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256today.com
· 2026-06-25
Social media scams cost Americans $2.1 billion last year, with fraudsters using fake investment schemes, phishing attacks disguised as party invitations, and counterfeit shopping ads to steal money and personal information across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited friend requests, investment promises offering "guaranteed" returns, and suspicious links in messages or texts—verify requests directly with contacts and use strong, unique passwords for your accounts.
money.com
· 2026-06-25
A criminal group called "Outsider" has been using AI to create thousands of fake websites and send millions of deceptive text messages impersonating mobile carriers, banks, and delivery services, resulting in $1.9 billion in losses since July 2023. The scam typically lures victims to counterfeit sites through texts about expiring rewards or undelivered packages, where they're tricked into entering banking credentials and one-time passwords that fraudsters use to steal their information. To protect yourself, verify any alerts by contacting your bank or carrier directly using official phone numbers, never click links in unsolicited texts, and be skeptical of urgent requests to log in or claim prizes.
bbc.com
· 2026-06-25
If you've been scammed, the article advises staying calm and acting quickly—contact your bank immediately to potentially stop the transaction and freeze compromised accounts. You should gather all details about the scam (scammer contact info, what information you shared, money lost, and payment method) and report it to the appropriate authorities: call 101 or your local police if the scammer is nearby or payment was recent, Report Fraud (0300 123 2040) if you're in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, or Police Scotland if you're in Scotland. Getting a crime reference number from these reports can help your bank assist with recovery.
positivelyosceola.com
· 2026-06-24
Senator Ashley Moody has introduced the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act to combat the rising tide of financial fraud targeting older Americans, proposing to create specialized Elder Justice Task Forces that coordinate efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency, online fraud, and impersonation schemes because they often have substantial retirement savings and established credit. The legislation would expand federal grant funding to give investigators better tools and resources to prosecute criminals exploiting older adults.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2026-06-24
The U.S. Department of Justice seized cloud computing infrastructure used by Cambodia's Huione Group, a Telegram-based marketplace that allegedly laundered billions in cryptocurrency stolen through fraud schemes and facilitated trade in stolen financial data. The action targets the technical backbone of crypto crime networks rather than individual bad actors, as cybercrime losses hit $21 billion in 2025, with crypto investment fraud alone accounting for $7.2 billion. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, never send money to unfamiliar cryptocurrency platforms or escrow services, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-23
Scam texts targeting older adults, particularly those with memory issues like dementia, are causing significant financial losses—one 81-year-old woman was charged over $5,000 by a political campaign after clicking malicious links, though the charges were eventually refunded. The article provides guidance on protecting vulnerable seniors by adjusting phone settings, carrier account controls, and payment restrictions to make risky texts and unauthorized purchases harder to complete while still allowing them to use their phones normally. Key steps include enabling text filters, restricting contacts to known numbers, setting up bank alerts, and tightening payment settings to prevent surprise charges.
fox9.com
· 2026-06-23
DoorDash drivers in Minnesota are being targeted by scammers who place fake orders, then call posing as company support staff to trick drivers into sharing account information. Once they gain access, the scammers drain the drivers' earnings and savings—in one case stealing over $400 from a driver named Donna Olheiser. To protect yourself, never share account verification information over the phone, and contact DoorDash directly through the official app or website if you have questions about your account or orders.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-23
Over 88,000 elderly Americans fall victim to fraud annually, with Florida ranking second nationally for elder fraud cases—costing seniors over $293 million in losses in 2023 alone. One Martin County couple lost their home, car, and life savings totaling $141,000 to a years-long sweepstakes scam, ultimately becoming homeless. To protect yourself or loved ones, be wary of unsolicited contact, urgent demands for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, claims of prize winnings, and any requests that seem too good to be true.
sg.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-23
Precious metals company Monetary Gold is partnering with law enforcement in New Jersey to warn seniors and vulnerable Americans about courier scams, where criminals impersonate government agencies or banks to pressure victims into purchasing gold and silver or handing over cash and valuables to couriers at their homes. These sophisticated scams use fear and urgency tactics, often falsely claiming bank account compromise or identity theft to convince victims to act quickly and avoid contacting family or authorities. The key warning: legitimate government agencies, law enforcement, banks, or precious metals companies will never instruct you to buy gold, withdraw retirement funds, or give valuables to a courier—if they do, it's a scam.
