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6,239 results in Phishing
states.aarp.org · 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraud losses reached $12.5 billion (a 25% increase from 2023), with impostor scams leading the surge; email became the primary contact method, and victims lost an average of $800 per impostor scam, with $2.95 billion stolen through gift cards and cryptocurrency. The article warns consumers to avoid fraudulent tax preparers (who demand upfront payment or promise guaranteed returns), Real ID phishing scams posing as government agencies, and fake check schemes where criminals send counterfeit checks that appear to clear before victims send their own money for fraudulent goods or services.
Government Impersonation Phishing Robocall / Phone Scam Scam Awareness Cryptocurrency Gift Cards Check/Cashier's Check
mashable.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six common online scams and their warning signs: phishing scams (impersonating trusted companies via email/text to steal credentials), investment scams (promising unrealistic returns through unregulated platforms), job offer scams (requesting upfront payments or personal information for fraudulent positions), and tech support scams (using fake alerts to trick users into paying for unnecessary services or granting device access). Key prevention strategies include verifying sender information directly with companies, researching investment opportunities with licensed professionals, being skeptical of unsolicited offers, and avoiding clicking links or granting remote access to unknown parties.
Crypto Investment Scam Investment Fraud Government Impersonation Bank Impersonation Tech Support Scam Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Check/Cashier's Check
prnewswire.com · 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents aged 50 and older about rising IRS imposter scams during tax season, where criminals pose as IRS agents via phone, email, mail, or in-person contact to steal money and personal information. Government impersonation scams cost Americans over $394 million in 2023, a 63% increase from 2022, with scammers using threats, fake refund claims, and demands for untraceable payments like gift cards or cryptocurrency. To stay safe, residents should verify IRS contact through official channels (irs.gov), remember that the real IRS initiates contact by mail and rarely makes in-person visits, and report suspicious activity to
thesenior.com.au · 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old accountant from NSW lost $2.6 million after clicking a fraudulent Facebook advertisement for a currency trading platform, which led her to borrow money and refinance three properties over three months. Australian Bureau of Statistics data released in 2024 found that card fraud affected 9.9 percent of Australians in 2023-24 (up from 8.7 percent), with 675,300 people engaging with scammers and a net loss of $477 million after reimbursements, though consumer advocates argue the figures underestimate the true scale since many victims with language barriers don't report incidents. Consumer advocates are calling for urgent government
chicagotribune.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake text messages claiming unpaid tollway balances to steal personal and financial information through "smishing" (SMS phishing), with Illinois residents particularly targeted at rates higher than the national average. The fraudulent messages impersonate E-ZPass accounts and direct victims to fake websites; authorities warn consumers never to click links or reply to such messages, as the Illinois Tollway uses the I-PASS system instead. Americans lost 25% more money to fraud in the past year compared to 2023, with complaints in Illinois reaching 1,470 per 100,000 residents versus the national average of 1,215 per 100,000.
jdsupra.com · 2025-12-08
The FCC has issued alerts about multiple common scams targeting consumers, including port-out fraud (where scammers use personal information to hijack mobile phone numbers and access financial accounts), grandparent scams (fraudsters impersonating relatives in crisis situations to solicit money), and spoofed mortgage relief calls (criminals posing as lenders to extract fraudulent payments). These scams leverage personal data from social media and cyber theft, use caller ID spoofing, and often request payment through hard-to-trace methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
montclair.edu · 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns that cybercriminals increasingly use AI-powered scams—including voice cloning, deepfake videos, and realistic phishing emails—to deceive victims into sharing sensitive information or money. The article advises readers to verify unexpected requests through alternate channels, remain skeptical of AI-generated content that may contain subtle oddities, enable multi-factor authentication, and report suspicious messages to authorities.
