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in Tech Support Scams
forbes.com
· 2026-07-25
Fraud targeting older Americans has become a critical retirement security issue, with reported property crimes against seniors jumping 62% between 2015 and 2025, and the FBI receiving over 201,000 fraud complaints from people 60+ in 2025 alone—with average losses exceeding $38,000 per victim. Common scams affecting retirees include investment fraud, romance scams, fake tech support, government impersonation, and "grandparent scams" where criminals pose as family members in distress. To protect themselves, seniors should verify requests for money through independent contact with family members, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, never give remote access to their computer to unknown callers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wired.com
· 2026-07-25
Over two dozen suspected scam compounds have been rapidly built or expanded in Myanmar's Myawaddy region since early this year, with satellite imagery revealing that criminal operations are thriving despite a purported crackdown the previous year. These sites, typically operated by Chinese organized crime groups, are responsible for billions of dollars in global fraud schemes—including romance and cryptocurrency scams—that primarily target victims in the US, and they rely heavily on coerced labor from human trafficking victims lured by false job promises. To protect yourself, remain vigilant against unsolicited contact on social media, be skeptical of online romance prospects that quickly escalate emotionally or financially, and never send money or cryptocurrency to people you haven't met in person or trust implicitly.
forbes.com
· 2026-07-25
American consumers lost a record $15.9 billion to scams in 2024, with actual losses potentially exceeding $195 billion when accounting for underreporting, according to the FTC. Adding to victims' hardship, a 2017 tax law change eliminated theft loss deductions for most scam victims—particularly those who fall for imposter or romance scams—meaning they now owe income taxes on stolen money and face additional 10% penalties if they raided retirement accounts. A new proposed House bill aims to restore tax relief for scam victims by reinstating these deductions.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-25
An elderly Wisconsin woman lost her life savings of $135,200 to a tech support scam that began with a fake Microsoft security warning on her computer in October 2024. Scammers impersonating Microsoft and her bank convinced her that fraudulent charges needed to be reversed, instructing her to make gift card purchases, Bitcoin transfers, and cash withdrawals over nearly a month, claiming the money would be protected in an escrow account. A suspect named Tao Wu was arrested when he arrived to collect cash from her home and received 2½ years in prison, though authorities discovered he was only the collector—the actual scammers behind the calls remain at large, highlighting how these schemes often involve multiple perpetrators working together.
wbur.org
· 2026-07-24
New York Times reporter Carlos Barragán discovered an organized romance scam network operating from Nigeria after his own mother fell victim to one of these schemes, prompting him to travel there and investigate. The scammers, known as "Yahoo Boys," target vulnerable and lonely people seeking emotional connection, causing serious emotional and financial harm to victims across the globe. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly toward declarations of love or requests for money, verify the identity of people you meet online, and be skeptical of romantic interests who claim to need financial help or have sudden emergencies.
cohousedems.com
· 2026-07-24
Starting August 12, 2026, two new Colorado laws take effect to protect vulnerable residents from fraud and financial exploitation. HB26-1017 redirects criminal restitution payments away from insurance companies and back to actual crime victims, while HB26-1110 specifically helps prevent older and vulnerable Coloradans from being scammed. These laws ensure that restitution funds—money criminals must pay back—go directly to people harmed by crime rather than to insurance companies, helping victims rebuild their lives rather than getting trapped in cycles of unpayable debt.
sheridanmedia.com
· 2026-07-24
Americans lost over $20.9 billion to internet crimes in 2025, with investment scams and cryptocurrency fraud causing the most damage, while seniors aged 60 and older were hit particularly hard, losing $7.7 billion. Common scam tactics include phishing emails and texts that trick people into clicking malicious links, paying via gift cards (which are hard to trace), and making wire transfers, often with scammers keeping victims on the phone to prevent them from listening to bank employees' warnings. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited messages demanding immediate action, never use gift cards or wire transfers for payments as requested by strangers, and listen to your bank's fraud warnings even if a caller pressures you to ignore them.