bbc.com
· 2026-06-22
A record four million fraud cases were reported in the UK last year, with scammers using tactics like fake "Hi Mum" text messages requesting money, phishing links disguised as delivery notifications, and romance scams to steal banking details and cash. The article highlights that anyone can fall victim—even savvy individuals—and advises people to protect themselves by typing website addresses directly rather than clicking links, never sharing One-Time Passcodes with callers, and being skeptical of urgent requests for money or personal information from unknown sources.
itwire.com
· 2026-06-22
Online fraud victims in St. Louis and beyond are increasingly turning to lawsuits to recover losses from scams—particularly romance and investment schemes that use fake dashboards and emotional manipulation to extract money through escalating wire transfers and cryptocurrency purchases. These "pig butchering" and investment grooming frauds typically involve scammers building trust with victims over time, then blocking withdrawals and demanding fake "taxes" or compliance fees before victims realize the gains were fabricated. Affected individuals are pursuing legal action to identify liable parties (including financial platforms that routed funds) and recover damages after traditional dispute methods fail, so victims should document all communications, transaction records, and warning signs they missed, and consult with a lawyer experienced in fraud recovery to understand their options.
cnet.com
· 2026-06-21
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to generate personalized, convincing emails and phishing campaigns that exploit urgency and trust—particularly targeting authors with fake book club offers, though the tactics affect people across all industries. These AI-powered scams can lead to stolen funds, identity theft, malware infections, and extortion, making them harder to spot than traditional scams. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails with suspicious praise or job offers, watch for red flags like all-caps text and generic personalization, verify organizations directly through official websites before clicking links, and never provide personal or financial information to unverified sources.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-06-20
Cybercrime in Asia and the South Pacific has grown so rapidly that it now rivals traditional crime, with organized scam operations accounting for over 30% of all recorded crime in more than half of surveyed countries. The threats are evolving fast—criminals are increasingly using AI, ransomware, sophisticated phishing schemes, and infostealer malware to steal credentials and launch attacks on digital banking and financial platforms. To protect yourself, be wary of phishing emails, use strong unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unexpected files.
chase.com
· 2026-06-19
AI-enabled scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using deepfake audio and video to impersonate trusted contacts and personalize attacks at scale, posing a threat to consumers' personal information and financial security. While traditional scams relied on obvious red flags like poor spelling, these AI-powered schemes can be highly convincing, though banks are fighting back with advanced machine learning systems that monitor accounts in real time and analyze transaction patterns to block suspicious activity. To protect yourself, stay alert for urgency tactics, verify requests through independent contact methods, and take advantage of identity theft monitoring services that scan for your information on the dark web and credit reports.
aol.com
· 2026-06-19
Older adults lost $7.748 billion to scammers in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year—according to an IRS warning, with common fraud schemes including investment fraud, government impersonation calls, identity theft, and romance scams. The IRS emphasized that nearly 97% of prosecuted elder fraud cases result in convictions and urged seniors to protect themselves by monitoring accounts, avoiding suspicious links, verifying callers' identities, and never sending money to unknown people. Those who suspect fraud can report it at IRS.gov or contact the Washington D.C. Field Office directly.
krebsonsecurity.com
· 2026-06-18
# Summary
The Popa Android botnet has compromised millions of consumer TV boxes over four years, routing Internet traffic through infected devices for advertising fraud, account takeovers, and data scraping—activities now linked to NetNut, a residential proxy service operated by publicly-traded Israeli firm Alarum Technologies Ltd. Security researchers traced control domains used by Popa to Ninjatech, a company whose sole owner is Moishi Kramer, who serves as vice president of research and development at NetNut. The botnet typically infects unofficial streaming TV boxes sold online that promise access to subscription services but come pre-loaded with malware that turns users' home networks into compromised proxy servers.
irs.gov
· 2026-06-17
The IRS Criminal Investigation division is warning of a sharp rise in fraud targeting elderly Americans, with 161 new cases opened in the past 18 months and over $885 million in alleged fraud from 2021-2026. Common schemes involve criminals using deceptive tactics to steal money and personal information from seniors, with nearly 97% of prosecuted cases resulting in convictions and average prison sentences of four years. Older adults and their family members are encouraged to stay vigilant, report suspected fraud to their local IRS Criminal Investigation office, and not feel embarrassed about falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.