nasdaq.com · 2025-12-08
Smishing—a fraud tactic where scammers send malicious text messages to steal data and money from investors—is growing as a prominent cybersecurity threat because people are more likely to click text links than email links, and scammers exploit mobile device reliance by spoofing phone numbers and evolving tactics to bypass provider protections. To reduce risk, investors should enable multi-factor authentication, avoid responding to unsolicited messages from unknown numbers, pause before acting on urgent requests, independently verify requests through legitimate channels, and delete suspicious messages without opening them.
poughkeepsiejournal.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers are conducting "smishing" attacks—fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass and other toll collection services—claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls and directing them to click malicious links or provide payment information. The FBI warns these spoofed messages target toll road users nationwide with small claimed amounts ($3.95-$12.55) to lower victims' guard, with the actual goal being to steal personal and financial information rather than collect tolls. Users should delete suspicious texts without clicking links, know that E-ZPass never requests payment via text, and report suspected fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center while monitoring their accounts if compromised.
salon.com · 2025-12-08
American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded, with fraudsters increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and impersonation scams. Key fraud types include AI-driven impersonation, phishing emails, investment/cryptocurrency scams (which rose to $3.96 billion in losses), tech support scams, and romance scams (which caused $1.14 billion in losses with a median loss of $2,000 per victim). Consumers should watch for red flags such as rushed messages, inconsistencies, and suspicious email addresses to protect themselves from these evolving schemes.
ckom.com · 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old Montreal woman was charged with three counts of fraud over $5,000 for her role in the "grandparent scam," in which she contacted seniors with fabricated emergencies involving family members and collected money from three Saskatoon victims between March 17-20. Additionally, a 54-year-old Saskatoon man was arrested for defrauding three victims of $30,000 total by selling fake tickets to sporting events and travel packages that were never booked or arranged.
fox4now.com · 2025-12-08
Lee County Sheriff's Office reports a sharp rise in scams, with reported cases increasing from 1,588 in 2022 to 2,401 in 2024, with 60% of victims losing over $10,000. Common scams include impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment via untraceable methods like Bitcoin or gift cards, and wire fraud targeting title companies, with recent cases involving losses of $158,000 to $475,000. The department advises victims to check credit annually, verify caller information, and report suspected fraud, though recovery is difficult when funds are transferred overseas by predominantly non-U.S.-based scammers.
Investment Fraud Law Enforcement Impersonation Phishing Robocall / Phone Scam Deed Theft Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Check/Cashier's Check
brainandlife.org · 2025-12-08
Philip Lehman's 80-year-old mother and 85-year-old stepfather experienced financial mismanagement due to early-stage cognitive impairment, including unpaid bills, missed tax filings, and excessive duplicate online purchases, prompting Lehman to obtain power of attorney and eventually move them to assisted living. A 2022 study found that over 7 million older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia manage their own finances despite difficulty doing so, and Americans 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with average losses near $34,000 per case. Natural age-related changes in the brain's prefron
indiacurrents.com · 2025-12-08
An 85-year-old man in San Jose received a phishing message requesting personal and bank information, which his family recognized as a scam—an incident that prompted his granddaughter, Tejasvi Manoj, to develop Shield Seniors, an AI-powered application designed to help seniors identify fraudulent messages and learn cybersecurity practices. Research showed that 75% of adults over 65 lack understanding of basic cybersecurity measures, and elder fraud costs victims an average of $33,915 per person. The application, currently in demo stage, provides four functions: educational resources on cybersecurity, a chatbot to analyze suspicious messages, AI-powered scam
chroniclejournal.com · 2025-12-08
In February 2024, Melanie McGovern from Montreal's Better Business Bureau received a suspicious message from what appeared to be her 16-year-old niece's hacked Instagram account requesting money, alerting her to a rising tide of investment fraud in Canada. Investment scams—including impersonations via social media, deepfake voice calls, and fake cryptocurrency schemes—cost Canadians $310 million in 2024 (compared to $33.5 million in 2020), with victims losing a median of $5,000 per incident, though experts estimate 90-95% of cases go unreported. To protect themselves, Canadians should pause before responding to
newtondailynews.com · 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims $547 million in 2021, an 80% increase from 2019, with scammers using fake online dating profiles to build trust before requesting money under false pretenses like medical emergencies or visa issues. The scams target vulnerable individuals seeking companionship by establishing emotional connections before exploiting their sympathy. Key protection strategies include being skeptical of rapid affection, resisting requests for money, conducting reverse image searches on profile photos, and reporting suspected scams to the FTC and dating platforms.
