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patch.com
· 2025-12-08
San Ramon student Adya Gupta founded Impactt Kids, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that provides scam education training to seniors and caregivers to help them recognize and avoid phone and internet fraud. The initiative, inspired by Gupta's grandmother who frequently receives scam calls, has trained seniors at local living centers on identifying scam calls, phishing emails, and fraudulent IRS, Medicare, and lottery schemes, with participants reporting successful fraud prevention as a result. The program plans to expand by integrating AI-powered scam detection tools and establishing a hotline for seniors to verify suspicious calls.
chadronradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Nebraska is experiencing an increase in "pig butchering" scams, a relationship-based fraud scheme where criminals slowly build trust with victims over weeks or months before luring them into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. These scams can affect anyone regardless of financial sophistication, with the FTC reporting that Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, including a notable case where a Kansas banker lost $47 million. Warning signs include unexpected contact from strangers, emotional manipulation, requests for financial information, and promises of guaranteed high returns; victims should avoid sharing personal information with unknown contacts and report suspected fraud to authorities.
hastingstribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Nebraska is experiencing increased reports of "pig butchering" scams, a cryptocurrency-based fraud in which criminals build relationships with victims over weeks or months through social media, dating apps, or fake text messages before luring them into bogus cryptocurrency investments. The scam—also called a confidence scam or financial grooming—can target anyone regardless of financial knowledge, and in 2024 Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud and scams overall. Warning signs include unsolicited contact, emotional manipulation, requests for financial information, and exaggerated investment returns; victims should avoid sharing personal information with unknown contacts and contact the Nebraska Department of Banking an
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice recovered $8.2 million in Tether cryptocurrency stolen through romance baiting scams, including $663,352 from an Ohio woman who fell victim after responding to a wrong-number text in 2023. Romance baiting is a psychological manipulation scheme that builds false intimacy through casual conversation before introducing cryptocurrency investment opportunities with fake trading dashboards and fabricated returns, ultimately trapping victims unable to withdraw their funds. The article also references an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, Judith Boivin, who was targeted by scammers impersonating FBI agents using spoofed caller IDs and forged government communications to extract money under false pretenses of a
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Insurance companies and law enforcement are warning drivers about a surge in predatory towing scams, with the National Insurance Crime Bureau reporting an 89% increase in such incidents over the past three years across major and small cities nationwide. Scammers pose as insurance company representatives or law enforcement to convince accident victims they will tow their vehicles to approved body shops, then hold the cars hostage for exorbitant fees or steal personal information. Authorities advise rejecting unsolicited tow trucks at accident scenes and waiting for law enforcement before allowing any towing, particularly if a tow truck arrives within minutes of a collision.
ksby.com
· 2025-12-08
Since 2021, the BBB has tracked over 16,600 reported scams involving theft of passwords, social security numbers, and driver's license information. The BBB recommends protecting yourself by avoiding sharing personal information with unverified sources, enabling multi-factor authentication, conducting regular credit checks, being cautious of suspicious links and texts, and changing critical passwords frequently—especially for banking, government programs like Medicare, and housing assistance accounts. If an account is compromised, contact your provider immediately.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Chinese-speaking smishing syndicates have operated the world's largest text message phishing operation over the past three years, sending millions of fraudulent SMS messages impersonating postal services, tax authorities, and financial institutions to steal personal information and bank card details. The criminals use realistic fake websites and harvest one-time passwords to clone cards into digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Wallet, with one major group (the Smishing Triad) impersonating brands in at least 121 countries and generating over 1 million page visits to scam sites in a single 20-day period. These sophisticated, well-organized syndicates continue to develop new techniques and sell their ph
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