forbes.com
· 2026-07-24
Pig butchering scams—a form of financial fraud where scammers build trust with victims over weeks or months before persuading them to invest large sums in cryptocurrency—have caused an estimated $15 billion in losses and are increasingly targeting business leaders and employees through LinkedIn and other social platforms. Scammers use fake personas, facial AI technology, and impersonation of trusted figures like executives or investment partners to deceive victims into sending money in installments. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment conversations from unfamiliar contacts on professional networks, verify the identity of anyone requesting financial decisions through independent channels (not just video calls), and educate your team about these tactics through company security training.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2026-07-24
Romance scams have evolved into a highly industrialized global operation using AI-generated fake identities, automated conversations, and cryptocurrency to target vulnerable people at scale. Scammers use AI to create convincing profiles and deepfake videos, then build trust before pushing victims toward fake cryptocurrency investment platforms—a tactic called "pig butchering"—resulting in over $11 billion in cryptocurrency fraud losses in 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of online dating matches who quickly push investment opportunities, verify identities through video calls with trusted contacts, never send money to strangers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-07-24
Southeast Asian criminal networks cost victims between $88-114 billion in 2025 through interconnected scam operations, including romance scams and investment fraud, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency. The UN reports that these formerly independent syndicates have merged into a sophisticated, transnational operation offering specialized services like money laundering and data harvesting. To protect themselves, people should be wary of unsolicited investment and romance opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency, and authorities need better training to trace criminal funds through digital channels.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2026-07-23
Seniors in San Diego County are losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to fraud schemes that use impersonation, urgency, and increasingly AI technology—with victims 60 and older nationally reporting over $7.75 billion in losses in 2025, a 59% increase from the previous year. The article urges Congress to pass H.R. 2478, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, which would allow banks to temporarily pause suspicious withdrawals to prevent exploitation. Actionable steps include contacting your senators to support this legislation and being cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, and emails claiming to be from grandchildren, banks, or government agencies, especially those creating a sense of urgency.
wausaupilotandreview.com
· 2026-07-23
A Chicago man named Tao Wu was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for orchestrating a scam that stole over $135,000 from an elderly Marathon County woman's life savings. Wu received a total sentence of 7½ years (split between prison time and extended supervision) and was ordered to pay restitution, maintain employment, and avoid contact with the victim. Elderly residents should be cautious of unsolicited financial requests and contact from strangers, verify requests through independent means, and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-23
Older adults in South Florida are increasingly targeted by scams—including romance schemes, fake tech support calls, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud—which can devastate those living on fixed incomes where even small losses affect their ability to afford housing, food, and medications. A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam where a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor to gain her trust and money. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take preventive steps to protect themselves, such as watching for common scam tactics and being cautious about unfamiliar technology and unsolicited contacts.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-07-22
# Summary
A 39-year-old Chinese national, Didi Zou, was arrested in June for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated internet fraud scheme that defrauded an elderly Buffalo-area woman of $360,000 in life savings and inherited assets. Using fake Microsoft security alerts and posing as an IRS agent, Zou tricked the victim into transferring $20,000 in cash and gold coins/bullion to "protect" her funds from supposed hackers. Zou faces federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was ordered held in custody pending trial.
aol.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers increase their activity during summer months by targeting vacation planning and recreational spending, exploiting opportunities when people share personal information and make purchases online. Common summer scams include vacation rental fraud and impostor schemes, with Americans losing $3.5 billion to impostor scams alone in 2025. To protect yourself, stay vigilant about verifying the legitimacy of vacation rental hosts, avoid making impulse purchases, and be cautious about sharing personal details during summer travel planning.
techround.co.uk
· 2026-07-22
Pig butchering scams are a rapidly growing form of fraud that have cost victims over $10 billion globally, in which criminals spend weeks or months building trust with victims through social media, messaging apps, and dating platforms before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency schemes. Unlike traditional scams that rely on urgency, these sophisticated scams operate as a slow "grooming process" designed to gradually extract larger amounts of money from victims who believe they're developing genuine relationships or legitimate investment opportunities. To protect yourself, be cautious of new online contacts who seem unusually friendly and interested in discussing investments, and avoid sharing financial information or sending money to anyone you haven't met in person or verified through official channels.
