist Dr. Peter Lichtenberg emphasizes that scammers specifically target retired individuals and those with disabilities or anxiety. Experts recommend approaching potential scam victims by listening to their perspective rather than confronting them directly, maintaining trusted confidants for financial discussions, and following best practices such as verifying identities online, being skeptical of urgent requests, and avoiding money
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating law enforcement and contacting people by phone or email claiming they missed jury duty, demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer apps to avoid fines or jail time. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warns that government imposter scams cost consumers $789 million in 2024, and advises that legitimate courts only communicate with jurors through mail, never by phone or email.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired IT professional in Northeast Ohio, known as "Eastside Eddie," uses technology and social engineering to tie up organized crime scammers by posing as potential victims, preventing them from targeting actual people. Operating from his home, he handles dozens of calls daily by connecting scammers to fake computer systems and characters, while simultaneously cautioning the public that legitimate companies never call unsolicited and recommending people report scams rather than engage with scammers themselves. Eastside Eddie plans to expand his awareness mission by offering free educational workshops at senior centers and assisted living facilities to help people recognize and avoid scams.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2020 to 2023, job scam losses more than tripled, with over $220 million lost in the first half of 2024, according to FTC data. Common schemes include remote work scams offering unrealistic pay, fake check scams (median loss $1,900), task-based scams requiring upfront payments, and identity theft recruitment scams that harvest personal information. Job seekers should verify employer legitimacy through official channels, avoid paying for work opportunities, and be cautious of offers involving cryptocurrency or requests for sensitive personal information.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases, including pension fraud, increased 84 percent in 2022 with losses in the tens of billions of dollars, driven by vulnerabilities in digitized pension systems and delayed death record updates that allow criminals to divert benefits to fraudulent recipients. Advanced digital identity verification technology, including AI-powered cross-referencing of personal data and biometric markers, offers pension operators a proactive defense mechanism to authenticate beneficiaries and verify death status before approving transactions. Enhanced identity verification measures are essential for government pension programs to safeguard retirees' financial security and maintain public trust in these systems.
njbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
New Jersey launched an online portal on March 26, 2025, to streamline reporting of suspected financial exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults by financial professionals under the state's SAFE Act. Since the law took effect in April 2020, financial professionals have reported over 1,200 suspected fraud cases, resulting in halted disbursements from dozens of victim accounts. The new digital portal allows faster submission of fraud alerts and supporting documents, enabling the Bureau of Securities to intervene more quickly before vulnerable adults lose their assets.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes warned consumers about "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages designed to trick recipients into downloading malware, sharing sensitive information, or clicking links to counterfeit websites that steal personal and financial data. Common smishing tactics include fake unpaid toll notices, job offers, bank alerts, package delivery notices, and tax refund claims. The FTC reported that consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024 (a 25% increase), with Arizona's Consumer Information and Complaints Unit receiving nearly 22,000 complaints and recovering a record $5.2 million for consumers.
malaymail.com
· 2025-12-08
A 38-year-old trader in Johor Baru lost RM120,873.69 in January 2024 after clicking on a fake job advertisement on Google and making 11 transfers to accounts controlled by a scam syndicate that promised high profits for sales. The victim was instructed to make additional payments to withdraw non-existent profits, and upon realizing the deception, reported the incident to police. Authorities confirmed the five bank accounts involved had 22 prior reports of investment and job scams, and are investigating under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
worldofbuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A 20-year-old Chinese international student in Malaysia died by suicide after being targeted by a China-based scam syndicate that impersonated police and demanded approximately RM156,000 (RMB258,000) to avoid extradition and imprisonment. The student, Lee, endured four days of severe emotional and psychological pressure from the scammers who claimed she was a murder suspect and monitored her 24/7, ultimately leading her to jump from the 39th floor of her condominium despite attempts by her mother to help after discovering the scam through her handwritten letter and call logs.