students.carleton.ca
· 2026-06-17
Job posting scams often lure job seekers by impersonating legitimate employers through spoofed emails and fake application processes, then direct victims to personal messaging platforms to request banking information or personal details. Warning signs include communications from non-official email addresses, lack of a real interview process, requests to share sensitive financial information upfront, and pressure to move conversations off official channels. To protect yourself, verify employer legitimacy through official websites and contact information, never share personal or banking details via email alone, and insist on conducting interviews through live video or phone calls with the organization.
pymnts.com
· 2026-06-17
Google filed a civil lawsuit against Outsider Enterprise, a China-based criminal network accused of using AI tools like Gemini to mass-produce phishing websites at an unprecedented scale—creating over 9,000 fake sites and 1.5 million fraudulent URLs designed to steal banking credentials and personal data. The scam primarily targeted Android users through deceptive text messages mimicking bank alerts and package deliveries, with the operation generating more than two complaints per minute during peak activity. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited texts from banks or delivery services, never click links in these messages, and instead contact companies directly using verified phone numbers or official apps to confirm any alerts.
pcmag.com
· 2026-06-16
Scammers are increasingly using AI to launch sophisticated social engineering attacks through popular messaging apps, SMS, and email, making fraudulent messages nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications. According to Fraud.org's 2025 report, internet-based scams now surpass phone calls as scammers' primary contact method, with phishing and spoofing attacks nearly doubling year-over-year. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited messages about deliveries or requests from contacts, verify suspicious communications through independent channels, and avoid clicking links or sharing information with unverified senders.
floridapolitics.com
· 2026-06-15
Florida seniors face growing threats from sophisticated cybercriminals using AI, cryptocurrency, and the dark web to commit identity theft and financial fraud. While Congress considers the CLARITY Act to help law enforcement combat these crimes, the author warns that the bill contains problematic exemptions that would allow certain cryptocurrency intermediaries to avoid the anti-money laundering oversight that traditional banks must follow, potentially making it easier for criminals to hide their tracks. The recommendation is for Congress to strengthen the bill by removing these exemptions and requiring crypto platforms to meet the same transparency and reporting standards as banks in order to better protect vulnerable seniors.
uk.pcmag.com
· 2026-06-15
Many people receive numerous scam and spam texts daily, often from numbers obtained through data breaches and sold on the dark web. The article recommends enabling built-in message filtering features on both iOS and Android phones—which automatically sort unknown senders into separate folders—and remaining skeptical of any unsolicited messages, especially those containing links or requests for money or personal information. Users should only trust messages from saved contacts and be particularly wary of "wrong number scams" where scammers pose as acquaintances or romantic interests to build trust before requesting money or pushing investments.
pcmag.com
· 2026-06-15
Many people receive numerous unwanted scam texts daily because their phone numbers were leaked in data breaches and sold on the dark web. The good news is that both iPhone and Android phones have built-in message filtering features—often turned off by default—that automatically sort messages from unknown senders into separate folders, helping you avoid clicking malicious links. To protect yourself, enable these filters in your phone's settings, stay skeptical of messages from unknown numbers, and never click links or respond to unsolicited texts, especially those offering deals or romantic opportunities, as scammers use these tactics to steal money or personal information.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-15
Home title fraud occurs when criminals use forged documents and stolen personal information to illegally transfer ownership of your property, often targeting vacant or rental homes where owners are less likely to notice. Victims typically discover the fraud only after receiving foreclosure notices or unexpected legal documents. To protect yourself, safeguard personal information by shredding sensitive documents, regularly check your local deed records and credit reports for unauthorized activity, and never sign documents under pressure or from someone completing paperwork on your behalf.
thisismoney.co.uk
· 2026-06-15
Scammers stole nearly £1.3 billion from UK victims last year, with fraud cases surging 11% to over 4 million as criminals exploited weaknesses in online systems and social media platforms. Investment scams and "authorized push payment" frauds—where victims are tricked into transferring money directly to criminals—hit record levels, with losses rising 19% to £576 million. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment offers and money transfer requests, verify requests through official channels before sending funds, and report suspicious activity to your bank immediately, as they can only refund 88% of losses despite protection rules.