nbcdfw.com
· 2026-07-22
A Dallas senior center held technology classes to teach older adults how to identify and avoid online scams, after many seniors reported being targeted by fraudsters through malicious emails and phishing links. Participants learned how to spot scam emails, use apps safely, and shop online securely, with some receiving free computers and tablets to practice on. The takeaway for seniors: be cautious when opening emails from unfamiliar sources, verify sender identities before clicking links, and take advantage of local tech training programs to build digital literacy skills.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-22
A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam in which a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor and eventually separated her from money—a scheme emblematic of the growing threat seniors face across South Florida. Older adults living on fixed incomes are increasingly targeted by various scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, Medicare fraud, and romance schemes, with even small financial losses potentially jeopardizing their ability to afford housing, utilities, medication, and care. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take protective steps such as staying alert to common scam tactics, being cautious with technology, and verifying the identities of people requesting money or personal information.
techradar.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are increasingly impersonating FBI agents and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center on social media to target people who have already lost money to cybercrime, offering fake recovery services to steal additional funds or personal information. These fraudsters contact victims through Facebook, email, or direct messages and then move conversations to secure channels like Telegram to avoid detection. The FBI warns that it will never ask for payment to recover lost funds, and victims should report suspected scams at ic3.gov or contact the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) for those 60 and older.
legalexaminer.com
· 2026-07-21
Phone scammers impersonating banks through "spoofing" have become a major fraud problem, with over 191,000 complaints and $215 million in losses reported in 2025, particularly affecting older Americans. Whether you can recover money depends on the type of transfer: if a scammer made an unauthorized transfer, you have stronger legal protections under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, but if you were tricked into authorizing the transfer yourself, banks are typically not liable under current law. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank, independently verify requests by calling your bank's official number, and never authorize transfers based on phone requests alone—especially for wire transfers, which offer fewer consumer protections.
staysafeonline.org
· 2026-07-21
Tech support scams trick people by displaying fake virus warnings or making unsolicited calls claiming to be from tech companies, pressuring victims to pay for unnecessary repairs, download malicious software, or grant remote access to their devices. These scams affect anyone online and are constantly evolving across pop-ups, phone calls, emails, and ads. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected security warnings or support calls—legitimate companies won't contact you unprompted about device problems, and you should never grant remote access or pay for repairs based on unsolicited alerts.
thenextweb.com
· 2026-07-21
Scammers are sending highly convincing phishing emails that mimic X's real login alerts, tricking users into visiting fake sites or approving malicious apps that give attackers access to their accounts, which are then used for cryptocurrency scams and other fraudulent schemes that affected roughly 57,000 people last year. To protect yourself, verify the sender's email address (X only sends from @X.com or @e.X.com), check where links actually lead before clicking, and never enter your password in response to an email request. If you've already entered credentials, change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication on your account.
mylondon.news
· 2026-07-21
Martin Lewis, a prominent personal finance expert, issued a warning after nearly falling victim to a WhatsApp scam impersonating Amazon. The scammer called claiming fraudulent activity on his account and pressured him to share a six-digit verification code, threatening to send an unordered iPhone if he didn't comply. Lewis's advice: stay vigilant regardless of your expertise, verify caller identity before sharing sensitive information, and be suspicious of pressure tactics—particularly requests for verification codes that could grant unauthorized account access.
thehill.com
· 2026-07-20
A woman lost her life savings to a romance scammer who manipulated her into withdrawing funds from retirement accounts, and despite law enforcement investigation, the money was never recovered—then she faced an additional blow when the IRS hit her with a tax bill on those withdrawals. While the IRS allows theft-loss deductions for victims of investment scams like "pig butchering" scams, romance scam victims are ineligible because they weren't motivated by profit, creating an unfair distinction in the tax code between people defrauded by different tactics. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious with online dating connections that quickly escalate emotionally or request money, verify the identity of romantic interests through video calls, and consult a tax professional if you've been victimized by any type of scam.
kiplinger.com
· 2026-07-20
A 79-year-old retiree lost $1,400 to a card skimmer installed on an ATM, and while she eventually recovered the money, the experience highlighted how vulnerable seniors are to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. The article outlines five major scams currently targeting retirees and emphasizes that fraud deserves more attention in financial planning conversations alongside traditional investment strategies. To stay safe, retirees should regularly monitor their bank accounts for unauthorized transactions, inspect ATMs for signs of tampering before use, and report suspicious activity immediately to their banks.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-20
Fraudsters are exploiting digital wallet systems like Apple Pay and Google Wallet by using stolen credit card information obtained through phishing texts, data breaches, and identity theft to make unauthorized purchases that appear legitimate at checkout. The tap-to-pay technology itself is secure, but criminals are targeting the weaker link earlier in the process by tricking people into sharing their financial information through convincing phishing messages that mimic banks and delivery companies. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited texts claiming urgent action is needed, verify requests directly with your bank or company through official channels, and monitor your statements regularly for unauthorized charges.
