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courthousenews.com
· 2026-05-12
Zhao Wang, a Chinese national, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for leading a sophisticated international scam that defrauded over 2,000 elderly Americans of $27 million between 2021 and 2023. The scheme used fake refunds, technical support scams, and impersonation tactics via phone calls and emails to trick victims into sending cash and wire transfers to addresses in Southern California and Nevada, where accomplices used fake IDs to collect the money. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited refund offers, requests to wire money or mail cash, and should verify any claims directly with official institutions by calling known phone numbers rather than using contact information provided by callers.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-10
Two Ohio brothers who impersonated Middle Eastern royals have been sentenced to 23-24 years in prison for operating a $21 million fraud scheme that victimized people across multiple states and countries. The brothers posed as a UAE princess's husband and a hedge fund manager to con victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency and property deals, using the stolen money to buy luxury cars, jets, and designer goods, while also bribing a city official with tickets and cash for help appearing legitimate. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities from people claiming royal or elite status, verify the credentials of financial professionals independently, and never provide money or personal information based solely on someone's claims of wealth or connections.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-05-10
Scammers are increasingly using fake QR codes—a tactic called "quishing"—to trick people into visiting malicious websites that steal personal and financial information, often by placing these codes in everyday locations like parking lots, restaurants, and utility bills. Seniors and smartphone users are particularly vulnerable because they tend to scan QR codes without questioning them, and the hidden destination cannot be seen before scanning. To protect yourself, experts recommend carefully inspecting QR codes before scanning, verifying they're from legitimate sources, and being especially cautious with unexpected codes in public spaces or unsolicited packages.
buffalobulletin.com
· 2026-05-09
Digital scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and prevalent in Sheridan, with police reporting major losses including an $80,000 and $16,000 scam already in May alone. Residents are being targeted by various schemes including grandparent scams, bank impersonation, and tech support fraud, with scammers using fear and urgency as their primary tactic. Police advise anyone receiving aggressive or urgent demands over the phone to hang up immediately, as legitimate organizations will never pressure you to act instantly.
postandcourier.com
· 2026-05-09
Scammers steal an estimated $7 billion annually from seniors, with those living with dementia facing heightened vulnerability due to memory and judgment impairment. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is promoting S.A.F.E. tips—including solidifying security practices, applying blocking tools, and other protective measures—to help caregivers safeguard their loved ones from fraud and identity theft. Families should keep written reminders near phones and computers, use call-blocking technology, and regularly reinforce safety practices to help dementia patients recognize and resist scams.
smdailyjournal.com
· 2026-05-06
Americans are increasingly targeted by text message scams—with the FTC reporting $470 million lost to these schemes in 2024, more than five times the 2020 amount, and seniors losing $4.8 billion alone. Common scams include fake FasTrak toll notices, USPS delivery failures, bank fraud alerts, and court summons, with one person losing over $150,000 to a convincing phishing text. To protect yourself, never click links or QR codes in unsolicited texts, use your phone's "report spam" feature, and remember that legitimate companies like FasTrak and USPS don't request payment via text.
abc7chicago.com
· 2026-05-06
Scammers posing as bank officials and fake FBI agents are conducting sophisticated phone spoofing schemes that trick people into transferring thousands of dollars from their accounts. One Illinois woman lost $40,000 after criminals who had obtained her account details convinced her to move money to a "secured" account, and experts warn that thieves can gather banking information from the dark web or other sources before calling. Banks advise customers to never transfer money or provide access based on unsolicited calls, texts, or online requests, and to verify requests directly by calling their bank's official number.
usatoday.com
· 2026-05-06
Scammers are using a technique called "banking spoof calls" to trick people into transferring thousands of dollars by making their caller ID display legitimate bank phone numbers and impersonating bank representatives who already know account details. Victims have lost significant sums after being convinced to move money to supposedly "secure" accounts, with one Chase customer losing $40,000. To protect yourself, remember that banks will never ask for your username, password, or request that you move money or grant computer access—if you receive such a call, hang up and contact your bank directly using the number on your card or statement, and report any suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-05-05
# Summary
Banking spoof callers are impersonating legitimate financial institutions and law enforcement to trick customers into moving their money to fake "secured" accounts, with the FBI warning this is a growing problem. Two victims—Chase customer Jennifer Lichthardt who lost $40,000 and Huntington Bank customer Susie Allgood who lost $5,000—were convinced to transfer funds by scammers who had obtained their personal account information. Banks and the FTC urge customers to never transfer money in response to unsolicited calls or messages claiming to protect their accounts, as legitimate financial institutions do not make such requests.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-05
Scammers are targeting drivers nationwide with fake text messages claiming unpaid traffic violations and asking them to scan QR codes to pay small fees (around $6.99), but these messages are actually phishing attempts designed to steal payment information. The scam has affected residents across multiple states including New York, California, Texas, and others, and uses fake court notices with official-looking language and embedded QR codes to bypass security detection. To protect yourself, ignore these texts entirely—legitimate courts communicate through official mail, not unsolicited text messages—and never scan QR codes from unexpected sources.