smh.com.au · 2025-12-08
A Sydney mental health support worker, Ugochukwu George Anyakorah, was arrested in mid-2023 for facilitating a Nigerian cyberscam network connected to the Buccaneers, a violent West African organized crime group. Anyakorah helped launder over $11.7 million stolen from Australian victims through compromised bank accounts and cryptocurrency, targeting lonely women through romance scams (including victims aged 56-77 who lost between $46,950-$174,000) and businesses through fraudulent invoices. He pleaded guilty to handling $890,000 in proceeds of crime and was sentenced to four years in prison in March 2
bigcountrynewsconnection.com · 2025-12-08
Romance scams have evolved to use AI-generated profiles and sophisticated emotional manipulation, resulting in over $2.95 billion in losses in 2024—a 30% increase from 2023, according to FTC data. Scammers typically establish fake identities on social media, build trust with victims, and then solicit money through fabricated stories or fake investment opportunities. To protect themselves, consumers should guard personal information, conduct reverse image searches, insist on video/in-person meetings, avoid pressure to send money quickly, and report suspected scams to their financial institution, local law enforcement, the FBI's IC3, or the FTC.
fingerlakes1.com · 2025-12-08
New York State officials are warning residents about tax scams increasing around the April 15 tax deadline, which commonly include IRS impersonation, phishing emails, and fraudulent demand letters designed to steal personal and financial information. Scammers use fear tactics such as threats of arrest or deportation to pressure victims into making payments via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Residents are advised to verify suspicious communications through official channels, never share personal information in response to unsolicited contact, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
news.iowadot.gov · 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content as it is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. This appears to be a directory or index page from the Iowa Department of Transportation listing news categories, road closures, construction projects, and administrative information. It falls outside the scope of the Elderus database, which focuses on elder fraud and abuse research.
floridarealtors.org · 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary as the article content has expired and is no longer available. The page only shows a notice indicating the news article has been removed from the Florida Realtors website. To obtain information about this topic, you may contact the Florida Realtors News section directly or email [email protected].
statenews.org · 2025-12-08
In November, the city of Athens fell victim to a sophisticated phishing and email compromise scam that cost over $700,000 in public funds. Scammers accessed Pepper Construction's email system, created nearly identical fake email addresses, and intercepted communications about a fire station construction invoice, convincing city employees to switch payment to a fraudulent bank account controlled by the criminals. Between April 2023 and 2024, at least 23 Ohio local government offices lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to similar cyber crimes, with the state auditor's office now recommending employees verify payment method changes independently and warning of future investigations into agencies that fail to follow security protocols.
marinij.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS warned of multiple tax season scams including smishing and phishing emails pretending to be from the IRS to steal personal information, as well as dishonest tax preparers who file fraudulent returns to promise larger refunds—leaving taxpayers legally liable for false claims. Social media misinformation also encourages filing falsified tax documents, which can result in severe penalties or criminal charges. Taxpayers should use trusted professionals, avoid sharing personal information via email or text, and verify advice through official IRS sources.
kttn.com · 2025-12-08
The Trenton Police Department issued a public advisory on social engineering scams, which use psychological manipulation rather than technical hacking to exploit trust, fear, and urgency in order to steal personal information and valuables. Common scam types include phishing, vishing, smishing, baiting, pretexting, quid pro quo schemes, and scareware, all of which exploit gaps in user awareness and cybersecurity knowledge. The department recommends verifying requests through official channels, remaining skeptical of urgent demands, carefully checking URLs, protecting sensitive data, and reporting suspected scams immediately.