techlicious.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity expert Troy Hunt fell victim to a sophisticated phishing attack while traveling and jet-lagged, entering his credentials and two-factor authentication code into a fake Mailchimp login page, resulting in attackers exporting his mailing list of approximately 16,000 email addresses along with associated IP addresses and metadata. The incident illustrates how phishing exploits psychological vulnerabilities like timing and urgency rather than technical sophistication, and demonstrates that even authenticator app-based two-factor authentication is vulnerable to real-time phishing attacks where codes can be intercepted and used immediately by attackers.
securitymagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A Reboot research report analyzed SMS scams and found that scammers most frequently impersonate USPS (15.43%), the IRS (11.71%), and Amazon (7.71%), with account alert scams being the most common type (28.7% of incidents). Scammers exploit urgency and trust using common names like "Lisa" and "Annie" as aliases, misleading subdomains (particularly irs.gov in 24.2% of cases), and panic-inducing phrases such as "Your account has been locked" to pressure victims into quick action.
wkyc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report identified investment scams as the riskiest fraud threat, with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident. These scams typically target people seeking fast returns with minimal risk by using unsolicited contact (especially on social media), building false relationships, and requesting personal information or clicks on malicious links. Key protective measures include avoiding investment offers from strangers, being wary of unsolicited relationship-building by potential fraudsters, and refusing to click unknown links or share sensitive personal data.
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fake text messages falsely claiming recipients owe tolls to the Arizona Department of Transportation, using "smishing" tactics with spoofed websites and foreign phone numbers to deceive people into paying. Arizona has no toll roads, making these messages easily identifiable as fraudulent; authorities recommend deleting the messages without clicking links and reporting them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2025 tax season leading up to the April 15 filing deadline, IRS-related scams have surged 77 percent, with criminals using phone calls, texts, emails, and AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate tax agents and demand personal information by promising large refunds or threatening legal action. Common schemes include fake unclaimed refund offers, fraudulent stimulus payment messages, unlicensed "ghost" tax preparers who file returns without proper credentials, and phishing scams on social media platforms. Experts advise taxpayers to remember that the IRS initiates contact only by mail, verify tax preparers through official IRS directories and legitimate business listings, an
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which someone claiming to be a woman from Maryland promised a romantic relationship and help claiming an inheritance, but the two never met in person and a video call may have been AI-generated. The case, discovered only when the man's son intervened, exemplifies a broader problem affecting seniors nationally, with other common scams including impersonation of law enforcement, banks, and utility companies; tech support schemes; and "grandparent in jail" fraud. Police and the FBI recommend hanging up on calls demanding urgent payment, independently verifying callers' identities, watching for cryptocurrency requests, and family members monitoring elderly relatives
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
A West Bend, Wisconsin woman discovered her husband was victimized in a celebrity romance scam after he was contacted by someone impersonating Nancy Wilson of the band HEART on Facebook, leading him to send approximately $1,000 and share personal information including their home address. The scammer used AI-enhanced "deepfake" videos and fabricated money requests (including a $600 claim to dock a jet) to manipulate the victim, who professed love for someone he had never met. According to the FTC, romance scammers stole over $1 billion in 2023, with law enforcement noting these scams are difficult to trace since perpetrators typically operate internationally.
htrnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Manitowoc Police Department reported a dramatic increase in scams in recent months, including romance scams conducted over social media and phone that unfold over weeks or months, impersonation scams where perpetrators pose as law enforcement demanding payment for fictitious fines, and schemes using cryptocurrency ATMs to extract money from victims. Scammers typically request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic transfers to avoid detection, with some victims losing thousands of dollars or their life savings. Police advise residents to avoid transferring money to unknown sources and to contact local law enforcement if they suspect scam activity.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service held a scam awareness event to educate consumers about fraud threats, including unsolicited text messages about delivery problems, unrequested merchandise shipments designed to boost fake product reviews, and romance scams. The Postal Service emphasized that they do not send unsolicited texts and warned customers not to scan QR codes in unexpected packages or send money to unknown individuals, while also reporting a 27% decrease in letter carrier robberies under their Project Safe Delivery initiative since 2023.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old man was indicted in a grandparent scam that targeted at least five Pittsburgh-area seniors, resulting in over $50,000 in losses between October and January, with investigators suspecting many more victims across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. The organized crime group operated by having callers impersonate grandchildren claiming to need emergency money for arrests or accidents, with money collected from victims delivered via ride-share drivers to northern Ohio where the defendant was captured on surveillance. The FBI estimates grandparent scams and similar elder fraud schemes cost seniors over $3 billion annually, targeting them because they are typically trusting, polite, and have significant financial resources.