thestar.com.my
· 2026-07-20
Romance scams—where fraudsters pose as romantic partners online to extract money from victims—have surged dramatically, with over 49,000 Americans reporting $1.3 billion in losses last year, a 14% increase fueled partly by pandemic-related loneliness and isolation. Victims like Jean Booth, who developed feelings for a boyfriend she never met in person, are targeted because humans have a biological need for connection that can override rational judgment when that need goes unmet. To protect yourself, be wary of online romantic interests who avoid video calls or in-person meetings, never send money to someone you haven't verified in real life, and recognize that scammers often create elaborate backstories involving emergencies or travel obstacles to justify requests for cash.
wsbtv.com
· 2026-07-19
Criminals are using AI technology to create convincing fake phone calls that clone people's voices and fake caller IDs to impersonate banks, law enforcement, and family members, resulting in over 22,000 complaints and nearly $893 million in losses last year according to the FBI. The scams are particularly dangerous because they require minimal audio samples—as few as eight words—to generate realistic fake voices impersonating anyone. To protect yourself, never answer calls from unknown numbers, and if you receive an unexpected call about financial or account issues, hang up immediately and contact the institution directly through a verified phone number rather than engaging with the caller.
foxnews.com
· 2026-07-18
Georgia's new House Bill 945, effective July 1, 2026, allows banks and credit unions to pause suspicious transactions they suspect are fraudulent, protecting adults 65 and older as well as those with physical or mental incapacities, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease. Common bank scams involve callers claiming your account is under attack and pressuring you to transfer money to a "safe account" that actually belongs to scammers, potentially turning years of savings into irreversible losses. The law's effectiveness depends on your state, financial institution, and account type, so consumers should stay alert to scam calls, verify requests directly with their bank using official numbers, and consider registering for fraud prevention resources.
indianexpress.com
· 2026-07-18
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated photos, deepfake videos, and forged documents to create convincing fake profiles on matrimonial (dating) websites, targeting financially stable individuals with promises of romance followed by investment schemes. India now ranks third globally for romance scam profiles, with recent arrests in Gujarat exposing networks operating dozens of fake profiles simultaneously to lure victims into fraudulent forex trading platforms. To protect yourself, verify identities thoroughly before meeting, be skeptical of profiles that quickly escalate to investment opportunities, and never send money to unknown contacts, especially for trading or financial schemes.
danvillesanramon.com
· 2026-07-18
Patelco Credit Union's Senior Advocate Program successfully stopped 700 fraud attempts and prevented nearly $10 million in losses over the past year by training employees to identify suspicious transactions through personal interaction. The most common scams targeting seniors involved family and friend impersonation (26%), tech support scams (12%), and cryptocurrency fraud (10%), though overall suspicious transaction attempts have declined since peaking in April. To protect yourself, stay alert to unsolicited requests for money or personal information, verify requests by contacting organizations directly through official channels, and don't hesitate to ask trusted friends or family members for a second opinion on suspicious communications.
wmar2news.com
· 2026-07-18
Savi Security has launched a new AI-powered mobile app designed to protect families from digital scams, which have become the fastest-growing crime in America. The app uses behavioral AI to analyze calls, messages, and communications in real-time to identify and block scams before users engage with them, addressing a gap left by basic phone protections. Americans of all ages are vulnerable—seniors lost a record $7.7 billion in 2025, while Gen Z falls for scams at three times the rate of Baby Boomers—making tools like Savi's text message and voice protection features increasingly important for safeguarding personal communications.