butlereagle.com · 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents age 50 and older about rising IRS impersonation scams during tax season, in which fraudsters contact victims by phone, mail, email, or in person claiming they owe taxes, face investigation, or are due refunds. Scammers pressure victims to provide personal information or make rapid payments via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. AARP recommends ignoring unsolicited IRS contact, refusing to share sensitive information remotely, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and verifying all IRS communications through the official irs.gov website.
wtop.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.
aarp.org · 2025-12-08
Debbie Crisp's mother, Donna, died suddenly in North Carolina, and while sorting through her belongings, Debbie's daughter discovered evidence that Donna had been the victim of a romance scam that stole over $400,000 from her. Donna had hidden this painful secret, leaving behind correspondence with the US Postal Inspection Service and a victim's advocate. A US Postal Inspector is now investigating the elaborate romance scam operation responsible for stealing millions from dozens of victims, with hopes of catching the ringleader and achieving justice for Donna and others affected.
wilx.com · 2025-12-08
The Michigan Department of Treasury is warning taxpayers about cybercriminals attempting to commit tax-related identity theft by fraudulently filing state income tax returns and claiming refunds during tax season. Scammers use tactics like creating urgency and threatening criminal action to extract personal information from unsuspecting victims. The department recommends cybersecurity measures including using secure networks, avoiding suspicious links and unsolicited requests for personal information, using strong passwords, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
aashtojournal.transportation.org · 2025-12-08
Scammers have conducted multi-state toll fraud campaigns since late 2024, targeting residents with automated texts, calls, and spoofed websites claiming unpaid toll bills—even in states like Arizona, Connecticut, Missouri, and Mississippi that have no toll roads. The scams have grown increasingly sophisticated, mimicking official state transportation department websites and using threatening language, prompting state DOTs to issue warnings and work with law enforcement to track perpetrators. Residents are advised to verify messages by checking sender phone numbers, contacting toll agencies directly, and recognizing that legitimate agencies never request payment via text.
blog.checkpoint.com · 2025-12-08
During tax season, cyber criminals exploit tax-related activities through phishing scams and fraudulent websites impersonating legitimate tax authorities. Researchers tracked dozens of malicious domains mimicking the UK's HMRC and US IRS, including sites like hmrcnoticecenter[.]com and irstaxrefund[.]online, designed to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting taxpayers. To protect yourself, verify URLs before clicking links, avoid sharing personal information via unsolicited emails, use strong passwords, and enable multi-factor authentication on tax-related accounts.
northjersey.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams, warning taxpayers and professionals about 12 common fraud schemes including phishing emails, social media misinformation about tax credits, fake charities, and fraudulent claims for nonexistent credits. These scams peak during tax season but occur year-round and can result in identity theft, inflated refunds, and significant penalties. The IRS advises taxpayers to verify information through official channels and report suspected fraud immediately.
blogs.chapman.edu · 2025-12-08
Chapman University students have been targeted by a sophisticated fake check scam in which scammers impersonate faculty members, offer employment, and send oversized checks that students are instructed to deposit and then wire the difference to another account. When the fraudulent checks eventually bounce, students remain financially liable for the money they forwarded from their own accounts. To protect themselves, students should verify job offers directly with the university, avoid depositing suspicious checks, and report any suspicious communications to Chapman's IT department.
Tech Support Scam Phishing Scam Awareness Check/Cashier's Check
fernandinaobserver.org · 2025-12-08
**Financial Scams on the Rise; Community Education Efforts Expand** U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2023—a 25% increase from the previous year—with email and phone calls being the most common scam methods and imposter scams most frequently reported. Pineland Bank, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, and the Nassau County Council on Aging are partnering to offer free fraud awareness seminars to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding financial scams, noting that fewer than half of victims report incidents due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Experts advise consumers to become informed about evolving scam
Lottery/Prize Scam Phishing Sextortion Grandparent Scam Charity Scam Cryptocurrency Gift Cards Payment App
ktar.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five major scams targeting seniors: "pig butchering" (long-term cryptocurrency investment schemes), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using voice-cloning AI), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article explains that older adults are targeted due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, and recommends seniors watch for red flags including urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), poor grammar, and suspicious requests—while seeking a second opinion before sharing personal information or money.