ksfa860.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Texas seniors experienced an 11% increase in fraud losses, with one notable case involving a man sentenced to eight years in prison for stealing $300,000 from a Georgetown woman as part of an international scheme. Investigators identified a scam ring originating from India that targeted 21 victims across the country for nearly $6 million total by impersonating U.S. Government officials to extort money and personal information. AARP recommends victims speak up about fraud rather than remaining silent, as reporting can help protect others, and provides a helpline at 877-908-3360 for suspected scams.
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults, particularly those over 75, with sweepstakes, impersonation, and text message scams. Law enforcement agencies recommend that seniors use the "Five P's" framework (Pretend, Problem, Prize, Pressure, Pay) to identify scams, hang up on pressuring callers, and verify claims with family and trusted sources before taking action. Authorities stress the importance of reporting fraud to local police or AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360, even when victims feel embarrassed.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Idaho passed HB 323 into law, enabling financial institutions to temporarily pause suspicious transactions for up to 15 days to investigate potential fraud, addressing a critical gap that left the state's seniors vulnerable to financial crimes. In 2024 alone, Idaho seniors reported 18,447 scam cases resulting in over $53 million in losses. The "Report and Hold" authority law, effective July 1, 2025, empowers financial institutions and law enforcement to better identify and stop financial crimes against vulnerable Idahoans.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A free educational seminar on phishing and fraud prevention for seniors will be held on Tuesday, April 1, at Smith Village in Chicago, featuring Katherine Walsh from the Cook County Sheriff's Office. The seminar will cover common scams targeting older adults including phishing calls, text smishing, and pharming attacks, such as impersonations of the IRS, Social Security Administration, grandparent scams, and fraudulent service solicitations. The event is part of a broader awareness effort, as Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2023, a 25 percent increase from the previous year.
oakdaleleader.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly male customer in Oakdale was targeted in a phone scam instructing him to withdraw $50,000 from Wells Fargo; a vigilant bank teller detected the suspicious transaction and alerted authorities. The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department coordinated an undercover operation with the victim's cooperation, apprehending the suspects when they arrived to collect the funds at a pre-arranged location. The department urges residents to be cautious of scams requesting large cash withdrawals or personal information, particularly warning elderly individuals and their families to report suspected fraud to law enforcement immediately.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Portland, Oregon single mother lost $40,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and used a fake hospital photo to guilt her into sending money over several months. The FTC reported that romance scams affected 70,000 people in 2022 with total losses of $1.3 billion, with a median loss of $4,400, and recommends victims never send money to online matches they haven't met, report scams to the FTC, and seek help from financial advisers to rebuild their finances.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, OR, lost $40,000 to a romance scam after meeting a con artist on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and repeatedly requested money under false pretenses, including a fake hospital stay. The FTC reports that romance scams affected 70,000 people in 2022 with $1.3 billion in total losses, with a median loss of $4,400. Powell's case highlights the importance of never sending money to online matches and reporting suspected scams to the FTC immediately.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season is a prime target for scammers seeking to steal refunds and identities, with Americans losing $9.1 billion to tax and financial crimes in 2024, and nearly one in four Americans impacted by tax scams at some point. Key protective measures include setting up an IRS Identity Protection PIN, ignoring unsolicited tax-related emails and texts, avoiding cryptocurrency payments for taxes, and implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Experts stress that the IRS never initiates contact via email or text and does not accept cryptocurrency or demand immediate payment under threat.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using impersonation emails, texts, calls, and social media offers to steal personal information and money. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may embolden fraudsters who exploit taxpayer uncertainty while potentially slowing the agency's ability to respond to reported scams, and recommend taxpayers use only accredited tax professionals, watch for pressure tactics and suspicious refund promises, and report suspected fraud to the IRS.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and effective due to advanced technology and organized criminal groups operating internationally. The article illustrates this trend through the example of a utility company impersonation scam targeting a Maine resident, and explains how scammers exploit phishing, deepfakes, AI-generated content, and cryptocurrency investment schemes to defraud victims. Key protective strategies include verifying accounts directly through official channels and remaining suspicious of urgent payment demands, particularly those requesting digital payment methods like Zelle.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