english.elpais.com
· 2026-05-03
Fraud against Americans has reached unprecedented levels, with scammers operating from sophisticated call centers in countries like the Dominican Republic and using AI, scripts, and accomplices to impersonate relatives, lawyers, and government officials to steal money. In 2025 alone, the FBI recorded one million fraud complaints totaling $20.8 billion in losses—a dramatic increase from 49,000 reports and $18 million in losses in 2001—with vulnerable populations like elderly Americans and undocumented immigrants being primary targets. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming emergencies or legal issues, verify caller identities through official channels before sending money, and report suspected fraud to the FBI immediately.
theatlantic.com
· 2026-05-03
Advanced AI image-generation tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT Images 2.0 can now create highly realistic deepfakes of documents and alerts—including fake prescriptions, bank notifications, IDs, and passports—making them effective weapons for fraud and scams. The technology is particularly dangerous because it can accurately render text within images, a capability previous AI models struggled with, enabling criminals to deceive the general public through convincing forgeries. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected financial alerts or requests, verify communications through official channels directly, and stay informed about emerging deepfake technology so you can spot suspicious imagery.
dailyhodl.com
· 2026-05-01
A Charlotte, North Carolina woman lost $30,000 after scammers impersonated Bank of America employees, convincing her there was suspicious activity on her account and instructing her to withdraw cash and hand it to someone posing as a private investigator. At least five people in the area have reported similar schemes, with scammers using personal information and verification codes to appear legitimate. To protect yourself, remember that banks never ask you to withdraw cash or transfer money to a third party over the phone—if you receive such a call, hang up and contact your bank directly using the number on your card.
forbes.com
· 2026-05-01
Older adults lost over $7.5 billion to fraud last year, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics to pressure victims into quick decisions. AI-powered detection tools are emerging as a solution, with apps like Shield Seniors using machine learning to identify suspicious activity and alert caregivers or institutions in real time to stop scams before money is lost. Experts recommend implementing built-in verification steps during payment processes that force a deliberate pause, rather than relying on emails or alerts that can be easily missed.
en.cibercuba.com
· 2026-05-01
A mother and son in Miami were charged with exploiting an elderly woman for over three years—the son allegedly used her personal information to open fraudulent credit cards, make unauthorized purchases, and transfer funds from her bank accounts, while the mother, who worked as the victim's caregiver, knew about the crimes but failed to report them. The son faces up to 20 years in prison on charges including electronic fraud and identity theft, while the mother could receive up to three years for concealing the felony. To protect yourself, be cautious about who you allow into your home as a caregiver, monitor your financial accounts regularly, and report any suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
pandasecurity.com
· 2026-05-01
In 2025, Americans lost $929 million to romance and relationship fraud, with sugar baby scams being a major culprit where scammers pose as wealthy benefactors offering financial support but disappear after obtaining upfront fees, gift cards, or personal information from victims. These scams typically begin on dating apps and social media, using fake profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust quickly before moving conversations off-platform. To stay safe, be cautious of profiles promising easy money with no strings attached, avoid sharing personal information or paying upfront fees, and verify claims through independent research before engaging further.
inquirer.com
· 2026-04-30
Fraud losses hit a record $15.9 billion in 2025, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated fake websites, emails, and videos to target people on social media and through phishing attempts. Investment, romance, crypto, and impostor scams are the main culprits, with nearly 30% of victims reporting the scam started on social media. To protect yourself, question unsolicited offers, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or texts, access financial accounts only through official websites or apps you type directly into your browser, and trust your instincts if something seems off.
