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bbc.com
· 2025-12-07
A BBC investigation tracked a sextortion scam operation targeting teenage boys, tracing the perpetrators to Lagos, Nigeria after a 16-year-old American, Evan Boettler, took his own life in January 2024 following a 90-minute sextortion extortion attack. Sextortion—where scammers pose as girls on social media to trick victims into sending intimate images, then threaten to release them unless paid—is one of the fastest-growing online crimes affecting teenagers in the US and Europe. The investigation revealed organized "Hustle Kingdom" operations in Lagos where gangs of young men systematically target victims, with scammers exploiting teenagers' fears about
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are selling fake "energy-saving plugs" or "eco plugs" online and through cold calls, claiming they can reduce household energy bills by 30% or more, particularly targeting consumers worried about rising winter heating costs. Victims either receive nothing after payment, lose their card details to fraudsters, or receive unsafe electrical devices with poor construction that may overheat or cause fires. Experts advise consumers to be skeptical of miraculous energy-saving claims on social media, report suspicious listings to platforms and trading standards, and instead invest in proven efficiency measures like insulation or smart thermostats.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-07
A BBC investigation tracked a sextortion scammer operating from Lagos, Nigeria, who targeted 16-year-old Evan Boettler via a fake female profile on Snapchat in January 2024, extorting him for intimate images and leading to his suicide within 90 minutes of initial contact. Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing online crimes targeting teenagers in the US and Europe, with scammers—often part of organized "Hustle Kingdoms" or working independently—using fake profiles to solicit explicit images and then blackmail victims for money. The investigation revealed that many perpetrators are impoverished young men in Nigeria known as "Yahoo Boys" who operate
gazettenet.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly Massachusetts residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 victims (98% over age 60) losing $18.6 million collectively. The scams typically impersonated family members, government officials, or tech support to convince victims to withdraw cash or gold bars for couriers to collect, with similar schemes causing approximately $186.2 million in losses nationwide during the same period. The FBI recommends victims report fraud immediately to ic3.gov or the DOJ Elder Justice hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 and advises
kktv.com
· 2025-12-07
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office warned of scams in which fraudsters impersonated Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP employees to solicit personal information from residents under the guise of providing "priority assistance" during the government shutdown. The scammers contacted victims via phone calls and text messages, and authorities cautioned that legitimate government agencies do not initiate contact through these methods and that caller IDs can be easily spoofed. The sheriff's office advised residents to avoid sharing personal information with unsolicited callers and to never pay unknown individuals using cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or money transfer apps.
today.marquette.edu
· 2025-12-07
Marquette University Police Department issued a warning about online and phone scams targeting emails, calls, and text messages designed to steal personal information or money. The advisory provides prevention tips including: verifying suspicious contacts by calling organizations back using trusted numbers, not clicking email links, reporting phishing emails directly, and resetting passwords if compromised. Additional safeguards include spotting imposters, conducting online searches before trusting requests, not relying on caller ID, avoiding upfront payments, using secure payment methods, and consulting trusted contacts before sharing information or money.
wiley.law
· 2025-12-07
The Aspen Institute Report identifies that American households lose over $1 billion weekly to various scams including imposter fraud, phishing, and cybersquatting, threatening economic security and consumer trust in digital systems. The report recommends a multi-sector approach involving government agencies, private industry, and nonprofits, with key recommendations including modernizing legal frameworks to clarify company fraud prevention duties, enhancing law enforcement collaboration with financial institutions, improving technological detection systems, establishing scam prevention as a national priority, and increasing public awareness through education campaigns.
cutoday.info
· 2025-12-07
Criminals stole a record $1.03 trillion worldwide in 2024, prompting fintech company Velera to launch a new Risk Mitigation Ecosystem designed to help credit unions combat increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics including card-not-present scams, synthetic ID fraud, account takeovers, and authorized push payment (APP) scams. The cloud-based solution uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze multi-channel consumer data and detect fraudulent patterns in real time, addressing both traditional fraud and emerging threats like consumer-engaged fraud that exploit social engineering.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
Bitdefender's October 2025 "They Wear Our Faces" campaign highlights a surge in AI-driven fraud targeting Americans, who reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024. The campaign exposes how scammers use deepfake technology, voice cloning, and personalized impersonation across email, SMS, and social media, with the U.S. receiving 37% of global spam between March-September 2025. Top threats include phishing impersonating Microsoft, Amazon, and Costco, along with increasingly sophisticated SMS scams and AI-powered deepfake videos promoting fake cryptocurrency investments.