**Trend Micro Research on Australian Scam Vulnerability**
A Trend Micro survey of 1,072 Australians revealed significant misconceptions increasing scam vulnerability, including beliefs that scams require oversharing (31%), are easily spotted by poor grammar (47%), or that extortion only occurs through explicit photo sharing (32%). Australians lost over $2 billion to online scams in the past year, with investment scams targeting a quarter of respondents, yet only 15% discussed scam response strategies with family and just 9% use verification phrases against impersonation scams. The research recommends staying wary of unsolicited communications, enabling two
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian-based scammer used fake photos of a German life coach to catfish Liza Likins, a widow in her mid-70s, during a 19-month online romance on Facebook Dating, eventually exploiting her for money. Catfishing—creating fraudulent identities on dating apps and social media to deceive victims—has become the top dating scam, with Meta removing 1.4 billion fake accounts in late 2024 and a Norton survey finding 40% of dating app users targeted by such scams. Scammers typically use stolen photos, AI-generated images, or celebrity identities to build trust before requesting cash or promoting bogus
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and friendship scams cost Connecticut residents more money than any other scam type last year and ranked as the third riskiest scam overall. These scams target vulnerable people, build emotional connections through deception and false promises, and often involve cryptocurrency schemes; the BBB documented one victim who lost $100,000 after a scammer posed as a romantic interest and claimed financial need. Red flags include requests for money after establishing trust, inability to meet in person, poor grammar despite claiming local origin, offers involving cryptocurrency, and relationships that progress too quickly.
nationalpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced plans to introduce the "Stop Scamming Seniors Act," which would impose mandatory scam detection systems on banks and telecom companies, stricter sentences (one to five years depending on fraud amount), and fines up to $5 million for non-compliance. The legislation targets the growing sophistication of senior-targeted scams, particularly "grandparent" scams and AI-enabled voice impersonation fraud, with Canadian authorities reporting that victims lost $638 million to fraud in 2024, though only 5-10% of cases are reported.
conservative.ca
· 2025-12-08
This is a policy announcement rather than a news report of a scam incident. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre outlined a proposed plan to combat senior fraud in Canada, which would require banks and cell phone companies to implement mandatory scam detection systems, real-time blocking of suspicious transactions, and a 24-hour transaction delay for high-risk senior accounts. The proposal also includes enhanced criminal penalties for fraudsters (mandatory minimum sentences ranging from one to five years depending on fraud amount) and substantial fines for financial institutions that fail to implement adequate fraud prevention measures.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced a proposed "Stop Scamming Seniors Act" that would require banks and telecommunications companies to detect, report, and block suspected fraud in real time, or face fines up to $5 million per violation and criminal charges. The plan addresses seniors as the primary targets of digital scammers using phishing, robocalls, and other tactics, and includes measures such as mandatory AI-powered fraud detection systems, 24-hour holds on high-risk senior transactions, and increased minimum prison sentences for fraud convictions (1-5 years depending on amount defrauded). Additionally, convicted fraudsters would be required to pay fines equal to ten times the amount they de
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced a proposed "Stop Scamming Seniors Act" that would mandate banks and telecom companies to detect and block fraud in real time or face fines up to $5 million per violation and criminal charges. The plan targets seniors, identified as the primary victims of digital scammers using phishing texts and robocalls, and includes enhanced Criminal Code penalties (minimum 1-5 year sentences depending on fraud amount) and requirements for companies to implement AI-based fraud detection, 24-hour holds on high-risk senior transactions, and quarterly public reporting on fraud prevention metrics.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre announced plans to introduce the "Stop Scamming Seniors Act" to combat fraud targeting seniors, proposing stricter sentences (one-year minimum for fraud over $5,000, five years for over $1 million), fines up to $5 million for non-compliant companies, and mandatory scam detection systems for banks and telecom firms. The legislation addresses the growing sophistication of phone and digital scams, including AI-enabled voice replication schemes like the "grandparent" scam, with Canadian authorities reporting 34,621 fraud victims lost $638 million in 2024, though only 5-10% of victims
newschannel5.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate family members in phone calls to elderly grandparents, requesting money in urgent situations. Consumer Reports found that four of six popular voice-cloning apps lacked meaningful consent safeguards, and deepfake technology has become so advanced that even experts struggle to detect it. Protection measures include enabling two-factor authentication on financial accounts, verifying unexpected calls through other means, and maintaining healthy skepticism about requests for personal or financial information.