khak.com · 2025-12-08
The Iowa Department of Transportation warned residents about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid tolls or registration fees. The scam targets people who may have traveled on toll roads in other states (like Illinois) and creates urgency by threatening consequences, but the Iowa DOT does not collect tolls and never sends collection notices via text. Recipients are advised not to click links or share personal information if they receive these fraudulent messages.
foxnews.com · 2025-12-08
Carmen Valdez De Miguel, 67, was arrested in Florida after allegedly defrauding a man of at least $3,000 through a fake tarot card reading and "spiritual cleansing" scam that began with a flyer on his car. De Miguel, who used the alias Maria Rodriguez, convinced the victim to pay $200 initially for a tarot reading, then persuaded him to bring $3,000 in cash for a ritual where she claimed the money would double, but kept the funds by claiming they were part of an ongoing ritual. De Miguel faces charges of organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and resisting arrest, and investigators discovered she had three additional theft warrants.
Phishing Payment App
businessinsider.com · 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency fraud losses reached $3.96 billion in 2023, up 335% from 2021, with scam activity growing an average of 24% annually since 2020. Crypto scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where scammers build online relationships before soliciting investments or money, with this fraud type growing 40% in 2024. Investigators recommend maintaining skepticism in online interactions, verifying investment details independently, and being alert to requests for fees or repeated payments, as scammers often exploit victims over months or years before detection.
ladailypost.com · 2025-12-08
A smishing scam impersonating New Mexico Bank & Trust attempted to deceive recipients with a text message claiming their account was on hold and directing them to click a malicious link hosted on Weebly. The scam contained multiple red flags including a non-local phone number, typos, misspelled words designed to evade spam filters, and a fake URL with the actual root domain being "weebly.com" rather than the legitimate bank website. The article emphasizes that recipients should verify sender information, scrutinize URLs, and avoid clicking links when messages create a false sense of urgency.
bleepingcomputer.com · 2025-12-08
A phishing campaign impersonating toll agencies like E-ZPass, FasTrak, and Florida Turnpike has surged recently, sending thousands of iMessage and SMS texts with urgent language claiming unpaid tolls to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that steal personal and credit card information. The scam uses automated attacks bypassing anti-spam filters, with some users receiving up to 7 messages daily; victims are advised to avoid responding, block the numbers, and check toll balances directly on official websites rather than through text links.
forbes.com · 2025-12-08
A widespread phishing campaign is targeting mobile users across the U.S. with text messages impersonating toll agencies (E-ZPass, FasTrak, etc.) and state DMVs, warning of unpaid tolls and license suspensions to pressure victims into clicking links that steal personal and financial information. The scam uses sophisticated tactics including mobile-only fake websites, exploitation of iMessage and RCS systems, and phishing-as-a-service platforms like Lucid and Darcula that enable criminals to send thousands of messages daily while evading detection. Consumers should assume all unsolicited payment texts are scams, avoid clicking links or replying, and use call/
dailyinterlake.com · 2025-12-08
Montana State University graduate students created an educational presentation about common scams after one student's grandfather received an AI-generated voice call impersonating the student and requesting $15,000. The accounting students presented fraud prevention information to senior audiences in Bozeman, covering family impersonation scams, tech support scams, government impersonation scams, and phishing, with attendees reporting personal losses of thousands of dollars to scammers.
yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
This article outlines common scams targeting seniors, including "pig-butchering" schemes that build trust over time before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, as well as tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams using voice cloning, and sweepstakes frauds. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, compounded by factors like cognitive decline and social isolation. Key prevention strategies include teaching seniors to recognize red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and soliciting personal information—and encouraging them to verify
independent.ie · 2025-12-08
Financial abuse differs from typical scams in that perpetrators are usually known to the victim—such as family members, caregivers, or spouses—making it more difficult to detect and harder for victims to report. Key red flags include unexplained financial transactions, sudden changes in banking access, isolation from financial decision-making, and unusual gifts or loans to family members. Recognizing these warning signs and acting quickly is essential to protect vulnerable individuals from this insidious form of exploitation.