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-07
The Illinois Department of Revenue warned of a nationwide phishing scam involving fraudulent text messages impersonating state tax agencies and claiming tax refunds have been processed. The scammers pressure recipients to provide banking and personal information or risk losing their refunds, with IDOR clarifying it does not send unsolicited text messages requesting sensitive financial data. Residents are advised to ignore such messages, avoid clicking links, and verify communications directly with IDOR through its website or phone line.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Horner CEOS club held a meeting on September 17 where member Whitney Ballard presented an educational lesson on scams targeting senior citizens, explaining that seniors are vulnerable targets because scammers exploit their trust and seek access to bank accounts and personal information like Social Security numbers. Ballard advised attendees to remain alert, verify the identities of callers, monitor their grandchildren's whereabouts, and stay informed about scams circulating in their area.
mvprogress.com
· 2025-12-07
Mesquite Police detectives informed nearly 100 residents of Del Webb Sun City about prevalent scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes that exploit trust through calls, emails, and online platforms. Gift card scams are particularly prevalent locally, with thieves using untraceable cards or tampering with physical cards before purchase, while imposter scams involving government agencies and voice-cloning technology also pose significant risks. Residents were advised to verify claims independently, protect personal information, avoid public Wi-Fi, and report suspicious activity to the FTC or their bank immediately.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-07
Quotient Wealth Partners partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to help protect clients from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation through continuous monitoring of suspicious transactions and spending patterns. The partnership provides Quotient clients with $1 million in identity theft insurance, a ScamCheck tool to verify suspicious messages, a live Care team for real-time support during scam attempts, and LegacyKit for secure digital asset management. The collaboration reflects growing concerns about sophisticated fraud schemes targeting clients, including remote access tool attacks and impersonation attempts, while also enabling early detection of health changes through unusual spending patterns.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Quotient Wealth Partners partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to help protect clients from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation through continuous monitoring of transactions and accounts. The partnership provides Quotient clients with $1 million in identity theft insurance, a scam verification tool, and digital legacy planning services, addressing the growing threat of sophisticated scams targeting wealthy families and older adults.
provincetownindependent.org
· 2025-12-07
In June, 73-year-old Karen Pagano from Truro nearly lost $40,000 to scammers who impersonated PayPal fraud specialists, gained remote access to her laptop, and attempted to transfer funds from her bank account while keeping her on the phone. Although police intervention prevented the full loss, Pagano experienced significant disruption including delayed retirement and Social Security payments, and has since received six to eight suspicious calls daily. According to local law enforcement, elder fraud is rampant in the Cape and Islands region, with 393 reports filed over 21 months (January 2023–October 2024) but only 15 resulting in charges, reflecting resource
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-07
During a government shutdown, scammers exploited public confusion about federal benefits by impersonating government officials and contractors via unsolicited calls, emails, and texts, targeting millions of Americans relying on Social Security, Medicare, and SNAP. Consumer protection officials warned the public to avoid sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, and to ignore any demands for payment, as legitimate government agencies never contact people this way. Those believing they were scammed were advised to contact local police, their banks, and file a complaint with the FBI's Crime Complaint Center.
taxlawcenter.org
· 2025-12-07
The IRS has assessed over $160 million in penalties related to fraudulent tax scams promoted on social media, with the problem expected to worsen due to new tax law complexities that create opportunities for scammers. Misleading claims by government officials about the new law's provisions—particularly regarding tax elimination on tips, overtime, Social Security benefits, and auto loan interest—are fueling confusion and making vulnerable populations including older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income workers susceptible to illegitimate tax-saving schemes. The IRS's reduced capacity to combat scams through guidance, education, and prosecution enforcement compounds the risk.