esecurityplanet.com
· 2025-12-08
Unable to provide a summary. This content is a directory or index page listing cybersecurity topics and resources (e.g., firewall solutions, threat intelligence platforms, network security guides) rather than a specific article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database.
fedscoop.com
· 2025-12-08
A Government Accountability Office audit found that federal agencies lack a coordinated strategy to combat consumer scams, resulting in a fragmented approach across the FBI, FTC, CFPB, and other agencies with no uniform data collection, common definitions, or comprehensive loss estimates. The FBI reported approximately 589,400 scam complaints totaling over $10 billion in losses in 2023, with scammers increasingly exploiting peer-to-peer payment apps, bank transfers, and cryptocurrency. The GAO recommended establishing a governmentwide scam-fighting strategy led by the FBI director with formal coordination mechanisms, collaborative data collection, and performance metrics to address this growing threat.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Pig butchering is an investment scam in which fraudsters build trust with victims over weeks or months through social media and messaging apps before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that promise high returns but prevent withdrawals. Scammers use fabricated websites and fake trading apps to collect victim funds, often requesting additional payments for fees or taxes before allowing any withdrawal. Victims should report scams quickly to the DFPI with complete transaction details, wallet addresses, and screenshots to help investigators trace stolen cryptocurrency on the blockchain.
examinerlive.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Zak Coyne, 23, from Huddersfield, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for operating LabHost, a phishing website service that enabled over 2,000 criminals to defraud victims worldwide, resulting in losses exceeding £100 million. The platform, which allowed users to create fake websites impersonating banks, healthcare agencies, and postal services to steal personal data, was shut down by the Met's Cyber Crime Unit in April 2024, leading to Coyne's arrest and subsequent guilty pleas to charges including fraud facilitation and money laundering.
munsifdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A Maharashtra government employee, Shridhar Mahuli, lost Rs 2 lakh (approximately $2,400 USD) after a scammer impersonating an AU Small Finance Bank representative called claiming a health insurance payment needed to be linked to his credit card. The fraudster obtained Mahuli's card details through the fake call and made multiple unauthorized transactions, highlighting the sophistication of identity spoofing tactics used by modern scammers targeting financial information.
motorist.sg
· 2025-12-08
Since December 2024, scammers impersonated OneMotoring (Land Transport Authority's official portal) through phishing emails and text messages claiming motorists had expired road tax, directing victims to fake payment websites that captured personal and financial data. Thirty-seven victims reported losses totaling at least $407,000 (averaging $11,000 per victim), and authorities advise that legitimate LTA notifications contain no links and are only sent via SMS with "gov.sg" identifier, e-letters through Singpass-protected accounts, or hardcopy mail.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Zak Coyne, 24, from Huddersfield, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison for operating LabHost, a sophisticated subscription-based website that enabled over 2,000 cybercriminals to defraud approximately one million victims across 91 countries of at least £100 million (with £32 million from the UK alone). LabHost hosted phishing pages mimicking 185 major banks and commercial websites, allowing subscribers to steal login credentials from unsuspecting victims, and Coyne personally profited around £200,000 in cryptocurrency from the criminal subscriptions before the platform was shut down in April 2024
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and State Transportation Director Bradley C. Wieferich warned consumers about an increasing toll scam in West Michigan involving fraudulent text messages falsely claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls to MDOT and threatening legal action. The scam uses deceptive links mimicking the official MDOT website, though legitimate toll bills are only sent by mail—never via text—and Michigan has no toll roads except at three specific bridge facilities. Consumers are advised to ignore unsolicited texts with urgency language, suspicious links, and requests for financial information, and to report such "smishing" texts to SPAM (7726) and the Federal Trade Commission.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
Policy changes to Social Security's appointment requirements have created confusion among Virginians that may increase vulnerability to scams, which typically begin with urgent-sounding phone calls, texts, or emails falsely claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. Over 1.6 million Virginians depend on Social Security benefits, and proposed in-person-only signup requirements would have particularly burdened seniors, especially the 9% of Virginia seniors living more than 45 miles from the nearest Social Security office.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Wyoming's new volunteer group "the Fraudettes" launched a monthly educational series to help people recognize and avoid scams before financial or personal harm occurs. Their first session in March covered romance scams and a phishing attack on Laramie County Library, where criminals compromised a staff member's email account to attempt ransomware deployment; the library avoided losses through quick IT response and off-site backups, with no patron data compromised.