fox19.com
· 2026-07-17
Scammers have been exploiting Shopify's Shop app to send fake invoice notifications to users, tricking them into calling fraudster phone numbers to dispute charges they never made (such as fake Geek Squad subscriptions). While no money has actually been stolen, the scammers' goal is to get users on the phone where they can use social engineering tactics to steal personal financial information and computer access. To protect yourself, avoid calling any phone numbers listed in suspicious notifications and instead report the fake store directly within the Shop app.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-07-17
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create deepfakes and clone voices to impersonate trusted individuals and steal millions of dollars from victims. The FBI reported nearly $893 million in AI-enabled scam losses in 2025, with criminals targeting people through romance schemes, fake investments, emergency calls, and "grandparent scams" where they impersonate relatives in distress. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls or messages requesting money, verify requests through independent contact with known phone numbers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
texasobserver.org
· 2026-07-17
Romance scammers operate sophisticated schemes using deepfake videos, scripts, and pressure tactics to pose as romantic partners, targeting vulnerable people who often continue sending money even after suspecting fraud—sometimes for the emotional connection alone. Author Amanda Eyre Ward explores this dark underworld in her new novel "Arrivals and Departures," drawing on two years of research including interviews with fraud examiners in Austin who work to dismantle these scams. If you're being pursued by someone online asking for money or personal information, be cautious—legitimate romantic partners won't pressure you for funds or use overly polished messaging, and it's worth reporting suspicious activity to fraud examiners and law enforcement rather than continuing engagement.
whec.com
· 2026-07-15
A new scam targeting iPhone users uses fake pop-up messages on lock screens claiming an Apple ID purchase needs verification, directing victims to call a number that appears legitimate in Google search results—a technique called "search poisoning." Scammers then pressure victims to download remote access apps like TeamViewer to steal banking information and digital wallet access, sometimes using personal data from past data breaches to appear credible. If you receive such a pop-up, don't call the number or download any apps; instead, contact Apple directly through their official website or a known phone number.
alachuachronicle.com
· 2026-07-15
Alachua County law enforcement and Florida Elder Options held a press conference warning residents about rapidly evolving scams—including jury duty, arrest warrant, unpaid toll, and romance scams—that are expected to increase 25% locally over the next year. Scammers use sophisticated tactics to create urgency and isolate victims through extended phone calls or threats, often demanding payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities urged residents to simply hang up on suspected scammers, report attempts to police, and not feel ashamed if victimized, as every report helps law enforcement identify and stop criminal networks.
singjupost.com
· 2026-07-15
Pig butchering scams lure victims through fake relationships on dating apps and social media, then convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms that show false profits before disappearing with the money. If you fall victim to this scam, the first three days are critical—you should immediately hire a crypto fraud lawyer and secure all your accounts, because scammers move funds quickly and delay reduces your chances of recovery. Early legal action can help identify the wallets and platforms involved and may preserve recovery options that close off within days.
aol.com
· 2026-07-14
Ohio seniors face widespread exploitation through various forms of elder abuse, including phone scams, financial exploitation by caregivers or family members, and schemes that drain lifetime savings, often going unreported due to shame or fear. Law enforcement and prosecutors report these crimes are neither rare nor isolated, with victims often discovered too late after significant financial, physical, or emotional damage. Residents and officials are being urged to support stronger law enforcement measures, improved prosecutions, and accountability systems to protect vulnerable seniors from predators who exploit trust and isolation.
khmoradio.com
· 2026-07-14
A Missouri deputy nearly fell victim to a sophisticated text message scam that impersonated legitimate bank fraud alerts he had actually signed up for; the scam was only detected when the scammer offered to call him, which his real bank had never done. The incident highlights how cybercriminals are using advanced technology, including AI, to make phishing texts appear authentic and convincing to even trained law enforcement. To protect yourself, never click links in unsolicited texts claiming to be from your bank or business—instead, independently verify by contacting the company directly using a phone number you know is legitimate.
amlintelligence.com
· 2026-07-13
AI technology is enabling criminals to operate fraud at massive scale, with experts warning that a single fraudster could soon orchestrate tens of thousands of scams daily using automated systems. Recent examples include AI voice-cloning used to steal €220,000 from a UK energy company and deepfake videos that resulted in a $25 million theft from a Hong Kong firm. To protect themselves, individuals should be skeptical of unexpected requests for money or sensitive information—especially urgent calls or video calls—and verify identities through independent contact methods, while banks and regulators are urged to develop AI-powered defenses to combat this emerging threat.
independent.com.mt
· 2026-07-13
Digital scams have surged significantly, with criminals increasingly using fake bank messages and "pig butchering" schemes (where victims are manipulated over time to transfer large sums) to defraud unsuspecting people. Elderly and less tech-savvy individuals are particularly vulnerable, with reported victims losing tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of euros with little hope of recovery. People should be cautious of unsolicited messages claiming to be from banks or financial services, verify requests through official channels, and remain skeptical of online investment opportunities—especially those targeting people during vulnerable emotional periods.