info.gov.hk
· 2025-12-07
In Hong Kong during the first eight months of 2025, police reported 184 telephone scam cases targeting local tertiary students and 86 cases targeting Mainland students, resulting in approximately $32 million and $75 million in losses respectively. The government has implemented fraud prevention measures under the Theft Ordinance with penalties up to 14 years imprisonment, and is consulting with educational institutions and authorities to strengthen anti-scam awareness programs among students through seminars and enhanced promotional efforts.
pressherald.com
· 2025-12-07
Dalinda Carpenter, a widowed senior in Standish living on Social Security, lost $14,003 to a scam in July when she called a number from fraudulent Apple Pay alert messages and allowed a caller to remotely access her phone, convincing her that hackers were targeting her accounts and that she needed to transfer funds via Western Union to catch them. The scammer made nine transfers of over $1,500 each between July 8-14, leaving Carpenter in financial hardship with mounting debts and no recovery despite reporting the crime to law enforcement and seeking legal assistance.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado Springs woman lost her entire $37,000 inheritance to a cryptocurrency investment scam after seeing a fraudulent post from a hacked friend's Facebook account. The scammers used a sophisticated multi-layered approach, including fake Bitcoin wallet instructions and a spoofed cryptocurrency website, to make the scheme appear legitimate and promise returns of $194,000. The victim, who was grieving her recently reconnected father, received nothing when she attempted to withdraw her funds, illustrating how investment fraud remains the top scam in Colorado with nearly 15,000 reports in 2024.
stomp.sg
· 2025-12-07
An elderly resident raised concerns about fraudulent job opportunity advertisements targeting seniors on Facebook, noting that multiple ads direct applicants to identical forms requesting personal information, with AI analysis flagging them as likely scams. The inquiry highlights the prevalence of job scams among the top five scam types affecting consumers, alongside investment scams and phishing schemes, and questions why such advertisements remain visible on the platform.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Senior citizens receiving Social Security benefits are being targeted by scammers who send fake letters using fabricated U.S. Supreme Court letterhead and forged signatures of justices, claiming recipients are criminal suspects with frozen financial assets and restrictive account limits. The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General warns recipients to avoid clicking links, verify claims through official government websites, and report suspicious letters to the FTC or SSA-OIG. To protect themselves, people should stay informed about scam tactics, as over 70 million Americans receive Social Security benefits and are potential targets.
deloitte.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI has highlighted "phantom hacker scams," where fraudsters impersonate tech support, banks, and government agents to manipulate victims—particularly seniors—into voluntarily transferring money directly to scammers' accounts. These scams are part of a broader category called authorized push payment (APP) fraud, which is rapidly growing; the Deloitte Center for Financial Services estimates APP fraud losses in the U.S. could reach $14.9 billion by 2028 (up from $8.3 billion in 2024), with investment scams like "pig butchering" driving the majority of growth, fueled by increasingly sophisticated AI-generated deepfakes and social engineering
bgindependentmedia.org
· 2025-12-07
In October 2024, the Ohio Department of Commerce warned Ohioans about rising cyber threats during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, noting that internet crime complaints reached nearly 860,000 nationwide with losses exceeding $16 billion in 2024—a 33% increase from the prior year, with Ohio ranking 7th in the nation with 25,000 complaints. Common scams include one-time passcode interception, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, financial institution impersonation, government imposter scams, and AI-fueled fraud, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in total consumer fraud losses in 2024, including $2
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Adva Lavie is wanted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for a series of burglaries targeting older men in the Los Angeles area. She allegedly used dating apps and social media to pose as a romantic interest, gaining access to victims' homes before burglarizing them, and is known to use aliases including Mia Ventura, Shoshana, and Shana. Law enforcement is seeking information from the public and warns that she may be driving a black Porsche SUV or white Mercedes-Benz.