American adults lost $47 billion to identity fraud and scams in 2024, a $4 billion increase from 2023, according to a Javelin Strategy & Research report cosponsored by AARP. The losses included $27 billion from traditional identity fraud affecting 18 million people and $20 billion from scams using social engineering, with criminals deliberately targeting older adults perceived as having significant savings and less technological comfort. Account takeover fraud and new-account fraud are growing problems, reaching $15.6 billion and $6.2 billion respectively in 2024, driven partly by technological gaps in security and weak privacy laws that allow data breaches and unauthorized data sharing.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion scams targeting U.S. residents increased 137% in early 2025, leveraging AI-generated deepfake images, stolen passwords from data breaches, and personal information available on the dark web to create highly personalized and threatening extortion demands. Cybercriminals are using sophisticated tactics including fake explicit photos, threatening messages containing victims' real addresses obtained via Google Maps, and demanding Bitcoin payments, with over 15,000 unique Bitcoin wallets identified in one variant of the scheme. Security experts advise victims not to pay ransom or engage with scammers, to enable multi-factor authentication, use password managers, monitor dark web exposure, and report incidents to the FBI
newsroom.gendigital.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion scams targeting U.S. residents have surged 137% in 2025, with cybercriminals using AI-generated deepfakes, stolen passwords from data breaches, and personalized information including home addresses and photos obtained via Google Maps to threaten victims into paying ransom. Experts at Avast identified over 15,000 Bitcoin wallets associated with these scams and recommend victims never pay demands, report incidents to the FBI or IC3, enable multi-factor authentication, and use password managers and dark web monitoring services to protect themselves.
azdot.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending text messages claiming to be from "AZDOT" demanding payment for overdue tolls, a "smishing" attack exploiting social engineering tactics. The scam is fake because Arizona has no toll roads, the phone number originates from another country, and the website domain contains red flags; recipients should delete the message, avoid clicking links, and report it to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
West Virginians reported over $27 million in fraud losses in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, as scams continue to rise across the state through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The article outlines common scam tactics including IRS/Social Security impersonation, romance scams, tech support scams, and phishing emails, and advises consumers to watch for red flags such as urgent language, requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and unfamiliar contact information. Key protective measures include not answering unknown numbers, never clicking suspicious links, verifying charities before donating, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
A Provo man in his 70s lost $186,000 over two years in a romance scam in which a person claiming to be a woman from Maryland convinced him to send money via multiple cash app accounts for an inheritance claim and promised relocation to Utah, with investigators believing a video call between them may have been AI-generated. Provo police used the case to warn of increasing online scams targeting seniors, including impersonation schemes (law enforcement, banks, utilities), tech support fraud, and kidnapping hoaxes, recommending that victims hang up on unsolicited callers and verify requests through official channels.
wwltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks, with scammers using common tactics like phishing emails, threatening phone calls impersonating the IRS, and "ghost" tax preparers who file fraudulent returns with inflated deductions to steal refunds. Experts warn that recent IRS workforce cuts may make scammers' false claims about "new filing methods" more convincing while simultaneously reducing the agency's ability to quickly respond to and remove fraudulent websites or investigate scam reports. Key warning signs include urgency, threats, promises of large payouts, and suspicious links—and consumers should only contact the IRS through official channels and use accredited tax professionals.
newswest9.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season presents heightened fraud risks as scammers exploit uncertainty surrounding recent IRS workforce cuts to impersonate the agency and steal personal information and money through phishing emails, texts, fake refund promises, and fraudulent tax preparers. Common red flags include urgent language, threats, promises of large payoffs, and suspicious links; the IRS warns it never initiates contact via email or text and urges consumers to use only accredited tax professionals and report suspected scams. Experts caution that reduced IRS staffing could slow response times to fraud reports and allow malicious websites and predatory campaigns to remain active longer, creating an increased risk environment for taxpayers.