investigatetv.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are increasingly using "accidental text" scams, sending unsolicited messages that appear to be misdirected personal texts to trick recipients into responding and revealing personal information. The Better Business Bureau reports that scam victims lost 30% more money in 2024 than 2023, with experts advising people not to respond to unknown numbers, avoid clicking links, and delete suspicious messages. The FTC recommends keeping important contacts saved in your phone to identify unfamiliar senders as potential scams.
sec.gov
· 2025-12-08
The SEC launched an anti-fraud public service campaign warning investors about relationship investment scams, in which perpetrators build trust through online romantic or friendship connections to solicit money for fraudulent investments. The campaign includes educational videos, resources, and guidance advising investors to ignore unsolicited messages, be skeptical of investment opportunities from unknown contacts, and immediately stop communication with suspected scammers while reporting them to the SEC.
wowt.com
· 2025-12-08
Experts warn that "accidental text" scams are intentional fraud schemes designed to appear as innocent misdials, with Americans receiving 19.2 billion spam texts in March 2025 alone. Scammers use this tactic to exploit people's natural kindness—when recipients respond politely, fraudsters attempt to build fake relationships and extract personal or financial information. Experts recommend not responding to unknown numbers, never clicking links from unfamiliar senders, and checking contacts before engaging with unsolicited messages.
wwnytv.com
· 2025-12-08
Experts warn that "accidental text" messages claiming to be sent to the wrong number are increasingly used as a deliberate scam tactic to exploit people's natural helpfulness and curiosity. Scammers aim to initiate conversations that lead to building trust before stealing personal information, with Americans receiving 19.2 billion spam texts in March 2025 alone. The BBB reports that scam victims lost 30% more money in 2024 than 2023, and experts recommend not responding to unknown numbers, avoiding clicking links from unfamiliar senders, and only communicating with contacts saved in your device.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported $470 million in consumer losses from text message scams in 2024—nearly five times the 2020 amount—with fake package delivery alerts being the most common scam, followed by fake job offers, fraudulent bank alerts, and romance/investment scams. The FTC advises consumers to avoid clicking or responding to unexpected texts, instead contacting companies through verified channels and reporting suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM) or through their messaging apps.
nbcbayarea.com
· 2025-12-08
FasTrak warned customers of a text message scam falsely claiming outstanding toll account balances and threatening penalties or legal action if payment is not made by a specified date, with messages directing recipients to fraudulent websites. FasTrak clarified that it does not request payments via text messages or direct customers to external websites, and advised victims to contact their banks or credit card companies to report fraudulent charges.