fijisun.com.fj
· 2026-06-14
Smartphones have become prime targets for cybercriminals because they now function as digital wallets, banks, and repositories of personal information, making them attractive entry points for attacks. The article warns that criminals exploit people's trust through deceptive text messages and fake websites designed to trick users into clicking malicious links or downloading harmful software. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited messages claiming urgent action is needed, verify links before clicking, and avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources.
shawlocal.com
· 2026-06-13
Romance and investment scams are draining millions from northern Illinois residents, with the FBI reporting over $20 billion lost to scammers nationwide in 2025. Recent local cases include a Kane County resident losing $648,000 to a fake investor met on Bumble who lured them into cryptocurrency investments, and a Huntley man with intellectual disabilities losing $8,000 and vehicle parts to a scammer posing as an attractive woman on a dating app. Law enforcement advises residents to avoid clicking unfamiliar links, responding to unknown contacts, and be especially wary of romance or investment opportunities initiated online, as well as suspicious travel deals and unsolicited money demands.
businessday.ng
· 2026-06-13
Carlos Barragán's book "The Yahoo Boys" documents the reality of romance scams through the stories of Nigerian scammers like "Biggy," who earned approximately $30,000 over a decade by posing as women online to build trust with lonely victims—primarily men in the United States—before requesting money through fabricated emergencies. The book reveals how these scams operate through patience and emotional manipulation rather than single large thefts, affecting vulnerable people seeking genuine connections while showing the economic desperation that drives perpetrators in Lagos. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who quickly build intimacy, request money for emergencies, or resist video calls, and verify identities through reverse image searches before developing emotional or financial commitments.
blog.knowbe4.com
· 2026-06-13
AI-powered fraud is now the most common type of fraud, with criminals using AI tools to create fake documents, deepfake videos, and synthetic identities at industrial scale with minimal effort. Online dating and entertainment platforms are particularly vulnerable, with fraudsters using AI-generated profile photos and fake identity documents to conduct romance scams and catfishing schemes. To protect yourself, be cautious of new online connections—especially those asking for money or personal information—and use dating platforms that employ strong identity verification and deepfake detection technologies.
forbes.com
· 2026-06-13
In 2024, Americans lost $470 million to text scams (also called "smishing"), which are fraudulent messages designed to trick people into clicking malicious links, sharing personal information, or sending money. Common scams include fake package delivery notifications, fake bank alerts, and fake job offers, and they're becoming increasingly difficult to detect as scammers use AI technology. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited texts, avoid clicking suspicious links, verify contact information independently, enable spam filters on your phone, and report suspected scams to 7726 (SPAM) and the Federal Trade Commission.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-12
Scammers are targeting older adults with "grandparent scams" that use AI voice-cloning technology and stolen personal data to impersonate family members in distress and request urgent money transfers, resulting in over $5 million in reported losses in 2025 alone. The scams exploit three key pieces of information (date of birth, last four Social Security digits, and mailing address) that have been exposed in numerous data breaches and are commonly used for identity verification at banks and financial institutions. To protect yourself, verify unexpected urgent requests by contacting family members directly through known phone numbers, be skeptical of time-pressure tactics, and never transfer money based on emotional appeals or unfamiliar callers, even if they sound like someone you know.
valdostatoday.com
· 2026-06-12
The IRS is warning seniors about a surge in financial fraud, with losses reaching $7.748 billion in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year. Older adults are targeted through various schemes including government impersonation, fake investments, identity theft, and romance scams across phone calls, email, and social media. To protect themselves, seniors should verify any unexpected contact through official phone numbers and never send money via gift cards or wire transfers to unknown parties.
tech-ish.com
· 2026-06-12
Kenyan consumers lost significant money to digital fraud in 2025, with nearly 40% of reported losses coming from scams on legitimate shopping platforms where fraudsters pose as third-party sellers and disappear after taking payment. While Kenya's overall fraud rate (2.3%) is below the global average, victims here suffer the highest median losses in Africa at over 108,000 Kenyan shillings. Consumers should be cautious when buying from individual sellers on trusted platforms—verify seller credentials, use secure payment methods, and check reviews before completing transactions.
wbay.com
· 2026-06-10
The Calumet County Sheriff's Office warns residents that scammers use psychological tactics like creating urgency, demanding secrecy, and requesting unusual payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers) to defraud people of all ages and backgrounds. To protect yourself, don't answer calls from unknown numbers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly using official contact information, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, and consult trusted friends or family if something feels suspicious. If you've been scammed, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to law enforcement.