oig.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General is warning the public about a government imposter scam using forged U.S. Supreme Court letterhead and fake signatures of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Sonia Sotomayor to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information. The scam letter falsely claims the recipient is a criminal suspect whose Social Security number has been compromised, that their assets have been frozen by the Supreme Court, and that they cannot maintain over $10,000 in bank accounts or $80,000-$100,000 in investments, with follow-up contact typically made via text or phone. Recipients are advised to disregard the letter
indystar.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
During government shutdowns, scammers target federal employees, contractors, and benefit recipients with fraudulent calls and emails impersonating Social Security, Medicare, and other agencies, falsely claiming benefits are suspended unless fees are paid or personal information is verified. Common tactics include phishing emails with subject lines like "Government Shutdown Notice," fake relief programs requiring wire transfers or gift cards, and malware-laden links designed to steal credentials. Authorities stress that most federal benefits continue during shutdowns and the government never demands payment or sensitive information via phone or email; victims should report fraud to their state attorney general or the FTC.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Cybercriminals are increasingly using sophisticated phishing emails impersonating trusted coworkers and employers to trick recipients into opening malicious attachments or clicking fraudulent links, with AI-generated content making these scams harder to detect. A Texas resident nearly fell victim to such a scam when she received a suspicious email appearing to come from her employer but containing an unopened attachment; she protected herself by changing her password, running virus scans, and enrolling in identity theft protection. To fully protect against these workplace email scams, individuals should review login histories for unauthorized access, enable two-factor authentication on critical accounts, alert their IT department of suspicious emails, and keep all software updated to prevent malware exploitation.
troopers.ny.gov
· 2025-12-07
New York State Police warn of a phone scam targeting senior citizens in which callers falsely claim identity theft has occurred and pressure victims to withdraw large sums of money or purchase gold bars for "safekeeping," with scammers then sending couriers to collect the funds. In one documented case in Tompkins County, victim(s) lost $500,000 in gold bars across two incidents in 2024, leading to the indictment of Akash B. Thakkar, age 41, on Grand Larceny charges after investigators identified him as a courier who picked up the gold bars. Authorities advise victims to hang up and contact trusted family members rather than comply with such demands
royalexaminer.com
· 2025-12-07
Shawn Smith, Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol Director, warned seniors at the Front Royal/Warren County TRIAD Senior Expo about three major Medicare scams: government impostors, durable medical equipment fraud, and genetic testing scams, which collectively cost Medicare $60-$80 billion annually. Smith advised attendees to avoid unsolicited calls, never disclose Medicare numbers, scrutinize medical offers, and regularly review Medicare statements for fraudulent charges, noting that the Senior Medicare Patrol offers free assistance through 1-800-938-8885 to help seniors report suspicious activity and protect themselves from becoming unwitting accomplices to fraud.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
**Scam Jam Educational Event - October 16, 2025**
AARP Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Elder Justice Coalition hosted a Scam Jam awareness event at UW-Green Bay to educate attendees about current scams and connect them with fraud-fighting professionals. The event featured a resource fair with multiple Wisconsin organizations including AARP's Fraud Watch Network, the Better Business Bureau, state consumer protection agencies, and local support services, all offering free fraud prevention information, complaint filing assistance, and community presentations.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-07
The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued an alert about a government imposter scam using forged Supreme Court letterhead and signatures of justices John Roberts and Sonia Sotomayor to target seniors receiving retirement benefits. The fraudulent letters falsely claim recipients are suspects in criminal proceedings, allege identity theft of their Social Security numbers, and pressure victims to send money and share personal information under threat of frozen assets and account balance restrictions. Victims are advised to ignore the communications, report them to the FTC or SSA OIG, and take immediate steps to freeze accounts and monitor credit if they have already provided information or funds.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece outlines how to identify and respond to social media scams targeting users. Common scams include fake celebrity accounts, phishing links, romance scams, fraudulent job offers, giveaway schemes, and investment fraud—all designed to steal personal information, credentials, or money through deceptive friend requests and messages. The article recommends verifying profiles for authenticity, reporting suspicious accounts, blocking scammers, and maintaining strong privacy settings to protect against these threats.