makeuseof.com · 2025-12-08
Hackers are increasingly using generative AI to conduct more effective and affordable scams by automating social engineering attacks, including cloning social media accounts to impersonate trusted contacts and deploying AI chatbots to conduct mass spear-phishing campaigns and romance scams. AI tools enable cybercriminals to personalize attacks at scale, create deepfake videos of high-profile individuals, and automate time-consuming fraud tactics like relationship-building for romance scams. Users should be aware that traditional security measures alone are insufficient, as people remain the primary vulnerability exploited by these AI-enhanced attack methods.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com · 2025-12-08
A 38-year-old man named Ashish Sharma in New Delhi operated an online traffic challan scam, posing as an RTO officer and using fake police credentials to contact vehicle owners threatening permit cancellation unless they paid fines immediately. Sharma exploited his position as a private agent at Ghaziabad RTO to illegally access vehicle registration files and combined this data with information from the e-Vahan app to target victims convincingly; he defrauded at least one victim of Rs 12,500 before being arrested following police investigation that traced bank records and call details. The case highlights the growing trend of e-challan scams targeting individuals through fear of traffic
boston25news.com · 2025-12-08
An 88-year-old Hingham, Massachusetts resident lost $15,500 in a phishing scam after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating the Federal Trade Commission. The scammers convinced her that her daughter was in financial trouble and instructed her to send a cashier's check to an address in Illinois, where it was cashed immediately. Police emphasize that awareness and education are the most effective prevention methods, recommending residents delete, block, or ignore suspicious communications.
malwarebytes.com · 2025-12-08
A wave of SMS phishing (smishing) scams impersonating U.S. toll authorities like E-ZPass, SunPass, and TxTag has spread across the country, with some users receiving up to 7 fraudulent messages daily. The scams use urgent language threatening fines or license suspension and direct victims to fake websites designed to steal personal and payment information through domains that closely mimic legitimate toll service sites. State transportation departments including Wisconsin and Arizona have issued public warnings, and the FBI recommends reporting suspicious messages to ic3.gov along with the originating phone number and malicious link.
wjla.com · 2025-12-08
Criminals are sending approximately one billion fraudulent toll notification texts daily targeting drivers nationwide, impersonating legitimate agencies like EZPass and SunPass, with the DMV region experiencing a 900% surge in complaints since January 2024. Experts warn that any engagement with these messages—even replying—signals to AI-powered scam networks that a number is active, leading to further fraud attempts; consumers reported losing $2.95 billion to impersonation scams in 2024 overall. Authorities including the FBI, FTC, and state transportation departments advise drivers to never click links in unsolicited toll texts and instead verify toll status directly through official agency channels.
ftc.gov · 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams cost nearly $3 billion in reported losses during 2024, with the FTC receiving approximately 850,000 reports of such fraud that year. The FTC's Impersonation Rule, which marked its one-year anniversary in April, has enabled the agency to file multiple lawsuits against scammers impersonating government agencies, utility companies, banks, and delivery services, and has successfully shut down over a dozen fake FTC websites designed to trick victims. The FTC advises consumers to avoid sending money or personal information to unexpected contacts, not to trust caller ID (which can be faked), and to verify requests by contacting organizations directly using independently verified contact information
cnbc.com · 2025-12-08
A 2024 survey of over two million FTC and FCC complaints found Ohio leading the nation with 859 scam call and text complaints per 100,000 residents, followed by Illinois and Delaware. The study identified the top 10 states most targeted by phone scams, with common schemes including IRS fraud, Medicare scams, debt relief, and toll violations, possibly due to large population centers, favorable regulations, and high concentrations of seniors. The article advises screening calls, avoiding suspicious links, and considering identity theft protection services with credit monitoring and insurance coverage.