wilcosun.com
· 2026-06-10
Anne Marshall lost her life savings to a tech support scam that began with a fake pop-up warning about expired Geek Squad support, which she called to dispute—giving scammers remote access to her computer and leading to escalating demands for money. Her story, shared at a Sun City community fundraiser breakfast, highlights a widespread problem affecting approximately 50,000 Americans annually, with victims over 50 accounting for more than half of all scam losses totaling $20.9 billion in 2025. Residents should be cautious of unsolicited pop-ups and calls, avoid granting remote access to their computers, and remember that scammers deliberately target people when they're tired or busy—falling victim doesn't mean you're stupid, according to law enforcement.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2026-06-08
New Jersey lawmakers are advancing legislation that would increase criminal penalties for identity theft and fraud targeting seniors and military veterans, with some offenses potentially upgraded to first-degree crimes carrying up to 20 years in prison. The bill was prompted by a case where a man fraudulently used a combat veteran's military discharge documents for personal gain, highlighting gaps in current protections. If you're a senior or veteran, protect yourself by monitoring your credit reports regularly, safeguarding your personal documents (especially military discharge papers), and reporting suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
realtor.com
· 2026-06-08
A woman in Utah lost nearly $850,000 in a sophisticated romance scam that began with a fake LinkedIn message from someone posing as an oil rig engineer named "Pedro." The scam is part of a larger trend called "pig butchering" where international fraud rings (often based in Nigeria and Ghana) use stolen photos or AI-generated faces to build trust with victims before manipulating them into fake investments. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances on professional platforms, verify identities independently, and never send money to people you've only met online.
cnet.com
· 2026-06-08
Scammers are using an unexpected twist on package theft: they're *leaving* phones on victims' doorsteps as part of an identity theft scheme. When unsuspecting recipients activate these free phones and enter personal information, the devices lock up, giving criminals access to sensitive data. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected package deliveries, verify any requests to return items directly with your carrier by calling their official number, and never activate devices you didn't order or enter personal information into unfamiliar phones.
sfchronicle.com
· 2026-06-08
Scammers are impersonating Indian consulate staff in the Bay Area, calling residents and claiming they need to pick up documents or that their phone number is linked to criminal activity in India—a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam targeting Indian immigrants and visa applicants. The fraudsters use local San Francisco area codes to appear legitimate and pressure victims into providing personal information or money to "prove their innocence." Residents should hang up immediately if they receive such calls, verify any consulate communications directly through official channels, and report suspected scams to local authorities rather than engaging with the callers.
azbigmedia.com
· 2026-06-08
Norton's cybersecurity team has identified 10 common scams expected to surge this summer, including AI-powered voice cloning for imposter schemes, deepfake romance fraud, reservation hijacking, and fake booking websites that mimic legitimate platforms. Scammers target distracted summer travelers who are spending more on travel and tickets and clicking links without verification. To stay safe, consumers should verify links before clicking, be skeptical of unsolicited contact, and use real-time security protection tools to defend against these evolving threats.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-07
A woman named Anola Johnson fell victim to a sophisticated romance scam in 2023 after being contacted by a fake person on LinkedIn, ultimately losing nearly all her savings—approximately $850,000—after being manipulated into making fraudulent investments over nine months. Romance scams, which often blend with investment schemes and are perpetrated by organized teams primarily operating from countries like Nigeria and Ghana, steal at least $2.1 billion annually and are vastly underreported because victims feel ashamed. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited messages from strangers on professional platforms like LinkedIn, verify the identity of people you meet online before discussing finances, and never invest money based on advice from someone you've only met digitally.
technobezz.com
· 2026-06-07
Millions of people fall victim to crypto investment scams engineered by professionals, and if you've lost money, the most critical immediate action is preventing additional losses by refusing requests for fees or taxes to "unlock" funds. You should quickly report the scam to your bank, wire transfer services (MoneyGram: 1-800-666-3947, Western Union: 1-800-325-6000), and official channels like the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, keeping copies of all confirmation numbers, though wired money is rarely recoverable once collected. The article emphasizes that reporting is free and important even if recovery seems unlikely, as it helps law enforcement track criminals, and seniors age 60+ can get assistance through the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311).