staradvertiser.com
· 2026-04-29
Hawaiian seniors over 60 lost over $55 million to online scams in 2025, with fake investments and cryptocurrency scams being the most common—representing a 65% increase from the previous year. One 93-year-old nearly fell victim to a tech support scam where a fraudster posed as Apple support, falsely claiming her computer was compromised and demanding she withdraw money to deposit in a cryptocurrency kiosk. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited tech support calls, never wire money or use cryptocurrency ATMs based on urgent phone requests, and always verify through official company channels before taking financial action.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-04-26
International students are increasingly being targeted by criminal organizations to become "money mules"—people who unknowingly or knowingly allow scammers to use their bank accounts to launder stolen money from fraud schemes. Criminals approach students through social media and messaging apps, offering them $200-500 Australian dollars (or a 10% commission) to open accounts or provide access, which the students often accept thinking it's harmless extra income, especially if they're planning to leave the country. To protect yourself: never allow anyone access to your bank accounts for money, be wary of unsolicited offers for easy money, and understand that you can face serious legal consequences if your account is used for money laundering, even if you didn't know the funds were stolen.
asatunews.co.id
· 2026-04-26
Law enforcement seized over $130 million in gold and indicted nearly two dozen individuals involved in an international fraud ring that has been targeting elderly Americans since at least 2018, with approximately 130 identified victims losing millions of dollars. The scammers used overseas call centers and mobile phones to deceive seniors into liquidating their assets and purchasing gold, with some victims losing over $2 million individually. Authorities warn that legitimate law enforcement will never request payments in gold or cryptocurrency, and urge seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited calls pressuring them to transfer assets.
readers.id
· 2026-04-26
Authorities have indicted 18 suspects involved in a global fraud network operating since 2018 that specifically targeted elderly Americans, convincing them to purchase gold bars as supposed asset protection, resulting in millions in losses across approximately 130 identified victims nationwide. The scheme primarily used overseas call centers in India to deceive seniors, with law enforcement recovering $130 million in gold and warning that once money is handed over, it's typically gone. To protect yourself, immediately hang up on suspicious calls claiming your accounts are compromised, never purchase gold or cryptocurrency based on unsolicited calls, and always verify information by calling your bank directly using official contact numbers.
m.dailyhunt.in
· 2026-04-26
U.S. law enforcement agencies have launched a coordinated crackdown against Southeast Asian criminal networks operating scam compounds in Burma and Cambodia that have defrauded Americans of billions of dollars through fake cryptocurrency investment platforms and impersonation schemes. The Department of Justice charged multiple individuals, seized over 503 fraudulent websites, restrained more than $700 million in cryptocurrency, and sanctioned scam operators involved in schemes where criminals pose as banks and law enforcement to steal victims' savings. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, verify the legitimacy of financial institutions through official channels before sending money, and never share personal or financial information with unknown contacts.
wpgtalkradio.com
· 2026-04-25
South Jersey drivers are being targeted by a fake text message scam that impersonates the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, claiming they have an unpaid toll and pressuring them to act quickly by clicking a link and entering their banking or credit card information. The scam uses official-looking logos and website design to appear legitimate, but once victims provide their personal and financial details, scammers can steal their money and use the information for identity theft or other fraud. To protect yourself, do not click links in unsolicited toll-related texts, and verify any toll notices by contacting the NJMVC directly through official channels rather than information provided in the message.
houstonchronicle.com
· 2026-04-25
The Lake Conroe Centennial Lions Club hosted a presentation by banking professionals Julie Leone and Jamie McBee on "Senior Fraud," highlighting that 1 in 10 elder adults experience financial abuse or fraud, with billions of dollars lost annually to scammers. The speakers, who have extensive banking experience, educated the community about how seniors are financially exploited and targeted by fraudsters. While the article doesn't provide specific advice, the presentation emphasized the importance of awareness about senior fraud vulnerabilities, suggesting that community education and engagement with financial institutions are key steps in protecting vulnerable populations.
yourconroenews.com
· 2026-04-25
The Lake Conroe Centennial Lions Club hosted a presentation by two First Financial Bank representatives who educated members about "Senior Fraud," revealing that 1 in 10 senior adults experience financial abuse or fraud, with billions lost annually. Scammers specifically target elderly individuals through various exploitation schemes. While the article doesn't provide specific advice, the presentation highlighted the importance of awareness, suggesting that seniors and their families should learn to recognize and protect themselves from financial fraud schemes.