bnnbloomberg.ca
· 2025-12-07
Canada's Ontario Securities Commission has identified seven prevalent investment scams targeting victims in autumn, including romance scams (fraudsters gaining trust online before pitching fake investments), cryptocurrency scams (requesting additional funds before allowing withdrawals), affinity fraud (targeting social groups with Ponzi schemes), pump-and-dump schemes (artificially inflating stock prices before selling), boiler room operations (fake trading platforms), AI voice scams (deepfakes impersonating relatives or celebrities), and exempt securities fraud (misrepresenting fraudulent investments as legitimate exclusive opportunities). The advisory emphasizes that common red flags include unsolicited contact about investment tips, requests for money from online contacts never met in person, an
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
A 71-year-old retired judge from Maharashtra lost Rs 31 lakh in a digital arrest scam in September when an anonymous caller falsely accused him of sending obscene messages and money laundering, then impersonated a law enforcement official via video call to coerce fund transfers. The victim eventually recognized the deception and filed a complaint with Amravati cyber police, who launched an investigation into the sophisticated scam.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Internet scams have evolved from crude 1990s email cons like Nigerian prince schemes to sophisticated AI-powered deepfakes that can convincingly impersonate voices and faces, with phishing attacks emerging in the early 2000s as online banking adoption grew. Despite technological advances making fraud more convincing and difficult to detect, successful scams continue to rely on exploiting fundamental human emotions—greed, fear, compassion, and loneliness—through predictable psychological manipulation patterns that create urgency and isolate victims from support systems. Understanding how scam tactics have evolved reveals that technological complexity often masks simple psychological manipulation, and recognizing consistent underlying patterns can help potential victims identify manipulation attempts regardless of delivery method.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old resident of Kolkata lost Rs 33 lakh over two weeks in a digital arrest fraud scheme where three individuals impersonated CBI officers and convinced him he was "digitally arrested," causing him to transfer funds via RTGS out of fear of legal consequences. Police recovered Rs 8 lakh and are continuing investigations under multiple BNS sections, with authorities emphasizing that elderly people are particularly vulnerable to such scams due to limited digital literacy, trust in authority figures, and social isolation.
themirror.com
· 2025-12-07
Social Security Administration officials warned of a scam targeting seniors that uses forged letters with fake U.S. Supreme Court letterhead claiming recipients are subjects of legal proceedings and have had their Social Security numbers compromised. The scam solicits personal information and money by falsely claiming the Supreme Court has frozen the recipient's assets and imposed limits on bank balances and investments. The OIG advised seniors to disregard such communications, verify information with others before responding, and report suspicious letters, texts, and calls to ssa.gov/scam.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
On October 16, 2025, AARP Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Elder Justice Coalition hosted a Scam Jam educational event at UW-Green Bay to inform attendees about current fraud schemes and connect them with anti-fraud professionals. The event featured a resource fair with multiple Wisconsin organizations dedicated to combating elder fraud, including AARP's Fraud Watch Network, the Better Business Bureau, state consumer protection agencies, and victim support services, all providing free educational materials, complaint filing assistance, and community presentations.
13wham.com
· 2025-12-07
A Canandaigua woman fell victim to a Medicare card scam after receiving a call from someone posing as a University of Rochester Medical Center employee, to whom she disclosed her Medicare number, name, and benefit start date before hanging up when asked medical questions. The University of Rochester and Thompson Health are investigating the incident, which mirrors similar scams where callers offer to laminate Medicare cards, and authorities remind the public never to provide Medicare information unless they initiate the call to a medical provider.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are sending fake letters with forged U.S. Supreme Court letterhead to Social Security recipients, impersonating government officials and falsely claiming recipients are involved in criminal proceedings to coerce them into providing personal information and money. The letters, often followed by text messages and phone calls, threaten to freeze bank accounts and warn against holding more than $10,000 in savings. Seniors should disregard such communications, report them to authorities, and verify any Social Security-related claims through official channels or trusted contacts.
cnhi.com
· 2025-12-07
Older adults aged 60-plus lost $3.4 billion globally to financial scammers in 2023, with fraudsters targeting this population because they believe older adults have substantial savings and are less likely to report crimes. The article describes five common scams targeting seniors: grandparent scams (emotional manipulation using impersonation), financial services scams (impersonating banks or debt collectors), tech support scams (the most frequently reported type), government impersonation scams (IRS/Social Security threats), and romance scams, all of which exploit trust, fear, or emotion to extract money or personal information.