sfchronicle.com
· 2026-06-06
Apple's Lost Mode feature, designed to help recover stolen iPhones by displaying a recovery phone number, has become a tool for scammers who contact the number to intimidate victims into unlinking their Apple ID from the device. Thieves use the feature to obtain victims' contact information, then send threatening messages impersonating Apple support or making violent threats to pressure owners into removing security protections that make the phone valuable. To protect yourself, avoid displaying your primary phone number in Lost Mode; instead use an alternative contact number, and be aware that Apple will never ask you to unlink your Apple ID via unsolicited messages.
prnewswire.com
· 2026-06-06
Norton's 2026 Summer Scam Forecast identifies the top 10 scams expected to surge between now and Labor Day, including AI-powered imposter fraud, reservation hijacking, and deepfake-based romance schemes that exploit summer travelers' distraction and increased spending on travel and tickets. Summer is particularly vulnerable to scams because people are distracted, more likely to click confirmation links hastily, and spending more money on vacations and entertainment. To stay safe, consumers should verify links before clicking, be skeptical of unsolicited contacts claiming to be from banks or services, and use additional security measures like multi-factor authentication when booking travel or making purchases online.
newsroom.gendigital.com
· 2026-06-06
Norton's 2026 Summer Scam Forecast warns that scammers increasingly target consumers during summer months when people are distracted and spending more on travel and entertainment, using sophisticated AI tools like voice cloning and deepfakes to make their schemes more convincing. The analysis of millions of blocked scam attacks identified 10 prevalent scam types expected to surge this summer, including reservation hijacking and lookalike booking websites. To protect yourself, Norton recommends being cautious with confirmation links, verifying booking sites directly rather than through search ads, and considering security tools that provide real-time threat protection.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-06
Norton's 2026 Summer Scam Forecast identifies the top 10 scams expected to surge between now and Labor Day, including AI-powered imposter fraud, reservation hijacking, package delivery scams, and gambling fraud—with imposter scams jumping 144% last summer compared to other times of year. Scammers exploit summer distractions when people are traveling, spending more money, and clicking links without checking, while new threats like voice cloning and deepfakes make fraudulent calls and romance scams harder to detect. To stay safe, remain skeptical of unexpected calls or messages from "family" or government agencies, verify booking confirmations through official websites rather than links in emails, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages—especially during travel season.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2026-06-06
Investment fraud cost Americans $6.57 billion in 2024, making it the costliest category of online crime, with attackers targeting brokerage and cryptocurrency accounts through stolen passwords and account takeovers rather than market manipulation. Most compromises begin when passwords reused across multiple sites get exposed in data breaches, allowing criminals to access financial accounts and steal funds or manipulate trades. To protect yourself, use unique, strong passwords for each financial account, monitor breach notification sites like Cybernews, and treat your brokerage security with the same rigor you apply to investment strategy.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-06-06
Sophisticated scammers are targeting Canadians using tactics like spoofing bank phone numbers and impersonating financial institutions to trick victims into handing over banking information and physical cards, resulting in thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges. One 78-year-old victim lost nearly $14,000 in a four-hour con that caused severe physical and emotional stress, and banks are often refusing to cover losses by claiming customers willingly shared their information. To protect yourself, verify caller identity through official bank channels rather than callback numbers provided by the caller, be suspicious of urgent threats about compromised accounts, and never hand over physical cards or banking credentials to anyone claiming to be from your bank.
irs.gov
· 2026-06-05
A Jamaican national named Jordan Trought has pleaded guilty to leading an international sweepstakes scam that defrauded over 200 elderly American victims of more than $9 million between 2015 and 2025. The scheme involved scammers calling or texting victims claiming they had won money and prizes, then convincing them to pay "taxes" or "fees" upfront and in some cases gaining access to their bank accounts to steal additional funds. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls or texts about sweepstakes winnings, never pay upfront fees to claim a prize, and verify any legitimate prize claims by contacting the official company directly.
cnet.com
· 2026-06-05
Consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud last year—a 25% increase from the previous year—with social media account takeovers being the top threat, affecting an estimated 35% of the public in 2025. Fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated tactics including password theft, impersonation scams, and identity theft to steal money and personal information from victims and their contacts. To protect yourself, experts recommend being alert to suspicious messages from contacts who seem "off," verifying requests through alternative channels before sharing personal information, and reporting compromised accounts immediately to the platform.