justice.gov
· 2026-04-25
U.S. law enforcement has launched a major crackdown on Southeast Asian scam centers that have defrauded Americans of billions of dollars, securing criminal charges against two Chinese nationals operating cryptocurrency fraud compounds in Burma and Cambodia, seizing over 500 fake investment websites, and freezing more than $700 million in cryptocurrency tied to money laundering. The coordinated effort by the Department of Justice, Treasury, and State Department also targeted human trafficking recruitment networks used to staff these scam operations. Americans should be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency, and report suspected scams to law enforcement immediately.
bangkokpost.com
· 2026-04-25
A mother and son in Surat Thani were arrested for laundering over 4 billion baht in cryptocurrency funds for a Chinese scam network, operating a fake research consultancy company that converted stolen money into digital assets. The case originated from a US Homeland Security investigation into "pig butchering" romance-investment scams that defrauded thousands of victims internationally, with financial trails leading Thai police to identify the suspects as key players in Thailand's domestic money laundering network. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic or investment opportunities online, verify the legitimacy of investment platforms and companies, and report suspicious financial activity to authorities immediately.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-04-24
Scammers are impersonating Iranian authorities and sending fake messages to ship captains transiting the Strait of Hormuz, demanding cryptocurrency payments as "clearance fees" to safely pass through the region. At least one vessel reportedly paid the fake fee in Bitcoin or Tether but was still fired upon, confirming it was a scam. Ship owners and maritime companies should verify any payment demands through official Iranian channels and be extremely cautious about cryptocurrency payment requests, especially during geopolitical crises when communication confusion can be exploited.
wknofm.org
· 2026-04-23
Impersonation scams are now the most common fraud reported to the FTC, with criminals pretending to be government agencies, banks, or companies to steal money and personal information through convincing text messages and emails—the FTC recorded approximately 850,000 reports with nearly $3 billion in losses in 2024. To protect yourself, verify any unexpected contact by independently looking up official contact information, never send money or share personal details with unsolicited callers, avoid clicking links in suspicious messages, and remember that caller ID can be easily faked. For help checking a business's legitimacy or reporting scams, visit bbb.org or call 800-222-8754.
wmur.com
· 2026-04-23
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to impersonate people, create fake videos, and target consumers with personalized fraud schemes, with the FTC reporting over $5 billion lost to investment scams alone, plus hundreds of millions more lost to job and shopping scams. Pastor Alan Beauchamp experienced this firsthand when his hacked Facebook account was used to create a deepfake video promoting cryptocurrency in his likeness. To protect yourself, experts recommend enabling two-factor authentication, ignoring unsolicited urgent requests via email or phone, verifying contact through official channels before responding, and never sharing passwords or personal information with unknown contacts.
fij.ng
· 2026-04-23
Hackers in Nigeria are using a "Zoom code" tactic to steal WhatsApp accounts by calling victims and impersonating group members, claiming they need to share a verification code for an upcoming Zoom meeting—if victims share the code, hackers can take over their accounts and defraud their contacts. The scam particularly targets accounts without two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled, and one intended victim nearly fell for it before sharing her experience publicly. To protect yourself, never share verification codes sent to your phone with anyone, enable two-factor authentication on WhatsApp, and verify caller identities through independent contact methods before sharing sensitive information.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2026-04-22
A Philadelphia man has been charged with defrauding a 72-year-old victim of $13,000 through a bank impersonation scam, where the victim received fake text messages and calls claiming to be from his bank and the FBI, then was tricked into depositing money into an account controlled by the defendant. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to these increasingly sophisticated scams, so victims and their families should verify requests directly with their bank using official phone numbers, never move money based on unsolicited contact, and report suspicious communications to authorities immediately.
tribuneindia.com
· 2026-04-20
Senior citizens across India are losing their life savings to organized cyber criminals who impersonate government authorities like police, CBI, and customs officials in "digital arrest" scams, with over 1,23,000 cases reported in 2024 alone causing losses of Rs 1,935 crore. Scammers typically claim the victim's identity has been misused or an illegal parcel is in their name, then pressure them to transfer money while threatening arrest and demanding secrecy. To protect yourself, never trust unsolicited calls claiming to be from authorities, never transfer money based on phone threats, and immediately contact your bank or police if you receive such calls—no legitimate government agency conducts arrests via video calls.