techcrunch.com
· 2025-12-07
ZoraSafe, a startup founded by sisters Catherine Karow and Ellie Karow King, is developing a mobile app designed to protect older adults from scams and fraud while teaching cybersecurity through gamified learning. The app, launching within a month at $12.99/month, will feature QR code scanning for malware, SMS/email verification, community threat sharing, and future AI-powered detection of scam and deepfake calls with educational follow-up explanations. The company prioritizes privacy with 85% on-device processing and plans to expand to children, schools, and multiple languages.
abc6onyourside.com
· 2025-12-07
An 82-year-old in Northern Virginia was nearly scammed out of over $20,000 by a fraudster posing as a lawyer claiming to represent their son in a criminal case, complete with a crying man in the background for authenticity. The victim's family intervened before money was lost, and law enforcement coordinated a fake cash pickup that led to the arrest of Yordanys Rodriguez, 33, of the Bronx, who was found to be impersonating a law enforcement officer and is now facing charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretenses.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-07
Employment fraud luring Cambodian victims has surged dramatically in Cambodia, with reports increasing from 4 in 2021 to 330 by August 2024, primarily targeting South Korean nationals through false job advertisements on Telegram and job sites promising high income. Victims are coerced into illegal online scams including voice phishing and romance fraud, with criminal gangs also targeting Korean nationals at restaurants to steal bankbooks and passports for money laundering. The Korean Embassy has limited ability to assist victims directly and recommends contacting local police via Telegram hotline 117, though rescued victims face detention and deportation after months of investigation for their involvement in financial crimes.
atholdailynews.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims losing $18.6 million combined—98% of losses reported by people over 60. The scams typically involved impersonation (grandparent, government, or tech support) to convince victims to either transfer funds to fake government accounts or hand cash and gold bars to couriers; nationally, the FBI documented 1,737 similar instances totaling approximately $186.2 million in losses. The FBI advises the public to discuss these schemes with elderly relatives and warns that the government
bbb.org
· 2025-12-07
Scammers create fake passport renewal websites that closely mimic official government sites, tricking consumers into paying fees to fill out renewal forms that are actually free on the legitimate state.gov website. Victims unknowingly provide personal and financial information on unsecured sites and may be charged multiple times ($68 reported in one case) before realizing they've been defrauded. To avoid these scams, consumers should verify they're on the official .gov website, research renewal processes in advance, and allow adequate time for legitimate renewals to reduce pressure to use fraudulent expedited services.
wjla.com
· 2025-12-07
An 82-year-old in Northern Virginia nearly lost over $20,000 to a fake lawyer scam in October, where a caller claimed the victim's son needed legal representation and used emotional manipulation (including recorded crying) to pressure payment. Quick intervention by a family member and coordinated law enforcement stopped the fraud; investigators identified the scammer as Yordanys Rodriguez, 33, of New York, who used the name of a deceased attorney and was arrested in Pennsylvania on charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretenses, and was also found to be impersonating a law enforcement officer.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are targeting New Yorkers with text messages impersonating the Department of Taxation and Finance, falsely claiming recipients are eligible for "inflation refunds" and requesting personal and financial information. While New York State is legitimately issuing one-time inflation refund checks ($150-$400) to eligible taxpayers, the state explicitly does not contact people via text and will not request additional information; victims should report these scam texts to the Tax Department rather than responding to them.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-07
Qantas was among dozens of companies affected by a Salesforce cyberattack in October 2025, where hackers exposed passenger information on the dark web after a ransom was not paid. Affected customers are at risk of spear-phishing attacks, account fraud, and identity theft, with experts warning that criminals may use the exposed data months later to file fraudulent loans or impersonate banks and government agencies. Protection measures include enabling multi-factor authentication, updating passwords, monitoring financial statements, placing credit suspensions, and ignoring requests to download leaked files, which may contain malware.