foxnews.com
· 2026-07-12
Criminals are using AI-powered phishing scams to impersonate trusted companies like Meta and T-Mobile, creating fake warning messages that threaten account deletion to trick people into clicking malicious links or revealing login credentials. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have been targeted, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. To protect yourself, be suspicious of urgent deletion threats, check for red flags like misspelled names and suspicious attachments, and never click links in unsolicited messages—instead, go directly to the official company website or app to verify any account issues.
yourohionews.com
· 2026-07-12
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake emails, calls, and messages that impersonate banks, government agencies, and family members, making fraud harder to detect—especially for seniors who may be less familiar with the technology. To protect yourself, experts recommend being skeptical of urgent or unusual requests, starting with small steps to understand AI tools, and always verifying important information directly with trusted sources like your bank or doctor rather than relying solely on what you see or hear online. The key takeaway is that while AI can be helpful for everyday tasks, it's crucial to double-check anything related to finances, health, or legal matters before taking action.
pbs.org
· 2026-07-11
A bipartisan bill moving through Congress would allow financial institutions to temporarily pause withdrawal requests from seniors and people with disabilities if they suspect fraud is occurring. Older Americans lost nearly $2.4 billion to financial scams in 2024, with experts warning that artificial intelligence is making fraudsters increasingly sophisticated, and the bill aims to give banks and investment companies a tool to intervene and protect vulnerable people from losing their life savings. The measure has already passed the House with overwhelming support and has a companion bill pending in the Senate.
foreignpolicy.com
· 2026-07-11
Romance scams originating from Nigeria have become a major problem, with nearly one in ten American adults over 50 falling victim and losing over $1.1 billion as of 2023, according to the FTC. A journalist investigated the scam after his own mother was targeted by someone pretending to be a U.S. soldier in Syria but operating from Lagos, Nigeria, discovering that the perpetrators are often young men facing economic hardship rather than purely criminal masterminds. The article suggests protecting yourself by being cautious of online relationships that quickly become romantic, verifying identities independently, and never sending money to people you haven't met in person.
freightwaves.com
· 2026-07-11
Trailer rental scams are surging in the trucking industry, with fraudsters using fake rental ads on Facebook to steal money from owner-operators and motor carriers or trick drivers into transporting stolen trailers. These scams are part of a broader fraud crisis in trucking, where strategic cargo theft has increased 1,500% since 2021 and now accounts for about one-third of all supply chain thefts, costing the industry tens of billions of dollars annually. Truckers should be cautious when responding to trailer rental ads online, verify the legitimacy of rental companies through official channels, and report suspicious offers to authorities.
cutoday.info
· 2026-07-11
Patelco Credit Union's Senior Advocate Program prevented $9.6 million in potential fraud losses during its first year by having trained employees identify and stop suspicious transactions before completion, protecting vulnerable older adults from increasingly sophisticated scams. The most common fraud schemes targeting seniors included family impersonation (26%), tech support scams (12%), and cryptocurrency fraud (10%), with human intervention—rather than automated systems—proving critical to catching these crimes. To protect yourself, be cautious when family or friends ask for money via unexpected contacts, verify requests directly through known phone numbers, and don't provide personal information or access to your accounts to unsolicited callers claiming to be from banks or tech companies.
interpol.int
· 2026-07-10
A coordinated global law enforcement operation across 97 countries arrested 5,811 fraud perpetrators and recovered $293 million in illicit assets between January and April 2026, targeting social engineering scams such as romance, investment, and business email compromise schemes. The operation identified over 142,000 victims worldwide, demonstrating how widespread these scams have become and affecting individuals, businesses, and governments. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or personal information, verify identities through independent channels before sending funds, and report suspicious activity to local authorities or platforms immediately.
ncoa.org
· 2026-07-10
Imposter scams—where criminals pose as trusted family members, government agencies, or businesses to steal money or personal information—affected victims who lost $3.5 billion in 2025 alone, with seniors being particularly targeted through schemes like the "grandparent scam" where callers claim a relative needs emergency bail money. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected calls that create urgency, ask for money or personal details, or pressure you not to verify the caller's identity by contacting family or authorities directly. Always take time to independently confirm the caller's identity through official phone numbers or by reaching out to the person they claim to be before sending any money or sharing sensitive information.