tribuneindia.com
· 2026-04-20
Senior citizens across India are losing their life savings to organized cybercriminals who pose as government officials and law enforcement through phone and video calls, claiming arrest warrants or account misuse to extort money. In 2024 alone, over 123,000 digital arrest fraud cases resulted in losses of nearly Rs 1,935 crore, with total digital fraud losses exceeding Rs 54,000 crore since 2021. To protect yourself, never transfer money based on such calls, maintain open communication with family about these threats, and verify any official claims directly with actual authorities through official phone numbers.
nypost.com
· 2026-04-19
Senior citizens are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated scams, including the "phantom hacker/courier scheme" that costs Americans over $500 million annually, exemplified by a 76-year-old New Jersey man who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars after calling a number in a fake Norton antivirus email. These scams take various forms—from Medicare fraud and "grandparent" schemes to romance and IRS impersonation scams—and often go unreported because victims are embarrassed, making the true financial impact likely far greater than estimated. Banks and businesses need to take responsibility for enabling these schemes, and seniors should be cautious about unsolicited emails and calls requesting personal information or urgent wire transfers.
sumnercountysource.com
· 2026-04-19
Scammers are exploiting the Iran conflict to conduct fraud through imposter calls pretending to be banks or government agencies, romance scams involving military personnel supposedly deployed to Iran, and fake charities soliciting donations. These scams aim to steal money and personal information from victims by creating false urgency and credibility. To protect yourself, remember that government agencies never ask for financial information over the phone, be suspicious of online contacts asking for money, verify charities through ftc.gov/charity before donating, and report any suspected scams immediately to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
kanivatonga.co.nz
· 2026-04-19
Tonga's central bank has warned the public about a rising wave of romance scams targeting vulnerable people through social media and messaging apps, where scammers use fake identities to build emotional connections before manipulating victims into sending money or financial information. Common warning signs include declarations of love within days, requests for money tied to fabricated emergencies or travel costs, avoidance of video calls with excuses about working overseas, and pressure to move conversations to private encrypted apps. The bank advises people to remain vigilant and watch for red flags like requests for untraceable payments via cryptocurrency or gift cards, unusual investment offers, or requests for fees to claim supposed gifts.
foxnews.com
· 2026-04-19
Scammers don't need to hack into secure systems—instead, they exploit publicly available personal information sold by data brokers, including your address, phone number, age, and income details gathered from public records and voter registrations. A major 2024 case involved a Montreal-based scam operation that defrauded elderly Americans of over $21 million using simple spreadsheets of victim information purchased from commercial databases to identify targets for grandparent scams. To protect yourself, you should take steps to remove your personal information from data broker websites and be cautious of unsolicited calls asking for money, especially ones claiming urgency or family emergencies.
wisn.com
· 2026-04-18
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to create fake videos, voices, and impersonations to trick people into sending money, with consumers losing over $5 billion to investment scams and $750 million to job scams in recent years. Common schemes include fake bank calls, IRS emails, cryptocurrency promotions using deepfake videos, and fraudulent job listings where scammers ask for upfront equipment payments. To protect yourself, avoid responding to unsolicited communications via email, text, or phone calls, and verify requests directly with the organization using official contact information.
wesh.com
· 2026-04-17
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to impersonate people through fake videos, voices, and photos in order to trick victims into sending money, with Americans losing a record $12.5 billion to fraud schemes in recent years. The most common scams involve investment fraud (costing over $5 billion), job scams ($750 million), and impersonation of banks and government agencies. To protect yourself, avoid responding to unsolicited communications, hang up and independently call companies/agencies to verify requests, and never send money or personal information to unknown contacts—especially when they pressure you to act immediately.
yonkerstimes.com
· 2026-04-17
A 75-year-old Larchmont resident nearly lost $25,000 in a targeted phone scam where a fraudster impersonated a Bank of America representative and convinced her that her phone had been hacked. Police arrested two men who arrived to collect the cash in a "money mule" scheme, with both suspects facing felony charges including grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property. Authorities advise that banks never ask customers to withdraw cash and hand it to representatives, and anyone receiving such calls should hang up immediately and contact local police.