komu.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams spike around Tax Day, with fraudsters impersonating IRS officials, posing as "ghost preparers," and using phishing emails and threatening calls to target filers. The IRS reminds taxpayers that legitimate communication comes only via U.S. mail, never through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails, and the agency never demands payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Filers should work with reputable tax professionals, verify charity solicitations with the IRS, and those needing more time can file for an extension by April 15 to gain until October 15 to complete their return.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Social Security Imposter Scams on the Rise**
Government imposter scams, particularly those posing as Social Security Administration officials, represent one of the most common fraud schemes targeting consumers, with the Social Security OIG receiving 73,626 reports in 2023—a 13.7% increase from the previous year. Scammers contact victims via phone, text, or email claiming account problems, benefit suspensions, or legal threats, then demand immediate payment or personal information through threats of arrest or account seizure. The Social Security Administration never initiates contact unexpectedly, communicates changes by mail, and never demands immediate payment via gift card, cryptocurrency, or cash—
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
American consumers lost $470 million to text message scams in 2024, a 26% increase from 2023 and five-fold jump from 2020, according to FTC data. The most common scams involved package-delivery impersonation, fake job offers, fraudulent fraud alerts, and romance schemes, with criminals exploiting the difficulty of detecting scam links in text messages compared to emails. Consumers are advised to avoid clicking unsolicited links, use text filters, and report suspicious messages to their carriers and the FTC.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers reported losing $470 million to text message scams—five times the 2020 amount—with fake package delivery alerts, bogus job offers, and fraudulent bank warnings being the most common types. The FTC recommends forwarding suspicious texts to 7726, reporting through messaging apps, and reporting to ReportFraud.ftc.gov, while avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead contacting companies directly using verified contact information.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud losses nationwide reached $12.5 billion in 2024, with New York State accounting for $534 million in losses across 118,933 reported cases; older adults were disproportionately affected, with those over 50 reporting 28,578 fraud cases totaling $159 million in losses. AARP New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and local officials launched "The Big Shred NY!" — a statewide initiative offering 27 free document shredding locations through May 10, 2025, to help residents safely dispose of personal documents containing sensitive information that could be used for identity theft.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and city officials launched "The Big Shred NY!" initiative, offering 27 free document shredding locations across New York State through May 2025 to help residents safely dispose of personal documents and prevent identity theft. Fraud targeting Americans reached $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase from 2023—with New York State accounting for $534 million in losses, and older adults particularly vulnerable with $159 million lost among those over 50. The program aims to combat the rising sophistication of scams targeting seniors through document destruction as a preventive measure against financial fraud.
easttexasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A writer's Facebook account was hacked by criminals from Nigeria who used it to post fake car and trailer advertisements, gaining access through a rarely-contacted friend's account. The author lost access to their 17-year-old account and experienced a fraudulent charge on an associated bank card; meanwhile, local police report that elderly victims in their area have lost entire life savings to similar scams, with approximately 300,000 Facebook accounts hacked daily. The author recommends updating privacy settings, removing personal information from profiles, and limiting social media exposure as preventive measures.
harlemworldmagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and other officials launched "The Big Shred NY!" initiative, offering 27 free document shredding locations across New York State through May 2025 to help residents safely dispose of personal documents and prevent identity theft. Fraud targeting Americans reached $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase from 2023—with New York State accounting for $534 million in losses, and adults over 50 reporting $159 million in losses from 28,578 documented fraud cases.