forbes.com
· 2026-04-15
AI-generated scams are rapidly increasing, with the FBI receiving over 22,000 complaints in 2025 reporting AI fraud losses exceeding $893 million, though experts believe the actual number is much higher since many victims don't report due to shame. Common scams include romance/confidence schemes, banking fraud, sextortion targeting teenagers, and deepfake job interview scams, with vulnerable populations like seniors, isolated individuals, and young adults being particularly targeted. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from people you know, verify requests through alternative channels before sharing personal information or funds, and report any suspected AI scams to authorities rather than staying silent out of embarrassment.
nypost.com
· 2026-04-14
iPhone users worldwide are being targeted by a phishing scam disguised as iCloud storage alerts, which trick victims into clicking malicious links that steal banking information and personal data for illegal resale. The fraudulent emails mimic Apple's branding and create urgency by claiming storage is full or accounts will close within 48 hours, prompting users to "upgrade" their accounts. To protect yourself, avoid clicking any links in unsolicited storage alerts, check your account directly through your phone's settings instead, and report suspicious emails to Apple.
wishtv.com
· 2026-04-14
AI-powered scams cost Americans $12.5 billion in 2024, with criminals using deepfakes and impersonation technology to target people through fake investment schemes ($5 billion lost), job listings ($750 million lost), and fraudulent messages from banks and government agencies. Victims of all ages and backgrounds were affected, from social media users to job seekers. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited urgent requests via email, text, or phone; hang up and call organizations directly using verified numbers; and never share passwords or personal information with unknown contacts.
m.dailyhunt.in
· 2026-04-12
AdultFriendFinder users face increasing risks from romance and phishing scams, where fraudsters pose as potential partners to steal personal information, money, or lure victims to malicious websites. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams now cause more financial losses than any other scam type, making vigilance especially important on adult dating sites that attract bad actors. Users should be wary of requests for money or personal information, suspicious off-site links, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails claiming to be from the platform.
1440wrok.com
· 2026-04-11
Scammers in the Chicago suburbs are posing as sheriff's deputies and calling residents with fake claims about missed jury duty, failed court appearances, or arrested loved ones—then demanding payment via gift cards, apps, or cryptocurrency. The Will County Sheriff's Office warns that real law enforcement will never call demanding payment over the phone, especially not in these forms, so residents should hang up and contact their local police department directly using a verified number if they receive such calls. The key to avoiding this scam is to slow down, verify the caller's identity independently, and remember that legitimate law enforcement doesn't pressure people into immediate payments.
kvoa.com
· 2026-04-11
A New York man has been convicted of money laundering after helping scammers steal nearly $1 million from elderly victims nationwide, including in Arizona, by funneling the stolen funds through cryptocurrency and offshore accounts. The scam operated by sending phishing emails, text messages, and fake pop-ups impersonating trusted companies like Apple, Microsoft, and PayPal, then tricking victims into believing their accounts were compromised or had received erroneous refunds so they would send their own money to the criminals. Elderly people should be cautious of unsolicited messages claiming account issues, never call numbers provided in suspicious communications, and verify directly with their bank or trusted companies through official channels before taking any action.
gov.ca.gov
· 2026-04-10
California authorities have charged organized crime groups for running a major identity theft and hospice fraud scheme that defrauded the state's Medi-Cal program in Los Angeles by stealing identities to bill for fraudulent hospice services. The scheme affected Medi-Cal members and cost taxpayers significant funds, with the investigation beginning in 2024 before recent federal regulation rollbacks. Californians should remain vigilant about protecting their personal information and identities, and report any suspicious activity related to their Medi-Cal benefits or hospice services to state authorities.
mashable.com
· 2026-04-10
Romance scams on AdultFriendFinder are increasingly common and costly, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that romance scams now cause more financial losses than any other scam type. Users on the adult dating site are vulnerable to various schemes including phishing attacks where scammers impersonate trusted sources to steal sensitive information and money. To stay safe, users should be aware of common scams, remain vigilant about their account activity, and avoid clicking suspicious links or sharing personal/financial information with unverified contacts.
ktvu.com
· 2026-04-09
A Chinese national named Jiandong Chen pleaded guilty to defrauding elderly Americans out of over $27 million through a sophisticated scam operation that used fake tech support calls, bank impersonations, and fake refund schemes to target seniors in their 70s and 80s. The scammers would contact victims via unsolicited calls and emails, convince them they were owed a refund, then "accidentally" overpay them and pressure them to wire the excess money back—which was actually the scammers' goal all along. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected refunds or tech support offers, never wire money to unknown sources, and hang up on unsolicited callers claiming to represent banks or retailers.