inmenlo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Menlo Park resident was defrauded of $35,000 in February 2025 through a sophisticated text message scam falsely claiming affiliation with a major online retailer and federal agency, threatening imprisonment unless funds were provided. The victim was coerced into withdrawing cash from multiple bank branches, which was collected by the suspect on February 12. A 22-year-old suspect, Arya Mehta from San Jose, was arrested in April 2025 and charged with theft by false pretenses, theft using an access card, and elder abuse; the investigation indicates additional perpetrators and international connections.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old man from China named Dongyi Guo was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to repay $95,000 after stealing that amount from a 79-year-old Missouri woman as part of a coordinated wire fraud conspiracy. Guo and his co-conspirators posed as financial institution and Social Security representatives, falsely claiming the victim's accounts were compromised and pressuring her to withdraw cash in multiple pickups between March 4-7, 2024. The victim's daughter reported in court that her mother died seven months later, stating the crime "unquestionably contributed" to her death, as the victim became mentally
yellowhammernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudulent text messages (smishing) falsely claiming unpaid tolls are increasing in frequency and sophistication, with the FBI receiving nearly 2,000 complaints in the past year and cybersecurity researchers identifying over 10,000 fraudulent domains. These scams use urgent language and fake links to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information, though legitimate toll notices arrive by mail. Experts recommend verifying claims through official toll authority websites, reporting suspicious messages to the FBI's IC3, and immediately contacting your bank if any information was compromised.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old Oklahoma woman, created multiple fake male personas (Jason Morris, Edward Lotts, Glenn Goadard) to conduct a months-long romance scam that defrauded four senior women ages 64-79 of $1.5 million. The victims were manipulated into sending money under false pretenses (oil rig rescue, financial portfolio management, relationship promises), with one woman selling her paid-off home and sending over $600,000; Echohawk laundered the funds through multiple bank accounts, cryptocurrency, and gift cards until MidFirst Bank flagged a suspicious transaction in January 2025, leading to her
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "The Surprising Truth About the Age Group Most Likely to Fall for Financial Fraud"
Recent FTC data reveals that younger adults (ages 20-29) are losing money to scams at nearly twice the rate of older adults, with 44% experiencing financial losses compared to 24% of those aged 70-79. Younger adults are primarily targeted through online scams including fake shopping sites, cryptocurrency fraud, and social media job offers, with their "digital native" status and tendency toward impulsive decision-making making them particularly vulnerable despite overconfidence in their tech savviness. The study emphasizes that scammers exploit age-specific psychological factors and online
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old Oklahoma woman, Christine Joan Echohawk, posed as multiple men (Jason Morris, Edward Lotts, and Glenn Goadard) in an elaborate romance scam that defrauded four senior women, ages 64-79, of $1.5 million between late 2024 and January 2025. The victims were manipulated into sending money under false pretenses including oil rig rescues and financial portfolio management, with one victim selling her paid-off home to send over $600,000; Echohawk laundered the funds through multiple accounts, cryptocurrency, and gift cards before being caught when a bank flagged a suspicious transaction. She
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old Oklahoma woman, Christine Joan Echohawk, posed as multiple men (Jason Morris, Edward Lotts, and Glenn Goadard) in an elaborate romance scam that defrauded four senior women aged 64-79 of $1.5 million between late 2024 and January 2025. The victims were manipulated into sending money under false pretenses including oil rig rescues, financial portfolio management, and promises of future cohabitation; Echohawk laundered the funds through multiple bank accounts, cryptocurrency, and gift cards before being caught when a $120,000 transaction was flagged by MidFirst Bank. She now
natlawreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers lost over $470 million to text message scams in 2024, with the most common schemes involving fake package delivery notifications, fraudulent job offers, fake fraud alerts, bogus toll notices, and deceptive "wrong number" texts. To protect themselves, individuals should avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, report suspicious texts to their wireless provider (7726), use built-in reporting features in messaging apps, and verify any claims by contacting companies directly through known legitimate channels rather than using information from the text.
lexology.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, text message scams caused $470 million in reported losses to consumers—more than five times the 2020 amount—according to FTC data, with the top five scams being fake package delivery notices, phony job offers, fraudulent fraud alerts, bogus toll notifications, and "wrong number" romance/investment schemes. These scams employed tactics such as impersonating legitimate companies, stealing financial information through fake fees, and building fake relationships to manipulate victims into transferring money. The FTC recommends consumers avoid clicking links or responding to unsolicited texts and use blocking tools to prevent fraud.
miamioh.edu
· 2025-12-08
Scammers have been targeting Miami-area students with fraudulent internship and employment opportunity emails impersonating the Office of Career Services and Professional Development, resulting in at least one student losing a significant sum of money. The scam emails appear legitimate but contain red flags such as using generic Gmail addresses instead of official Miami University addresses and using abbreviated department names. To protect themselves, students should avoid clicking links in suspicious messages, verify sender email addresses directly with institutions, be wary of urgency and unusual requests, and report suspected phishing to their institution's information security team rather than responding to the messages.